Merlin Gunther of Chilliwack, B.C., passed away suddenly on January 4, 2003 at Surrey Memorial Hospital at the age of 48 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born to John and Mary Gunther of Penticton, B.C. on December 28, 1954.
Merlin is survived by his life long mate and wife Sandy and his loving daughter Chelsey; his cousin Don Lundquist and many cherished friends and family. He was predeceased by his father John in 1975; mother Mary in 1979 and Aunt Esther (Retzer) in 1999.
Merlin had a real love for Volkswagen and over his 31 year career, that began in the fall of 1972 at Beck Motor Co. in Chilliwack, he went from working in the parts department in Valley Autohouse and was instrumemtal in the restructuring of Beck Motor Co. to a second Valley Autohouse dealership.
Another one of his passions was his trips to Mexico; building sandcastles on the beach with his daughter and enjoying the sun setting on the horizon with his wife.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home, 45865 Hocking Avenue, Chilliwack, B.C., tea to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Research Society.