KEETON
Mr. Darwin Orle Keeton of Rimbey, Alberta passed away in the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre on Saturday, January 8, 2005 at the age of 83 years.
Darwin was born on January 18, 1921 on his father's homestead at Paddockwood, Saskatchewan. His parents moved to the United States when Darwin was about three years old and he received his early education in San Dimas, California. The family returned to Saskatchewan in 1931 where Darwin received the rest of his schooling, taking grade nine by correspondence.
Darwin joined the Regina Rifle Regiment in Prince Albert in June of 1940 and took his basic training at Dundurn, Saskatchewan. The regiment moved to Delbert, Nova Scotia in the spring of 1941 and were the first regular troops stationed there. Conditions were quite primitive at that time. Washing water came from a spring some distance away and the regiment cleared the brush and rocks from their parade square. Motorized equipment was finally obtained and training continued until the regiment moved to England in 1942. In 1943 Darwin was transferred to the Canadian Provost Corp. and landed in France with them on D. Day.
Predeceased by his parents, Orle and Bonnie Keeton, Darwin is survived by his loving wife Florence of Rimbey, step son; Donald (Charlene) Morphy of Kamloops, British Columbia, step daughter; Lorna (Gerry) Knelsen of Blackfalds, Alberta, two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Darwin will be forever missed and lovingly remembered by Flo, Lorna, Donald, families and friends.
Funeral services were held from the Anglican Church of The Epiphany in Rimbey, Alberta on Thursday January 13, 2005 at 1:00 pm with Reverend Betty Piwowar officiating. Interment followed in the West Haven cemetery.
If friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Bluffton Royal Canadian Legion Memorial Fund, PO Box 551 Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at wfch@telusplanet.net.
Wilson's Funeral Chapel serving Central Alberta with locations in Rimbey and Lacombe in charge of the arrangements. Phone: (403) 843-3388 or (403) 782-3366
A Caring Family, Caring for Families