EDWIN ELDON CHEATER

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EDWIN ELDON CHEATER Peacefully on Saturday, September 28, 2002 at Deer Lodge Centre in Winnipeg, MB, Eldon Cheater passed away at the age of 81 years. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Molly; his five sons, Brent, Glenn, Bryan, Bill and Terry and their families; including 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his mother (Opal), his father (Jack), his sister (Audrey Wilkinson) and his brother (Mac). In keeping with his wishes a memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 2 at St. Bedes Anglican Church, 99 Turner Ave., at 1:00 p.m., with Rev. Jamie Howison officiating. Eldon was born on December 29, 1920 in Virden, MB. His parents separated when he was a young boy and he never saw his father again. His mother returned to teaching but could not work and look after three children in those difficult times. Eldon and Mac were placed in the care of their mothers brother and sister-in-law (Neil and Ada Muir) and grew up on Tiree Farm north of High Bluff, MB. In 1941 Eldon and Mac joined the 37th Field Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery. Eldon was severely wounded in an explosion on the artillery training range at Petawawa, ON. During his lengthy convalescence, he was a patient in Deer Lodge Hospital (then a military hospital). Eldon was honourably discharged from the Canadian Army on November 21, 1941. After graduating from Portage Collegiate Institute in 1939 and prior to his joining the army, Eldon worked as a carpenter, assisted his grandfather (an insurance adjuster) and laboured on the family farm. After his discharge, he married Winnifred Mary (Molly) Walker on August 12, 1944 at St. Marys Church in Portage la Prairie. He was employed by McCabes Grain and Victory Feeds in Portage and Manitoba Telephone System in Portage and Winnipeg. Eldon considered the raising of five sons, each of them successful in a different field and with children of their own, to be his most noteworthy achievement in life. Eldons family believes that overcoming the loss of his father at a young age, and living a full and productive life after surviving a life-threatening injury and permanent disability, were also major accomplishments. Eldon was a past member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Masonic Lodge in Portage and a 60-year member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Until his stroke, he was an active member of St. Bedes Church, Winnipeg. Eldon was a reliable individual who asked little from others but was always ready to help his family, his friends and his neighbours. He was honest, hardworking, self-reliant, generous, and compassionate. He was a man of integrity and good humour. His wife and sons gratefully acknowledge Deer Lodge Centre (especially the staff of T5) and his many friends for their love and support during his residency there. The family very much appreciates their compassion and caring. As expressions of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, friends may make donations in Eldons memory to St. Bedes Church, Deer Lodge Centre Foundation, Childrens Hospital Foundation of Manitoba Inc. or to a charity of their choice. Neil Bardal Inc. is in charge of arrangements (phone 204-949-2200 for further information). "Im going there to meet my mother/ She said shed meet me when I come/ Im only going over Jordan/ Im only going over home"

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 02, 2002