EHLERS, Charles Hugh passed away on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at Bastion Place in Salmon Arm. He is predeceased by his brother John Ehlers and survived by his wife Shirley, daughters Brenda (John) Rogers and Diane (John) Fleming, son Glenn (Lydia), six grandchildren: Steven, Daniel, Ferne, Kristi, Jessica, Brent, two great grandchildren, Sebastien and Nikela as well as his sister Kathleen Magee of Saltspring Island.
Hugh was born in Salmon Arm in 1919. On leaving school, Hugh worked at S.A.F.E. Hardware store in Salmon Arm. In 1939 he joined the Rocky Mountain Rangers. In 1940 he joined the British Columbia Dragoons, 9th Armoured Regiment of the Canadian Army. He served overseas in WWII in England, North Africa, Italy, Belgium and Holland. King George V presented Hugh with a military medal for bravery in the field during the Italian campaign.
In 1947 Hugh married Shirley Schubert. They moved to Kamloops in 1950 where their three children were born. He spent 30 years in Kamloops where he worked as a carpenter contractor.
In 1970, Hugh and Shirley purchased the Enchanted Forest near Revelstoke which they operated for nine years. They retired to Shuswap Lake Estates in 1980. When Hugh’s health began to fail, Hugh and Shirley moved to Salmon Arm.
Hugh lived a full life, enjoying many activities. He was an artist (painting, wood carvings), nature lover, avid fisherman, sportsman (lacrosse as a youth, curling, golf, biking, hiking, skiing), and loved to travel with Shirley.
Hugh cherished his family: his wife Shirley of 61 years, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all.
Hugh’s last two years were spent at Bastion Place. The family wishes to thank the staff for their loving attentive care to Hugh and his family during this time.
A memorial service and reception was held on Saturday, February 9th, 2008 at Fischer’s Funeral Services at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Dan MacQuarrie officiating. Legion Honours were presented by Branch #62. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes in memory of Hugh may be made to the Parkinsons Society of BC, 600 890 W. Pender St., Vancouver, BC, V6C 1V9 or Bastion Place, Box 1990, Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 4P9.
Arrangements entrusted to FISCHER’S FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORIUM LTD., Salmon Arm, (250) 833-1129, fischers@sunwave.net.