BILSON: Vincent George  1917 - 2006

Vincent George Bilson was born in Edmonton, AB September 16, 1917; passed away in Drumheller, AB January 1, 2006 at the age of 88 years. Vincent is survived by sons Terry (Wendy), Doug (Monika) and daughter Donna (Kari) Toivanen; grandchildren, Michele (Mark), Brad (Athena), Paul (Victoria), Todd (Candice), Curt (Carol), Christine, Mandi (Jesse), Sarah and Stephanie; and great-grandchildren, Maya, Vincent, Noah, Kiana, Breanna, Sierra, Juliette and Hannah; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Vincent was predeceased by his wife Hazel Mary in 1994. A service of remembrance will be held at St. Magloire¹s Anglican Church on Saturday, January 7, 2006 at 11 A.M.. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Palliative Care Unit, Drumheller Health Centre, 351 - 9th St. N.W., Drumheller, AB  T0J 0Y1, or Alberta Heart and Stoke Foundation.

JOHANNESEN: Ronald Wesley

Ronald Wesley Johannesen passed away on December 26, 2005 at the age of 37. Ron will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Sunday, and his three precious children, sons Wesley and Jeremy, and his daughter Kasmira (Chistian). Ron will also be missed by his father, Bob (Ethel); mother, Alice (Bob); step-mother Joan (Charlie); brothers, Randy, Jason, Ryan, Sheldon and Robbie; sister Tracey; brothers-in-law, Mike and Mark; sisters-in-law, Heather, January and Luana; nephews, Josh, Skyler, Cody, Brent, Adam, Kyle, Herbert, Logan, Levi; nieces, Cheyanne, Brittany, Corey; as well as many other family members and friends. The family would like to thank everyone for their compassion and support during this difficult time, with special thanks to the Old Grouch and staff for the memorial service held Friday, December 30, 2005. In a while, crocodile.

MERKEL: Violet Vivian  1925 - 2005

Vi was surrounded by her family and friends up until her death on December 27, 2005, at the Drumheller Hospital. Born May 15, 1925, at Drumheller, Vi was predeceased by her husband, Jake, in 1988. Vi is survived by her sisters, Grace Vincent and Gladys (Vic) Paterson, and brother, Frank (Dorothy) Keough. She is cherished and remembered by her daughters, Debby Hoffart of Penticton, and Trish (Don) Kerr of Victoria; sons, Dale and Dean (Bonnie) of Drumheller; grandchildren, Megan Mitchell, Lindsay and Amy Kerr, Chelsey and Anthony Merkel, Kimberly (Phillip) McDonald, Amanda Schmidt (Jeff), Michelle Schmidt (Scott), and Daniel White (Meghan); great-grandchildren Connor, Preston, Brooke and Kylie; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Merkel; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2006 at 1:00  o'clock at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Drumheller. Reception to follow at St. Anthony's Hall. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Canadian Diabetes Association.

VREDEGOOR-DAMEN: Hendrina  1913 - 2005

Hendrina Vredegoor-Damen was born in Bemmel, Holland on January 13, 1913, one of eleven children. Mom met Tinus (Martin) Vredegoor and married him on November 21, 1940. They proceeded to have a large family of seven children. She is survived by her children Maria Gammie (Ron Bigford), Martin (Norma) Vredegoor, Dianne (Ray) Gamracy, Agnes (Dan) Martin, Barney Vredegoor, Tony (Marilyn) Vredegoor and son-in-law Frank. This family tree grew into a forest of 13 grandchildren and 16 great ­ grandchildrenS etcS we expect. Hendrina is also survived by one sister Dies (Dina) Peters in Belgium, and many extended family members in Canada and Holland. Great Grandma was predeceased by an infant grandson Scott in 1964, her husband Martin in 1984, son-in-law Jim Gammie in 1993, and daughter Ann in 2000 and 9 brothers and sisters in Holland.

Grandma always had an uncanny ability to see the light in everyone. She welcomed the world into her home, excepting of course if it was between 7
and 10 on Saturday nights after the puck dropped. It was impossible not to be touched by Tante Riek's spirit and genuine soul. Hendrina will be lovingly remembered and will bring a smile to our hearts for all 'The Days of Our Lives.' Funeral Services were held Friday, December 30, 2005 at 2:00:P.M. from St. Anthony¹s Catholic Church, with Father Wayne Poile officiating.  Interment at The Drumheller Cemetery. A reception followed in St. Anthony's Church Hall. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice . Courtney-Winter¹s Funeral Home entrusted with the arrangements. 403-823-2666.