For Posterity's Sake Genealogy 

The Canora Courier

13 January 2010

CHERNOFF  DIAKOW  DUTKA  MACKISEY  MATSALLA  ONESCHUK  RAIWET

SHCHYSCHUK  SLATER

Canora Courier, January 13, 2010 Page 17

SHCHYSCHUK: In loving memory of our dear father, grandfather and brother, Laddie.

God took him home, It was His will;

But in our hearts,

We love him still.

His memory is as dear today,

As in the time he passed away.

We often sit and think of him,

When we are alone;

For memory is the only friend,

That grief can call its own.

Your loving family, Barbara, Chrissy, Anna and Peter.

Canora Courier, January 13, 2010 Page 19

SLATER: Eric Slater 1933-2009. Predeceased by his loving wife Mary (October 2, 2007) and survived by his children Donald, Robert and Cathy.

Eric brought his family over from England in 1974 after a career in the British Army. He finished a full teaching career as Band Director in Saskatchewan before retiring to Claresholm, Alberta in 1995. He recently moved to a retirement home in Calgary after the passing of Mary.

Eric passed away peacefully while taking an afternoon nap on December 16. We will always love and miss our father. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. For information, contact Kate at kateslater@,shaw.ca.

Arrangements entrusted to LEYDEN'S FUNERAL HOME, 4079-1 Street West, Claresholm, Alberta T2S OC3. Tel: 403­625-3212.

Canora Courier, January 13, 2010 Page 19

RAIWET: Joseph (Joe) Raiwet passed at the Canora Hospital on December 26th, 2009 at the age of 64 years.

Joe was born on June 4, 1945 at Whitewood, SK, son of John and Rita (nee Paquin) Raiwet. He was raised on the family farm in St. Hubert, SK, and attended school at St. John's School and then Whitewood School. He continued his education and obtained his welding and machining certificates. Joe worked at Delgelman's in Southey for many years. He then came to work in Canora as a welder. He met Caroline Bilsky and on December 20th, 1980, they were united in marriage. A few years later they built their home. It was attached to his welding shop. Joe did most of the construction on their home. Joe also was employed as a welder for Leon's and Morris. He enjoyed his music, being able to play several instruments. He enjoyed playing with the Can-Am Band for many years.

Joe was predeceased by his father, John Raiwet, and his father-in-law Frank Bilsky. He leaves to mourn his passing and to cherish his memory his wife, Caroline, of 29 years, mother, Tira Raiwet and mother-in-law Pauline Bilsky, brother and sisters, George (Judy) Raiwet of Whitewood, Albert (Donna) Raiwet of Whitewood, Laurette Raiwet of Grengell, Laura (Glen) Langford of Bredenbury, Bernadette (Lyle) Robinson of Regina, Anthony (Wendy) Raiwet of Regina, Patricia Varjassy of Coaldale, AB. Brother-in-law David (Yvonne) Bilsky of Arran, SK, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

A Memorial Service was held from the Chapel Leson's Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 29th, 2009, with Marion Naduriak officiating. Interment followed at the Canora Cemetery. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations in memory of Joe, to the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements were entrusted to LESON'S FUNERAL HOME, Canora. (563-5671).

Canora Courier, January 13, 2010 Page 19

DUTKA: The family of Alex Dutka announce his passing on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at the Aspen Bluffs Villa in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. He was 95 years of age.

Alex was born on September 11, 1914, the youngest son of Wasyl and Annie Dutka (Stratychuk), pioneers of Burgis SK. Alex attended Poplar Springs School where he enjoyed his studies and playing the guitar. After finishing grade eight, Alex remained on the farm and in 1936 was given some land with the understanding that he was to take care of his parents. In 1939 Alex married Teenie Skihar at St. Basil Ukrainian Orthodox Church, approximately four miles southwest of Gorlitz SK. They were blessed with one daughter, Sylvia. Alex and his wife took care of his parents, living in one house on the homestead, until they passed on. Alex liked mixed farming where he raised grain and livestock. Over the years he became allergic to various farm environments causing problems with his work and daily living activities. In 1961, Alex sold the livestock and scaled down his operations to exclusively grain farming. At that time he built a house in Yorkton SK, and continued to farm there until 1989, at which time he sold his land and equipment and ultimately retired at the age of 75. In 1980 Alex was presented with a Family Farm Heritage Award which read in part, "to honour the heritage of your family farm of which SW quarter 16-29-4-2W has been continuously operated by members of the family since 1899." This award was presented in conjunction with Saskatchewan's 75th Anniversary Year celebrations. During his years of active farming, Alex joined with neighbours J. M. Wiwchar and his son Glenn; and for many years they mutually assisted one another with all aspects of the farming enterprise. Alex was a self learned man who became skilled at carpentry and mechanical repair and maintenance. He enjoyed gardening and maintaining the farm setting. Alex became a member of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool in 1936 and served on a number of committees for many years. He also served as a member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church at Burgis and joined the Yorkton congregation upon moving there, where he helped with various functions. Alex wrote a biography of his parents' lives in the Ukraine and Canada based on firsthand experience, stories and accounts of their hardships. The Journey The Rewards: Biography of Wasyl and Annie Dutka of Canora, Saskatchewan for the period 1863 - 1963 was published in 2000 and resides in many libraries and museums across Canada and the United States. Alex had a remarkable memory and took pleasure in relating many stories from the past based on his experiences and observations. After his retirement, Alex enjoyed working with wood and many of his canes, tables and sculptures were given to family, friends and museums in Canora and Kamsack, SK. Alex loved being active and was always busy doing something until Teenie's health necessitated them to move from their own home of 47 years to Aspen Bluffs Villa in August 2008.

Alex is survived by his daughter Sylvia and son-in-law Les Lewchuk of Richmond BC; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Teenie; his parents; half brother John of Fisher Branch MB; brothers Harry of Yorkton SK, Mike of Canora SK, Nick of Calgary AB, Jack of St. Petersburg FL, Metro of Canora SK; and two sisters Mary Ananichuk and Annie Stetski of Oshawa ON.

Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, Saskatchewan with Kathy Novak serving as the Funeral Celebrant. The organist, Carla Laycock, led the congregation in the singing of the hymn, "Tell Me The Stories of Jesus". The interment followed in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens, Garden of Gethsemane with Vern Balysky, Brant Rurak, Darrel Tumack and Gerald Wiwchar serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.

Canora Courier, January 13, 2010 Page 19

ONESCHUK: Stephan Oneschuk, born April 27,1952 in Canora, Saskatchewan, passed peacefully December 30th, 2009 at Canora Hospital. Stephan was the son of Metro and Maj-Britt (Wendel) Oneschuk. Stephan attended Hyas Elementary School and Sturgis Composite High School. Following graduation he remained on the family farm and started buying cattle. He then worked at the Norquay Auction Mart. On August 27, 1977 he married Rhonda Semeschuk at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Danbury, Saskatchewan. They then made their home in Winnipeg, Manitoba where he worked at the St. Boniface Stock Yards. They then moved to Canora where Stephan apprenticed at Trach-Gibney Funeral Home and attended the University of Saskatchewan receiving his Saskatchewan Funeral Service Association license. He became quite proficient and enjoyed designing and producing monuments. He took his EMT training and worked as an Emergency Medical Technician for Trach Ambulance. They moved to Yorkton where Stephan worked at Christie-Hill Funeral Home. In 1985 they moved back to Canora and owned/operated Oneschuk Funeral Home. Stephan then had various jobs with Eastside Gravel, Popowich Milling, Nelson Courier, Yorkton Heartland Livestock and he was last employed at Yorkton Superstore as a meat cutter until he became ill in 2004.

Stephan enjoyed hunting with his family and friends whether it be for ducks, geese, deer or moose. He especially enjoyed going fishing to his in-laws cabin at Elbow Lake. While residing in Yorkton he played slow pitch. He simply enjoyed the outdoors regardless of the season, whether it be snowmobiling or skating in the winter or gardening and going to the lake in the summer. He loved to entertain and actually became quite a good cook but especially enjoyed barbecuing over an open fire. He was a member of the Canora Lions Club and the Canora Rescue Unit for some time.

Stephan always said the two best days of his life were his wedding day and the day they adopted their 4 day old daughter, Rheya picking her up in a snow storm on December 24, 1985 from Saskatoon City Hospital. Rheya was definitely Daddy's little girl! He was so glad he had the opportunity to meet and get to know Rheya's biological sister, Amanda Mumm and her son, Kian who called Stephan Gido right from the start. Stephan was always very supportive of both his daughter and his wife in all their endeavors and never held them back.

Stephan became ill undergoing unsuccessful brain surgery in Saskatoon University Hospital in March, 2006 requiring extensive rehabilitation so he could learn to talk, read, write and walk again. Unfortunately the surgery did end up leaving him with mental and physical limitations but this did not make him give up and he carried on with his life to the best of his ability. In 2008 he became very ill and was diagnosed with pancreas cancer and underwent a very serious Whipple procedure at the Regina General Hospital followed by chemotherapy. He then enjoyed life normally for a few months only to become ill again this summer as the pancreas cancer had spread to his liver and stomach. In October he suffered a stroke after one of the family dogs was accidentally killed. His wish was to be at home and to enjoy Christmas at home with family and friends, his wish was granted and he remained at home until December 28th. He died with his family at his side at the Canora Hospital on December 30th, 2009.

Stephan was predeceased by his father, Metro; grandparents John and Annie Oneschuk and Henning and Martha Wendel and numerous aunts, uncles and his cousins. He was also predeceased by his father-in-law, Pete Semeschuk; his grandmother-in-law, Annie Polyzniuk and also numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda; daughter, Rheya; mother, Maj-Britt; brother Warren (Laura) of North Vancouver, B.C. and his sister, Ruth Smylski of Lethbridge and her children: Elizabeth (Daniel) Robertson and their daughter, Emmeline of Saskatoon; Rebekah (Tate) Rasmussen of Okotos, Alberta, Keaton and Regan Smylski of Lethbridge. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Elaine Semeschuk of Sturgis, his sister-in-law Valda (Kevin) Toffan of Yorkton and their children; Kyle (Allison) Toffan and their son, Baron of Regina, Brodie (Shannon Evans) Toffan of Saskatoon and Zachary Toffan of Yorkton, brother-in-law, Ryan (Shelly) Semeschuk of Danbury and their children, Devin Semeschuk of Saskatoon and Dilan Semeschuk, Serena, Britney, Mason and Talon Chupa and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral service was held Saturday, January 2, 2010 from the Canora Rainbow Hall with Father Rod Luciuk officiating and interment at the Canora Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Canora Hospital Auxiliary. Preeceville Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Canora Courier, January 13, 2010 Page 20

DIAKOW: On December 24, 2009 Annie Diakow passed away at Canora, Saskatchewan, at the age of 96 years. Annie was born on February 28, 1913 to Luke and Helen Sliva. She married Vincent Diakow on June 17, 1935. When first married, Annie and Vincent lived on a farm north-east of Rama; then in 1949 they moved to Rama where they became actively involved in church and community life. For the final few years of her life Annie resided in the Nursing Home in Invermay. Annie was very active in the Roman Catholic parish at Rama. For many years she washed, starched and ironed church linens, planted flowers by the Grotto and church and per- formed a variety of tasks to help prepare the church and the Grotto for the pilgrimage and other religious celebrations. Annie's kitchen table was always overflowing with good food and drink. She often welcomed priests and religious dignitaries to join her and Vincent in one of her delicious meals. In her younger years Annie enjoyed sports and was an active member of the Rama Curling and Sports Clubs. Annie always enjoyed gardening. She spent many hours tending to a large vegetable garden and a beautiful flower garden near her house. She liked cooking and baking, and in her spare moments she enjoyed crafts such as crocheting, knitting and making artificial flowers.

She was predeceased by her husband, Vincent on September 15,1982 and her infant son, Jimmy, in 1936; by her sisters Frances Serhan and Nellie Yasinski and her brothers Louis Sliva and Joe Sliva. She is survived by her sister Mary Diakow of Yorkton and her brother Mike Sliva of Saskatoon.

Prayer Service was held on Wednesday, December 30th, and Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, December 31, 2009. Both services were at the St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church in Rama, SK., with Rev. Fr. Marcin Maroniuk officiating. Interment followed in the Canora Cemetery. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may donate Mass Offerings in memory of Annie. Arrangements were entrusted to LESON'S FUNERAL HOME, Canora. (563­5671).

Canora Courier, January 13, 2010 Page 20

CHERNOFF: Helen Chernoff of Canora Gateway Lodge passed away peacefully in the Canora Hospital after a brief illness, on January 6, 2010 at the age of 90 years.

Helen was born in the Village of Blahaveshniya near Veregin, on July 8, 1919 to Nicholas and Eleona (Babakioff) Shishken. She attended Pretty Valley and Phoenix Schools and then made her way to the west coast where she worked for several years. In 1950 she married Pete S. Chernoff and they spent the next 28 years farming north east of Mikado. She spent her retirement years in Canora and the last 10 years at the Canora Gateway Lodge. Helen loved visiting her children, serving noon hour lunch to her grandchildren and being outdoors in the middle of her never-ending bountiful garden. Crocheting, knitting and sewing were her special talents and eating her multi- course meals was an unforgettable treat.

Helen was predeceased by her husband Pete (1978), her parents, Nick and Eleona, and her sister Nellie Wishlow. She leaves behind her children who she loved so dearly: Valerie (Ahmed) Shazly and Harvey (Joan) Chernoff, her beloved grandchildren who brought her joy: Neill, Jason, Adam and Jill of Calgary and Paul of Victoria. She also leaves behind her brother Alex (Mary) Shishken of Saskatoon along with many nieces and nephews. Helen will be greatly missed by those who were so blessed to have known a wonderful, hard-working and gracious lady.

Funeral Service was held on Saturday, January 9, 2010, from the Chapel of Leson's Funeral Home with Canora Doukhobor Society officiating. Interment followed in the Canora Cemetery. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Canora Gateway Lodge Auxiliary in memory of Helen. Arrangements were entrusted to LESONS FUNERAL HOME, Canora. (563-5671)

Canora Courier, January 13, 2010 Page 20

MACKISEY: Willard "Max" Mackisey passed away suddenly on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 in Regina, SK. A Memorial Service will be held in Canora, SK on Saturday, January 16, 2010. For full service details, or to sign an online book of condolences please visit  HYPERLINK http://www.speersfuneralchapel.com www.speersfuneralchapel

Canora Courier, January 13, 2010 Page 20

MATSALLA: With heavy hearts and deep sadness we announce the passing of Mary Matsalla, our dearly beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister as she was granted eternal rest on December 24th, 2009 in the Pasqua Hospital at the age of 83.

Mary was born in 1926 to Frank Fulawka and Annie Wolanski in Dobrowody area northeast of Rama. She was the second oldest of four children. She attended Olesha School. She married Mike Matsalla in 1943 at St. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Rama. Mike and Mary worked together on the family farm raising their seven children. They retired in 1979 and moved to Rama where they spent many happy years together until Mike passed away in 1986. Mary continued to live in Rama. In the winter she played numerous games of kaiser and bingo at the Golden Jets with her friends. Baba or Grandma as she was known by her grandchildren, made quilts for each grandchild and continued to make quilts for her great grandchildren. The quilts are treasured and a comfort to each child. Her favourite time of the year was spring and summer. She spent all her time outdoors gardening. She loved her flowers and always kept her yard weed free. For several years she contributed many flowers to the Grotto.

Another interest was her love of music, singing and dancing at the many family functions and celebrations. She especially enjoyed preparing meals for family gatherings. She put love into making great buns, doughnuts, perogies, cabbage rolls, borsch and chicken soup, all of which sometimes included cooking in the hall with other ladies. Her special treat was preparing meals for the local priest. She thought they maybe hungry or just too thin. Mary had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother. As a young family they prayed the Rosary every evening. When the children came home for the weekend, she surrounded herself with them in church. She was very proud of each and every one. She always made an effort to be at every special occasion. Her faith in God meant everything to her. A special lesson we learned from her is that family is very important, and that a family that prays together stays together.

Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband Mike, her parents Frank and Annie, brother Steve, and sister Pauline. She leaves to mourn her passing, sister Helen Fulawka, daughter Florence (Tony) Kuchinski, son Bernard (Delia), daughter Joanne (Robert) Dmytriw, daughter Eleanor (Blaise) MacNeil, daughter Margaret (Wesley) Turton, son Lorne (Dianne) and daughter Geraldine (Phillip) Shewchuk, 26 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

Mom your love and guidance will always be a positive example for us. You are now united with Mike, your parents, and siblings in God's care. You will always be in our hearts and in our prayers. We will miss you and love you always.

Her final words were: I love you all with my whole heart. Please pray for me. Love, Mom, Baba, Great Baba and Grandma Matsalla. Ever Remembered, Ever Loved