Saturday, June 7, 2025
By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on June 7, 2025.
SHEPPARD, David “Dave” DAVID “DAVE” SHEPPARD November 26, 1936 ~ May 3, 2025 David Henry Sheppard of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at Chinook Regional Hospital on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the age of 88 years.He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Jean; daughter Kathleen (Lethbridge); son in law Rob Miller; sister Judith (Lethbridge) and brother Alan (Ft. Worth Texas).
He was predeceased by his parents Rex and Joy Sheppard of Apache Junction, Arizona.
Dave was born in Lacombe, Alberta on November 26, 1936, and moved to Lethbridge as a young child. Dave loved the natural world, and after graduating high school in Lethbridge, he attended the University of Alberta where he applied his interest in animal behaviour and ecology to obtain a B.Sc in Conservation Biology and a M.Sc in Wildlife Ecology (studying mule deer). Following his time at the University of Alberta, Dave studied at the University of Saskatchewan, earning a Ph.D in Animal Ecology for his research on chipmunk behavior. He received many rewards and scholarships throughout his years of study.
While at the University of Saskatchewan, Dave met Jean who was pursuing a Masters of Science Degree. They married in 1965.
In 1966 he joined the faculty of the biology department at the University of Regina, where he taught for eleven years. In 1977 he moved, with Jean and daughter Kathleen, to the foothills of southern Alberta, west of Pincher Creek. They built their log home there and grew extensive gardens. The home was heated with wood and Dave did the collecting, sawing and chopping of firewood by himself, along with the snow shovelling, market gardening and fence repairing.
Dave loved the mountains, and he spent much of his free time exploring and hiking in Waterton Lakes National Park and the Castle River area. In 1990, Dave and a group of like-minded people formed the Castle Crown Wilderness Coalition to advocate for the protection of the Castle area. Dave received a Parks Canada Award for his work in trying to protect the Castle in 1996. However, it wasn’t until 2017 that Dave saw his dream of a protected Castle Wilderness come to fruition with legislative protection when the Alberta government announced the formation of the Castle Provincial Park and Castle Wildland Provincial Park, ensuring the long-term protection of the area.
In 2014, Dave and Jean decided to move to a less onerous life in Lethbridge. While he still could, Dave hiked the coulees along the Oldman River.
Dave was buried in a wicker casket in a green burial on the edge of the coulees at Royal View Cemetery in north Lethbridge.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dave’s name directly to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, EcoJustice Canada, or the Castle- Crown Wilderness Coalition or the same via CanadaHelps.org website.
Everyone is welcome to attend a gathering of friends to honour Dave’s life, which will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the HORIZON VILLAGE AMENITIES BUILDING, 135, JERRY POTTS BLVD W, Lethbridge, Alberta.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
FORNER, Eric ERIC AUGUST FORNER 1934 ~ 2025 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Eric August Forner on May 11, 2025. Eric had a gentle and peaceful passing just six weeks shy of his 91st birthday.
Born to Florian and Katharina Forner, Eric, was the middle child of five siblings. He is survived by his brother Arny (Elmira); daughters Carolynn, Kelly and Janette (Dave); and his loving wife of 35 years, Sharon, along with her daughters Kathleen Downing and Connie Hyde (Murray) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Eric was predeceased by his parents and siblings Elsie (LG), Alfred (Donna) and Herman (Connie).
Eric was born in Provost, Alberta. Eric spent his childhood and high school years on the family fruit farm in Keremeos, British Columbia. In 1952, Eric moved to Spokane, Washington to attend Gonzaga University. He graduated with a degree in Science and Civil Engineering.
In 1957, Eric married his college sweetheart Vivian Yochum. Vivian and Eric moved to Maple Lake, British Columbia where Eric had his first job working on the construction of the West Coast Transmission Pipeline. In 1958, Eric and Vivian moved to Edmonton where they had their three daughters, Carolynn, Kelly and Janette and shared a life for 27 years.
When his marriage ended, Eric built a life with Sharon O’Sullivan and added to his family with Sharon’s two daughters, three grandsons, four great grandchildren and a large extended family. He was loved by many and will be dearly missed.
After 35 years in the oil and gas business, Eric retired, and he and Sharon relocated to the Mayook Valley in the East Kootenays and built their dream home. Skiing, fishing, quadding and golfing were just outside their door. Eric loved the mountains, working the land, being outdoors and being part of a country community. Eric was never happier than when he was in a boat, on a lake.
Eric was an active member of the Edmonton Oilfield Technical Society (OTS), the Edmonton Petroleum Club and served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Derrick Golf and Winter Club and was later a member of the Windermere Golf Club.
Eric and Sharon moved from the East Kootenays to Lethbridge, Alberta in 2019. For fifteen years they wintered in Arizona where they made new friends and welcomed family and friends to share their home and the warm weather. They made many great memories in their years in Arizona.
Eric spent the final weeks of his life in St. Michael’s Palliative Care Center in Lethbridge. Though his legs were feeling their years, his mind remained sharp, and he shared his characteristic sense of humour.
Eric will be dearly missed but his spirit will live on in the lives he touched. At Eric’s request, a small private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers we invite you to donate to Dreams for Kids, ECSFoundation, (www.ecsfoundation.ca) or a charity of your choice.
Cremation has been entrusted to Martin Brother Funeral Chapel.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
FISHER, Lynn FISHER Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather LYNN FISHER, passed away in peace with loved ones around him, on June 2, 2025 at the age of 85 in the Raymond Hospital. Some people will remember Lynn in his cowboy and hunting days with many a great story to tell. Some may go back as far as him helping to build the first cabin at Lone Lake in Waterton. But, for most people in this area, he will be remembered for opening and managing the #1 Seven Eleven in all of Canada. For us, he will be remembered for his love of everyone, his patience and understanding, and for all the knowledge he shared with us all when we needed it the most. This great man will be missed the most by his love of his life, Dorothea, his children, Deanna, Mike and Dawn, his 11 grandchildren and his 32 great grandchildren. He will be remembered forever! We will have a funeral service on Saturday, June 14th at 11:00 am at the Garden Place Chapel in Magrath and you are all welcome to attend.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca
NOLAN, Larry LARRY NOLAN 1946 ~ 2025 Mr. Larry Douglas Nolan of Picture Butte passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the age of 79 years.
A Come and Go Reception will be held from 1:00pm to 5:00pm on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the PRAIRIE TRACTOR & ENGINE MUSEUM 104071, AB-843, Picture Butte, Alberta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Muscular Dystrophy Canada, https://muscle.ca/gifts-and-giving/.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
MICHELSON, Glen MICHELSON It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Glen Barton Michelson, on June 4, 2025, at the age of 101 years.
Glen was predeceased by his loving wife, Betty Jo and their son, Barry. He leaves to mourn his daughter-in-law Laurie, his grandchildren Jill Campbell of Coaldale, Alberta, Heather (Sam) Gazes of Reno, Nevada, and his great grandchildren Hayley, Alyssa, Brooklyn, Elias and Lexi.
Glen was born March 12, 1924 in Stirling, Alberta to Rasmus and Lulu Pearl Michelson. Glen and his brothers Ralph (deceased), Dwaine (deceased), Bruce (Maple Ridge, British Columbia) and sisters Marie (deceased) and Arlene (Salt Lake City, Utah) grew up on the family farm together where they learned valuable life skills.
Some of the accomplishments he was most proud of was his involvement with Ducks Unlimited, and his service with the RCMP and Lethbridge Police. He retired from LPS in 1984 but it continued to play a huge role in his life.
Glen lived an amazing life full of stories that everyone loved to listen to. He will be greatly missed by his family and all of the many friends he met along the way.
The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday June 9, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 205 Fairmont Blvd S. Lethbridge, Alberta , with Bishop Mike Smith conducting.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family, prior to the services, in the Relief Society Room of the church at 10:00 am.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca
NAKAMURA, Amy Amy Nakamura
1936 – 2025
It is with great sadness that the family of Emiko Amy Nakamura announce her unexpected passing in Taber on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at the age of 89 years.
A private Funeral Service was held at Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber on Thursday, June 5, 2025. A private Burial Service was held at Taber Memorial Garden.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life event at the Heritage Inn, 4830 – 46 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
Amy is survived by her children Greg (Maureen) Nakamura of Lethbridge and their family Michael and Marlee; Bruce (Diane) Nakamura of Taber and their family Kristin (Casey) (Kristin’s children Blakely and Wehlen), Ryland (Kyler) (Ryland’s children Georgia, Madden, Sutton and Sawyer), Lyndon (Stef) (Lyndon’s children Bowie and Tripp) and Shandyn (Avery) (Shandyn’s son Rowdy); Toni (Kim) Oseen of Taber and their family Joel, Jordan and Amanda (Brent); David (Tanna) Nakamura of Taber and their family Taryn (Brandon) and Cole.
Amy was born in Mission, British Columbia on February 9, 1936, beloved daughter of Chosaburo and Kohide. She grew up in Lethbridge and attended LCI before obtaining her training as an x-ray technician. She married Norman, the love of her life in Taber on January 12, 1957 and they were together for forty seven years before Norman’s passing.
Amy enjoyed all kinds of sports, but her favorites were curling and golf and she even went on to claim a silver medal in Canadian Senior Women’s curling. She also enjoyed working with flowers and dancing with the Japanese women.
Amy loved to travel and had the opportunity to see much of the world. Christmas was always an important time for her as she loved having all her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren together.
Amy’s furry friends Toby and Chewie will greatly miss their daily visits from her.
If friends so desire, in lieu of Koden, memorial tributes in Amy’s name may be made directly to the Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326 – 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9 (www.tdhf.ca) or to Taber Lost Paws Society, 5710 – 66 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1B8 (www.taberlostpawssociety.com).
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.
PRAIRIE CHICKEN, Stephanie PRAIRIE CHICKEN STEPHANIE RAE PRAIRIE CHICKEN passed away on June 1, 2025 in Lethbridge, AB at the age of 23 years. A Wake Service for Stephanie will be held on Tuesday, June 10 from 7:00 – 11:00 pm at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve. The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 11 at 12:00 pm at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Church, Blood Reserve. Interment to follow in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Stand Off, AB.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca
PETTIFER, Ken PETTIFER KEN PETTIFER, of Lethbridge, beloved partner of Margaret Davidson, passed away peacefully at Good Samaritans Park Meadows Village, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at the age of 85 years.
A private Family Service will be held at a later date.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
GORE-HICKMAN, Timothy GORE-HICKMAN TIMOTHY O’BRIEN GORE-HICKMAN, beloved father, husband, and friend, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
Diagnosed with melanoma in July 2024, Tim’s courage, grace, and humour was evident until the end. He will be deeply and forever missed by all. Tim was born in Lethbridge on May 21, 1955, making this last month a wonderful 70th birthday celebration of sharing hundreds of messages and cards.
Tim’s easy disposition, gentle spirit, and unwavering sense of humour had him collecting lifelong friendships from his earliest youth. His booming laughter was pure joy. Following his happy childhood in Lethbridge, Tim earned a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Calgary in 1975 and then pursued his designation as a Chartered Accountant at KPMG in Calgary. After meeting Heather, an office romance ensued. The lure of Bermuda with year-round golf and boating saw them take on island life in 1984. Married in 1986, a new opportunity took Tim and Heather to Manhattan in 1989, then Washington, DC. These adventures lead to many rich friendships enjoyed from around the world, and 40 years later those relationships remain very special. Becoming parents to Erin in 1990 and Emily in 1992, they decided to return to their Alberta prairie roots in 1995 to be closer to family. They were blessed again with Christy arriving in 1996.
Tim grew up spending summers at the family cabin at Little Bow, and the weekend fun at the lake continues to this day. He was a beautiful water-skier, with an ability to glide effortlessly over the water; it gave Tim much joy teaching friends and family how to waterski over the decades. Campfires, tall tales and laughter lasting into the wee hours with friends and family never got old. Golf was another great love. He cherished golf with old Bermuda buddies and the annual golf getaway at Kokanee Springs, that included friendships extending back to elementary school. His greatest golf joy though was the Lethbridge Country Club – good holes or bad, he was in his happy place at the LCC.
Tim cultivated outstanding relationships with work colleagues during his professional career, out of which more decades-long friendships emerged. Tim always strived for excellence with his impressive work ethic, and many of his peers fondly observed that “whistling while he worked” was his default state. Consistently unflappable, unperturbed, and patient, he was an admired team member and mentor for anyone he worked with. Spending winters in Arizona after retiring in 2018 led to many new friendships formed while enjoying all the retirement fun – hiking, pickleball, card games of Swipe, drinks by the pool, and of course, golf. He also had some excellent adventures travelling with friends and exploring new countries.
These foregoing qualities made Tim the best husband and Dad. His selfless, steadfast devotion and grace built a family anchored in love and laughter. Becoming Grampy to two beautiful Grandsons in the past year had him eager to enjoy this new wonderful phase of life. Our hearts could not be more broken that the gift of sharing life’s journey with this exceptional man has been cut far too short. To the many friends and family who brought food and meal-delivery gift cards, we cannot express enough our deep gratitude and appreciation for your contributions to supporting Tim’s care.
Tim is survived by his wife Heather, daughters Erin (Hubert), Emily (Lee) and Christy (Anthony), grandsons Freddy and James, brother Ron (Barb), brother-in-law Ian (Tracey), and nieces Shaunna (Chris), Mackenzie, Lauren, Shaylene (Britt) and Richelle (Corey).
He was predeceased by his parents, Dr. F.G. Gore-Hickman and Luella, and brother Bill, as well as beloved grandparents and in-laws.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the many medical professionals who contributed to Tim’s care. Dr. Mahoney at the Arthur Child Cancer Center, Dr. Haner at the Jack Ady Cancer Centre, the palliative care team, Chinook Regional Hospital and countless nurses, paramedics, and homecare workers.
For those who wish to attend, a Celebration of Life for Tim will be held at the LETHBRIDGE COUNTRY CLUB, 101 Country Club Road South, Lethbridge, AB, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations in Tim’s memory to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre or Chinook Regional Health Foundation (crhfoundation.ca).
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
LOTHIAN, John LOTHIAN JOHN LOTHIAN, of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Maria Lothian, passed away peacefully, at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Friday, June 6, 2025 at the age of 87 years.
Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
DORAM, Donald “Don” DORAM DONALD “DON” ROY DORAM, beloved husband of the late Lynnette “Lynne” Doram, of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully in Calgary at St. Teresa Place on Sunday, May 18th, 2025 at the age of 86 years.
A Memorial Service will be held at ST. AUGUSTINE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 411 – 11 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Canon James Robinson officiating. The Memorial Service will be live-streamed and may be viewed through Don’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
WHITTAL, Connor CONNOR WHITTAL 2023 ~ 2025 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear son and little brother, Connor Whittal, who passed away at his home on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the tender age of 20 months.
Left to mourn his passing are his parents, Leith and Celine, big sister Lily, and big brother Cooper.
A Celebration of Connor’s young life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta. Connor’s service will be livestreamed, and can be viewed at https://youtube.com/live/WXBDiGGiTlE
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
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