A resident of Ridgetown, Mary Taschereau passed away at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance on Wednesday February 1, 2023 at the age of 97. Mary was the daughter of the late Thomas and Antonia Matuska (nee Horak). She was the loving wife to the late Richard Taschereau and the late Dale Peters. Dear sister to the late Anthony, Joseph, and Thomas Matuska. Special Aunt to Michelle, Cathy, Sue, Mary Jo, Cindy, and Paul. Sadly missed by many great nieces, nephews, cousins, and the Horak family. Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley St. in Blenheim on Monday February 6, 2023 from 2:00pm until 4:00pm. A committal service and interment will be held at St. Peters Cemetery, 806 Victoria St. in London on Tuesday February 7 at 11:00am. Donations made in memory of Mary to the Kidney Foundation or St. Andrew’s Residence would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

Special Olympian Jack Phillip McKillop died at his home peacefully on February 1, 2023.  Born October 17, 1967, Jack was  the youngest and most over loved child of Jack and Betty (Coatsworth) McKillop.  Jack is survived by his brothers and sisters Barb and Mike Ferren, Nancy and Mike Rumble, Sue and Henry Wiebenga, Patty and George Brown, Michael and Shannon McKillop, Tom and MaryLynn McKillop, and Dan and Zelda McKillop.  A favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.  Jack’s nephews will be acting as pall bearers.

In his younger years Jack was an avid swimmer and sports enthusiast.  This paved the way for Jack’s success in the Special Olympics where he brought home numerous medals and ribbons from many swimming and track and field meets including gold in the 100-meter race at the Sault Ste. Marie Special Olympics in 2001.  

Chatham Kent Community Living was a big part of Jack’s life.  He worked and shared a home with friends and colleagues who were also part of Community Living.  He was a faithful and long standing  participant in the Community Living Annual golf tournament.  

Jack was noted for his style on the dance floor and his ability to choose the prettiest girl in the room as a dance partner.  He was a huge wrestling fan and enjoyed attending many cage wrestling events with his nephew Stuart. 

Jack loved to cheer on his nieces and nephews at all of their activities and never passed up the chance to attend a hockey or baseball game.  The promise of a pre game coffee or an after-game ice cream or hamburger may have been a big motivator.  

Jack loved his family.  He always said how happy he was when the family was all together.  He was the glue that held us all close and losing him has left a big hole in our hearts.

Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley St. in Blenheim on Friday February 3, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Saturday February 4, from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with words of remembrance at 2:00 p.m.  A private family interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery.

If you wish to remember Jack with a donation, please consider, Chatham Kent Community Living.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Christena Osborne, who passed away Sunday, January 29, at the age of 66.  Chris, or Tenie to her family, was the daughter of the late Genevieve Doris Odber and Charles Harold Osborne of Sudbury, Ontario; loving mother of sons Nicholas Osborne and Michael Lee-Hooper, stepson Jeff Lucier, and stepdaughter, Lori Lucier.

Chris was predeceased by her Love Bug, Larry Lucier of Chatham, Ontario, though they were never really parted, and her brother, Stephen Osborne of Red Deer, Alberta.

She leaves behind her sister, Bonnie Zeigler, and brother-in-law Mark Zeigler, and grandchildren, Tiffany, Spencer, Miranda, Avery, Maeve, Maddie, Alex, and Benjamin, all of whom she loved dearly.  She was predeceased by her granddaughter Jorja.

She is deeply missed by her dear friends Sandra Ellison, Edna Jones, Kenny Jones, Dawn Lucier, Norm and Cindy Dunlop, Cathy Earle, Marilee Travene, Merri Lee North, Nancy Ball, Lisa Frasier, Jane Goodall Pretty, Heather Shill, and by her cousins Brent Osborne, Maureen Beaton, and Brenda Hurley, and too many others to list.

She will always be remembered for her gregarious nature, her enthusiasm for helping anyone and everyone in need, and the sheer mass of knitting she produced these past years.

The hole she leaves with her passing will never be filled.

Visitation for Christena will be at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, at 60 Stanley Street in Blenheim on February 5^th from 1pm-5pm

Donations may be made in Chris’s memory to the CK Animal Rescue https://ckanimalrescue.com/donate/

Margaret died at her home, peacefully, surrounded by her family on January 30, 2023. She had a rich life, a great marriage, strong relationships with her family and friends.  She felt grateful and at peace with a life well-lived.  She was born in Scotland and grew up at Burnside cottage near Carnoustie. Margaret met John Leslie Gibb Reid as a schoolgirl and began a long love affair that led to almost 50 years of happy marriage. As a young couple they loved to camp and fish in the Scottish countryside. In 1966, they immigrated to Canada and started a life in south-western Ontario. They had three children and a wide circle of friends and a great Border Collie called Mandy. After John’s retirement in 1994, they enjoyed adventures exploring Ontario’s backroads and fishing streams. They also returned to Scotland to visit family and walk familiar landscapes. After John died suddenly in 2003, Margaret carried on for 20 years building a rich life and fulfilling her interests independently. She loved a good book, an afternoon at the Bingo or a coffee tour to Erieau to watch the cormorants and waves on Lake Erie. She is remembered for her beauty and style, honesty, humour and great kindness. She was feisty to the end and parted with good advice for her kids: “Live your lives and live them well.” 

In Canada, she is survived by her three children Stuart (David Sereda), Karen (Ward Parker) and Lynn (Bert Barbour); grandchildren Ashley Reid Burgess (Delvin), Darrin Jacques (Jamie) Courtney Reid (Brittany Lee), Nicole Reid and Madison Reid; and great-grandchildren Adyson Reid, Neicy Burgess, Aubriana Burgess, Ashton Jacques, Autumn Jacques and Sieyanah Impens. She was predeceased by her parents David Alexander Leslie and Mary Walker Low Leslie, as well as her brothers Douglas and Stewart and an infant sister. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Mary; nephew, David, cousins and extended family in Scotland. Also surviving are her brothers-in-law Angus and Ewan, and sister-law, Donna, and their families. Great friends, neighbours and extended family, Dixie, Delbert and Isaac Jackson helped Margaret stay independent and happy in her comfy farmhouse over the last two decades. 

In Margaret’s memory, donations to the non-profit agency FreeHelp Chatham Kent are encouraged. “Make every moment count.” 

The family are planning a celebration of Margaret’s life to be held in the spring.

A resident of Blenheim, Thomas Hugh Fletcher passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Thursday January 26, 2023 at the age of 81. Tom was the son of the late Farwell and Doris Fletcher (nee Hicks). He will be dearly missed by his sister Katherine (Roger) Thompson of Ottawa. Cremation has taken place and the family will be remembering him privately.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ronald “Bucky” Hill, who passed away peacefully at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance on Monday January 23rd, 2023 at the age of 70.  Bucky was the son of the late Harold and Jean Hill.  Dear husband of 49 years to Barbara Hill (nee Stone). Loving father to Chris (Sarah) Hill and grandfather to Riley and Easton.  Brother to Tom Hill, Carol (Lionel) Hebert, Nancy Ireland-Beattie (Charlie Beattie), Alice Hill, Elizabeth (Bill) Reid, Mary Jane Wilkinson-Hill and predeceased by Donald Hill, Johnny Hill, Twyla (George) Lee and Sandy Hill.  Brother in law to Betty Ann Stone (Randy), and the late Bruce (Terry) Stone.  Sadly missed by many nieces, nephews and friends.  Bucky will be remembered by his outgoing nature, one who would do anything for anyone, his love of his family (especially his grandkids), and his enthusiasm towards golf, baseball, and hockey.  He will truly be missed by all who knew him.  Visitation for Bucky will be held on Thursday January 26th,  2023 at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley St. in Blenheim from 5:00pm until 8:00pm.  A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Friday January 27th, 2023 at 11:00am with an interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery.  Reception to follow at the Blenheim Legion.  Donations made in memory of Bucky to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 185 Poppy Fund would be appreciated.  Online condolences may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

Cheryl “Sherry” Marie Callow of Blenheim passed away in a loving environment at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on January 10, 2023.  Sherry was the daughter of the late Marvin & Marion (Henderson) Callow and is survived by her siblings Bob & Olga Callow, Linda & Brian Pickering, Barbara Callow, Maryann & Marce Grossutti, Donna & Rob Mailing, Murray & Jane Callow and Brenda & Ernst Burri, by her brother-in-law Jim Ellis and by many nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was recently predeceased by her sister Kathy Callow in September, 2022.

Sherry was an independent and feisty woman who was fiercely loyal to her friends and family.  She took comfort in religion and spiritual passages.  As a firm believer in the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse and recycle), she wasted nothing.  She hated litter and as long as she was able to, she kept the sidewalks of Blenheim clean.

Visitation for Sherry will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday January 13, 2023 from 10:00 until 11:30.  At that time, a graveside service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Chatham-Kent Hospice for the kindness shown to Sherry during her stay there.  Friends wishing to remember her with a memorial donation are asked to consider the hospice to help other families.

A video tribute of Sherry can be viewed by clicking the following link:https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/LS7F3FZL77MS47M9

Loretta Mae Brown of Blenheim passed away peacefully with her family by her side in the early morning hours of Sunday January 8, 2023.  She leaves behind her four children, Deborah Pinsonneault, Brenda McNear (late Mike), Shelley Brown (Chuck) and Jim Brown (Bobbi).  Nanny and Great-Nanny will be remembered by Sarah (Gracie), Jason, Jodi & Calvin, Jim & Consuela (Brody and Brayden), Joshua, Jake and Jesse.  She was predeceased by her spouse Larry Furman in 2007.

Loretta was one of eight children born to the late Willa Mae & Murray Smith and is survived by her sisters Marj & Jim Price and Lillian & Reno LeClerc as well as her brothers George & Evelyn Smith, Donald Smith (Lynn), Archie Smith (late Deb) and Clarence & Marta Smith.  She was predeceased by her sister Louise Britton.  She will be remembered by many nieces and nephews.

A long-time employee of Standard Tube in Blenheim, Loretta enjoyed her retirement by gardening, watching the birds in her yard and playing bingo.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her friends and family.  It was her wish that her family would remember her privately for now and celebrate her life in their own way at a later date.  Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of David Gerald Eskritt. Dave was a resident of Chatham, formerly of Ridgetown, Ontario. Dave passed away peacefully with his beloved Wife and Daughters by his side at CKHA after a lengthy battle with Reynauds and Scleroderma at the age of 65. Born in Chatham, son of the late Albert Jonathan Eskritt (Marion) and Bernice Lena Eskritt.

Loving spouse to Judith Ann Fraser for 17 wonderful years. Dear Father to Shannon Knight (Jim), Angie Whitesell (Mark), Thomas Fraser, James Fraser (Sandra) and Brittany Fraser (Eric). Cherished and adored Papa/Grandpa of Brady, Bowe, Josh, Abby, Carter, Julia, Sophia, James, Corban, Daxx, Lincoln and Theo. Treasured brother of Donald Eskritt, Christopher Eskritt, Loretta Howey (Brent), Michele Hansen (Denise), Sandra Gauthier (Richard), Heather Dawson, Murray Dawson and the late Ronald Eskritt (Charlene). Brother-in-law to Rick Hall (Karen), Bob Hall, Jim Hall and Kate Davies. Dave will be fondly remembered by his sidekick Bubsie (David Jones), many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Dave was a former employee at Metaldyne (R.J. Simpsons), Murray Clark Farms, Ken McLarty Farms, Motor Wheel and ES Hubbell. Dave enjoyed boating, fishing, camping and playing cards with friends. Everyone that knew Dave knows his love for Nascar and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The family wishes to thank all the ICU staff and Doctors for treating him with respect and dignity. Their kindness and understanding shown will not be forgotten.

Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. followed immediately by a funeral service at 4:00

Anyone wishing to remember David with a memorial donation are asked to donate to Scleroderma Canada https://www.scleroderma.ca/copy-of-nutrition-1

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Wayne “Riley” Coll on January 3^rd in his 68^th year.  Born in Chatham, the son of the late Earl & Irene Coll.  Brother to Sandy Coll, Rick (Carol) Coll, Raymond Coll and Pattie (John) Spacil.  He was a wonderful uncle to many nieces & nephews.  Predeceased by his sisters Diane Coll and Debbie Marriott.  His demons are gone, and may he finally rest in peace.