After a very brief illness, we lost our Mom and best friend Bonnie Hood on April 14, 2021.

Anyone who knew Mom, whether they be friends from her childhood, friends that she made through her years at Southwestern Regional Centre, the “Bridge Girls”, family that were best friends or friends and neighbours that became like family, everybody loved Bonnie Hood.  She was the “flower lady” whose favourite place to be was in her garden, especially those times when she was able to sit on the deck and have a coffee with Trudy or someone else she loved.

When we were kids, our place was where our friends liked to hang out.  Mom made the best coffee and toast in town.  She was our biggest supporter throughout our entire lives.  She loved us and our families beyond measure with her whole heart, never expected anything in return because that’s just who she was.  She was kind and caring

It’s hard to imagine the future without Mom and what our lives will be like but she made us who we are and she is leaving us with so many fond memories. Like Uncle Brian, Krista, Chris and all of her friends, there will always be a special place deep inside our hearts for Bonnie Hood.

Mom…have a “smash” with Aunt Tina and all the others who have gone before you.

And just as you have always told us…LOVE YOU MORE!  From your girls and their husbands, Janet & Greg Bayly, Tina & Greg DeBoer, Jen & Shane O’Donohue and your grandchildren that you adored and were the best Nana ever to Mac (Jocelyn and Aubree), Jenna, Connor, Ryan and Morgan.

In keeping with Mom’s wishes, we will remember her privately at this time.  Should you wish to remember her with a memorial donation, she would have encouraged you to consider the Salvation Army or the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with funeral arrangements.  Online condolences for the family and memorial donations may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

Bert Fields, a lifelong resident of Erieau passed away peacefully at home on Monday April 12, 2021.  He will be forever remembered by his life partner Vicki Lehman, her children Anthony, Tonia, Jessica and their families.  He will also be remembered by his nieces and nephews Chrissy & Wade Little, Jessica Fields (Jacob Peltier), Nikki Fields, Andy Round, Shaun Fields (Cassie Fulmer) and his great-nieces and nephew Kayla Little, Kelton Jones and Ireland Fields.

Bert was born to the late Bert & Marie (Heintz) Fields 66 years ago and is survived by his uncles Norman Heintz and Fred & Barb Heintz.  He was a commercial fisherman in Erieau for many years.

Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Thursday April 15, 2021 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.  Family and friends wishing to attend must call the Funeral Home to book a visitation time.  The Bereavement Authority of Ontario mandates that everyone attending must wear a face covering.

A graveside service will be held at a later date.

Friends wishing to remember Bert with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Word of Life Soup Kitchen or the Erieau Fire Department.

Bert will be forever in our hearts.

Donald McIntyre of Chatham passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday April 2, 2021.  He was 85 years old.  Donald was born to the late Robert and Edna (Smith) McIntyre. Beloved husband of the late Mary (DeBeck).  Loving father of Gary (Debbie) McIntyre, Donald (Tammy) McIntyre, Suzanne (Fred) Cowlan and Joanne (Larry) Grube.  Dearest grandfather of 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his brother Robert McIntyre Jr. (Peggy) and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his brother Jack McIntyre (survived by Carol).

As per Donald’s wishes, cremation has taken place.  Interment of ashes will take place at a later date.

Friends wishing to remember Don with a memorial donation are asked to consider LHSC-Oncology Department.

In the early morning hours of Thursday April 8^th our dad, Bob Eskritt passed away in his 90^th year.  He was the first born to his parents Ellen & Luke Eskritt and is survived by his sister Mary Ellen Greenway.  He was predeceased by his sister Donna Johnson and his brother Albert.

Dad was raised on the family farm just outside of Ridgetown.  He attended S.S.#8 Beechwood School and Ridgetown District High School.  As a young man, he joined Junior Farmers where he met our mom Beth (Simpson).  One of his proudest times in life was to realize that the life he began with Mom would one day become a family of fifty-five.  He will be remembered with full hearts by Al & Shelley Ripley-Bulckaert, Jennifer Verwegen, Roberta & Gaetan Morin, Marc & Gail Eskritt, Barb & Denis Bourbonnais, Marvin & Kim Eskritt and Michael Verwegen.  He was affectionately known as Grandpa Bob to Wendy & Henry, Jason & Erika, Lauren, Jordan & Stephanie, Alexandra, Natalie & Mitch, J.P. & Cristina, Chantal & Kevin, Lynn & Rachel, Darrell & Anna, Makaila, Christian & Tristen, Jacob, Noah and 18 great-grandchildren.  He was sad when he lost two of the girls he loved most in life; our Mom and our sister Beverley Bulckaert and again when he lost his grandson Joel Verwegen.

In every man’s life there comes a time when he takes stock of where he is and what he has accomplished.  Dad should have been proud.  He taught us well.  He worked hard as a dairy farmer for many years.  He always lent a helping hand, especially when it was harvest time and the neighbours needed help.  He took care of the things that he owned so that they would last, and he always remained humble and kind.

In keeping with Dad’s wishes and ours, he will be laid to rest with our Mom and we will celebrate his life in June when he would have turned 90.

For those who wish to remember him with a memorial donation, we ask that you consider the Junior Farmers Association of Ontario because that’s where Dad got his start or Kids in Crisis https://catalogue.faithhopeinaction.ca/gifts/causes/compassion/kids-in-crisis/ because he always wanted to help.

In Loving Memory of Allen DeBrouwer

(September 27, 1965 – March 29, 2021)

Allen DeBrouwer passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Monday, March 29, 2021 at age 55. Born and raised in Blenheim, Ontario, Al made a life for his family in the farmhouse he grew up in on Lagoon Road.

Al was the loyal and loving husband of Marja and immensely proud father of Charlotte (David), Raina (Jason) and Evan. He was a treasured son of Anne DeBrouwer and the late Peter DeBrouwer (2020). Al was loved by his siblings Ben (Patricia), Marianne (Brant), and Melissa (Stephen). He was also fiercely loved by his father and mother-in-law, Leonard and Christine Gubbels, as well as brother and sisters-in-law Annie (Ken), Leonie (Mike), Peter (Tracy), Christine (Marco). He will be sadly missed by his many nieces and nephews.

Dad was an accomplished farmer, a profession he was extremely proud of. He often stated that he was lucky to have never had a job in his life. He considered farming a lifestyle and a privilege. While he made his living on pigs, tobacco, green beans and other field crops, he occasionally dabbled in other agricultural pursuits. Over the years, chickens, sheep, horses, and cattle all made appearances in his pasture. In dad’s most recent venture, Sinclair Line Kennels, his livestock grew to include several German Shepherd dogs. He was an enterprising businessman until the very end, dispensing instructions and strategizing on the marketing of the pups. In fact, he would be rather disappointed if we didn’t use this opportunity to advertise three upcoming litters…

Dad was a man of practicality and had little patience for inefficiencies. He worked hard on the farm and expected those around him to do the same. Not to say dad wasn’t a benevolent boss – he often rewarded us kids and the field workers with donuts and coffee over breaks on the tobacco farm. Dad was also known for his humour. He had a knack for telling it like it is and earning lots of laughs along the way. He kept those around him laughing until the very end, a true testament to his unfailing wit.

Dad was an engaged and devoted father. He played with us as kids and advised us (unsolicited and otherwise) as adults. He took his job as a parent seriously, paying focused attention to the health and harmony of our family. When, as kids, we inevitably pushed back at our parents’ reprimands, dad would use his tried-and-true refrain: “I’m on your side”. And he was.

Evan’s hockey was a great source of pride and enjoyment for dad. He was ever the realist in all things, including Evan’s professional prospects, but never missed a game or a call from Evan to discuss the night’s game play. He was invested in all his children’s pursuits – although his limited knowledge of nursing and marketing made Evan’s hockey a prime target for his coaching.

Dad loved mom fiercely and unabashedly. She’ll sorely miss his good-natured banter and winks across the room. They recently built their dream home in Sinclair’s Bush, a place we will all continue to gather and exchange fond memories of dad.

Dad, you were the most loving, wise, and kind man we’ve known. Your big smile and ready generosity will be missed. Thank you for granting us a profoundly beautiful life. We will live our lives in honour of your memory.

We want to thank our friends and family members for the support and well wishes we’ve received over the past couple of weeks. Dad was able to spend this time surrounded by those he loved, exactly the way he wanted it. We will forever be grateful for this.

Visitations will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday, April 2 from 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm, by appointment only. Those who were not able to visit Al over the past two weeks are requested to call to book a visitation slot (519-676-9200). Please do not send flowers. Instead, we hope that you will consider donating to the Weston DeBrouwer Memorial Fund. Weston was Al’s much-loved nephew and godson who passed away in 2004. The proceeds of Weston’s fund provide local youth with leadership coaching and sporting opportunities. Cheques made out to the fund or cash can be dropped off at the funeral home.

A private interment will be held in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim on Saturday, April 3. There will be no funeral. Instead, a celebration of Al’s life will be held this summer. The date will be announced at a later time.

With heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of Roxene May Mifflin of Merlin, born May 16, 1938,  at her home in the early morning hours of Monday, March 29, 2021.  Born in Windsor, the daughter of the late Dorothy (Lecocq) and Howard Burdett.  Beloved wife of Keith Mifflin for 63 years.   Loving mother of Sheila (Brad) Chadwick.  Proud grandmother of Christopher (Rachel) Chadwick and Danielle Mifflin (James).  Special aunt to her nephew Mark (Nancy) Mifflin.  Mom loved to take care of everyone. There was nothing she loved more than having all of her family around and spoiling them with treats. She will be remembered for her cooking.  Everyone looked forward to the treats mom would make to be shared at pie day at the Merlin United Church or her pickles.

Roxene is predeceased by Keith’s sister, Betty (2021) and brothers Glen Mifflin (1998), Morley Mifflin (2015) and Bob Mifflin (2018).  A special thank you to the Tilbury EMS, Merlin Fire Department and the Chatham-Kent Police for their understanding and respect during this very difficult time.

Roxene’s family will remember her at a private family service, with Pastor Eric Skillings officiating.  Friends wishing to remember her with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

In Loving Memory

Kenneth Marshall Anderson

1940-2020

It broke my heart when you passed away a year ago on March 24^th.

So, I thought of you with love today, I thought about you yesterday and all the days before that too.  All I have are my memories of you and all the pictures of these memories we made together.  These are my keepsakes with which I’ll never forget.  God has you in his keeping; I have you in my heart.

Love Always,

Lynda

John Noble of Erieau passed away at home on Sunday March 21, 2021.  He will be greatly missed by his wife Kathy (Anderson) Noble who he shared the last 25 years with and by their son Jack (Mackenzie) who he was so very proud of.  There was never a question of the love that John had for his family.

He was born in St. Thomas 71 years ago to the late John William & Roberta Maxine (Rawlings) Noble and is survived by his sister Carol (Tom) Cramp of California, his brother Jim (Margie) Noble of St. Thomas, his brothers-in-law Rob Anderson and Jim (Kate) Anderson as well as his mother-in-law Jeanne Anderson all of Erieau.  He will also be remembered by his nieces and nephews Sarah, Jesse (Jessica), Oscar, Edward, Amanda, Dave and Brian and their families.

John retired as a Conductor with the CSX Railroad after 45 years.  He loved his own company and spent many hours carving ducks, fishing, hunting or any activity that brought him outdoors.

It was his wish for cremation and a gathering of family and friends to take place as time permits.

Heartfelt thanks are extended to Mackenzie, to Dr. Jim Wheeler, JonAnn Meko and the team at VON.

Friends wishing to remember John with a memorial donation are asked to consider St. Paul’s Anglican Church or the Word of Life Soup Kitchen.

Carol Ann Jouwsma (nee James) a life long resident of Blenheim, passed away peacefully at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the age of 80.  Born in Pain Court, ON to the late Wesley and Marie (Barnier) James.  Beloved wife of John Jouwsma.  Loving mother of Margaret Stuckey, the late April Jouwsma (1964) and the late Michael Jouwsma (1967).  Dearest grandmother of Jessica (Mike) Levesque and great grandmother of John, Matthew and Benjamin Levesque.  She will also be missed by her siblings Cora Ball, Ruby Preston, Shirley Zruna, Clayton James and many nieces and nephews.

Carol worked as a hair stylist for 60 years before retiring, she was a polio and cancer survivor.

As per Carol’s wishes, cremation has taken place.  A private memorial mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church.  She will be buried with her mother in St. Anthony’s Cemetery.

Those wishing to remember her with a memorial donation are asked to consider St. Mary’s Church Renovation Fund.