Obituary of Clarence Dalton Seidel

Dalton Seidel, a resident of Chetwynd, B.C. passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2014 in Chetwynd at the age of 65 years. Dalton was born on January 17, 1949 in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. He was born in the Salvation Army Building during a blizzard to William and Ethel Seidel. The story of his mother walking to the Salvation Army through the blowing cold and snow as the Hospital was full gives an idea of the strong family he was born into. Dalton's Father moved to East Pine in the spring of 1955. Bill worked for Everett Pearson in his planer mill and when the school year was over returned to Meadow Lake to move his family to East Pine and the Chetwynd area where Dalton would spend the rest of his life. At first a two room house in the Pearson's yard was home for his mother Ethel and his sisters Fran and Sharlene. Later a house across the tracks from Rosenau's was built for the family. It was during the summer holidays when living at East Pine that Dalton loved to go to Lone Prairie for the summer holidays and spend time with Lorne Herrick. In 1958 the Seidel Family moved to Little Prairie, 5 miles west of town at what is now known as R.2. Bill continued to work in Planer's here as well as do mechanical work and drive truck. It was here that Dalton learned to drive. Dalton and Sharlene would haul water from Wildmare Creek in a barrel. His Mother suspected that they were dumping the barrels just to be able to drive back again. The Seidel children attended school in Chetwynd. This is where Dalton got to know many of his lifelong friends. In 1963 the Seidel Family bought a home in Chetwynd on Nicholson Road where Dalton lived. It was a busy place with friends stopping in for a coffee and a visit with the hospitable family. In 1964 there was another move for work, this time to Williams Lake where Dalton drove loader at a gravel crusher plant where his Dad worked. They returned to Chetwynd in 1965 and Dalton worked for Leonard Gagnon loading logging trucks. Work was never a problem for Dalton he worked hard and played hard. Saturday nights would find him tearing up and down the roads with a carload of friends. You could be sure that on Sunday morning the car would be up on blocks in his parent's driveway with he and his friends replacing the transmissionand it was always ready to go the next weekend!! Dalton enjoyed the company of his friends, he had an active social life and enjoyed horses, camping and fishing among many other activities. Dalton began working at Canfor in 1979 driving truck. One trip was to Prince George with a forklift on a low bed trailer. There was a piece of metal hanging down from the overhead braces that the mast of the forklift caught. It laid the truck, trailer and forklift over onto its side. Billy his youngest son was a baby then and when the truck came to a stop Billy was standing up on the driver's door and the bottle of milk in his hand wasn't even broken. From driving truck Dalton moved on to driving loaders in the yard then operating the Latorno Stacker which he did for many years. In all Dalton worked for Canfor for over 30 years. Dalton took early retirement when the mill closed in the early 2000's. He however was used to being busy, retiring at such an early age did not agree with him. Dalton went to work at the Willow Creek Mine where he worked until his health no longer allowed. Children gravitated to Dalton and he enjoyed spending time with them teaching them to ride horses, taking them for drives to the farm, and just visiting with them. His pride in his children and grandchildren was obvious to all who knew him. Dalton battled with his health the past years of his life. He remained positive and enjoyed life. Gail, he told many of us, was his rock. You will be missed Dalton. Dalton was predeceased by his Parents; William and Ethel Seidel, his Sister; Sharlene Guillet, his Nephew; Darin Neuls and his Great Nephew; Jeris Kolosky. Dalton leaves to mourn his passing his Partner; Gail Smith, his Children; Craig (Jennifer) Gauthier, Penny (Patrick) Soo, Billy (Lana) Seidel and Kalie (Kyle) Mineault, his Sister; Fran (Wilbur) Neuls, and Brother in law; Don Guillet, his Grandchildren; Koel, Kianna, Karsen, DJ, Sydney, Harley, Jace, Drayton, Bella and Landon, and numerous Aunts, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium