Schmaltz, Gerard Francis
April 23, 1959 – December 1, 2014
It is with deep sorrow the family of Frank and Emily Schmaltz announce the sudden death of their son and brother, Gerard at the age of 55 at Wanham, Alta.
Gerard leaves to cherish his memory his mother Emily Schmaltz, siblings: Ray (Gail), Pat (Bill Thomson), Cecil (Betty), Donna (Jim Siroski), Sandi (Lorne Zentner), Cyndy (Darren Lutz), and Gary (Tammie).
He also leaves nieces and nephews: Joel (Shannon) Schmaltz and children Tyler and Luke, Mike (Kathy) Schmaltz and children Sierra and Kaleah, Tim (Lisa) Thomson and children Taylor and Matt, Sheri (Neil Whiting) and children Colton, Wyatt, Dustin and Dallas, Lori Biggs and children Ernie, Josh and Danyka, Annette Smith and children Tristan, Michaela, Cheyanne and Jesse, Cory (Krista) Schmaltz and children Denovah, Cassidy and Breanne, Jason Schmaltz, goddaughter Stacey (Rosaire Belisle), Brett (Brenna) Siroski and children Reagan and Nolan, Kent Zentner, Kristine (Monty Koopman) and children Bronx and Emerson, Lauren (Tyler Murray), Jordan Schmaltz, and goddaughter Cheyanne Schmaltz (cousin).
He also leaves to mourn, his step-grandchildren Jackson and Kole whom he loved dearly, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and many good friends.
He was predeceased by: his father Frank Schmaltz, sister Terry Schmaltz, and brother Donald Schmaltz
The Prayer Service was held Dec. 13, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at the Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel, # 1 Dunmore Road S.E., Medicine Hat, Alta.
Donations can be made to the Canadian Mental Health society, Edmonton Region Suite 300 5th Street Place, 10010-105 Street NW, Edmonton Alta. T5J 1C4; Spirit River Minor Hockey Association, Box 533, Spirit River Alta. T0H 3G0; Wanham Plowing Match, 780-694-2233, or any charity of your choice. Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home, Grande Prairie 780-830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com
Taylor
FRANK LLOYD TAYLOR
Jan 6:20 – Dec 1:14 – John 3:16
Jesus said, in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I WILL give you rest.”
Monday, December 1, 2014, near the end of his 95th year in this world
FRANK TAYLOR, of Davidson, Saskatchewan, entered his Eternal Rest.
A celebration of Frank’s life was held in Davidson, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014; Pastor Al Pinno, Bethlehem (AFLC) Lutheran Church, officiated. Interment followed at Davidson Cemetery.
For friends so wishing, memorial donations in memory Frank may be directed to a charity of choice. Todd Lockwood, Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, was in care of arrangements.
For the full obituary, please see the Dec. 15, 2014 print edition of The Davidson Leader.
Jones
Wade Melvin Jones – age 56 of Craik, Sask., passed away suddenly on November 30, 2014. Wade was born in Davidson, Sask. on October 2, 1958 but grew up with his many siblings and beloved parents in Craik, Sask. He was actively involved in sports from a young age and helped coach many hockey and baseball teams. He spent several years as a Partsman at #11 Farm Equipment and Saskatoon Farm Equipment and enjoyed dealing with his many clients. Wade was a gentle, kind-hearted, fun-loving man who always had a kind word for everyone. He enjoyed performing and was known widely for his passion of music and singing. His pride and joy were his three children and six grandchildren and he took every opportunity to travel and spend time with them. He was predeceased by his mother Donna Mae, father Melvin, and brothers Ronald and Kenneth. He is survived by his loving family – his children: Jennifer (Todd), Jessica (Aaron), and Bryce; his grandchildren: Tessa, Keira, Colton, Caide, Ethan, and Ellia; his siblings: Carole (Les), Bill (Marcia), Marcia, Keith (Marilyn), Brent (Wanda), Rodney (Patty), Monty (Phyllis), and Melody (Owen), and his many extended family members. A memorial service to celebrate Wade’s life will be held at the Craik Memorial Hall, Craik, Sask. on Friday, December 5, 2014 at 3 p.m. Friends and family wishing to send donations may direct them to Craik Memorial Rink, 201 Fourth Street, Craik, Sask., S0G 0V0 in his honour.
Physician services set to expand in district
By Kevin Gilby
DAVIDSON—The Heartland Health Region (HHR) and the Five Hills Health Region (FHHR) are to begin their expansion of the physician services in the Davidson/Craik corridor in early 2015.
The Ministry of Health encouraged the two regions to work together to provide a three-physician practice in the corridor. The need for a sustainable and reliable acute care/emergency service was identified in the region.
Margaret Baker, acting executive director for Primary Health Services Branch of the Ministry of Health, said, “the two regions have been talking for a couple years to provide a sustainable service in the two communities, both from emergency and every day perspectives.
“The plan involves three physicians working together, providing stabilized emergency services in Davidson. Craik would [have to] go to Davidson to get those services.”
According to Bert Linklater, senior VP of operations of FHHR, “we’ve for a long time not had a third position that could join the practice.” Previously, the physicians in Davidson and Craik have been attempting to co-ordinate their on-call schedules so that a physician is available 24/7.
Despite best efforts, Linklater says that there were “too many opportunities for there to be problems,” citing difficulty for EMS members to know which doctor was on-call and possible physician burn-out from working a two-in-three week on-call rotation. The College of Physicians recommends at most a one-in-three rotation.
Linklater indicated that it is a ministry directive to “reduce the number of times when hospitals go on bypass.” He explains that a hospital is in bypass when it is without an on-call physician and when in bypass, the hospital should discharge all acute care patients and ambulances services are not permitted to stop at the hospital. Patients in need of continued acute care would need to be transferred to a hospital with an on-call physician.
Referring to the Craik Health Centre, the Ministry of Health understands “that the Heartland Health Region will contract the physicians, and then Five Hills Health Region would hire the services to meet the needs for that community.”
“[The ministry] is supportive and recognizes that it provides continuity of care,” Baker said.
To read more, please see the Dec. 1 print edition of The Davidson Leader.
Improvements wanted to female change facilities at rink
By Kevin Gilby
DAVIDSON — Parents with daughters involved in youth hockey teams have requested improvements be made to the Communiplex change rooms. Davidson’s Recreation Board heard that community members have asked that a larger change area and separate shower and toilet facilities be provided for the mixed hockey teams.
At present, there is a small area set aside for the girls to change that can accommodate about three children at a time. While most teams only have two or three girls, a need for a larger space will only increase with the growing community.
Two proposals were focused on by the recreation board to address the issue.
To read more, please see the Dec. 1 print edition of The Davidson Leader.
Jr. drama club brings Pinocchio to life
DAVIDSON—Davidson School’s junior drama club is bringing the misbegotten adventures of the puppet Pinocchio to life Friday.
The production has proved popular among students, with a large cast and crew of 35 students from grades 3 to 6 involved in the performance.
With so much interest in drama, it’s meant that director Arlene Low had to be creative when it came to putting on the short 45-minute play so that all kids could play a part.
The solution was to have different children share the roles of the main characters. There are three Pinocchios and three talking crickets. There are also two choruses, as well as different narrators, puppets and puppeteers. Three students are crewmembers.
Low said this is the first time she’s rotated main characters in a play.
The transition of different characters will be seamless. As one Pinocchio goes off stage, the other one goes on.
Due to the size of the cast—having three Pinocchios and three crickets—it required more preparation usual because more costumes had to be made. Low said the production has had help from the community with Nina Gust, Lorraine Gust, Eileen McRae, Paulette Killoh, Debbie Jestin and Sandy Zoerb sewing costumes. Dee Ulmer loaned her talents by painting the set. High school students also assisted with the set.
Pinocchio is a timeless, classic story about a wooden puppet that longs to become a real boy. Its themes transcend generations.
“Pinocchio has a great lesson about honour, making good decisions and friendships,” Low said.
For the full story, please see the Dec. 1 print edition of The Davidson Leader.