| Bye- John Arnold Bye passed away at the Coronation Hospital and Care Centre on October 31, 2006 at the age of 79 years, following a long struggle with a genetic lung disorder. Born at home in the Nose Hills area north of Veteran, Alberta on August 21, 1927, Arnold attended school at Nose Hills, Pleasant Heights and Camrose Lutheran College. He worked in his cousin’s lumber mill near Nordegg in the winter of 1944-45 before returning to the family farm in the Pleasant Heights area. In 1953 he married Muriel Griffiths of Fleet and they lived at the Pleasant Heights farm and then at Muriel’s parents’ farm in the Midvale district until they bought their own farm north of Federal in 1958. Between 1976 and 1985 Arnold also worked as a welder’s helper for McCullough Ditching and Welding and a battery operator for LL&E and Page Petroleum. Arnold and Muriel retired to Coronation in 2001. Arnold was active in the community. For many years he served as treasurer on the Trinity United Church Board of Directors. He was a member of several local boards, including Co-op Implements, the Coronation Co-op store, and Battle River Credit Union, and held advisory positions with the Alberta Wheat Pool and the Alberta Development Corporation. As a young man Arnold enjoyed playing softball and playing guitar at local dances. Curling, dancing, and singing in the church choir became favourite pastimes in later years. Farming was his lifelong passion. Arnold is survived by his loving wife Muriel, his daughters Cristine Bye and her children Georgina and Lawson; and JoAnne (Ken) Meents and their children Morgan, Miranda, and Carson; and his sons Howard (Susan) Bye and their son Kyle, and Jaron (Lisa) Bye and their children Cameron and Caitlin. He also leaves his sisters Eva (Henry) Erickson and Molfrid (Bernard) Jubinville, his brother Lloyd Bye, his step-mother Lauga Bye, his step-sister Eleanor Kolisnyk, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Arnold was predeceased by his mother Oline Bye (1950), his sister Mabel Bye (Sallee) in 1990, his father Sverre Bye (1996), and granddaughter Patricia Bye (2002). Funeral services were held at the Coronation Community Centre at 2 p.m. on Monday, November 6, 2006 with Reverend Stephen Shantz of Trinity United Church officiating. The eulogy was written by Arnold’s children, Cristine Bye, JoAnne Meents, Howard Bye and Jaron Bye and was read by Reverend Stephen Shantz. A letter to Dad was written and read by Cristine Bye. Congregational hymns were “In the Bulb There is a Flower” and “For the Beauty of the Earth” accompanied by Barbie Evans and led by the Trinity United Church Choir. Soloist, Brenda Brigley sang “This is God’s Wondrous World”. At the closing of the service a video tribute was played, reflecting Arnold’s life. Honourary pallbearers were all of Arnold’s grandchildren, Georgina Beaty, Lawson Beaty, Morgan Meents, Miranda Meents, Carson Meents, Kyle Bye, Cameron Bye and Caitlin Bye. Interment took place at the Coronation Cemetery. Following the service family and friends gathered at the Community Centre for a time of visiting and reminiscing. A beautiful lunch was prepared and served by the by the Federal Friendship Club and the Trinity United Church Women. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity United Church Memorial Fund in care of Coronation Funeral Home, Box 35, Coronation, AB T0C 1C0. Heather Caseley of Coronation Funeral Home entrusted with the funeral arrangements. 1-888-578-2928. “Knowledge, Experience and Professionalism With a Personal Touch” Card of Thanks We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our families, friends and neighbours for their support and kind gestures during this difficult time. The many hugs, visits, phone calls, prayers, flowers, cards and memorial donations, and the food brought to the house during Arnold’s last few weeks and following his passing are fondly remembered. Thank you to Drs. McKenzie and Tolmie and the staff at the Coronation Hospital and Care Centre for their care of and attention to our husband, father, and grandfather over the course of his illness. We extend special tributes to the wonderful homecare staff who enabled Arnold to stay comfortably at home for the past four years. Our thanks go to Heather Caseley and the staff of Coronation Funeral Home for their genuine kindness and professionalism in dealing with the many details that helped to ease our burden and made the funeral service memorable. We extend special thanks to Rev. Stephen Shantz for visiting Arnold in the hospital, for comforting conversations with the family, and for officiating the service. Our thanks also to the Trinity United Church choir for leading the service hymns, to Brenda Brigley, the soloist and to Barbie Evans, the pianist. We greatly appreciate the lunch prepared by the Federal Friendship Club and the Trinity United Church U.C.W. These acts of kindness will not be forgotten. Muriel, Cristine, JoAnne, Howard, and Jaron and families |