Elwood C. Shannon, 85, of 1339 Idylwild Dr., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Monday, Jan. 12, 1998 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
Elwood was born in Regina, Sask. on April 14, 1912 to the late Cornett and Margaret Shannon. At a young age, he moved with his family to the Rainy River District.
On Oct. 9, 1935, Elwood was united in marriage to Ruby Irvine and, in 1952, they settled in Fort Frances.
Elwood was a guide and trapper all his life, for which he had a great passion. From 1947-1975, he owned and operated several tourist camps, and from 1975-1996, he worked with Canadian Wilderness Floating Lodges, again as a guide.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, and having fun with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, even teasing them once and a while.
He also was predeceased by his brother, Fred; and sisters, Lyla and Pat.
Elwood is survived by his loving wife of more than 62 years, Ruby Shannon of Fort Frances, Ont.; three children, Beverly and husband, James Lacy, of Woodridge, Ill., Jerry Shannon and wife, Jean, of Agassiz, B.C., and Bonnie and husband, Dale Perusse, of Fort Frances, Ont.; eight grandchildren, Kim, Brian, Renee, Debbie, Jerry, Brett, Allene, and Wade; 15 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Harvey Shannon and wife, Theresa, of Atikokan, Ont., Leonard Shannon and wife, Kay, of Birchdale, Mn., Robert Shannon of Atikokan, Ont., and Clayton Shannon and wife, Eileen, of Rainy River, Ont.; five sisters, Thelma and husband, Bernie Feldbruegge, of Longlac, Ont., Muriel MacGillivary of Thunder Bay, Ont., Ardith Sekulich of Atikokan, Ont., Louella and husband, Howard King, of Alban, Ont., and Keitha and husband, Andy Sirman, of Rainy River, Ont.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 15, 1998 at 11 a.m. at Knox United Church in Fort Frances. Rev. Patrick Playfair will officiate, with interment in Riverview cemetery in Fort Frances.
Friends may visit Wednesday, Jan. 14, 1998 from 7-9 p.m. at Knox United Church in Fort Frances.
Pallbearers will be Steve Latimer, Eric Fagerdahl, Harry Bell, Clint Sisco, Shawn Hayes, Dennis Barnard, and Alton Shannon.
Honourary pallbearers will be Joe Hodge, Jonathan Curtis, and Jeff Nania.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the La Verendrye General Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B7.
RALPH WILSON
Ralph Wilson, 91, of Emo, Ont., passed away at his residence Monday, Jan. 12, 1998.
He was born Feb. 8, 1906 in Carpenter Township, Ont. to the late Bill and Lou Wilson. On Dec. 29, 1926, he was united in marriage to the former Hilda Hodge.
Ralph farmed with his father until 1942, and then moved to Dobie Township, where he had farmed since. Ralph loved the outdoors and horses, and during the winter months spent his time logging.
He was predeceased by his wife, Hilda Wilson, on Jan. 18, 1991; son-in-law, Percy Reid; grandson, Doug Wilson; four sisters, Millie, Janet, Mamie, and Elizabeth; and by his brother, Tom Wilson.
Ralph is survived by four sons, Willard and wife, Joyce, Jim and wife, Eliza, Alex and wife, Linda, and Dan and wife, Ellen, all of Emo, Ont.; three daughters, Iris Reid, and Lydia Wilson, both of Emo, Ont., and Elizabeth and husband, Nick Kluk, of Waldek, Sask; 24 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ethel Alexander of Fort Frances, Ont., and Margaret McCormack of Emo, Ont.; one brother-in-law, Glen Hodge and wife, Anges, of Porcupine Plain, Sask.; and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Jan. 16, 1998 at 2 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, Ont. Rev. Frances Flook will officiate, with interment in Emo cemetery in Emo.
Friends may visit prior to the service Friday afternoon.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Murray Wilson, Brian Reid, David Wilson, Ralph Wilson, Garry Wilson, and Wade Wilson.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Emo Hospital Memorial Fund, 260 Front St., Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
KATIE MARGARET CAMPBELL
Katie Margaret Campbell, of Metcalfe, Ont., passed away Nov. 4, 1997 in her 88th year.
She was a former elementary school teacher in the Rainy River District.
Katie was predeceased by her husband, Rolla; a daughter, Irene Corkill; and four brothers.
Survivors include three sons and a daughter; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three brothers; and two sisters.
Interment took place at the Spring Hill cemetery on Nov. 8, 1997.
WILLIAM ‘BILL’ SAMUEL DUNSMORE
William "Bill" Samuel Dunsmore, 79, of Rainycrest Home for the Aged, Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997 at his residence.
Bill was born July 23 1918 in Sifton Township, Ont. and lived there until he moved to Fort Frances in 1968. He worked briefly at Silver & Kercher before working at Hammond Landscaping Ltd., where he worked for more than 25 years until his retirement.
Bill was a self-educated man, having attended only one day of formal schooling his entire life. It was due to his hard work, diligence, and eagerness that Bill succeeded in all he set out to do. He impressed all who knew him with his straight-forward, trustworthy and genuine manner.
He was well-liked by his co-workers, and was a favourite uncle to several generations of children. Bill loved to be in the country, working in the fields, with his beloved dogs always in tow.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Sarah Dunsmore; brothers, Thomas and Robert Dunsmore; and sisters, Mary Jewell and Nellie Dunsmore.
Bill is survived by his sisters, Susan Williamson of Fort Frances, Ont.; numerous nieces and nephews; and lifelong friend, Art Hammond and wife, Nioma, and their family of Fort Frances.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Dec. 18, 1997 at 2 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. Rev. Earl Swanson will officiate, with interment in Riverview cemetery in Fort Frances.
Pallbearers will be Phil Williamson, Calvin Williamson, Edward Jewell, Walter Engelman, Daryl Eyolfson, and Art Hammond.
In memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
TALBOT PIERRE JOHNSON
Talbot Pierre Johnson, 30, of Seine River First Nation, Ont., passed away Sunday, Dec. 7, 1997 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont.
Talbot was born July 3, 1967 in Fort Frances. He lived all his life in the area, and had worked as a carpenter, seasonal firefighter, and was a dedicated trapper. His hobbies were snowmobiling, badminton, horseshoe pitching, fishing, and camping.
He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
Talbot is survived by his wife, Norma Spencer, 29; and his four sons, Damian Spencer, 11, Tyler Johnson, nine, Talbot Johnson Jr., seven, and Rodney Spencer, five.
He also is survived by three brothers, Bob Potson and family, Tom Johnson Jr. and family, and Clarence (Wengy) Johnson; one sister, Barbara Johnson; father-in-law, George Spencer; mother-in-law, Agnes Spencer; brother-in-law, Alvin Cameron; other in-laws, Walden Spencer and Gloria Johnson, Roger Spencer, Jackie Spoon, and Barbara Spencer; his nieces and nephews, Stacy Kabatay, Johnathon Potson, Roberta Potson, Estelle Spencer, Aaron Johnson, Karl Johnson, Shawna Mae Mary Johnson, Ashley Potson, Christopher Spencer, Melissa Potson, Laura Spencer, and Nicholas Spencer; Norma's nieces and nephews, Candace Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Shawn Johnson, Caroline Johnson, Alvin Cameron Jr., Preston Cameron, and Derek Cameron; Norma's grandmother, Rose Spencer; and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
He was predeceased by his father, Tom Johnson Sr.; mother, Mary Johnson; grandparents, Jack and Irene Potson, and Stanley and Evelyn Johnson; brothers, Lester Johnson and Leslie Johnson; and aunt, Rose Potson; uncles, Sonny Potson, Stanley Johnson Jr., Raymond Johnson, Ronnie Johnson, and Carl Johnson; and Norma's grandfather, Jack Spencer.
A traditional burial ritual was held Thursday morning, Dec. 11, 1997 at the Seine River First Nation Community Centre. Elder Ralph Johnson officiated, with interment in the Seine River First Nation cemetery.
A funeral wake was held Wednesday, Dec. 10, 1997 at the Seine River First Nation Community Centre.
The family would most like to thank the pallbearers, Walden Spencer, Roger Spencer, Norman Kabatay, Anthony Kabatay, Ed Morrison, and Gerald (Bear) Johnson; and the honourary pallbearers, George Spencer, Robert (Poke) Spencer, Gerald Morrison Sr., Ira Johnson, Roy Morrison, and George Broeffle.
In memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
MARTIN NOVAK
Martin Novak, 95, of Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away at his residence Monday, Dec. 15, 1997.
He was born Nov. 9, 1902 in Czechoslovakia to the late Adam and Mary Novak. Martin later moved to Canada, and worked as a labourer until 1959.
He is survived by good friends, John and Florence Chornabay of Fort Frances.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 19, 1997 at 10 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. Father Brian Primeau O.M.I. will officiate, with interment in Holy Cross cemetery in Fort Frances.
Friends may visit prior to services Friday morning.
In memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
JEAN LEE ROSS
Jean Lee Ross (nee Cameron) passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 29 1997 after a lengthy illness.
She was predeceased by her husband, Fred.
She is survived by two sons, Gary and Wayne; five grandchildren; three brothers, Arden, Jack, and Terry; and two sisters, Betty and Connie.
ROBERT 'BOB' EUGENE SIMMIK
Mr. Robert "Bob" Eugene Simmik, 61, went into the arms of Jesus on April 19, 1998 after a lengthy illness.
Born in Fort Frances, Ont., he went to Thunder Bay, Ont. at the age of 17 to finish his schooling at Fort William Vocational School. It was there that he met his high school sweetheart, Carol, whom he married in 1959.
Bob pursued a career with Ontario Hydro in 1957 and spent the next 35 years working in the Northwestern Ontario region as a power maintenance electrician, customer service representative, and safety specialist.
He was recognized as an instructor for defensive driving with the Canada Safety Council, as well as first aid and CPR with St. John Ambulance.
Bob's love for the outdoors was reflected in fishing and hunting, and his obsession with his yard. He enjoyed raising tropical fish, and spending time with horses and his dogs.
He is survived by his wife, Carol (nee Stark); daughters, Lisa (Dave) Scerba and Jennifer (Felix) Jimenez; and was a proud papa to Alexandra and Nicholas Scerba, and Felicia Jimenez.
Also surviving are his sister, Margaret Barnuk; niece, Donna; brother-in-law, Robert Stark Jr. (Debbie); niece, Carrie; nephew, Aaron; as well a a dear cousin, Dorothy.
He was predeceased by his parents, Nicholas and Jean; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Elvi; brother-in-law, Myrol Barnuk; and two sisters at birth.
Bob was a 35-year member of Lakehead Lodge A.F. & A.M. A memorial service was held in his honour Wednesday, April 22, 1998 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel.
Visitation for friends took place from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. in conjunction with this service.
Cremation has taken place, and a service to celebrate Bob's life was held Thursday, April 23, 1998 at 11 a.m. in the Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Terry Janke of First Baptist Church officiating.
Should friends so desire, donations to a community charity or organization would be appreciated.
