CHATENAY, Jean ‘Jim’

1942 – 2026

Mr. Jean ‘Jim’ Francois Chatenay of Innisfail, Alberta passed away at home on February 25, 2026 at the age of 83 years. He was born December 19, 1942 in Red Deer and was raised on the farm in the Ridgewood Community. He met his wife Olive at a 4-H dance and was immediately smitten. The were married several years later and raised their four children on the family farm west of Penhold until Olive passed. He sold the farm a short time later and moved to Innisfail with his second wife, Barbara Scarlett.

Jim grew up and then farmed on the family farm started by his parents Paul and Anne, for the majority of his life. He was instrumental in bringing Charolais Cattle to Canada from France and was an excellent farmer. He was also well known for his battle with the Canadian Wheat Board which cost him three weeks of freedom at the Drumheller Penitentiary. He had time served for donating a bushel of barley to a Montana 4-H Club without a proper Wheat Board Permit. Many years later, he was invited to Ottawa by the Honorable Prime Minister, Steven Harper and was pardoned for this “crime”.

Jim enjoyed his retirement in Innisfail and spent his remaining years travelling, fishing, both watching and playing curling, playing bridge with friends and spending time with family. He is survived by his son, Michael (Sharon) Chatenay of Agassiz, British Columbia, his daughter, Chantal (Don) Goyan of Sylvan Lake, Alberta and his sister Corinne Colwill of Calgary, Alberta and his son-in-law Rob McFadden of Bragg Creek, Alberta. In total, Jim had eleven grandchildren, Ryan, Jesse, Keaton, Hailey, Devin, Krysten, Allison, Jayden, Hannah, Paige and Cole, and four and a half great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Paul and Anne Chatenay, his brother, Henri, his wife, Olive, his daughter, Tammy and his son Mark.

The family will be hosting a Celebration of Jim’s life at the Innisfail Alliance Church on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. If friends so desire, Memorial Donations may be made to either Change For Children at cfca@changeforchildren.org or the Innisfail Junior Curling Program, P.O. Box 6006, Innisfail, Alberta T4G 1S7. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006

• Date : 2026-03-05
• Location : Heartland Funeral Services (Innisfail) www.heartlandfuneralservices.com 403.227.0006