Garth Allan

Garth was predeceased by his parents John and Pearl; his in-laws Richard and Agnes Blackburn;

brother-in-law Delbert Blackburn and niece Taelynn Blackburn.

He leaves to mourn his wife of 47 years, Donna and three sons: Bradley, his four children Samantha, Brooke, Natalie and Brandon as well as their mother Marianne; John Richard (Mallory) and their daughter Charlotte; Jeffrey (Sharri) and their two boys Owen and Anders; brother Raymond Allan (Ruth); sister Ruby Silversides (Roy); sister Melva Allan Evans (Reg); three aunts: Lucille Kent, Norma Allan and Mary Thomas; brothers-in-law Donald Blackburn, Doug Blackburn, Dean Blackburn (Sherri) and Dickie Blackburn (Nicole);sister-in-law Darlene Bisson (Lawrence) as well several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Garth was held in the Corning Community Hall on Saturday, September 30 at 2:00 pm. Interment followed in the Graytown Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Garth may be made to The Lung Association of Saskatchewan, 1231 8th Street East, Saskatoon, SK S7H 0S5.

The eulogy for Garth was prepared and delivered by his sister in law Ruth Allan.

Good afternoon.

On behalf of Donna and her family, Raymond, Ruby, Melva and their

families, we would like to thank everyone for coming this afternoon to

share in the celebration of life for Garth. We also thank those watching

online.

Thank you for the honour of being asked to share Garth's story with you.

Garth was born at Arcola Hospital on July 18,1950. He came home to

two siblings and didn't take Iong to catch up to them. Life was an

adventure for Garth, full of fun and mischief.

Raymond talks about him riding his pig over to the neighbours, and when

the pig wanted him off of his back, he would just walk under the grain

truck.

When Garth was 12, he had a 4-H steer and in order to get oats to feed it

he climbed the ladder on the outside of the bin, threw the pail in and

jumped in on top of the oats, and then used the ladder on the inside to

exit. Well, unbeknown to Garth his dad had removed the oats and he

jumped 15 feet to a concrete floor. Raymond said the painful part was

climbing the ladder to get out as he had hurt his ankle. Lila Willis (nee Smith)

messaged me that her mom had written about this

incident in her journal. lt happened on March 22,1962. He graduated

from a pig to his 4-H steer, which he saddled, to a pony, and a

motorcycle. On one occasion he thought he would run away from home

but he only had his swimming trunks on so his mom let him get as far as

King's Ravine before she picked him up.

Melva, the younger sister talks about catching Garth and their cousin

Andrew out behind the long bin smoking. She told him if he gave her a

drag she wouldn't tell their mom, so he did, and the first thing she did

was tell Mom, and then they were in trouble. I have heard so many

stories about his formative years that I am surprised that he made it to

adulthood, but he did.

Garth graduated from Stoughton High School in 1969. That was the year

that there was a lack of teachers for Grades 11 and 12 in Corning and we

had to go our separate ways. That had no bearing on the bond that our

class had and still maintains to this day.

Garth attended the College of Agriculture at the University of

Saskatchewan for two years earning his diploma in Agriculture. During

this time Raymond and Garth purchased 6 quarters of land from

Raymond Mills. The brothers made a deal. Garth said that the first one

married got the house. Believe me, at that time it was no prize, but with

hard work and determination, I am glad that it is ours. Although, I did get.

rid of the house.

Their next purchase was the McLeod farm, and Roy and

Ruby moved home to help. After a number of years Garth decided to

farm with his dad. The year that Grandpa turned 80 was the last time he

ran the air seeder, and then Garth farmed with his son, John Richard until

his health became paramount in his life.

I have not forgotten Donna's role in Garth's life. Garth and Donna were

married on November 1,1975 in Creelman which was Donna's

hometown. They lived in Stoughton until after Bradley was born and then

moved to the farm, which is where John Richard and Jeffrey were born.

Garth always said that being a dad was his favourite job. A new house

appeared in 1983. Garth and Donna loved to travel, mostly to warmer

climates, and quite often in later years in the company of Norman and

Mary Jane Gentes. Such good memories, I am sure!

They also acquired seven grandchildren and loved to attend all their events and stay abreast

of their lives. Grandchildren are such a joy!

Garth served as a councillor for the RM of Golden west from 1997 until

2003. He was Reeve from 2003 until 2012. He was also a Legion member

and on the board of directors for the UGG. Garth loved farming, playing

softball, curling, and travel. He also acquired his pilot's license and

actively flew for a number of years. When he developed COPD that

curtailed a lot of his activities. I admire the strength and love that Garth

and Donna have shared during the last few years as they have had to

focus on their health. They supported each other with dignity and grace,

always giving each other their best. lt is not an easy journey and when

you are both struggling, it is made more difficult.

On Wednesday, September 20th in early morning, God gave Garth his wings and I

think Donna said it best, "Now he can breathe"

Peace be with you. God's sheltering arms will always be there for you,

offering the comfort of His gentle love and the refuge of His tender care.

Ruth Allan,

Sister-in-law.