Roger Allen Henry Stoner passed away in London on Friday December 31, 2010 at the age of 69 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years Fern (Straight) Stoner and by his children Brad Stoner & Mike Roy of London, Dennis Stoner of Edmonton, Bonni & Matthew Gaudette of Tecumseh, Jennifer & Anthony Huys of Florence and Jason & Ardelle Stoner of Blenheim. Roger was blessed in life with twelve grandchildren; Erin Gaudette, Alex Gaudette, Nathan Huys, Grayce Huys, Andrew Huys, Katherine Huys, Steven Huys, Austin Young, Sidney Stoner, Quinn Stoner, Tanya Stoner and D.J. Fields as well as four great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Arlene (Stoner) Majek and Dianne (Stoner) & Jerry Roelofs. He was predeceased by his parents Elizabeth Frances (Miller) (1977) & Frederick W Stoner (1973), by his sister Doreen (Stoner) Newby (2003) and by his brother Ken Stoner (2000). Roger will long be remembered as the owner of the Mull Body Shop to which he and his family dedicated over 45 years of their lives. Roger was a kind and caring gentleman who treated people with fairness and respect. He loved watching horse races and eventually came to share that passion with his very good friend Vic Cross when they purchased a horse of their own. Roger enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino and he was an avid supporter of the Toronto Blue Jays. Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation on Monday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Roger will be held in the Ridge Community Church on Tuesday January 4, 2011 at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery where Roger will be laid to rest beside his best friend and brother Ken. Following the interment, friends are invited back to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for a time of fellowship and lunch. Friends wishing to remember Roger with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Ridge Community Church, the Ridge UCW or the Cancer Society.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our loving wife and mother Mary Lou Verhart on December 26, 2010. Mom was born 63 years ago, just three months after her late parents Angela and Joseph deVrieze landed in Canada. She married her best friend and our dad Bill Verhart, a journey that would last over 43 years and together they raised their four girls; Deb Verhart of Blenheim, Sue Verhart of Chatham, Cheryl & Tom Hohbaum of Kitchener and Brenda & Warren Rumble of Blenheim. We were more than just daughters to our Mom; we were an extension of her. She was our biological and emotional road map. Wherever we were, she was too, either quietly with us in thought or in the passenger seat of our cars. She cared for our children. When we were in school, Mom got involved in the Parent Teacher Association and even became a Trustee for the Kent County Roman Catholic School Board. She supported us in Figure Skating, in bowling and in all of our endeavours. In return we faithfully stood by her during these past five weeks and we were with her when it was time to say goodbye. Mom and Dad were also blessed with four grandchildren Paul, Gabriella, Curtis and Zoë who they love dearly and who love them back. Mom was also a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Church CWL. She will be missed by her sisters Margie & Bert Derikx and Betty & Bruce Aitken as well as her brothers in law and sisters in law Adelaide & John Vercouteren, Pete & Doreen Verhart, Nelly & Clay Reedhead, Henny & Leonard Casier, Jane Verhart and Leo & Pat Verhart as well as several Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews. Mary Lou was also predeceased by her sister in law Anna VanWissen and her mother in law, Anna and her father in law Peter. Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. with CWL prayers being held at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass for Mary Lou will be held in St. Mary’s Church, on Thursday December 30, 2010 at 10 a.m. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. Friends wishing to remember Mary Lou with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Diabetes Foundation.

As the dawn began to scatter our dreams away this morning and snowflakes gently fell around us, our daughter Sydney was released from her pain. Born on May 1, 2004 Sydney Beatrice Davis-Jones was a beautiful, inquisitive and determined little girl who loved life despite the challenges of her journey with a brain tumour. She attended Ridge KIDS daycare and Ridgeview Moravian Public School. Her favourite colour was purple. Her favourite Moms were Chantelle Davis and Gayle Jones and her favourite brother of course was Sawyer. She will be missed by her Aunts Corinne & Tim Ellis of Merlin, Cheryl Davis & Sean Colebrook of Merlin, Carol & Rob Weston of Courtwright, by her Uncles Dave & Bren Jones of Sarnia, Ed & Maria Jones of Melbrook and by her Grandparents Brent & Sandy Davis of Chatham, Bea & Bob Troy of Merlin and Edna & Ron Sim of Sarnia and cousins. Sydney was predeceased by her Aunt Crystal Davis and by her Grandpa Lorne Jones. Sydney’s family invite family and friends to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street in Blenheim for visitation on Monday, December 27 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. and on Tuesday, December 28 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. Cremation will follow and a Celebration of Life will be held in the Rudy H. Brown Rural Development Centre at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus on Saturday, January 8, 2011 starting at 1:00 p.m. In celebration of Sydney, the family asks that Sydney’s colour of purple be worn. It is our wish to create a Memorial Garden for Sydney at the Ridgview Moravian School. Friends wishing to remember Sydney with a memorial donation may consider this wish or Childcan (The Childhood Cancer Research Association).

Larry Lucier of Chatham died suddenly on Wednesday December 15, 2010 at the age of 67. He will be sadly missed by his wife Christena. Father to Lori, Jeff, Mike and Nick. Grandfather to Tiffany, Maddi, Spencer, Benjamin, Alex and Maeve. Predeceased by his granddaughter Jorja. Larry is survived by his siblings Butch, Lenny, Rick, Lorraine and Jeannie. In keeping with Larry’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday December 18, 2010 from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Friends wishing to remember Larry with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Cancer Society or the O.S.P.C.A.

Neeland Thomas Rumble passed away on Tuesday December 14, 2010 at the age of 41. Neeland is the much loved son of Fred and Sondra (Smith) Rumble of Blenheim. He is survived by his only brother Warren & Brenda Rumble and by his favourite nephew Curtis and favourite niece Zoe Rumble of Blenheim. Curtis and Zoe were the “apples of Neeland’s eye” and he spoiled them every chance he had. Neeland was one of the first members of the Beavers Scouts in Blenheim and he lived his life by the morals that he learned there. He was trustworthy, loyal, helpful, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty and brave. Neeland graduated from B.D.H.S. and in keeping with his love of math and statistics, he pursued an education in Accounting and Business Administration. He was a strong supporter of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Neeland was a faithful employee of Securitas and was on his way to work at the Solar Farm near Ridgetown when he passed away. Neeland’s family invite everyone for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday December 18, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Bill Terris officiating. Cremation will take place with a family interment at a later date. Friends wishing to remember Neeland with a charitable donation are asked to consider the Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Talbot Trail Place (through the Blenheim Rotary Club).

Berta (Lemken) Eskritt of Ridgetown passed away at the Village Retirement Residence on Saturday December 4, 2010. Berta was born in Germany 73 years ago to her late parents Maria (Blesken) and Karl Lemken. It was in Germany where she met and married a young Canadian soldier named Daniel Eskritt and they moved to Canada in 1963. Berta and Dan raised three children Michael Eskritt of Merlin, Erik & Tammy Eskritt of Blenheim and Jason Eskritt of Ridgetown. Berta and Dan are the proud grandparents of Dawn, Jennifer, Kristin, Kyle and Samantha and great grandparents of Jacob, Arron and Anna Rose. Family was very important to Berta and in her spare time she loved to tend to her flowers and visit friends at Pinnells Pastries when she was able. In keeping with Berta’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Friends wishing to remember Berta with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Anthony “Tony” Dorssers of Blenheim passed away on Monday November 22, 2010 at the age of 77 years. Tony was the thirteenth of fifteen children born in Holland to his late parents Leonardus and Wilhelmina (VanDeKerkhof) Dorssers. As a young teen in Holland, he learned the art of welding. At a young age with twenty five dollars and the desire to succeed, Tony moved to Canada. His welding abilities were quickly recognized by the community and he became known as the man who could fix anything. Tony and his wife Siham were married on December 26, 1959. Together they built the business known as Dorssers Welding Company; a company that would become one of Blenheim’s largest employers supporting many more Dutch Immigrants who came to Tony for employment. Tony and Siham celebrated their success in life generously by taking in family and friends, by giving them jobs and by giving them the tools they needed to become successful in their own businesses. Tony’s retirement from the company in the early 1990’s gave them only a few years to appreciate before he was faced with adversities including his diagnosis of Wegener’s Granulomatosis. Tony displayed the values of a true Christian. His church was important to him, he led by example and despite his success in life, he remained humble. To that end, he was a well respected member of Blenheim and the surrounding communities. Tony and Siham were blessed in life with two children Mike and Carol (Walker) Dorssers of Blenheim and their children Megan (Marshall Cole), Nicole, Clint and Alan; and Jacqueline Dorssers and her son Michael Gabriel Preston of Chatham (son of Tony Preston of Windsor). Tony is survived by his sisters Nel Timmermans (the late John) of Blenheim, Nes Verdellen (the late Wim) of Holland, Marie Joosten (the late Peter) of Blenheim, Jet Haenen (the late Toén) of Holland, Wilma Willemsen (Gerry) of Blenheim, Christine van Haren (Jack) of Ottawa, Dora Vandenberg (the late Bill) of Sarnia, by his brothers Andrew (Ann) of Blenheim, Hank (the late Joanne) of Seaforth and Bill (Mary) of Blenheim and by his sister in law Joanne Dorssers of London. He is predeceased by his sisters Lies Dorssers, Grada Luiking (the late Ben), Ann van Vugt (the late Theo) and by his brother Cornelius on November 15, 2010. Cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street in Blenheim for visitation on Thursday November 25, 2010 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. Parish Prayers will be held at 7:15 p.m. A Funeral Mass for Tony will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, 95 Marlborough Street North, Blenheim on Friday November 26, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Brother Jorge Villegas officiating. Friends wishing to remember Tony with a Memorial Donation are asked to consider the Vasculitis Foundation Canada to assist and support people and families with Wegener’s Granulomatosis, or to the Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario.

With such sadness we announce that on Saturday October 23, 2010 our son Matthew White was born sleeping at 20 weeks. He was so tiny but so precious and so beautiful. We held him and loved him and with our family around us, we sadly said goodbye. Paige, Eden, Piper and Evan were all looking forward to their new brother Matthew who will be missed so much by his grandparents Kathy & Ron White of Blenheim and Gail & Arleigh Smith of Merlin. We will have a private family service where Matthew will be laid to rest in Shanks Cemetery.

Lisa Dauvernay and Brandon White

Jason Glen Graham passed away in London on Saturday October 9, 2010. He was born to his very proud parents Colleen (Mills) Graham & Pernell Craftchick and Dennis & Rosemarie Graham on November 26, 1974. Despite a brief move to the Algonquin Park area, Jay’s childhood memories belonged in Erieau, the very place where he would return to raise his own family. His wife Mandy and their sons Jesse, Mathew and Christopher were the most important treasures in his life and he loved to do everything he possibly could for them. Jason will be sadly missed by his older brother Jamie Graham & Amy Etmanskie and his younger sister Tina Tedford. Jason loved to collect diecast cars and he embraced new technology. He believed in people and did whatever he could to make the world a better place. In his final hour, Jason was able to help the lives of other people as his wish for organ donation was honoured. Friends and relatives are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street in Blenheim for visitation on Wednesday October 13, 2010 from 2 – 4 & 6 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Jason will be held in Glad Tidings Community Church, Blenheim on Thursday October 14, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Bill Terris officiating. Cremation to follow with a private family interment at a later date. Friends wishing to remember Jason with a memorial donation are asked to consider Chatham-Kent Victim Services.

William “Peter” Girard of Erieau passed away on Wednesday October 6, 2010. Pete was born 68 years ago to his late parents Edward “Peter” and Mary Girard and spent much of his life as a commercial fisherman. One night on a blind date at the Tilton Hilton in Erieau Pete met his lifelong partner Barbara (Smith) and they began a life together that would have reached forty years on November 10. Pete and Barb are the proud parents of Chrystal Girard of Erieau and Andy Girard who predeceased his mom and dad in his first year. Pete will be missed by his brother John Girard and by his sister Betty Ann & Larry Collins all of Erieau. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements. In keeping with Pete’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim on Wednesday November 10, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. where Pete will be interred with his Mom. Pete was proud to be a part of Erieau. It would have been an honour to him if friends wishing to make a memorial donation would consider the Erieau Firefighter’s Association or St. Paul’s Anglican Church.