Funeral service was held March 26 for a former long-time Armstrong resident, Bertha Maria Wagner, who died at Vernon on March 23. She was 79.

She was born at Medicine Hat, Alta. on June 1, 1919.

Mrs. Wagner is survived by her husband, William, at Vernon, one son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Doreen Wagner at Armstrong, one daughter and son-in-law Phyllis and Kerry Heidebrecht at Vernon, six grandchildren: Kimberley (Jock) McArthur at Armstrong, Alisa Heidebrecht at Kelowna and Chad Wagner at Armstrong, four great grandchildren, Mikayla, Tegan and Morgan McArthur and Kaleigh Wagner, three sisters and one brother-in-law, Alma Hausauer and Ida and Ben Widmer at Medicine Hat and Clara Stephens at Armstrong, one brother and sister-in-law Alfred and Emily Ehman at Medicine Hat and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Jacob and Christina Ehman and a sister, Ruby Stickle.

The service was conducted at Bethel Funeral Chapel at 1:30 p.m. on March 26 with Rev. Gerald Gettis officiating.

Interment followed at Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

A reception followed the graveside service.

Bertha Maria Wagner (nee Ehman), former long time resident of Armstrong, was born on June 1, 1919 at Medicine Hat, Alta. She passed away at Vernon on March 23.

Mrs. Wagner is remembered by her husband, William at Vernon, one son and daughter-in-law Ron and Doreen Wagner at Armstrong, one daughter and son-in-law Phyllis and Kerry Heidebrecht at Vernon, six grandchildren, Kimberley (Jock) McArthur at Armstrong, Todd (Colleen) Wagner at Vernon, Daryl Heidebrecht at Vernon, Tyler Wagner at Armstrong, Alisa Heidebrecht at Kelowna and Chad Wagner at Armstrong; four great grandchildren Mikayla, Tegan and Morgan McArthur and Kaleigh Wagner, three sisters and one brother-in-law Alma Hausauer and Ida and Ben Widmer at Medicine Hat, Alta., Clara Stephens at Armstrong, one brother and sister-in-law Alfred and Emily Ehman at Medicine Hat, and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Wagner was predeceased by her parents, Jacob and Christina Ehman and one sister Ruby Stickle.

The funeral service was conducted from Bethel Funeral Chapel at Vernon March 26 with Rev, Gerald Gettis officiating. Interment followed in Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

Following a graveside service, a reception was held in the tea room at Bethel Funeral Chapel.

Those wishing to may send floral tributes in memory of Bertha Wagner or send donations to the charity of your choice.

G. A. (Art) Waite. Born July 6, 1910in Neepawa, Man. Passed away peacefully on Oct. 27, 2000 at the age of 90 years. Art had been a resident of the Slocan Care Pavillion since suffering a stroke in 1996. A long time pioneer of the Lardeau valley where he moved his family from Vancouver in 1946. Art was also involved in the truck logging industry in the North Okanagan fir many years. He was predeceased by his wife Kate (Pritchard) Waite in 1992, two sons Clarke & Richard, and also nine siblings. He is survived by one son Glen (Marge) Waite of Lumby, B.C. and daughter Arlene (Ray) Poulin of Lardeau, B.C. Sister-in-laws Dorothy (Vic) Polichek, Amy (Bill) Peake both of Vernon, B.C., 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Legion Hall, Kaslo. B.C. Nov. 4, 2000 at 2 p.m. Interment if his ashes will take place in the Kaslo Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the charity of your choice.

James Russell Wardrop keeper of British Columbia’s history at the Royal British Columbia Museum at Victoria for nearly 30 years, died June 17.

Jim was born at Armstrong on March 14, 1945, the son of Hugh and Cleora Wardrop. After graduating from Armstrong High School, he went on to graduate from the University of B.C. with a BA in history, then to the University of Victoria where he received his MA in history.

Starting in the early 1970’s, Mr. Wardrop played a prominent role in the creation of the history floor at the Royal British Columbia Museum. Following completion of the public exhibit, he worked behind the scenes to keep B.C.’s history from fading through research and developing a dynamic collection of artifacts. He was generous in sharing his expertise beyond Victoria. He was involved in many projects in communities around the province including help with development of the Armstrong and Spallumcheen Museum.

Among one of the most recent projects was the establishment of the Kettle Valley Railway walking and cycling route. Through his knowledge, leadership and enthusiasm, people today can experience an important part of the province’s history.

Mr. Wardrop is survived by his wife of nearly 23 years, Theresa Molinaro of Victoria, sisters Brooke Miskow at Campbell River and Sandra Montgomery at Ottawa. He was predeceased by his parents.

Mass of the Christian Burial was held at St. Andrews Cathedral at Victoria on July 20 with Father Mako Watanabe celebrant. A reception followed in the church hall. Burial will take place at a later date at Royal Oak Burial Park.

The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations in Jim Wardrop’s memory be made to either the Friends of the Royal British Columbia Museum or the Victoria’s Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation.

Sands of Victoria was entrusted with arrangements.

Services for the late Mary Isobel Washtock were held this week, who* died March 27 at the Alexander Wing of Vernon Jubilee Hospital. She was 88. Mary was born at Nelson on Sept. 3, 1913 and married Cyril Walter Washtock at North Bend on Oct. 18, 1934. They lived in that area for many years. For several years, she worked with Dominion Directories at the coast. She enjoyed her family, CWL, tennis, music and being with her friends.

In 1981 Washtocks moved to Armstrong, where she has since resided. Her husband predeceased her 1995.

Mrs. Washtock is survived by four sons and two daughters, Diane Barry (Bill) at Maple Ridge, Rory (Sandra) at North Vancouver, Mary Jeanine Daigle (Tim) Kent in Washington, Donald (Betty) at Mission, Melvin at Grindrod and Daryl (Vicky) and Daryl’s daughter Leilani at Calgary as well as Mary’s twin sister Catherine applegarth at Surrey.

Prayers were recited at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on April 1 at 7 p.m. Mass of the Christian Burial was celebrated by April 2 at 11 a.m., also at St. Jospeh’s with Rev. Fr. Leo Boyd O.M.I. celebrant. Interment followed in the family plot of Armstrong Spallumcheen Cemetery.

Mountain View Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements,

Armstrong resident Marjorie Winnifred Watson died at age 87 at Vernon Jubilee Hospital Nov. 20. Mrs. Watson moved here from Langley in 1974. She enjoyed people, animals and gardening and was a regular for tea and coffee at the Crane’s Drive-In. She will be lovingly remembered by daughter Sheila Procyk-Racher (Wayne); four grandsons and five great grandchildren, Tony (Tracey), Rylan, Bryce and Bailey; Troy (Kim), Jessie and Chelan; Greg of Armstrong and Chris of Clagary; brother Roy (Janet) Toms of Langley; special neice Betty (Leo) van Wensen and children; extended family and friends.

Predeceased by husband Stewart. A service of Remembrance was held 2 p.m. at Mountain View Funeral Chapel Nov. 25. Pastor Rod Davis officiated. Cremation. Sympathy messages may be emailed to mvfh@canada.com. Arrangements in the care of Mountain View Funeral Home.

We regret to announce the passing of James Alfred Watt in Vernon Jubilee Hospital on January 10, 2002 at the age of 80 years. Jim was proud to be born in Armstrong on November 21, 1921, to Sam and Maude. The house he was born in still stands at 2535 Wood Avenue. He was the oldest of 5 children with 2 sisters, Jean and Doreen, and 2 brothers, Ken and Jack. Jim grew up active and happy in Armstrong. The outdoors and sports, especially hockey and lacrosse, played a big part of his younger years. Due to a bad knee injury Jim began playing goal in 1938. Going back through The Advertiser , Jim’s name comes up with lines like: "They called him Armstrong’s sensational rookie goal keeper and on the 18^th August, 1938, made sensational saves against a tough Kamloops team." Mr. Dick File writes, "Prior to WWII, 1939, Len Wood had assembled a very strong team of junior lacrosse players. This was the first Armstrong team to be formally known as the Armstrong Shamrocks. Jim Watt was the quarterback of this team of young athletes." One of Jim’s favorite stories took place Aug. 8, 1940. The Advertiser records "Jim Watt pulled a circus stunt when he left his citadel late in the final quarter and by a gang-up procedure finally shot home a goal. The first goal keeper’s goal on record in this league." When asked who the Shamrocks were beating at that time he always answered – Vernon, who else? Homecoming 2000 was a highlight in Jim’s life. Old friends traded memories of the good old days in Armstrong; skating on Parkinson Pond, climbing Memorial Mountain , summer swimming at Mara Lake, the dances at Hullcar Hall, and so on… He proudly showed pictures of the lacrosse get-together to all his friends and family. A summer job driving grain truck for his uncle in Alberta opened a new road and desire in his life. Jim would become a professional driver and would carry the nickname "Old Stogey". His driving career began with Sorenson Bus lInes of Red Deer, then on to Greyhound Bus Lines out of Edmonton, next to the Northwest Service Command Bus Lines (Greyhound) during the construction of the Alaskan Highway. He was the first to drive a semi-trailer gas truck in B.C. for Texaco. Jim met Kay Griffin in the summer of 9142 and they were married that December in Lacombe, Alberta. As Jim’s years unfolded he would become a master driver and would drive for such companies as Waterloo Motors, Trimbles, his own P & W Transport, Reimer Express, Van-Kam, and finally for All-Trans from which he retired in 1983. Like the star athlete he was, Jim was a star driver, receiving many safety awards. In recognition of his talents, Reimer Express made him their Driver Trainer and Safety Supervisor in the 1960’s. Jim returned home to Armstrong in 1984 with his wife Kay. Many years of driving big rigs gave hima passion for big cars; especially the Chryslers and Lincolns of the 1970’s. If Jim wasn’t watching a good game on TV he would be out cruising the roads to visit with friends and family and to see if he could be of help. One of the sympathy cards the family received was from an old friend of Jim’s. It reads: "Oc course many of us will remember Jim Watt for more than lacrosse and hockey. In a crowd you always knew he was there. If he annoyed us we called him James Watt; but most of the time we called him Poddy Watt. Many here too, will remember him dancing. Doug Norman would have liked to have been here today, at our age we are very afraid to cancel medical appointments. Doug and many of us talked a lot of the many times Jim Watt and others of us used to climb Memorial Mountain along with all those named on it. That is one reason we were sp pleased that Jim came to the last June 6^th unveiling in Memorial Park. It was like Jim finally made full circle and now here Jim is back home again. Thanks Jim. We can all hear you right now, blasting away on the air horn of your tanker truck as you drive off in the yonder." Jim is survived by his wife Kay, 2 daughters, Siane 9Andrew) Whyte of Victoria, Susan Watt and Jim Bate of Tofino, Ron (Cheri) Watt of Armstrong, 3 grandchildren, Reagan and Alyssa Watt of Armstrong, Duncan Whyte of Victoria, sisters Doreen Watt and Margaret Cressman of Toronto, brother Jack (Betty) Watt of Vernon, several nieces and nephews. A graveside Funeral Service eas held at the Armstrong Spallumcheen Cemetery on Monday, January 14, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Russ Ferrie officiating. In memory of Jim, donations may be made to the SPCA, 4800 Haney St., Vernon, B.C. V1H 1P6.

Friends will be saddened to know of the passing of a former Knob Hill resident for many years, Charles Webster. He had been living at Dividale, Leamington in Ontario for several years and passed away there in June of this year.

Our first knowledge of this came when Mrs. Chamberlaine brought in a letter just received from a niece of Mr. Webster at Copper Cliff, Ont. The letter read:

"Charlie Webster passed away in June, less than two months after Grandma Webster, and is buried in the family plot in Hamilton. He was in hospital about two weeks with pneumonia when he died."

Charlie was a long time booster of the Okanagan and we personally enjoyed his yearly letters when renewing his subscription to the paper. He was particularly interested in the development and production of the McIntosh apple, maintaining that it was the best apple ever developed for the Okanagan.