Obituary of Ernest Schallock

Ernest Franklin Roosevelt Schallock was born in Pouce Coupe on February 27, 1943. He was named by his grandmother who was very fond of the Teddy Roosevelt, President of the United States. Ernest was the seventh of eight children of Frank and Loretta Schallock. He grew up on the farm at Arras, surrounded by doting siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. They lived on the old Hart Highway and one of Ernie's fond memories was of often going to bed with only their family at home, and waking up to find several visitors for breakfast who had been put up for the night on their long way home. They lived just the right distance from town for these travelers with their horses. Ernie attended Devereaux and South Dawson schools. When he was 12 the family moved into Dawson Creek, much to Ernie's chagrin. His dad built a house on 98th avenue and Ernie adjusted to town living and made many friends in the neighborhood and on the walk to school when he attended Dawson Creek Elementary. In 1950, Ernie's uncle John Terry gave up his shoe shop and purchased a ranch in the remote and beautiful Wolverine Valley. At that time the only access was by horseback. Uncle Johnny took Ernie along on many of these pack trips, in and out of the Wolverine Valley. This place was heaven to Ernie and it was his favorite place in the whole world. It broke his heart when the mountains around the ranch were logged, and then mined for coal. In 1963, Ernie met and married Linda Haight. They spent their honeymoon out at the ranch on the Wolverine. They began married life in Dawson Creek where Ernie worked as a partsman at Dawson Universal Sales. Their daughter, Alanda was born in January of 1966. Later that year they moved to Fort Nelson where Ernie and his brother, Melvin, leased the BA service station. They gave up the lease a year later and Ernie and Linda and Alanda moved back to Dawson Creek. Ernie then worked for Horne and Pittfield, driving truck. In January of 1968 their son Leon was born. Ernie began working as a partsman for Ken Sargent Pontiac Buick which subsequently became Timberline, and then he moved on to Dawson Carland which he enjoyed and continued working there when it was bought out by Bud Browns and changed its name to Browns Chev Olds. He later moved on to McLevin Bros. Auto Electric and worked there for many years. He made many friends across the parts counters over the years. He never forgot his customers and Linda would find herself being introduced to someone on nearly every trip into town. In the spring of 1970, Ernie and Linda bought a half section at Arras and moved into the little shack with their two children. They happily moved from the shack into their new modular home in 1976. Over the years the family had cattle, horses, pigs, chickens, rabbits, cats and dogs. Ernie struggled to build the farm/ranch when he wasn't working in town. He needed his town job to finance the ranch, and needed the ranch to satisfy his soul. His nephew, Wayne, always thought Ernie was born a hundred years too late. He yearned to be a cowboy right out of a Louie Lamour novel. Ernie always loved music, especially country and western. He always wanted to learn to play bass and in about 1988, he decided it was time to learn. Music was something he and Linda learned and could do together and they played a lot over the years. They both made many lasting friendships in the musicians they played with. In 2004, Ernie and Linda celebrated their 40th anniversary by taking a cruise to Alaska along with some of their friends, also celebrating their 40th anniversaries. This was a highlight of Ernie's life. Though he didn't verbalize it much, Ernie loved his two children and was always concerned for their welfare and proud of their accomplishments. Over the years, he was thrilled at the births of his three grandchildren, Chanel, Kelsey and Laine, and then his two great-granddaughters, Allison and Sloan. Family meant a lot to him and he and Linda attended every family reunion. When Ernie got sick in 2008 he was forced to sell the cattle. He continued to put up hay and live on the farm. After his diagnosis and treatments, he went into remission and he and Linda tried to do quite a bit of road traveling, visiting family and friends along the way. They bought a 5th wheel and got to use it several times last summer. Their plans to travel north this year were thwarted when his illness returned. Ernie passed away on Monday, June 25, 2012 in Dawson Creek, at the age of 69 years. A memorial service was held on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 2:00 pm at the Peace Mission Chapel, Progress, BC. Pastor Lee Stephenson officiated. Interment will be held at a later date. Ernie was predeceased by his Brothers; Don and Raymond, Parents; Loretta and Frank, Sisters; Loreen, Verna, Leona and Darlene. Ernie leaves to mourn his life partner and loving wife of 48 years; Linda, Daughter; Alanda (Glenn), Son; Leon, Granddaughters; Chanel, Kelsey (Jesse), Grandson; Laine, Great-granddaughters; Allison and Sloan, Brother; Mel (Shirley), Brother-in-laws, Sister-in-laws, Cousins, and many Nieces, Nephews, Great nieces and nephews, Great-great nieces and nephews and many, many friends. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Ernie to the Peace Mission Chapel Building Fund, Box 100, Progress, BC V0C 2E0. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium