Allan HEAMAN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

HEAMAN: Allan Wesley Heaman was the first born child to Wes and Ellen Heaman. He was born June 16, 1936 in Virden, Manitoba and was soon blessed with a baby sister Shirley (Nolan) a few years later. He attended Joslin School in the R.M. of Harmsworth and completed Grade 8 there. He took 2 years off of school to help his father farm and then returned to Virden Collegiate to complete his high school diploma. After high school Allan enrolled in the diploma agriculture program at Brandon University where he attended for one year. He then completed the second year of the program at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. During his youth Allan was a member a calf club and took great pride in showing his calf at the local fair. As he got older Allan enjoyed activities such as curling, bowling and square dancing. He farmed with his father until he married Joyce on October 16, 1965. At that time Wes and Ellen retired to Virden and Allan and Joyce continued to run the family farm. In June of 1968 Allan and Joyce welcomed their first child Valerie followed by Ross in November of 1970. One of Allan’s great passions was farming. He farmed almost all of his life and took great pride in tending his crops and raising his livestock. He farmed up until 2002 when Allan and Joyce sold the family farm and retired to Virden. Allan was very handy and a real Mr. Fix-it and he spent many hours tinkering in his shop. He could sketch something on a piece of paper and then go build it in his workshop. He was always thinking of ways to make something better or improve upon a tool or to devise a gadget to make life around the house or farm easier. He did much of his own plumbing, carpentry and wiring around the farm and the house. Allan spent many hours remodeling the old farm house. However once Joyce “re-discovered” square dancing it is interesting to note that it took him seven years to finish renovating the bathroom. Throughout the years Allan and Joyce belonged to several dance clubs in Western Manitoba including Virden Square Dance, Virden Round-a-bouts, Oak Lake Toe-Tappers, Satellite Squares and Extenders. Allan and Joyce were on the executive boards of several dance clubs for many years. During their years of dancing they visited many clubs across the country and attended several National and International dance festivals. Over the years Allan also held various board and committee positions with several organizations including the Virden United Grain Growers and the Valleyview Co-op. He was also a member of the Wallace United Church and later St Paul’s United Church in Virden. While a member of Wallace United Church he served as a steward, elder and trustee. When Allan and Joyce moved to Virden they spent most of their time working in their yard. Whether by design or chance they had a large lot in town and Allan continued his connection with the land by spending many hours maintaining the yard, landscaping, mowing grass or cutting trees and brush. While living in Virden he also volunteered many hours working at the garden for Communities in Bloom and the tourist booth. Allan also belonged to the Virden Lions Club and was honored with their Melvin Jones Fellow Award. He enjoyed the fellowship and camaraderie of the club and developed many friendships there. He could be found working on many of their projects in the community and enjoyed participating in them all except for perhaps the weekly Bingo night which was not one of his favorite duties. During their retirement years Allan and Joyce enjoyed a few trips throughout Canada including visits to Ontario, Quebec, PEI, Newfoundland/Labrador. They also traveled to Alaska and Colorado in the United States. After having health problems in 2014-15 Allan and Joyce moved to the Seine River Retirement Residence in Winnipeg. Allan was delighted to be closer to and spend more time with granddaughters Emma (born 2008) and Alexis (born 2011). In July of this year Allan started having heart problems. He spent several weeks at St. Boniface Hospital before being transferred to Misericordia Health Center. His journey ended when he passed away from complications from congestive heart failure on December 4, 2018. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff that provided care for Allan during his stays on 4B at St. Boniface and 6th floor at Misericordia. Allan was a humble, kind and gentle soul and leaves to cherish his memory his wife Joyce, children Valerie and Ross (Michelle), granddaughters Emma and Alexis, his sister Shirley (Barry), nieces Lori (Ron) and Colleen (Wayne) and nephews Dalwyn and Lyle. He was predeceased by his parents Wes and Ellen Heaman. The funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s United Church in Virden on Monday, December 17, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba in memory of Allan.FATHERWho worked so hard and saved so longFor what we have today; and anytime would sacrifice,His chance to rest or play.Who always saw his children have, the things he did without;And gave so much, unselfishly for what love’s about.Who sought no honours, no rewards, for all that he had done;Except to raise a family, the very finest one.Though we cannot evaluate our Dad, his love, his worth,To us he’ll always be “Just Dad”.Messages of condolencemay be e-mailed to carscaddenfuneralchapel.comG.R. Carscadden Funeral Chapel, Virden, in care of arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 13, 2018