Simon was born Saturday, June 24, 1939, in The Pas, Manitoba to Jemima and William M. Lathlin. Simon’s pride and joy were his grandchildren from Stuart, Darren, and Sayese family, especially the girls Shannon and Rachel Bignell (Stuart’s), Jaelynne Bignell (Darren’s) and Kennedy Sayese (John Sayese). Even though Simon was a quiet and humble man, he showed his kindness and love to all who knew him. Philip Partridge, Derek Partridge, Barbara Lathlin and Joyce Constant became a part of his life through his close friendship with Florence Partridge. His close friend is his nephew Stuart. They did everything together, shopping, “good times”, fishing, fixing his house or motor, ski-dooing, medical trips to Winnipeg and the clinic. Simon was a trapper and held a trapline until his health took precedence. He loved outdoor life and he missed this kind of life when he got sick. He went through a lot in his life. He had open heart surgery, four by-passes plus a replaced valve. In 2011, on the date of his sister, Maria’s passing, he broke his hip and had to go to Winnipeg for surgery, with Stuart escorting him. He then broke his hip a second time and he never really recovered from that. During his younger lifetime, he worked for CNR on railroads, sometimes with his Dad and friend Moses Bignell. He worked as a carpenter for OCN and was the best carpenter on the job. Many times he provided for his immediate family. He raised us and cared for us. He even built his own house close to his sisters. There we shared many brotherly and sisterly past times. We were very close to our brother. We loved and cared for him as he got slower in doing things for himself. He never recovered from losing our sister Maria. He knew he would be leaving his sister Mabel soon and he prepared her in so many ways. His last 2 1/2 years were spent at the Rod McGillivary Memorial Care Home and Mabel diligently went there to visit and prepared him for each night. He showed her in so many ways what a kind person she was. Many perceived him as a difficult person but that was his way of teaching us to be strong and persevere in life. To us, he was a humble, quiet, kind, generous human being. He deserved to be with our Savior on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 9 pm. It was amazing how our Lord spoke through Simon’s favorite granddaughter Rachel, to tell us exactly what time he would come for Simon. He indeed went up in the sky like a flying bird at 9 o’clock in the evening and in such a peaceful way. We thank the Lord for giving him to us for an extra 2 1/2 years. Simon is survived by his only sister Mabel (Moses) Bignell; brother Marvin (Brenda) Lathlin; sisters Shirley Lathlin and Joanne (Lionel Young) from dad’s second marriage; step brother Eddy (Theresa) Azure; step sisters Mary (Carl) Laubman, Caroline Azure; step brother Ralph (Susan) Azure; brother in law Dan Sayese; and numerous nieces, nephews, and close relatives. Simon was predeceased by his father William M. Lathlin; mother Jemima Lathlin (nee Buck); sisters Cecilia and Caroline Lathlin; brothers Joshua, Johnny; sisters and brothers in law Bella (George) Ranville, Lucy (Allan) Dumas, Maria Sayese (nee Lathlin); uncles and aunts Charlie and Marie Adele Lathlin, Peter and Margaret Buck, George and Mabel Buck; step mother Bella Lathlin (nee Wesley); step brother Max and Ken Azure; grandparents Pat and Eliza Buck, Alexander and Harriet Lathlin. ˜™WAKE SERVICE Wednesday, October 2, 2013 Mabel Bignell’s residence, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB Thursday, October 3, 2013 Margaret Henderson Parish Hall, Church of the Redeemer FUNERAL SERVICE Friday, October 4, 2013 1:00 pm Church of the Redeemer, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB Presider: Ven. Jim Sayese Scripture Readings: Quintin Bignell, Shannon Bignell (granddaughter), Loretta Sayese, Mabel Bignell Eulogy: Stuart Bignell and brothers Tributes: Darren Bignell Memories of the Heart: Marvin Lathlin and Mabel Bignell INTERMENT Emmanuel Cemetery, Opaskwayak, Manitoba PALLBEARERS Stuart Bignell Sr., Malcolm Lathlin, Philip Partridge, Glen Ranville, Neil Sayese, Michael Bignell, Jeremy Bignell, Stewart Harris. HONORARY PALLBEARERS All Simon’s Grandchildren, Chapan Aliyah, Raymond Lathlin-Ross and All Simon’s Trapping Friends.