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Earl Robert Readman
Earl Robert Readman of Prince George, BC passed away on August 26, 2002. He was 63 years old.
Earl is survived by his wife of 41 years, Bonnie, and his three children and their spouses, Rob (Melinda) Readman and Mike (Glenda Harcourt) Readman of Dawson Creek and Kelli (Mervin) McGuirk of Barrie, Ontario. Grampa Earl will be sadly missed by his seven grand children, Connor and Kiefer Readman, Travis, Shawn, and Naomi McGuirk; and David and Mark Readman. He is also survived by his mother, Josie Readman, his two brothers: Don and Wes Readman, his sister Wilma Hodson, his sister in-law Martha Readman, and numerous nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces.
Earl was born in Fairview (Black Duck), AB on June 22, 1939, the fifth son of Doug and Josie Readman. The family moved to Dawson Creek when Earl was four. Earl spent his formative years in Dawson Creek, attending Dawson Creek Elementary and South Peace Senior Secondary Schools.
Earl, like his dad and brothers, gravitated to the trucking industry. It was here that he built many of his most important and lasting friendships. It was trucking that also led to the numerous adventures that Earl took the family on. Always on the lookout for something better for his family, Earl, Bonnie and the kids experienced most of what B.C. has to offer, and also a bit of Europe.
Earl died suddenly in an industrial accident in Terrace, BC.
His funeral service was held on August 31, 2002 at Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium and was officiated by the Reverend Judy Hare. It was attended by large contingents from both the Readman and Braden families as well as numerous others, many of whom have known Earl as a friend and co-worker.
The Readman family would like to thank their extended family and many friends for their kindness, friendship and support since Earl‚s death. A special thank you goes to Canadian Freightways Limited for their support and the acknowledgement of the special circumstances they have shown during this most difficult time.
Earl will long be remembered for his strong sense of family and friendship, his work ethic, his sense of humour, and the enthusiasm with which he approached life.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Earl by way of donations to the:
Canadian Cancer Society
#102 - 1005 - 102 Avenue
Dawson Creek, BC
V1G 2B9
or
The Elk‚s and Royal Purple Fund for Children
#100 - 2629 - 29 Avenue
Regina, SK
S4S 9Z9
Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek - Fort St. John, British Columbia.
Mona Elizabeth Anderson
1904-2002
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 at Cloverdale Bibleway in Cloverdale BC with Mona’s son-inlaw Ed Byskal officiating. A Funeral service was held on Saturday, September 14, 2002 at Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, BC. Interment followed in the Dawson Creek City Cemetery.
Mona Elizabeth Anderson was born February 11,1904 in Glenwood, Iowa, the daughter of Myrtle and Robert Skillicorn. There were eight children in the family; 3 girls and 5 boys. In 1910 the family moved from Iowa to Montana. These were harsh years and the family was poor.
When Mona was 12 years old, she was sent on the train to live with her uncle in Iowa, in order to continue her schooling. He was an intellectual man, and required her to read the works of such great writers as Shakespeare and Thackery. He would question her as to what she had learned. It was not an easy life for a young girl as she kept the house, did the washing and cooking while attending school. She returned to Montana to her family when she was 15 years old.
When she was 17, Mona made the long and difficult journey to the Peace River Country of Northern B C to visit her sister. Mona's sister had married a man of adventure and gone north by packhorse. Mona traveled by train to Spirit River, Alberta, and then continued from there by wagon on a primitive rough trail. She chose to walk most of the way because riding in the wagon was too rough. She remembers eating wild raspberries along the way. She did not eat them for the rest of her life!
Mona met and married Wesley Harper there and within a few months her sister returned to Montana; leaving a young bride to adjust to a pioneer life in a new country. Mona and Wes had three children; Robert, Dorothy and Ruth.
Mona later returned to Montana and married Paul Anderson. They eventually moved back to Dawson Creek, where Paul passed away.
Mona was a homemaker, filling her days with sewing and needlework of all kinds. She always had a project on the go. In the last year of her life she embroidered at least 7 baby quilt tops.
Her family and all who knew here speak of her loving and gentle nature. She had a delightful sense of humour and always saw the happy side of every situation. Why, just last Thursday, while visiting with Dorothy and Candace, when Candace asked her Gramma if she would like anything from downtown, Mona said she couldn't think of anything. When Candace suggested french fries, Mona said, "Now you're talking!"
She had an incredible memory and we enjoyed hearing her tell of all the adventures she had experienced over her long lifetime.
Seven years ago, Mona moved with her daughter, Dorothy, To Abbotsford. The last four years she resided at the Menno Care Home in Abbotsford. She loved the staff and they loved her. She passed away peacefully there on Sunday, September 8, 2002.
Mona is lovingly and affectionately remembered by her children, Robert and his wife Bernice, Dorothy McGowan and Ruth Byskal and her husband Ed. She has two brothers in Montana, Warren and Donald., 13 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren.
Funeral Services were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek Fort St. John, British Columbia.
Jim Perry
1908-2002
Jim Perry passed away in the Pouce Coupe Hospital at the age of 94. He was born in Melford Saskatchewan on April 14, 1908, one of ten children in the Perry family, six boys and four girls.
Jim spent most of his growing up years farming. His means of travel was by horseback, and his horses were his pride and joy.
The two families he became very close to, were the Claughtons and McAvany families. Jim became very close with all the kids. Pearl, only eight years old, would follow Jim around the farm hoping to sneak a cigarette off him. Jim would of course give in to her, calling her his little devil.
Jim was a very hard worker, and a good man. He never had hard feelings towards anyone and had no enemies.
In 1936, Jim drove a team of horses from Neilberg, Saskatchewan to Hythe, Alberta. It was a journey that took him 15 days. He would stop on the way, working for farmers so he could continue on. His payment would be hay and grain for his horses. He told us a story about how he sold a cow for six dollars at an auction sale in 1932.
Clarke and Mary McAvany moved to B.C. and Jim moved in with them. Clarke passed away in 1975. Jim continued to stay with Mary and was a very dedicated friend. He would make his one mile journey to the hospital each and every day, to see his very close friend before her passing in 1982.
Later, Jim moved to Chetwynd, B.C. so he would be close to the McAvany families.
Jim lived in Chetwynd, B.C., until he had a stroke. He now needed extended care, so he was moved to The Pouce Coupe Hospital where he spent his remaining four years.
A Funeral Service was held on Monday, September 16, 2002 at 2:00pm at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, BC. Reverend Judy Hare officiated interment followed in the Brookside Cemetery, Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Funeral services were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd, Dawson Creek - Fort St. John, British Columbia
Aubrey Gunter
1913-2002
Aubrey Gunter, of Pouce Coupe, B.C. passed away on Aug. 31, 2002 at 89 years of age. He was cremated and a memorial service was held at Bergeron Funeral Chapel on Sept. 4, 2002 with Reverend Judy Hare officiating.
Aubrey was born August 10th, 1913, the first of six children born to Seth and Mary Gunter in Southern Saskatchewan. He grew up in Ponteix, Sask., went to school and worked at his dad's livery-stable.
As part of the search for better times, Aubrey's family became part of a migration from Saskatchewan to the North where they took up homesteads in the Peace River Country.
Aubrey fell in love with a beautiful young woman, Agnes Jantz, while she was working in a boarding house in Grande Prairie. They married in 1941 and soon found themselves heading for Prince Rupert where he worked as a welder in the shipyard on some very large ships during the war. Returning to the Peace River Country after the war, Aubrey and Agnes undertook storekeeping and the job of postmaster in Tupper Creek.
Even in the storekeeping days, Dad was interested in logging. He built a sawmill out behind the store, welding and assembling for days - and then had a hand crank to get it going.
In the mid-1960's Aubrey and Agnes built their home in Pouce Coupe, where many friends and travel-weary relatives were welcomed with a meal and good company.
In 1966 he began working at Lawrence's Meat Packing Plant as the "Maintenance Man", running the boilers, building freezers, fixing broken sausage makers and generally keeping things moving along in a productive way. Retirement also offered an opportunity to re-discover the pleasures of an old hobby - sketching. In the summer he could be seen puttering around the garden - tilling, mowing and checking on the progress of his much loved berries and fruit trees.
Aubrey was a private man and kept his own counsel but also was outgoing and cordial. He welcomed people into his home. He was a family man, and a good provider. He had the courage to pursue his ideas and dreams, to stand by his decisions, and learn from his mistakes. He lovingly watched the individuality and independence of his sisters and wanted all of that and more for his girls. For his boys he wanted upright, honest solid citizens who contributed to the betterment of life and he was never disappointed in that. Aubrey modeled the "possibility" of doing "absolutely anything" in one's life.
Aubrey will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his family: Agnes, his wife of 61 years; daughters Irma (Alien) Falle, Georgina (Kevin) Neish; sons Lloyd Gunter, Jeffrey (Judy) Gunter; son-in-law Lawrence Haydey; grandchildren Louise (Barry) Brown, Dale and Rodney Haydey, Ray Falle, Leonard (Lesley) Falle, Jennifer Neish (Scott Jones), Dustin and Sherry Gunter; great-grandchildren Kimberley and Travis Brown, Jessica and Jasmine Dostal; sister Evodia Fretenburg and brothers Byron (Mabel) Gunter and Jim (Nancy) Gunter.
He was predeceased by sisters, Mavis and Marjorie; parents, Seth and Mary; daughter, Helen Haydey and grandchildren, Debbie and Keith Haydey.
Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek Fort St. John, British Columbia.
Charles Sidney Burtinshaw
Charles Burtinshaw, former resident of Dawson Creek, passed away at UBC Hospital on Sept. 9, 2002, at age 77.
Charles Burtinshaw was well known for his love of music. During his time in Dawson Creek, he performed extensively with both the Dawson Creek Symphonette and Choir and the Northern Lights Chamber Choir. He sang with and served as the president of the Vancouver Bach Choir for many years.
Following military service in England as a pilot in WWII, Burtinshaw emigrated to Canada. He was a professional assessor and ultimately was appointed to the B.C. Assessment Appeal Board.
Burtinshaw was predeceased by his son, Edward. He is lovingly remembered by Maggie, daughters Julie (Peter), Cynthia (Steven), grandchildren Jennifer and James, sister Joan and cousin Kathleen (UK), the Wickstrom family, and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Kerrisdale, on Sept. 20, 2002 at 2 p.m. Members of the Vancouver Bach Choir will perform at that service.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Vancouver Bach Choir, c/o 4605 Dunbar Street, Vancouver B.C., V6S 2G8 are kindly appreciated.
Arthur (Art) Barber
Art was born in the municipality of Turtle Mountain, Killarey, Manitoba,May 28,1903. He passed away on August 28,2002 at the age of 99.
A funeral service was held at 10:00 am on September 2, 2002 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, with Captains Barry and Gail Haggett officiating. Interment followed at the Riverview Cemetery, Pouce Coupe.
Art was the fourth of five sons born to Albert William and Tabaitha Barber. After his mother’s death from influenza in 1919, the boys all moved to Swan River, where they worked in logging camps until they moved to the Peace area in 1930.
Art had a homestead southeast of Pouce Coupe (Riverside Area). He lived there until he signed up with the Army in 1939. He was with the 49th Edmonton Regiment (Ml 7516) and other units while in England. He was on the raid to Dieppe, and then served with the Calgary Highlanders.
While fighting in France, he was injured in the leg and brought back to England.
After he recovered, he was placed on general duties, and then to a Forestry Camp in Scotland until he returned to Canada in 1945 and was discharged.
Upon his return, Art lived with his brother, Leonard and his wife Yvonne, on the farm east of Pouce Coupe. Art had a trap-line Southwest of Pouce.
He enjoyed the trapping during the winter, gardening and farming in the spring and summer.
When Art retired from trapping, he bought a cabin and moved it to the farm site.
He lived there until he moved to the Tremblay House in Pouce Coupe, 1989, and then moved to the Peace River Haven Care Home in 1990. He enjoyed the activities of shuffle board, group outings and entertainment while at Pouce.
Art loved the outdoors and wildlife of all kinds. He enjoyed painting, woodworking, and writing poems. Gifted with detail, he enjoyed reading, jigsaw puzzles, and crossword puzzles.
He loved to travel, visiting places such as Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon, Texas, California, Nevada, The Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Yellowknife, Disneyland, Disneyworld, Mexico, the Bahamas, Jamacia, and all of Canada, except Newfoundland. Art would come home with lots of pictures and stories.
He was a quiet man but he always had time to visit. He was an excellent listener and had time for anyone. His favorite indulgences were his tobacco pipe and his Apricot Brandy. He enjoyed family get-togethers, you could always find him in a penny-ante poker game.
Art would lend a helping hand no matter what you needed. He was also a great teacher when it came to hunting and trapping. Being a bachelor, he didn't have any children, yet he treated all children as his own. He would always give a treat. You didn't leave Art's place empty handed.
He lived a very long happy life. He was loved by his family and friends and will always be remembered for his kindness and generosity.
Art was predeceased by his parents, William Albert and Tabaitha, brothers,Albert, Adrian, Leonard, and Percey.
He leaves to mourn his nephews, Kenneth (Barb) Barber, George (Judy) Barber, Stan (Georgina) Barber, Russell (Dianna) Barber, Rick (Dianne) Barber, and Murray Barber; nieces, Ethel (Martin) Riddle, Margaret Barber, and Glenna (Al) Beamer; and many grand nephews and grand nieces.
Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek Fort St. John, British Columbia.
Jessie Margaret Harrod (nee Doonan)
1917-2002
Jessie Margaret Harrod, resident of Kilkerran, BC, passed away on August 29, 2002 at 85 years of age. Jessie, the eldest of 15 children to Grace and Ed Doonan was born in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, on March 15, 1917. In 1928, at the age of eleven, she arrived in the Peace River area from Ontario, with her parents and six siblings.
She attended school in Landry and married John Harrod in January of 1936. They bought a farm in the Kilkerran district in 1944 where she lived, worked and gardened until the time other death.
A school essay written by her granddaughter, Alison St Dennis, entitled "A Most Remarkable Jessie" well describes the admiration felt by everyone who knew her. In her quiet ways, Jessie was thoughtful and generous, talented and hardworking and a treasure to her family, friends and the community. She was a Life Member of the West Saskatoon W.I., and a member of the Dawson Creek Art Society.
Jessie passed away peacefully in her home after a brief illness. She was predeceased by her husband John, and an infant son, Roy.
She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Myrna (Charles Henderson), Bert (Louise Harrod), Mary (Pat St Dennis); grandchildren, Cathy, Cole and Craig Henderson, Alison and Rob St Dennis, Myrna and Kim Harrod; great-grandchildren, Justin Dillon, Charlotte and Malcolm Henderson, Mackenzie St Dennis; her sisters and brothers; nieces and nephews and many friends.
At Jessie's request, there was no memorial service.
Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek ˆ Fort St. John, British Columbia.