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Obituaries: Allen; De Groot; Emmonds; Kennedy; Lundgren; Schlogl; Tipton; van Dok

Raymond Elmer Allen September 29, 1923 - August 25, 2016 Ray's parents, Robert E. Allen and Esther Thea Allen, married during World War I and were living in the Fraser Forest area when Ray was born in Abbotsford, BC.

Raymond Elmer Allen
September 29, 1923 - August 25, 2016

Ray's parents, Robert E. Allen and Esther Thea Allen, married during World War I and were living in the Fraser Forest area when Ray was born in Abbotsford, BC. Robert (Bob) and his younger brothers Frank and Cecil were all involved in logging the Fraser Valley as young men.

By the late 1920s, the Allen families, along with Ray's cousins, the Schluter family, had all decided to go "homesteading" in the Peace River Country. Ray and the Schluter boys were all raised on neighbouring homesteads during the Great Depression.

One winter, when Ray was in his early teens, some neighbours they had never met crossed the frozen Cutbank River with a team of horses and sleigh. They were Jehovah’s Witnesses and Bob and Esther enjoyed their visit. Arrangements were made to return. They did, and were surprised to see all the Christmas decorations had been taken down and their farmhouse was full of “family,” 20 or so.

The whole clan had come to hear what Ray's parents felt was the “truth” from the Bible. In 1940, Ray was baptized in the Cutbank River along with other family members. By 1942, his grandmother, Margaret Allen, was a baptized Witness. Ray’s parents were zealous JWs “witnessing” on horseback to Cree natives around Moberly Lake, some in primitive conditions, some in teepees.

By the late 1940s, having sold their homesteads, most of the family had returned to the South Coast. Ray and his wife June (née Spangler) decided to join them, moving to Powell River in 1950 with two young children, Frances and Kenneth. By 1956, Ray was working with the crew that surveyed for the transmission lines that were strung across Jervis Inlet from Nelson Island.

Shortly thereafter, he began working for Powell River Company in Townsite and bought a house located down “on Cranberry Lake” and by 1959 a second son, Michael, was born. Swimming, skating on the lake and living near all their cousins on Allen Avenue was a good life for the children.

Occasionally at a house party or wedding reception, Ray would be asked to sing and play his guitar as he had a good singing voice and had sung on the radio in the late 1940s. He was even asked about "a career in Nashville?" He received "fan mail" with photos, had "groupies,"  and always laughed about it.

Ray was an amateur astronomer and on really dark nights he would set up a telescope down by the lake and his children would learn about “Jehovah's creations,” about the constellations, stars and craters on the moon.

Ray sold the family home in the late 1960s and they moved into a new subdivision in Westview where Darren, their youngest son, was born. Later, in the mid-1970s, they moved south to be near the beach at Douglas Bay.

Ray was Control Room Operator in the Electrical Department at MacMillan Bloedel when he retired in the late 1980s. He was well-known in Powell River and always had a friendly, easy going way about him. Whether he was at the mill, at the Kingdom Hall, or if you met him when he called at your door as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, he had a quick smile, was easy to talk to and had a good knowledge of the Bible.

Anyone who got to know Ray knew him to be a kind and gentle man. He loved his family and will be sadly missed by all of us and by all of his “old friends”.

Ray's hope was to be remembered by Jehovah and resurrected into a restored paradise earth, as promised in the Bible. We all look forward to seeing him again in good health and growing younger. Meanwhile, he is peacefully “sleeping.”

 

Heather De Groot
November 22, 1945 - September 25, 2016

Heather passed away suddenly with her family beside her. She leaves to mourn her husband Bill, sons James (Crystal), Joe (Melinda) and Dan (Petra), grandchildren Ashlyn, Britney (Gary), Catherine, Darien and Samantha, great-grandchildren Brooklyn and Urijah and brother Ron (Margo).

Heather and Bill were married in Powell River and spent their lives here. She loved all the birds she looked after; there are many varieties that visit her feeding and water site. Squirrels were also welcome and there was a constant watch for eagles; we had two eaglets this year, and much activity on or under the water. Heather always struggled in life, but now will rest in peace.

Thank you to Dr. DuToit and also the professional and caring staff in Powell River General Hospital, you always treated Heather with dignity and respect.

A service will be held at 11 am on Monday, October 3, at Church of the Assumption with a reception to follow.

 

Daniel Douglas Emmonds
January 29, 1953 – September 14, 2016

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of our Dan. After a long battle with prostate cancer, he left us too soon, in the early hours of Wednesday, September 14. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. We mourn his passing with heavy hearts.

Dan loved to be outside, whether he was boating, fishing, hunting, picking mushrooms, picking brush and, of course, camping. Texada Island was a favourite spot for him and he would often go there to enjoy outdoor activities. But more than anything, Dan’s 13 grandkids were his pride and joy and the lights of his life. He loved to be around them, every chance he had.

Dan is survived by his loving wife and best friend Connie, his children Michael, Shannon (Dana), Steven (Sara) and Gregory (Courtney) and his grandchildren Ombrea, Ebony, Tyler, Jarrod, Tianna, Kylie, Kevin, Alex, Mykayla, Cruze, Hendrix, Madelyn and Taryn. Another grandchild is due to be born this December.

Dan absolutely loved and was passionate about his job as a prawn fisherman. He shared that experience with his brother Ted, who also survives him. Dan also leaves behind his sisters Elaine, Lorraine and Arlene, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Norma Emmonds in 2012 and his father Leonard Emmonds in 2008.

We would like to extend our gratitude to our doctor, Danielle Marentette, for her wonderful care of Dan, to the home-care nurses for their many cheerful visits and to the kind nurses on the fourth floor.

There will be no traditional funeral, as was Dan’s wish. In lieu of flowers, donations to Prostate Cancer Canada would be appreciated.

Our daughter-in-law Sara said it best in her Facebook post from last week.

There is a home full of sadness and heartache, a sense of emptiness as we look at the chair you once sat in. But amongst all this pain, there is a home full of love and strength. There are tears and there is laughter, there are grandchildren playing and babies giggling, there are old memories being told and new ones being made.

We are doing exactly what you wanted. Your family is together, the family you and Connie created, and we are forever grateful for the life you lived here on earth. We love you more than you know and we will speak your name often. Heaven has another great man.

 

Linda Kennedy
July 7, 1949 - September 10, 2016

A celebration of Linda’s life will be held Saturday, October 1, at 1 pm at Alano Club of Powell River, 5903 Arbutus Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon or Canadian Diabetes Association.

 

Sherry Lundgren (née Burn)
May 27,1958 - September 21, 2016

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Sherry after a brief battle with cancer. She was predeceased by her parents Bill and Elsie Burn and sister Linda. She is survived by her daughter Jennifer (Nathan), nephew Daniel (Jazz) Yasinowski, great-nephew Jackson, numerous cousins throughout Canada and many special friends.

A celebration of Sherry’s life will be held Friday, October 28, at Cranberry Seniors’ Centre from 2-6 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to BC SPCA Powell River and District Branch would be appreciated.

 

Frank Schlogl
April 6, 1947 - September 9, 2016

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear dad, opa and friend, Frank.

A gathering will be held in remembrance at his home, 5764 Marlatt Avenue, at 1pm on Saturday, October 8.

Frank will be forever missed by his family, friends and devoted family member Dharma.

 

Carol Maye Tipton
May 21, 1954 - September 19, 2016

Carol was welcomed into the world in Enderby, BC, the daughter of Grace and Edgar Tipton. She passed away peacefully in a loving group home in Powell River at age 62 with her family around her.

In 1954, children born with Down Syndrome generally lived their lives in an institution, however, Carol was brought home to live with her family. Grace and Edgar could not imagine letting go of their special little girl and never regretted that decision for a minute.

Carol brought love and joy to all who knew her. She was the youngest of five siblings and was predeceased by her parents and her eldest brother Nelson Tipton. Left to remember her with great love are her brother Brian Tipton and sisters Coranne Anderson and Lilla Tipton, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Special thanks to the staff at Crofton House, Joke Polman Tuin (sister-in-law), Dawn Scheves (niece) and Eileen Brown (ex-sister-in-law) for all the love and attention you gave to Carol in her final years.

Friends are invited to the Jean Pike Centre for Inclusion, 7055 Alberni Street, in the ARC Theatre at 11 am on Saturday, October 1, to help Carol’s family celebrate her life. We will share some memories and remember Carol, followed by a party with lots of food and music. Carol loved a party. Take note that singing and dancing will take place.  We will dance with Carol to the end of love.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to inclusion Powell River Society at 201-4675 Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC, V8A 2L2.

 

Johanna Maria (Reytenback) van Dok

The van Dok family is saddened to announce the passing of our beloved mom, Johanna, on Monday, September 19, 2016.

We would like to thank Dr. McDonald and all the wonderful nurses who took such great care of Mom.

A celebration of life will be held at Cranberry Seniors’ Centre on Sunday, October 2, from 12-4 pm.