Obituary of Irven Charles Rathburn

The death of Irven Rathburn, loving husband of Winnifred (Harvey) Rathburn, occurred peacefully at the Saint John Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, December 12, 2004. Born in Hibernia, NB, he was the son of the late Charles and Margaret (Sutton) Rathburn. In 1941, Irven trained for the services in Heavy Artillery. In 1943 he met and wed his loving wife, Winnifred. He worked as a woodsman with horses and logging camps, then as a truck driver for many years. Irven was a Deacon and a Caretaker for the United Pentecostal Church of River Valley. He also worked for Don Beckett Saw Mill and for C.L. Francis, Backhoe Operator for many years before his retirement in 1985. Irven was a loving father and husband, who was well admired & respected by everyone he met. Besides his wife, he is survived by his brothers; Delbert Rathburn of Saint John and Vern (Barb) Rathburn of Grand Bay, NB. Sisters; Sally Richards of Browns Flat, NB and Margaret Lindsay of George, BC. Sons; Jim (Brenda) Rathburn, of Morrisdale, NB, Reg Rathburn of the USA, Clyde Rathburn of Lower Greenwich, NB, Don (Debbie) Rathburn of Saint John and Kevin (Elsie) Coleman of Nfld. Daughters; Barb (Clinton) Mercer of Upperton, NB, Marg (Reg) Allen of Saint John, Linda Johanson of AB, Cindy Horne and Patsy (Stephen) Whittaker of Hoyt, NB. He is also survived by thirty-five grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. Irven is predeceased by his brother, George and Walter. Resting at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB, (634-7424) with visiting on Monday, December 13, 2004 from 2 ? 4 pm and 7 ? 9 pm. Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 from Brenan's Funeral Home Chapel at 1:00 pm. Interment will take place in Brown's Flat Baptist Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, New Brunswick Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the charity of the donor's choice.