THURSDAY, December 22, 2016

JOHN VERNON WAGONTALL

I am sad to say, that on December 18, 2016, I passed away at the young age of 58 at home surrounded by loved ones. I have gone to be with others who have passed before me…my parents, John and Elizabeth (Betty) Wagontall, and many others.

I am happy that I am survived by my wife of 35 years, Cindy, sons O.J. (Kate) of Edmonton and Brett (Mandy Henderson) of Kindersley, grandchildren Mason John and Alexandra Rose of Edmonton, sisters Debi Baldwin of Calgary and Shirley (Darrell) Di Palma of Calgary, nephews Kirk McDonald of Dubai and Brandon Di Palma of Calgary, and niece Chelsey Will of Vancouver.

I was born in Lethbridge on the 27th of December, 1957. I lived in a few places as an infant and toddler, but spent the majority of my life in Lethbridge. I graduated from Winston Churchill High School in 1975. I went to SAIT for one year to take electronics. Although I enjoyed it, my calling was elsewhere. I worked for the City of Lethbridge Parks Department and numerous other jobs until 1984 when I started with the Lethbridge Fire Department. I loved working with the members of Local 237. They were and continue to be a great group of men and women looking after this wonderful city.

In 1981, I married the love of my life, Cindy Anderson. We enjoyed a pretty amazing life together… and together we raised two amazing sons who I am so proud of!

Besides my family my passions were camping, hiking, and riding my bike. Later in life I added LEGO to that list.

After working on the Fire Department for just over 20 years, I was diagnosed with metastatic Prostate cancer. After my initial treatment I decided to do a bicycle ride across Canada to raise money and awareness about Prostate Cancer.

The Cycle for Life trip took me 7,945 km across Canada. I met some of the most amazing people and managed to make a few great friends. One in particular was Tim Harper, who rode with me for a good portion of the ride. We remained close until the end and not just the end of the ride. We shared our lives with each other…the good and bad! We kept each other going. Tim became the best friend a person could have, to both Cindy and I.

Well, as strange as this is, writing my own obituary, it is time to say goodbye.

A Visitation will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, December 22, 2016 from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the VICTORY CHURCH, 1 Mile East of Lethbridge on Highway 3, on Friday, December 23, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Ralph Molyneux officiating.

Donations in memory of John may be made to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre at the following site, http://www.albertacancer.ca/donate/cancer-centres

To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

Florence Matz
1934 – 2016
The family of Florence Matz would like to announce her passing in Lethbridge on Friday, December 16, 2016 at the age of 82 years.
Those wishing to pay their respects may do so prior to the funeral service at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 between 10:00 A.M. and 10:30 A.M.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. Burial to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden.  Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
Florence will be lovingly remembered by her six children and their families Van (Doddi) Matz of Lethbridge, Terrie (Dave) Kochis of Bow Island, Lorna (Rick) Kurio of Lethbridge, Roy (Laurie) Matz of Burdett, Rick (Rebecca) Matz of Calgary and David (Virginia) Matz of Burdett; eleven grandchildren Owen, Shawn, Lisa, Robert, Danna, Callie, Megan, Kristyn, Colin, Leo, and Ruby; great granddaughter Wynter. Florence is also survived by her sister AnnaMae (Gordon) Mifflin of Claresholm, brother Bob Bell of Claresholm; sisters-in-law Mary (Bill) Knodel of Medicine Hat, Josephine (Len) Dietrich of Maple Creek; brothers-in-law Mike (Pearl) Matz of Brooks as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband John Matz, sister Jean Haugen and brother-in-law Leo Haugen.
Florence was born May 19, 1934 in Granum to parents Alex and Lizzie Bell. She grew up on the family ranch west of Claresholm and left home at seventeen to teach school in a private home. She later moved to Calgary to work for CNR, where she met John on New Year’s Eve. After a June wedding in 1956, they moved to Richmound, Saskatchewan to farm with his family. In 1964 they relocated to Burdett with the four oldest children to start a new farm and add two more children to the family.
Florence was active in the community and was always involved with the Grassy Lake CWL. For many years she volunteered with the Burdett Community Hall Auxiliary organizing and cooking countless suppers for weddings and other functions.
Florence was top bowler in both Bow Island and Taber leagues. She started bowling shortly after the Bowling Alley in Bow Island opened and continued weekly in Taber until her late seventies. Another favorite pastime was playing various card games and dominoes with her family and friends. She was very well read and self-educated reading at least one book a week.
She always loved to travel which was hard during the early years on the farm. After Florence and John retired from farming they began visiting family and friends around British Columbia and parts of the United States. After John passed away Florence took several trips and cruises, many with her sister Jean, visiting Hawaii, Alaska, Newfoundland, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Victoria and more.
Florence was a true farm wife; driving truck and tractor, chasing cows, raising her children and then helping with grandchildren. Finally, after thirty five years on the farm in Burdett, Florence and John moved to Signature Lane in Taber enjoying their retirement years surrounded by friends. After John passed in 2009, Florence continued to live at Signature Lane for a number years before moving to Clearview Lodge in Taber where she was with more friends. Florence spent her last two years at St. Michael’s Health Centre.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Florence’s name may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta, 402, 740 – 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0N9 (http://www.alzheimer.ca).
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at both Clearview Lodge, and St. Michael’s Health Centre for the amazing care and compassion they provided Florence during her final years.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.