George Barta, late of Carlyle, and formerly of Kipling, Saskatchewan, passed away February 19, 2007, at the age of 86.

George was born in the Bekevar community near Kennedy, SK. on August 5, 1920. He attended Rakoczi School until his teen years, when he left school to farm, first with his father, then his own farm, near Inchkeith.

In April of 1942, he enlisted in the Army for the purpose or joining active service. With the No. 2 Special Wireless Signal Corps. regiment L65285, he served first in Canada, then overseas in England, France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany.

At the conclusion of World War II, he returned on the ship: Queen Elizabeth, one of 12,314 on board, including the late Sir Winston Churchill who was enroute to the USA to vacation.

George was married to Mildred Baxter in 1948, and together they farmed until their recent retirement to Kipling.

A skilled carpenter by nature and an avid reader from boyhood, both pastimes stood George in good stead, his entire life.

George was predeceased by his mother Rose (Torok) Barta, father James Barta Sr., step-mother Kathleen Beresh-Barta, mother-in-law Marie (Beck) Baxter, father-in-law Thomas Baxter, infant brother Frank, sister Mary and brother-in-law Andrew Szabics, sister Julia and brother-in-law Cecil Siver, sister Elizabeth and brother-in-law Sydney Izsak, brothers Jim and Peter, uncle Peter and aunt Mary (Szilagyi) Barta, cousin Leslie Barta, step-brothers Emil, Alex and Calvin Beresh, step-sister Helen (Beresh) Roberts, step-sister-in-law Angeline (Szakacs) Beresh, brothers-in-law Walter Baxter, Henry Schultz, and Edward Hjelte, sisters-in-law Lillian (Baxter) Borders and Violet (Baxter) Hjelte, and step-grandson Dean Shrader.

He is survived by former wife, Mildred, daughter Elaine (Lloyd) Schrader, step-grandchildren Nancy (Gordon), Brenda (Dan), Darcy (Shelly), Bernice (Doug), brother Frank and sister- in-law Margaret (Nagy) Barta, sister Lillian and brother-in-law Bill Culling, sisters-in-law Hilda (Worley) Barta and Clara (Balog) Barta, step-brother Arthur Beresh, step-sister-in-law Ellen (Kirichenko) Beresh, aunt Myrtle (Vale) Stapleton, sisters-in-law Mabel (Baxter) Waterfield, Margaret (Baxter) Schultz, Elsie (Hjelte) Baxter, Clara (Hjelte) Baxter, Betty (Starrett) Baxter, brothers-in-law Arthur Baxter, Harold Baxter, Jack Waterfield and Roy Borders, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Bekevar Heritage Fund in memory of George Barta.