Carole Elaine Shillington passed away peacefully at the hospital in Chatham on January 30th, 2013. Born in Chatham 69 years ago to the late Francis and Margaret (Suitor) Balmer, she is survived by her husband of 47 years Paul of Erieau, three daughters; Kelly of Windsor, Lynn (Pat) Pearson and Heather (Matt) Boswell both of Chatham. Also survived by Aunts Gen Finlin of Merlin and Betty Suitor of Chatham, along with many cousins; brother-in-laws Peter (Ruth) and Jim (Mary) Shillington, nephews Harold (Dawn) and Cameron Shillington, nieces Gen (Dr. David) Huffman and Kim Shillington.
Carole enjoyed travelling, golfing, curling, sailing and Shriners Hospitals for Children through her membership in the Daughters of the Nile. Her real passion was her grandchildren Bridget and Bryan Lyne; Madelyn, Jacob, Alexander, Abigail, Isaac and Johnathin Pearson, Benjamin Boswell and Danielle Laier. Her special and dear friends were her bridge club members of 48 years and Anne Gilbert.
Carole was predeceased by her mother and father-in-law Peggy and Clare Shillington.
A celebration of Carole’s life will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday February 9th, 2013 at 11 a.m. with visitation on February 8th from 3 – 5 and 7 – 9 p.m. A private interment will take place at a later date.
Friends wishing to make a donation in Carole’s memory may do so to her favourite charities; the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the Cancer Society. Online condolences for the family and memorial donations may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

Jerry John Suk at the age of 70 has passed away peacefully and has gone home to be with the Lord. “And God shall wipe away all the tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither shall there be sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things have all passed away”.
Survived by his loving wife Janet ( Russell )Suk, his son Scott ( Tara ) and daughter Krista ( Jamie), his grandchildren Brandon ( Ashley ), Rachel ( Gerrit ), Micheal, and Cassandra and great granddaughter Kaylee. Dearest brother of Joe ( Virgina ), Mary and the late Lilllian. Predecreased by his parents Frank and Anne Suk and infant son Ronnie. He will also be missed by his four legged companions Cody, Katie, and Suzie.
Friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Sunday from 2:00 – 4:00 & 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. to show their support. A Funeral Service for Jerry will be held in Glad Tidings Community Church on Monday January 28, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Eric Revie officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.
Jerry’s family would like to thank everyone who surrounded and supported him during his journey the past few months. Friends wishing to remember him with a memorial donation are asked to consider Glad Tidings Community Church, VON, the Chatham-Kent OSPCA or a charity of your choice.

Helen Marie (Garby) White of Sudbury passed away on January 24, 2013 at the age of 86. Helen was born in Upper Kennetcook, Nova Scotia. She was predeceased by her husband Donald Warren White in 1994. Helen and Don were blessed with three children: Judy White of Sault St. Marie, Steve (wife Wendy) White of Chatham, and Barb (husband Fritz) Grossenbacher of Switzerland. She will also be missed by her three grandchildren: Amy White and Mark and Jenny Grossenbacher, and her great-grandchild, Jamie. She is survived by her brother Ronald (wife Betty) Garby of Alberta and predeceased by her sister, Barbara and brother, Bernard.
Helen retired from her longtime job at Woolco in 1992, when she and Don were able to spend valued time at their trailer in St. Charles entertaining friends and family and enjoying the outdoors. She enjoyed traveling to spend time with her children, grandchildren and “family dogs” in BC, Chatham and Switzerland.
Her memories of good times shared with family and friends remained clear throughout her final 4 years in Chatham, where she moved after a stroke to be closer to family.
In keeping with her wishes, cremation will take place. A celebration of Helen’s life will be held at Jackson & Barnard Funeral home on Larch Street in Sudbury, on Monday January 28, 2013 at 11:30. Helen’s urn will be interred with her husband Don at the Civic Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Helen requested memorial donations to be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Condolences for the family and memorial donations may be left at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home or online at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

Surrounded by the love of his family, Murray William Doyle of Merlin passed away peacefully at home on Thursday January 24, 2013. Murray was an only child, born on March 27, 1936 to his late parents Annie Frances (Smith) and Dwight William Doyle. One day while skating he met a girl named Charlene Jordan and fell in love. Murray and Charlene were married on February 16, 1968 and shared the next almost 45 years of memories which would include the birth of two sons Brian and Kevin whom he loved unconditionally. Brian and his wife Jackie Doyle live in Chatham with their children Connor and Riley and Kevin and his wife Melissa Doyle live in Merlin with their children Lilyana, Sophia and Declan. Murray was passionate about his life’s work on the farm. He enjoyed time with his family, spending time at the trailer as well as his early morning meetings at the coffee shop with his friends. He was a kind and caring soul who faithfully attended South Buxton United Church and was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Branch 457 in Merlin. Above all though, he was a husband and he was a father. In his own words, Murray would tell anyone that he had a great family. Friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home to show their respects to Murray’s family on Friday January 25, 2013 from 2:00 – 4:00 & 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held in the Funeral Home on Saturday morning at 10:30 with Pastor Eric Skillings officiating. Cremation will follow. Murray will be laid to rest beside his dad in the Merlin Cemetery at a later date. Friends wishing to remember Murray with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham Masonic District Bruce B Foster Charitable Foundation.

Robert “Bob” McIlroy of Erie Beach, much loved husband of Nancy (Mott) McIlroy and father of Mike & Jenny McIlroy passed away on Monday January 21, 2013 at the age of 73 years. Bob was one of three sons born to Elizabeth & Joseph McIlroy and is survived by his brothers Walter & Lynne McIlroy of Sarnia, John & Cathy McIlroy of Blenheim and Richard & Margaret McIlroy also of Blenheim and by many nephews and nieces. Bob was predeceased by his Aunt Fran and Uncle Bert Johnson and by his sisters-in-law Barb (Grady) McIlroy and Betty (Weaver) McIlroy. Bob was an avid fisherman and stock car driver and fan. He retired from International Harvester after working for 33 years there. Friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation on Thursday January 24, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. when a Memorial Service will take place. Cremation to follow with a private family interment in Maple Leaf Cemetery at a later date. Friends wishing to remember Bob with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Cancer Society or charity of your choice.

Peter Lorne Hare of Blenheim passed away peacefully on Sunday January 20, 2013 at the age of 97 years. Peter was born and raised in New Brunswick and worked there until the mid 1950’s before moving to Iroquois, ON during the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway. In 1961 Peter moved his family to Chatham and to Blenheim in 1963. He worked for many years at Huron Construction. Peter was predeceased by his wife Mary Elizabeth (Deeks) Hare, his daughter Arlene and his son Frank and will be remembered with great fondness by his children Kathleen Henderson (Wayne) of New Brunswick, Judith Butler (Edward) of Ignace, Suzanne Scott (Don) of Blenheim, Delbert Hare (Ila) of Perth, Robert Hare (Sandra) of New Brunswick, Mark Hare (Donna), Steve Hare and Tim Hare all of Blenheim and Roger Coulter (Lise) of Iroquois as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. Friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday January 26, 2013 for visitation from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. which will be followed by a Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Bill Terris officiating. Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery followed by a reception at the Blenheim Community Golf Course from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Friends wishing to remember Peter with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Association for Community Living, Chatham.

Marian Michael “Mike” Kormendy, a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree passed away at the Hospice Wellington, Guelph on Friday January 18, 2013 at the age of 73 years. Beloved husband of Diana (Daniel) Kormendy, of 49 years. Dear father of Denise Lesy (Paul); Jeannine Haid (Michael); Michael Jason; the late Kevin (1982) and the late Mark (2008). Loved Grandpa of Victoria; Emily; Andrew and Elizabeth. Dear brother of Anne Provart (late Michael); Joseph (Brenda) and Susan. Son of the late Stefan and Sophia Kormendy.

Mike earned his First-Class Stationary Engineer Qualification with the Institute of Power Engineers and was a former employee of the Southwestern Regional Centre (Cedar Springs) and the University of Guelph. He was an honourary life member of the Knights of Columbus and a dedicated volunteer with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Resting at the GILBERT MacINTYRE and SON FUNERAL HOME, DUBLIN CHAPEL, 252 Dublin Street North, Guelph on Monday from 2-4 & 7-9pm with Vigil prayers at 8:30 p.m. and then the BLENHEIM COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME, 60 Stanley Street, Blenheim on Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm with Vigil prayers at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held in St. Mary’s Church, Blenheim on Wednesday January 23, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Interment Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. As expressions of sympathy donations to Hospice Wellington; Canadian Cancer Society or the Diabetes Association would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences for the family and memorial donations may be left at either www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com or www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

Linda Lee McNear passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Thursday January 16, 2013 at the age of 65 years. The youngest of three girls born their late parents Tom and Marion (Attridge) Ford, Linda was a kind and caring soul who consistently put the needs of others before her own. Linda and her husband Tom McNear would have celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in October of this year. She will be forever remembered as a wonderful mother by Rob McNear (Charlene), Cathy Little (Steve) and Rick McNear and as the most awesome Grandma by Tommy, Matthew, Chase, Cole, Tiffany and Molly. She will be sorely missed by her sister and best friend Peggy Knott (Bob) and also by her faithful companion Gus the dog. She was predeceased by her sister Mary Anne Brooks in March of 2011. Linda’s wishes were that cremation take place followed by a private family graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery with Rev. Bill Terris officiating. She would have been proud if friends wanting to remember her would do a good deed for someone who needs help. Online condolences for the family and memorial donations to the Cancer Society or charity of your choice can be left online at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

ROSE VAN TORRE of Ridgetown and formerly of Blenheim passed away at the Village On The Ridge on Sunday January 13, 2013. Rose, was born 90 years ago to her late parents Veronika and Michael Bokor and farmed for many years with her husband Rene on Raglan Road. They raised one daughter Mary Anne & Sam Espie of Blenheim and enjoyed two grandsons; Jonathan Espie and Stephen Espie & Dayna Gilbert both of Toronto.

Rose was one of twelve children born to the Bokor family. She is survived by her siblings Cecilia Stewart, Frances Foster, Irene & Mike McCarron, Frank Bokor, Mike & Lillian Bokor and Jim & Gail Bokor, by her sister-in-law Deanna Bokor and by Rene’s brother Andrew. Rose was predeceased by her siblings Mary Istok, Vera Bokor, Annie Bokor, Emilia Bokor and John Bokor, her brothers- in-law Karol Istok, Joe Stewart and Charles Foster as well as Rene’s brother Roy and sisters-in-law Yvonne and Leona.

Friends and family are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street in Blenheim for visitation on Wednesday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass for Rose will be held in St. Mary’s Church on Thursday January 17, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery. Acting as pallbearers will be Rose’s family Mary Anne & Sam Espie, Jonathan Espie and Stephen Espie as well as Ken Bokor and Mike Bokor.

Friends wishing to remember Rose with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Society.

Mary Jane Smith of Chatham and formerly of Blenheim passed away on Sunday January 6, 2013. Mary, who would have been 92 on February 7^th this year was one of three girls born to her late parents Louisa (Burk) and William George Dumont Smith. She was predeceased by both of her sisters Gladys Fink and Mabel Ashby. Mary worked for a short time at Eatons, Canadian Tire and the Canning Factory but most of her life was spent taking care of family. Mary lived her life with determination, fortitude and will. In her pastime she enjoyed puzzles, opera music and local news. She will be missed by her nieces Linda Schlecht (Peter) of Brighton, Sandra Ashby (Ross) of Brampton and by her great niece and nephews Meghan Ashby-Lee (Dan), Peter Schlecht (Rebecca) and David Schlecht (Christina). A private graveside service will be held in Evergreen Cemetery where Mary will be laid to rest with her parents. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with Funeral Arrangements. Friends wishing to remember Mary with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Alzheimers Society.