Long-time Ripley resident Bertha Tout dies at the grand old age of 103

Bertha (Bolton) Tout, beloved wife of the late Earl Tout, of Ripley, died peacefully at Pinecrest Manor, Lucknow, Sunday, April 2, 2017, in her 104th year. 

Lovingly remembered by her children, Doug (Audrey) of Waterford, Marlene of Port Perry, Helen of Mitchell, and Murray (Faye) of Caesarea. Ever missed by 26 grandchildren. Also left to mourn, are her brothers, John Bolton of Wingham and Harvey (Bertha) Bolton of Walkerton; sisters, Margaret Sleightholm of Lucknow and Etta Dickieson of Ripley; sister-in-law, Marie Bolton of Walkerton; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Predeceased by three brothers and three sisters, and one great-grandson.
 
Born Dec. 6, 1913, Bertha was the eldest of 11 children born to Robert and Rosetta (Smith) Bolton of Culross Township.
 
She met Earl Tout of Pine River at one of the dances at the Kincardine Dance Hall Pavilion during the Second World War. At that time, she was working at the Malcolm Furniture Factory in Kincardine, making airplane parts.
 
They were married at the Teeswater United Church manse, June 6, 1944, and had four children. They farmed on the 8th Concession of Huron Township, and Earl served as the clerk-treasurer of the township for 21 years (1954-75), retiring at the age of 65.
 
Since the clerk's office was in their home, Bertha answered the telephone and would attend many functions with her husband, including conferences, dinners, etc.
 
They lived 32 years on the farm, and Bertha lived more than 40 years in Ripley. Earl passed away in 2007.
 
Bertha was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church, Ripley, and the Women's Missionary Society there.
 
She saw many changes over the years, but one thing she never got used to, was driving a car.

"I tried it once," she said. "Earl drove us out to a back lane and I got behind the wheel. Well, the thing stalled and he said something to me, and I got out and walked back to the house and I never drove again."

She and Earl enjoyed travelling and camping. They saw the start of the electrical and electronic age, with radios, television, and movies; from gramophones to cassettes to compact discs. 

And, as former clerk-treasurer, he saw Huron Township amalgamate with Kinloss Township and Lucknow to become Huron-Kinloss in 1999, and said it was a good idea to decide the fate of the township, rather than have it decided for you.

Bertha's funeral will be held at the MacKenzie and McCreath Funeral Home, Ripley, Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at Noon, with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Diabetes Association, or the Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 440 (Ripley), would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.

Interment Kincardine Cemetery.