James Richardson

A longtime resident of Morrisburg, Arlie Locke passed away suddenly at home on Friday, February 28, 2014. He was in his 74th year. 

Arlie Herbert Locke, son of Arlie P. and Laura (Van Allen) Locke was born June 25, 1940. 

Arlie grew up in Mariatown, with his siblings. In 1958, his parents started the restaurant which in 1967, grew to accommodate  what is now Arlor Haven Campground. 

Arlie spent many hours as a youth with his friends skating in the winter, playing hockey on the St. Lawrence River, attending the local fair with .05 cents in his pocket for the day. 

A favorite pastime was to play a Monopoly. He and friends would play all day, leave the game and break for sleep. Then pick it back up again the next day. He attended the Mariatown one room school house, then on to the Morrisburg High School.

Arlie went on to higher education with the goal of becoming a teacher. While at teacher’s college, he met some lifelong friends as well as his true love – Brenda.

Although at the time each had significant others – God knew the plans He had for them – plans for a hope and a future! Before graduation they were dating and plans were under way for a summer wedding. With family and friends present on August  12, 1961, Arlie married the love of his life. And their love story began. 

Over the 52 plus years they have been married, many dear people have called their home their own. From family and friends, to sponsoring a couple from a refugee camp, and eight foster children. 

In 1974, Arlie and Brenda built their dream home with help from their eldest son and Brenda’s family.  Arlie had spent two years designing the home, even making a cardboard model so Brenda could get a clear visual of the layout.

In 1981 his mother asked if he would move back to Morrisburg to help run the Arlor Haven Campground full time. So after many weekend moving trips the move was final. 

Arlie continued to teach in Ottawa, commuting each day,  and at a ripe ‘old age’ he decided to switch careers and turn his hands to his passion – carpentry. Arlie loved building projects. He would lay awake at night pondering ideas, planning additions.

Then after many years of construction work, Arlie again decided to switch careers. Now the choice was Financial Planning.  He spent many long hours on his new career, traveled to many new places and made many great friends along the way.

Arlie was a proud member of Morrisburg Pentecostal Tabernacle. He served as a board member for many years, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. If an opening for an adult teacher was needed he gladly offered himself.   When the church decided it was time to expand, Arlie was head of the construction team. Some of his handiwork will remain for years to come within the walls of the church. 

Arlie was also an extraordinary godly example of what a husband, father, friend and Christian should be. He always did his best to help those who crossed his path however he could. One friend was moving back to Newfoundland and needed another driver.  Arlie was on board to help drive there and back. We all look forward to the day when we will meet again!

Arlie loved life and the people in his life. He had a great sense of humour and has been known to pull a prank or two! Anyone on the receiving end of one of his pranks knew it was one way he was expressing his love for that person. 

Arlie is survived by his loving wife Brenda (Benton), and by his children Arlie (Carol) Locke of Morrisburg, Rose (Tom) Wickwire of Brinston and Cory (Erika) Locke of Toronto.

He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren Amanda, Jonathan, Melissa, Amelia, Daniel, Camille, Benjamin, Leah and Kayla; by two great-grandchildren McKale and Tara-Lynn, and by his foster children Lucy (Mike) Douma, Blanche Marcolais and Kevin and Chantal Whelan. 

Arlie was dear brother of Charlie Arthur Locke of Brockville, Harry (Sue) Locke of Florida, Jennet (Jack) Leslie of Bayfield, Ida Hart of BC and Charlie (Shirley) Perkins of Iroquois. He will be fondly remembered by his and sister-in-law Wylda Locke of Ingleside, and by many nieces and nephews.  

He was predeceased by his parents Arlie P. Locke and Laura Van Allen; sisters Lillian (Percy) Bonneville, Eva (Norm) Dunn, Greta (Norville) Horan; brother Harvey Locke; sister-in-law Betty Locke and brother-in-law Archie Hart. 

The funeral service was held on Friday, March 7, 2014 at 11 a.m. with Pastor James Tripp, assisted by Pastor Duncan Perry, officiating.  Pastor Lorna Casselman and the Benton family blessed those in attendance with inspiring music.

Spring interment will be at Spruce Haven Cemetery, Brinston. 

Memorial donations to the Morrisburg Pentecostal Tabernacle will be gratefully acknowledged by the family. 

Parker Funeral Home in Morrisburg, was entrusted with arrangements.  Condolences may be made at www.parkerofmorrisburg.com

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  A lifetime resident of the area, George Cooper passed away suddenly at the Park Drive Villa in Williamsburg, on Saturday, August 22, 2015. He was in his 89th year. George was born in Matilda […]

A lifetime resident of the area, Ruth Casselman passed away peacefully at her son’s home on Wednesday, March 4, 2015. She was 97.

Ruth was born in Williamsburg, on February 24, 1918, to her parents Howard and Ethel Merkley (nee Alford).  She attended local schools, and in 1940 she graduated from Ottawa Normal School.

On July 21, 1948, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Williamsburg, Ruth married Cecil Casselman and together they had two children, Mary and Michael.  

A dedicated teacher and principal, Ruth’s teaching career began in the rural schools of Dundas county. In 1960, she moved to Grenville county, and taught at Oxford-on-Rideau.  The Augusta board appointed Ruth principal of Maynard Public School in 1961.  From 1964-67 she was principal at Algonquin Public School and she spent the last nine years of her teaching career as principal of Maitland Public School.

During her years in the teaching profession, Ruth held the welfare of her pupils foremost in her mind. Her qualities of honesty and integrity stood her in good stead, in whatever community she served.  

Ruth was a dedicated member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, and she served as a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Women for many years.  

Ruth is survived by her children Mary Osborne (Fred) of R.R. # 1 Williamsburg and Mike (Cindy) of R.R.# 1 Williamsburg, her grandchildren Ryan, Sheena, Kaitlin and her great-grandson Isaac.

She was predeceased by her husband Cecil and her sisters Hilda Marcellus, Trude Barkley, Edna Merkley and Rena Merkley.  She is also survived by nieces and nephews.  

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Friday, March 6th from 7-9 p.m. and Saturday, March 7th from 10 a.m. until time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. The service was conducted by Rev. Diane Raddatz.  

Spring interment of cremated remains will be at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville.  

Donations to the South Dundas Community Lutheran Church in Williamsburg or Dundas County Hospice would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.  Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

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