WEDNESDAY, January 10, 2018

BIRCH

MR. DENNIS BIRCH, beloved husband of Shirley Birch, of Lethbridge, passed away at Edith Cavell Care Centre on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at the age of 91 years.

Besides his loving wife Shirley, Dennis is survived by his son William Birch, of Red Deer; his daughter Patricia (Bernard) Paranych, of Wetaskiwin; his five grandchildren: Matthew, Justin and Ryan, of Red Deer; and Travis and Denise Peeples of Arkansas, and his five great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his mother, his father, his sister and his former wife Margaret, of Watrous, Saskatchewan.

Dennis was born December 8, 1926 in Waterloo, Ontario and attended school in Kitchener and Waterloo. He joined the Canadian Army in 1944 and then the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1946. During his time with the Armed Forces, he served at various bases in Canada and with N.A.T.O. in England and France. Upon leaving the Armed Forces in 1968, he was employed by the Alberta Government at Alberta Hospital Ponoka as Fire & Safety Officer, then as Building Superintendent at Coronation, as well as Raymond Home and the Lethbridge Correctional Institute.

Dennis retired in January 1986 and enjoyed retirement by doing lots of golfing, curling, fishing, camping and traveling. He loved to make winter getaways to Arizona, Mexico and Cuba and also embarked on various cruises. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Miner’s Club, The Eagles Aerie 2100, the Norbridge Senior Centre, the Coaldale Curling Club and the Federal Superannuates of Canada. Dennis also took active interest and participation in the Humane Society and Paws in Lethbridge.

A Funeral Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. with Reverend Erin Phillips officiating. Dennis will be laid to rest in the Field of Honour at a Private Graveside Service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lethbridge & District Humane Society, 2920 – 16 Avenue North, Lethbridge, Alberta T1H 5E9 or to the Lethbridge PAW Society, P.O. Box 255, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 3Y5.

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

GERALD REGINALD BONNETT

On Friday, January 5, 2018, Gerald Bonnett lost his battle with cancer, at the age of 78 years.

Gerald Bonnett was born in Killam, AB on July 6, 1939 to Doris and George Bonnett. At a very early age Gerald left home to conquer the world. He worked in the oilfield service industry as a tool push and then wireline operator. Working for Camco in 1961 and then Otis in 1964 where he experienced working on offshore drilling rigs.

Gerald met his wife Diane Young in 1962 and were married December 28, 1963 in Pincher Creek, AB. They had three children: daughter Jackie (Simon) Wallan and their children Travis and Jordan (fiancé Colin Stogryn); daughter Colleen (Murray) Toews and their children Muranda, Carlee and Ty; and son Gerald Jr. Bonnett.

Gerald and Diane moved to Fort St. John, BC from High Level, AB to start Bonnett’s Wireline Services Ltd. in 1972. While in Fort St. John, Gerald stated another life’s passion – raising, training and running quarter horses in 1978.

They moved their family and business to Beaverlodge in 1981 and continued to thrive until they retired to Dewinton, AB in 1999. Gerald moved to Lethbridge after his wife’s passing in 2003, where he remained until April 2016, when he moved back to Grande Prairie to be closer to family.

Gerald will be remembered for his love of politics, horses, listening, telling a good joke, and his love of family and friends.

Gerald was predeceased by his daughter Angela on October 8, 1964, wife Diane Phyllis Bonnett on May 3, 2003, brother Maurice Bonnett and parents George and Doris Bonnett.

A Celebration of Gerald’s life will be held on Friday, January 12, 2018 at 2:00pm at Clarkson Hall, Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cross Cancer Institute (11560 University Ave. NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2), or to PARDS (8202 84 St. Grande Prairie, AB T8X 0L6).

Condolences may be sent by visiting http://www.oliversfuneralhome.com