REV. CHUCK ALTON
1939 – 2021
Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Charles (Chuck) Robert Alton, passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord with family by his side on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at the age of 81 years. Chuck is survived by his loving wife Rhaya, his three daughters Nanette (Patrick) Estabrooks and their daughters Caitlin (Cole) English, Lauren Estabrooks and Nicole Estabrooks, Heather (Russell) Ohlmann and Naomi (Kerry) Degenhardt and their children Josephine, Claire and Gilbert. He is also survived by his siblings Joe (Esther) Alton, Karen (Hans) Specht and Tim (Wonda) Alton, his sisters-in-law Ellie Donahue, Betti Gallpen, Marj (Jim) Kope and Carol Davis (George Owen) and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Chuck was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Marion Alton, Rhaya’s parents, Charles and Isabel Nix, his brothers-in-law Peter Gallpen and Joe Donahue and two infant great-grandchildren Camille and Connor English. Chuck was born in Weyburn, SK on August 14, 1939, the oldest of four children. He grew up in the Griffin area and worked alongside his family on the farm and in their hardware store. He went to Teachers College in Moose Jaw in the fall of 1957 and taught school for 5 years in Goodwater, Wood Mountain and Beechy, SK and in Topley, BC. Chuck answered the Lord’s call into ministry and attended St. Andrew’s College from 1967-1970 when he was ordained. Over his 34-year career in the United Church of Canada, he served the pastoral charges of Climax (1970-1975), Avonlea-Briercrest (1975-1982), Consort, AB (1982-1984), Cadillac-Neville-Vanguard (1984-1991) and Lafleche (1991-2004). Upon his retirement, they moved to Briercrest, SK where he lived until his passing. Chuck had a real passion for serving his church and community and made many friendships throughout his life. Chuck met his loving wife Rhaya in 1965 at Naramata, BC while attending Christian Leadership Training School. They were married on June 24, 1967 and enjoyed almost 54 years together. He was a real family man and had a very active role in raising his children. Chuck was delighted to become a grandpa and enjoyed each of his grandchildren, attending many school concerts and gymnastic recitals. He had the privilege of baptizing 2 of his 3 children and all 6 of his grandchildren and performing the marriage ceremony of his oldest granddaughter Caitlin. Due to current COVID restrictions, a private funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 1:00 pm, with the interment to follow at the Blue Hill Cemetery. A live stream of the service will be available at: Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9827558167 and the service will be recorded to accommodate viewing at a later time. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the wonderful care from the EMT personnel and the doctors and nurses and staff at the F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital who went above and beyond to ensure excellent care for not only Chuck, but his family as well.
In living memory of Chuck, a memorial planting will be made by Jones - Parkview Funeral Services. Please sign the memorial register at website: https://www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries). Blake Seebach - Funeral Director
