January 16, 2008 Obits

It is with sadness, love and cherished memories that the family of Barbara Lynn (Shadlock) Donovan announce that she passed away peacefully in Drumheller on January 12, 2008 at the age of 40 following a courageous battle with cancer. Barb was born in Drumheller on May 22, 1967. She attended school in Verdant Valley from grades 1-8 and then attended high school in Drumheller. On July 24, 1993 she married Michael Donovan of Oyen. She enjoyed farming and life on the farm with Michael. She had a passion for flowers and gardening and in November 2000 opened the ‘Flower Patch’ at the farm. She later re-located to Oyen where her business continued to succeed until her illness forced her to close in November 2007. Barb loved the outdoor life, animals, and camping at their acreage near Leslieville. Barb’s firey spirit and quick wit as well as her warm and caring nature will be missed by all who knew her. Her strong will, determination and integrity were attributes that made Barb successful at whatever she put her mind to. She leaves to mourn her husband Michael of Oyen, her 22 year old daughter Megan Stewart of Calgary, her parents Fred and Gerri Shadlock of Drumheller, her sister Donna and Gord Thom and their children Stacey and Deana of Brooks, her sister Sandra and Gerald Martynes and their children Abbigayle, Harrison, and Winston of Drumheller, Michael’s parents Harry and Jeanette Donovan of Medicine Hat, Michael’s sister Maureen and Gord Tyers and their children Robert, Thomas, and Keith of Hanna, Michael’s sister Mona and Fred Darroch of Calgary, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Barb was predeceased by her brother Gene Shadlock in 1969, her paternal grandparents Bill (1991) and Muriel (1983) Shadlock of Drumheller and her maternal grandparents Andy (1988) and Polly (2002) Mortimer of Carbon. The angels came and lifted her up to a better place where she is free to wander through fields of green and flowers in bloom for all eternity. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 2:00pm in the Legion Hall in Oyen. In lieu of flowers Barb requested that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society for Melanoma Research. Courtney-Winters Funeral Home in Drumheller has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Charles Robert URCH, passed away peacefully at the Drumheller Continuing Care Centre on January 8, 2008, at the age of 96 years. He was predeceased by Kathleen Edith Urch (Nicholson), his loving wife of 52 years, on June 4, 1989. Charlie was born on May 31, 1911 in Bigstone, Alberta, the oldest child of Frank and Rosina (Adams) Urch, where he lived until he was eleven. He settled in Drumheller in 1940 after working in Calgary, Nanton and Okotoks (where he met Kathleen). In Drumheller, he established a sheet metal and heating business, and after twelve years, commenced farming in the Munson area. Upon retiring in 1971, he and Kathleen moved into Drumheller where he could always be found tinkering on projects in his workshop. He loved to work with his hands and there wasn’t anything that he couldn’t fix. He will forever be remembered for his humor, determination and love for life! His memory will be fondly cherished by his children, Ronald (Carol) Urch, Margaret (Bert) Hoy, Barbara (Gerald) Clarke, James (Lorna) Urch, all of Drumheller, and Douglas Urch of Calgary. He will also be missed by his 15 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. The family would like to thank the Drumheller Continuing Care Centre’s caring staff for the excellent care given to Charlie. Charlie was an honorary member of the Anglican Church, a member of the Drumheller Masonic Lodge (#146) and a founding member of the Big Country Antique and Classic Auto Club. A Memorial Service for Charlie will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 13:00 at the FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH in Drumheller, Alberta (226 – 2nd Street West). If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the CNIB, Diabetes Association, or a charity