Obituary of Merle Reed
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Merle William Reed of Bashaw, Alberta, formerly of Camrose, passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2015 at the age of 86 years.
Merle was born on December 12, 1929 in Oberlin, Alberta to Jessie (Peggy) and Luther Reed. He graduated from high school in Sedgewick and then entered the Canadian Navy as the ship's radio operator. On September 22, 1952 he married his childhood sweetheart, Ellen Catherine Marie Losness, in a full military marriage and they settled in Aldergrove, BC where they welcomed their first son Douglas into the world.
Shortly after this, Merle failed his hearing test and could no longer be the ship's radio officer and was subsequently given an honorable discharge from the Navy. Merle and Ellen then packed up and moved back to Lougheed. Merle then spent a few years working at the Lougheed Post Office and also held the position of Town Constable. Another two children, William and Laurie, were added to the brood during this time.
The family was then relocated to Calgary where Merle went to work at Canadian Freightways and commenced his truck driving career. In 1967, the family returned home from visiting relatives at Easter to discover the family home had been consumed by fire. The family was relocated to Camrose and Merle resumed his truck driving career with Highway 13 Transport and Ellen continued her nursing career. Merle then left his truck driving career and started working at the Northern Alberta Dairy Pool. After a few years he got a position at Rosehaven as a custodian where he worked until his retirement.
Merle was predeceased by his parents, Peggy and Luther Reed, his beloved wife Ellen, his brother Ivan, and his eldest son Douglas. He is survived by his sister Bunny (Ron) Felgate, his son William (Gale), his daughter, Laurie (Kevin) Lalonde, three grandchildren, Caleb, Levi and David, brother-in-law Einar (Sonny) and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2015 at 1 pm from the Burgar Memorial Chapel with Rev. Brian Hunter officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Lougheed.
If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the charity of one's choice.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Merle
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Burgar Funeral Home Camrose Ltd.
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In Loving Memory
Merle Reed
1929 - 2015
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