A. LYLE MCCUTCHEON -

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A. LYLE MCCUTCHEON 1904 - 2002 On June 2, 2002, after a full and productive life, Lyle McCutcheon left this world at the age of 98. His father Robert, a pioneer of the Homewood district, began farming in 1901. His mother was the former Almira Clark. The family celebrated 100 years of continuous operation of the land last year. Lyle was an industrious and innovative farmer pioneering many developments in farming practices. He bought a combine when harvesting by threshing machine was the common practice. His concern for soil conservation motivated him to plant three and a half miles of field shelterbelts in the early 1950s. He grew specialty crops such as bromegrass, crested wheat grass and sugar beets. Lyle grew pedigree seed and was named a "Robertson Associate" by the Canadian Seed Growers Association in 1972. Farming was his consuming passion and his last words were "Are you done seeding?" At Homewood United Church, he served as Elder and Treasurer of the Sunday School and he was a strong supporter of Missions and the Bible Society. He took an active role in the building of the Homewood Curling Rink and served on the building committee of the Boyne Lodge Seniors Residence. Lyle married a young school teacher by the name of Mildred Pritchard in 1928. Last December, they celebrated 73 years of devotion to each other. Together they raised six children, Arnold (Ilace Waldner), Joyce (Fred Van Koughnet), Marion (Fraser Muldrew), Jim (Frances Kingdon), Deanna (Wilf Mutcher), and David. His only brother Sheldon lives at Carman, MB and remaining sister Edith Hannah in Vineland, ON. He was predeceased by his sister Verna Collier in 1985. Lyle was laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery on June 4. The bearers were his children, Joyce, Marion, Jim, Deanna, David and his nephew Shawn McCutcheon. Following interment, a service of remembrance was held at 11:00 a.m. at Carman United Church. The symbols used were: the flame for eternal life, a blossoming apple tree for his passion for growth, a hoe with his straw hat for toil and industry, and an arrangement of grains, flowers and apples for the fruits of his toil. Two of the grandchildren, Colleen Reimer and Brent Van Koughnet gave words of remembrance. He is survived by his wife Mildred, his brother Sheldon, his sister Edith, his six children, 18 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 14, 2002