Eli B. Wiwcharuk

    It is with great sadness that the family of Eli Wiwcharuk, beloved husband of Beverly Wiwcharuk, of the Endeavour District, announce his passing on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. He was 70 years of age.

    Eli Barry Wiwcharuk was born on November 11, 1953, at the Preeceville Hospital. Eli was the first born to Eli and Deloris (Bonville) Wiwcharuk, followed by Brian, Carol, Patty and Paul. They all grew up on the farm north-west of Endeavour. They went to Endeavour school where their dad was their bus driver. Eli attended school until grade 8 in Endeavour, and then was supposed to continue his schooling at the Sturgis Composite High School…but Eli, he was having no part in the Freshie Day initiations, so it was off to work for him!

    Eli was always a bushman. His first job was with Howard Schafenberg. He would hop on the bus with his dad, chainsaw in hand, and be dropped off at Howard’s on Monday and return home Friday after the week of limbing trees. He then found his next job at Jakubowski’s Mill and spent a summer working for the DNR clearing and making campsites at McBride Lake. Over the years he also worked for multiple bush contractors.

    Eli met the love of his life, Beverly Ann Walters, in 1975. After a very short courtship, they married that same year on September 6th. They lived in their first house in Endeavour for a year, then moved to another home within Endeavour. The following March, they purchased the farm where they have lived for the last 46 and a half years. Over the years they were grain and cattle farmers, during which time they held a cream quota. They had many animals on the farm including emus, peacocks, fainting goats, pigs, horses, rabbits, cats, donkeys, chickens, turkeys and geese and always by Eli’s side was a four-legged companion; most were border collies named Josie, Sadie and Pixie.

    On January 31, 1982, Eli and Bev welcomed their first born, Shane Eli, into their family. On July 24, 1984, they welcomed their daughter, Kristy Lynn. Not only was Eli an amazing dad and father-in-law, he was an outstanding Gedo to Dawson, Emma and Carsyn. They bonded over their love of animals and Eli loved teaching them all the fishing tricks, hunting and most importantly, to be positive, honest, hardworking human beings.

    Eli’s passions included his family, trapping, fishing, hunting and playing his guitar. He learned how to play guitar from his father and was a guitar player and singer for Billy Gawrelitza’s band, playing for local dances and weddings, but his favourite was playing for his family. Eli was an amazing fisherman. When you went with him fishing, you were always guaranteed to come home with something. Eli loved all wildlife, and his favourite place was the bush.

    In 1993, Eli, Bev and Deloris started Wiwcharuk Family Greenhouse. Eli found his calling working in the greenhouse mixing soil, creating pots and watering. If he saw a bad looking plant, it would be gone. He enjoyed looking in all the seed catalogues and helping to decide what to order. He loved greeting customers and chatting with everyone that walked through the greenhouse door.

    In 2016, Eli had the privilege of having his mother-in-law come and live with them. He found the pleasure of playing cards and BINGO, and watching deer out the picture window with grandma Walters.

    In his life, Eli had several health problems including Raynaud’s, which affected his circulation and hands. He had to stop working for some time and then, in 2013, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. For 7 years his Parkinson’s was well managed, but for the last 4 years it really took a toll on him. Parkinson’s made it hard for him to do the things he loved. He wasn’t able to go to many places, visit people, run equipment, work with the cattle, play his guitar and sing. Over the past couple of years, he had several falls which resulted in many scrapes, bruises and 2 broken thumbs.

    Eli is predeceased by his father, Eli Sr.; father-in-law, Peter Walters; mother-in-law, Ada Walters; brother-in-law, Garry Walters; and grandson, Hudsyn.

    Eli will be forever remembered by his loving wife of 49 years, Beverly; son, Shane (Samantha) and their son, Carsyn; daughter, Kristy (Terry) and their children, Dawson and Emma; mother, Deloris; brothers, Brian and Paul; sisters, Carol and Patty; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends.   A celebration of Eli’s life was held on October 27, 2024, at the Endeavour School Community Complex. Rod Steciuk read a tribute to Eli, Eli’s friends provided music and family and friends shared stories of Eli. Memorial donations in memory of Eli may be made to Preeceville Wildlife Federation (Box 711 Preeceville, SK, S0A 3B0) as gifts of remembrance. Arrangements were entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.