David Emerson Benson was born in Jackson, Michigan on January 1, 1943. David was the oldest son of Merle & Ella Benson.

Dave went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2013. He was predeceased by his parents and his wife, Maxine (Haddock) Benson, the love of his life for 35 years. Survivors include his four children, Naomi (Glen) Loewen, Rachel Benson, Peter (Melissa) Benson and his “adopted” son Nelson (Gladys) Muriuki and 7 grandchildren; his brother Robert (Joan) Benson and his sister Martha Jenness. Dave & Maxine made Victoria, British Columbia their home for 33 years.

Dave pastored with the Free Methodist Church in Canada for over 30 years in Vernon, Summerland and Victoria, British Columbia, and more recently with the Christian Bible Fellowship, which was held in their home.

He was a beloved father, teacher and mentor. His passion was to see people come to the Lord and he shared his faith wherever he went. Dave was also an avid gardener and loved to work in his garden growing roses, lilies and orchids. In the photo, Dave is in his garden, where he loved to be! (He wore the hat all the time when he went out so he could share the gospel- on the pin is says, “Praise the Name of Jesus.”)

Dave was deeply loved by his family and friends and will be greatly missed. A memorial service was held at Central Baptist Church in Victoria, British Columbia on Saturday, March 2nd.

Grace (nee Dubetz) Schnell, beloved wife of Henry Schnell of Calgary, Alberta, passed away on Friday, January 6, 2012 at the age of 86 years. Grace was born March 25, 1925 in Boian, AB. She was the eleventh of fifteen children to George and Sarah Dubetz. Following her marriage to Rev. Henry Schnell, they pastored Free Methodist churches in Ellice (AB), Calgary, Oregon, Washington and Saskatchewan, eventually retiring to Calgary, where they remained active in their church and community.

Grace will be especially remembered for her love of teaching Sunday School, hosting the Seniors’ Breakfast, entertaining family and friends in her home, baking pies and cinnamon buns and her love of flowers.

Besides her loving husband of sixty-four years, Grace is survived by her son Keith Schnell of Calgary; two daughters and a son-in-law, Sharon and David Harris of Corralitos, CA and Merlette Schnell of Calgary; her grandson Caleb Harris; brother Tom Dubetz of Edmonton (AB) and sister-in-law Gloria Dubetz of Chestermere, AB as well as many nieces and nephews.

Her funeral service was held at West Springs Free Methodist Church (742 – 85 Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Graveside Service followed in the Garden of Serenity at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens. In living memory of Grace Schnell, a tree was planted at Big Hill Springs Park, Cochrane, AB

Evelyn Marie (nee Waite) Nicholls – was born in Hamilton, Ontario on March 2, 1935 to Etta May (nee Smith) Waite and Norman Robert Waite of Caister Centre, Ontario. She was the youngest of 12 children.

On March 12, 1955 she and Howard Ross Nicholls (of Canboro, Ontario) were married in Caister Centre Free Methodist Church. They lived in Dunnville, Ontario and attended Dunnville Free Methodist Church. In 1957, their first child Doug was born, followed just over one year later by another son, Lyle.

In 1962, the now Reverend Ross Nicholls was appointed to the Thedford Free Methodist Church (ON). During their five years in Thedford, Ross and Marie also pastored the Sharon Free Methodist Church (ON).

In 1967, they were appointed to Goderich Free Methodist Church (ON), where they served for eight years. In late 1969, the family was blessed by a third child, a daughter and sister, Darlene.

In 1976, they were appointed to Dunnville Free Methodist Church, where they pastored until Ross’ retirement in 1986. The return to Dunnville allowed Marie to be closer to her family, in particular her aging mother.

After the death of her husband Ross in 1992, Marie served faithfully in the Dunnville Free Methodist Church. In addition, she volunteered for a number of years in the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Dunnville, as well as with the Meals on Wheels program in Dunnville.

On October 19, 2011, she passed to her heavenly reward after a brief but valiant battle with cancer. She left her earthly body with her three children at her side. She maintained her faith to the end, while looking forward to freedom from the pain, and to being united with her Heavenly Father and reunited with her dear husband in her heavenly home.

Marie was survived by two brothers, Ralph Waite and Don Waite of Caister Centre, her three children, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild, all who miss her dearly.

Juliene was one of the founding members of the Free Methodist Church of Rosemont in Montreal, Quebec. For many years she faithfully served as a deaconess for the Church.

Married to Jean Sauveur Benoit (1946), having had only one child, she was a loving mother for many others and a grandmother to many. She was a hard worker all her life providing the best she could for her family and all people in need around her. She was a compassionate friend to many and had an encouraging and comforting word for all. She can be reminded for her faith, her courage and her empathy.