Obituary of Wesley Beaton

Wesley Hector Beaton passed away in the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Home on May 22, 2008 at the age of 86 years. He was predeceased by his sisters, Ethel Napper and Doris Nebitt and brothers Donald and Forrest as well as nephews Barry Beaton, Garry Napper and Chuck Nesbitt. He is survived by his sister-in-law Jean Beaton and brother-in-law Keith Nesbitt as well as nieces and nephews Stuart (Marilyn) Napper, Bob (Doris) Napper, Murray (Sharon) Napper, Sandra Napper, Beverly (Richard) Biega, Carol (Pierre) Trudel, Brian (Deb) Beaton, Dianne (Barry) Davidson, Rob (Glenda) Beaton, Marie (Brian) Carruthers and Dale (Deb) Nesbitt and their families. Funeral services were conducted from the Lashburn Community Hall with Reverend Don Retzlaff officiating on Tuesday, May 27, 2008. Interment followed in the Lashburn Cemetery. The eulogy was given by nephew, Brian Beaton Wesley Hector Beaton was born on March 19, 1922 at Lashburn to Hector and JeaNette Beaton. His older siblings were sister Ethel Napper and brothers Don and Forrest and one younger sister Doris Nesbitt. Uncle Wes completed all his schooling in Lashburn. He farmed for one year prior to going into the army. While overseas in the army he did signalman and messenger duties which entailed riding a motorcycle. After this experience, he could never understand why people would ride a motorcycle if they had a choice. After returning home after the war, he went back to farming, which he continued to do until 1984. Uncle Wes enjoyed farming and it made him quite happy to have his great nephew, Justin Carruthers, buy his farmland and keep it in the family. Uncle Wes also enjoyed sports, watching most and participating in curling, bowling and golf, which were his three favourites. He had many crests and awards from curling and bowling mostly with the Legion teams over the years. I'm sure he had many stories from these activities which he may not have shared with us. Uncle Wes was also involved in many organizations in the community of Lashburn over the years: Lashburn Curling Club - executive for many years & president twice Lashburn Rural Telephone Company - director for 6 years and president for 1 year Lashburn Volunteer Fire Department - Secretary-treasurer for 14 years Lashburn Village Council from 1976 to 1979 Lashburn Kinsmen Club - President for 1 year Lashburn K-40 Club - secretary-treasurer when the club was first formed and lastly Royal Canadian Legion member since 1945 - 63 years of uninterrupted membership. He served as president for 4 years, poppy chairman twice, around 4 years each time and was on the executive for many years. The Legion was always very important to him and the sporting activities were just an added way for enjoyable comradeship. Uncle Wes was fairly set in his ways and marriage did not fall in that category, so he remained a bachelor. At the same time, he had a larger family than the average person because he took a keen interest in the live of all his nieces and nephews and then also his great nieces and nephews and their families. In 2001 Uncle Wes sold his home in Lashburn and moved to the Dr. Hemstock Extended Care residence in Lloydminster. He very much enjoyed this change as he no longer did any cooking or laundry and there were always people around. He though the world of the staff and they were always thoughtful and helpful. We will all sadly miss Uncle Wes, but at the same time have many fond memories. Thank You The family of the late Wesley Beaton would like to sincerely thank the management and staff at the Dr. James Hemstock Assisted Living Residence, Dr. Du Plooy and the staff on the third floor of the Lloydminster hospital for the excellent care they gave Uncle Wes. Thank you to Don Retzlaff for his comforting words before and during the funeral service and to the United Church ladies for supplying a lovely lunch. We also wish to thank the Legion Members for their tribute and honour guard. It meant a lot to us. To all family and friends, we thank you for your kind words of sympathy and for all memorial donations. Finally, we thank Dale & Joel McCaw and the staff at McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., for their kind and professional service. The Family of Wes Beaton Donations in memory of Wesley may be made to a Charity of the Donor's Choice.