Tribute

GEORGE EDWARD ELLIS

87 YEARS OLD

He was born on February 23, 1923 and entered Heaven from Oliver on January 23, 2011. After a long illness with diabetes and four years on dialyses he was released from his suffering. Predeceased by three of his four sons, Keith, David and Gary, he is survived by Bette, his wife of 66 years; his son Richard Ian; and his three daughters, Theresa Gogolin, Mary Pierce and Cora Prosser; and his only brother, Clarence.

While serving in England with the Canadian Army from 1942-1945, he met his wife Bette and married her on December 24, 1944.

After the war he trained as a Mill Wright and worked at Pulp Mills in Prince George, Mackenzie, Gold River, Crofton and many other places. In his later years he worked as the foreman. Wherever he was employed he would put in a hard days work and then spend up to six hours in building houses and barns.

Nearing retirement, he was the first person to introduce and raise miniature horses in Canada. From his farm in Lumby, he travelled across Canada and into a number of the States selling his horses. One of his prized animals sold for $12,000.

He and Bette were members of Valley Congregational Christian Church which serves both Oliver and Osoyoos. Then, in his early seventies, George assumed the role of organizing a Men”s Interdenominal Breakfast which grew to over 50 in attendance on the second Saturday of each month. He became very faithful to his Saviour, the Lord Jesus, and studied his Bible daily, watched Christian TV programs that had a teaching ministry, and was surrounded by faithful friends who joined him in his pursuit at his home.

Bette, now residing at the Sunnybank Centre, will experience the loss of a loving husband.

The funeral was taken by Rev. Dr. Ron Holden and the eulogy was delivered by Wally Bootsma.

Donations in George”s name may be made to the local Gideons.