Meryl Ernest Warren
Sept. 24, 1920 — Sept. 9, 2015

Meryl passed away just short of 95 years of a glorious life. He spent his childhood in Lucky Lake, and as luck would have it, so did his long-loved soulmate Hattie. Meryl and Hattie were married Jan. 31, 1942. So to do the math, that was 73 years of marriage! Meryl joined the Royal Canadian Air Force that year as an aero engine mechanic.

After the war, in 1946, Meryl, Hattie and two-year-old daughter Joan came to the Campbell district at Girvin where they would begin their future as farmers. When times were tough in the early going, Meryl worked as an instructor for the six-week courses the university conducted in agriculture and mechanics. He also went up north to inspect registered cereal and grass crops in the spring, and after harvest he worked for the P.F.A.A.

His farm also included registered polled herefords, pigs and chickens. The family moved into their new farmhouse that Meryl built in 1955. The power had just come through in 1954 so the house was completed with all the conveniences that provided. Meryl and Hattie lived there until 1990 when they moved into Davidson.

Meryl had many great loves, but none as great as his family, especially his loving wife. Hattie spent much of her time being a caregiver and a provider, and is one of the big reasons Meryl achieved his longevity. He was once quoted, “It doesn’t matter where I go, as long as I am with my wife.” The Legion was a very special and proud part of Meryl’s life. Some of his other passions were cards, travels, family gatherings and ice cream. In his last few years, he had quite an obsession with pens, highlighters and flashlights!

Meryl is remembered by his loving wife of 73 years, Hattie; his children Joan (Jim) Cross, Yvonne, Miles, Alan (Shelley) and Clifton; Clark (Pat) Warren, Janelle and Nadine (Keith); Sylvia (Terry) McConnell, Ryan, Clinton (Cathy), Lanny (Ellen) and Courtney (Alan); Donna Warren, Jason, Scott (Janet), Mathew (Jessie); Vicki (Kim) Corfield, Jamie (Amanda), Mark (Ricki), Eric (Sarah) and Nicole; great-grandchildren Levi (Cliff), Zach, Cayle (Alan); Evelyn (Nadine); Kade (Ryan), Cass (Clinton); Nathanael, Annika, Rebekah (Jason); Andrew, Jacob, Grace (Scott); Nash, Shay, Zane (Mathew); Briana, Addison (Jamie), Aria (Nicole).

Meryl is also survived by his sister Norma (Garf) Weston and sister-in-law Agnes Fensom, as well as many nieces and nephews. Meryl was predeceased by his loving son Terry.

The celebration of Meryl’s life was held in the Davidson United Church. Meryl would have been delighted with the words Mathias spoke, the music Donna and Gloria shared, the songs, the Legion service and the tribute his granddaughter Yvonne presented. And Meryl would have been very pleased with Todd and Hanson’s Funeral Home for their awareness of every little detail, as that was one of Meryl’s characteristics.

Stephen Peter Zeleny
Dec. 26, 1921 — Sept. 20, 2015

On Sept. 20, 2015, a sunny Sunday morning, Steve Zeleny passed away peacefully at Davidson Health Centre with his wife Agnes and daughter Brenda at his side.

He was predeceased by his parents Josef and Annie; all his siblings: Annie, Joe, Nettie, Charlie, Josephine, Tony, Henry, Alice and Gerry, and their spouses; as well as his father- and mother-in-law Joe and Effie Knourek.

Steve was born on Dec. 26, 1921 in Gerald, Sask., the youngest of 10. He attended school in Gerald and began his teaching career shortly after in small, one-room schools.

In 1948, he met his wife Agnes Knourek at a teacher’s convention, and they married on July 1, 1950. While teaching, Steve completed his B.Ed. in 1956 by taking summer school classes.

He and Agnes moved to Success, Sask., where they both taught school from 1951 to 1963. In November 1957, their only child Brenda was born. After two short years in Elrose, Sask., they moved to Davidson, which became the community they called home.

In 1980, Steve retired from teaching, but never slowed down. He was active in the Knights of Columbus and the Parish council, and an avid champion of the Special Olympics and Donor’s Choice, to name a few.

Although he had many interests, his love of travel never waned. Each summer was a chance for the family to explore some place new. They covered Canada from coast to coast many times, most of the United States, cruised the Caribbean, and enjoyed Alaska and Hawaii.

The highlight was travelling to Czechoslovakia to see his parents’ homeland. He would return more than once, taking in the sights from Scotland to Italy. Whether by rail or bus or boat or plane, he was always ready for another adventure. His camera and video recorder were always handy to capture a memory.

His one extravagance was being able to buy a new car and pick it up right at the factory, but at heart he was a man of simple tastes and simple wants. He doted on his wife Agnes and was proud of his daughter Brenda, and found joy in the simple splendour of nature.

He leaves behind his wife of 65 years Agnes, his daughter Brenda and her husband Ted Brown, as well as nieces, nephews and the many friends he made at home and away.

Prayers were held on Thurs., Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Davidson. A funeral mass was held in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Fri., Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. with Father Joseph Gyim-Austin officiating.

Interment took place in the family plot on Sat., Sept. 26 at 1 p.m. in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Esterhazy, Sask., with Father Valentine officiating.

Special thanks go to the staff at the Davidson Health Centre for the care and compassion they showed Steve in the last six years. Steve was admitted to the centre on Nov. 19, 2008.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Davidson Health Centre. Hanson’s Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Hamel, James Joseph “Jim”

July 27, 1936 — Davidson, Saskatchewan
August 22, 2015 — Calgary, Alberta

With great sadness we announce the passing of James Joseph Hamel on Saturday, August 22, 2015, at the age of 79 years. Besides his loving wife, Virginia (Ginger) Hamel, Jim is survived by his daughter Kelly, sons Peter (Joelle), Scott (Morgan) and their children Lillian and Olive; sisters Theresa Seifert, Stella (Ray) Kergen, Grace (Bob) Worrall, Rita (David) Martel; and brothers Paul (Rose), Edward (Deborah), Alec (Cathy), Philip (Diane); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Upon his father’s death, Jim took an active role running the family farm, later moving to Calgary where he secured a job with the City of Calgary until his retirement. He volunteered for many years as a little league baseball coach and Minor hockey coach. Jim will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Conrad Herman Painchaud passed away peacefully at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon on August 11, 2015 with his loving family at his bedside.

Con was born in Albertville, Sask. to Gilles and Maria Painchaud, the second oldest child in a family of 12 children. He attended school in Albertville and worked in various locations in Saskatchewan after finishing his schooling. He got into construction early on in his life and chose Davidson as the place to settle down and raise his family. Con spent many happy years in Davidson where he was an active member of the community.

Left to mourn are his nine children, Richard, Mary Anne (Brian) Monz, Cathy (Bob) Randall, Andy (Debbie) Painchaud, Ronnie (Kim) Painchaud, Dennis (Lenny) Painchaud, Jeannine (Kim) McNabb, Louise (Gavin) Baxter, Julia (Mike) Painchaud; sisters, Jeannine, Flore, Denise, Gilberte, Laurette; brothers, Gerald, Lucien and Lionel; 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, loving wife Anne, brothers Laurent, Paul and Bruno; brothers-in-law George and Martin; sisters-in-law Lorretta, Francis, Martha and Angie.

A funeral service was held at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church on August 18 at 11 a.m. Donations may be made in memory of Con to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Knights of Columbus and Davidson Golf Club.