Obituaries

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Butler, Eric George

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November 28, 1943 – January 8, 2019
at the age of 75 years

 A Celebration of Life for Eric Butler and Wally Martz will be held on Friday, April 26, 2019, 3:00 pm, Shuswap Lake Estates Golf Course

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eric George Butler who died peacefully in Shuswap Lake General Hospital on the evening of January 8, 2019 at the age of 75.  He is survived by his wife Jenni, his brother Don (Diane) and sons Steven, Christopher, Brent (Jenny) and Colin, his grandchildren Alisha, Chase, Deven, Travis, Hailey and Nicholas and great granddaughters Audrie, Addison and Ryleigh.
Eric was born and raised in Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver and made his career in the West Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service where he had proudly served for 27 years in the permanent department and as a volunteer prior to that.  He was an avid boater and member of Thunderbird Yacht Club and he and his wife had many great boating adventures up the Pacific Coast.
Eric and Jenni moved to the Shuswap in 1998 when Eric retired and after arriving there he was, for some time, a member of the Shuswap Vintage Car Club, the RCMP Veterans club and he served on the Shuswap Fire Suppression Committee.  17 years ago he and Jenni moved to Shuswap Lake Estates and became members of the golf community where he had so many good friends, wonderful neighbours and great golf partners – if not so many great golf scores.
He will be so missed by all of his family and friends but he will always be in our hearts.
The family would like to thank his doctors, and all the nurses and caregivers at the Shuswap Lake General Hospital.
No service is planned immediately, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when the weather improves.  If anyone feels inclined, they may make a donation in Eric’s memory to the Shuswap Lake Hospital Foundation.

Martz, Wallace “Wally” Cordell

15 comments

February 16, 1941 – February 3, 2019
at the age of 77 years

 A Celebration of Life for Wally Martz and Eric Butler will be held on Friday, April 26, 2019, 3:00 pm, Shuswap Lake Estates Golf Course

Wally C Martz, 77, of Blind Bay, BC died Sunday, February 3, 2019 (Super Bowl Sunday) in the home he loved on the 11th green of Shuswap Lake Estates. In early January 2019 Wally was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer.
Wally was born February 16, 1941 in Fargo, North Dakota.  He was adopted at age 2 by his parents Walter and Edline Martz. He grew up in Rolla, ND where he graduated from high school. He attended the University of North Dakota where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing. In June, 1962 Wally was united in marriage to Sandra Anderson.  He served in the US Army (1964-67), including 1 year active duty as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam.  Wally was awarded a Bronze Star, 2 Army Air Medals for valour with 13 additional Oak Leaf Clusters and 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses for his heroism in battle. Captain Martz went on to pilot for the ND Air National Guard before retiring from duty in 1976.
After his return from Vietnam in 1967, Wally lived in Grand Forks, where he worked as a banker at Red River National Bank and continued coursework towards a Masters Degree at UND.  In 1972, Wally relocated to Mayville, ND where he continued to advance his banking career at the Goose River Bank.  Wally and Sandy raised their 5 children in Mayville, ND.
Wally was active in business and community enrichment, as well as a member of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Upon his retirement, he relocated to British Columbia where he married the love of his life Patricia Miller in July of 2004. Wally and Pat enjoyed travelling the world with friends, spending their winters in Puerta Vallarta and living the life he loved on the golf course in Blind Bay.
Wally is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Martz; mother-in-law, Mary Miller; his children, Kristin (Bret) Vie, Kathlyn (Mike) Rexine, Eric (Miranda) Martz, Aron (Jerri) Martz, Kadra Martz; sixteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Edline; father-in-law Bill Miller; his brother Jerald Martz and sister-in-law Ann Miller.
The family would like to thank everyone who contributed to ensuring that Wally’s cancer journey was as painless as possible. Our journey started in PV, Mexico, then Vancouver and finally home to Blind Bay. Along the way there were so many people who helped and guided us through the maze – far too many to identify individually. You all have our undying gratitude.
Please celebrate Wally’s life through acts of kindness and the little things in life that make you smile. Oh and maybe a rum and coke (7-Up) to toast a life well lived.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Parmenter, Gordon Ray

9 comments

March 1, 1941 – April 14, 2019
at the age of 78 years

A time of remembering Papa will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019, 4:00 p.m., SASCU Recreation Centre Auditorium, Salmon Arm, BC.
A live stream of the event will be available and a link will be posted on the Fischer’s Funeral webpage at https://www.fischersfuneralservices.com/latest-news/ 

Our gracious, most precious, most wonderful Father, received Papa home April 14th in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, as he met with his brothers and sisters in Christ.  Papa now joins his sweet sister Milly Kenyon, his precious daughter Judith Nichols, his parents Raymond and Grace and a host of saints.
Gordon Ray Parmenter was born in Torrance California, to Raymond and Grace Parmenter. He lived in many places over the years, including Prescott Arizona where he was raised, and Helena Montana where he and his dad ran their own logging operation before joining the Navy in 1959. After leaving the Navy Gordon wore many hats including salesman, book keeper, and manager for Coca Cola. Gordon was also a volunteer firefighter, truck driver, logger, pilot, scuba diver, wood worker, hunter, rock hound, hog farmer, chicken farmer and cabinet maker. Gordon is probably best known for his many years of parenting foster children starting in 1979 and continuing to the end in 2019 – 40 years!
In 1965 Gordon married the love of his life, Peggy Ann Tinnin. Their marriage of 53 years produced four children; Judith Rae (Rick), David Royal (Michelle), Suzan Lynne (Dane), and Anthony Raymond (Melissa). Papa is survived by his wife, three children, nineteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many foster children.
The Parmenter family would like to thank the body of Christ from all over the world who have reached out, prayed for the family and the community and provided love and encouragement in many ways. We are humbled by the generosity of all those who donated meals, finances, and time. We thank our local community for their love and support, and honor for Papa. Thank you to our emergency services: RCMP, Fire Department, Paramedics, Police Based Victims Services and the many other support services for the hard work, concern, and support for our family and the Church of Christ on April 14.
A time of remembering Papa will be held on Saturday April 27 at 4pm in the SASCU Recreation Centre auditorium. A live stream of the event will be available and a link will be posted on the Fischer’s Funeral webpage at https://www.fischersfuneralservices.com/latest-news/ 

Schmid, Johann “Peter”

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February 28, 1929 – April 18, 2019
at the age of 90 years

Peter Schmid died on April 18, 2019 at the age of 90, survived by his loving wife of 61 years Lisa, children Fritz (Odette), Peter (Diane), Josie, and Doris (Stephen) Bennett, nine grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and brothers Huldreich, Hans, and Wilfried. Peter was born in Gsang, Frutigen, Switzerland on Feb 28, 1929, the second of 8 children. He served two years in the Swiss army and trained as a Cabinet Maker before immigrating in 1952 to work at logging in the Columbia Valley. Peter met his future wife in1956 when he arrived at the Rock Creek Hotel for a meal late one night just as Lisa, the lovely Swiss cook, was finishing her shift. They married in 1957 and moved to Prince George where Peter built their first home. That first winter was spent with plastic sheeting for windows and plywood floors, but in time they realized their dream home on an acreage on Chief Lake Road.
Peter joined the maintenance department at Northwood Pulp Mill in 1965, where he worked for 26 years. He unleashed his creativity and old world craftsmanship at home in his workshop, where furniture, farm repairs, toys, and innovations magically materialized. He was also happy to use his skills to help his children with their own homes. Peter & Lisa also enjoyed square dancing with the PG Northern Twisters and socializing with the Swiss Club. They retired to Creston and later Salmon Arm and spent their time gardening, huckleberry picking, square dancing, traveling, and cross-country skiing or hiking with the grandkids.
Peter will be sadly missed and remembered for his commitment to family, work ethic, and honesty, as well as his epic 3-year woodpiles and radiant smile.  Peter’s family extend a heartfelt thank you to the caring staff at Mt Ida Mews where Peter spent the last two years of his life, and to doctors Keith and Laura Hepburn who cared for him over the years. Peter requested that there be no funeral service.