William “Bill” Mantle of Blenheim passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 7, 2017.  He was born 82 years ago to the late Iva Marie (Rock) and Llewellyn Hiram Mantle.  He will be remembered fondly by his wife of 54 years Patricia (Shantz) Mantle, his children Crystal and Tom Tye of Blenheim, Laurie Mantle of Chatham, Bradley and Cristina Mantle of Texas and William “Bill” Mantle Jr. of Florida. He was the proud Papa of Marissa, Garrett, Brandon and Ashley, Kyle, Jessica and Joel, 14 great grandchildren and was predeceased by his great grandson Daeton (2006).  He will also be remembered by his siblings Bruce Mantle, Llewellyn (Sharon) Mantle, Roy (Ann) Mantle, Mary Lou Mantle and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his sister Ruby (2006) and brother Wallace (1997).

Bill was an avid fisherman and hunter, and enjoyed boating, smoking meat and traveling with his wife Patricia.

The family would like to thank the staff at Blenheim Community Village for their care and compassion for Bill over the last two years, and the special care that was given to him in his final days.  The family would also like to thank Dr. Perkin and Nurse Practitioner Jennifer for all their special care.

It was his wish that friends and family remember him quietly and if someone wanted to make a memorial donation that they would consider helping the Blenheim Baptist Church or The Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Cremation has taken place.  A private memorial service for immediate family will be held at a later date. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.

Jim Gardiner of Blenheim passed away on Thursday September 28, 2017.  He was born 79 years ago to Gladys (Drury) Gardiner and the late Percy Gardiner.  He will be remembered fondly by his wife Cheryl (Johns) Gardiner, his daughter Wendy & David VanEerd and their children Keith and Victoria of Highgate and Mike Gardiner of London was well as his chosen family Kim Johns, Dana Hines (Gary), David Johns and John Johns all of the USA with their 12 children.

Jim was one of 7 siblings and is survived by his sisters Ruth and Donna both of Chatham, his brother Bill of Erie Beach and his brother Wayne of Chatham.  He was predeceased by his sister Darlene and his brother Bob.

Jim worked for many years as a linesman for the Blenheim PUC.  He enjoyed life to the fullest, especially if it included being on the lake.  It was his wish that friends and family remember him quietly and if someone wanted to make a memorial donation that they would consider helping the Lung Association.  Cremation has taken place.  Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.

Arthur Huffman of Blenheim passed away peacefully on Friday, September 22, 2017. Arthur was born 88 years ago to his late parents Helen (Wilkie) and Blake Huffman. Beloved husband of Lillian (Sterling) Huffman for 58 years. He will be remembered with great fondness by his sons Ken, Gary (Cathie), and Don (Phyllis), his 2 grandchildren and his nephews Allan and Steven Sterling and their families. Predeceased by his brother-in-law Albert (Marilyn) Sterling.

Arthur was a member of Rondeau Bay Agricultural Conservation Corporation, The Western Ontario Angus Association and Beef Producers for Change.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will take place on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.   A Funeral Service for Arthur will take place at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 27^th at 1:00 p.m. Cremation will follow. Interment of ashes will take place at a later date in Evergreen Cemetery.

Donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we have to share the unexpected news that we lost our dear beautiful Chelsea Bel. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 23, 2017 in a London hospital after a battle with a rare condition called Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Chelsea was a strong willed, thoughtful, free spirit. She had a huge heart and was an animal advocate who will be missed by many.  We have set up a gofundme in Chelsea’s memory.  Any donations will go toward Second Chance Animal Rescue in her name.

www.gofundme.com/donate-to-scar-in-Chelseas-name

We know you will always be our brightest star.

On Saturday September 16, 2017 our family and some of Chelsea’s close friends will gather at the Blenheim Legion from 2:00 – 5:00 to celebrate her life.

David & Marilyn Belcoure, Troy & Amanda Belcoure and Justin Belcoure

Leverne Lister age 90, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2017. He was truly loved by his wife Florence of 60 years. Also survived by his children Rosemarie (Richard) Schroeder, Michelle (Ralph) DeBrabant, grandchildren, Brianna and Sarah. He will be missed by all his family including his siblings, Joyce (Chuck) Judson, Ken Lister and loving nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by his parents Christopher & Anne (Huffman) Lister, his brother Murray Lister and sisters-in-law Marian Lister, Ella Lister and Reida Lister.

Vern enjoyed woodworking, Bingo, baking, and going to the Farmers Market. He was an animal lover and will miss his cat Rocky dearly. Vern kept busy delivering flowers for several local florists until he was in his mid-70’s. He was also an active proud member of the K of C Council 6865, 3rd degree and a 4th degree member in the past.

Vern truly enjoyed life and would lend a hand to anyone in need. To meet him made you smile leaving a lasting impression. He touched the hearts of many and will truly be missed.

Family and friends are invited to Craford Cemetery on Saturday September 16, 2017 where a graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

Faye (Armstrong) Mitchell passed away on Monday September 4, 2017 at the age of 65 years. Faye was an awesome Mother and Grandmother to Dean & Cynthia Mitchell and their children Owen and Quinn of Colorado, Kristin & Dave Hamilton and their children Tanner and Logan of British Columbia and Jeff & Amy Mitchell and their children Landen and Lyla of Blenheim. She will be missed by her only sister Myrna Armstrong. Faye was predeceased by her parents Roger & Margaret (Murphy) Armstrong.

Friends will remember Faye prior to her move to Maple Ridge, British Columbia six years ago when she was a part of the Little Change Room. She had a heart of gold and was a friend of many.

A Celebration of Life for Faye will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday September 9, 2017 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

John Roadhouse passed away at home on Saturday September 2, 2017.  Born in Chatham 75 years ago to the late Jack (1996) and Ruth (2017) Roadhouse, John was well known in the Blenheim area.  He was proud of his sons David Roadhouse & Tiffenni Wilkinson of Etobicoke and Chris & Kelly Roadhouse of Toronto.  He was also the much loved brother of Anne & Don Gammage of Blenheim and uncle to a number of nieces and nephews.

John experienced life to the fullest.  He was a sports enthusiast, having a lifelong passion for golf and recent affinity for shuffleboard. He was a jack of all trades, having been in the Air Force, worked in a mine, sold cars and RV’s, and managed a garage/gas station. He was actively engaged in The Kinsmen Club and in politics as a reeve and councillor of Blenheim.  He sold real estate for a while and finished off his working life driving truck.  John was full of joy and made friends wherever he went.  He had an incredible gift to make people smile in nearly every encounter. Above all things he believed in family.  He was a great dad, son, brother and uncle.  He helped take care of his Mom up to her passing earlier in the summer.  He will be dearly missed.

Cremation will take place.  A Celebration of John’s life will be held at the Blenheim Legion this Friday afternoon September 8, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.  Friends wishing to remember John with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Don Holdaway, much loved husband of Peg (Butler) Holdaway passed away on Thursday August 31, 2017 at the age of 83 years. Don is the proud father of Lynn & Dexter Reed, Luann & Carl Phair, Susan Holdaway, Bonnie & Rick Crawford and Rod & Diane Butler. He will be missed by 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Don was one of 7 children born to Raymond and Margaret (Galloway) Holdaway. He is survived by his sisters Barbara McMillan, Marjorie & Murray Roe and Jean (Sparks) Crackel. He was predeceased by Ken & Joan Holdaway, Keith & Jean Holdaway, Doug & Florine Holdaway, Jack Sparks and Ken Crackel.

Friends will remember Don as one of the owners of Holdaway Roofing.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. A private family service conducted by Rev. Bill Terris will be held on Sunday. Cremation will follow with a private family interment at a later date.

Friends wishing to remember Don with a memorial donation are asked to consider Kenesserie Camp, the Word of Life Food Bank or Pet and Wildlife Rescue.

Richard Martin Allen passed away on August 29, 2017 while surrounded by his loved ones. Richard was born 72 years ago to his parents Vern & Dorothy (Martin) Allen. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Lou (Ewing), their children Shelley & Brad Newham, Heather & Brian Debusschere and Shawn & Kelly Allen and their grandchildren Courtney Newham (Mike), Hailey Newham, Aaron Newham, Brady Newham, Brodie Debusschere, Dakota Debusschere, Spencer Allen, Jacob Allen, Carson Allen and Preston Allen.

Richard will be remembered by his brother in law Norman & June Ewing, his Aunts Merle Smith and Lula Nicholson as well as his cousins Brian & Jana Smith and Joanne & Jamie Daniels. He was predeceased by his sisters in law and brothers in law Edna & Harvey Eves, Mary & Francis Irwin, Isabelle & Orville Benn, Gord Ewing, Jim & Lil Ewing and Donald Ewing, by his Aunt Inez & Milton Cleveland and Uncles Maurice Allen and Norm Nicholson and by his cousin Linda Smith.

Richard wore many hats in his life. He worked at Fram/Siemens in Chatham for 21.5 years, owned Allen’s Convenience in Chatham and sold real estate for Dave O’Brien in Blenheim. He was a baseball coach, past President of the Blenheim Golf Course and farmed for many years with his father Vern.

Probably the hat Richard enjoyed wearing the most was his hockey hat. He assisted the Blenheim Blades as Manager, was a past President of Blenheim Minor Hockey and also served as the Manager of his son’s teams for many seasons which included winning the Ontario Minor Hockey Peewee Championship in back to back seasons. Richard was also the Convenor for the Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League and received the Crystal Puck award in November 2010 recognizing him for his outstanding commitment to the Ontario Hockey Association.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will take place on Thursday August 31, 2017 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Richard will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday September 1, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.

Friends wishing to remember Richard with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Day Away Program at the Alzheimers Society in Chatham or the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Mary Lou Stephens of Blenheim passed away on Tuesday August 22, 2017. Mary Lou was born in Nova Scotia; one of 15 children born to the late Melvin & Annie Lloyd. She is survived by Lila Walker of Blenheim, Yvonne Hines (Tony), Emma Jean Lloyd (Lawrence), Crawford Lloyd (Diane), Jessie Lloyd (Darlene and Henry Lloyd (Kathy) of Glace Bay NS, Louie Lloyd (Valerie) of Port Morien, NS, Joseph Lloyd (Sherry) of Merlin, Melvin Jr Lloyd (Phyllis) of Toronto and Hector Lloyd (Diane) of Chatham. She was predeceased by her brothers Alex and Shane.

Mary Lou will be remembered by her children Kent Joseph (Kathy) of Shrewsbury, Darlene Ingle (Jimmy) of Pasadena Texas and Scott Stephens (Deb Pardo) of Shrewsbury and their families.

In keeping with Mary Lou’s wishes, cremation has taken place. An informal time for visiting with family and sharing stories will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday August 25, 2017 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Friends wishing to remember Mary Lou with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Women’s Shelter in Chatham.