Born January 24, 1936 in Ebenezer Saskatchewan to his parents Bernhardt and Ottilie Batke, Ellwood passed away in the morning of January 3rd, 2018 at Penticton Regional Hospital – only 3 weeks short of his 82nd birthday.
A funeral service will be held at Summerland Baptist Church on Monday January 8th, 2018 at 2:30pm. Interment at Canyon View Cemetery in Summerland on January 9th at 10:00 am.
Ellwood was born into a grain farming family and spent his first 18 years of life working… Read More » and living on the farm near Yorkton Saskatchewan. He had a younger brother named Alan and an older sister named Mavin. After High School, he attended Bethel Bible Institute and graduated with a 3 year Theology diploma. Shortly after he met his soon-to-be bride Doreen Batke. They were later wed on August 18th, 1962. After completing his auto body apprenticeship they moved to Prince George BC and had their two sons, Evan in 1966 and Richard in 1968. Ellwood enjoyed auto body and working with cars, but longed to move into the sunny Okanagan valley. An opportunity to work at Valley Ford in Penticton materialized, so he moved his young family to Penticton. Also in 1968, Ellwood bought an empty lot in Summerland and built his home all by himself, after work and weekends – quite an accomplishment! He raised his family there and lived the last 49 years of his life in that home.
He worked a couple decades as Body Shop Manager for Valley Ford and Skaha Ford in Penticton before taking a position as Estimator at the ICBC Claim Centre in Kelowna. After more than a decade working in Kelowna, he retired. His retirement consisted mostly of travelling, enjoying time with his wife Doreen, spending time with his daughter in law’s horses and socializing with friends at various Summerland coffee shops.
Ellwood was predeceased by his parents, older sister Mavin, and his beloved wife Doreen of whom he was married for 45 years.
He is survived by his brother Alan of Vernon BC; two sons: Evan (Carmella) of Kamloops BC, Richard of Penticton BC; six granddaughters: Christine (22), Stephanie (20) and Amanda (16) (born to Evan & Carmella) as well as Ariana (13), Shiloh (11) and Aaliyah (9) (born to Richard and Amber).
Many thanks to Pastor Sid Waterman for officiating the Memorial Service and to Everden Rust Funeral Services of Penticton BC for their assistance with this funeral.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ellwood Bernard William Batke January 24 1936 January 3 2018.source
Death notice for the town of: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique