Vernon John Murschell

In Loving Memory Of

Vernon John Murschell

(Written by Vernon on September 14, 2015)

I was raised on the farm in the Hilda, Alberta District.  I attended school at Maple Tree School District 3592 until Grade 9.  I then attended Grade 10 in Hilda, Grade 11 in Schuler, Alberta and Grade 12 in Medicine Hat.

I spent my working years in the oil patch as a Seismic Driller in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, later switching to Oilfield Supply Stores, and spent 30 years in that business.

I liked to hunt, fish and spent quite a few summer holidays on Vancouver Island salmon fishing.

I retired in 1986 in Rocky Mountain House.  I came to Rocky in 1965 and spent years enjoying curling, hunting and fishing in the area.

I was predeceased by two sons, Keith (1961) and Lester (1967); father, John (1971) ; mother, Hilda (1992) and brother, Max (2002).

I am survived by my daughter, Teresa; grand daughter, Taryn (Mike); great-grandsons, Logan and Bradyn and nephews, Dexter (Fern) and Warren (Liz).

Now it is my (Teresa) turn:
Dad raised me on his own from age 8 on.  He didn’t teach me to crochet or cook, but I could hunt, fish with the best of them.  Sports were his thing.  He watched every hockey, baseball, curling, golf and football game he could find on TV.  He was one of the founding members of the Rocky Oilmen’s Bonspiel and Pine Hill Golf Course was the setting for his first hole in one.  If it had horns, antlers, feathers, wings, or swam he would hunt it.
He wanted to try salt water fishing so for 20+ years we went out to the west coast to catch big spring salmon.  His enthusiasm and fishing stories of the Georgia Strait “hooked” many of his friends and relatives.  We would cavalcade each year, with several families, to Bowser, B.C.   The campground came alive when the Albertans arrived.

He loved music.  The accordion was his preferred instrument, he could play just about anything and always by ear.  The early years in Rocky were spent playing country dances on weekends with fellow musicians that have remained friends to this day.

At 70 years of age, he took up downhill skiing.  He never got off the bunny slope but enjoyed every minute.  I took him to Las Vegas for his 75th birthday.  We went 8 more times!  He cruised Alaska and through the Panama Canal.  The best trip ever was a 2 week vacation in Hawaii with the whole family in 2013.

The birth of “Gaffer” his granddaughter, Taryn in 1984 put pep in his step and a twinkle in his eyes.  They spent tons of time together, mini adventures and just hanging out.  His great grandsons gave him a new lease on life.  He attended every basketball, soccer and baseball practice and game.  Afterwards he wasn’t above slipping a couple bucks into their hands.

He made a huge decision in 2016 to leave Rocky and move to Wetaskiwin to be closer to us.  A good close friend of his said, “Rocky’s loss is Wetaskiwin’s gain.”  And it was!

Mere words cannot express how much he will be missed.  He had many good lifelong friends and family, some are gone, and those that remain will remember the good ole days.

Left to cherish the memories of this much loved man; granddaughter, Taryn (Mike); great-grandsons, Logan and Bradyn; and me, so proud to be his daughter, Teresa.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
When tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand.
The angel said my place was ready, in Heaven far above.
And that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
But when I walked through Heaven’s Gates,
I felt so much at home, for God looked down, smiled at me
and told me “Welcome Home”.
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you think of me,
I’m right there in your heart.

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