Date of Birth: March 16, 1936
Date of Death: September 9, 2018
ANDRES – Peter Benjamin, of the Melville district, passed away Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 at the age of 82 years.
Peter was born on March 16, 1936, near Arabella, Sask. He was the youngest of 10 children
born to Abram and Maria Andres. He attended the local school until he had to help out with the family farm.
As a boy, Peter got his interest in mechanics from taking apart his dad’s Model A car engine and putting it back together. When he was a teenager, he got a job at the local sawmill skidding logs and hauling ice from the river with horses. It was this job that gave Peter his passion for horses. As a young man, Peter got a job working road construction near Saskatoon, at which time he met Merle Pinder. At the age of 25, he married Merle in Melville, Sask. on June 3, 1961.
The couple resided in Saskatoon for a year, then later moved back to Melville. They were blessed with four children: Blair, Darlene, Connie and Arlene. Peter and Merle raised their children on the family farm near Melville.
Peter worked as a mechanic at several garages in Melville and Yorkton. He even started his own business called Pete’s Repair Shop in Melville. While working full-time as a mechanic, he also served as a member of the Melville Volunteer Fire Department for many years. During this time, he never lost his passion for horses and the family farm.
Peter enjoyed the outdoors, camping, fishing, playing cards and spending time with family and friends. He also enjoyed going to many auctions and horse sales over the years. His greatest love was his grandchildren, for whom he never missed an opportunity to attend a birthday or special event.
Peter passed away on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, at St. Peter’s Hospital at the age of 82 years.
He was predeceased by his wife, Merle; his parents; four brothers and four sisters; and his grandsons, Terry (TJ) Reinhart and Ian Hadubiak.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his son, Blair Andres; daughter Darlene (Allen) Glowa and their children, Amanda Glowa (children, Alexxis and Iszabella), Jason (Rakelle) Glowa (daughter, Lillyanna), Marianne Glowa, Megan (Travis) Delorme (son, Nolan), Jonathon Glowa and Robert Glowa; daughter, Connie (Doug) Hadubiak and their children, Kyle (Amanda) Hadubiak, Rylie Hadubiak and Leah Hadubiak; daughter, Arlene (Adrian) Reinhart and their children, Crystal Reinhart and Chantel Reinhart; a sister, Mary Braun, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A prayer service was held Friday, Sept. 14 at Matthews Funeral Home, Melville, with the Rev. Brian Mee presiding. Kyle Hadubiak gave the eulogy, and scriptures were read by Leah Hadubiak, Rosemarie Glowa and Amanda Glowa.
Peter’s funeral service was held Saturday, Sept. 15 at First United Church, Melville, with Rev. Mee officiating. The pianist, Shirley Blakley, led in the hymns, “The Old Rugged Cross,” “For the Beauty of the Earth” and “In the Garden.” The readers were Connie Hadubiak, Leah Hadubiak and Amanda Glowa, and words of remembrance were shared by Kyle Hadubiak. Walter Streelasky offered memories of a friend and
neighbour, and Peter’s sister, Mary Braun, and cousins, Susan Hiebert, John Andres, Henry Braun and Peter Braun paid tribute by singing, “How Great Thou Art.” In honour of Peter’s appreciation of a good sale, a special song was played at the service conclusion, “The Auctioneer” by Leroy Van Dyke.
All of Peter’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren were honorary bearers, and the urn bearers were Jonathon Glowa, Rylie Hadubiak, Chantel Reinhart, Robert Glowa and Jason Glowa.
Interment took place in the Melville City Cemetery.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.