The Citizen, 2012-07-05, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012.Bergsma honoured for 4-H contributions
Honoured by the Queen
Darrell Bergsma has been involved with local 4-H groups
for over 20 years and he’ll be an integral part of next year’s
100th anniversary of 4-H in Manitoba, where the 4-H
organization began. (Denny Scott photo)
DONALD WILLIAM HELMKA
Donald William Helmka passed
away at his home in Listowel on
Wednesday, June 27, 2012. He was
in his 68th year.
Donald was the beloved husband
of the late Dorothy (Dietrich)
Helmka and the father of Nancy and
Paul Donegan of RR 1, Listowel and
Denise and Ken Purvis of Ethel. He
was the adored grandfather of
Samantha and Cullen Donegan and
Nick and Ainsley Purvis.
Donald was the brother of Robert
and Dianne Ralston, and brother-in-
law of Gail Helmka, Wayne Dietrich
and Barb Grigat of Milverton,
Marlene White and Lorne Hagerman
of Kitchener, Clare and Joan
Dietrich of Moorefield, Bud and
Diane Dietrich of Petersburg, Linda
and Doug Mayberry of Kitchener,
Sharon and Paul Lynch and
Larry and Susan Dietrich, all of
Listowel.
He will also be remembered by his
many nieces and nephews and his
best companion Lady Bird.
Donald was predeceased by his
parents Marie and William Helmka,
brothers Charles Helmka and sister
Joan Martin.
Visitation was held at the Eaton
Funeral Home, Listowel on Friday,
June 29 from 10 a.m. until the time
of the funeral service and Legion
Memorial Service at 11 a.m.
Interment was in Fairview Cemetery
Listowel.
Memorial donations to the Heart
and Stroke Foundation, Listowel
Memorial Hospital or a charity of
one’s choice would be appreciated.
Online condolences may be left at
www.eatonfuneralhome.ca
DR. JOHN “JACK”
TURNBULL, DVM
Dr. John “Jack” Turnbull, DVM
passed away peacefully in his home
in Seaforth on Thursday, June 28,
2012. He was in his 95th year, born
on June 9, 1918 near Walton.
Jack was the beloved husband of
the late Marion (nee Taylor)
Turnbull and loved father of
daughters Janet (Jim) Papple, RR 4,
Seaforth; Marlene (Hugh) Turnbull-
Mahoney, Fergus and Christine
Murray, London. He was the
cherished grandfather of eight
grandchildren, Jane Kuepfer (J.D.),
Kate Hagerman (Brent), Tyler
Papple (Summer), Laura Spruyt
(Chris), Regan Murray, Lucas
Murray, Jonathan Mahoney and
Janine Mahoney and eight great-
grandchildren, Anna and David
Kuepfer, Avalon, Raven and Devon
Hagerman, Oliver and Lacey Papple
and Marcus Spruyt.
Jack was the dear brother of
Dorothy Lawless and Helen
Habkirk. He was predeceased by his
parents Wilbur and Jennie (nee
McGavin), infant daughter, brother
Bill Turnbull (Marie), in-laws Doug
Lawless, George Habkirk,
Sylvia McCrae (Clare) and Don
Murray.
John was a graduate of the
University of Guelph Ontario
Veterinary College (Class of ’41).
He was a dedicated practitioner for
over 35 years in the Huron County
area and a mentor to many young
veterinarians. A very active
community member, Jack was
dedicated to the activities of the
Seaforth Lions Club for 65 years and
served on numerous community
boards, including the Northside
United Church, Seaforth Town
Council and the Seaforth Hospital.
John had a wonderful sense of
humour and was an endless worker
in everything he did.
In recent years, he enjoyed helping
others, tinkering around his home,
socializing in the community and
viewing the agricultural countryside.
Than you to the many people in the
Seaforth community for being so
kind and helping him to live a long
and full life.
Visitation was held at McGlynn
Family Funeral Home, Seaforth, on
Monday, July 2 (with a Lions Club
service held that evening). The
funeral service to celebrate John’s
life was held on Tuesday, July 3.
Interment took place at Maitland
Bank Cemetery in Seaforth.
Memorial donations to Seaforth
Lions Club Park and Pool or St.
Joseph’s Health Care Foundation
Ivey Eye Institute would be
appreciated.
Visit John’s memorial at
www.mcglynnfamilyfuneral
home.com
DAVID JAMES MATHESON
Mr. David James Matheson of RR
1, Listowel, passed away at
Huronlea Home for the Aged,
Brussels on Tuesday, June 26, 2012.
He was in his 85th year.
David was the beloved husband of
the late Muriel Colleen Matheson
(Josling) for 55 years and the dear
father of Donna and Jim Snider and
Mark and Janice Matheson, all of
RR 1, Listowel. He was the loving
grandfather of Jason and Alyssa
Snider, Kelli and Chris Di Carlo,
Lisa and Joe Neves, Laura
Matheson, Jonathon Matheson and
friend Cheryl Cox and the great-
grandfather of Ashlynn Snider and
Marius Di Carlo.
David was the brother of Marion
and John Pring of Rockwood and
brother-in-law of Doris Matheson of
Molesworth and June and Jack
Philips of London. He will also be
remembered by many nieces and
nephews.
David was predeceased by his
parents John and Annie Matheson,
brother Gordon Matheson and
brother-in-law Gary Josling.
David was born in Orillia and
raised near Molesworth. David and
Muriel farmed on Highway 86 east
of Molesworth after their marriage
in 1953. They developed College
Corner Ayshires and were active
dairy farmers, and in 1976 they built
and opened College Corner Gifts
and Crafts. He worked behind the
scenes aiding in building and
making many wood pieces to be sold
in the store. His hobbies were
building and fixing farm machinery
and being an avid CB enthusiast.
Visitation was held at the Eaton
Funeral Home, Listowel on
Wednesday. The funeral service was
held on Thursday, June 28 at 11 a.m.
Interment was in Molesworth
Cemetery.
Memorial donations to St.
Andrew’s Presbyterian Church,
Molesworth or the Parkinson
Society would be appreciated.
Online condolences may be left at
www.eatonfuneralhome.ca
Londesborough-area resident
Darrell Bergsma was surprised
when he received a letter from
Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson
regarding his nomination and
being named a winner of the
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
award.
“I figured it would be voting
information or something or a bill,”
he said of the letter he received in
the mail. “I was surprised to see
what it was.”
Bergsma has spent several years
working in the area with different
groups and events throughout Huron
County including the Seaforth
Fair Board and many 4-H
organizations.
“I’ve been volunteering through
the local 4-H organizations since I
was 23, so eight years ago,” he said.
“I was a member for 12 years before
that.”
Bergsma has, over the past eight
years, headed 11 4-H swine clubs,
been a member of the Conservative
Club, he is currently leading another
swine club and is the Provincial
Champion for 4-H Ontario which
carries some unique responsibilities
this year.
“Next year will be the 100th
anniversary for 4-H Canada and the
anniversary meeting will be held inManitoba where the first 4-H Clubwas started,” he said. “It’s going tobe a year-long party next year and
we’re looking for submissions
from alumni and past members
regarding their history as well
as any memorabilia people can
find.”
Bergsma started in 4-H a bit
reluctantly, following his brothers
and sister into the organization
despite not really wanting to be
involved, but after his first
endeavours with the rural
organization, he was hooked.
“I was a member every year until I
went to college and when I
came back after I became a
volunteer and a leader in the group,”
he said.
Through his 4-H activities,
Bergsma found himself becoming
more involved in the community and
he eventually branched out to theSeaforth Fair Board. “I’ve been on the Seaforth FairBoard for six or seven years,” he
said. “Our 4-H groups present and
compete there and that’s how I got
involved.”
The board meets monthly to plan
for the upcoming fair and handles
finances and planning, just like any
other board does according to
Bergsma.
He has also found himself
coaching broomball in Blyth and
baseball in Londesborough.
The sports, like his time with 4-H,
has roots in his enjoyment of
working with kids.
“I really like working with the
kids,” he said. “I like seeing how
they react when they learn things
and overcome challenges and I like
seeing them enjoying the sports and
activities they are in.”
North St. West, Wingham
Mac & Donna Anderson
519-357-1910
A cemetery is a history of
people, a perpetual record of
yesterday and a sanctuary of
peace and quiet today. A
cemetery exists because every
life is worth loving and
remembering - always
Distinctive Memorials of
Lasting Satisfaction
BOX 158 WINGHAM ONT NOG 2W0
Obituaries
See histories and historic
photographs on the
Huron History section
of our website
www.northhuron.on.ca
The Citizen
By Denny ScottThe Citizen
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