MERGEN
(nee Andre)
Diane Cecile

December 5, 1945 - June 7, 2023

Diane Mergen of Drumheller, Alberta, passed away June 7, 2023, at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary surrounded by loved ones two days after suffering a brain aneurysm.
Diane grew up in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, where her parents farmed, with a few winters spent in Victoria, BC, with her parents and sister Julie. At age 15, Diane met the love of her life, Joe Mergen. They married in 1964 and this July would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. Diane and Joe started their married life in Palmer, Saskatchewan, then spent a few years in Assiniboia, where they welcomed their first son, Kelly, before moving to Drumheller, Alberta, where their second son, Clayton, was born. Diane was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother and took pride in her boys’ activities and accomplishments and later in those of her three grandchildren.
Through the years, Diane worked at many jobs, including working for the Assiniboia School Unit and working as a telephone operator in Assiniboia. After Diane and Joe moved to Drumheller, Diane continued her work as a telephone operator and later worked at the Credit Union and Drumheller Medical Clinic, before taking on increasingly responsible roles at the penitentiary in Drumheller. Before retiring, she managed the Corcan textile shop there, overseeing up to 18 inmates producing pillows and mattresses for the Canadian Armed Forces, among other products. The inmates who worked for her liked and respected her despite her firm rules of no swearing and no rap music. Over the years, Diane also worked hand in hand with her husband on his construction company in Drumheller, helping to keep records, feed the crew, and build four homes plus 800 grain bins in the Drumheller area.
After retiring, Diane became an expert quilter, making over two dozen stunning quilts, which are now cherished by those lucky enough to have received one. Diane also enjoyed baking, gardening, cross-stitching, machine embroidery, and participating in online World of Warcraft adventures, with long-distance friends and family members. Diane and Joe also enjoyed camping, fishing, and travelling, taking their fifth-wheel camper on many trips throughout Canada and the United States and visiting France (where they met many of her father’s family), England, Germany, Italy, China, and Central America.
Although Diane faced health challenges in her later years, she always had a cheerful smile, a ready laugh, and time for a chat. Diane will be deeply missed by friends and family, but particularly by her loving husband, Joe; by their son Kelly, his wife Laura, and their grandchildren Ray, Lindsay, and Erin; and by their son Clayton, all of Calgary. Diane is also survived by her sisters Julie (Ted) Derbyshire and Jo-Anne Andre; by her brother-in-law George Mergen; by her sisters-in-law Jeanette Hildebrand and Karen (Keith) Trevina; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Diane was predeceased by her parents, John and Laurence Andre of Assiniboia; her father- and mother-in-law, John and Lorraine Mergen of Limerick, Saskatchewan; her daughter-in-law Kate (Clayton) Mergen; her brothers-in-law Reg (Pat) Mergen and George (Jeanette) Hildebrand; and her sister-in-law Liz (George) Mergen.
Diane’s family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the exceptional medical teams and staff of Drs. Olfert, Tlhape, and Ram at the Drumheller Health Centre and to the Emergency Room specialists and staff at the Foothills Medical Centre. As Diane wished, she will be buried in her hometown of Assiniboia at a later date, with a small family memorial to be arranged in Drumheller. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honour of Diane to Stars Air Ambulance.

Courtney-Winters Funeral Home in care of arrangements. 403-823-2666

HEINRICH
Emil

January 21, 1931  Carbon, Alberta
May 29, 2023  Airdrie, Alberta

It is with joy and sorrow that we mourn the passing of our father, Emil Heinrich, at Bethany Airdrie, May 29, 2023, at the age of 92. We are so thankful that Emil can be with the Lord and that his journey here on earth is over.
Emil is lovingly remembered by his three daughters, Marlene Wisniewski (Ed) of Calgary, AB, Marge Ludwig (Arnie) of Strathmore, AB, and Kathy Heinrich of Surrey, BC; his grandchildren, Michelle, Nicholas, Julie, Michael (Tammie), and Chris (Jessi); his great-grandchildren, Danielle, Hailie, Terri-Lynn, Tyson, Cody, and Avery; and great-great-grandchild Wilder, as well as his sister Gladys Roths of Three Hills, AB and sister-in-law Regina Heinrich (Arthur) of Linden, AB.
Emil was predeceased by his wife Elvira Heinrich (Walters), his parents, Ottilie Heinrich (Stumm) and Theodore Heinrich; his sisters, Herda Berreth and Ida Dorn; and his brother Arthur Heinrich.
Emil’s favourite saying was Man-a-livin’ and will be most remembered for his strong faith, sense of humor and his love for people.
Emil was born at the Kirby farm, close to Hesketh, AB on January 21, 1931. He lived in the Hesketh area most of his life and attended school in Hesketh until Grade 8. He helped his family with the farm and eventually him and his siblings took over running things for Grandpa Heinrich. He would work as fast as he could so that he could spend as much time playing. He loved swimming, skating, snaring gophers, fishing and doing whatever fun things he could think of. As long as the work was completed, his parents didn’t care where or what he was doing.
In July 1952, Emil met a sweet young lady, Elvira Walters, while standing up at the wedding of his sister, Herda and Elvira’s cousin, Roland. Of course, Emil was his goofy self and charmed Elvira into falling in love with him. They were engaged in November 1952, and married a year later.
After they were married, they bought a farm close to Hesketh and lived there until 1974 when they sold three quarters of their land with the buildings and moved to Hesketh. During their marriage Emil and Elvira were very involved in Zion Baptist Church, the Hesketh community and very active in their children’s lives. At Zion, Emil served as Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, usher, a substitute for Sunday School teachers if needed and ushered at the Passion Play. He was always ready to help if there was a need.
After 47 years of marriage, Elvira passed away in December 2000. Emil’s main purpose in life became serving the Lord through Mission work. This started in 2002 when he went to Haiti, later for YWAM (Hawaii), and finally Christlike Ministries (Mexico).
Emil lived in Hesketh till 2016, moved to a house in Drumheller, the Sunshine Lodge, Hillview Lodge, Drumheller Continuing Care and finally to Bethany Airdrie. Emil recently contracted pneumonia and had several falls which caused him to decline very quickly and eventually led to his passing.
We are so thankful for the wonderful staff at Bethany Airdrie. They were so friendly and helpful during Emil’s stay and made his final days very comfortable.
Funeral Services were held at Zion Baptist Church (Township Rd 22-2 and Highway 9) on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at www.MHFH.com.
If friends and family so desire, donations may be directed to Christlike Ministries, (Box 149, Warman, SK, S0K 4SA).
In living memory of Emil Heinrich, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive, Airdrie, AB T4B 3L8, Telephone: 403-948-1100.

McInnis & Holloway in care of arrangements. 403-243-8200

You may wish to email your family and friends to let them know that the above obituary may be viewed online at: www.mcinnisandholloway.com