Donna Louise Collins (Nee McEachran), on Thursday, August 14, 2008, after suffering from a short illness, peacefully surrendered into God’s hands. Donna had been hospitalized at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Sydenham Campus, for the past several months. Donna was born and raised in Mull, ON and later resided in Sparta, Chatham and ended up in Blenheim. She is predeceased by parents Sadie & Austin McEachran and a brother Carl McEachran. She is survived by her sisters Nancy and Joyce as well as a brother Ralph. She will be most sadly missed by her husband of 40 years, James Collins and loving children, Renee & Jean, Jerry & Jo Ann, Joni, David & Paula, Tami & Shaun, Sandy & Brian, Charlene & Joe, Jamie & June, Eileen & John, Jim & Shelly, Bonnie, Jami, and Lori. She was a loving Grandma to Sadie & Mack, Stephanie, Jeremy & Mack, Sara-Beth, Joy-Lynn, Caress & Eryn, Holly & Chad, Melanie & Brian, Andrew, Christopher & Evan, Peter & Paul. She was also blessed with great grandchildren.

Frances Jean Snobelen, born Jan. 4, 1922 last surviving member of the family of Edith and Alonzo Thomas. Her family lived for a time on a small farm in the Kent Bridge area and later on the plot now occupied by the No-Frills grocery on Queen Street. Mom attended CCI in Chatham, taking mainly “business” courses. At a young age, Mom married Jack Goddard of Taylor Ave., Chatham. Jack shipped off to war shortly after the birth of their son Terry, born December 1, 1941. During the war, Mom worked at different jobs in Toronto and Chatham for a time mostly at war-related factory work, including a hand grenade factory. A member of the First Hussars as tank driver, Jack’s tank hit a land mine a few days after D Day, leaving Mom widowed with a young son.

Introduced through mutual friends, this attractive lady caught the eye of a single farmer from Blenheim, and she eventually married Morley Roy Snobelen. The three farmed on Erieau Road and eventually three more children came along. In 1962, Mom and Dad, and the three youngest moved to 100 Victoria Street Thamesville. Mom went to work at McDonalds Restaurant, in Thamesville, and later Fetters Restaurant, working the 6am shift for many years. Later Mom and Dad retired to the “Bush Nest” they built in the woodlot on the back of the family farm on Erieau Road. A few years back, Mom and Dad moved to an addition to the brick house on the front of the farm, so they could maintain their independence, but be close to their three youngest grandchildren. We remember the speed at which Mom would work, her resolve to tackle anything, and the fact that she seldom complained. We also remember her love of music and dancing. She will be missed by all of her surviving family, husband Morley, daughter Lou Ann, sons Terry and wife, Sherrell, Garnet and wife, Gayle, Albert, grandchildren Terry Lynn, Bob, Sam, Kelly, Erie, Susan and great-grandchildren Amanda, Jessica, Shayna, Jami, and Allison.

Paul MacDonald passed away on Sunday April 13, 2008. He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years Joan (Duffy) and their three sons Eric, Tyler & his fiancée Julie Walker and Ryan.

Paul was born 52 years ago to his late parents George and Glenna MacDonald. He was the youngest of his brothers and sisters and their spouses; Joan & Mel Goddard of Fenelon Falls, George & Charlotte MacDonald of Blenheim, Sandy Rehill of Erieau, John & Marianne MacDonald of Woodstock, Cathy & Clayt Wheeler of Erieau, Patti MacDonald of Erieau and Roger MacDonald of Blenheim. Paul is also survived by his second family Geraldine Duffy, Ronna & Reg Everitt, Colleen & Barry Dickson, all of Chatham and Michael & Deb Duffy of Oklahoma, as well as several aunts & uncles, nieces & nephews and great nieces & nephews. He is predeceased by his father-in-law Ronald Edward Duffy and by his brother-in-law Bob Rehill.

Paul was an Erieau son. Family and his friends were the most important part of his life. If you ever needed a person to talk to, he was there for you, encouraging you all the way. Throughout his cancer journey, Paul’s family and friends were a constant support and encouragement…it was time to help him. When the house was full of people, he was happy. He showed us all how it could be done. Paul loved lighthouses. For him, lighthouses showed a constant point of reference to safe harbours in a storm, a symbol of hope, safety and comfort. It was a symbol he used to in his journey with cancer.

Paul would love to put on his favourite music and go for a cruise; a path that would lead him to places by the water…Morpeth, Shrewsbury and finally to his favourite Erieau. There are many highlights in Paul’s life: his marriage to Joan; the birth of his sons; the addition of Julie to his family; his brothers and sisters and their families; spending time with “the boys”; having his 50^th birthday announced by George Stroumboulopoulos on the national television show “The Hour”; his work and the condition of the Blenheim District High School where he was the custodian; family reunions; fish fry’s and sitting on the front porch watching his world.

Robert “Bob” Milton Dodman passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham Campus on Monday April 7, 2008 at the young age of 48. Bob was one of nine children born to his parents Margaret (Dodman) Steinburg of Chatham and John Dodman (predeceased). He is survived by his loving wife Connie Marie (Huston) Dodman of Blenheim and was a devoted father to their four children Rachel, Sara, Lorene and Gregg, all of Blenheim. He is also survived by his step-father, Rev. Howard Steinburg of Chatham. Missing their brother are Ann Fife and her husband Bill of Chatham, Madeline Shanks and her husband Terry of Wheatley, Beth Pollock and her husband Dan of Chatham, David Dodman and his wife Lynda of Blenheim, Carman Dodman and his wife Vickie of Saskatoon, Bill Dodman and his wife Stella of Chatham, Mike Dodman and his wife Denise of Blenheim and Peter Dodman and his wife Miriam of Chatham. Uncle Bob will be missed by many nieces and nephews. Extended family includes a step-sister Karen Mc Carter of California, a father-in-law Harry Huston, a brother-in-law Vaughn Huston and a sister-in-law Karen Ivan and her husband Dan. Bob was a faithful member of Trinity Anglican Church in Blenheim. He loved singing in the church choir and served as an assistant Eucharistic minister and was also a former member of Trinity Anglican’s Board. Bob also served his community by being an active member of the Optimist Club. For all who knew Bob, he was a man who loved nature and canoeing. Being a certified canoeing instructor, Bob could never be more comfortable than being in his wool socks paddling a canoe somewhere in the great outdoors. Passionate about Scouting, Bob faithfully committed over 25 years to the Blenheim Scouts. His level of commitment was recognized by Scouts Canada in August of 2007 with a presentation of their prestigious Centennial Medal.

Robert “Bob” George Coutts, passed away Monday April 7, 2008. Bob was born 66 years ago in Chatham to his parents Frances (Morrell) and Robert Coutts. He is survived by his beloved wife Robin Coutts and his loving daughters Emma and Sara, all of Blenheim. Also surviving are many in-laws living in the United States.

John Joseph Crombez passed away in Chatham at the Copper Terrace Long Term Care Facility on Thursday January 10, 2008. John was born in Harwich Township 73 years ago to his parents Marie (Mispelen) and Alphonse Crombez. Predeceased by his wife Brenda (Butler), John is survived by his children Cindy and Rick Smolders of Blenheim, Shelley and Bruce Gardner of Ajax, Tracey and Tom Horton of Blenheim, John Crombez and Kim Babo of Chatham, Connie and Martial Lavoie of Chatham, and Paul Crombez of London. Missing their Grandfather and Great Grandfather are Larry Jr., Terry, Paige, Cody, Mike, Dwane, Craig, Scott, Jason, Sharron, Terri-Lynn, Jennifer, Chad, Tyler, Aaron, Chris, Justin, April, Paul Jr., Xander, Noah, Ethan, Mackenna, Baylea, Preston, Seuzen-James, Sabastian, Caleb and Kayla.. Also surviving is John’s sister Rosa VanDeWawer of Ridgetown. John is predeceased by his son Larry Crombez, a granddaughter Jessie and by two sisters Mona and Jean and by two brothers Roger and Mike. John was proud of his Belgium ancestry and was a faithful member and past president of the Canadian Belgium Dutch Club in Chatham. He was also a member of the Chatham Moose Lodge and coached slo-pitch for many years.

Harry Douglas Campbell passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Wednesday December 12, 2007. Doug was born in Ridgetown 78 years ago to his late parents Harry and Edith (Clark) Campbell. He met his future wife Barbara (Carey) on a hayride one night and on February 24th of this year, they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. Doug and Barbara raised two sons; Bruce who lives in Orangeville and Brian & Kathy with their children Alexander and Angelica who live in Mississauga. Doug was very involved in his community. He worked for the Assessment Office and the Registry Office in Chatham. He was a long time member and Treasurer of the Rondeau Rod & Gun Club, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 185, a former member of the Blenheim Kinsmen Club, a member of the Chatham Barbershop Chorus, the former Secretary/Treasurer of the Blenheim Public School Board and the former Secretary/Treasurer of the Blenheim Arena Board. Doug is survived by his sister Ruth Mortimer of Kleinburg, by his brother in law Bruce Kenny of Walkerton and by several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister Phyllis Kenny, his brother Mac & Marguerite Campbell and his brother in law Alan Mortimer

Larry John Solski of Cedar Springs passed away Friday November 30, 2007 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham Campus. Larry was born in Detroit Michigan 55 years ago to the late Stella (Skowronski) and John Solski. John is survived by his loving wife Cindy (Campbell) and their two sons Aaron Solski and Eric Solski. Larry is survived by his two sisters Lee Ann Godfrey of Collingwood and Diane Solski and Rick Wylie of British Columbia. Larry never looked at his “in-laws” as “out-laws”. Very early on, he came to know the great love and affection that the “Campbell Crew” felt for him. In many ways, his mother-in-law, Joyce Campbell, became like a second mother to him. Larry also managed to pick-up some additional siblings along the way including April and David Trudgen of Morpeth, Randy and Carrie Campbell of Blenheim and Mark and Sharon Campbell of Blenheim. Larry is predeceased by his brother Gary Solski and his father-in-law Don Campbell (August 24, 2007). Many members in the community will remember having Larry’s “handy hands” repair their lawn mower, weed trimmer or marine motor. For years owned and operated Southwest Small Engine and Marine in Cedar Springs.

Joseph Thomas “Tom” Doiron passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham Campus on Monday November 5, 2007. Tom was born 56 years in Cambellton, New Brunswick to the late Celina (St. Onge) and Joseph Doiron. He is survived by his loving wife Christine “Christina” (Kyle) of Dealtown. Surviving are his children Robert Doiron and his wife Amy of Windsor, Christopher Doiron of Blenheim, and Tara Doiron of Windsor. He is also survived by his brother Billy Doiron and his wife Brenda of Welland, Alex Doiron of Tillsonburg, a sister Mary Jane Lawrence and her husband Don of Blenheim and his youngest brother Paul Doiron and his wife Leslie of Amherstburg. Also surviving are his father and mother-in-law, Don and Bonnie Kyle of Blenheim, brother-in-law Gordon Kyle as well as several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by one brother Stephen Doiron.

Lillian Martha (Robertson) Bell passed away at Blenheim Community Village on Sunday November 4, 2007. Lillian was born 97 years in Apto, Ontario to her late parents, Martha Ann (Willson) and James H. Robertson. She is predeceased by her husband R. Oscar Bell. Surviving is her daughter Judy O’Rourke and her husband Frank of Chatham. Lillian is predeceased by two sons, Robert Douglas and Donald Herbert as well as by her two brothers James A. Robertson and George L. Robertson