- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Zabel, Harry
Harry Zabel of Erickson passed away at his residence on June 6, 2012 at the age of 74 years after a lengthy illness
Harry was born in Lutz, Germany on August 8, 1937. He immigrated with his mother to Edmonton, Alberta on September 15, 1953. He worked as a labourer in farming and construction until he obtained his auto body mechanic certification. He eventually opened up his own shop which grew into a General Motors Dealership and became the largest in northern B.C. Harry married the love of his life, Elizabeth in 1965. He retired to be a farmer in 1980 and finally retired to Creston in 1994 where he resided until his passing. Harry enjoyed family visits. Vehicles were his passion but DAS AUTO was number one. He had a love for all animals, especially dogs.
He was predeceased by his mother in 1981.
He is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth, son James (Jody), daughter Lolita (Wes), adopted son Michael and numerous grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Valley View Baptist Church, 234 36th Ave. N, Erickson, B.C. with Pastor Jeff Friesen officiating.
Interment will follow at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Erickson, B.C.
Friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 360 1385 W 8th Ave, Vancouver, B.C. V6H 3V9
Bateman, James
James Rayner Bateman passed away after a lengthy illness on June 7th, 2012 at the age of 90 years.
James was born in Creston, B.C. on February 7th, 1922 and went to school in Canyon, B.C.
He served in the Royal Canadian Navy during WWII and he was in the Federal Public Service for thirty-five years until retirement.
James was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was known for his love of music and his generosity of sharing it with others.
James will be lovingly remembered by his wife Betty; son Gordon; daughter Valerie; granddaughter Terri; great-granddaughter Rhea; great-great-grandson Brayden; nephew Dale.
The Memorial Funeral Service to be held at a later date.
Friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 29 – Poppy Fund - P. O. Box 135, Creston, B.C., V0B 1G0.
Sheila Diane Carpenter
Sheila was born in Cranbrook, B.C., April 27, 1950, she was raised in Nanaimo, B.C. Attended Brechin Elementary, Woodlands Junior Secondary and Nanaimo District Senior Secondary Schools. Sheila died suddenly in Calgary, AB, on May 16th, 2012. She was a resident of the Creston Valley area for the better part of 35 years. While here she was an administrative assistant in the Creston Valley Alcohol and Drug Counseling Centre for over a decade.
She will be dearly missed by her loving father Terence Carpenter (Nanaimo), brother Patrick Carpenter (Nanaimo), daughter Pauline Twardowski (Kaslo) and many loving friends.
In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to make a memorial donations may do so to the Creston PAWS organization – 2805 Lower Wynndel Rd, Creston, B.C., V0B 1G8. There will be a celebration of life service and general gathering held at Sheila's home in Wynndel, B.C. on Saturday June 23rd, 2012.
John Robert Michelson
1924-2012
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, John Robert Michelson, on Thursday, May 17th at Creston Valley Hospital.
He was born February 14, 1924 in Lipton, Saskatchewan on the farm his parents had homesteaded in the early 1900s.
His mother, Rosa, had immigrated to Canada from Gontenschwil, Switzerland while his father, Brian, was from Grantham, England.
John endured the hardships of both the Depression and the war years while faithfully ensuring the survival of the family farm.
In 1949, he married the local school teacher and love of his life, Blanche (nee Urzada).
In 1955, John’s adventurous spirit spurred him to leave behind the farm and move his young family to B.C. to seek out a new life.
He fell in love with the mountains and, as his family grew in size, he pursued careers in construction and logging in various parts of the province before settling in Castlegar. In 1961, he began his own logging company with his friend Leo McCarthy.
A near-fatal logging accident led him to switch paths and begin what would be his most satisfying and lengthy career as manager of the Castlegar Airport.
John made major contributions to community life through his work in various capacities as well as with numerous organizations including the Castlegar and District School Board, the Selkirk College Board, Blueberry Creek Irrigation, and the United Way. His strong work ethic was a defining characteristic, but his most important legacy was his great love of family. He was a kind and gentle soul whose integrity was matched by his generosity of spirit. John was a great storyteller, and his family and friends can attest to his repertoire of great tales that he delighted in sharing. His love of storytelling was equaled by his love of music and his innate ability to pick up any instrument and play a tune.
He leaves to mourn his cherished wife of 62 years, Blanche.
He was the caring and generous father of Charlotte (Casey Messinger), Lester (predeceased in 2010), Jim (Maureen) and Debra (Kerry Spring). He was the adored and adoring Papa and Grandpa of Brent (Jessica), Darin (Bree), Chelsea (Aaron), Laurie (Justin), Bradley (Melanie), Kristi (Jody), Jennifer (Shane), Meghan, Aaron and Kieran. He was delighted to be great-grandfather to a growing brood of (eleven and counting) great-grandchildren. John was predeceased by his parents, Brian and Rosa, his brothers, Richard and William, and his sister Rose.
A Memorial Funeral Service will be held Saturday, June 16, 2012, at 11:00 am at the Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Harry Haberstock officiating.
The family is indebted to the staff at Harris Unit, Swan Valley Lodge, for the caring and loving attention they gave to John, and to the nurses and doctors at Creston Valley Hospital for their great compassion in his last days.
We also wish to express our thanks to Dr. Merritt for his support and care of John prior to his move to Creston.
John will live forever in our hearts.
Ross, Gen
Gen Ross ( nee Grizzelle ) passed away on June 5, 2012 in the Crest View Care Village at the age of 89 years. Gen was born to parents Bea & Cecil Grizzelle on September 14, 1922 in Nelson, B.C. She received her formal education in Nelson, B.C. and then continued her education in Victoria, B.C.
After her schooling, Gen taught for three years in Proctor B.C. in the early 40’s. Gen married Arthur James Ross on February 22, 1945 in Nelson, B.C. She then stayed at home and raised their family until the early 1970’s when she began working at the Truscott’s Honey farm.
She was a part of numerous clubs and committees including the following: Erickson Hospital Auxiliary, Pioneer Villa Auxiliary, T.A.P.S., Hospital Tuck Shop, a Bridge Club, Lady Kiwanis, Cresteramics, Creston Wildlife Center and the Creston Valley Library.
Gen was predeceased by her parents Bea & Cecil Grizzelle; husband Jim Ross; son Garry Ross and close friend and companion Dan Butler.
She will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her children Doug (Denise) Ross, Val (Richard) Ahtila, Anita (Bob) Middleton, Dave Ross and Irene Robinson; grandchildren Terry (Kendel) Zeyha, Heather (Josh) Steffl, Collin (Madeline) Ross, James Middleton, Allan Middleton, and Amanda Middleton (Mike Morgan); great-grandchildren Colten and Tyler Zeyha.
The Memorial Funeral Service was held Monday June 11, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at the G. F. Oliver Funeral Chapel with Pastor Harry Haberstock officiating. Interment of Ashes took place at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Erickson, BC
Friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to the T.A.P.S. program – 404 22nd Ave South, Creston, B.C., V0B 1G5 or to the Heart & Stoke Foundation – 200 – 1212 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C., V6H 3V2.
Knopfler, Alfred
Alfred Knopfler passed away on May 11, 2012 in the Creston valley hospital at the age of 83 years.
Alfred was born in Schlegel, Amtzell, Germany on November 2, 1928 to parents Anna and Franz Knopfler. He received his education in Amtzell, Germany and then moved to Canada in 1952. In Canada he lived in several places, including Lloydminster, Ontario and Uranium City, before settling in Canyon in 1980. Here he grew alfalfa and ranched cattle. Alfred married Marianne in Creston in 1995.
Alfred was a member of the German Canadian Club, Knights of Columbus (in Uranium City) and a member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church.
He was predeceased by his parents, Anna and Franz Knopfler and two brothers in Germany.
Alfred will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Marianne; stepchildren Waltraud (Paul) Greenough and Ralph (Roberta) Pelzmann; three step grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren along with one sister and two brothers in Germany.
A funeral service was held Tuesday May 15, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Tom Kakkaniyil officiating.
Any friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to the Heart & Stroke Foundation – 200 – 1212 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C., V6H 3V2.