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Franz Reiner — Pioneer Lake Country Merchant

On page five of the Thursday, November 16, 1911 edition of The Kelowna Courier and Okanagan Orchardist appeared the following article:

DIED – At the Hospital, on Monday, Nov. 13th, Frank Reiner, Okanagan Centre, aged 52. Mr. Reiner had been ailing several weeks, but the immediate cause of death was paralysis. He was a native of Bohemia, Austria, had been at one time a diamond miner at Kimberley, South Africa, and recently ran a store on the Vernon-Mission Road, near Okanagan Centre. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Grant, of Okanagan Centre, and two sons.

The Thursday, November 16, 1911 edition of The Vernon News, page nine, provides additional information about Franz Reiner’s death:

Okanagan Centre: The death of Mr. Frank Reiner will be greatly regretted by all who knew him. Struggling bravely against an incurable malady he remained at business until last week when the final seizure came and though tended with the greatest care the inevitable end at Kelowna Hospital [came] on Monday morning.  Our sympathies will be extended to his bereaved family who are left to mourn their loss.

One week later, on page nine, The Vernon News reported:

Alvaston: The burial of Mr. Franz Reiner took place in Kelowna on Friday, his son arriving from the coast to be present, will stay in the neighborhood a few days before returning to business.

In 1910, Okanagan Centre was only a few years old, and so Franz Reiner was one of the earliest merchants in that part of the Central Okanagan. It is hoped that further research will provide additional information about this pioneer businessman and his family.

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