Barkman, Edwin (1920-2006)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2007 Jan p. 27

Birth date: 1920 Oct 19

text of obituary:

EDWIN BARKMAN

Edwin Barkman died Sept. 28. He was born Oct. 19, 1920 in Steinbach, Man. When he was 4, the family moved to Foam Lake, Sask., where they owned a flour mill. Edwin attended Bethany Bible School for a short time, and then started working as a miller, even baking bread and writing a recipe book. During the war, he supplied flour for the war effort. In 1946, he married Della Gossen and they moved to Steinbach, Man. Edwin started a hardware and gift shop along with his brothers. They began manufacturing cement blocks, and the business grew into Barkman Concrete. In 1964, Edwin sold out, moving to Vancouver, Steinbach, and finally to Abbotsford, B.C, where he started his own concrete plant and introduced interlocking blocks to Western Canada. Upon retirement, he volunteered with SEND International and as chair of Central Heights Church pulpit board. The funeral was Oct. 6 at Central Heights Church, Abbotsford, B.C.