OBITUARIES

Judith Diane (Maxwell) Ruckaber, 50 years, passed away peacefully at the SVECC Palliative Care Room in Weyburn on February 21, 1999. She was born at Oxbow August 31, 1948. She attended school in Oxbow from Grade 1 to 12. After graduation she worked at the Estevan Medical Clinic as a receptionist. In 1968 she married William (Bill) Ruckaber in Oxbow. They lived in Moose Jaw, then Estevan and in 1972 moved to Weyburn. Judy started working at SVRCC in May of 1972 and later obtained her Certified Geriatric Nursing Assistant Certificate through Wascana Institute and the training program at SVRCC. She worked in nursing from 1972 to 1989, and from 1989 to 1994 as switch board operator receptionist, when she became too ill to continue work. She enjoyed volunteering at SVRCC especially decorating for holidays and special occasions. She was a former member of the Y.F. Wives Club. She enjoyed travelling with her husband and enjoyed their cottage at Kenosee Lake. She was involved with the parish for many years with her family and later through Rite of Christian Invitation of Adults. Her devoted membership was and will remain an important part of her. Judy is survived by her devoted loving husband of 31 years, William of Weyburn; son Kirby Dean Ruckaber (Dallas) of Calgary; daughter Keely Rose Ruckaber of Calgary; two granddaughters: Maclynn Kay Ruckaber and Morgan Beata Ruckaber, both of Calgary; her father and mother, Thomas and Elda Maxwell of Oxbow; two sisters: Penny Armstrong (Bill) of Oxbow; and Kathy Avery (Calvin) of Midale; three brothers-in-law: John Ruckaber (Shirley) of Weyburn; Frank Ruckaber (Maureen) of Medicine Hat; and Bernie Renneberg (Dorothy) of Oxbow; two sisters-in-law: Betty Eagles (Willard) of Macoun; and Katie Sape (Larry) of Edson, AB; as well as many nieces and nephews. Prayers were said Tuesday, February 23 at 8:00 p.m. from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn with Father John Mock presiding. The funeral mass was held Wednesday, February 24 at 10:30 a.m. from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church with Father John Mock celebrant. Interment followed in Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn. All those in attendance were considered to be honorary pallbearers. The active pallbearers were: Brad Avery, Brad Loppe, Curt Avery, Berry Eagles, Don Ruckaber and Dale Ruckaber. For friends so wishing, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society in her memory. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Dr. Frank (Skippy) Curtis Ellmore of Weyburn. Frank was born June 19, 1944 in Terra Haute, Indiana to Frank Ellmore and Helen Higbee. He graduated University of Michigan, School of Dentistry in 1969, after which he was the Director of Dentistry Kalamazoo County Health Department in Michigan. He later went on to be the Director of Dentistry for the Department of Northern Saskatchewan in La Ronge. He then went into private practice in Regina, and for the past 18 years in Weyburn. Frank's passions included reading, painting and having intellectual debates. He enjoyed travel, photography, fishing, golf and cooking. Those touched by Frank's life, will fondly remember his love for his animals: Papoose, Paco and Miss Kitty. He leaves to mourn his wife and long time love Mero (Baba), mother Helen Higbee, stepfather Bob Eslinger, daughter Lisa (Bob) McGregor, and grandchildren Tommy, Megan and Am; stepdaughter Donna (Jim) Myers, grandchildren Amanda and Joshua, stepson Donald (Rachel) Sayers. Sister and best friend Kay Nees, nieces D.D. (Marlin) Jorjensen and Kathy (John) Marchetto, grand-nephews Brian Curtis Jorgensen and Jimmy Hughes, nephews David, Randy and Jeff Nees, and Jim (Anna) Hughes, grand-nephews and grand-nieces Erick, Bob, Doug, Becky, Shane, Michelle, Brittany, Janica, Ashlyn Kae, Brittany, Ashley, Justin Jeffrey. Aunts Beatrice Ellmore and Katherine Higbee. Included are several great nieces and nephews, mother-in-law Grace Fraser, brother-in-law Billy Leoppky, nephews-in-law William and Michael Leoppky. Frank was predeceased by his father Frank Ellmore, sister Diane Eggers, and several aunts and uncles. Funeral service was held Tuesday, March 2 at 2:00 p.m. from Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn with Rev. John Ferrier officiating. Cremation followed with interment at a later date. All in attendance were considered honorary pallbearers. Donations may be made to the Asthma Association in lieu of flowers. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

"To live in hearts you leave behind is not to die."

Sunday, February 21, 1999, Leonard Lawrence Vanstone, age 50 years, dearly beloved husband of Peggy Vanstone, Lang, SK. Predeceased by his father Charles, Leonard will be dearly missed by his loving wife Peggy; three daughters, Vicki, Linda, and Pam (Kevin) Maas and their daughters, Paige and Keesha; mother Mary; three sisters, Charlotte Vanstone, Lois (Robert) Letkeman and Ruth (Lorne) Naherney; two brothers, David (Sharon) Vanstone and Tim (Jewel) Vanstone; many nieces and nephews. Leonard was married to Peggy for 25 years, and farmed in the Lang area for over 30 years. He was a salesman for Nelson Motors and Equipment of Avonlea for over nine years. Leonard was well known throughout Southern Saskatchewan. Funeral service will be held Thursday, February 25 at 2:00 p.m. in Lang Community Hall, with Pastor Larry Rempel officiating. Interment in Lang cemetery. Flowers most gratefully declined. Arrangements in care of Speers Funeral Chapel and Crematorium Services.

Robert George (Bob) Paynter of Comox, BC passed away at St. Joseph's Hospital on Tuesday, February 23, 1999 at age 71. He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Margaret; daughter Sylvia (Reg) Williams of Courtenay, BC; grandchildren Noel and Scott Williams; brother Walter (Donna) Paynter of Calgary; sisters Thelma Pitchford of Melfort, SK, Muriel Paynter of Rosthern, SK and Loreen Hartcourt, Calgary; as well as his nieces and nephews. Bob was an avid fisherman who loved the outdoors, being an active member of the Courtenay Fish and Game Club. He will be greatly missed by his family and many dear friends. Cremation arrangements entrusted to Comox Valley Funeral Home and Crematory Services, Courtenay. For those desiring, donations in Bob's memory may be made to St. Joseph's Hospital, 2137 Comox Avenue, Comox, BC V9M 1P2.

On Sunday, February 21, 1999, William "Bill" Fowler, late of Yellow Grass, passed away at the age of 77 years. Predeceased by his parents: William and Margaret Fowler, his wife Mabel Fowler, two brothers: Alex Fowler, John Fowler; one sister Muriel Caldwell. William is survived by three daughters: Donna (Steve) Lamoureux of San Antonio, TX; Linda (Robert) Ror of Weyburn; and Terry (Don) Culbert of Regina; six grandchildren: Michael, Robyn (Robert) Byrns, Kirstin, Carla, Joel and Billie-Lee; two sisters: Isabel Erickson of Weyburn; and Flora La Salle of Moose Jaw; one sister-in-law: Lola Fowler of Weyburn; as well as several nieces and nephews. At Bill's request no service was held. For friends so wishing donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society in his memory. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

On Friday, February 19, 1999 Nicholaus Fuchs passed away at the age of 90 years. Predeceased by his parents, Josip and Veronika Fuchs, and two brothers, Joe and John Fuchs. He leaves to mourn his wife of 56 years, Ruth of Weyburn; one sister, Ottillia Lemie of Germany; two nephews: Joe Fuchs of Wonder Lake, Illinois and Michael Fuchs of Germany; and two nieces, Christine Fuchs and Aplonea Fiederer, of Germany. Nick was born in Yugoslavia December 20, 1908. He came to Canada in 1927. In the fall of 1928, Nick went to the Torquay district as a farm hand and remained there for 29 years. In April 1942, he married Ruth Mallinger of Weyburn. Nick and Ruth moved to Weyburn in 1957. He worked at construction and plumbing until 1961, then at the Weyburn Union Hospital for five years and St. Dominic Savio school for nine years. Nick was an usher at St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church for many years and a member of the Knights of Columbus for 30 years. After a stroke in May of 1997, he became a resident at Souris Valley Extended Care Centre where he resided until his death. Prayers were said Sunday, February 21 at 3:00 p.m. from Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn. The funeral mass was held Monday, February 22 at 2:00 p.m. from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn, with Father Francis Hengen celebrant. Interment followed in Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn. All those in attendance were considered to be honorary pallbearers. The active pallbearers were: Jeff Stepp, Shawn Stepp, Curtis Stepp, Trevor Stepp, Leonard Thompson and Dwight Thompson. The Knights of Columbus served as an honor guard. For friends so wishing, donations may be made to Souris Valley Extended Care Centre or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation in his memory. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

James A. Melton, Weyburn, passed away February 25, 1999 at the age of 67 years. Predeceased by his parents, Lenard and Elizabeth. James is survived by his wife Barbara; two sons: Lonney (Corrine) of Calgary, and Terry (Lorna) of Redwater, AB; three grandchildren: Jessie, Dallas and Sable; daughter-in-law Lori of Bon Accord, AB; two brothers, three sisters, nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held Monday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. from Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, with Father John Mock officiating. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

On Thursday, February 18, 1999, Peter Paul Zimmerman, late of Weyburn, passed away at the age of 85 years. Predeceased by his parents, Anton and Rose Zimmerman; three sisters: Florence Styre, Isabelle Soroka and Pauline McGillicky; one brother, Frank Zimmerman; two sisters-in-law: Elma Zimmerman and Gertie Zimmerman; six brothers-in-law: John Soroka, Roy McGillicky, Roger Blain Sr.; Gordon McKnight, Gavin Mohns and Barney Styre Sr.; and two infant granddaughters. Peter is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sadie of Weyburn; one daughter, Carol Anne (Ernest) Kot of Weyburn; three grandsons: Laverne Kot of Weyburn; Mike (Rhonda) Kot of Weyburn; and Nick Kot of Regina; two brothers: Tony Zimmerman of Regina, and Ralph (Violet) Zimmerman of Stoughton; four sisters: Caroline McKnight of Weyburn; Gertrude Blain of Stoughton; Edith Mohns of Prince George, BC; and Eleanor (Gilbert) Vipond of Weyburn; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Peter was born November 23, 1913 in Torquay, SK. He married Sadie Schmidt on June 8, 1943. Peter worked for the CNR for 32 years, the last 25 as section foreman until retirement in 1979. Peter and Sadie have resided in Weyburn since 1970. As a young man he was an avid baseball player and curler, and in later years became a TV sports fan. He was a faithful member of the Roman Catholic Church all his life and was very proud of being a fourth degree Knights of Columbus. Sadie and Peter celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1993. Prayers were said Sunday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m. from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn. The funeral mass was held Monday, February 22 at 10:30 a.m. from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, with Father Francis Hengen celebrant. Interment followed in Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. All those in attendance were considered to be honorary pallbearers. The active pallbearers were his grandsons: Laverne Kot, Michael Kot, Nicholas Kot and Roger Blain along with Knights of Columbus, Tatt Benning and Peter Broccolo. The Knights of Columbus served as honor guard. For friends so wishing, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan or to the Saskatchewan Lung Association, in his memory. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

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