Tuesday, July 22, 2025
By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on July 22, 2025.
MATKIN, James “Jim” JAMES “JIM” MATKIN 1956 ~ 2025 Jim passed away suddenly but peacefully on Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Lethbridge, Alberta.He was predeceased by his grandparents James and Ethel Freel and Charles and Ireta Matkin; parents Jim and June Matkin; brothers John and Michael Matkin; sister Connie Tarnava brother-in-law Greg Tarnava; and his niece Cassidy Matkin.
Jim is survived by his sisters Kathy Matkin-Clapton (Christian Clapton), Sharla Matkin (George Szilagyi); nieces and nephews Isaac Prusky, Abigayil and Maiya Clapton, Elijah and Rain Matkin-Szilagyi, Carmen Geigle (Nick), Laura Goalen (Ed), Mark McNevin and Mike Matkin. A beloved member of the Lethbridge community, Jim’s warmth and friendship touched the lives of countless people, and his loss is deeply felt by all who knew him.
Jim was born in Magrath on April 7, 1956. After moving to Milk River, where he and his siblings thrived in the freedom of small-town life, the family settled permanently in Lethbridge in 1970. As the eldest of six children, music became his escape. Thus began a lifetime of collecting records and playing them at full volume from the basement, most often with his friends Tom and Barney. His other passion was playing golf in Waterton, first with grandfather, Joe Freel, and then with lifelong friends, the Big Fat Old Pigs (BFOP). Jim organized the annual BFOP tournament for this group for more than 25 years. The golf was always great, but his awards ceremony and hospitality were legendary.
Jim’s gift for building community came naturally, which is why he couldn’t go anywhere without running into an appreciative person he’d extended kindness to. This popularity led our family to dub him the unofficial “Mayor of Lethbridge”. This community adulation stemmed from 42 years of outstanding customer service at the post office, where he worked until his retirement last year. Although the job could be challenging and the hours long, it allowed him to do what he loved best every day: connecting with people in a way that would make their lives better. That was “Post Office Jim”- a man cherished by co-workers, customers and friends. His loss will be felt deeply by all of them.
His most enduring role, however, was that of a devoted son to our mother. This pair did everything together – garage sailing, visiting every garden store, perusing the farmer’s market and planning epic family events just to delight our children. Jim was the family photographer, historian and barbecue master. He was also our Santa Claus for many years, long after his nieces and nephews stopped believing. He and Mom reveled in these family gatherings, but above all, Jim knew that she was happiest sitting on her deck in the sunshine, surrounded by her flowers. After her passing, he continued to beautify this space in her honour, creating a sanctuary where birds and butterflies could gather.
A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at MARTIN BROTHERS FUNERAL CHAPELS, 610 – 4 Street, South, Lethbridge, Alberta.
To honour his memory, donations can be made to the LSCO Meals on Wheels Program. Jim actively volunteered for this program after retiring, maintaining his connection to the community he loved through his ongoing acts of service. https://lethseniors.com/mealsonwheels/#donate
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
COLLIN, Carole Carole Collin 1938 – 2025 Carole Anne Collin (née Vornbrock), beloved wife of the late Delbert Joseph Collin, passed away peacefully in Taber on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at the age 86 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. Burial to follow at the Warner Memorial Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial service at the Warner Elks Hall, located at the corner of 4 Avenue and 3 Street, Warner. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
Those who are unable to attend and wish to view the service online may do so by visiting Carole’s obituary page on our website and clicking on the livestream link that will be available at 10:45 A.M. on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Barring any technical difficulties, the livestream will begin at 11:00 A.M.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.
ILLINGWORTH, Brian ILLINGWORTH It is with deep sorrow that we announce the unexpected passing of Brian Illingworth, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, neighbor and friend, who passed away peacefully at home with his dog Sammie by his side on July 2, 2025, at the age of 76.
An informal celebration of life was held at Bully’s Casino in the afternoon of Sunday, July 13th.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice in Brian’s memory.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
CRAIG, Lorelli CRAIG LORELLI CRAIG, beloved wife of the late Jim Craig, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Park Meadows Good Samaritans on Monday, July 21, 2025 at the age of 94 years.
Arrangements will be announced once completed.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
KETTER, Barbara KETTER BARBARA KETTER, of Lethbridge, beloved wife of John Ketter, passed away at the Edith Cavell Care Centre on Saturday, July 19th, 2025 at the age of 90 years.
A Celebration of Barbara’s Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME – 2825 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 1:00pm. Barbara will be laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
HECK, Ronald “Ron” HECK RONALD “RON” LAWRENCE HECK, of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, surrounded by family on Friday, July 18, 2025 at the age of 83 years.
At Ron’s request, no formal funeral service will be held.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
UYESUGI, Treena UYESUGI TREENA ROCHELE UYESUGI, of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Curtis Uyesugi, passed away peacefully at St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Care Unit, surrounded by family on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the age of 52 years.
A Celebration of Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. with Pat Siedlecki officiating.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
CARNINE, Chad CHAD CARNINE 1987 ~ 2025 Chad Michael Carnine, of Lethbridge, Alberta, passed away peacefully at Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at the age of 37 years. He will be lovingly remembered forever by all those who knew his strength and wisdom.
Funeral arrangements to be announced once completed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
SERKIN, Cyril CYRIL SERKIN 1934 ~ 2025 Cyril Serkin passed away in Lethbridge on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the age of 91 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Gloria Serkin.
Cyril was born in Iasi, Romania. He was a Holocaust survivor who immigrated to Canada from Israel in 1952. Along with his father and brother, Cyril owned Progress Clothing Ltd. for 71 years and worked in the store every day until November, 2023.
Cyril is survived by his loving wife, Gloria, his children Toby (Gary Bishop), Sheldon (Tali Noimann) and Carla (David Atkins), six grandchildren, Elliot and Tess Serkin, Samuel, Ronald and Adrian Sechman, and Rebecca Bishop, his sister Sally Zalmanovici and his brother David Serkin (Evelyn Hardin), and his sisters-in-law Mavis Matis, Kathryn Stewart, and Kim Roper. He is predeceased by his parents Haim Nachman and Rebecca Serkin, his in-laws Ronald and Dorothy Roper, and his brothers-in-law Noel Zalmanovici and Darren Roper.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff in Unit 4B at the Chinook Regional Hospital, the staff at St. Therese Villa, and Laura and Patrick Treadwell for their compassionate care and support.
A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Mountainview Cemetery in the Hebrew Section. Shiva will be held following the Graveside Service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem (yadvashem.ca) in Cyril’s memory.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
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