We have been fortunate to attract and retain staff that is friendly, compassionate, highly skilled and dedicated to their profession. Whether it is our licensed staff, non-licensed staff or support staff, we believe that it is important for you to feel comfortable with all of the people that you will meet at our firm. As such, we are providing you with a brief background and photograph of the individuals that make up our team.

Licensed Funeral Directors

We are very proud of our staff it is the strength and knowledge of these people that provide the loving care each family we serve deserves.  You will always find our staff has a unique ability to provide care beyond the expectations of those who place their trust in us.

MARC ESKRITT

Marc was raised on a farm just outside Ridgetown.  In 1976 he began working at Southwestern Regional Centre.  Shortly after the death of his oldest sister in 1978 he acted on his desire to become a funeral director, returning to school and graduating with honours from the Funeral Service Education Program at Humber College in 1981.  He did his apprenticeship in Rigetown at the McKinlay Funeral Home.  He also worked part time for a number of years at the Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home in Chatham after his return to Southwestern Regional Centre.  In 1982 Marc, his wife Gail, and their daughter Lynn moved from Ridgetown to Blenheim.  After that, their family grew with the additions of Darrell and Makaila.  Marc and Gail have been foster parents for a number of years to a number of children, many of whom they maintain contact with years later.  Aside from his children, Marc’s interests include cooking and camping.

Gail is a “Dresden-ite” who met Marc at Humber College where they were both taking the Funeral Service Education Program.  Together, she and her family have made Blenheim their home for the past twenty five years.  Gail received her funeral directors license in 1981 and although she works full time for the Ministry of Community & Social Services, she helps out during visitation at the funeral home.  In the few moments that she is not busy she enjoys knitting, a good movie and participating in the programs at the Blenheim Pool.

Non Licensed Professionals

We are very fortunate to have a number of individuals to aid us at the funeral home. Non-licensed staff simply means that they do not hold an Ontario Funeral Directors License. As such they are limited to the professional duties that they can perform. However, their biggest assets are their inter-personal skills and the familiar face that is so meaningful to families and visiting friends.  We are very proud of our staff, it is the strength and knowledge of these people that provide the loving care each family we serve deserves.  You will always find our staff has a unique ability to provide care beyond the expectations of those who place their trust in us.

CATHY WHEELER

Cathy is from the Clan MacDonald.  She and her husband Clayt live in Erieau.  They  are the proud parents of three children, Darryl (Darby), Andrew (Drew) and Lindsay.  She is also the very very proud grandmother of Nate, Ben and Beckett.  Since her grandchildren live with their parents in Toronto, Cathy is a “Grandma-in-training” to her nieces Geordi and Ceit-Ann who live in Blenheim.  Cathy retired from her managerial position at Southwestern Regional Centre in 2002.  In her quiet times, Cathy enjoys time at the lake.

FRED LACHINE

Fred and his wife Deb live in Blenheim.  Fred is a retired Sergeant of the Chatham-Kent Police Department.  He and his wife Mary Beth, who died in 2003, raised five great kids:  Christina, Brian,  Leigh-Ann, Craig and Elizabeth.  Fred also has five wonderful grandchildren.  As soon as the weather is nice, even if it happens to be a day in January, you’re most likely to find Fred on one of the many golf courses in the area.

ADA WRIGHT

Ada is just one of the sweetest women in Blenheim. Blenheimites will recognize Ada as a retired local teacher who has probably taught over half the population of Blenheim. Ada and her husband Bill have been life long members of the Blenheim United Church. They have three children, Kelly, Craig and Philip. As grandparents, they are kept very busy with six grandchildren. Bill and Ada are always out and about town and can frequently be found at most church or community events. Ada stays fit by participating in the aquatic programs at the Blenheim Leisure Centre. Despite her sweet nature, Ada is “card shark” and keeps her card playing skills sharp by playing with members of the local I.O.D.E.

JEAN CRACKEL

Jean Crackel was born and raised a Holdaway in Blenheim. Jean and her husband Ken live just outside of Blenheim on the farm that she and her first husband Jack Sparks bought after Jack retired from construction in Chatham. Jean worked for 31 years at Young’s Jewellry Store, and spent her last eleven years as store manager. Jean has two sons of her own, Brad and Gregory and together with Ken, they have six grandchildren. Jean remains very active in the community playing cards each week with a number of groups and helps out at several local churches with their fundraising dinners. Jean and Ken regularly support and attend Charing Cross United and Emmanuel Baptist Church. We love to have Jean around not only because of her warm and caring heart but also because of her amazing butter tarts.

ROBBIE MALLORY

Robbie and George live in Blenheim and they summer in Erieau.  Robbie enjoyed her career as a Registered Nurse at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance and now enjoys her grandchildren, golfing and summers at the Eau.  Robbie also fills her time with her many talents in crafts from quiliting to decorating.

Jenny is the daughter of Brenda and Ted Rumble of Erie Beach.

Joe is just one of those guys that everybody knows and likes (but he doesn’t like getting his picture taken).  He and his wife Shari have lived in Blenheim area for most of their lives.  Two of their children, Jody and Tim have made their homes in Blenheim as well while Jennifer moved to Windsor to go to University and has since made her life there.  They also have five grandchildren who can often be found with them.   If Joe’s not helping us out, you’re sure to find him at one of the local coffee shops.

JOHN BOOGAART

John grew up on a farm in the Blenheim area after his family moved from Chatham in 1964.  Being the only son, with four sisters, he has many memories of their younger days: tomato fields, baseball and the pony.  A couple of years after John married Cindy, they purchased the home farm near Mull from John’s parents.  They still live there and this is where their children Mark, Erin and David were raised.  John is a member of the Knights of Columbus and enjoys being involved with Cursillo.  For leisure time you might find him enjoying a day at a farm show with a buddy, biking, canoeing or reading.

Rachel is Marc and Gail’s daughter in law.  She helps out at the Funeral Home on a part time basis since she is busy with her full time job and family.  Rachel is the one we call when we need computer help.  She loves new challenges!

Darrell is Marc and Gail’s son.  After a few years of living in London he returned to Blenheim so that he could be closer to the water.  He loves wakeboarding and you will often find he and Anna on his boat in the Bay when he has free time.

Anna is taking a year off school and helping us out in the office at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home.  Anna graduated from the University of Western Ontario this year and may pursue a degree in medicine in the future.  In the meantime, she will keep us organized!

Ron and Patti Dauphin live in Blenheim.  Ron works at Riverview Gardens in Chatham but manages to help us out here at the Funeral Home whenever he can.

STEPHEN ESPIE