Obituary of Gary Wayne Barkman

Gary Wayne Barkman; husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa, was bornJune 3, 1951, at Three Hills, AB, to Ben and Annie Barkman. He peacefullypassed to his heavenly home on August 10, 2021.

Gary took his schooling at Dr. Elliott School in Linden, AB. He gave his heartto God at an early age and was baptized, becoming a member of the Church ofGod in Christ Mennonite. Gary was always concerned we would all make it toHeaven. Going to church was important to him, even when he was so tiredand sick. He was an only child and diligently prayed for a sibling until hiscousin Gerald Wiebe came to live with them. He found fulfilment workingwith his parents in their store, Barkman’s General Store, and grain farmingwith his dad, which he continued to do following his father’s death.

He married me, Sandra Toews, the love of his life, on October 20, 1972. Wespent 49 remarkable years together. We enjoyed playing games and spendingtime outdoors together as a family. Because he had no brothers or sisters, hischildren and grandchildren were doubly important to him.

Being on time was key in his life. He enjoyed his years volunteering with theambulance, and also his 15 years as administrator at the Linden NursingHome. He started his career as funeral director in Linden in 1993 andcontinued in Westlock after moving there. Another job which pleased hispeople-loving nature, was his shared ownership of a grocery store in Linden.He loved singing, out in the field at the top of his lungs, or belting out quartetswith his friends.

A noteworthy memory for our mom is the couple years they spent togetherwhile trucking, delivering loads throughout Canada and USA. The years theyspent at Eastgate Children’s Home in Winnipeg, MB, and the unit at AnnArbor, Michigan, were highlights of their lives.
They moved to Westlock, AB in 2012 and happily became Papa Gary andMama Sandra in the young congregation. Gary loved humour and tellingstories and easily made friends wherever he went.

Left behind with wonderful memories are his wife Sandra, and children;Marlys & David Reimer, Kara & Lonny Goossen, Brandon and Alayna, Brett &Autumn, Kayla, Todd; Mike & Anne, Amber, Laci, Jenna; Lester & Nellie,Ashley, Jessica, Courtney; Lynn & Rawlin James, Nicholas, Caleb, Emery,Desirae.

Sandra’s siblings; Pauline & Gladwin Loewen, Richard & Pat, Eva & LyleUnruh, Rosanne & Alvin Dutchak, Victor & Fern, Kevin & Twila, Bill &Penny.

Also cherishing fond memories are Gerald’s children; Gordon, Vickie, Ross,Jack, and Warren and their families, plus many more nieces and nephews andfriends, and all the unit girls who called him Papa.

Gone before are his parents, Ben & Annie Barkman, his parents in-law, Willie& Emmeline Toews, Gerald & MaryAnne, granddaughter Michelle, brotherin-law Edric, and sister in-law Eldonna.