Ray Lack of Blenheim passed away at home on Saturday February 20, 2010 at the age of 77 years. Friends are invited to gather at Evergreen Cemetery on Tuesday May 4, 2010 at 11:30 for when Ray’s urn will be interred with his family. Friends wishing to remember Ray with a memorial donation are asked to consider a charity of their choice.

Johanna “Joan” (Poels) DeBrouwer passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Tuesday May 4, 2010 at the age of 71 years. Joan was born in the Netherlands to her late parents Anna and Antonius Poels. She is survived by her husband Christian “Chris” DeBrouwer of Blenheim, by her son Anthony “Art” & Kathy DeBrouwer and their children Derek and Darren, her son Ken & Annie DeBrouwer and their children Rachelle, Quinn, Erika and Reiss and by her son Steve DeBrouwer and his friend Johanna Boodt and her children Alexa, Jordyn and Chloe all of Blenheim. Joan is also survived by her sisters Betty & Pete Ruyter and Josie & Willy Fransen of London, Mary & Harry Bongers of Niagara Falls, Ann Marie & Bernie DeBrouwer of Morpeth, her sister in law Jeanne Poels of the Netherlands, by her brothers Jerry & Margaret Poels of London, Cor & Betty Poels of Highgate, Piet & Dilia Poels, Jan & Truus Poels and Wim & Diny Poels all of the Netherlands and Jack & Diane Poels of Thamesford. Joan is predeceased by her brother Anton Poels and her brother in law Martin DeBrouwer. Joan is the sister in law of Henry & Betty DeBrouwer, Peter & Anne DeBrouwer, Mona DeBrouwer and Bert & Marie Theresa DeBrouwer all of Blenheim, Martin & Anne VanDenBosch and Reinhardt & Mia Schmiedt both of London, Helen & Pete Kaal and Josie DeBrouwer both of Vancouver and many nieces and nephews. The DeBrouwer family will receive family and friends for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday May 7 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass for Joan will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, Blenheim on Saturday May 8, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Joan with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Talbot Trail Place.

Verne Murray Burke of Chatham and formerly of Erieau passed away on Monday May 3, 2010 at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance with his family at his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. Verne is the son of the late Glen and Vera (Maynard) Burke. He and his High School sweetheart Marcella Moor recently celebrated 53 years of marriage. Verne and Marcella are the loving parents of Michael & Jodie Burke of Blenheim, Cindilyn & Peter Baker of Chatham and Tammy Campbell of Burlington. They are also blessed with 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Verne is survived by his sister Shirley Pilon of South Hampton, his brothers Frank “Pete” & Blanche Burke of Blenheim and Larry & Margaret Rose Burke of Erieau and by his sister in law Wyn Burke of Toronto. He is predeceased by his brother Jack Burke and his brother in law Charles “Sonny” Pilon. Verne was a very proud loving family man. He was always ready to do anything to help his children and grandchildren. Verne’s family invite family and friends for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Service for Verne will be held at the Funeral Home on Thursday May 6, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Burk Cemetery. Verne was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Erieau and his wish was that in lieu of flowers, people wishing to remember him would make a memorial donation to St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Erieau or Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto. Pallbearers are Doug Gardiner, Phillip Burke, Jordan Kehoe, Ryan King, Shaun Fuller, and Cathy Noble. Honourary Pallbearers are Larry Pope, Gerry Apfeld, Hartley Vidler, Dave Pilon and Walt Vidler. Granddaughters are flower bearers.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Leslie Vaughn on Sunday May 2, 2010, just one month after Mom. Dad was born in Port Burwell 79 years ago to Phillip and Minnie Vaughan. He met a young lady named Mary Elliott while working in a tobacco field and on October 5, 1951 they were married. Together they raised four children; Dianne Kuypers-Vaughan, Doreen Edwards and her husband Robin, Howard Vaughan and his wife Diana all of Chatham and Ronald Vaughan and his wife Debbie of Blenheim. Dad was a family man. He loved his grandchildren Harry Verburg, Thomas & Kathy Russelo, Roger Russelo, Katie Lucier, Kurt Lucier, Dale Edwards, Brent Edwards, Kelsey Edwards, Brooke Edwards, Maddalene Vaughan, Leslie Vaughan, Jo-Jo Vaughan, Kelsey-Lynn Vaughan, Todd & Shannon Walukiewicz, David & Diane Fahey, Shae-Lynn Vaughan, Shantel Vaughan and Ronald Vaughan and his great grandchildren Breydon Lumley, Quinn Fahey, Kevin Fahey and Allie Walukiewicz. A fisherman at heart, Dad started out as a deckhand and eventually he and Mom worked side by side owning their own fishing businesses, first WW and then H&R. Dad built the H&R, a boat that he proudly named after Howard and Ron who carry on the business. He and Mom always remained a big part of Vaughan Fisheries. Dad is survived by his sister Helen Baker and her husband Bob and his brothers Gary Vaughan and George Vaughan and his wife Ruth Anne. He is predeceased by his brothers Jack, Harry, Phil, Ronald and Murray. He is survived by his sisters in law Tillie, Joan, Kay and Ruth Vaughan. We invite our family and friends for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday May 5 from 7 – 9 p.m. and again on Thursday May 6 from 1 – 2 p.m. A Funeral Service for Dad will take place after the visitation at 2 p.m. Cremation will follow. Anyone wishing to remember Dad with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Lung Association or the Blenheim United Church.

Stanley Alexander “Porky” Lachine of Chatham passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Tuesday April 20, 2010 at the age of 81 years. Stan is the son of the late William and Minnie Lachine. At fourteen years old he met Ruth Griffenham who was the scorekeeper at a baseball game and told her that he was going to marry her and on December 18, 1947 he did just that. Ruth was not only Porky’s wife, but his best friend. Together they raised four children; Fred & Deb Lachine of Blenheim, Deborah & Dave Miller of Chatham, Randy & Kim Lachine of Bright’s Grove and Dennis who predeceased his dad in 2002. Stan’s family also includes his daughter in law Shirley and Jerry Gregson of Chatham and his grandchildren Christine & Richard Button of Wallaceburg and their children Emily and Madeline, Brian & Cathy Lachine of Port Credit and their children Brodie, Autumn and Anna, Leigh-Ann & Ken Desmarais of Longlac and their children Norah, Adelaide, Wesley and Jonah, Craig & Courtney Lachine of Blenheim and their daughter Natalie, Elizabeth Lachine of London, Kristin & Chris Rylett of Chatham, Eric Miller of Chatham, Colin Miller of B.C., Brent & Melissa Lachine of Chatham and their daughter Brooklyn, Derek Lachine of Chatham and Kevyn Lachine of Bright’s Grove. Stan was predeceased by his daughter in law Mary Beth Lachine in 2003. He is survived by his sisters Pat (Pete) Luyt and Dorothy O’Rourke both of Chatham and brothers Carl (Madeline) Lachine of Chatham and Harold (Donna) Lachine of London. Predeceased by brothers Don, Reg, Jim, Bill and Bob Lachine and sisters Ruth Caron, Betty St. Pierre and Madeline Antaya. In Stan’s life, family was the most important thing. A close second would be the Chatham Maroons who he followed faithfully for many years. Friends will remember the smile on his face and the jokes that he never seemed to forget. An avid fisherman, Stan made four shows with Red Fisher and fished with Gordie Howe and Ted Williams. He was never without a job to do, be it the 34 years that he worked at Ontario Steel/Rockwell, his days at Trimplas and Chrome Tek or the times that he and Dennis were together roofing houses and doing other odd jobs. In his quiet times, Stan appreciated listening to Johnny Cash. The Lachine family invite family and friends for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Thursday April 22 from 2:00 – 4:00 & 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. A Funeral Service for Stan will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday April 23, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Brian Lachine officiating. A family interment will take place in Maple Leaf Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Stan with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Word of Life Church Soup Kitchen.

Peacefully at Blenheim Community Village on Saturday, April 17th, 2010, Agnes (MacMillan) Stuckey-Coleman, in her 84th year, wife of the late Glenn Stuckey (1975) and LeRoy Coleman (1990). Agnes’ faith in God sustained her and was a lifelong member of the United Church and the choir. She was a teacher, traveller, artist and someone who enjoyed music, golf and bridge. She was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 185, the Ladies Auxiliary, Women’s Retired Teachers’ Organization, the Legion Villa Board, the Liberal Party, Blenheim Seniors Centre, Blenheim Library, Blenheim Golf Course and the Blenheim and Community Freedom Library and Museum. Predeceased by her parents William & Lizzie Aldcorn MacMillan, her brothers, Jack, Donald and Angus and sister, Isabelle Thomson. Sadly missed by her 6 children: Heather & Norm Hudson (Williams Lake, BC), Valerie & Tom Maher (Regina, SK), Glenn & Linda Stuckey (Halifax, NS), Nan Stuckey (Chatham, ON), Shawn & Olga Stuckey (Blenheim, ON) and Mark Stuckey (Rondeau, ON). Her special daughters: Wendy Holmes and Kari McElrea. Her 11 grand-children: Matthew Davy, Jason & Bev Davy, Stephanie & Steve Pekrul, Patrick Maher, Jade Stuckey, Kaylyn Stuckey, Adam Stuckey, Joshua & Sophia Stuckey, Alexandra Stuckey, Max Stuckey, and Jessica & Mike Levesque. And her 6 great-grandchildren: Logan Maher-Foster, Rylan Davy, Jennie Pekrul, John Levesque, Riley Stuckey and Matty Levesque. She will also be missed by her brother Ranald and his wife Joan, and by sisters-in-law Bernie & June, as well as many nephews and nieces and great and great-great nephews and nieces. And by the whole Coleman Clan: sister-in-law Mildred, and step-children: Penny & John Deman, Chris & Sandi Coleman, Lloyd Coleman, and Rick Coleman. And 6 Coleman grandchildren & 7 great-grandchildren. Resting at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home. Visitation Monday, April 19th 7-9pm and Tuesday, April 20th from 1-4pm and 7-9pm. Legion Ladies Auxiliary Memorial Service: 7pm Tues. Funeral Service at the Blenheim United Church on Wednesday, April 21st at 11am. Interment to follow in the family plot in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. In lieu of flowers, a charitable donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent or the charity of your choice would be Agnes’ wish.

Mr. Carl Renaud, beloved husband of Lucille passed away on Saturday April 10, 2010. Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday April 14, 2010 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 with Rev. Kathy Hawley officiating. Friends wishing to remember Carl with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Cedar Springs United Church.

Alexandre Joseph Real Dagenais passed away at home on Thursday April 8, 2010. Alex was born in the Township of East Ferris 76 years ago. He met his wife Rose Ann (Vidler) while working on the Erieau Pier and they would have celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary this year. Alex is the proud father of Tim & Kim Dagenais and will be missed by his grandsons Michael Steward and Daniel Dagenais as well as his great grandson Carter Michael Steward. He is survived by his sisters Betty Ann & Wayne Storey of Powasson and Evelin Reeves of North Bay and by his brothers Leo & Josie Dagenais of Toronto and Charlie & Rhea Dagenais of Powasson. He is predeceased by his sister Margaret Dagenais and by his brother in law Jack Reeves. In keeping with Alex’s wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no Funeral Home visitation or Funeral Service. Friends wishing to remember Alex with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Soup Kitchen at the Word Of Life Church.

Honoré “Henry” Alphonse Koekuyt of Chatham and formerly of Blenheim passed away on Wednesday April 7, 2010. Born 81 years ago in Staples, Ontario to the late Marie & Theophiel Koekuyt. Henry was predeceased by his wife Eileen (Larke) in November 2005. Surviving are his children Nancy La Forge and her husband Dan of Arkona, Linda O’Dell and her husband Allen of Richmond Hill, Elaine VanDeHogen and her husband Jason also of Richmond Hill and by sons Michael Koekuyt and his wife Yolanda of St. Thomas, John Koekuyt and his wife Cathy of Chatham and Peter Koekuyt and his wife Angela of Beamsville. Grandfather will be missed by eight grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. Also surviving is Henry’s brother Julien Koekuyt of Chatham, his sisters in law Margaret Koekuyt of Grande Pointe and Marion Fuerth of Essex and his friend Evelyn Couture of Pain Court. Predeceased by his brother Gerard Koekuyt, sister in law Leona Koekuyt and brother in law Bob Fuerth. Visitation for Mr. Koekuyt will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday April 9, 2010 from 2:00 – 4:00 & 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Parish prayers will be held at 2 p.m. and Knights of Columbus prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday April 10, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. Interment to follow in Pardoville Union Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, friends wishing to make a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Henry’s family wishes to thank Dr. Quoc Tran and his receptionist Elaine for the many acts of kindness shown to their father.

William (Bill) Jackson Tennant, a resident of Blenheim passed peacefully at CKHA April 6 2010. Loving husband of Lorna for 44 years. Loving father of William, Brad and daughter in law Tammy. Devoted Papa of Karson, Konner, Taya and Tessa. Predeceased by infant son Sean. Please No Flowers. Charitable donations to Canadian Cancer Transportation Driver Program graciously accepted. Family will receive friends at Blenheim Community Funeral Home Saturday April 10th at 10:00 a.m. with service officiated by Pastor Bill Terris at 11:00 a.m.