Hartley Brown McDonald, life long resident of Champion, Alberta was called home to his Lord and Saviour May 7, 2002 at Vulcan Community Health Centre at the age of 71 years.
Hartley was born June 16, 1930 at Vulcan, Alberta to Brown and Louise McDonald who homesteaded west of Champion and South of Vulcan. Hartley attended Hiawatha, Alston and Champion Schools, as well as Olds Collage and Calgary Technical School (S.A.I.T.). He continued to farm with his father and while attending a Farmers Union of Alberta meeting in 1957, he met Hannah May Anderson. Hartley purchased his fathers land and in July of 1961 married Hannah and they continued to farm the land. They built a new house in 1974 and began creating a beautiful landscaped yard. In 1976 Hartley attained his life long dream of receiving his private pilots licence, to which he added a Piper Arrow, grass strip and hanger became part of the farm landscape. This past April they sold the farm to Gary and Bev Flitton and they sold the home acreage to Harvey and Shirley Bergen. Hartley and Hannah purchased a home in Vulcan and planned to move in June of this year.
Hartley loved people, he and Hannah loved children so they took in all the neighbours children as there own family. Hartley loved watching them grow, attending many school concerts, skiing, camping, graduations and many other functions, as well as spending time one on one. Farming was his passion, he enjoyed talking to everyone about the latest farming things. Flying was a life long dream and Hartley lived his dream, flying to many conventions in many places.
He was very active in the community, there were very few groups that he in one way or another was not involved with. Hartley was a member of both the International and Alberta Flying Farmers, Vulcan Flying Club, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #262, Champion were he had served on many committees and was a member of the Champion Congregational Church.
Beloved friend and husband of Hannah of Champion, Hartley is also survived by a sister, Marion O’Leary of Burlington, Ont., two sisters-in-law Margaret (Lawrence) Modin of Elk Point and Bella Ford of Wainwright, a brother-in-law George Anderson of St. Lina, Ab., numerous nieces and nephews.
Hartley was predeceased by his parents, two brothers-in-law Gus O’Leary and Fred Ford.
Funeral Service at Champion Community Hall Saturday May 11, 2002 at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Wayne Lee officiating.
Interment Vulcan Cemetery.
Honorary Bearers were Steve and Alex Plytka, Mickey Middleton, Gary and Beverly Flitton, Wilma, Rheana, Richelle, Eileen Crooks, Robbin and Gordon Lind, James and Ramona, Shannon and Mike, Carlene and Shane, Dick and Mary Strauss, Lisa, Pam, Karlene and Hazel, Jerry and Olive Strauss, Paul and Ruby DeClercq, Gordon and Linda Mueller, Justin, Renae and Meloney, Tom and Judy Roberts, Jim and Jean Reath, Gordon Hagg and Mary Lou Giles, Emily, Gillian, Garret and Alexis, Glen, Helen and Debbie Williams, Florence and Ron Brown, Carol, Glen and Kim Andrews.
Casket Bearers were Neil Strauss, Derek Strauss, Dean Strauss, Noel Flitton, Ryan Flitton and Steve Hofer.
If friends so desire, tributes in Hartley’s memory could be made to either the Alberta Cancer Foundation 1331 – 29 St. N.W., Calgary T2N 4N2, Palliative Care Unit of the Vulcan Community Health Care Centre, BOX 299 Vulcan, TOL 2BO. Or the Champion Congregational Church “Memorial Fund” Box 251, Champion TOL ORO
Arrangements in care of VULCAN FUNERAL HOME. Directors. Telephone
485-2633. e-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.