On Monday, December 31, 2007 with family by his side, Levi Wiebe Barkman passed away peacefully reaching the age of 85 years. Levi was born on January 11, 1922 in Steinbach to Jacob R. and Helena Barkman. He was the third eldest of ten children. Levi’s childhood days were spent working on the family farm and attending school. He enjoyed playing sports and was a member of local baseball and hockey teams. At the age of 15, Levi accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. His faith in God was a constant guiding factor in his life. Levi and Laura attended the Church of God in Christ Mennonite in Steinbach. In the winter of 1940 Levi got a farm leave and joined Penner Transfer Ltd. hauling pulpwood in Ontario and then Saskatchewan. This was the alternative to joining the armed forces. Levi worked at home during the summer months and in 1945 landed a job grading and blading local roads which eventually led to summer employment with Brandt Construction, a road building company. It was during these years that Levi met Laura Toews who he married on May 10, 1952. Four years later he became a long distance truck driver for Penner Transfer from which he retired in 1990. Levi continued to farm the land which his father had farmed. Harvest time was a family event with picnics in the field and late nights of combining which included the children and grandchildren. In 1995 Levi and Laura moved to Steinbach. Levi was a quiet man with a good sense of humor. He was confident in the way he lived his life. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather who took a special interest in all of his grandchildren taking the time to play and visit with them. Family was very important to Levi and he was always ready to help with his children’s projects – building their houses, working on their farms, babysitting the grandchildren and taking everyone out for supper for a break. Other characteristics that describe Levi are faithful, patient, loyal, kind, charitable, content, and loving. Through his example, these very special qualities have been passed on to his children and grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, Laura; his three children - Ron (Cathy), Bonny (Lawrence) Penner, and Richard (Tristan); ten grandchildren - Paul (Elisa), James, David (Sacha), Jodi (Martin) Williamson, Melissa, Rachelle, Jordanna, Alexis, Adorae, and Nicholas and three great-grandchildren – Levi, Keira and Kayla. He is also survived by two brothers Gordon (Norma) and John (Ruth), three sisters Rose (Jac) Peters, Shirley (Alan) Lysak and Betty Anne Funk and two sisters-in-law Hilda Barkman and Doris Barkman. He was predeceased by his parents: Jacob R. and Helena Barkman, three brothers and one sister. The family would like to thank the staff at the Health Sciences Centre for their wonderful care. We also want to thank Dr. C. Krahn, Dr. K. Toews, and the Bethesda Hospital staff who looked after Levi in such a caring way. Donations may be made in Levi’s memory to Christian Service International – a church affiliated humanitarian organization. Viewing will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. and at the church prior to the service. The funeral service will be held at the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, 280 Loewen Blvd, Steinbach, MB on Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Interment at Heritage Cemetery.