- Alberta, Canada, Marriages Index, 1898-1944 -
- Alberta, Newspaper BMD Index, 1889-2012 -
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LANE, ROSS PHILIP LANE, of Burnaby BC
LANE, ROSS PHILIP LANDON, aged 88, of Burnaby BC passed away peacefully in his sleep December 30 in the home of his daughter Janet. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughters Rosemary and Janet, by his son Philip and his wife Helena, his brother Jerold and his wife Nancy of Lakefield, ON along with numerous nieces and nephews. Ross was predeceased by his wife Roberta in 1998, his parented Ernest and Cora Lane, his sisters Hazel Hibbard, Betty Yule, and Marge Martineau, and two infant sisters, Phyllis and Joan. Ross was born in Red Deer, AB and grew up primarily in Delia, AB. Upon finishing high school in 1937, he took a job as an apprentice Pharmacist in Peace River, AB. He finished a Diploma in Pharmacy in 1942 then signed with the RCAF and served as a navigator in Britain until his discharge. In 1945, he married Roberta McPhee. They settled in Peace River, AB and bought an interest in the Peace River Drug. They remained there raising their family and eventually owning two drug stores until Ross retired in 1973. Ross was active in the United Church, the Peace River School Board, the Kinsmen, and then Rotary International. In 1965, he was appointed to the Senate of the University of Alberta. One of his proudest moments was being awarded the AJ Robbins Bowl of Hygeia award given to Pharmacists for outstanding community service. In 1973, after thirty seven years in business, Ross and Roberta moved to Victoria BC, where they enjoyed 20 years of retirement together. They were active in the United Church and the genealogical society. It was this hobby that defined their retirement years. They traveled extensively to England, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New England gathering information on the scope of their family tree and meeting family and friends who were interested in the same pursuit. Ross was an engaging man. The essence of his character was a remarkable capacity to enjoy, a positive outlook on life, and his sincere interest in each person that he met. He was loved by many. A memorial service was held in Victoria at Cordova Bay United Church on Friday January 9, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. Donations may be made to the Red Cross in Ross’ name.
Raymond Edward Webber, of Berwyn, Alberta
A LIFE WELL LIVED, A REST WELL EARNED. Raymond Edward Webber of Berwyn, Alberta passed away peacefully at home on December 23, 2003 at the age of 91. He was born in Saginaw, Michigan and came to Canada in 1930. He farmed with his brother, Joe, for many years before marrying Nell Duncan in 1943. Ray and Nell worked side by side on the farm and during those years they ventured into many diverse farming operations. Ray’s main farming passion was pedigreed seed production. In 1966 the farm was registered as Spruce Vista Seed Farm. Ray was a member of the Canadian Seed Growers Association for more than 35 years and his dedication to pedigreed seed production was recognized by the CSGA. Ray was actively involved in the church and many community organizations. He enjoyed working with young people and was a leader of the Berwyn 4-H Field Crops Club for a decade. Ray’s gentle, quiet nature, ready smile, and love of the outdoors were appreciated by everyone who knew him. His interest in travel led him and Nell to many continents, and following their retirement from the farm in 1986, they spent many winters in Yuma, Arizona. The celebration of Ray’s long and healthy life was held in the Bissell Memorial United Church in Berwyn on Friday, January 2, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Michael Cochrane officiating. The organist was Marjorie Pope with the eulogy given by Ray’s nephew, Barry Webber. Pall Bearers were Joe Webber, LeRoy Rusinek, Jerry Willsey, Lars Harpe, Chad Willsey, Craig Rusinek, Neil Harpe, Steve Harpe. Interment was at the Berwyn Cemetery. Ray will be remembered with much love by Nell, his wife of 60 years, and 4 children. Daughters Carol (LeRoy) Rusinek, Edmonton, Elaine (Jerry) Willsey, High Prairie, Teddy (Lars) Harpe, Peace River and son Joe (Allyson) Webber, Berwyn. Grandchildren Chad Willsey, Vernon B.C., Tara Willsey, Grande Prairie, Krista (Ryan) Spong, London, Ontario, Craig Rusinek, Edmonton, Neil Harpe, Peace River, Steve Harpe, Peace River, and two great-granddaughters Emma and Mackenzie Spong, London, Ontario. Brother Joe Webber, Grande Prairie, sisters Adeline (Dick) Spilsted, Calgary, Ruth Wutzke, Beaverlodge, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Chapel of Memories, Peace River. Donations in Ray’s memory may be made to the Autumn Lodge Comfort Fund in Berwyn, Alberta
GILLILAND, HENRY DUANE
Duane Gilliland of Berwyn passed away on September 30 at Sutherland Nursing Home in Peace River. Duane was ninety years old and spent most of those years serving the community as a mechanic, welder and machinist in his shop in Berwyn. He valued hard work and lived by the principle of helping one’s neighbour. It was not uncommon for him to work long into the night repairing a piece of equipment that was badly needed for seeding or harvest. He served as a councilor for the village of Berwyn from 1969 to 1976. Duane is also well known for his music: calling square dances and playing saxophone in a band for dances throughout the Peace country. He was predeceased by his father, William Floyd Gilliland; his stepmother, Alice Gilliland and sister, Winnifred Williamson. Duane is survived and will be lovingly remembered by his five nieces and nephews: Bill (Eleanor) Williamson, Beverley (Takis) Kokkinidis, Linda (John) Huston, all of Edmonton; Terry (Val) Williamson of Wetaskiwin; Frances (John) Gray of Montreal and numerous great-nieces and nephews. Arrangements have been entrusted to Chapel of Memories, Peace River Ltd.
Dennis J. McCartney
McCARTNEY, Dennis J. - D.V.M. Loss is made endurable by love, and it is love that endures through the ages. It is with great sorrow that the family announce the passing of Dennis following his battle with leukemia. He was a devoted husband to Mary and father to Will (Trina), Claire (Grant Ainsworth), Kathryn (Brad Nakonechny). He will be very much missed by his grandchildren Jenna, Nathan, Carson, Rylan, Jace, Emmitt, and Alexa. Dennis is also survived by his brother, Doug McCartney, of Lamont. In his passing he joins his granddaughter Katelyn. Dennis was born in Lamont to parents Gordon and Marjorie McCartney. Marjorie passed away when he was a boy, and when his father remarried, Margaret Brown joined the family. For forty years, Dennis practiced Veterinary Medicine in Fort Saskatchewan and was still working until June of 2016. He loved his work and his staff and put in many long hours in the early days when the practice was young. His family was very important to him and it made him sad to think that he wouldn’t see his grandchildren grow up. The void that is left in our family cannot be filled. There are simply no words to express our appreciation to the staff of Unit 5F4, University of Alberta Hospital. Their expertise, and caring ways helped Dennis and all the family to handle long periods of treatment during a fearful time. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Tiffany Van Slyke. Dennis always trusted her and she was more than just a doctor to us. We felt she was a friend as well. The staff of General Systems ICU hold a special place in our hearts as well. Thank you. A memorial service will be held at Lamont United Church on June 24, 2017 at 2 PM. If you so wish memorial donations in Dennis’ memory can be sent to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, 2 Lansing Square, Suite 804, Toronto, Ontario M2J4P8 or Tails of Help, a organization that provides financial assistance for low income Alberta pet owners who cannot afford veterinary care for their ill or injured pet. www.tailsofhelp.com
VERNA ELLS
A former long-time resident of the Peace River Country, Verna Ells, died January 21, 2005 in Edmonton. Verna was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick on November 28, 1922 and came to Alberta in 1944 to marry RCMP Constable Roy Ells from Rimbey. She had met Roy in Moncton where she was working in accounting for Eaton’s and he was the tracking dog handler for the RCMP. After being married in Calgary, they were stationed in Vancouver where Sharon was born and then Wetaskiwin where Barbara was born. In 1949 they made the decision to go to High Prairie to manage the Spaulding Hotel. It was the only hotel in the village of approximately 800 residents where there were wooden sidewalks, no running water and few stores. They lived there for 23 years, having two more children, Shirley and Roy, and becoming very active members of the community. Verna was on the High Prairie town council from 1960-63, only the second woman to do so. She took on even further responsibilities in running the hotel and raising their four children while Roy served for three terms as MLA for the Grouard Constituency from 1959-1971. It was difficult to leave High Prairie where they had so many friends, but in 1971 they moved further north to High Level to manage the High Level Hotel which they had built in 1964. Her boundless energy allowed her full involvement in the daily operation of the hotel. She enjoyed the interaction with staff and the public and was a true helpmate to her husband. They found this vibrant new community exciting and it appealed to their pioneer spirit. In 1974 they built the Sheridan Lawrence Motor Inn in Fort Vermilion which they operated until Roy became ill. Because they were partners in radio station CKYL they moved to Peace River and after Roy’s death in 1979 Verna moved to Edmonton. However she returned to the Peace River Country every summer to her cottage at Winagami Lake to visit family and friends. Her children will always treasure memories of her vitality, enthusiasm, sense of fun, generosity, and unlimited devotion to them. She will be sadly missed by her children, Sharon Ells Lucas of Ottawa, Barbara (Bill) Hindle of Red Deer, Shirley (Bart) Kuefler of High Prairie, and Roy Ells of San Diego, CA as well as 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and her brother Ronald Stafford of Fredericton. Donations in her memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or any charity of choice.
