ARTHUR MEECHES

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ARTHUR MEECHES Peacefully and surrounded by love, Arthur Meeches of Long Plain passed away at the age of 70 years at the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre on Sunday, December 7, 2003. Arthur was born February 19, 1933 at Long Plain to the late Archie and Jean Meeches. He attended the Indian Residential School in Brandon, MB and later graduated from the Red River Community College in Winnipeg, MB. Arthur signed up for military service. He served in Korea from 1951 to 1952 with the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantrys Air Borne Unit. He was honourably discharged as a private in 1954. Because of his participation in the war, he was asked to teach survival training to high school students and cadets in Portage, Winnipeg and British Columbia from 1962-1963. He then spent five years working for the Department of Indian Affairs (The Pas District). He was the first aboriginal to work as an Indian Agent in Manitoba. He held many and varied positions in his lifes employment. Most noted as a bookkeeper. He was fortunate enough to have worked as a Band Administrator for both Long Plain and Dakota Plains. "Uncle Art" as he was often called was known for his generosity and good humour. He spent many hours looking after his yard and doing odd jobs. He was predeceased by parents, Archie and Jean; his siblings, Louisa, Robert, Edward and Gilbert; his wife Dorothy; daughters, (baby girl) Mildred, Mavis and Janice; and grandson Nathaniel. Left to mourn his passing are sister Daisy; brother Wallace (Evelyn) his children, Robert, Cynthia, Brent (Tina), Jamie (Lesley) and Cathy-Kit-Kat. Also his second wife Brenda Myran mother of his children, Carolyn (Jason), Naomi, and Amanda (Farrell). He was the grandfather of 17 and the great-grandfather of two. He will be missed by many friends and relatives. Wake will be held on Thursday, December 11, at Long Plain Spirit Lodge at 6:00 p.m. with funeral service on Friday, December 12 at 1:30 p.m. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Art by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements. 857-4021. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 11, 2003