Robert Bentley of Blenheim, much loved partner of Theresa VanDyk passed away on Monday November 24, 2014 at the age of 66 years. Bob was the eldest of three children born to their late parents William & Mildred (Thompson) Bentley and is survived by his brother Bill Bentley & Helen VanDyke of Cedar Springs and by his sister Mary & Lawrence Dell of Midland. He will be remembered with great fondness by his Aunt Margaret Labonte and by all of his nieces and nephews. Bob was actively involved in sports through his high school years playing baseball, hockey and held the position of Quarterback on the football team. Friends will remember his through his years of working at Navistar. He enjoyed his quiet moments with a good book…he travelled the world through books and could carry on a conversation about any topic. He will be missed. In keeping with Bob’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held at a later date. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements. Friends wishing to remember Bob with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada.

Helen Weller of Chatham, daughter of the late Chester & Stella Sibinski passed away on Sunday November 23, 2014 at the age of 58 years. Along with her brothers Jerry Sibinski and Rick & Cathy Sibinski, Helen’s childhood and much of her adult life was spent in Blenheim. She will be remembered for the person she was…a free spirit who preferred to be barefoot, a determined person who raised her sons David Hodges and Jack Weller while putting herself through school to become a Civil Engineer and a driven person who ranked at the top of her class and acted as Valedictorian on graduation day. She had one more goal in life which was to own a motorhome and live a nomadic life, travelling from shore to shore and never having to worry about being on time. She will be remembered with great fondness by her husband Dale Weller, by her extended daughter Geniel Hillman and her grandsons Dawson and Riley Hodges. Just as her mother was her best friend, Helen was the best friend of her sons David and Jack. She was the one they could turn to in times of joy, trouble or pain. She was their rock. In keeping with Helen’s wishes, cremation will take place and a private memorial service will be held at a later date. Friends wishing to remember Helen with a memorial donation are asked to consider Heart and Stroke or MS society. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with Funeral Arrangements.

“Go to heaven Mom and look down on us till we meet again. You are now free of pain…you can walk barefoot through the meadows, you can run and do as you have always wanted. You can now travel in the motorhome wherever you want. We love you and will always remember the times we had…may you be with God and at peace until we meet you again.” David and Jack

John Kochnowich passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the C-K Health Alliance on Saturday November 22, 2014 at age 83. John is the son of the late Fred & Marta Kochnowich. Beloved wife of 57 years to Mary (Ramsdale). Loving dad to Bonnie (Bill Roest) of Rodney, Steve (Corinne) of Muirkirk and Tom (Prudence Murray) of Chatham. Grandpa to Brian and Brooke (Mike) Roest, Stacey (Stephen Pattison), Dale (Kaylene) and Jenna Kochnowich, Ashely and Ryan Kochnowich. Survived by longtime family friend Lisa Kochnowich. Brother to Anne (McKillop) and the late Paul Kochnowich. Brother-in-law to Charlotte (late Charlie) Day, George (late Marion) Ramsdale, Howard (Rita) Ramsdale and the late Eva (Lloyd) Coatsworth.

John retired from International Harvester and farmed on Erieau marsh and #3 Highway. He loved his daily drives to the Erieau marsh, going to yard and auction sales and tending to his famous garden. Family will receive relatives and friends at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home (53 Stanley Street) on Tuesday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday November 26, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Donations can be made to either the Cancer or Parkinsons Society.

Jean Elizabeth Schell passed away at the Blenheim Community Village on Saturday November 22, 2014 at the age of 90 years. Jean was the last surviving sibling born to the late Lottie (Darby) and Arthur Rumble, being predeceased by her sister Neita Elliott and by her brothers Dean & Florence Rumble, Harry Rumble and Ike & Jean Rumble. She was also predeceased her first husband Ben Cowlan in 1965, by her second husband Peter Schell in 1990 and by two infant children. Jean is survived by her sister-in-law Mary Rumble and by her Rumble nieces and nephews Nancy & Don Jackson, Dan & Lyn Rumble, Ron Rumble (late Sadie), Diane Rumble (late Rob), Sharon & Carl Swanson and Dennis & Jackie Rumble. Jeans travels in life took her to Fenlon Falls where she ran a General Store, Mitchells Bay, British Columbia and Saskatchewan before returning to Blenheim in 1993. She was a member of the Blenheim Legion Branch 185 Ladies Auxilliary and the Senior Centres in Blenheim and Chatham. Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday November 26, 2014 for visitation from 2:00 – 3:00 when a Funeral Service conducted by Rev Wanda Burse will be held. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Jean with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Talbot Trail Park.

Mike Dorssers of Blenheim passed away in London on Tuesday November 18, 2014 at the age of 54 years. Mike was one of two children born to their late parents Tony & Siham Dorssers and is survived by his sister. He will be missed by his wife Carol (Walker) Dorssers, by their children and by his only grandson who he adored. Services will remain private. Friends wishing to remember Mike are asked to simply do that by giving their children and grandchildren an extra hug.

Jeannette Van De Wiele of Blenheim passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Saturday November 15, 2014 at the age of 81 years. Jeannette was one of four children born to the late Arthur & Bernadette (Lozon) Daniel of Grande Pointe. She is survived by her sisters Diana Kormendy (late Mike) and Clara Kormendy (late Steve) and by her brother Ernest & Annette Daniel. In 1960 Jeannette married Albert Van De Wiele who predeceased her in 2008 and together they raised two sons; Christopher Van De Wiele & Kelly Williams of Dresden and Paul & Erin Van De Wiele of Blenheim. As proud as she was of her children, Jeannette’s eyes lit up when she talked about her grandchildren Brennon, Karys and Sarah…they were the loves of her life. Jeannette was a long time member of St. Mary’s Church and an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Women’s League. Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation on Monday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. (CWL prayers will be held at 4:00 p.m.) A Funeral Mass for Jeannette will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church on Tuesday November 18, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery. In keeping with Jeannette’s love for children and her desire to help, friends wishing to make a Memorial Donation are asked to consider Noelle’s Gift www.noellesgift.ca , a charity that focuses on ensuring students have the resources they need to grow up great or the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Charles (Chuck) Hearn of Blenheim passed away at Riverview Gardens on Wednesday November 5, 2014 at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife Mary (Story) Hearn, by his children Stephen Hearn (Marilyn) of Chatham, Susan Stuart (Bill) of Grand Bend and Judi Price of Chatham and by his grandchildren Tonia Fisher, Stephanie Bruinius, Janice Hearn, Karen Bourassa, Lisa Elchuk, Kelli Gyorfi, Jessica Price and Joel Price as well as seven great-grandsons. Also survived by Mary’s children Jo-Anne Hendry (nee Story) of Blenheim and Laird Story (Sheila) of B.C., and grandchildren Jennifer McMonnies (Paul Germs) and Craig and Tavis Hendry. Chuck will be remembered by his siblings and their spouses Betty Clark (Ken), Carol Bentley and Bev Kelly (late Bob) and his brothers-in-law Joe Marcin (late Lillian) and John Hanak (Helen). Charles was a retiree of Navistar who was an avid baseball fan, coach and player. He also served as Staff Sergeant in the Kent-Essex Regiment. Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation on Sunday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Charles will be held in Trinity Anglican Church on Monday November 10, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Charles with a memorial donation are asked to consider Trinity Anglican Church or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Donald Crozier Kirkpatrick of Chatham passed away in Toronto on Tuesday November 4, 2014 at the age of 81 years. Don was born in Bracebridge Ontario and despite the many moves he made in his lifetime, Bracebridge always held a big place in his heart. Don met and married his best friend Martha (Jenner), who predeceased him in 2012, and together they raised two children of whom they were very proud; Roy and Jill who also met and married their best friends. Roy & Wendy Kirkpatrick of Chatham and Jill & John Whelan of Pickering gave Martha and Don their greatest source of pride and joy, their grandchildren Riley Kirkpatrick, Emily Kirkpatrick, Colleen Whelan and Scott Whelan. He will also be remembered by many nieces and nephews and all of his friends at Maple City Bakery. Don was the last surviving member of his family having been predeceased by his sisters Jean Henry, Margaret Hunt, Betty McLaren and Mary Lou Conway as well as his brother Norman Kirkpatrick. He spent many years working for the Government of Canada in the Manpower and Immigration division. After his retirement Don enjoyed selling real estate in Chatham. It was Don’s wish that this stage of his life be quiet and dignified. There will be a private family service held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home. Friends wishing to remember Don with a memorial donation may consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

James Oakey of Blenheim passed away at home on Tuesday November 4, 2014 at the age of 74 years. James was one of three children born to the late Jean (McAllum) and Charles Oakey and is survived by his sisters Doris & Bob McCulligh and Nora & Carl Snelgrove. After quitting school in grade 7, James lived a full and successful life. To him, happiness meant putting on his John Deere hat and spending time at home with his wife Janet Ann (Fisher) who predeceased him in 1993, it meant raising their children Brian & Lorna Oakey of Blenheim, Brenda & Kevin Monden of Thamesville and Jennifer & Gary Vandendool of Port Lambton, it meant being the best Papa to Craig and Chad Oakey, Zach, Cody and Paige Monden and Ava, Garet and Gwen Vandendool. James retired in May, 2005 after 30 years of working on the CSX Railroad. In his spare time he enjoyed stock car racing at the Ridge Raceway and South Buxton and tending to the cattle that he still had in the field. Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation on Thursday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for James conducted by Rev. Bill Terris will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday November 7, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. Friends wishing to remember James with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice or the Blenheim Legion.

Mary “Elaine” McMillan, a resident of Chatham passed away at the Maple City Retirement Residence on Monday November 3, 2014. She was born in Chatham, Ontario on June 11, 1951. She was 63 years old. She was the daughter of Barbara and the late Ross McMillan. Her father predeceased her in 1993. Elaine was educated at SS#6 English in Harwich, Blenheim District High School and the University of Windsor. She received her BScN degree in Nursing and had the honour of being on the Dean’s list. After graduation she found employment in Welland, Ontario and worked there for several years. Later she moved to the St. Thomas area and worked as a Public Health Nurse for 33 years. She retired in April, 2012 and fought a courageous battle with cancer. She will be sadly missed by her mother Barbara and brother Edward of RR4 Blenheim, by her sister Ruth Anne Aerssen of Chatham, her daughter Leah Bratt & Bobby Hupp of Kelowna BC and by her son Jonathan Bratt of Toronto. She is also survived by two grandsons Brandon and Finlay Hupp and several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at the Ridge Community Church on Friday November 7, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Friends wishing to remember Elaine with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Ridge Community Church or the Cancer Society. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.