Clark: Lewis Mitchell (Mickey)

Lewis Mitchell (Mickey) Clark passed away at the age of 79 years, peacefully in the hands of his family on September 10, 2003, following a valiant battle with cancer.  Mickey served in the Air Force as a young man, then farmed for many years in the Hussar area. He served his community for many years coaching baseball, as a 4-H leader in the Hussar Beef Club, a municipal councillor in the County of Wheatland and later as M.L.A. for the Drumheller Constituency for eight years. He was a loving husband and father and will be sadly missed by his family. He is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Sherrill; son Neil (Jardi); grandchildren, Nevada, Tanner, Colton and Dustin whom he dearly loved and watched grow with such great pride; brother Lloyd as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his brother Woodrow in June 1930, sisters Virginia in October 1993 and Margaret in September 2001.  Interment services were held on Monday, September 15, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at Bassano Cemetery. Funeral services followed at Our Saviours Lutheran Church, Hussar at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception in the Hussar Community Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation (1331 - 29th Street N.W., Calgary, T2N 4N2) WHEATLAND FUNERAL HOME LTD. (Strathmore) in care of arrangements. 934-5666 We hold you close within our hearts And there you shall remain To walk with us throughout our lives Until we meet again.  So rest in Peace dear loved one  And thanks for all you've done,  We pray that God has given you,  The crown you've truly won.

Hodge: Brian  1951 - 2003

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, husband, brother, uncle and friend, Brian Thomas Hodge, on September 10, 2003. Brian was born on August 18 of 1951, in Drumheller, AB. He attended Morrin School, graduating in 1969, and continued on to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary, AB. He returned to the family farm in 1971, where he joined his father and pursued his other interests of rodeoing and curling. In 1973, he moved to the Big Valley area, where he helped to expand the family farm. On December 2, 1978, he married his wife, Joanne, in Drumheller. Thus they started their twenty-four and a half years together farming in the Rumsey/Big Valley area. There they raised their two children, Tyrel Jackson Hodge, born on November 29, 1980, and Raynell Cristine Hodge born on April 7, 1984; both born in Drumheller. Brian's first love was bull riding through which he competed in the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association from 1972-78. Placing eleventh in the standings in 1977, he narrowly missed qualifying in the Canadian Finals Rodeo. Brian finished his bull riding career at the Calgary Stampede in 1978. After hanging up his bull riding spurs, Brian and his wife, Joanne, began competing in the Central Alberta Team Roping Association. In 1988, they competed in the Alberta and Canadian Team Roping Finals in Grande Prairie where they placed in the top five. In the winter, Brian excelled at curling, winning many bonspiels, and at the peak of his career in 1995, he competed in the zone playdowns, held in Rumsey, AB. There, he won the right to compete in the Southern Alberta Playdowns where he and his team were noted to be the "Lesser Lights" of the playdowns. Against all odds, he continued on to win a berth in the Safeway Select Provincial Playdowns in Edmonton, AB. He curled in the Canadian Cattlemen's Association for many years, and once again he was victorious, winning the bonspiels in 2000 and 2001. During the summer months, most of his spare time was spent on the golf course with his many friends and his family, and once again he never failed to win various tournaments. Brian was involved in many clubs and sports: Rumsey/Rowley 4H, Big Valley Elks, baseball and hockey, he was an accomplished skier and card player, and enjoyed visiting friends all over Alberta. It seemed that no matter which town you drove into, he always seemed to know someone... and if he didn't, he would ask. Brian is survived by Joanne, his devoted and loving wife, his children, Tyrel Hodge of Sylvan Lake, and Raynell Hodge of Calgary; sisters Maureen (Lorne) Howard of Innisfail, Peggy (Jim) Freeman of Olds, Marianne Hodge of Vulcan, Joanne (Richard) Schinnour of Drumheller, Gloria (Fred) Adams of Caroline, Betty (Tim) Primrose of Rumsey; brother Doug (Lorna) Hodge of Rumsey; mother-in-law Shirley Ilcisin of Drumheller; sisters-in-law Sharon (Phil) Wright of Red Deer, Sheila (Bruce) Hendriks of Australia, and Karen Sanchez of Calgary; and many nieces and nephews, and great nephew. He is predeceased by his mother, Beulah (1996), his father, Aubrey Hodge (1998), father-in-law, Joseph Ilcisin (1996), and niece, Christina (1984). Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 15 of 2003 at the Jubilee Hall in Big Valley, AB. Interment followed at the Rumsey Cemetery. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to S.T.A.R.S. or the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation in lieu of flowers. Stettler Funeral Home Ltd. 1-403-742-3422 entrusted with the care and arrangements.

Kingcott: Harold Roland  1927 - 2003

Harold Roland Kingcott went to be with the Lord on September 8, 2003 in Drumheller at the age of 75.  Harold was born at home in Berry Creek, AB on October 9, 1927 to Roland and Mabel Kingcott.  He resided there with his family until 1947 when he moved to the Michichi area to work several jobs.  During this time he met his wife Audrey Trout.  After working various locations as farm help, they settled at their present location where they raised their five daughters.  Besides farming, Harold drove school bus for over 20 years.  He was actively involved in his church and was always willing to help a friend and neighbor. Harold is lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years, Audrey, his daughters Mary (Rick) Lilla, Barbara (Terry) Soderquist, Shirley (Kevin) Friedley, Dorothy (Ian) Smith, Linda (Norbert) Klaiber.  The warmth and strength of his love will always be with his grandchildren; Neva, Nathan, Kyle, Jackie, Chris, Travis, Kent, Aaron, Sean, Tristan, Juliet, Colin, Brandon and Justin.  He is also survived by his sister Mavis (Robert) Hunter, a sister-in-law Muriel Hole, loving members of Audrey's family and numerous nieces and nephews.  Harold was predeceased by his parents Roland (1970), Mabel (1992), a twin sister, Mary, at birth, his brothers Herbert (1937), Wallace (1984), and his sister Netta (1992). Committal services were held at Delia Cemetery followed by a Memorial Service on September 12, 2003 at the Delia Community Centre with Harold Hunter and David Graham officiating. Courtney-Winter's Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements.

Sandell: James Douglas (Doug)  January 17, 1923 -  September 14, 2003

We will always remember Doug's life as one lived well and with joy.  He always had time and had mastered the art of living in the moment long before it became a fashion. Doug's early years were spent on the farm at Little Gem where he was raised by his parents Eva and John Sandell.  On the prairies of Eastern Alberta he learned that a days work done well was it's own reward and that tomorrow brought with it the opportunity to complete that which did not get done today.  He learned the value of a dollar during the Great Depression, his formative years. Through the years, Doug had many and varied interests.  On the farm during his youth he discovered music and played the family organ habitually between chores.  Later he played piano in a band with neighbours and even supplied the music for an entire evening when no one else could get there. He was known as an athlete both on the farm and later in Wayne where he played first base with the local team.  He also played with the Lacombe Tournament Winning Brooks Buffaloes during the mid 1950's. Doug was involved in the energy industry for many years; first in the mines at Wayne and later as a battery operator in the oilfields at Munson and Leduc. Doug moved to Rumsey in 1963 to farm with his sister Helen when her husband passed away.  They worked together on the farm until 1986 when they retired and lived there until 1996 when they moved to Drumheller.  Retirement on the farm saw Doug in the garden for hours at a time and resulted in a great deal of produce. Doug has lived in the Hunts Place Apartments where he led a comfortable life and maintained his own place.  He obtained permission to maintain a flower garden outside his window and could be found daily at Helen's vegetable garden.  Doug turned his attention to cooking and spent many hours in his kitchen where he made cakes, cookies and the occasional pot of stew or pot roast. Doug is survived by his sister Helen Todor; one niece, Judy (Walter) Stoneman; their children, daughter Stacey (Dave) Janzen and daughter Breanna, Darren (Karrie) Stoneman, and their son Corbyn; one newphew, Michael (Carol) Todor; and their daughter Becky. There will be a memorial service at the Rumsey Hall on Friday, September 19, 2003 at 2 p.m.  In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the charity of your choice.

Whitford: Phyllis Elizabeth 1911 - 2003

Phyllis Elizabeth Whitford passed away peacefully on September 9, 2003 in Drumheller at the age of 93 years.  Phyllis was born May 13, 1911 in Konernick near Viking, Alberta.  Phyllis moved to Drumheller at a young age and resided in Drumheller until her passing. Phyllis remained in her residence in Drumheller until shortly after her second husband, Percy, passed away at which time she moved into Sunshine Lodge and later into Continuing Care at the Drumheller District Health Services.  The warm friendly atmosphere and wonderful care and attention she received during her stay at these facilities were thoroughly enjoyed by her and truly made her feel like she was at home. Phyllis will be lovingly remembered by her family and friends for her cooking, sewing and gardening.  Phyllis found pleasure in being busy by doing such tasks others would have considered being a job. Phyllis was predeceased by her husbands, Carl Polych and Percy Whitford; and son, Frank Polych; and daughter-in-law, Ruby Polych.  She was also predeceased by her father and mother, John and Julia Zack, and twelve brothers and sisters. She is survived by her sons, Walter and Stanley Polych of Drumheller; and daughter-in-law, Fluorina Polych of New West Minister; as well as her brothers, Lawrence Zack of Camrose and Stanley Zack of Salmon Arm; and sister, Kristine Gregory of Edmonton. Phyllis will be sadly missed by her grandchildren, Allen (Bonnie) Polych, Karen (Frances) Holt, Sheila (Rick) Paullus, Sherry (Gord) Polych, and Patti Polych, Francine Polych, Debbie (Ed) McIntosh, Carl (Laura) Polych, as well as 10 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Chapel in the Valley on September 13, 2003 at 10 a.m. with Envoy Roy Bladen officiating and interment at the Drumheller Cemetery. Courtney-Winter's Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements.