5.7.2.3. Elmer J. Hunter (1911-2003)

Elmer James Hunter (1911 ~ 2003)

5.7.2.3. Third child of Mary Jane Ferguson and James Hunter, Elmer James Hunter, was born May 10, 1911, in W. Luther Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario.

He married Beatrice Alberta Ridsdale, daughter of Samuel Alexander Ridsdale and Olive Watson, June 5, 1935, Arthur, Ontario and had two children:

(5.7.2.3.1) Olive Eileen (1936 ~ )
(5.7.2.3.2) Marilyn Ivadel (1944 ~ )

Elmer J. Hunter died March 18, 2003, aged 91 years, in Guelph, Ontario, and Beatrice A. Ridsdale Hunter died March 10, 2012, aged 97 years in Fergus, Ontario and are interred at Mount Forest Cemetery.

----- MARRIAGE -----

Hunter—Ridsdale

At. St. Andrew’s Manse, Arthur, on June 5, 1935, by Rev. A. W. K. Herdman, Beatrice Alberta Ridsdale to Elmer J. Hunter, both of Conn, Ontario. Mount Forest Confederate, June 13, 1935.

----- OBITUARIES -----

Elmer J. Hunter

Elmer James Hunter (formerly of Mount Forest), passed away peacefully at the Guelph General Hospital, Tuesday, March 18, 2003, in his 92nd year. Beloved husband of Beatrice (nee Ridsdale) for 67 years (68 years June 5, 2003). Loved father of Eileen and husband Robert Renton of Guelph and Marilyn and husband Arnold Rae of Fergus. Proud grandpa and great grandpa of Deborah and husband Neil Pegg and their children Alex, Erin and Michelle of Darmouth, N.S., Rob Renton and wife Stephanie Strand of Guelph, Kathryn and husband Dan Constable and their children Courtney and Jonathan of Winnipeg, MB, Susan and husband Steve Aram and their children Dustin, Kyle, Blake and Luke of Guelph, Jeff Rae and wife Melanie of Chilliwack, B.C., and Sherri and husband Ron Martin and their daughter Shae Lyn of Kitchener. Brother-in-law of Elizabeth Hunter of Grand Valley. Predeceased by his parents James and Mary (Ferguson) Hunter, sisters Edith Hunter and Viola Bilton and brothers Roy, Harvey and Albert Hunter. Friends will be received at the Wall-Custance Funeral Home & Chapel, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, Wednesday (2-4 & 7-9 p.m.). Funeral service will be held at Westminster-St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 206 Victoria Rd. N., Guelph, Thursday, March 20, 2003, at 2:00 p.m., with the Rev. Herb Gale officiating. Private spring interment Mount Forest Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to the Westminster-St. Paul’s Building Fund, 206 Victoria Rd. N., Guelph, N1E 5H8 would be appreciated, by the family. Mount Forest Confederate, Mar. 19, 2003.

Beatrice A. Ridsdale Hunter

February 15, 1915 ~ March 10, 2012

Passed away at Groves Memorial Hospital on Saturday, March 10, 2012, Beatrice Alberta (nee Ridsdale) Hunter in her 98th year. Beloved wife of the late Elmer James Hunter (2003). Loved mother of Eileen (Robert) Renton of Guelph and Marilyn (Arnold) Rae of Fergus. Cherished grandmother and great-grandmother of Deborah (Neil) Pegg and children Alex, Erin and Michelle of Dartmouth, N.S.; Rob (Stephanie Strand) Renton of Cambridge; Kathryn (Dan) Constable of Anchorage, Alaska and children Courtney and Jonathan of Ottawa; Susan (Steve) Aram and children Dustin, Kyle, Blake and Luke of Guelph; Jeff (Melanie) Rae and son Jacob of Chilliwack, B.C.; Sherri (Ron) Martin and children Shae Lyn and Josh of Kitchener. Beatrice was predeceased by her parents Samuel Ridsdale and Olive Watson; brother and sister-in-law Clarence and Nettie Ridsdale and a sister Velda Lawrence. Family and friends will be received at Westminster - St. Paul's Church, 206 Victoria Rd. N., Guelph on March 16, 2012 one hour prior to the funeral service. Funeral service will follow in the church at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow. Interment Mount Forest Cemetery. Memorial contributions to the Memorial Fund of Westminster - St. Paul's Church would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to the Wall-Custance Funeral Home & Chapel, 519-822-0051 or www.wallcustance.com. A tree will be planted in memory of Beatrice A. Hunter in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest, University of Guelph Arboretum. Dedication service, Sunday, September 16, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. Guelph Mercury, Mar. 12, 2012.

Samuel A. Ridsdale

March 31, 1885 ~ May 21, 1970

Samuel Alexander Ridsdale passed away at the Baker Nursing Home on Thursday, May 21, 1970, after a lengthy illness. He was in his 86th year.

Mr. Ridsdale was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Coulson Ridsdale of West Luther. He farmed on the 12th Concession of West Luther and later moved to Mount Forest in November, 1940. In 1911 he was married to the former Olive Watson, who predeceased him February 1, 1933. He married the former Isabella Graham in November, 1940. She predeceased him in May, 1962.

Surviving are one son, Clarence, Arthur Township; and one daughter, Beatrice, Mrs. Elmer Hunter, Mount Forest. One daughter, Velda, predeceased him in October, 1962. Three brothers, Leslie and Roy both of Mount Forest; and William, Southampton, also survive. Two sisters, Harriet, Mrs. D. Godfrey, and Lillie, Mrs. A. Rimmer, predeceased him. There are six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. One grandson predeceased him in 1957.

The funeral service was held from the Godfrey Schuett Funeral Chapel on Saturday, May 21, with the Rev. Patrick Kerr officiating. Interment was in Mount Forest Cemetery.

The pallbearers were Ivan and Birss Alexander, Ira Small, Cecil Herriot, George Duncan and Lawrence Smith.

The flower bearers were four grandsons, Leslie Ridsdale, Donald MacEachern, Robert Renton and Arnold Rae. Mount Forest Confederate, May 28, 1970.

Olive Watson Ridsdale

March 6, 1890 ~ February 1, 1933

On Wednesday, February 1, 1933, there passed peacefully away at her home, Olive Watson, beloved wife of Samuel Ridsdale, entering into rest after a long illness which she bore with strong Christian patience.

Deceased was born in 1890 at Rockwood, a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Watson and Mrs. Watson and when a child came to Luther with her parents. In 1911, she married Samuel Ridsdale, entering into a life of service showing strong devotion in husband and family.

Besides her sorrowing husband she leaves to mourn her loss two daughters, Velda and Beatrice, one son Clarence, her mother, Mrs. Thomas Watson, of Guelph. Also four sisters, Sarah, Mrs. Joe Bruce of Colbeck; Irene, Mrs. Benjamin Ariss; Violet, Mrs. Bert Robison; Jennie, Mrs. Dick Hammond, all of Guelph; and four brothers, George, of Guelph; Arthur, of Tottenham, John and Edward of East Luther.

The funeral which was largely attended took place Friday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock from the Westcott United Church, Conn, to Mount Forest Cemetery, the Rev. Mr. Wilfong very fittingly conducted the services.

Many and beautiful were the floral tributes including broken wheel from husband and family sprays from Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bruce and family, John and Edward Watson; spray from Westcott United Church; spray from Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Duncan; sheaves of tulips from Mr. and Mrs. George Watson and Mr. and Mrs. Ben Ariss. Others from Mrs. Jessie Hammond and family and Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Bradshaw.

The flower-bearers were four nephews, Victor Bruce, Maurice and Perrin Hammond, Alfred Watson.

Pall-bearers were three brothers, George, John and Edward, three brothers-in-law, Joe Bruce, Bert Robison and Leslie Ridsdale. Mount Forest Confederate, Feb. 9, 1933.

R. Isabella Graham Ridsdale

January 30, 1894 ~ May 20, 1962

The community was shocked by the sudden death of Mrs. Samuel Ridsdale, which occurred at her home on Egremont Street on Sunday, May 20, 1962.

Formerly Rachel Isabel Graham, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James A. Graham, she was born at Lot 3, Concession 13, West Luther. In March of 1929 she moved with her father to Mount Forest and on November 11, 1939, she married Samuel Ridsdale of West Luther Township. She was a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Ridsdale is survived by her husband: one stepson, Clarence Ridsdale of Arthur Township; two stepdaughters, Beatrice, Mrs. Elmer Hunter, Mount Forest; and Mrs. Velda Lawrence, Toronto; also three sisters, Irene, Buffalo, N.Y., Nora, Mrs. Vince Schmidt, Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Dora, Mrs. Wesley Gibson, Preston; and two brothers, Alex, West Luther Township; and George, Conn. She was preceded by one sister, Lydia, and one brother, John, who was killed during the First World War.

The funeral was held Tuesday, May 22, from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Mount Forest, where the service was conducted by the Rev. F. A. Pickering, M.A. Interment was in Mount Forest Cemetery.

The pallbearers were Vernon Graham, Kenneth Graham, Leslie Ridsdale, Joseph Robin-son, Gordon Grasz and Donald Brinklow.

The flowers were carried by four nieces, Elda Stockdale, Elaine Robinson, Georgina Brinklow and Doris Jackson.

Many friends and relatives attended the funeral from Tottenham, Guelph, Preston, Georgetown, Niagara Falls, N.Y., Buffalo, N.Y., Lapeer, Michigan; and other places. Mount Forest Confederate, May 31, 1962.

Coulson Ridsdale

July 25, 1853 ~ October 12, 1932

A much respected resident of Mount Forest passed away on Wednesday evening last, October 12, 1932, in his 80th year. He had been in declining health for some time, but had been able to be about until three weeks before his death.

Mr. Ridsdale was the eldest son of William Ridsdale, who was a native of England. He was born in Ohio on July 25, 1853. Two years later he came to Canada with his parents, who settled at Damascus in Luther Township, being among the earliest settlers there. Later he took up land at Egerton and farmed there until he retired to Mount Forest about 17 years ago. In 1882 he married Mary Ann Wade who survives with four sons: Sam, William and Roy of Conn, and Leslie, Mount Forest and one daughter, Lily, at home. The eldest of the family, Mary Harriet, is deceased. Three brothers also survive, Sam, of Hamilton; Thomas, of Guelph, John, of Minto, near Palmerston; and one sister, Mrs. Alfred G. Bishop of Conn.

The deceased had endured all the hardships of the pioneer, and by industry and thrift had succeeded in his sphere of life.

The funeral on Saturday afternoon was largely attended, relatives being present from Galt, Hamilton, Guelph, Palmerston and Conn; also many old neighbours from Luther. The services were conducted by the Rev. J. R. Morden, of Wellington Street United Church, of which deceased had been a member since coming to town. The pall-bearers were his four sons and two grandsons: Leonard Bishop, of Conn, and Manley Ridsdale, of Palmerston. Interment was made in the Mount Forest Cemetery. Mount Forest Confederate, Oct. 20, 1932.

Mary Ann Wade Ridsdale

May 12, 1857 ~ July 15, 1934

The death occurred on Sunday last [July 15, 1934] of Mary Ann Wade, relict of the late Samuel Ridsdale, a much esteemed resident of Waterloo Street, Mount Forest. Mrs. Ridsdale was in her 78th year and had been in failing health for some time.

The late Mrs. Ridsdale was married in 1882, and with her husband passed through all the experiences of pioneer life on their farm in West Luther, until they retired to Mount Forest about 19 years ago. Mr. Ridsdale passed away on October 12, 1932. There are left one daughter, Lily at home; also four sons: Samuel, William and Roy of Conn; and Leslie of Mount Forest. The eldest of the family, Mary Harriet, is deceased. A brother William Wade, of Proton, and a sister, Mrs. Peter Morley of Mossbank, Sask., also survive.

The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon to the Mount Forest Cemetery and was attended by many relatives, friends and neighbours. The Rev. John Little conducted the services. The pall-bearers were three sons: Thomas, John and Sam Ridsdale; her brother, William Wade; a brother-in-law, Alfred G. Bishop of Conn, and a nephew John Harrison, of Vancouver. The flower bearers were nephews: Percy Wade, Mount Forest; Stanley Baird, Galt; and Leonard Bishop, Conn. Mount Forest Confederate, July 19, 1934.

William Ridsdale

November 28, 1829 ~ February 1, 1914

Conn. Mr. William Ridsdale, who has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. A. G. Bishop, in this village, for some time, passed away in death on Sunday, [February 1, 1914]. Deceased was past 84 years of age and the funeral took place in the cemetery near Damascus. Mount Forest Representative, Feb. 5, 1914.

Adelaide Cloughs Ridsdale

May 23, 1830 ~ March 2, 1912

It is our sad duty again to chronicle the death [March 2, 1912] of another highly respected pioneer in the person of Mrs. Adeline Ridsdale, who of late years has resided with her daughter, Mrs. Alfred Bishop. She was in her 83rd year. She was a faithful member of the Methodist church. Her pastor, Rev. Mr. Evans, conducted the funeral at the home and also at the grave. Her body was laid to rest in the cemetery in West Luther, four miles this side of Grand Valley. Mrs. Ridsdale came from England when a girl of twenty summers, therefore having come through all the trials in connection with pioneer life. She leaves behind her a husband and a family of two sons and two daughters. A bouquet from the Ladies’ Institute and her daughter, Mrs. Bishop, were beautiful and spoke of the respect due the deceased friend. We extend our sympathy to the bereaved in this their hour of sorrow. Mount Forest Confederate, Mar. 7, 1912.