Members of the Kootenay Rockies ATV (KRATV) Club based in Cranbrook, B.C., mourn the death of Merle Simon. Born in 1928, Simon was an enthusiastic ATVer who participated in the club’s ATV rides right up until his sudden passing on Wednesday, July 4, 2012.

Simon was originally from North Dakota and he and his family moved to the East Kootenay in 1959 to work at the S Half Diamond Ranch on Premier Lake. He later built a ranch on Lussier River and he and his wife, Ev, raised quarter horses there. Simon and his wife also built the Hayshed Barn riding arena in Mayook, B.C., and the Hayshed Trailer business—which was eventually sold. Simon retired after that but he returned to work and started Cranbrook’s Hayshed Too trailer company in 1997. Simon is survived by two sons, three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law.

Doug Williamson, who is the president of KRATV Club, said that Simon will be missed by many people.

A memorial service for Simon will be held at 2 p.m, on Monday, July 16, 2012, at Marks Memorial Funeral Home on Industrial Road 2 in Cranbrook.

RidersWest would like to extend sincere condolences to the family and friends of Merle Simon.