ARCHIBALD
Frederick Everett Archibald was born on January 23, 1921 at Wheatland, Manitoba and passed away on July 17, 2010 in the Ponoka Centennial Centre at the age of 89 and 1/2 years. As a teenager, Fred moved to Alberta to work after which he joined the Canadian Armed Forces and served in the Royal Canadian Engineer Corps from 1939 - 1945. After returning from the war, he worked on the farm of Bill and Nettie Ardley at Tees, Alberta, where he met and married his sweetheart, Ruth Ardley, on October 27, 1948. Fred, Ruth and infant Merrigold moved to the farm south of Stettler (northeast of Fenn) in 1950. In the next nine years, Miriam, Mark, Myra and Murray were born and the five children all became Christians in their early years. Ruth passed away on October 13, 1986. Fred married Kathy Schmidt on July 2, 1988. Kathy passed away in 2009. Fred farmed for a few more years north of Stettler. In later years, Fred was well cared for at the Stettler Willow Creek Lodge, Rimbey and Lacombe Long-Term Facilities and due to increasing dementia, spent the last four years at the Ponoka Centennial Centre. He liked sharing his sense of humor with family, friends and neighbors. Fred enjoyed working on the farm, sports, dogs and especially music. He knew the words to hundreds of old songs and hymns. Fred was a life long member of the Stettler Baptist Church. He accepted the Lord as his Savior at Prairie Bible Institute in the spring of 1948. In his last hours, he said he saw both sides, and then he saw Jesus' face. His final words were "I'll see you on the other side." Fred is lovingly remembered by his three daughters: Merrigold Long, Miriam (John) Hebron and Myra Sieben; his two sons Mark (Marlane) Archibald and Murray (Marta) Archibald; his sons in law David Long and Richard Sieben. Fred was "Papa" to eleven grandchildren and one great grandson: Jeannette (Shane) Lawrence, Jonathan (Melina) Long and their son Colton Everett, Jolene Long, Barbie Hebron (fiancé Richard), Mindy (Joshua) Ogden, Tim (Michelle) Archibald, Amanda and Matthew Archibald, Emily Sieben, Bradley and Calvin Archibald. He is survived by his brother James Archibald of Saskatoon and sister in law Dorothy (Gordon) Archibald of Sydney, BC. He was predeceased by his wife Ruthie; his brothers George, Gordon and John Archibald and his niece Lynn (Archibald) Fehr. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 from the Heartland Chapel of Stettler Funeral Home with Dr. Bernie Smith officiating. Pallbearers were Fred's grandsons and John Clark. If friends desire memorial donations may be made to the Centennial Centre, Ponoka c/o Stettler Funeral Home, Box 1780, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0
"Going Home" symbolizes the end of a life of faith showing one bird leaving the flock and "Going Home" to its everlasting reward. Those who remain, do so with the peace of mind that their loved one is now forever secure in God's care." Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium entrusted with the care and arrangements.