(Feb 7, 1931 - Jan. 24, 2011)
Born at home in Columbia Valley, BC on the family farm to Nick and Nellie Shingler, the youngest son, along with his twin brother, Les, of 12 children.
He passed away at Crystal Ridge Manor, Chilliwack, BC, after having been diagnosed with congestive heart failure three years ago.
Having been childhood sweethearts, Wes married Mary Catherine (Kay) Boyd in 1950.
Their homebase was always Columbia Valley, where they raised three daughters. Dad worked as a milk-truck driver, a truck driver in the mining industry and drove dump trucks for Knight Gravel in Surrey, BC. Driving trucks took Wes and his family throughout many parts of BC, through Bra Lorne, Minot, Lillie and Quenelle.
Later he had been a Mill Wright for Loewen Cedar Products on Chilliwack Lake Rd. and retired as a bus driver/mechanic for Chilliwack School District # 33. He always kept order on the school bus by rewarding the quietest kids with Juicy Fruit gum and chocolate bars.
Dad always worked two jobs: one off the property during the day and then coming home to raise chickens, pigs, beef, milking cows and haying every summer. Huge vegetable gardens, getting in cords of split wood for winter kept him busy during his “down” time. Dad worked extremely hard but had a great sense of humour, especially if it was a good Polish joke. He was self-taught on the accordion and he and Mum, who played the guitar, and sang, were the entertainment for many house parties and dances in Columbia Valley. Country and Western music was a main staple in the Shingler home.
Dad and Mom moved to Sardis 10 years ago where he lost the love of his life, Mom, and missed her every single moment of every day.
To mourn his passing, he leaves behind three daughters: Debbie Loewen of Sardis, Dixie (Jim) Hay, Sardis, and Janet (Ted) Young of Cawston, BC; six grandchildren: Matthew (Tanya) Loewen, Spokane, WA, Dana (Carla) Anderson, Sardis, Jaimie (Ryan) Loewen, Calgary, AB, Kami (Dan) Edwards, Sardis, BC Mike (Arielle) Taekema, Sardis, BC and Emily Taekema, Sardis; great-grandchildren: Jordan Loewen, Jaeden and Kennedy Edwards, Ruby Ratcliffe with #5 expected in early March. He is also survived by his twin brother, Les Shingler, Cawston, BC, and sister, Lorraine (Renee) Teschke of Columbia Valley, BC as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Thank you to his church family, wonderful neighbours and friends who were so kind to him over the years.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday, January 28, 2011 at Sardis Fellowship Baptist Church, 45187 Wells Rd. Sardis. Interment to follow at 4:00 pm at VedderView Gardens Cemetery, Watson Rd. Sardis.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Wes’ name may be made to The BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, 4480 Oak Street B321, Vancouver BC V6H 3V4