Stratton – Charles Henry Stratton, beloved husband of Linda Stratton of Rolling Hills, passed away suddenly January 28th, 2004 on their farm at the age of 54 years. Charlie was born in Cocklebarrow Farm, County of Gloucester, England on June 13th, 1949. After graduating from Lackham Agricultural College in 1970, he came to Canada to Ontario. He came west in 1971 to work for Pete Konosky on his farm in Suffield. Charlie move to the Rolling Hills area in 1978 to farm land he rented from John and Harris Paul. In 1981 he purchased the farm where they lived from Harris. Linda and Charlie were married on her parents farm (Mike and Margaret Skuban) in the South Bantry area on March 10th, 1979. Charlie was always very active in his community, he was a member of the Rolling Hills Volunteer Fire Department, served on the board for the Rolling Hills Grazing Association, a member of the board for the Rolling Hills Community Centre and was willing to help whenever he could. He especially enjoyed curling, gardening, dancing and playing cards with his friends. He will be lovingly remembered for his love for his family, especially his four precious grandchildren and for his love for the land. He was predeceased by his parents Alec and Winifred. Charlie is survived by his loving family, wife Linda; daughter Alaina Campbell and her husband Trevor and children Braden and Nicholas of Redcliff; son Darcy and his wife Sherrie and children Cody and Emily of Golden, British Columbia; 3 sisters Edna (John) Philip, Valerie (Paul) Brandt and Margaret Stratton all in England; numerous nieces and nephews and his mother-in-law Margaret Skuban of Medicine Hat and her family. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday , February 4th 2004 in the Rolling Hills Community Centre. Rev. Walter Willford officiating. Honorary Pallbearers are everyone in attendance at the service. Active Pallbearers are Ron Sereda, Pat Hemsing, Dave Zahenaiko, Ken Miller, Norm Wittevrongel and Barry Zahenaiko. In memory of Charlie, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Rolling Hills Community Centre Memorial Fund, Box 54, Rolling Hills T0J 2S0. Arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME, Brooks. Telephone 362-4636 or (866) 362-4652.
