Obituary of Donald William McDonell

Donald William McDonell 1920 – 2010 Don McDonell was a well known and highly respected farmer in the East Pouce Coupe District. He passed away at the Dawson Creek and District Hospital on September 17, 2010 after a short stay in the hospital. Donald William McDonell started farming with his brother Ken in 1934, and retired in 2007, on the original homestead that his father had filed on. Don’s dad was killed instantly by lightning in August of 1934. Mom rented the land out for four years and in 1939, Don and his brother Ken, planted their first crop. They farmed for seven years with eight horses on the cultivator with harrows behind. The seeding was done with four horses on the seed drill. During World War II, brother Ken was called to serve in the army, leaving Don alone to do the farming. From February of 1943 to October 1945, was a long time for Don to shoulder this heavy load. He was a very hard worker, but always the gentleman. Don was born July 13, 1920, the eldest son of John and Catherine. He had two sisters, Margaret Ellen McDonell and Ellen Christina DeWetter, and one brother, Ken. Don attended the East Pouce Coupe School for eight years. He worked with threshing crews in the fall and sawmills in the winter. Don later spent some time working for Gerald Beattie as a heavy equipment operator in Inuvik. He also worked with Albert John Nagel in his mechanic shop, and when Henry Nagel needed help due to health problems, Don came every day all winter to feed and water the cattle. Indeed, Don was always ready and willing to help anyone whenever he was needed. Don was a very community minded person and could be counted on to help in such instances as building the East Pouce Coupe Hall and was a member of the Farmers’ Institute which looked after the hall. Don was also a very social person and enjoyed old time music and especially old time dancing. I remember their fine old victrola and their collection of records you could dance to with that old wind up record player! Don was very good at playing cards and checkers too. Don came from a very fine old pioneering family, as his parents came into the country over the Spirit River Trail in 1917. His mother reported that she would walk across the railroad trestles and his Dad would ford the creeks with his team, often having the wagon and all its contents under water. Miraculously, only one bowl in her set of 108 dishes given her by her mother was broken! Don was predeceased by his parents, John and Catherine McDonell; sisters, Margaret McDonell and Ellen DeWetter; brother-in-law Jack DeWetter and nephew John DeWetter. Don leaves to mourn his loss, one brother Ken McDonell; nieces and nephews Gerald DeWetter (Anna Cantre) of Pouce Coupe, British Columbia, Catherine (Robert) Mulvihill of Peachland, British Columbia, Carol DeWetter of Pouce Coupe, British Columbia and great nephews John and Robbie (Anna Marie) Mulvihill. Don will always be loved and never forgotten. A funeral service was held on September 25, 2010 at the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church with Father Michael Anyasoro officiating. Interment followed in the Dawson Creek City Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Don, may be made by donation to the ‘Knights of Columbus’ c/o Notre Dame Parish, 908 – 104 Avenue, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 2H7.