Obituary of Rick Markham

The family of Rick Markham, beloved husband of Marlene, sadly announce his passing on Thursday, January 25, 2024. He was 66 years of age.

The Funeral Service will take place on Friday, February 2nd at 2:00pm from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey officiating.

Click Here For Live Stream beginning at 1:45p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Yellowhead International Speedway or to Cardiac Care at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre as gifts of remembrance.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home, Yorkton. 

     It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rick Markham, cherished husband, father, papa, brother, uncle and friend. On January 25, 2024, our world dimmed as we bid farewell to a man who brought so much joy, love, and light into our lives.

     Rick was born on November 23, 1957, to Walter Markham and Edna (Thirkell) Markham. He was the 8th of 9 children. He lost his father Walter to a massive heart attack in 1964. In 1968, Edna remarried Bill Eckardt, and they moved to a farm near Hilltop. This is where he met the love of his life, Marlene Michael. On April 26th, 1975, at the age of 17, they married at St Andrews United Church in Yorkton. They had three children, Corey in 1974, Shannon in 1977, and Bradley in 1984. They lived on an acreage near Hilltop, where they were involved in the community. Rick was the adored Papa to five grandchildren, and favorite uncle to a host of nieces and nephews, enjoying a special bond with his nephew Murray. He was friendly with everyone - no matter where he traveled, he ran into someone he knew.

     Rick was a hard worker all his life. He started working at Carnduff Motors in Yorkton, then moved on to Ruff’s Furniture. He started his Semi driving career at East Side Gravel, and Pachal’s Transport. Then he moved on to train semi drivers at Van-x Professional Driver Centre, where he worked for 16 years until the business closed in 2013. He then worked at Fun Motor Sports until health problems forced him to retire in 2017.

     Rick enjoyed many hobbies - he was a founding member of the Yellowhead International Speedway in Yorkton and raced stock cars for years. He was an avid hunter, camper, explorer and fisherman. He and Marlene enjoyed touring all across Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the summers until his health made travel difficult. Rick created his own knives and other metal artwork in his home built forge. Many family and friends are the proud owners of his knives, his fire pokers and his wood splitters. He was an accomplished woodworker, an amazing cook, and could fix just about anything (though not always using all the original parts). He was the person everyone came to when they had questions on anything from history to mechanics to prairie geography. He had a lot of knowledge in a lot of areas and was always willing to share his expertise.

     Rick leaves to mourn his loving wife Marlene, his children Corey, Shannon (Gary) and Bradley (Lesleigh). His grandchildren Katelyn, Connor, and Matthew Anderson, and Charleigh and Finnley Markham. His brothers Larry (Adeline) and Don (Reta), his sisters Sharon (Elmer) Schick, Dorothy Weinbender, Noreen (Carl) Rudachyk and Donna (John) Germs, and his brother-in-law Alan Cooper. His brother-in-law Derry Michael and his sisters in law Donna Michael and Joann (Rick) McDonald, his brother-in-law Lane Chesney, and a large number of nieces, nephews, friends, neighbours, former co workers and random people whose lives he has touched over the years.

     He will be reunited with his father Walter, his mother Edna, his step father Bill, his brother Chuck, his sister Linda Cooper, his brother-in-law Quentin Weinbender, his sister-in-law Elaine Chesney, his mother-in-law Mabel Michael, and his father-in-law Jack Michael, and other family and friends who wait for him at his final destination.