It is with such sadness that we announce our son Happy Wilson Summerfield was born still on Saturday November 18, 2017. Looking forward to his arrival were his parents Kaitlyn Chamberlain & Bradley Summerfield, his big brothers Shadyn-Bradley Summerfield and Holton Summerfield, his Nana Barb Pardo, Grandpa Dennis Pardo, Grandma Brenda O’Dell and his great grandparents Joe & Rose O’Dell and Deb Doubt. He was already waiting to be held by many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Happy was loved from the moment we knew him. He tiptoed quietly into our lives and although he couldn’t stay, he will be held in our hearts forever…our beautiful son.

A private family service will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday November 24, 2017 in the morning. Following that, an invitation is extended to all of our friends and family to gather at our home at 1:00 p.m. for a reception (177 Chatham Street South, Unit 8 Blenheim).

Kaitlyn & Bradley

Dena Harriett Anderson (nee DeGelas) passed away peacefully on November 19, 2017 in her 60th year at the Chatham-Kent Hospice with her family and friends at her side. Dena was born July 1, 1957 in Chatham to the late Helen Margaret King (2014) and the late Franklin Theodore DeGelas (2016). Dena is survived by her husband of 35 years Wayne Anderson and her twins- son Kyle Anderson, and daughter Kelley (Chris) Kirwan. Best Grammy to Koda, her grandpuppy. Loving sister to David, Duncan, Jeannie, and Amy DeGelas. Beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews. Loving best friend to many.

Dena grew up in Blenheim and was the Blossom Queen at Blenheim District High School in 1976. During high school she worked at the Dominion Store. She spent many years playing softball and enjoyed running track. Dena worked for many years with CIBC at the Blenheim branch, assisted at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, and was the Assistant Returning Officer with Elections Canada and Elections Ontario.

Dena was an avid community volunteer with local schools, Blenheim Minor Hockey, Blenheim United Church, United Church Women, and an organizer with the Blenheim Ministerial Association’s Christmas Hamper Drive. Dena was an honorary member of the Catholic Women’s League, helping with the Lenten Lunches.

Dena was fond of cardinals, bracelets, sports, swimming, and camping. She spent many precious hours watching family and friends’ children play sports and loved every minute of it. Family, friends, and the Blenheim community meant everything to Dena. She will be missed greatly by all. Per Dena’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held at a later date. Family has requested donations be made in Dena’s memory to the Chatham-Kent Hospice and the London Health Sciences Centre.

Wayne Croft died peacefully on November 19, 2017 at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance at the age of 74. Born in Sweaburg, ON on October 22, 1943 to the late John and Betty (Clark) Croft.  Beloved husband of 58 years to Sharon (Papps) Croft.  Loving father of 4 sons; Gregory (Carolyn), Jeffrey, James and Tim (Christine) Croft.  He will be missed by 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and his nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his brother Michael Croft.

As per Wayne’s wishes, cremation has taken place.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Friends wishing to remember Wayne with a memorial donation are asked to consider Memorial donations to Word of Life Food Bank or St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Erieau.

Marjorie Mae Taylor (nee Knott) passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Monday, November 13, 2017 in her 88^th year.  Marjorie, beloved wife of the late Ernest Taylor.  Loving daughter of the late Ivan and Ella Knott.  Cherished Mother of Donna (Rick) Pritchard, Lou Anne (Bob) Pauhl , Bill (Jan) Taylor and Jean Taylor (Jim Riches), Myra (Don) Pettit; Adored by her grandchildren Dustin Pritchard (Emily Marks), Janelle (Tim) Cobban, Anne (Lambert) Cook, Ellana Pauhl, Shayna Taylor, Jamison Cass, Courtney Cass, and Taylor Cass; and nine great grandchildren; Dear sister of Murray Knott, Bob (Peggy) Knott; and by her many other loved nieces, nephews and friends.  Predeceased by son Wayne Taylor, sister Ella Knott, sister-in-law Helen Knott and her step-mother Olive Knott.  Marjorie was an avid Shuffleboard player and President of Chatham (Thames-Horizon) Shuffleboard Club, Past President of the Florida State Shuffleboard Ass’n, and a member of the South-East Coast Shuffleboard Ass’n.  She was a member of Team Canada Shuffleboard and represented Canada in Las Vegas, California, Edmonton, Japan, Australia, Rio Deja Nero, New Brunswick, and Russia.  Marjorie was inducted into the U.S.A. Shuffleboard Hall of Fame and was also inducted into the Dresden Sports Hall of Fame (as the fastball pitcher for the “Florence Chicks”).  Special thanks to the incredible care given by South West CCAC London and Chatham Regions.  Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home 53 Stanley St, Blenheim on Sunday, November 19, 2017 from 2:00 – 4:00 & 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., where the memorial service will be held on Monday at 10:30 a.m.  If desired, donations to The Cancer Society will be gratefully acknowledged.

Jerry Joseph William “Bill” Haskell passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Thursday November 9, 2017. Bill was born in Chatham 83 years ago to the late Douglas & Fern (Tasker) Haskell and was raised in the Merlin area.  He and his late wife Shirley raised four children; Kim Lindsay (Bob), Kenneth Haskell (Carolyn) and the late Rick Haskell (survived by Deb) and Cindy Morrison (survived by Doug). He was one of six children and is survived by Marilyn Whittal, Sherry Lloyd and Jack Haskell.  Predeceased by Harlow and Jimmy Haskell.  Bill will be missed by all of his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchild as well as his friends Noreen and Lynn.

A truck driver by trade, Bill spent many years in Florida. He enjoyed camping and hunting moose.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will take place on Thursday November 16, 2017 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. Cremation will follow with a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.

Friends wishing to remember Bill with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

It is with such sadness that we announce our son, Theodore Ralph Elliott was born still on Saturday November 11, 2017. Quietly Theodore tiptoed into the hearts of his parents Michael & Jenna (Stepniak) Elliott and left a lifetime of beautiful memories for them to hold. He was loved from the start…our baby boy; our beautiful son and Wade’s baby brother. He had an extended family who was also looking forward to his arrival, his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Cremation has taken place and Theodore’s family will remember him quietly.

Michael Scott Davey of Blenheim passed away at home on Wednesday November 8, 2017. Mike was born 58 years ago in St. Thomas to his parents Marilyn (Gord Barnhard) & the late Bruce Davey. It was one day while working at the Mink Ranch just outside of Blenheim that he met the love of his life Kerry Colby and they began a life together that included Brent & Dale Colby and their children Megan and Hailey. Mike will be forever remembered by his sister Linda Monk and his brothers Steve & Lori, Pete & Connie and Paul & Karen. He will also be missed by several nieces and nephews.

Mike was an avid outdoorsman. He loved animals. He loved hunting and fishing. He always had a story or a joke to tell and had a very strong opinion that there was no reason ever to wear socks unless you were going to a wedding or a funeral (and then they should be taken off as soon as possible). A great day for him was when his grandchildren would come to visit.

It was Mike’s wish that this stage of his life be shared with family and friends. A time of visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday November 10, 2017 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Memories will be shared at 1:30 p.m.

Mike was involved with the Rondeau Bay Waterfowlers Association and it was in his heart to support children who need financial help to become involved with the activities there. Friends wanting to remember him with a memorial donation are asked to consider donating to that cause.

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Joseph Alphonse “Louis” Lachapelle of Shrewsbury passed away at home on Monday November 6, 2017. Louis was born in Sturgeon Falls 56 years ago to his late parents Rolande & Emile Lachapelle.  He will be remembered with great fondness by his wife Hollie (Walters) Lachapelle, his daughter Katie (Allan), sons Shane and Joseph (Sammi-Joe), step-children Val and Steven, his grandchildren Ashantee, Bailey, Joey, Coven, Kassidee, Nethaniel and Desiree as well as his sisters Frankie, Louise (Mark), Helen, Annette (Bruce), Monique (Rick) and his brother Rene.  Predeceased by his sister Diane and brothers Paul, Henry and Norm.

In keeping with Louis’ wishes, cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday November 14, 2017 where visitation will take place from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.  A Funeral Service for Louis will begin at 4:00 p.m.

Friends wishing to remember Louis with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Cancer Society.

Joyce Patricia Welch passed away November 5, 2017 at Chatham Kent Health Alliance. She was born July 29, 1937, in Blenheim, 80 years ago, daughter of the late Lillian Markey and George Welch. She is predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Kenneth Wayne Hope.

Loving wife and mother, loyal friend, community-minded citizen and animal lover, Joyce loved nothing better than to nurture, care and support those nearest and dearest to her. She was raised in Blenheim, but later moved to Guilds and raised a family with her loving husband Ken Hope. Throughout her life, she balanced work as an office assistant at McGeorge Construction and Mallory’s in Blenheim and later as a representative at Sears in Chatham while dedicating time to family life.

Going for drives to the lake, planting gardens in the spring, picnics at the beach with the kids on warm summer days and spending time with her pets, especially her special cat, Lilly, were some of her favorite pastimes. She was an avid reader and loved to share stories and books with her children, grandchildren and friends.

A proud member of the Blenheim and Guilds communities, she participated in UCW, I.O.D.E. and was a leader for United Church Explorers for many years. In later years, Joyce enjoyed time spent visiting with her friends over coffee and interacting with neighbors. She was always a good listener with a smile and a story to share.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Heather and Brian Panchyshak of Windsor, Stephanie and Brad Potier of Lake Orion, Michigan and Stephen and Renée Hope of Blenheim, seven grandchildren, Katelyn and Rachel Panchyshak, Mitchell and Kurtis Potier, Suprina and Brad Bartlett, Krystal Goodison, Tyler and Samantha Goodison, and five great-grandchildren, Miley, Tyrese, Tyzon, Logan and Owen and a brother and sister-in-law Les and Louise Welch of Whitby. She is predeceased by her sister Kathleen Cundle and brother, Art Welch.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate and share stories of Joyce’s life at Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Thursday, November 9th from 1-3pm. As per Joyce’s wishes a cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held after the reception. Those wishing to remember Joyce with a memorial donation, are encouraged to donate to Pet and Wildlife Rescue of Chatham.

Sam Penney of Morpeth passed away on Sunday November 5, 2017. Sam was born in Newfoundland on August 29, 1935 the son of the late Sam and Isabel (March) Penney.  He is survived by his wife Nancy “Bo” Penney (nee Barker), two sons Gary of Chatham and Ken & Darlene of Lighthouse Cove, two daughters Debbie & Ernie Simon of Newfoundland and Margie of Alberta.  Sam is also survived by his brother Finten & Joyce Penney of Newfoundland, his sisters Mary Lacosta and Carmie Lacosta both of Newfoundland, by seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.  He will be remembered by several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his brother John and by his sisters Aggie and Teresa.

In keeping with Sam’s wishes, cremation is to take place. Friends wishing to remember him with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Society.