Obituary of Doug Hartnell

John Douglas Hartnell April 4, 1929 - September 16, 2018 It is with mixed emotions that we announce the passing of Doug Hartnell, long-time resident of the Dawson Creek area. We are extremely sad that we can no longer be with him, and yet, we are so grateful that he passed quickly, giving us peace knowing that he is with "the good Lord." Doug was born in Grande Prairie, Alberta, the second child in the family of six children born to Fred and Marie Hartnell. He spent his early years in the Beaverlodge area, moving with his family to various communities in the Peace, until they finally settled in the Dawson Creek area in his teenage years. He told many funny stories of growing up with three brothers who were close to his age. Doug lived a long and active life, spending many years as a truck driver, (which meant for more interesting stories) and as a farmer/rancher. He was also a handyman, and did everything from building a house and a large shop, to tearing apart and rebuilding farm machinery, to welding whatever was needed, he found a way to make it happen. Doug was above all a family man and a homesteader. He loved the quiet family life that he shared with his loving wife of 64 years, Joyce. He loved Sunday dinners with the family, picking berries (into his ball cap if need be) and riding horseback through the bush with his "honey." He took great pleasure in spending time with his daughters and their families. In his last years, he came to enjoy frequent trips to the Co-op where he swapped stories with his many friends and cronies. Doug was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Marie, by his parents-in-law Otto and Josie Gamble, as well as by his brothers Ken, Cecil and Frenchy, and by his sister Shirley. He will be lovingly remembered by his "dear" wife Joyce, daughters Christa (Carl) Peters, Dana (Brian) Smith, Lori Hartnell, Adeana (Jeff) Lekstrom, grandchildren Michael (Amanda) Peters, Douglas (Catherine) Peters, Clayton Smith, Jordan (Frank) Schneider, Morgan (Pam) Lekstrom, Kayla (Davin) Simmons, Dylan Lekstrom, and Anneka Lekstrom, as well as 5 great grandchildren. Doug is also survived by his sister Sheila (Terry) Van Dyke, as well as by his "in-laws," Dorothy (Jack) Lowe, Bill (Nellie) Gamble, Carol (Cliff) Schwartz, and Gladys, Sylvia and Kay Hartnell, and by many nieces and nephews. A private family service was held on Friday, September 21, 2018, and Doug was laid to rest in the Riverside Cemetary in Pouce Coupe, BC. The family want to thank the staff at Rotary Manor for taking good care of Doug as he endured dementia. We are deeply grateful to Peggy and Gerry Bergeron for all of their help since his passing. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Rotary Manor, 1121-90th Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 5A3