Orville Schinkel

Orville Schinkel

1944 - 2020

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Orville

Obituary of Orville Schinkel

It is with profound sadness that the Schinkel Family announces the passing of our patriarch, Orville Schinkel, on Sunday, November 8th, 2020.

Leaving to mourn Orville’s passing is his wife of 54 years, Gerda (Kroeze), daughter; Amanda (Paul) Lanteigne, sons; Don (Colleen), Chris (Angela), and Andy (Val) Schinkel. Opa Orville will be dearly missed by his ten grandchildren and his eight great-grandchildren. Orville is survived by his brothers Armand (Azora) Schinkel and Marvin Schinkel and their families. Orville made lasting impressions on his brother-in-laws; Al and Manfred Kroeze and his sister-in-law Rose (Danny) Dyck and their families.

Orville was a man that lived to serve others. St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church was not only a place of worship for him, it was a place where Orville grew in his faith and cherished the relationships he had with fellow church members. Orville was actively involved in working in areas that were hard hit by hurricanes. He travelled to New Orleans three times with fellow relief workers to help rebuild homes and businesses after Hurricane Katrina. He also took part in relief work after Hurricane Sandy hit New York.

Orville was a loyal man, he proudly worked for Penner Farm Services for 48 years. He gained a deep and personal relationship with the Penner family throughout those years. Reg Penner was not only Orville’s employer, he became one of Orville’s closest and dearest friends. Orville enjoyed working with Penner Farm Services. He was blessed to build many lifelong working relationships with colleagues and with hundreds of local dairy, hog, and poultry producers.

Orville enjoyed being a HOCKEY DAD. We sometimes wondered who was more excited about going on hockey away games, Dad or the boys. Orville was PASSIONATE about the game, sometimes too passionate. Along with hockey, Orville was a Winnipeg Blue Bomber fan for many years. Orville enjoyed going to games with his family and was absolutely thrilled when the Bombers won the Grey Cup last year.

Orville took a keen interest in golfing. Orville enjoyed golfing with his friends in Arizona, but also instilled the love of the game into Gage. If there was a lost ball on any course, you would not have to fret, Orville would find that ball, along with a few dozen more.

Orville loved to watch sports on TV. At one point, we all thought that he would take up a new career in television, as a colour commentator. Instead of “Coaches Corner,” CBC or TSN could have created a show with Orville as the host- “Backseat Coaching with The Big O.”

Orville would do anything for his family. He worked countless hours renovating homes for his children and grandchildren. It gave him such pleasure to help create beautiful homes for his family members to enjoy. Orville took great pride in showing his children and grandchildren “the tricks of the trade,” when it came to construction and carpentry work. Orville absolutely loved bringing his grandsons onto project siites to help him complete tasks. This filled Orville’s heart with such joy and happiness to mentor and work alongside his family.

Orville and Gerda took time out of their busy schedules to travel. Some of their favourite destinations included, Holland, Mexico, Florida, California, Hawaii, Las Vegas and every province in Canada.

In recent years Orville and Gerda took up residency in Maricopa Arizona where they loved to host and entertain friends and family during the winter months. No matter where Orville hung his hat, he would make friends and acquaintances because of his easy-going, curious, and helpful demeanors. Orville was always up for a good visit or adventure.

Orville and Gerda enjoyed many summers at their cottage in Falcon Lake. After Falcon Lake, Lilac Resort became their summertime getaway. Potluck suppers, Christmas in July parties, birthday celebrations, riding around Lilac in the “Ladybug Cart,” and nightly campfire visits with their Lilac group of friends, were things that Orville love to do.

Orville will be sadly missed by many friends and extended family members.

The Schinkel family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to all of the nurses, doctors and health care workers at Bethesda Health Care Centre. Words can’t express how truly grateful we are for the compassion, professionalism and for the excellent care that Orville received.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Orville’s memory can be made to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

 

“THE LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leaders me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 

Due to Covid-19 restrictions a private family viewing took place Wednesday, November 18, 2020.

Orville’s many friends, and family members will be able to honour and pay tribute to Orville by joining the family via livestream for the celebration of life service on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.