Fredrick SMELTZ

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SMELTZ: Fredrick Gordon Smeltz, 1911 - 2012. Gordon passed away suddenly in the Brandon Regional Hospital on Saturday, September 29th with his daughter Karen by his side. Gordon was the fourth of eight children born to the late George and Bella Schmeltz on the family farm near Cromer, Manitoba. Gordon married Irene (Ayers) on November 27, 1936, they were together for 63 wonderful years when Irene passed away April 29, 1999. Gordon will be remembered and missed by Karen and Glen McKinnon of Virden, family, Corleen and Rod Sanderson, Regan and Mack, Neepawa; Richelle and Mark Osborne, Olivia and Kennedy, Victoria, BC; Lindsey and Brad McGrath, Brynn and Reed , Virden; Dale and Fonda Winnipeg, family, Deanna and Jamil Nazarali, Mila and Jemma, Summit, NJ; Clayton and Trudy, Joshua, Ryan and Cameron, Niverville, MB, his brothers-in-law Neil McLeish, Calgary and Stan Biram, Saskatoon. Gordon was pre- deceased by his wife and parents, by his brother Harvey (Mae), sisters Myrtle (Henry) Johnston; Rose (George) Boudreau, Grace (Doug) Watt, Irene (Les) Lazenby, Lillian (Neil)Watt, Vera (Neil) McLeish and many nieces and nephews. Gordon took his early schooling at Elm Valley, attended high school in Virden until he was needed on the farm. Gordon was a successful grain and livestock farmer, known as a good neighbour always ready to lend a hand. He was considered a modern thinker, one of the first to transition from horses to tractors, threshers to combines, to consolidate his grain bins in the yard, and he was the first in the district to install a television. Gordon was a loving husband and father, always very supportive of his children and five grandchildren. Gordon served his community as a long time President and member of the Board of Directors of the Cromer Pool Elevator Association, instrumental in building the Cromer Seed Plant, he was a 4-H Leader, awarded a Life Membership in the Manitoba Agriculture Society for his work as a member of the Pipestone Agriculture Society, a member of the Reston Lions Club, served on the Boards of the Alstone Lodge and Reston Drop In, the Hillview and Reston United Churches and member of the Reston United Church Choir. Gordon and Irene moved to Reston in 1979 where they continued to live an active life, enjoying curling, cards, fishing and entertaining. Gordon spent a few years as the “manager” of the Alstone Lodge. Gordon and Irene travelled extensively through Western Canada, Arizona, California, Hawaii and spent a few winters at Victoria, B.C. Gordon remained in his home in Reston until 2009 when he moved to the Alstone Lodge, he played bridge almost every morning until February of this year, for the last four or five years, his favourite activity was touring the oil fields, the old farm, either driving his own car or just recently, riding along with others. The family would like to thank our Dad’s many relatives and friends of Reston and district who were always so kind and caring of him the last few years. A celebration of Gordon’s life will be held at Reston United Church on Friday October 5th,2012, at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, if desirous, please contribute to a charity of your choice. Arrangements in care of G. R. Carscadden Funeral Chapel, Virden and Reston. carscaddenfuneralchapel.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 06, 2012