Obituary of Wilfred Chelle

Obituary Wilfred Chelle March 20, 1932 - May 12, 2017 Wilf Chelle passed away at Fort St. John Hospital at the age of 85. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Alana, son Michael (Vickie), daughters Margot and Alannah (Leonard), son Rob, brothers Bob and Larry, grandchildren Morgan (Misty), Tyler, Lane, Ryan, Devon (Amanda), Brennen, Reuben, and Cameron and great grandchildren Reece and Michael. Wilf was born at home on his parents' farm near Stockholm, SK. His mother passed away when he was a baby and he was raised in the convent in Stockholm. He was sent to boarding schools to attend high school, college and university. In his last year of college (1950-51) he joined the naval reserve (naval training division). After university, where he studied science and agriculture, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force where he became an electronics engineer specializing in fire control systems on fighter jets. After serving five years, Wilf left the air force and went to work for Federal Electric, then Canadian Aviation Electronics where he worked on the operation and maintenance of radar equipment used in the Distant Early Warning systems which monitored Canadian airspace for unauthorized aircraft. While with C.A.E, he also worked on the BOMARC guided missiles. In 1959, he married Alana Lees. With Wilf's work they moved frequently, including overseas. In 1962, he went to work for Litton Industries, working on military aircraft as a field service engineer working on advanced technology including inertial navigation systems on star fighter jets. In 1963, he and his wife, Alana, staked some land along the Blueberry River in the North Peace region of BC, southwest of the community that is now called Buick. He continued to work for Litton, stationed in Cold Lake (Alberta) then Germany, until the land acquisition was finalized in 1967. Then they moved with their four children to carve a ranch home out of raw bush land. He, along with his wife, continued to run the ranch until his death in 2017. He loved ranching and was interested in researching breeds (such as Luing) to find cattle that would be hardy and thrive naturally without special attention. Over the ranching years, Wilf was involved in many things. He was very interested in education and in the early homesteading years, was actively involved in the local PTA. He also served on the local school board as well as the provincial and federal school trustee associations. He was very active in, and dedicated to, the F.S.J. Friendship Centre, the Legion, and the Peace River Woodlot Association and Woodlot Products Council. His interest in politics led to involvement in the Grass Roots group designed to look into a more representative voting system, and later involvement in the Citizens Assembly for Electoral Reform where he made many more friends. At home, he and his wife loved spending time together surveying the view off their deck or sitting in the garden enjoying the lush variety of shrubs, veggies and flowers. Wilf was a unique individual who made friends everywhere he went. He loved social gatherings of family and friends, talking philosophy and politics. Wilf Chelle led a full life and will be greatly missed. A celebration of life memorial gathering will be held on the afternoon of August 26, on the ranch at the home of Leonard and Alannah Bartsch. Campers and RV Trailers are welcome (weather permitting). Celebration of Life AUG 26. 03:00 PM Home of Leonard & Alannah Bartsch BC, CA Celebration of Life AUG 26. 03:00 PM Bartsch Residence 18537 Aitken Creek Road BC, CA Services