The Chilliwack Progress from Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada • Page 41

THE CHILLIWACK PROGRESS, Friday, January 12, 2007 41. Obituaries ALEXANDER Richard John is with deepest sadness that the family of Richard John Alexander announces the passing of their dad, brother, grandpa, uncle, cousin and friend. Rick passed away suddenly at home in Chilliwack, January 7, 2007. He was born October 22, 1945 at Matsqui Hospital and lived over half his life in and around the Lower Mainland. Rick is loved and survived by friends and family, his children Jamie and Tara (Andrew), granddaughter Ciara and siblings, Dave (Lynne), Bill (Loretta), Judy (Wayne), Duncan and his nieces and nephews.

Rick enjoyed helping others, cooking and sharing Peace is with you Dad. Service will be held at The Chilliwack Arts Centre 45899 Henderson Chilliwack, B.C., Wednesday, Jan. 17th at 1 pm. GANSKE Clara Clara Ganske passed away Dec. 18, 2006 in Chilliwack General Hospital at the age of 89 with her family at her bedside.

She was born to Emil and Henrietta GANSKE Zerb in Leduc, AB, on GANSKE February 20, 1917, one of 10 children. Clara is survived by three daughters: Beverly Jakobsen (lorn) of West Vancouver, Shirley Griffin (Don) of Spruce Grove, AB, and Miss Debbie Ganske of Chilliwack; four grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren, and one great-greatgrandchild. She is also survived by her sister Elsie Posien of Princeton, BC. Clara married Ben Ganske on April 12, 1934 and they had 61 happy years together until Ben passed away July 17, 1995. She had a strong faith in God throughout her life and knew she would spend eternity with her heavenly Father.

Funeral Services were held Dec. 21, 2006 at Henderson's Funeral Home, Pastor Rod Bitterman officiating. Burial took place in Chilliwack Cemetaries. God bless all GOURLIE Neil John It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Neil John Gourlie on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006 after a very courageous battle with cancer.

GOURLIE Neil was born Oct. 2, 1944 in Trail, B.C., to Lloyd and Johanna Gourlie. He resided in Trail until becoming a member of the PPCLI in 1961 and was first stationed in Victoria where he met his bride of 43 years, Marrion Patricia Oldnall. Neil was posted in various cities oversees and across Canada including Trenton, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Victoria and Chilliwack where he retired from the military in 1981. Within those years Neil and Marrion had three beautiful children, David, Cheryl and Bryan.

Neil furthered his career working for his country at Canada Customs were he worked with great pride and integrity for the next 24 years. He was well-respected by all his peers and was considered a mentor to many at Customs. He had his final retirement in October, 2004. Neil enjoyed a good hockey game and was always proud to watch his sons on the ice. He will be remembered for being an avid golfer enjoying many rounds at Royalwood as a member as well as many at the "19th" hole with his friends.

Neil is predeceased by his father, Lloyd, mother, Johanna and cousin, Don Forbes. He is survived by his wife Marrion, brothers Jim (Colleen), Bryan (Delores), Ian (Holly), sisters Karen (Al), and Gale (Wayne), his son David (Kristen), daughter Cheryl (Rudy), and son Bryan (Angie) as well as grandchildren, Kennda, Rudy Mairin, Meagan, Taylor and Landen. Dad, you will be remembered as a strong, hardworking and courageous man. You may be gone, but you will always be in our hearts. We would like 1 to give a sincere thank you to Dr.

Mark Mackenzie; Dad respected you a great deal and we thank you for your time and compassion. As well as Dr. Toze and other Doctors and the many registered nurses at B4 and T15 at Vancouver General Hospital. Thank you also to the nurses who cared for Dad in his final days in the Respite room in Bradley Centre. In memory of Neil, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

"GONE GOLFING" GUNTHER Gerda Gertrud Late of Creston, passed away Dec. 14, 2006 at the age of 90 years. She was born in Meissen, Germany on Oct. 15, 1916. Gerda is survived by her daughter Haidi (Wolfgang) Schmiedel; grandsons: Bernie Schmiedel and Andy (Heather) Schmiedel, and great-granddaughter, Hayley.

A private family service will be held by the family at a later date. Oliver Funeral Home 1-250-428-2611 HAMILTON Wallace, James Wallace James Hamilton late of Abbotsford and formerly of Chilliwack for 67 years, passed away January 8th, 2007 at the age of 86. He was born in Riverhurst, HAMILTON Saskatchewan on November 26, 1920. He is survived by his wife Beatrice Hamilton, daughter Jeanne Vories and husband Don, son Alan and wife Cynthia Hamilton, granddaughter Mindi and husband Lance Irvine, grandson Monte and wife Amy Vories, grandson Everett Hamilton, granddaughter Stephanie Hamilton, four great grandchildren Luke Irvine, Andrew Irvine, Alexander Irvine, Kasandra Irvine. He is also survived by his sister Olive and brother Russell and wife Hazel and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by father James, mother Blanche, sister May Hyde, brothers Harvey and Harold and son Melvin. Wallace had many interests including; gardening, wood working, reading, family camping, antiques, table games and the outdoors. He was a member of the Chilliwack Seventh-day Adventist Church. will be a Memorial Funeral Service held on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 3:30 pm in the Chapel of Henderson's Funeral Home in Chilliwack, BC, pastor John Gilbert and Jim Wyman officiating. Donations may be made to the Parkinson's Society of BC or Walla Walla College Student Missionary Fund or a charity of your choice.

604-792-1344 KEHLER Andrew Paul Andrew was born in Chilliwack, BC on Oct. 1st 1966 and passed away on Jan. 8, 2007 in Chilliwack General Hospital after a short battle with cancer. Andrew is survived KEHLER by his mother Maureen Cole of Chilliwack, his father Raymond Kehler of Abbotsford and his brother Kevin (Brenda) Kehler; nieces Shannon, Kylea, Samantha, Chyanne; sister Dawn (Chris) Thompson; nephews Scott and Mitch; his niece Hayley; aunts uncles and many cousins. Andrew will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

He was a very friendly and caring person. He will be especially missed by his poker and golf buddies, Brit, Daryl and Tim. He will be joining his grandparents Paul and Ellen Doonanco and Philip and Tina Kehler and his cousin Michael Regensbruger. Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 1:30 pm from the Chapel of Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home, 45865 Hocking Ave.

Chilliwack, BC. If family and friends so desire, memorial donations may be directed to the BC Children's Hospital Foundation. Dignity 604-793-4555 Woodlawn LIGHTFOOT, Arthur Lightfoot, Arthur (Art), passed away suddenly on January 6th, 2007. Art was born in Canterbury, England on September 19th, 1918. He was pre-deceas- LIGHTFOOT ed by his parents Arthur Florence.

Art is survived by his wife and best friend Catherine (Cathy) of 52 years, and many relatives. Art and Cathy enjoyed many years of travelling, retired to Chilliwack in 1986 and became avid bowlers, making many friends. Art will be missed by all who knew him. Memorial Services will be held at Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007 at McLeans Funeral Services, 45651 Lark Vedder Crossing, B.C.

Arrangements in care of McLean's Funeral Services Ltd. McLean's A 604-847-3477 MICHALOSKI Herman "Mike" Julius April 20, 1926-January 4, 2007 Mike was born April 14, 1945 in Mullingar, Saskatchewan and passed away Jan. 8, 2007 at Chilliwack General Hospital, Chilliwack, BC with MICHALOSKI his wife Cindy and daughters Katherine and Kendy his side. Mike was predeceased by his infant son Kenneth John, father Julius, mother Winona, brother Bruce and sisters Maryann and Laura. He leaves his sisters Loraine, Bernice and brother Brian, many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Mike came to Agassiz with his mother in 1948 to join his father and to set up a home here for the family. He grew up and attended schools and was employed in the area. He met Cindy, across the river in Rosedale in 1965 and they married two years later in July 28, 1967. Together they raised two daughters and for a short time, their infant son. Mike worked in the logging industry up and down the coast, until retraining as a welder in 1969 and starting his own business, H.

Michaloski Welding and Repair. He worked around the Fraser Valley Area for 30 years. Mike enjoyed his family, his hobbies, hunting, reading and traveling in the family motorhome "Suits A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 1:30 pm at Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home, 45865 Hocking Ave; Reverend Tim Rowan officiant. If family and friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the B.C.

Children's Hospital Foundation or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation Woodlawn 604-793-4555 McCORMICK, Mary (nee Sawatzky) (Jan. 5, 1918 Jan. 6, 2007) Mary passed away peacefully at the Waverly in Chilliwack at the age of 89 years. She was predeceased by her husband Leslie Erwin (Mac) McCormick in McCORMICK 1983; sisters Ann Crane, Nettie Stoll and Helene Carleton, and brothers Jack and Abe Sawatzky. She is survived by her children: Wes (Nancy), Doug (Linda), Pat and Judy; grandchildren: Rick and Scott (Denise) Borle, Susan Mirva, Wendy (Jody) Crane, Shanelle and Dustin (Chelsie Walker) McCormick, Tyler Campbell, Jade and Karver Morford; great grand-children: Catherine, Brody and Taylor Borle, Chris, Kyle and Brandon Mirva, Marvel and Navy Crane, Paloma, Brennon and Lacy McCormick.

She is also survived by her sisters Sue (Pete) Enns and Freda Starr, brothers Aron (Tillie) Sawatzky, Dean (Vi) Sawatzky and sister-in-law Lamae Sawatzky-Hill. Born in Zentral Russia, the sixth of twelve children born to Abram and Anna (nee Peters) Sawatzky, Mom's family joined the many other Mennonites forced to emigrate. They arrived in Canada in 1925 and settled in Zelma Saskatchewan where they farmed for six years before moving to Greendale. She and her siblings learned good work ethics whether they wanted to or not, and high standards at home set the stage for getting a lot done for the duration. Mom worked on the farm in Greendale, then followed her sisters to Vancouver to work as a maid, learning the housekeeping skills she maintained throughout her life.

And she had plenty of practice using them as it seems there was always someone to clean up after. She met Dad, a heavy duty mechanic, through her brother Abe when he and Dad worked together on Collinson's farm in Greendale. After five short years of courtship they finally married and moved back to Vancouver where Dad worked in the Shipyards and Mom worked at being a mom to first Wes, then Doug. A move to Reece Avenue in Chilliwack after the war brought Dad a new job and Mom Patricia, a new baby to clean up after. Next came the logging boom and off went the whole works of them to live up Harrison Lake at 10 Mile Bay, undeniably one of the happiest times of their lives where they and other young families like them shared many, good times and the closeness of an isolated little tight knit community.

An opportunity to own their own place found them back in Greendale where they bought two acres on Sumas Prairie Road and grew raspberries which Mom looked after while Dad still lived in the logging camp during the week, coming home on weekends. Then along came Judy, another one to clean up after. Needing more for Mom to do they sold the place in 1955 and bought a ten acre "hobby" farm on Prairie Central Road where Mom could wile away her hours tending raspberries and beans, hand milking cows, looking after the chickens, planting, harvesting and canning vegetables, cooking, baking, washing and selling cleaning up after us. Once we were all in school she was finally able to participate. in activities outside the home and soon discovered the next great love of her life, curling.

She was an active member of the Chilliwack Curling Club for over 40 years, not laying down her broom until the age of 84. She was also a member of the East Chilliwack Women's Institute for almost as long, acting as secretary for many terms. Through this enthusiastic and dedicated community service group Mom made life-long friends and joined them in contributing time and effort to many worthwhile local and global causes. She canvassed for charities such as Mothers March and the Canadian Cancer Society and was a long-time member of the Order of Foresters. She also worked in the local canneries.

She and Dad traded places with Doug and Linda and moved to Rosedale in 1981 where they only got to enjoy two years before Dad succumbed to leukemia. In 1984 Mom moved into town where she was closer to the curling rink and she kept busy curling, knitting, crocheting, watching TV, nurturing flowers, and cleaning up after grandchildren and greatgrandchildren until 2005 when she suffered a stroke and could no longer live on her own. She moved into the Waverly in the fall of that year and was able to get around pretty good with the aid of a walker until last June when a second stroke robbed her of her ability to walk or do anything on her own. It even stole her smile. That plus dementia were her rewards for a life well-lived.

We all appreciate the great care she was given by the Waverly Staff throughout her stay with them. Mom managed to raise us all without ever raising her voice a stern look was all it took. She was long on tolerance it be boring if we were all the and family loyalty think we're She was good humoured, good natured and admired by all whose lives she touched. She'll' be a hard act to follow. A memorial tea will be held to celebrate her life at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 13 at the Mt Cheam Lions (Riding Club) Hall, 45580 Spadina Avenue, Chilliwack.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the charity of your choice. RIEDIGER, Mary April 20, 1926-January 4, 2007 Mary was the fourth child born to Aron Justina Riediger and their first child to be born in Canada. Her home was in Blumenort, Sask. where she lived until the family moved RIEDIGER to B.C. in 1945.

When she was 10 years of age, Mary knew she was a sinner and needed to be saved. At an evangelistic meeting she gave her heart to the Lord. Many Scripture verses were meaningful to her. Mary had the gift of caring. She worked in the Vancouver General Hospital until her retirement, first as a ward assistant and then in the lab.

She enjoyed her work immensely. She loved to help people and knew just what to do when someone needed her. When her mother had terminal cancer, Mary took a leave of absence from work to look after her at home until the day she died. Also, after her sister Helen had a stroke, Mary took the initiative in seeing that her needs were always met. In the end, it was cancer that spread through her body and finally took her life.

Last week Thursday evening she passed away in her sleep, shortly after telling the nurse with a smile that she was fine and in no pain. Several times in the last week of her life, Mary asked her sister Justina to read the Daily Bread devotional to her. The day she died, the reading was called "Our Dwelling The verse of a song that accompanied the devotional was especially appropriate: Someday my earthly house will fallI cannot tell how soon 'twill be; But this I know--my All in All Has now a place in heaven for me. Mary was predeceased by her parents, brother Peter, sister Helen, and a brother and sister in infancy. She leaves to mourn one brother Aron (Helen), three sisters Justina, Tiena, Elizabeth (Henry) Esau, one sister-inlaw Irene, and nieces and nephews.

The viewing will be held at the Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home at 7:00 pm on Friday, January 12. Interment will take place at Little Mountain Cemetery on Saturday, January 13, at 9:30 am. This will be followed by a Memorial Service at Central Community Church at 11:00 am. Donations to the Gideons would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.

604-793-4555 Woodlawn SCHWARTZ, Esther April 4, 1915 January 3, 2007 A Memorial Mass will be held on January 20, 2007 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 8909 Mary Street, Chilliwack, at TEICHROEB William William W. Teichroeb, born in Mennon, SK, passed away on Jan. 8, 2007 after suffering a major stroke in June, 2006. He is survived by TEICHROEB his loving wife, Gail, their children Bonny and William, and the children from his first family, Brenda, Vonne and Ted, his grandchildren Skyler, Brittany and Dillon, his brothers Peter and Johnny and his sister Laura.

During his 35-year career in social work, he served as manager of the Chilliwack and Abbotsford Human Resources offices. Bill was a kind, gentle person with a deep commitment to the wellfare of people. In his retirement he enjoyed many hobbies, golfing and especially enjoyed his family. He will be greatly missed as a loving husband, as a caring father, and as a loyal friend. Donations may be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation.

A memorial service will be held for family, intimate friends and colleagues at Woodlawn Mt. Cheat Funeral Home, 45865 Hocking Ave; at 10 am on Friday, January 12, 2007. Dignity 604-793-4555 Woodlawn WHITE Norman Charles Norman Charles White passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at Chilliwack General Hospital at age 83 years. He was born in Tolfield, Alberta in December, 1923. Norman is survived by Allan, Wayne (Linda), Colleen and Norma (Dale); grandchildren Andrea, Denise, Murray, Kelly, Robert, Brian, Jason.

Eric, Marco and Nolan and his brothers George and Daniel(Betty). He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy in 1982. Norman was a veteran of WWII and was a loving father and grandfather. Memorial Services will be held on Monday, Jan. 15, 2007 at 1:30 pm from the Woodlawn Mt.

Cheam Chapel 45865 Hocking Ave, Chilliwack Major Angus Haggarty officiant. If family and friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society in his memory. 604-793-4555 Woodlawn.