Lillian Huffman of Blenheim passed away peacefully on Monday November 5, 2018. Lillian was born 83 years ago to the late Orlo & Gladys (Tole) Sterling.
She was predeceased by her only brother Albert Sterling and his wife Marilyn. On August 29, 1959 Lillian married Art Huffman and began a journey that would span over 58 years until he predeceased her in September, 2017. They farmed together for many years and raised three sons; Ken, Gary & Cathie, and Don & Phyllis. Lillian will be remembered by 2 grandchildren and nephews Allan and Steven Sterling and their families. Lillian enjoyed being a part of the Blenheim & District Historical Society since its inception and she also enjoyed spending time at the Blenheim Freedom Library & Military Museum.

Family and friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation on Thursday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m.   A Funeral Service for Lillian, conducted by Pastor Bill Terris will take place at the Funeral Home on Friday November 9, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. Interment of Lillian’s urn will take place at a later date in Evergreen Cemetery.

Donations to the Blenheim & District Historical Society or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Gillis Turner Jr. passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Wednesday October 31, 2018 at the age of 66 years. Gil was predeceased by his wife Janice (Embury) Turner in 2012. He will be remembered fondly by his children Suzanne & Tim Vaughan and Bill & Andrea Turner, by his grandchildren Kaylie and Harley Vaughan and Reece and Mason Turner. He will also be remembered by his sisters Betty Clark, Sandra & Bob McNear and Debra & Bob Senyk, his sister in law Patsy & Garnet Johnson and his nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Louella & Gillis Turner.

Gil and Janice enjoyed travelling in their lifetimes. They enjoyed bus trips, ball games and camping at Campers Cove in Wheatley. After Janice’s passing and his own retirement from Resistance Welding in Blenheim, Gil enjoyed being a part of the Blenheim Legion and in his spare time he took up coin collecting.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday November 2, 2018 where visitation will take place from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. A Funeral Service conducted by Rev. David Fuller will follow immediately after the visitation at 2:00 p.m. Gil will be laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery with Janice and his parents.

Gil’s final days were made comfortable thanks to the staff and volunteers at the Chatham-Kent Hospice. Friends wishing to remember him with a memorial donation are encouraged to consider the Hospice so that they can continue to help others.

Mrs. Marion Trube was born, raised and educated, along with 5 sisters and 1 brother, in Hamilton, Ontario. During the early years there wasn’t a great deal of support and guidance for a specific degree, however, Marion still managed to complete a three-year Practical Arts Degree from Hamilton Tech. Being the eldest daughter, she also took it upon herself to teach her younger siblings how to read, write and do crafts.

During the depression era, when finding work was a true challenge, she found employment for 2 – 3 years as a waitress at McMaster University and lived on campus. Her salary was $25.00 per month which included her room and board. In those days, Marion had to wash all her own uniforms, starch and iron them – not an easy deal after working long hours but appreciative nonetheless of the fact she was employed.

During war time, Marion met her British born husband Anthony Hugh Winfield at the Hostess Club in the YWCA in Hamilton. After his posting in Hamilton, he was sent to India until the end of the war. At that juncture, his desire was to return to Marion in Hamilton, however this was not permitted. So, in 1947, she flew to Glasgow, took the train to Sheffield and lived with her future husband and his mother until they married in 1948. In 1950 they were finally able to return to Canada where they had a beautiful son and daughter. Tim Winfield is a registered massage therapist and Wanda Winfield, a United Church Minister. 1 grandchild and 2 great grandchildren were the joy of her life.

In 1993, Marion moved to Christie Gardens in Toronto after the death of her second husband, Alex Trube. She loved to read, collect miniature dolls, listen to a variety of music, sing in the choir, and volunteered her time at Christie Gardens. She requested that this poem be included in her remembrance.

“Among the stellar world, I know,

I was a speck, but even so,

Though tiny my potential,

I must have been essential,

My part in life was soon run through,

Still life without me couldn’t do”

(From Kaisyn Kuley – Grass and Stone Selected poems 1965)

Memorial donations may be made to the Diabetes Association, the Anglican Primate’s World Relief Fund pwrdf.org , or the charity of your choice. There will be no Funeral Home visitation or service. A private family interment will take place at a later date in Hamilton.

Agnes Nellie Russelo (Beaubiah) of Blenheim passed away peacefully on Monday October 29, 2018 at Riverview Gardens Long Term Care Home, Chatham at the age of 89.

Agnes was the beloved wife of the late Donald Wentforde Russelo.

Loving mother to Donald, Robert (Patti) of Blenheim & Sally Kuipers (Jerry Rychlo) of London.

She was predeceased by her parents John & Olive Beaubiah (Purdy), father-in-law Harry Russelo and mother-in-law Maggie Russelo (Bathgate).

Survived by sister Elizabeth (Betty) Martin. Predeceased by sister Mary Custance (Metcalf), brother Edward Beaubiah, brother-in-laws Wilfred (Moe) Martin, George Custance, Ronald Metcalfe, Morris Russelo (Ada), sister-in-laws Lola Bentley (Les), Shirley Crow (Bill).

Agnes was born in Chatham, Ontario, November 4, 1928, and will be lovingly remembered by her many nieces, nephews and cousins along with her grandchildren, Robert, Joey (predeceased), Ryan, Donnie (predeceased), Richard Cody and Cory. Agnes was also blessed with 5 great grandchildren; Harrison, Nolan, Emmett, Abigail and Liam.

Agnes’s family will receive friends at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street, Blenheim Ontario on Thursday, November 1, 2018 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. (Parish Prayers will be offered at 7 p.m). A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Mary’s Church, Blenheim, Ontario, on Friday November 2, 2018 at 11:00 am. Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery Blenheim, Ontario.

Memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Diabetes Association would be appreciated.

Mary Patricia Crouch passed away peacefully at Riverview Gardens on Sunday October 14, 2018. Mary was born 80 years ago to the late Oscar & Martha (Scott) Dubuque. She is survived by her children, Jodie & Doug Johnston, Mike Oliver & Sandy Kirk, Gary Oliver & Kelly Wright and her grandchildren Jared & Emma Oliver, Blayne Oliver, Kary Oliver, Tiffany (Oliver) & Jay LaFortune, Tyler Oliver & Ashley Williamson and Vincent Oliver as well as her great grandchildren Oliver, and Hannah. She is also survived by her sister Joanne & Scott Frampton. Predeceased by her brother Donald Dubuque.

Mary was a kind and compassionate lady whose faith was very important to her. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church in Chatham for many years. Throughout her life and in her latter years at Riverview Gardens, she displayed compassion and kindness to everyone around her. She was well known for her sense of humour, her dancing abilities and her love for all kinds of music. She appreciated nature and loved spending time near the water with family and friends. In her quiet times she enjoyed reading.

Mary’s family commend the staff of Riverview Gardens for the wonderful care that was given to their mother and grandmother over the last number of years. The little things that you did to make her comfortable and feel at peace did not go unnoticed.

Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Thursday October 25, 2018 for visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Following that time, the family will gather at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham for an interment service at 1:00 p.m.

Friends wishing to remember Mary with a memorial donation are asked to consider WAYS; an organization that helps youth in crisis. www.ways.on.ca

John Rose of Blenheim passed away on October 10, 2018 at the age of 63 years. He will be remembered by his wife Kathy (DeLaet) Rose, by his daughter Jon-Ann Rose & Tony, his sons Fred & Tonya, Roger & Ashley and his grandchildren Payton, Xavier, Kaislee and Brianne.

John was one of five children born to Shirley & John Rose of Chatham and is survived by his sister Shirley VanDaele (Greg) and his brothers Bill Rose (Shirley), Ron Rose and Rick Rose.

John was easy going man who loved spending time with his family and close friends. He will be missed. John’s family will gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home to remember him on Tuesday at 1 p.m. Cremation to follow.

Barrie Wilson, a longtime resident of Blenheim, formerly of Church Brough, England, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 9th in his 64^th year, after a brave battle with cancer. His loving wife Paula was at his side.

Barrie is pre-deceased by his parents, Richard (Dick) and Monica Wilson, and his former partner, Joyce Lynch. He is survived by his sister Helen Taylor (Harold), and niece Nina Robinson (David), all of Appleby, England. Barrie is also survived by Joyce’s son, John Lynch, and his daughters, Abby and Jillian, by Paula’s daughters, Alicia Sliepenbeek (Jason), and Nicole VanGassen (Brandon), and grandchildren, Maximilian and Sophia.

Barrie leaves behind his brother-in-law Edward Mizzi (Bari), sister-in-law Virginia Gutauskas (Bob), loving nieces, Katharine Gutauskas, Jennifer Pereira (Joshua), Victoria Mizzi (Andrew), and nephew, Andrew Mizzi, and many dear friends. Barrie is also survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends in England.

As a young man in England, Barrie worked at Hook’s Garage, Allison Grand Prix Garage, and as a mechanic and driver for Jewitt Bus Lines.

Barrie was a volunteer firefighter for Blenheim/Ridgetown/Chatham area for 15 years. He worked at Rol-Land Farms, CBM Cement, VANTEL, and snow plowed for the Ministry of Transportation.

Barrie was larger than life, was full of the dickens, was always there to help, and will be wholeheartedly missed.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will take place on Friday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Barrie will take place at the Funeral Home on Saturday October 13, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.   Cremation to follow.   In lieu of flowers, donations to the Word of Life Soup Kitchen would be greatly appreciated.

Daniel (Danny) Justin Kenneth McCullough resided in Chatham. He was born Sunday August 8th,1976 and passed away on Friday September 28th, 2018.

He was the much loved son of Penny & his father, Ken McCullough who predeceased him in 2016,

Dan leaves behind his children, Kyle McCullough and Gavin McCullough, his sister Bobbi-Jo & Stu Ferren and their children Addison and Drew, brother Jacques & Jennifer and their children Tyler, Jacqueline and Patrick.

Dan loved his children and his family was everything to him. He will be greatly missed.

Dan enjoyed nature and he loved fishing and camping. He was a true sports fan of the Maple Leaf ‘s. He liked stats and could hardly what to put his picks in for the next sports lottery. Dan was always excited to watch a good car race and listen to his favourite 90’s rock music.

He was our Dad, son, brother, and he meant everything to his family. To honour his wishes we will remember him privately.

Daniel Watson Maris, 61, of Glenwood, passed away on Saturday September 22, 2018. He will be dearly missed by his children Michael (Stacey Rowsome), Christopher (Taylor), and Lawren Maris, and their mother Lawrie Maris. Dan was the proud grandfather of Zelda Maris.

Danny is the cherished son of Dorothy and the late William Maris. He is loved by brothers and sisters Marilyn (Steve) Dowker, David (Mary Farmer) Maris, Dale (Arlene) Maris, and Maureen (David) Whiting. Uncle Danny will be missed by his many nieces and nephews. Danny will be fondly remembered by his uncles Donald Maris and Ronnie Lloyd, as well as his cousins.

Visitation will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday September 25 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm and again on Wednesday September 26 from 11:30 am-1 pm followed immediately by a Funeral Service. Interment will take place in Pardoville Cemetery. In memory of Dan’s giving nature, friends who wish to remember him with a memorial donation are asked to donate to the charity of their choice.