Milton Norman Buchanan

Peacefully, with Jean by his side, Milton Norman Buchanan passed away on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at the Ste. Rose Hospital at the age of 82 years. 
Milton was born May 22, 1935 at SE 28-20-15 in the R. M. of McCreary to Mina and Norman Buchanan.  Milton attended Mountain Eve School for a short while then attended Reeve School.  He helped his dad on the farm and took up farming himself on the west half of 21-20-14. 
Milton and Jean Whyte were married on August 18, 1958 at the McCreary United Church.  They lived at the Norman Gower farm home.  They purchased the south ½ of 22-20-15 previously owned by Jim McKenzie and moved into the very old, tall house on this property.  They were blessed with 5 children; Wendy, Brenda, Todd, Shawn, and Keith. 
Milton’s life was very busy with farming, his children, and playing his violin with orchestras such as the Mountainviewers, and his brother Ray and Frank Pfeil.  He played at many birthday parties at the PCH in McCreary.  Milton was an avid hunter.  He hunted deer each year with his sons and later, grandchildren, and elk with Todd.  Milton and Jean’s farm progressed and grew over the years from grain, cattle and hogs to a larger grain and cattle operation. 
Milton and Jean enjoyed many camping trips with family, travelled to hockey and baseball tournaments, and fiddle contests.  Milton enjoyed the many times that he was part of the grandchildren babysitting team with Jean. 
Milton and Jean retired from farming, selling the farm to Keith and Shawn in 2005.  They moved to town with Jean’s mom in November of that year.  Throughout his retirement Milton was Keith and Shawn’s volunteer hired man.  He could often be found touring the crops and checking the pastures on Sunday with Jean, verifying the weather, and recording it daily on his calendar.  Many hours were spent picking stones, cutting grain and hay, hauling bales, harrowing, and cultivating in his retirement years.  Keith and Shawn smiled at his tally chart in the dust on the dashboard of the tractor or truck. Milton's "retirement" meant he got to drive the equipment, but left the fixing to the boys. 
Milton enjoyed his travels with Jean.  Wonderful stories came from their bus tour to the East coast.  They also enjoyed their trip with Brenda and Danny to Toronto and Minneapolis.  There was sight-seeing of the areas and a few Blue Jays games.  Milt was known for keeping stats at his grandchildrens’ ball games and this continued while he watched the Jays. 
Milton was predeceased by his parents Mina and Norman Buchanan, his mother and father in law Mary and Jim Whyte, his brother Raymond Buchanan, brothers in law Melvin Marshall and Roy Mulligan and many relatives and friends. 
Left to cherish memories of Milton are Jean: his loving wife and best friend, his children: Wendy and husband Dwight Turko, Brenda and husband Danny Gingras, Todd and wife Rhonda, Shawn and wife Nancy, Keith and wife Amy, and twelve grandchildren:  Layne and fiancé Sara (Walker) Turko, Graham Turko; Brett and Shanelle Gingras; Reigan and Jordyne Buchanan; Taryn, Remy, and Brody Buchanan and Jackson, Nolan, and Emma Buchanan.  Milton will be missed and remembered by many other relatives and friends.
 
The family would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for all the cards, food and caring visits and phone calls.  Thank you to Ryan, at Sneath Strilchuk Funeral Services for his caring approach during this difficult time.  Many thanks go to Ste. Rose Hospital Staff for the excellent care of Milton, the McCreary Knox United Church and Roman Catholic Church ladies for providing and serving lunch. Thanks to Wendy Williams for being the organist and Norma Windle for officiating. 

Funeral Service was held on Monday, December 18, 2017 at 2:00 pm in the McCreary Community Centre, McCreary, Manitoba 

Interment in the McCreary Municipal Cemetery.  

Should friends so desire, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba or to Knox United Church, McCreary, MB 

 Service Information