Bruce Stitt

 

A resident of the Garden Villa in Chesterville for the past two years, Pat Dillabough passed away there peacefully on Wednesday, August 13, 2014, with her daughters by her side. She was 90.

Pat was born in Finch Township, on January 8, 1924, to Hugh and  Jennie McMillan. She was the baby sister of Mildred and Edith and grew up in the Goldfield area. 

After graduating from high school in Finch, she worked at the BMO in Montreal staying with her older sister Mildred and her husband Ossie. Later she stayed with Ada Rupert and worked at the BMO in Finch. 

It was during this time that she met Ada’s brother Harold Winters, and they were married in 1943.  A busy life followed on the farm in Sandtown with chores to do and the raising of three children, Billy, Carol and Marjorie.

Pat’s sisters were important to her and they had many fun times together, including a few trips.  Pat loved to laugh and welcomed a good story or joke which she would retell for the enjoyment of others . 

She was active in her church and community, and helped out where she could.  As a member of the United Church in Finch, she led the CGIT Group and was active in the UCW. Later when living in Morewood, she was president of the Women’s Auxiliary at Winchester Hospital and was a member of the Eastern Star Lodge in Morrisburg. 

Family was Pat’s number one priority. Many delicious and enjoyable meals were shared with family and friends. Her patience candy at Christmas will definitely be a memory because no else can seem to get it right.

Being born in 1924, Pat had the opportunity to live through many world events. She saw many new innovations, and she managed to keep up with technology pretty well.  

However, living to be 90 years old does not come without some challenges and Pat was no exception. The passing of her husband Harold early in their marriage and Ron a few years ago as well as losing her son at an early age were difficult times. She demonstrated great strength of character which she gathered from her faith and loving family and friends. 

Pat is survived by her daughters Carol McElheran (Stirling) of Morewood and Marjorie Walsh (Jeff Allen) of Scarborough and her daughter-in-law Joanne Knol (John) of Ore-Medonte.

Pat will be fondly remembered by seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.  

She was predeceased by her husbands Harold Winters and Ron Dillabough, her son Bill Winters and her sisters Mildred Higgs and Edith Fulton.  

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Chesterville, on Monday, August 18th from 11 a.m. until time of the Memorial Service at 1 p.m. The service was conducted by Rev. Lois Gaudet. Following the service a reception was held at the Garden Villa from 2-4 p.m.  Interment of cremated remains was at Sandtown Cemetery. 

Pallbearers were Michael Winters, Kevin Winters, Brent McElheran and Derek McElheran. 

Donations to Winchester Hospital or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.  Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com. Pat’s family is grateful to the Garden Villa staff, St. Elizabeth and Bayshore Nursing and the CCAC for their kindness and wonderful care.

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A resident of the area for the past 58 years, Ralph Bouwman passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Saturday, November 5, 2011, following a brief illness.  He was 85. 

Ralph was born in Nieuw Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on October 22, 1926, and was raised there on the family farm.

He served his country as a member of the Armed Forces, and he fought in the Indonesian war from 1945-49.  

On July 14, 1953, he married Jacoba Heuving, and three weeks later they boarded a boat to immigrate to Canada.  This, to them, was a land of opportunity even though they both had to learn to read and write the English language.  

Ralph and Coby started farming on the 2nd Concession, north of Iroquois, and eventually passed the farm on to their son Henry.  

Ralph was a devoted husband to Coby for 58 years and together they raised a family of five boys and one girl.  

Ralph loved a lot and got a lot of love in return.  He loved the Lord, he loved his family, he loved people, he loved to joke and tease, and he loved to play the harmonica and sing his favorite hymns.  

He was an avid soccer fan and was a loyal Toronto Maple Leafs fan.  

He was a faithful member of the Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church, and he walked and talked daily with his Lord until the end. 

Ralph is survived by his wife Coby Bouwman (nee Heuving), his children Ralph (Wilma) of Morrisburg, Henry (Elsie) of   R.R.# 1 Iroquois, Bill (Wendy) of Merrickville, John (Amani) of Williamsburg, Andrew (Lori Ann) of Ingleside and Dorean (Garnet) DeVries of Smiths Falls and his sister Hennie (Walter) Heuving of Athens.  

Ralph will be fondly remembered by 21 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.   

He was predeceased by sisters Jantje Van Oenen and Jacobtje Boning and brothers Hendrik, Harm, William and Albert.    

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church on Wednesday, November 9th at 11 a.m., with Rev. John Noordhof officiating.  

Interment followed at New Union Cemetery, Williamsburg. 

Pallbearers were grandsons Adam Bouwman, Jonathan Bouwman, Joshua Bouwman, Eric Bouwman, Jared DeVries, and Lucas Bouwman

Donations to Timothy Christian School would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.

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A resident of Morrisburg for the past 24 years, Kenneth Gordon Strader passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Monday, October 15, 2012. He was 82.     

Ken was born April 26, 1930, to Grace and Dwight Strader, on the original Strader farm in Dundela. He was the eldest of nine children; five girls and four boys. Everyone knew him as Ken. He was a long-standing resident of Matilda Township, having lived briefly in Florida, before returning to South Dundas. 

Ken met his share of challenges in life. He suffered complications at birth; however, it did not prevent him from accomplishing what he set out to do in life.

Being the risk taker that he was and never afraid of taking on a challenge Ken undertook many projects. The first being to own and operate his first school bus in 1954, which he later expanded to include several school buses and highway coaches. 

He was forever envisioning ways to get ahead in life. The bus lines didn’t seem to capture his energy level enough, so he added a new venture being the “Stra-Dish” Restaurant, which he opened in April, 1958, at the young age of 28. 

During this time, he met the love of his life, Linda Marie Payne. They were married at Elma in 1959, and in 1960, their daughter Penny was born. 

While carrying out his role as a husband and father, Ken still found time to own/operate several businesses, including a snowmobile franchise, Admiral appliance dealership, a used car dealership, and he even dabbled in real estate. 

Ken always had a passion to live life in the sunny south so in the late 70’s he made that dream come true when he sold his businesses in Canada and moved the family to Dade City, Florida where he purchased an orange grove and later opened a coffee shop. He expanded the coffee shop to become a full menu diner which was family owned and operated until 1987, at which it was dissolved and the family returned to Canada.

Ken enjoyed carpentry and sitting and drinking coffee with family and friends, until the wee hours of the morning. 

Friday night was family night at the Daffodil Restaurant in Iroquois, after which he would settle in at Cephus Sypes’ kitchen table for many hours of attempting to solve the world’s problems over several pots of coffee. Ken was known to pull in a driveway for a visit where ever he could find the kitchen light on.

Ken often spoke of things from the past; old buildings, antique cars or furniture, or attending auction sales with his grandmother Nettie Bell Strader. 

His most prized possession was an RCA Victrola from the 1920’s that he purchased at the age of 15, with money borrowed from his grandmother. Ken’s daughter is still the proud owner of that Victrola.

Ken was always willing to share his knowledge of history, politics, and life in general. He was never afraid to share his opinion on any matter, regardless of whom he offended.

He will be remembered most for his natural spirit of giving. To his family and friends, he was a very kind person and was always ready to help. He always had a solution to every problem and had his ways of making things simple. He never asked anyone for help, but he was a very generous man…never wanting to be acknowledged for anything he did. When he helped, he simply helped out of the kindness of his heart; ensuring that everyone had a means to get ahead in life.

Ken made sure that his daughter never lacked for anything, however, he ruled with an iron fist. He encouraged Penny to try different things in life including piano lessons, singing in the church choir, and most of all becoming a “lady”. As a father, he didn’t always agree with all his daughter’s choices in life, but he was always there to support her.

Growing up on a farm, Ken was very fond of animals. After Linda passed away in 1988, Ken’s best friend was his cat “Buster”. Buster held a special place in his heart and Ken truly enjoyed his companionship.

Ken is survived by his daughter Penny Strader-McMillan (Jim) of Iroquois, his siblings Edna Disheau (Arthur Jackson) of Brechin, Lorna (Ernie) Lascelle of Inkerman and Willie (Audrey) of Cardinal.  

He was predeceased by his wife Linda, his brothers Glen and John and sisters Jean Jensen, Margaret Barkley and Anna Casselman-Nicolier.  He is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. 

Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Thursday, October 18th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Janet Evans officiating.  Cremation  followed.

Pallbearers were Shawn McMillan, Steven McMillan, Cephus Sypes, Guy Hart, Gary Hart and Keith  Beckstead.  

Interment of cremated remains was at Dundela Cemetery.  Donations to the O.S.P.C.A. would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

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