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SHAMON -- Frances G. October 10, 1929 - January 2, 2007
Frances passed away peacefully at the Drumheller Regional Hospital at the age of 77. She was born in Frelighsburg, Quebec (near Sherbrooke), a daughter for John and Eva Daignault. At the age of 5 months the family moved to a farm in Southern Alberta and then later to Cranbrook, BC. This is where she met Leo and they were married on June 19, 1952. Frances and Leo were blessed with two daughters Debbie and Lynn who were born in Cranbrook, BC. They later moved to Revelstoke, BC where Leo was employed with CP Telecommunications. In 1973 they moved to Drumheller, AB and have remained there since. Frances was a devoted homemaker and was also a partner with her husband Leo in the janitorial business. She enjoyed music, gathering with friends, going for walks and bike rides with her immediate family as well as having an excellent sense of humor. Her devotion to her faith was unlimited
Frances will lovingly be remembered by her husband of 54 ½ years, Leo, her daughters, Debbie and family, Lynn (David) Meeres and family of Munson, AB; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by three brothers, Fred and John Daignault and their families in Cranbrook, BC and Hector Daignault and family from Calgary and area. Frances was predeceased by her parents in 1977 who resided in Drumheller, sister Theresa and three brothers; Paul, Art and Armand.
A Service of Remembrance was held on Saturday, January 6, 2007 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Mr. Richard Wheeler officiated.
Donations can be made in memory of Frances to the Drumheller Health Foundation, CT Scan, 351-9th Street NW, Drumheller, AB, T0J 0Y1, the Alberta Cancer Foundation, C/O Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N2 or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta & NWT, Room 124 Professional Building, 430-6th Avenue S.E., Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 2S8.
BURT -- Randy
It is with great sadness that the family of Randy Burt announces his sudden passing on January 14, 2007 at the age of 30 years. There will be a Service of Remembrance on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 3 p.m. from Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Chapel, Drumheller, Alberta. Donations can be made in memory of Randy to S.T.A.R.S., 1441 Aviation Park N.E., Box 570, Calgary, AB T2E 9Z9.
EWING -- Glenys (nee James) 1921 - 2007
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Glenys Ewing on Thursday, January 11, 2007 in Calgary, AB at the age of 85 years. Glenys was born on April 29, 1921 near Aberystwyth, Wales and immigrated to Canada at the age of six, living in the Drumheller area. She married Jim in 1941 and together they farmed in the Verdant Valley community until moving to Calgary in 1975. Glenys will be most remembered for her love and devotion to her family. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and was always up for playing games. Glenys had a wonderful sense of humour and enjoyed joking around, even if at her own expense. Glenys loved the Lord and was always active in her local church. She was very generous and always willing to help someone in need.
Glenys will be lovingly remembered by her children Merle and Shirley Ewing, Trudy and Phil Reist, Joyce and Wayne Sylvester, Ila Beagles, Eric and Debbie Ewing; twenty-one grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother Rhystyd and Mona James; sister-in-law Ruth James; in-laws Don and Tanya Day, Rose Ewing, Margaret Ewing, Helen Ewing, Dorothy and Jimmy Duguid, Irene and Frank Wilson and many nieces and nephews; as well as numerous relatives in Wales. Glenys was predeceased by her husband Jim; daughter Rita Ewing; daughter-in-law Majoree Ewing; son-in-law Wayne Beagles; two sisters, Eirwen Fernandez and Dilys Robert and two brothers Neu James and Elfed James.
Funeral Services were held at First Church of the Nazarene (65 Richard Way S.W.) on Tuesday, January 16, 2007. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Camp Harmattan, (Box 444, Sundre, AB, T0M 1X0) In living memory of Glenys Ewing a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Calgary, AB Telephone -- 1-800 661-1599.
GAUTHIER -- Margaret Helena 1919 - 2007
Mrs. Margaret Helena Gauthier (Stokes, Fraser), of the Wintering Hills District, north of Hussar, passed away in Drumheller on January 10th, 2007. Margaret was the matriarch of a loving family, who will miss her deeply. Margaret was born on July 10th, 1919 in Fraserton, Alberta, located northeast of Homestead Coulee, in the Lone Butte area. She and her brother, Robert, were the only two people ever born in Fraserton, as their father, Robert Ross Fraser homesteaded there and opened a store and post office, and wed Margaret’s mother, Jossa Helena McCullough (Broe). The family grew by two sisters, Sharen and Karel, but left the homestead at the beginning of the depression, and moved to Vancouver where Margaret attended high school during the 30’s.
Margaret married the love of her life, George Stokes in 1941, and moved to Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. They had a son, Martin who did not survive childbirth, and in 1944, another son Darrell, whose family now runs the farm near Hussar. Margaret was widowed 3 months later when George was killed in a logging accident. She moved back to Vancouver where she raised her son and looked after the rest of her younger siblings. She worked in Vancouver for many years, and met Almon Gauthier in the late 50’s. The two of them decided to move to Alberta in 1961, buying a half section northeast of Hussar. Two years later, they moved six miles further north where the farm is today.
Margaret and Al were married in 1963, but Al passed away in 1968. Margaret ran the farm on her own, with help from wonderful neighbours and hired workers, until 1976 when Darrell and Amy came to help out. She loved the work, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from farming and doing what nobody thinks is possible. She was a remarkable person…wife, mother, grandma, neighbour, whose sense of family and community affected all who knew her.
Margaret was recently predeceased by her brother Robert (Bev) Fraser and sister Sharen Smith. She is survived by her sister Karel (Roy) Lindberg of Florida, son Darrell (Amy) Stokes of Hussar, grandson Gordon (Jennifer) Stokes of North Vancouver BC, granddaughter Rosana (Kurt) Weidenbacher of Hope BC, grandsons Garrett and Travis Stokes of Hussar. Greatgrandchildren Melina, Brynn and Angelica Stokes and Caleb and Christopher Weidenbacher will always remember “Gramma Gauthier”.
There will be a social gathering to remember Margaret, and reminisce about the remarkable life that touched so many people. The gathering will be held in the Hussar Hall at 2 pm January 26, 2007. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a donation, in Margaret’s memory, may do so to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the Drumheller Health Centre, Continuing Care Recreational Therapy Garden, 351-9th Street NW, Drumheller, AB, T0J 0Y1. Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with arrangements.
KUNTZ -- Frank J. July 2, 1938 - January 12, 2007
It is with great sadness that the family wishes to announce the passing of Frank at the Drumheller Health Centre on January 12, 2007 after a short and courageous battle with cancer. Frank was born on July 2, 1938 in Maple Creek, SK. Frank will be lovingly remembered by his wife Lena of 45 years, and his three children, Russ, Lyle (Kim) and Jacqueline Malto (James), and five grandchildren, David, Amanda, Colin, Kayla and Aidan. Frank is also survived by his brother Jack, sister Clara (Alf) Stein of Medicine Hat, AB and sister-in-law Noreen of Beauvallon, AB. Frank was predeceasedby his parents Anna and Joseph Kuntz and younger brother David.
Prayers will be held at Courtney-Winter’s on Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 7 p.m. Funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Parish on Friday, January 19, 2007 at 11 a.m. There will be no interment. A lunch will be held at St. Anthony’s Parish Hall immediately after the service.
Special thanks to Dr. E. Racz and nursing staff of the Drumheller Health Centre.
BACKS -- John Dominic 1925 - 2007
On January 15th, 2007, John Dominic Backs passed away at the age of 81 years with family at his side. John D. Backs accomplished much in his life, affected many lives in a positive way, and will be truly missed.
John was born on April 10th, 1925 in Teteringen, Noord Brabant, the Netherlands, to Adrian and Ida Backs. He often worked as a child in his father’s dairy supply service, and due to the hardships of the Great Depression, had to go to work on a neighbor’s farm after he had completed only seven years of schooling. War clouds were gathering and it wasn’t long before Holland was invaded and under Nazi occupation. John became a part of the armed resistance, and when Canadian forces liberated the south of Holland in 1944, John immediately joined the new Stoottroepen regiment of the Dutch Interior Army, which was attached to Canadian forces. He gained great respect for the valour of Canadian servicemen during the difficult battles to liberate the Scheldt and other parts of the Netherlands.
John emigrated to Canada in 1948 and worked in farming and logging in the foothills northwest of Calgary. He met and married his bride Helen (Lena) in 1950 and moved to Springbank, Alberta, where they operated a market garden. After their sons Stan and Dan were born, the growing family moved to Bowness, which later became a part of Calgary. Four more children--Gerry, Susan, Mike and Kim--came along as John worked in construction, earned his journeyman’s status as a carpenter and took drafting at SAIT. He soon had his own construction company, Backs Construction, and was building award-winning homes and apartment buildings in Calgary, southern Alberta and B.C. He became well known for his innovative designs and construction techniques, acting as a trailblazer in the use of trusses and prefab methods, but always emphasizing quality and service to his customers. One of his homes was the first Canadian home featured in Better Homes and Gardens magazine. While still operating the construction firm, he started Westcloverleaf Building Products, which became the largest building supply showroom in Western Canada and later was a flagship location for Totem Building Supplies. John also concurrently owned a real estate office and a printing firm in downtown Calgary. To spend more time with his family, John decided to sell everything and move to the Peace River country to set up a homestead, to ranch, and to live a rural life. This homestead very soon became three thousand acres under cultivation and another six thousand acres in bush pasture. His innovative style continued in farming as he introduced a number of new crops and pioneered different agricultural practices in the Peace country. He eventually sold the ranch, but he kept a quarter section and set up a specialty hardwood sawmill. He also operated a greenhouse and millwork shop until health problems brought him to downsize and move to an acreage near Stony Plain. There his orchard and gardens produced bountiful harvests for many years.
John was often active in politics and was a strong supporter of Alberta Liberal leaders Nick Taylor and Laurence Decore for many years. He served on executive boards and worked in election campaigns and was named Alberta Liberal of the Year in 1989. Always by his side through his many endeavours was his loving wife Helen. They were a devoted couple for 53 years. Helen passed away after a difficult illness in 2004. John had been at her side every day throughout her months-long ordeal. John is survived by his sons and daughters, his granddaughter Cassie; his grandsons Jonathan Backs, Jordan Backs, Nathan Wawrzonek, Emmett Hanly and Sam Hanly; Lauren Barbour; great-grandsons Isaac and Levi; and his siblings Jack, Mary, Bill, Bert, Kathy, Annie, Minnie, Nelly and Joanna. He is predeceased by his parents Adrian and Ida as well as brothers Tony, Rienie and Marinus.
John succumbed after a difficult and courageous fight with cancer, and will be sorely missed. Viewing was Friday, January 19th at Peace Garden Funeral Chapel in Spruce Grove. A remembrance service was held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Spruce Grove at 11:00 A.M on Saturday, January 20th. Interment followed at St. Joseph’s Catholic cemetery in Spruce Grove, where he will be laid to rest beside Helen on her birthday. They will be together again. Our heartfelt thanks go to the staff at the Westview Regional Health Centre (Stony Plain) and at the Drumheller hospital. If friends desire, memorial tributes may be made in John’s name to the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton. Peace Garden Funeral Chapel, Spruce Grove, Alberta. Telephone (780) 962-2749.
BURT -- Randy Caesar April 12, 1976 - January 14, 2007
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Randy Caesar Burt on January 14, 2007 at the age of 30 years. Randy leaves to mourn his daughter, Haley, wife Cynthia, father Glenn, mother Vicki (Robin) Beck, brother, Murray, sister, Linsey (Richard), brother in law, Cory LaForge as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Randy was predeceased by infant daughter, Keoma, grand parents, cousins, and father in law. Randy loved to motorbike, 4x4; spend time with Haley, family, and friends. He was a backyard mechanic as well. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 3 pm at Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Chapel, Drumheller, Alberta. A time of fellowship and refreshments will be held after the service at the Drumheller Royal Canadian Legion in the Normandy Room. If friends so desire, donations can be made in memory of Randy to STARS, 1441 Aviation Park, NE, Box 570, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 9Z9. Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with arrangements.
CRAGG -- Donald Albert 1922 - 2007
Donald Albert Cragg passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at the South Okanagan General Hospital, Oliver, B.C. at the age of 84 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Betty; children Diana (Guy), Sharon, Gary (Bev), Ric (Cheryl) and Alan; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; brother William and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at the Graham Funeral Chapel, Oliver, B.C. with Reverend Dr. Ron Holden officiating. Donald will be laid to rest in the Oliver Municipal Cemetery Field of Honour following the funeral service. A reception followed at the Oliver Legion Branch #97. Donations are gratefully accepted at the S.O.G.H. Palliative Care, R.R. #3, 7139 - 362nd Ave., Oliver, B.C. V0H 1T0 or the Canadian Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1872, Oliver, B.C. V0H 1T0. Arrangements entrusted to Graham Funeral Home, Oliver and Osoyoos, B.C. (250) 498-3833
HANLON -- Jennifer Stephanie Stella 1984 - 2007
Jennifer was tragically killed in a freak C-Train Accident in Calgary, Alberta Jan 21st 2007. She leaves behind a son Alexzander (2) her mother Kelly Fitzpatrick and step-dad Doug Greer, her dad Darren Hanlon and step-mom Norma Tulk as well as her brother Darren whom adored her and stepsister Sara whom will miss her dearly. Her grandparents Alex and Stella Fitzpatrick as well as many aunts uncles and cousins, Jennifer’s untimely passing has been a true burden to bear. She was a beautiful girl and will always be remembered and sadly missed by all who were lucky to have known her. No one knows our heartaches only those who have lost can tell of the grief that we bear for the one we loved so well.
A celebration of Jennifer’s life was held in Newfoundland at Caul’s Funeral Chapel with family and friends on Monday January 29th at 1:00 PM. Interment followed. My darling, my child, my granddaughter, and sister we dearly love you. Donations may be made in Jennifer’s name to the Children’s Wish Foundation or the Kid’s Help Phone.
SHEWAN -- Alfa May June 5, 1918 - January 22, 2007
Alfa (Babe) Shewan passed on to meet her sweetheart with family at her side. She will be lovingly missed by sons, Bruce (Chris), Doug (MD); daughters, Gay (Brian), Glenda (Larry); grandchildren, Anthony (Michelle), Dawn (Derek), Krista (Lanny), Jeff, Julia, Kyle, Kent, Wade, Cody (Tanis) and Leah; one great granddaughter Cheyene. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Nan Nolan (Shewan), Flo Peakman (Shewan) and numerous nieces and nephews. Alfa was predeceased by her husband Alec, sons Ken and Greg and granddaughter Jana. At Alfa’s request no funeral service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to the Strathmore Palliative Care Unit or Strathmore Home Care both at 200 Brent Blvd., Strathmore, Alberta, T1P 1J9. WHEATLAND FUNERAL HOME LTD. (Strathmore) in care of arrangements. 934-5666
