Wilbert Barkman

Obituary

Wilbert Barkman died suddenly on Friday, October 27, 2017 one week after his 73rd birthday.

He was predeceased by his mother, Annie Barkman in 1982, his father John J.R. Barkman in 1997 and by his brother Mervin in infancy.

He is survived by his wife Sarah, one son – Darrel (Bertha) Barkman, two daughters – Gloria (Curt) Reimer and Sandra Peters, six grandchildren – Jessica (Tyler) Hrdlitschka, Tiffany (Spencer) Skoreyko, Amelia and Tyson Reimer, Nicole and Brianna Peters, as well as two great-grandchildren – Isabella Hrdlitschka and Sadie Skoreyko. He also leaves to cherish his memory two sisters, four brothers and their families.

Dad was born in Steinbach, MB on October 20, 1944 to John J.R. and Annie Barkman. Being the firstborn, he was able to welcome all seven of his siblings to the family. A large part of Dad’s childhood was spent in Washow Bay, MB, where his Dad owned and operated the local General Store which included a gas bar and post office. Dad loved to joke about how he got paid in fresh cheese and Pepsi for working in his Dad’s store.

Dad was baptized in the Mennville Evangelical Mennonite Church at the age of 15.

Dad met our mom, when his sister Marion brought home a friend from Steinbach and they were married June 12, 1965. It was a huge blessing to Dad to have our whole family present as he and Mom celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary two years ago.

Early in their marriage, Dad worked a variety of jobs until an opportunity presented itself to haul feed for the Co-op Store in Blumenort, MB and his trucking career began. God saw fit to end that career 46 years later at a rest area in Hillsboro, ND – not meeting his delivery time for the first time in many, many years.

Dad was a creative and innovative thinker and enjoyed a variety of hobbies. He was an antique car enthusiast and spent many hours attending car shows or driving in parades with his restored 1958 Chevy Biscayne – a likeness to the one he owned when he and Mom were dating. He determined to build a desk for each of his grandchildren for their 13th birthday and would have completed that task had he been given one more year. Dad spent countless hours customizing model tractor/trailer units, displaying his handiwork at numerous toy shows. He meticulously built a replica of the Barkman General Store – his attention to detail astounding. Dad was a self-taught accordion and organ player, an avid reader and loved family gatherings and his coffee dates – especially with his brothers.

We will most certainly miss Dad’s quiet and gentle spirit, his quirky sense of humour and the teasing twinkle in his eye. He worked hard for his family and we always looked forward to his homecoming from each trucking trip. Dad has driven his last mile and he is Home.

The funeral service for Wilbert Barkman will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB, with a viewing prior to the service. The burial will follow at the Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.

If friends desire, donations in memory of Wilbert may be made to the EMC Conference, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5.