Thursday, November 14, 2024

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on November 14, 2024.

ITAYA, Koji Koji R. ITAYA April 29, 1931 – November 5, 2024 Mr. Koji Roy Itaya, of Iron Springs, AB, passed away at home on November 5, 2024. He was 93 years old.
Koji was predeceased by his wife, Sumiye in 2014.
He is survived by his sons, Jim, Larry, and Glen Itaya.
A private family service will be held, with interment at Royal View Memorial Cemetery. The family respectfully declines flowers and koden.
To send a message of condolence please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca

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SHERWOOD, Darryl
SHERWOOD How do you sum up a life spanning 86 years filled with family and faith, all blended together with music? This is the life of Darryl Gene Sherwood. He was born in Lethbridge on February 24, 1938 and passed away peacefully in his Lethbridge home on November 7, 2024. He will be forever remembered by his wife (and beloved accompanist) of more than 61 years, Lynne Ellison Sherwood, his five children Joshua (Traci), Samantha, Stefanie (Kyle) Lambert, Matthew (Lily) and SaraLyn (Bradley) Moore, and his sixteen grandchildren – Ellie, Taylor (Drew), Emma, Kayla, Nathan, Brett, Mackinley, Connor, Andrew, Brooklyn, Becca, Mia, Autumn, Mason, Melissa and Julianne.
Darryl was the youngest of five sons born to Nephi and Myrtle Sherwood. Seeing his oldest brother, Mel, serve as a pilot with the RCAF, sparked in Darryl a lifelong love of flying. Earning his pilot’s license at the age of 16, alongside Lynne’s older brother, Gary, brought him great joy throughout his life. They had many adventures in the air together.
A hallmark of Darryl’s life was his gift of singing. Darryl Sherwood was music! The perfect tone of his unforgettable tenor voice could be heard at so many weddings, funerals and church services. He also loved to sing with his family. Wherever there was a need that music could fill – for comfort, for healing, for enjoyment, for peace – both Darryl and Lynne would be there. While serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in South Africa (1958-1960), he had the unusual opportunity to share his musical gift as part of a barbershop quartet, known as the “Missionaires” which entertained at movie theaters and dinner clubs. There is more than one way to share the gospel.
After returning from his mission, Darryl reunited with his former accompanist, Lynne, daughter of Reed and Eva Ellison. A few years later, they were married in the Cardston Alberta Temple on August 28, 1963. From that moment on, these two were inseparable. His first thoughts were always for his sweetheart, Lynne. What a pair of devoted love birds. Moving to Calgary, their family grew to include all five of their children. In 1988, they moved to Lethbridge to help manage Ellison Enterprises Ltd. (formerly Ellison Milling & Elevator Company), the pioneer flour mill in southern Alberta. This gentle, humble man loved his family unconditionally. He provided us all with a constant supply of wise counsel, encouragement and loving support.
Darryl’s faith was the foundation upon which he built his life and his family. Whether he was serving as a bishop, a member of the high council, teaching Sunday School or serving as a ward missionary, Darryl bore his powerful testimony of the Saviour. This testimony emanated through his music, his words and his actions. He made those he met realize they were heard, loved, and seen. He loved thoroughly. He served faithfully. He gave unconditionally.
“Until the Twelfth of Never, I’ll still be loving you.”
Lynne would like to thank Dr. Wong and the nurses at the Kidney Care Clinic for their kindness and support.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Lethbridge Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2410 28 St S, on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 1:00 pm.
Friends are welcome to meet with the family from 11:45-12:45 prior to the service or at Salmon & Sons Funeral Home, 433 Stubb Ross Rd S, on Friday, November 15 from 7:00-8:00 pm.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

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YAMASHITA, Ruriko “Lily” RURIKO “LILY” YAMASHITA 1925 – 2024 Ruriko (Lily) Yamashita beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully on Friday, November 9, 2024, at the Chinook Regional Hospital, at the age of 99. She is the loving mother of Robert (Sharon Whatley) of Edmonton; Kathryn of Lethbridge; Geary (Cam) of Port Charlotte, Florida; Maureen (John Martini) of Osoyoos B.C.; and Linda (Bob Skelly) of Calgary. She is also survived by her sister June Tajiri; her sister-in-law Rose; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ruriko is predeceased by her father Masuzo Okahashi and her mother Kikue Okano; her brothers George and Charlie; and her sisters Nancy Leong, Merry Sameshima and Reiko Takeyasu.
Ruriko or Lily as she was known to family and friends was born on April 26, 1925, in Port Hammond B.C. and grew up on a berry farm in Haney B.C. With the onset of WWII, she and her family were relocated to Coaldale, Alberta to work in the sugar beet fields. There she met and married Yasuo Yamashita and together created a lifetime of cherished memories, raising five children, on a busy potato farm in Vauxhall Alberta. She will be remembered for her intelligent, loving and gentle nature, her many interests and hobbies, and above all her zest for life.
A visitation with the family will be held from 9:00 – 11:00 am on November 16, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4 STREET SOUTH, LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, with a Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 am. To watch the service via livestream, please visit https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/RurikoLily-Yamashita to find the link.
A private family inurnment will be held.
Koden is gratefully declined. If you wish, please donate in Lily’s name to the SOUTHERN ALBERTA JAPANESE UNITED CHURCH, 821 – 9 AVENUE N. LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, T1H 1E8.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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DAVIES, Elizabeth DAVIES ELIZABETH MARY DAVIES, of Picture Butte, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Friday, November 8, 2024 at the age of 93 years.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. CATHERINE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 762 Crescent Ave, Picture Butte, AB, on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Ian Gagne celebrating. Cremation entrusted to Cornerstone Funeral Home.

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

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DI PALMA, Rosina DI PALMA ROSINA DI PALMA, beloved wife of the late Giuseppe “Joe” Di Palma, of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully with family by her side at St. Michael’s Health Centre, on Wednesday November 13th, 2024, at the age 92 years.
Arrangements will be announced once completed.

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

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TOMASTA, Lydia LYDIA MARIA TOMASTA (NEE BARTOSEK) 1935 – 2024 Mrs. Lydia Maria Tomasta of Coaldale, beloved wife of the late Mr. Miro Tomasta, passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the age of 89 years. Lydia passed away after a short stay at Chinook Regional Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
Lydia was born in Coaldale, Alberta on January 28, 1935, to Antonia and John Bartosek.
Lydia is survived by her brother Tony (Bernadette) Bartosek; her children: Bob (Kathy), Ron (Marilyn), Diane (Tom) Slywka, Nancy, Rick, Melenie de Graaf, Gary (Lana), Lorraine and Antonette; along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and one great, great granddaughter.
She was predeceased by her parents; sister Georgia Bartosek; her daughter, Karen Poitras on December 28, 2007; and her soul mate and loving husband of 60 years, Miro, on May 14, 2015.
Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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