SCHWARTZ: Raymond Stephen
March 20, 1921 - September 18, 2014
The death of Mr. Raymond Schwartz of Watson, SK, (and formerly of Englefeld, SK), occurred at Quill Plains Centennial Lodge, Watson, on Thursday, September 18, 2014 at the age of 93 years. Ray was born on the homestead at Englefeld to Jacob and Susan (nee Raskob) Schwartz on March 20, 1921. He attended Greenside School, leaving early to work at home and on neighbors' farms. He worked for Jean Hubert for six months, and also stooked for Fred Breker Sr. for two falls. He also worked for two summers at Wallace Hansen's until he joined the army in November of 1942. He was drafted to St. John, NB for a year in the artillery. On July 13, 1944, he married Betty Walton, and after the wedding, they made the arduous trip of four nights and five days by train day coach to St. John, where Ray was put into intensive training at once. Ray was sent to Aldershot, England, and from there joined his Regina Rifles Regiment in action by October, 1944, at the Leopold Canal where there were heavy casualties and he was slightly wounded. After three weeks, he was in action again at the Belgium-Holland border where he was seriously wounded and sent to hospital in England. He was classified as unfit for active service and worked in an army office until his discharge in March, 1946. He returned to Englefeld where they took up residence in the Schillings home, and looked after eight cows and four horses until they were able to start farming in the Diamond Willow School district. Ray and Betty were blessed with nine children, Theresa, Hugh, Gerald, Daniel, Doreen, Ken, Anne, Corlene and Dale. Ray served many years on the Credit Union and church boards, was also on the Recreation Board, and volunteered many hours in building the present rink. He belonged to the Royal Canadian Legion, was a Sask Wheat Board member, worked diligently for the National Farmers Union, and was a trustee on the Diamond Willow School Board. Ray was instrumental in getting local rural districts, after they were closed, incorporated into Englefeld, so their trustees could vote. In Ray and Betty's retirement years, they frequently went travelling and camping. They were very dedicated to their faith and to the church which was very important to them. In 2013, after Betty's death, he moved from the farm to Quill Plains Centennial Lodge. Raymond is survived by his children: Hugh Schwartz (Joanne Plag), Daniel (Betty) Schwartz, Doreen (Daryl) Ehlert, Ken (Feng) Schwartz, Anne Hornbeck, Corlene (Tim) Carnegie, and Dale Schwartz; son-in-law, Don Wacholtz; 25 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren; siblings: Alois Schwartz, Marie (Norman) Painter, and Louise Knafelc; in-laws: Barbara Walton, David (Sheila) Walton, and Robert Glover; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Betty (nee Walton) Schwartz; son, Gerald Schwartz; daughter, Theresa Wacholtz; parents, Jacob and Susan (nee Raskob) Schwartz; siblings: Helen (Joe) Zimmer, Clara Schwartz, Lawrence (Joan) Schwartz, Arthur Schwartz and Willie Schwartz; brother-in-law, Stanley Knafelc; and by sister-in-law, Evelyn Schwartz. The Prayer Service for Raymond was held at Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church, Englefeld, on Thursday, September 25, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. presided by Marie ven der Buhs and Patsy Knafelc. Scripture readers were Sylvia Robillard and Karen Griller and the eulogy was delivered by Doreen Ehlert. Music ministry was provided by organist Sandra Athmer and the Holy Guardian Angels Parish Choir. The Funeral Mass was offered at Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church on Friday, September 26, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. celebrated by Fr. Darryl Millette. Others taking part were: Ryan Noble, crossbearer; Lisa Stead and Lois Branscombe, scripture readers; Val Noble, intentions; Jen Schwartz and Michelle Thompson, giftbearers; Sonya Block, Shauna Griller, Tessaka Finlayson and Savana Finlayson, memorial table attendants. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Ray's life". Active pallbearers were Marc Schwartz, David Schwartz, Murray Wacholtz, Jody Ehlert, Giles Stanton, Darren Ehlert. Interment followed at Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Cemetery, Englefeld. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Quill Plains Centennial Garden Fund or to the Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Cemetery Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
