Obituary of Joseph Yandel

Joseph late of Regina and formerly of Southey, passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at the age of 89 years. Joe is survived by his children Melvin, Elaine (Peter) Hilsden, David (Sandy) and Roxanne (James) Gallagher; and his four grandchildren Kathleen and Rebecca Hilsden and Justin and Michelle Gallagher. Joe is also survived by his sisters Ella (Joe) Flaman and Isabel Barker; sister-in-law Melba Yandel; and Marys family, Leonard (Rosemary), Margaret and Mary Chibi and Gizella Buckshaw. Joe is predeceased by his wife Mary (nee Chibi) in 1995; his parents Florian and Elizabeth; his siblings Johanna Flaman (Jacob) [formerly Haider (Martin)], Millie Solie (Art), Casey Bohn (Mary), Frances Zurowski (Eddie), John Bohn (Charity), Florian, Rosie Stuber (Tony), Steve, and Michael (Eleanor). Papa Joe was born on the family century farm north of Southey on September 12, 1921. He attended Coynach School and finished Grade 10 at Southey. He then took on the responsibility of running the family farm while his brothers went off to war or to further their education. He married Mary Chibi in 1951. Joe was a member the Southey Knights of Columbus. He curled and liked to go to hockey games and really liked to listen to Polka music and fiddle playing. He spoke often of going to dances at Hazelwood Hall in his younger years. Papa Joe would often pack his family into the car and go for a drive, usually ending up at a relatives house for a visit and a game of cards. He never tired of driving around the Saskatchewan countryside, looking at crops and commenting on the fields of grain and the herds of cattle. Most of all, Papa Joe liked to talk to people, telling stories and jokes and discussing current events. His final years were spent living at The Bentley in Regina, where he connected with people that he knew and made many new friends, so he had a whole new audience for his stories and jokes. Papa Joe loved being with people and he loved his dogs. One of his best final days was on Christmas Day when we snuck Leo, Sandys dog, into the entrance of the hospital to have a visit. Papa Joe was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, an uncle, a farmer, a neighbor and a friend.