June 15, 1983-June 8, 2023

It is with great sadness that on June 8th 2023, our beloved son, brother, father, nephew and cousin, Benjamin has passed away.

The past few years he has been struggling with drug addiction, homelessness, and depression.   The last few months with help from his family, ASK Wellness, and friends, he had been trying very hard to kick his addiction, but sadly it was not to be.

He was predeceased by both his maternal and paternal grandparents, his brother Oscar and his daughter Hannah.

He is survived by his daughter Freja, son Jaxon and his estranged wife Jessica.   As well as his mom Wanda, dad Larry (Angee), sister Sarah (Greg), grandfather Gary Warman, in-laws Billie and Mario Nicoletti, and many aunts, uncles and cousins across Canada.

He is very much loved and will be extremely missed by all.

There will be no formal service but a gathering of family and friends will be held at Kamloops Funeral Home on June 23rd at 11 am – 2 pm. All are welcome.

Condolences may be sent to the family from

www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577

February 22, 1933 – June 12, 2023

Born in Corfu, Greece, Sokratis sailed to Canada in 1960. He made his way to Jasper with his partner, Evangelia, whom he then married in 1961. While building their new life together and working for CN Railway, they welcomed their first child, Gina, in 1962, followed by son John in 1963. They picked up and moved to Kamloops to set down their roots and he then started working for BC Highways. In 1965, they welcomed their second daughter and third child, Linda. Sokratis proceeded to change career paths and became a custodian with the School District, ending that career at Arthur Stevenson before retiring. In 1981, Sokratis and Eva opened Roma’s restaurant, which they later sold in 1988 and settled into full retirement.

His legacy lives on through his daughter Gina, son John, grandchildren Ashley, Jasmine, and Andreas (Heather), and great grandchildren Christian, Bentley and Ivy.

As an avid fisherman, Sokratis frequented local lakes. On one occasion, he even managed to roll the vehicle into a lake while out with the family. Thankfully, it was shallow water so everyone was okay but it definitely showed he was a better fisherman than he was a driver! He also loved to go hunting all over BC and Alberta as well, adopting him the nickname “Great White Hunter” amongst family and friends.

Among the greatest loves of his life were his family and friends, which always came first and foremost. Spending time with each and every person as much as he could throughout the beautiful life he created.

He is already so deeply missed and his love and light will live on

 in the memories he created with each and every one of us.

Viewing will take place in the Church prior to the service, beginning at 10:30am. The Funeral Service will take place at 11:00am on Monday, June 19, 2023 in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of All Saints, 1044 8^th St., Kamloops BC. Reverend Father Chad Pawlyshyn, officiating. Following the Service, Sokratis will be laid to rest in Hillside Cemetery with his beloved Evangelia.

Condolences may be sent to the family from

www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577

Our beloved Matriarch Freda Mathilda Sponaugle, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2023, at the age of 95, surrounded by her loving family. 

Freda was born in Falun, Alberta, to Mabel LaRose and Otto Grahn and settled in Pigeon Lake, Alberta.

Freda lived in various places in British Columbia, and eventually settled in Kamloops in 1972 .

Freda is predeceased by her husband Ray and brothers Ernie, Clarence, Eddie, and sister Mary. She is survived by her sister Martha (Sandy), and her daughters Marlene (Ken), Audrey (Rick), six grand children, 14 great grand children and her greatest joy and legacy, being her great great grandchildren, Zander, Ryker and Mabel LaRose, with one more baby on the way.

Freda had many nieces and nephews, friends, along with her special friend, Art.

The family of Freda would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Overlander care home for their loving care of Freda.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 17th at 11:00am, in the Kamloops Funeral Home, with Pastor Don Maione Officiating.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577

Dennis was born on March 7, 1935 in Flin Flon, Manitoba, and entered the Presence of his Lord on May 29, 2023. His growing-up years were spent in Sheridan and Swan River, Manitoba. As a young man, he worked as a miner in various places including Lynn Lake Manitoba, Atikokan Ontario, Bralorne BC and Bishop, California. In 1963, he got into the rebar business in Kamloops, starting K-Rod Steel. Dennis remained active in construction management well into his 80’s. He spent the last 42 years of life in Pritchard, residing in a log house that he built from trees on his acreage. In 1980, he became a devout Christian and was a radically transformed man. When he was asked how he was doing, he’d often say, “Better than I deserve.” He recently celebrated his 60th year of sobriety.

Dennis was predeceased by his parents Earl and Ella (Drinnan), brothers Richard, Wayne and Gary, and grandson Kole (Schmidt). He is survived by his wife of almost 69 years, Verla (Holden), children Malcolm (Joanne), Valerie Schmidt (Larry), Rick (Loreli), Delaine Dopp (Mike) and his brother Jim, “Bud”. There are also 17 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson on the way.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Pritchard Community Hall on June 11, 2023 at 4 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Salvation Army or The Mustard Seed would be appreciated.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577

Jane was born in Bowmanville, Ontario on June 2, 1941 to parents Marian Frances (nee Allen) and Charles Robert Knox. She, along with her older brother Bob, grew up on the family farm in Orono, Ontario. She attended school in Orono, where she eventually met her future husband, Marshall Keast Jr. They were married on February 4, 1961 and welcomed daughters Cindy & Marsha to their family in 1965 & 1968 respectively.

Jane loved the outdoors and she and her husband could often be found riding horses, hunting, fishing or riding snowmobiles in the area.

While living in Orono, Jane was an active member of the community, holding positions with the Orono Hunt & Fish Club and the Orono Figure Skating Club.
Jane spent many years working in the Insurance industry (at one point, opening her own insurance office) but she did not let that stifle her creativity. She expressed her creative side through leather-work, (which she taught), needle crafts, pottery, ceramics, painting and photography.

Jane, Marshall & their 2 daughters moved to the Kamloops area of BC in the mid 1970’s where in 1976 their son Cody was born. Jane greatly enjoyed that her family grew exponentially as her children married and had children of their own. Throughout the next several years Jane, a devout woman of God along with her husband, Marshall, moved to various parts of BC and Alberta enjoying the easy access to beautiful scenery and great hunting each area had to offer. After stops of a few years in both Quesnel and Tumbler Ridge BC they eventually landed back in the Kamloops area.

Jane was predeceased by her parents, Charles & Marian Knox, brother Robert (Bob) Knox and grandson Jared Keast. She is survived by her spouse of 62 years, Marshall Keast, daughters Cindy Gordon (Bill), Marsha Kurucz (Terry) and son Cody Keast (Paula) along with grandchildren Stuart Gordon (Nikki), Amber Howse (Dennis), Rebecca Mcleod, Michael Keast (Amanda), Joshua Kurucz, Aaryanna Kurucz and several great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577