of Gowanstown, and formerly of Kenilworth, passed away at Stratford General Hospital on Saturday, December 5, 2020, in his 77th year of COVID-19 pneumonia. Best Friend for 53 years of Shirley (Wilkinson) Suggitt of Gowanstown. Devoted father of Dr. Terry Suggitt and Guy Bertrand of Gowanstown, Tracy and Aaron Lee of Palmerston, and Tim Suggitt and Tara Williams of Kitchener. Loving Pepa of Sébastien and Gabrielle Bertrand, Paxton Suggitt, and Dillon and Olivia Williams. Survived by siblings Ken and Bernice Suggitt of Mount Forest, Earl Suggitt of Palmerston, Allan and Carol Suggitt of Arthur, and Reta Craig of Lakefield. Brother-in-law of Dave and Sabine Wilkinson of Waterloo, Paul and Jan Wilkinson of Waterford, Donna and Jim Stirling of Gowanstown, and Verna and Alex Wright of Elora. Remembered by Judy Eurig, Linda Wilkinson, Ruthann O’Donnell, Connie Wilkinson, and also by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Melville and Rae (Hellyer) Suggitt, his parent in-laws Victor and Annie (Eurig) Wilkinson, his sibling in-laws Lloyd and Phyllis Eurig, Boyd Eurig, Wayne Craig, and John (Jake) Wilkinson, and his niece Denise Suggitt. Ivan wore many hats during his life. Farming was his first career and passion. He tried storekeeping on for size, when he and Shirley owned the Kenilworth General Store for 16 years. He was an active member of 4H, Wellington County Junior Farmers, and Wellington Federation of Agriculture in his youth. When his children were young, he threw his hat into the local political ring and served on Arthur Township Council for 20 years as counsellor, deputy-reeve, and reeve. This afforded him further opportunities to sit on many different committees like Maitland Valley Conservation Authority and Maitland Conservation Foundation Board. Ivan loved music, although he couldn’t carry a tune himself, and was an active listener to his wife Shirley’s musical abilities. For many years he and Shirley were members of the Gypsy Campers (96) which enabled them to combine camping with music and card playing. Over the years Ivan’s faith has afforded him the opportunity to serve God by participating as the Sunday School Superintendent and as a member of the Board of Managers at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Arthur. Most recently he also was an active member of the Board of Managers at Knox Presbyterian Church, Listowel. Throughout his life Ivan has touched many people as a mentor, sponsor, champion, and friend. Visitation will be held at the Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel, on Friday, January 1st from 1:00 until 4:00pm. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitors must schedule a time by selecting RSVP under the “Service Details” on Ivan’s page, or by calling the funeral home at 519-291-4840. Everyone attending must wear a mask. A private celebration of Ivan’s life will be held on Saturday, January 2nd, 2021 at Knox Presbyterian Church, Listowel at 2:00pm. The funeral will be live-streamed and the link available on the funeral home website. Memorial donations to Listowel Memorial Hospital Foundation, Knox Presbyterian Church – Listowel General Fund, or Parkinson Canada would be appreciated, and may be made through the Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel. Online condolences may be left at www.eatonfuneralhome.ca
