CELEBRATE COMMUNITY
TRIBUTES LANGLEY, B.C.—Floyd and Doreen (Dodie) Christiansen were promoted to glory within 12 days of each other in their 73rd year of marriage. Floyd was raised in Steveston, B.C., and lived the remainder of his life in the Vancouver area. He became a Salvationist in adult life and was the corps sergeant-major at New Westminster Citadel, B.C., for four decades. A loyal supporter of his corps officers, Floyd was an advocate for all the members of the congregation, not allowing anyone to be marginalized. He routinely telephoned absentees and visited the sick. After many years in the bakery industry, Floyd served for 15 years as the assistant administrator of the House of Concord with a focus on young offenders and was known for his caring and compassionate leadership. This position was a calling for Floyd and many residents remained in contact with him after being discharged from the program. A lifelong Salvationist, Dodie was born in Portage la Prairie, Man., and then moved to the west coast where she met Floyd while ice skating. She was a quiet support partner in their Christian endeavours and served as a Sunday school primary teacher and home league secretary. Dodie supported the House of Concord program by mending clothes for the boys, teaching them leatherwork and being a mother figure for them. In their later years, transportation difficulties prompted Floyd and Dodie to transfer from New Westminster Citadel to British Columbia’s Langley South—The Salvation Army Gateway of Hope. Known for their friendliness and generosity, they are survived by four children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. SAULT STE MARIE, ONT.—Earl Slagel was born in Sault Ste Marie in 1948 and started attending Steelton Corps at the age of 12. He took an immediate interest in the church and started taking lessons from Bandmaster Bill Towers. Earl was hooked and became involved in the corps, where he spent most of his time and loved being with the young people. He enjoyed attending music camp at the Army’s divisional Camp Newport. Earl enjoyed church life to the fullest and served as corps treasurer, member of the corps council and bandsman. Earl loved banding and faithfully took his bass to local nursing homes at Christmastime. He enjoyed helping with the women’s ministry Christmas dinner, working with the Camp at Home children’s program and participating in the men’s fellowship group. A willing volunteer, Earl assisted with many corps projects. Being a grandfather was one of Earl’s great loves and he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He is remembered by his wife, Marion; sons Shane (Melody) and Brad (Kerith); stepsons Philip and Scott Woolsey; grandchildren Jaelyn, Brennen, Camden and Nathan; brother, Allen (Bev); sisters Vi Tinsley (Ron) and Pauline Mclarty; many nieces and nephews. CALGARY—Major Lewis George Ashwell was born in Viking, Alta., in 1925 as the fourth of six children. The family moved to Ladysmith, B.C., in 1937 and shortly after graduating from high school, Lewis joined the air force and trained to be an air gunner. Following his military service, Lewis studied geological engineering and worked in this field for a number of years. He became a Christian in Thompson, Man., and feeling called by God, entered the College for Officer Training in Toronto. While there he met his future wife, Eileen Round, from Sarnia, Ont. After training, they were married and had two sons, Bram and Paul. Together they served in Yorkton, Sask., Burwash, Ont., Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Victoria and Chilliwack, B.C. For most of his officership, Lewis worked in the correctional field, ministering to men and women in prison and helping them to keep their lives on track once they had been released. Lewis regularly greeted visitors to the various corps he attended to ensure that everyone felt welcome. He often sat with them and invited them to his family’s home for dinner following the service. He is remembered as a kind, selfless and generous human being who excelled in the ministry of “love thy neighbour.” Lewis is remembered by his sons Bram and Paul; daughter-in-law, Linda; grandchildren Brandon and Brooklyn; brother, Bill; sisters Molly and Jean.
DEER LAKE, N.L.—Martha Serena Janes (nee Bignell) was born in Leading Tickles, N.L., raised in Badger, N.L., and later moved to Deer Lake where she met and married her husband, James Roland Janes. The couple had a wonderful life together for 67 years until James’ death in 2008. Martha was a homemaker who loved to entertain with her cooking and baking, and is remembered as a loving mother to her five children. Martha was a dedicated and lifelong church member and a member of the home league for more than 40 years. Left with fond and loving memories and to celebrate her life are her children Winston (Louise), Catherine (Dennis) Seabrook, Marilyn (Bud) MacDonald, Robert (Wanda) and Rick (Tara); 11 grandchildren; 20 greatgrandchildren; sisters Jean Noel and Dorothy Andrews; sisters-in-law Helen Bignell, Naomi (Ronald) Yates, Elizabeth Rumbolt, Effie Coderre and Jessie (Newman) Neal; brother-in-law, Charles Janes; a large circle of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. WINNIPEG—Major Gordon Grice was born in Windsor, Ont., in 1923. He was commissioned in 1953 in the Heralds Session. In 1955 he married Lieutenant Violet Woodgate and together they ministered at various corps appointments including Kamloops, Nelson and Prince George, B.C, Dauphin, Man., Hamilton and Collingwood, Ont., and Vancouver. Gordon’s last years of officership were spent as administrator at the Eventide Home in Saskatoon and Golden West Lodge in Winnipeg. After retirement, he served as chaplain for a number of years at Golden West Lodge. He is remembered for his kindness, pastoral care ministry, sense of humour and commitment to pray for others. Gordon will be remembered by his wife, Violet; sons David (Lynn) and Donald; grandchildren David (Allison), Jeremy and Rebecca; sisters Joan and Janet (Miron); sister-in-law, Jean; numerous nieces and nephews.
Salvationist will print brief tributes, at no cost, as space permits. They should be received within two months of the promotion to glory and include: community where the individual resided; conversion to Christ; corps involvement; Christian ministry and survivors. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Digital photos in TIFF or high resolution JPEG format are acceptable. Clear, original photos may be submitted and will be returned. Send to Salvationist, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4 or e-mail salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org.
GAZETTE
TERRITORIAL Appointments Cpts Mark/Wendy Crabb, Oakville CC, Ont. GL Div; Mjrs Neil/ Merrilee Evenden, Collingwood CC, Ont. CE Div; Cpt Betty Lessard, community ministries officer, Montreal Booth Centre, Que. Div; Cpt Judi Wickens, community ministries officer, Erin Mills, Mississauga, Ont. CE Div (designation change) Retirements Mjr Martin McCarter, out of Benoni, South Africa. Last appointment: divisional secretary for business administration, Alta. & N.T. Div; Mjr Joan McCarter, out of Southend-on-Sea, England. Last appointment: divisional services to seniors secretary, Alta. & N.T. Div Promoted to glory Mrs Brg Caroline Pike, from St. John’s, N.L., Jan 29; Brg Cyril Gillingham, from Windsor, Ont., Feb 10
CALENDAR
Commissioners Brian and Rosalie Peddle Apr 3-6 Que. Div; Apr 11-12 Pre-confirmation Institute, JPCC; Apr 16-24 territorial review, THQ, Toronto; Apr 26-28 spring convocation, Booth University College, Winnipeg Colonels Floyd and Tracey Tidd Apr 3-5 divisional review, N.L. Div; Apr 20-21 Que. Div General and Mrs Bramwell Tillsley (Rtd) Apr 19-22 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Canadian Staff Band Apr 6-7 Columbus, Ohio Salvationist I April 2013 I 27