COLBY Grave Stones

COLBY, Frank: 1869 - February 16, 1935

Frank Colby
   Pay Last Respect To Much-Loved East-End Pioneer
   All that was mortal of Frank Colby, one of the pioneers of the Bezanson district, was laid to rest on Thursday, February 16.
   A crowd that packed the Glen Leslie Church attended the funeral services to pay their last respects to one who had done his part in development of the community.
   Rev R. Simons of Sexsmith, who officiated said he personally did not know Mr. Colby, but had been told that he bore the respect of everyone who new him.
   The majority of those who attended the services followed the remains to Glen Leslie cemetery, where interment took place.
   The following floral tributes were noted: Wreaths from the Oldtimers, also wreaths from Mrs. T. Massee, Mrs. L. J. Nellis, Mr. and Mrs. Irving Robideau, Mr. and Mrs. J. Morton, Roy Robideau and family, Mrs Mabel Whalen: cross of flowers from Miss Hattie Robideau.
   The following were the pall-bearers; Lawrence and Miran Parrish, Morris Stewart, Cecil Allen, Lester Johnson, and Oliver Menard.
   Mr. Colby and his family come from New York state to western Canada in 1906, settling in the Wetaskiwin district. In 1914 they moved to the Bezanson district, coming in over the Edson Trail.
   Of a genial disposition, Mr. Colby was a general favorite in the community. He was charitable and hospitable to a fault and his home was always open to friends and strangers alike. An oldtimer summed up the character of the man when he said: "There never was a better-hearted man than Frank Colby."
   Mr. Colby was not only a good farmer but also a clever mechanic.
   Of latter years Mr. and Mrs. Colby lived with their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dewhirst.
   Mr. and Mrs. Colby had planned to celebrate their golden wedding next May.
   The following are left to mourn their loss, wife; a son, George, living at Lindale, Alberta, and Mrs. Fred Dewhirst.
March 12. 1933 - Northern Tribune

Block 39, Lot 3 & Block 39, Lot 4

The following are on this page as the Wife’s Maiden name or previous married name belongs on this page.

Often the husbands details are included.

DEWHIRST, Ida: 1892 - 1946{Also on  Dewhirst stone page}

Ida Dewhirst
  
Old Timer Passes Away At Bezanson

  
Residents of the Bezanson district received a shock when they heard of the death of one of their most highly respected residents.
   Mrs. Fred Dewhirst, on Tuesday, April 16, after a very short illness.
   She was 54 years old. Born in Michigan, she came to Canada in 1906 with her parents, who settled in Wetaskiwin, after two years the family moved to Edmonton. She attended Calgary Normal and received her B.A. at the Alberta University. She taught the first organized school at Bezanson from 1916 to 1921, coming over the Edson Trail with her parents in 1915.
   Of a genial disposition and kind hearted, she carried on with the old tradition of her parents with the ever open door for friends and strangers a-like of whom there were many.
   The funeral service was held in the Glen Leslie church and burial took place in the Glen Leslie cemetery on Saturday, April 20, where a very large number of friends attended to pay their last respects. This coupled with the many beautiful floral tributes attested to the high esteem in which Mrs. Dewhirst was held.
   The Rev. Canon A. Lord, Grande Prairie, who conducted the service, spoke with deep feeling of the life of the deceased.
   The hymns sung, favorites of Mrs. Dewhirst were; "Rock of Ages," "Nearer My God to Thee," and "Abide With Me."
   Those left to mourn the loss are: husband and two uncles living in the State of New York.
   Pallbearers; L.J. Nellis, S. Hunter, Erving and Roy Robideau, W. Olson and Rex Patterson.

 Ida Colby married Fred Dewhirst in 1920

Block 39, Lot 2

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