October 27, 1944 – December 31, 2017
at the age of 73 years
Celebration of Life: Saturday, January 20, 2018, 11:00 a.m., Fischer’s Funeral Services, Pastor Myron Crown officiating
Elton (73) died peacefully with his wife by his side at S.L.G.H. after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by Clara, his loving wife of 50 years; daughters Melissa (Sean) Wood, and Jennifer (Chad) Wheeler; Grandsons Andrew, Zackary, Nathan, and James; sister Enid Bailey, and several nieces and nephews.
Elton was born in Kelvington Saskatchewan and moved to Salmon Arm when he was nine. He began his career as a cabinet-maker then later started his own business as a carpenter and building contractor. His specialty was renovations, but he also built several houses in Salmon Arm. The very first house he ever helped to build was his family home at 410 Foothill Road when he was a child; which still remains in the family with the 4th generation growing up there.
“Handy Andy” was a Jack-of-all-trades. He would often joke about turning his hat one way and becoming a plumber, or the other way and becoming an electrician, a mechanic, or an appliance repairman. He always loved the challenge of being able to fix things. After becoming disabled in a car accident that forced him to retire from his carpentry business in 1991, Elton learned to cook and loved to test his experiments out on his family and neighbours (for better or worse). He also became an avid gardener and garage sale aficionado. He would find treasures and broken doodads for a bargain to fix up and make new again. He had an inventive mind and enjoyed the thrill of fixing things that most other people would have just thrown away. His shop is still lined up with his unfinished winter projects.
Elton loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting, shooting trap, and camping. He was a dedicated member of the Salmon Arm Fish and Game Club for over 50 years and worked on many of their club projects throughout the years. After his car accident, he still enjoyed helping as much as he was able and became the cook for work parties at the range and helped with numerous fundraising projects.
The family would like to thank all of the health care professionals that took such good care of Elton, and his good friends from the Salmon Arm Fish and Game Club that have been so supportive.
A celebration of Elton’s life will be held on Saturday, January 20th at 11:00 AM, with a reception to follow at Fisher’s Funeral Home in Salmon Arm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shuswap Hospital Foundation, Box 265, Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 4N3, www.shuswaphospitalfoundation.org or the Salmon Arm Fish and Game Club, 3200 70 Street SE, Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 1X4.
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Claire, Melissa and Jennifer,
I am so saddened to hear of Elton’s passing. I am at a loss for words.
Elton was always another brother to me. I will miss him.
Maureen