Hazel Georgene Dreisinger

Other Events:

• Family Photograph: Hazel being held by her Grandmother Harriet Maurer
• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/86851972
• Name: Hazel Georgene Brown
• Name: Hazel Georgene Wilken
• Occupation: Dreisinger Funeral Home, 7 Arthur Street N., Elmira, Ontario; funeral home operator
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25515
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

BROWN, Hazel (Mrs. Donald) - On Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1998, at Chateau Gardens, Hazel (Dreisinger) Brown, in her 82nd year, of RR 2, Wallenstein.

Beloved wife of Don; dear mother of Chris and Wilf Shantz of West Montrose, Marion and "Charlie" Lloyd Roes of Waterloo, Grace and Skip Maher and Bob and Darlene, all of Elmira. Also lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Brad and Julie, Camille and Josie, Stacey and B.J., Adam and Holly and great-grandson, Mitchell.

Predeceased by her parents, George and Clara (Lichty) Dreisinger and her brother, David. Hazel received her funeral directors licence in 1937 and along with her brother, David, owned and operated Dreisinger Furniture and Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira, on Saturday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. At noon on Sunday, transfer will be made to St. James Lutheran Church, Elmira for funeral service at 2 p.m., with Rev. Wendell Grahlman officiating, followed by interment in St. James Lutheran Cemetery.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Record 10 Sep 1998

Hazel married Donald William Brown 14 Mar 1959. Donald (son of Jacob Scheurman "Jake" Brown and Alma Elizabeth Schmitt) was born 10 Nov 1929, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 2 Apr 1999, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Saint James Lutheran Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Hazel — George Albert Wilken. George (son of Charles Albert Wilken and Emma Metz) was born 21 Mar 1908, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 27 May 1957, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Saint James Lutheran Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Marion married Joseph Wayne "Joe" Grundy (son of Frederick Nelson "Ted" "Fred" Grundy and Marie Schuett) [Group Sheet]

Marion — Lloyd John "Charlie" Roes. [Group Sheet]

Christine — Wilfred B. Shantz. (son of Ivan B. Shantz and Irene B. Bauman) [Group Sheet]

Grace — Skip Maher. (son of Edgar J. R. Maher and Katherine A. MacKay) [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Brad Shantz
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-34045

Notes:

Wendy Shantz is still feeling more than a little overwhelmed. Shantz said goodbye to Brad Shantz, her husband and friend of nearly 16 years on Feb. 1, after a sudden heart attack claimed his life on Jan. 25. He was only 46 years old. Brad was a trucker, and had been one for most of his life - ever since he first started working as a teen at Thur Transport, where he would clean out the office, and then the trailers, before starting to drive. His usual route would take him away from home Sundays through Thursdays. "He liked to work by himself," said Shantz. Once a year, Brad would do the "Canada geese run" - a trip where he would relocate Canada geese, in an effort to reduce the local population. "They always asked for him," said Shantz, saying that her husband was known for his attention to detail, and for his care of the geese. "Brad was always pretty caring. He went the extra mile to keep them comfortable." That caring nature was evident in all aspects of Brad's life. He like to joke, said Shantz, but was never a prankster, preferring to laugh with friends rather than at them. "He was a laid back guy, and didn't get too excited about stuff in general," said Shantz.... Shantz said that everything was a blur after receiving the news [of his death], but credits the help and support of friends and family, along with the entire community, as helping her family get through the first few really tough days. While Shantz, as a trucker's wife, was used to doing things on her own, she always felt Brad's support in her day-to-day life. Shantz, who spent many years at home as a caregiver to her children, as well as a babysitter for other families, said that Brad was always encouraging. "He was always supportive of that, and never though I had an easy job here," said Shantz. He was a kid at heart," said Shantz. "He enjoyed fishing with their children and swimming with them. He was rough and tumble, and would wrestle around, and play hide and seek in the dark." Brad also made sure each child had a chance to go on trips with him in the truck, even if it was just for a short distance. For the family, their final ride together came at the funeral, when Brad's truck was outfitted to hold his casket. Shantz and their children rode up front. The funeral, held at Woodside Bible Fellowship on Feb. 1, was attended by approximately 500 people, and Shantz has since been overwhelmed by the offers of help and support she has received from the community. "I would like to just say thank you for the overwhelming support, and for a generous community," said Shantz. "We're just blessed to be here." Brad Shantz is survived by his wife, Wendy (Fox) Shantz, children Riley, Ryan, and Kayla, and his parents Wilf and Chris Shantz of West Montrose, and sister Julie Shantz of Kitchener.

Excerpts from Elmira Independent, "Brad Shantz was 'always there' for his family," February 15, 2012 by Gail Martin, Independent Editor

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Shantz, Bradley James "Brad" - Passed away suddenly as the result of a heart attack on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at the age of 46 years. Devoted husband of Wendy (Fox) Shantz of Elmira. Brad was adored by his children Riley, Ryan and Kayla. Much loved son of Wilf and Chris Shantz of West Montrose and caring brother of Julie Shantz of Kitchener. Dear son-in-law of Doug and Judy Fox of Carthage and brother-in-law of Douglas and Sarah Fox of Plattsville. Fun-loving uncle of Ashley Fox. Brad was a long-time employee, with a perfect driving record, of Thur Transport for almost 30 years. The family will receive their friends and relatives at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira on Monday evening, January 30, 2012 from 7-9 and on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Woodside Bible Fellowship, 200 Barnswallow Drive, Elmira on Wednesday February 1, 2012 at 1 p.m. with The Reverend Linda J. Bell officiating, followed by interment in the Elmira Union Cemetery. In Brad's memory, donations to Gale Presbyterian Church Building fund or a trust fund for Wendy and her children would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.

Waterloo Region Record, January, 2012

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When Brad Shantz climbed into the cab of his truck, it must have seemed as if the whole world melted away, leaving him with nothing but the open road ahead. And he took such care with his cargo, particularly when he started driving livestock. Getting every animal to its destination without injury or too much stress became Brad's goal. "Certain farmers would ask for him," said his wife Wendy Shantz. Brad took great pride in his work and he was always happy as a driver, never wanting to get into the management aspect of the trucking industry, even though his father had been part-owner of Thur Transport, the company Brad worked for since his teens. Wendy said her husband hated the idea of spending day after day in an office. He yearned for the open road and on shorter hauls, would take one of their three children with him. It's these special moments the kids will miss. Riley, Kayla and Ryan all experienced the fun of sitting high in the cab beside their dad, looking out at the world rushing past. "I liked to go with him for livestock," said Ryan. "I got to see all the cows. It was kinda fun and kinda annoying." "I liked looking at the pigs," said Kayla. "He'd show me where he was going (on maps): Memphis, Tennessee and West Virginia." It was on a long haul truck run that Brad unexpectedly died. Wendy said the family had gone to Niagara Falls for a family weekend vacation. On the Sunday, her husband climbed into his truck for the final time, bound for Iowa. Immediately after delivering his load to a factory, Brad began experiencing chest pains and asked to go to the hospital. An ambulance was called, he was rushed to hospital and despite the efforts of emergency room doctors, Brad died. Wendy said her husband was fit, never had any indication of heart problems and had in fact just passed his physical examination. He was also a laid-back kind of guy, not one to get stressed. What followed, however, was a coming together of nearly the whole town of Elmira where the couple lives. Prepared meals came pouring in and a trust fund was set up for the children. Wendy is still in awe of this unexpected response. Brad and Wendy had known each other for several years and they just seemed to gravitate to each other. She laughs when she describes how they seemed to do everything backwards: had three children, bought a house then got married Aug. 15, 2008. In her eulogy, Wendy recalled their wedding, saying to her husband "You looked so happy and in love, not just with me but with our family." For Brad, life was about family, about getting down on the floor playing with kids and he was even eager to pick up their pet guinea pigs for a little cuddle. Just a glance at Brad's high school photo says it all. The big grin never faded, said Wendy. In fact that grin seemed to consume his entire face. Brad was born the eldest of two kids and started working at Thur as a teenager, cleaning trucks and shuttling the vehicles around the yard. By age 18 he was old enough to drive, starting with a straight truck; the smaller, single axle vehicles. Throughout his 30-year career, Brad found solace on the road. "He liked to be by himself," said Wendy. She remember Brad as someone who noticed the little things in life, even something small such as someone changing their hairstyle. He could be stubborn but he was also quiet, kind and gentle and loved to shoot off silly little jokes.. Longtime friend and fellow trucker Harold Shoemaker recalls that "he was a very likeable guy, everyone's friend." He also recalled Brad's perfectionism related to his job and his truck. "He was very, very picky," said Harold. "Everything had to be just so...always his number one priority." Brad also loved to customize his semi, adding special enhancements, "his own personal little touches." When Brad came rumbling down the road in a big rig, everyone knew it was him. He also talked about Brad's more unusual regular cargos: Canada geese. Hundreds of wild geese were rounded up in Toronto parks every year because of overpopulation, loaded onto Brad's truck and driven to a bird sanctuary where they were released. "He took such an interest (in the geese)," said Harold, "such pride and such care." Brad Shantz of Elmira. Born: March 15, 1965. Died: Jan. 25, 2012 of a heart attack. vhill@therecord.com

Waterloo Region Record, "A kind-hearted, gentle guy" by Valerie Hill, March 5, 2012

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-189408

Notes:

St. Jacobs microbrewery co-founder Bryan Maher killed in crash

ELMIRA Bryan Maher, one of four founders of Block Three Brewing Co., a St. Jacobs microbrewery, has died in a car crash.

Maher, 27, of Elmira, was killed Friday evening in a single-car crash on Highway 637 near Killarney on Friday evening. The only other occupant of the vehicle, Peter Surey, 27, of Maple, Ont., was also killed.

Ontario Provincial Police were called to the crash at about 6: 30 p.m. Friday and found the two occupants. OPP technical collision investigators have been called in to help with the investigation of the crash, which is continuing.

Maher, along with by Graham Spence, Derek Lebert and Phil Hipkiss, founded the microbrewery in 2013.

The microbrewery's Facebook and Twitter accounts posted a tribute to Maher on Sunday morning that reads, "Block Three was founded by four friends with a passion for community and flavourful beer. On Friday night, we lost not only a great member of the community, we lost one of our own. Bryan Maher, we are honoured to call you a partner and a friend. You have touched the lives of so many, and have been taken away too soon. We are at a loss for words. We love you and we miss you."

St. Jacobs microbrewery co-founder Bryan Maher killed in crash. (2017). Therecord.com. Retrieved 7 May 2017, from https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7291513-st-jacobs-microbrewery-co-founder-bryan-maher-killed-in-crash/