STONEMAN
Clarence Walter

August 10, 1949 - January 21, 2022

Walter Stoneman was born on August 10, 1949 in Drumheller, Alberta to parents Clarence and Marjorie Stoneman. He grew up on the farm near Morrin, learning from his dad how to care for the land and the animals. Walter was very active in sports at Morrin School, participating in volleyball, basketball, and baseball.
After graduation, Walter studied agricultural mechanics at SAIT in Calgary. Upon completion of the program, he came home to Morrin and then relocated to his new farm in the Rumsey area. The following year, on March 14, 1970, Walter married Judy Todor, his high school sweetheart. Together they became the proud parents of two children: Stacey and Darren. Supporting education, interests, and dreams of his children, and later his four grandchildren, was Walter’s top priority.
Walter and Judy ran a mixed grain and cattle farm in Rumsey and Morrin, together with Walter’s dad, until Clarence’s passing in 1976. Later they also farmed Judy’s mom’s land at Two Valley View. When they began to retire from grain farming, Walter got a job at the Stettler Auction Mart where he worked until 2013. Walter really enjoyed the social aspect of working at the Auction Mart. He loved a good visit and always had time to stop and chat.
Both in sports and service, Walter was very active in his community. Summers he played ball with the Morrin Giants and the Scollard team. In the winter, he and Judy curled in Rumsey. Darren and Walter team-roped at the Ewing Lake Roping Club. Walter was also one of the leaders of the Big Valley 4H Beef Club.
For 23 years, Walter served as Chairman of the Big Country Gas Co-op. He was also president of the Rumsey Ag Society Board. On the Special Places 2000 Committee, Walter also served as the Starland County Agricultural Representative and helped form the Tolman Badlands Ranchers Association. He was also instrumental in organizing the Rumsey S.T.A.R.S. Trail Ride.
Walter passed away suddenly at home on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the age of 72 years. He will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Judy; daughter, Stacey and grandchildren, Bee and Sean; son Darren, his wife, Karrie and grandchildren Corbyn and Blake; sister, Jane Kenney (Dewain); brother-in-law, Mike Todor (Carol); nieces Becky, Melissa and Selena; nephews, Mark and Pat; and a host of extended family, friends and neighbors. Walter is predeceased by his parents, sister, Anna May Babcock, and mother-in-law Helen Todor.
A Memorial for Walter will be held in the spring.
For those who wish to make a donation in honour of Walter, it may be made to one of the following: Rumsey Ag Society, Box 60, Rumsey, Alberta, T0J 2Y0; Parkinsons Association of Alberta, 120 6835 Railway St. SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2H 2V6
Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.myalternatives.ca.

Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services
Serving Drumheller and Surrounding Areas since 1997
(403) 823-5151 & (888) 216-5111

HENKE
Weldon

January 22, 2022

Weldon Henke of Calgary (previously California) passed away peacefully after a short illness January 22, 2022 at the age of 85 years. Dad was born in Calgary and raised on the family farm near Nightingale, AB. He was the middle of five children. There were many interesting stories of the boys and their antics growing up on the farm tormenting one another and others that came to visit! He went to Mt. Royal College in Calgary for his education which would direct him to his eventual career in the communications industry. He married Barbara Johnson from Hussar, moved to Edmonton and had Leah and Shelley. He worked for Alberta Government Telephones in Edmonton, then Valleyview. From there he and his family moved to Hemet, California where Barbara had close family members and where he furthered his career with General Telephone (GTE) for many years. Dad remarried and moved to Newbury Park, CA., and worked for Verizon in Thousand Oaks where he eventually retired. He specialized in microwave towers and was part of the beginning of the fibre optic
movement. His career was very important to him and he was proud of his achievements. Dad was good at everything he did. His main hobby later in life was his woodworking. We have many momentos built by dad which we will cherish. Shelley came back to Alberta in 1980 and Leah much later. In 2014 we brought dad back to Canada to be with his large extended family. He moved into the Beverly Estates Midnapore independent living residence in Calgary. His brother and sister-in-law were residing there as well. Eventually, his sister and spouse arrived too and the three of them were able to reconnect. They were always close at heart, but Dad lived so far away from them most of his adult life. Once he lost his siblings, he moved to Grand Seton Village. There he became the resident “Bingo Caller” and was proud of that title. He had only been living there for a short while when COVID hit. Rather than being on lockdown, he spent two months in Drumheller with Tom & Shelley. He so enjoyed this time having happy hour with his beloved son-in-law Tom, being around Tom’s family who always treated him as their own, and spending time around the firepit with all the friends he had met over the past years when he would visit from California. He also looked forward to his Thursday night pub nights at Hudson’s Pub in Calgary with family more than ever and would always be ready to go wearing his black leather jacket! Dad had a special great-nephew, Garrett Labillois who would go see dad every Saturday night. They shared a very special bond together watching movies and talking politics. Dad was thrilled to be able to really get to know his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This was rewarding to everyone involved and the memories created will be held in our hearts forever.
Weldon is survived by two daughters, Leah Tabaldo of Calgary and Shelley (Tom) Samuel of Drumheller and step-daughter, Melissa Ramirez of California. Grandchildren Casie (Dale) Tracey, Carli (Neil) Haley, Spencer Samuel, Stephanie (Anthony) Tabaldo & Nicole Tabaldo all of Calgary. Great-Grandsons Lachlan & Mackinnon Tracey and Hudson Haley of Calgary as well as numerous nieces and nephews he loved with all his heart and who were so good to dad, including him in many of their family functions.
Dad was predeceased by his parents Alfred & Marcella Henke, brothers Gerald & Emmett Henke, Sisters Marjorie Lowe and Angela Huget and sister-in-law Leona Henke.

Courtney-Winters Funeral Home 403-823-2666