It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dad, granddad, husband and friend Larry Russchen on April 18, 2019. Born on October 8, 1947 to Margaret and Bill Russchen. Dear brother to Murray Russchen (Sonja) and Frances Monk (Les). Larry will be greatly missed by his children Beverly & Chris Persyn and Brian & Sonya Russchen, as well as his wife and lifelong friend, Ann. Also missing Larry will be his beloved grandchildren Evelyn, Shane and Layla, along with many nieces, nephews and family. Larry loved many things in life, including hunting, playing euchre, watching baseball and a good home-cooked meal. Most of all though, Larry loved his family and it was clear to all who knew him that they were his proudest accomplishment.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday where visitation will be held from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral for Larry will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday April 24, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery.

Friends wishing to remember Larry with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Blenheim Legion Poppy Fund.

Petronella Maria Odulpha (van den Bersselaar) Voets, most affectionately known as “Nellie Voets” passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Nellie was born to the late Johanna & Martinus van den Bersselaar in the Netherlands 85 years ago. She came from a large family and is survived by her sisters Mariet Habraken and Betsie van Vugt, and by her brothers Piet and Mies van den Bersselaar. She was predeceased by her siblings Oda Geerts, Riek Verberk, Toon and Harrie van den Bersselaar.

Nellie married Harrie Voets on October 6, 1959 and their strong and happy marriage lasted for over 50 years, until he passed away in 2011. They began their family and moved to Canada in 1968 with four young children, including an infant. Nellie will be greatly missed by her five children Johanna Wightman (Rick), Marion Smith (Steve), Ellie Voets-Sterling (Steve), Marco Voets (Heather), and Angeline Humber (Troy). She was predeceased by her daughter-in-law Katherine Voets-Keating in 2005. She was a loving Oma to her grandchildren Jeremy, Tawnya, Gregory, Nastasha, Sean, Terra, Bryce, Zoe, Cassandra, Mikayla, Joey, Wesley, Bailey and Caitlyn, and 12 great-grandchildren. She will also be sadly missed by all of her family in the Netherlands.

Nellie was a kind-hearted soul whose determination in life was admirable. She was a realist who called it like it was. She never saw challenges as a disadvantage but saw adversity as a way of becoming a stronger person. She worked hard, she provided for her family and she cared for Harrie when his health challenged his independence. She gave more than she took in life and brought joy to everyone, including those who helped care for her in recent years. The attention that she was given at the Village on the Ridge in Ridgetown and then at Riverview Gardens in Chatham was beyond inspiring, and for that her family will remain forever grateful.

Nellie’s family invites you to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will take place on Monday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, Blenheim on Tuesday April 23, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

Friends wishing to remember Nellie with a memorial donation are encouraged to consider Community Living Chatham-Kent or the Oncology Unit at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. Another way to honour her memory is to give your kids an extra hug and tell them you love them. ❤️

Sharon Ann Fnukal (Werry) 67, passed away April 14, 2019 in Blenheim Ontario.

Sharon was born in Lower Saxville, Nova Scotia on May 21 1951, she was the loving daughter of Jack and Violet Werry.

Sharon is survived by her loving husband Joesph Fnukal. Her three children that she adored Danielle Mayhew (Allan Johnston), James Mayhew (Justina Young) and Jason Mayhew.  Her grandchildren that she loved with all her heart Kyler Johnston, Tad Johnston and Nabryah Mayhew. Her father Jack Werry and siblings Jack Werry, Kathy Boulaine and Lisa Werry.  As well as her many nieces and nephews.

Sharon was a loving caregiver to many children. They will miss her dearly. She loved to go on outings with her girlfriends, morning chats over coffee, spending time with her loved ones and reading.

Sharon’s request was to be cremated and hold a celebration of life. She will be laid to rest in Nova Scotia where her heart has always been.

Donations can be made to the Canadian Lung Association.

Eunice Laycraft of Chatham passed away peacefully at Riverview Gardens on Saturday April 6, 2019. She is the loving daughter of the late Annie (Powell) and Harold Gardiner. Beloved wife of the late Norman Laycraft (1983). She will be remembered always by her step sons Bruce, Gordon and Ross. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Marilyn Gardiner, Kathryn Gardiner, 4 nieces and a nephew. Predeceased by brothers Glenn (Edith) Gardiner, Max (Kaye) Gardiner, Murray Gardiner, John (Donelda) Gardiner and Ross Gardiner.

Eunice always loved to write and at age 12 she had her first bylines in the Family Herald and Star Weekly. From 1946-1956 she was the news editor for CFCO Radio in Chatham and for the next two years worked as a broadcaster and news writer for CFPL Radio in London. In 1958 she moved to a position as morning commentator for CBC Radio in Ottawa and from there moved to print media becoming the Women’s Editor for the Ottawa Journal until 1967. She freelanced and remained with the Ottawa Journal as a columnist until her retirement in 1979.

In keeping with Eunice’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Internment of her ashes will take place at a later date.

The family would like to thank Dr. Parry and the staff of 3 West at Riverview Gardens for their kind and compassionate care.

Friends wishing to remember Eunice with a memorial donation are asked to consider Friends of the New Animal Shelter.

John William Snake Sr. passed away at home with his loving wife Nina Rumble at his side. He is survived by his children Kathy (Snake) Wilson and John William Snake Jr, his grandchildren Dawn Rivers and Sebastian as well as his extended family Linda, Hope and Michael. John was born in England on September 8, 1944, the son of the late William & Violet (Moore) Snake. He is survived by his sister Susan White (Ira). He was predeceased by his sister Barbara Kelly in 2017 (survived by Leonard) and by his brother Richard Snake in 2011.

Serving his community and his country was very important to John. He served with the Essex Kent Scottish Regiment for a number of years. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 185 in Blenheim since 1998 where he served as the Colour Guard Sergeant. He was also a member of the Blenheim Freedom Library & Military Museum.

A big part of John’s life was his faith and his church. He was a member of the Word of Life Church in Blenheim where he volunteered much of his time to the Soup Kitchen and Food Bank. He proudly upheld the values of a Christian man in his everyday life. He would have been honoured if friends wishing to remember him with a memorial donation would consider the Soup Kitchen and Food Cupboard at the Word of Life Church because that’s where his heart was.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where a Legion Service will take place on Wednesday night at 6:45 followed by visitation from 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for John, officiated by Pastor Tim Joyce will be held in the Word of Life Church on Thursday April 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Cremation will follow and a private family interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

Donald Creto Irwin of Blenheim passed away at home on Saturday April 6, 2019; the day that marked 73 years of marriage to his lovely wife Vera (DeLeeuw) Irwin and two days before his 97^th birthday. Don is also survived by his much loved daughter Mary Dawn and his grandsons Mitchell Snobelen, Chuck Irwin and Jesse James Irwin. He was predeceased by his son Tim Irwin in 1991, by his parents Creto & Florence (Rumble) Irwin and his only sister Evelyn Eves.

Don was a veteran of World War II. He was a hard working man who showed fortitude and determination throughout his life. Most of his working career was spent as a cement mason though he did work for a time at Standard Tube and for Jack Ford at the Ford Funeral Home. He was always proud of his family and he was happy that he was able to provide for them. He was a member of Trinity Anglican Church in Blenheim as well as the Blenheim Legion. He loved playing horseshoes.

Don could often be seen walking around town. Even when his eyesight began to fail him, his determination did not. He instinctively knew how far to walk and when to turn, where to step up and down and when the lights turned red which allowed him to go for a daily walk to get his mail. In his final years he was able to feel safe and loved at home with Vera, Mary Dawn and Mitchell.

It was Don’s request that cremation take place. A private family graveside service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with funeral arrangements. Friends wishing to remember Don with a memorial donation are asked to consider Trinity Anglican Church or the Blenheim Freedom Library & Military Musuem.

Surrounded by the people who meant the most to him in life, Brian Hackett passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice in the early morning hours of Friday April 5, 2019. A farm boy at heart, Brian appreciated everything there was about living in the country, and so when the earth begins to grow in the spring or whenever there is the sound of a babbling brook, he will be remembered with great fondness by his wife Laurie and their daughters Amanda Hackett (Tim Brown) and Sarah Carnie (Rob Carnie). Brian & Laurie’s life together began in 1986. Their first home was in Belle River where Brian managed a turkey farm. From there they moved to Ridgetown and then to Blenheim where friends will remember him working at Canadian Tire. For the last number of years Brian & Laurie chose Guilds to call home and raise their girls. Brian enjoyed many years working with Jim DeBrouwer on the farm.

Brian was born 55 years ago in Wingham to his parents Joyce and Lorne Hackett. When he was five years old his mother passed away and he became one of the lucky kids in life to be given a second Mom, Hazel Jean Hackett. He was loved by his sister Brenda Hackett-Steele (Brian) and his brothers Greg Hackett (Chris) and Mac Hackett. He was an awesome Uncle to Emma, Chase, Jill, Brandan, Jocelynne, Jolene, Hayden, Ava and the late Bryan. Brian was loved by many Aunts and Uncles. He shared a special bond in life with his Aunt Bell and his late Uncle Chester as well as Laurie’s family. He was predeceased by his mother and father in law Irene & Richard Laforet.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will be held on Monday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Brian, conducted by Pastor Bill Terris will be held at the Funeral Home on Tuesday April 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Cremation will follow.

Friends wishing to remember Brian with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Dora DeNeve of Blenheim passed away peacefully at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Monday April 1, 2019. She will be remembered always by her husband Cyriel DeNeve, her daughter Sandra Myers, her son Paul DeNeve and her grandson Remi Myers. Dora was one of four children born to Rika & Henry Bloemen and is survived by her brother Hank Bloemen (Betty) and her sister in law Judy Bloemen. She was predeceased by her brothers John Bloemen in 2002 and Harry Bloemen in 2007.

Dora had much determination in life. Not only did she help Cyriel when they owned a farm outside of Ridgetown from 1966 – 1992, but she took on a full time job at Southwestern Regional Centre until her retirement. She had a good sense of humor and enjoyed being around people. Family meant the world to her.

In keeping with Dora’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Blenheim Legion on Sunday April 14, 2019 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. A private family interment will take place at a later date.

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

Garry Cowan of Blenheim passed away suddenly and peacefully with his children by his side on Monday April 1, 2019. Garry was born in Blytheswood on November 23, 1938 to his late parents Helen and Bill Cowan. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Pauline in 2012. Garry was the proud father of Brant Cowan, Lee Ann & Rob Fraser and Lesli Cowan (George) and grandfather of Jocelyn Cowan, Robyn and Holly Fraser and Andrew Layes. He is survived by his brothers Maurice & Lorraine Cowan and Roger & Judy Cowan. He will be missed by his furry friends Mollie and Zeus.

Garry was a kind and caring man who loved the outdoors. He loved hockey and baseball with his favourite teams being the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Blue Jays. Whenever he watched the games on television he would get his team jersey on and out of respect, stand for the national anthem.

It was Garry’s wish that cremation take place. His children will welcome family and friends at Evergreen Cemetery on Saturday April 20, 2019 at 11 a.m. for a short service beside the columbarium where Garry’s urn will be laid to rest with Pauline’s. Following the service at the Cemetery, everyone is invited to return to Glad Tidings Community Church for a time to share memories and lunch. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Friends wishing to remember Garry with a memorial donation are asked to consider a charity of your choice.