Bertha Julia (Benoit) Pickering passed away on April 14, 2012 at the Blenheim Community Village. Wife of the late Elmer Pickering (October 7, 1990). Bertha was born in Tilbury on February 7, 1929 to the late Adelore & Leah (Gagnier) Benoit. She is predeceased by her daughter Bonnie (Pickering) Normandin (March 4, 2012). She is survived by her sons, Roy (Joan) Pickering of Erieau and Duncan (Barb) Pickering of Blenheim. She enjoyed visits with her grandchildren Jamie (MaryLynn), Jeff (Melissa), Cory (Jocelyn), Cameron (Nikki), Matthew Pickering, Dawn (Mario) Acosta, Julie Normandin, Leah (Josh Kerr) Normandin and especially with her 11 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Lorine (Remi) Goodreau of Tilbury and Madeline Donahue of Blenheim. Predeceased by her sisters Dorothy McKinlay, Corine Bechard and her brothers Clarence and Leo Benoit. She will be missed by her many nieces and nephews. Friends and family are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday April 17^th from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. to show their support to Bertha’s family. A Funeral Service for Bertha will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday April 18, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Pierre Wood officiating. Interment in Maple Leaf Cemetery, Tilbury. Acting as pallbearers will be Bertha’s grandsons Jamie Pickering, Jeff Pickering, Cory Pickering, Matthew Pickering, Josh Kerr and her nephew James Goodreau. Friends wishing to remember Bertha with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Claude Maxwell Fader of Blenheim passed away on Wednesday April 4, 2012. Born 84 years ago to his late parents James and Ethel Fader, Claude and Bernice (Redner) would have celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary in June 2012. Claude and Bernice raised three children; James and Marilyn Fader of Uxbridge, Janice and Dennis DeJaeger of Blenheim and David & Cheryl Fader of Blenheim. He will be missed by his grandchildren Cathy-Jo & Dan Mihalic, Amanda & Lee Schellenberg, Angela & James Burnell, Matthew & Lauri Butzer, Josh & Alecia Butzer, Vicki & Chris Redman, Brian & Emma Fader and Ashley Fader and his great grandchildren Owen, Austin and Brooke Butzer, Emma, Hannah, Brady and Hope Mihalic, Levi Butzer and Josiah Redman. Claude was predeceased by his sister Grace & Charles Morrison and by his brother Harley & Violet Fader. Claude was a kind and caring person, a carpenter by trade and a long time member and supporter of Glad Tidings Community Church. Friends and family are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. and again at Glad Tidings Community Church on Saturday from 10 – 1030 to show their support to Bernice and her family. A Funeral Service for Claude will be held in Glad Tidings Community Church, Blenheim on Saturday April 7, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Interment in Maple Lake United Church Cemetery, Minden at a later date. Friends wishing to remember Claude with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Jon McVicar Bursary or the Kidney Foundation.

On April 2, 2012, Ronald left our world and his family who loved him. He will be missed by his wife Sarahlee Coatsworth (Haskell); his children Tracy Evelyn Lee O’Sullivan (James), Karl Ross Coatsworth (Tracy), Samantha Deseure (Robert); his grandchildren Christopher Smith, Tawnya Smith, Courtney Coatsworth, Kyle Coatsworth, Adam Deseure and Brayden Deseure; his great grandchildren Hailey Hunter and Keegan Raes; his brother Keith Coatsworth(Barb); his sister Barb Van Esch; sisters in law Darlene Coatsworth and Delnore Warren(Norman); long time friend Marie Schram.

Joining his parents and siblings in heaven Carl and Jeannie (Walker) Coatsworth; Jack and Betty McKillop; David and Myrla Coatsworth; Bob Coatsworth and Edgar Coatsworth; brother in law Tony Van Esch; dear friend Larry Schram.

Born in Romney Township on the Coatsworth homestead August 30, 1925. His family moved to the farm in Ridgetown area when he was in his teens. Ron delivered ice cream for Peerless Dairy for many years and finished his working career with Frito Lay.

He was a kind and gentle man who was never angry and who could not say “no” to those he loved. Everyone knew where he kept his chocolate stash and he kept it well stocked.

We Will Miss Him.

Friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Thursday April 5, 2012 from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 to show their support to Ron’s family. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 followed by inurnment in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Ron with a memorial donation are asked to consider Chatham-Kent Community Living or St. Francis Advocates.

James Emerson Pickering of Blenheim passed away on Saturday March 31, 2012 at the age of 74 years. James is the son of the late Joseph & Clara (Comboye) Pickering. One day while attending Blenheim District High School, James met a young lady named Norma Shepley and on April 30, 1960 they began a journey as husband and wife that would span almost 52 years. James will be missed by his children Chris & Mary Alice Pickering of Marine City, Shawn & Maria Pickering of Chatham, Michelle Pickering of London and Susan & Gerard Rood of Leamington. Predeceased by his son Timothy in 1985. He will also be missed by his grandchildren Tina, Brian, Ashli, Taylor, Tim, Kody, Alex and his great grandchild Lukus, by his brother Douglas & Goldie Pickering of Blenheim, by his niece Melissa Pickering & Damien McKinlay of London and by his best friends Tracey and Tom Horton of Blenheim. James was a happy, friendly, outgoing person who kept a positive attitude and enjoyed carpentry; qualities that live on in his children. In keeping with his wish of keeping this time simple , there will be no Funeral Home visitation or Funeral Service for James. Cremation has taken place. Friends wishing to remember James with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Lung Association or the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.

Doreen Eleanor Drewery of Ridgetown and formerly of Blenheim and Charing Cross passed away on Monday March 26, 2012 at the age of 87 years. Doreen was born in Dover Centre to her late parents Laura (Frye) and Hubert Iles. She met a young man in Charing Cross named Lyle Drewery and on July 28, 1945 they began their life as husband and wife. Doreen was predeceased by her only sibling, Olive (Mills) Irwin in 1996. She is survived by several nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews. Doreen and Lyle farmed together in Charing Cross and in her spare time, Doreen enjoyed sewing and followed her true passion raising and boarding Collie and Sheltie dogs. She enjoyed many years as a member of the Kent Kennel Club. In keeping with Doreen’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday April 14, 2012 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. followed by a Graveside Service at Pardoville Cemetery at 2:15 p.m.

James Cameron Attewell passed away at home on Saturday March 24, 2012 at the age of 65 years. Jim and his wife Betty (Nesbitt) would have celebrated their 22^nd wedding anniversary this May. He is survived by his children Debbie VanHelden (Neil) , Michelle Koomans (Dennis), Christine McIntyre (Dave) and Robert Attewell (Nadia Faulkner) all of Chatham, Richard Scott (Shelley Milligan) of Edson, Alberta, Charlotte Smith (Brad) of Merrickville, Michael Scott (Joy McLeod) of Cedar Springs, and Jason Scott (Amanda Rumble) of Blenheim and several grandchildren. Jim is also survived by his sisters Mary Lou Armstrong (Craig) of Essex and Judy Dittmer (Dana) of Chatham as well as his brothers Murray Attewell (Cindy) of Wiarton, Mike Attewell of Erie Beach and Bill Attewell (Ruth Ann) of Chatham. Predeceased by his parents Shirley and Fred Attewell and by two brothers Fred and Bob Attewell. Jim’s passions in life included working on his pond and in his garden, watching the Minnesota Vikings, listening to Johnny Cash and cooking. At a young age, Jim went to school in Toronto and became a cook at the Royal York Hotel. He spent many years in the kitchen of and retired from Southwestern Regional Centre and will be missed by the many friends he made there. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday March 27, 2012 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. to show their support to Jim’s family. A Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Cremation to follow. Friends wishing to remember Jim with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada or Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

Lloyd Herbert Muckle of Blenheim passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Saturday March 24, 2012 at the age of 87 years. Lloyd is survived by his wife, Deurine (Bruner) Muckle with whom he would have celebrated 63 years of marriage in April. He is the proud father of Judy & Peter Field of Blenheim, Richard & Christine Muckle of Blenheim and Jeffrey & Robbie Muckle of Paulatuk, NWT, grandfather of Nicole & Steve Basiaco, Ashley Muckle and Brian Muckle and great grandfather of Abby Basiaco and Ryan Basiaco. He is survived by his sister Eileen & Al Duddy of Chatham and his brother Harold & Evelyn Muckle as well as his sister in law Erva Muckle of Blenheim. Lloyd was predeceased by his grandson Ryan Field as well as his brother Glen Muckle and sister in law Dorothy Muckle. Lloyd enjoyed a lifetime of farming in the Blenheim area. He enjoyed any time spent with family and was especially happy for the time that he was able to spend with Jeffrey while he was home this past Christmas. Friends and family are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. on Monday March 26, 2012 to show their support. A Funeral Service for Lloyd will be held at the Funeral Home on Tuesday March 27, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. officiated by Rev. Wanda Burse of the Ridge Community Church. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Acting as pallbearers will be his son Richard, his son in law Peter and his grandchildren Nicole, Steve, Ashley and Brian. Friends wishing to remember Lloyd with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Kidney Foundation.

Andrew Alexander Tanguay of Chatham passed away peacefully at home on Friday March 23, 2012 at the age of 78 years. Andy was born in Chatham to his late parents Marie (Charbonneau) and Napolean Tanguay. He was predeceased by his wife Margaret (Mikus) Tanguay on September 2, 2006. Andy was an educator who made a difference in the lives of many children throughout his teaching career, which began in a one-room schoolhouse in Merlin and ended as the Principal of the Merlin Area Public School. Many students will also remember Andy from his tenure as Principal of St. Ambrose and John Uyen Schools in Chatham, Howard-Harwich-Moravian Public School in Ridgetown, and Zone Township Central School in Bothwell. He also taught at St. Pius X Junior High School and Tecumseh Secondary School in Chatham. While teaching full-time and raising a family, Andy managed to complete a BA in Geography at the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Education degree at Wayne State University. Andy is survived by his children Dr. Brian Tanguay (Dr. Anne Brydon) of Kitchener, Dr. Jeff Tanguay (Dr. Andrea Grin) of Toronto and Julie Tanguay of London, by his only grandson Eric Tanguay of Waterloo and by his sisters Betty Sterling of Chatham, Louise Hunter (Don) of Chatham and Eileen Pickard of Newmarket. He is predeceased by his sisters Rita Twigg and Harriett Glover as well as his brothers Maurice Tanguay and Ogie Tanguay. Cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday March 28, 2012 from 7 – 9 p.m. to show their support to Andy’s family. A Memorial Service will be held at the Funeral Home on Thursday March 29, 2012 at 10 a.m. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Andy with a memorial donation are asked to consider the London Health Sciences Centre’s Regional Cancer Program.

Surrounded by his family, Robert James (Bob) Holling of Blenheim passed away at home on Saturday March 17, 2012. Bob was born 57 years ago to his parents Catherine and the late JW (Bill) Holling. He is the loving husband of Donna (Deyo) Holling and the proud father of Stacy Wilson (Vince) of Chatham, Cynthia Holling (Joe) of Chatham, Jeff Holling (Lisa) of Orillia and Dianne Hayes (Jarrell) of Chatham. He is the proud grandfather of Tyler, Kayla and Devon Wilson and Savannah Holling. He will be missed by his only brother Bill & Dona Holling of Chatham as well as his best friends John and Terry Vanderheide. In keeping with Bob’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. to show their support to Bob’s family. A service conducted by the Masonic Kent Lodge 274 will be held at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday March 21, 2012 from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service. Friends wishing to remember Bob with a memorial donation are asked to consider Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society or OSPCA.

Bonnie (Pickering) Normandin of Chatham passed away at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance on Sunday March 4, 2012 at the age of 61 years. Bonnie is the daughter of Bertha (Benoit) Pickering of Chatham and the late Elmer Pickering. She is the loving mother of Leah Normandin & Josh Kerr and Julie Normandin both of Chatham and grandmother of four grandchildren, Steisha, Shaina, Brennan & Bastien. Bonnie will be missed by her brothers Duncan & Barb Pickering of Blenheim and Roy & Joan Pickering of Erieau. Bonnie was in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1971-1976. She then graduated from Humber College (Toronto) and became a registered Nurse at St Joseph’s Hospital in Chatham. Before Bonnie fell ill, she enjoyed traveling and visiting new places. After she became ill, her famous last words were “I am fine”. Visitation will be held Tuesday March 6^th from 2-4pm & 7-9pm and a Funeral Service will be held Wednesday March 7^th at 11am, both held at Blenheim Community Funeral Home. A lunch at the Legion in Blenheim will follow. Donations can be made to the Chatham-Kent Mental Health Association & the Chatham-Kent Heart & Stroke foundation.