John Richard Phair passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Monday February 9, 2009. John was born 78 years ago to his late parents Ruth (Cattle) and Carl Phair. John and his wife Betty (Durfy) would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in April of this year. Together, John and Betty raised five children: Linda & Gilbert Deschryver of Blenheim, Deb & Jim Robertson of Blenheim, Carla and John Peters of Delaware, Brenda & David Knight of Mull and Carl & Luann Phair of Blenheim. They have also been blessed with grandchildren Alana & Richard Ainsworth, Jeff & Beth Deschryver, Ryan Johnston & Jasmine, Lacey & Mike Dotterman, Brigen Peters & Megan, Amber Knight & Nilton, Arin Knight & Chris, Breann Knight, Carley Phair, Dawn & Mario Acosta, Corey & Jocelyn Pickering, Cameron & Nichole Pickering as well as 9 great grandchildren. John is also survived by his sister Mary & Glen Cleveland of Erieau, his brother Don & Barb Phair of Ridgetown and by his brother in laws Don & Chris Durfy of Burlington and Roger & Rose Marie Durfy of Port Lambton. John was an avid golfer. He also played and coached baseball and hockey. He was a member of the Oddfellows for over 50 years and he was the co-owner of C. Phair and Sons Ltd. John’s family would like to invite friends for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday February 13, 2009 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at the Funeral Home on Saturday February 14, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Rev. David Fuller and Rev. Bill Terris. Cremation will follow with a private family interment in Evergreen Cemetery at a later date. Friends wishing to honour John’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Association or Trinity Anglican Church.

Joseph Stefina Jr passed away suddenly at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance with his family by his side on February 6, 2009 at the age of 60. Beloved father of Jeffrey, Scott and Shannon all from London. Survived by his mother Jean Stefina and loving brother of Debbie Podolinsky, Woodstock and Diana Neumann, London. Special brother-in-law to John Podolinsky and Peter Neumann. Loving Uncle to Susan and John Podolinsky Jr of London. Joseph also had a special connection to Jeff’s girlfiriend Lauren. A loyal family member and Professor to countless family, friends, aunts and uncles. Predeceased by his father Joe Sr and many uncles and aunts. Since his retirement from the Thames Valley District School Board, Joseph moved back to the family farm helping with the care of his mother. Joe was an avid fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, even through their losing streaks and he loved tinkering outside in the back yard. Joe felt that his best achievements in life were his children. They were his pride and joy! Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Monday February 9, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. A Funeral Service officiated by Fr. Greg Mulligan of St. Mary’s Church will follow at 11:00. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in memory of Joseph are asked to consider the Alzheimers Society or a charity of their choice. A facebook site has been created at www.facebook.com R.I.P. Joseph Stefina Jr. for friends to post a memory.

Mr. Stanislaw “Stan” Kalinowski of Blenheim passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Wednesday January 21, 2009. Stan is the beloved husband of Danuta and the loving father of Dariusz & Agnieszka Kalinowski of Blenheim, Consuela Kalinowski at home & her friend Jim Brown of Blenheim. He is the proud grandfather of Daniel Kalinowski and Julia Kalinowski. Stan was born in Poland 59 years ago. First and foremost, he was a family man. He came to Canada in 1984 to make a better life for his family. Stan was proud to have worked at Dorssers in Blenheim for the past 25 years and when he had spare time, he loved to fish. Stan is survived by his mother in Poland and by his sister in Germany. The Kalinowski family invite friends for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday January 28, 2009 from 2:00 – 4:00 & 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Parish prayers will be held at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass for Stan will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Blenheim on Thursday January 29, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. Friends wishing to honour Stan’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider the O.S.P.C.A. , the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity supporting wildlife.

John Bacik II of Blenheim, Ontario passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside on Sunday December 28, 2008. John was born 63 years ago to the late John and Mary Bacik. Predeceased by brothers Frank Zruna and Stan Zruna. Loving husband of Nancy (Mikus). Proud father of John and Christy Bacik (Windsor), Scott and Erin Bacik (Blenheim), Tim and Shannon Bacik (Tecumseh) and Anita Bacik and Adam Tyman (Delaware). Adored as “Zetko” to Blain, Brook and Bria, Emily and Avery. Missed by brother Bob Bacik and Barb Taylor.

Heartfelt appreciation to our “home care team” of Sandy Campbell, Lisa Jenner and the staff at Blenheim McIntyre IDA. Much gratitude to the fourth floor Medical Oncology Department at Windsor Regional Hospital with special thanks to Dr. Hamm, Dr. Kanjeekal and Dr. Perkin. Sincere gratitude to Community Care Access Centre, the Shriners and the Blenheim Legion.

Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Monday December 29, 2008 from 7-9pm with Prayers at 7 pm and on Tuesday December 30 from 2-5 pm and 7-9 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday December 31, 2008 at 10 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blenheim with a private family graveside service to follow. Pallbearers will be Ivan Warriner, Dick Smith, Ken Green, Doug Johnston, Mick Gray, Bob Tinline, Dave Richards, Bryan Downie, David Zruna and Dan Zruna. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to “Transition to Betterness” at the Windsor Regional Hospital, Oncology Department www.t2b.ca

Leonard Grant Bentley of Blenheim passed away on December 23, 2008 at the age of 84 years. Leonard was born to his parents Stuart and Bertie (Steel) Bentley. He was the third generation of the Bentley family to farm their parcel of land near Guilds. Leonard was an only child and leaves behind his cousins Jack & Donna Rigby, Ann Henderson, Shirley Smith, Clare & Elva Smith, Marie Steel and Rena Eastman. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street in Blenheim on Monday January 5, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Wanda Burse officiating. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. Friends wishing to honour Leonard’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider New Scotland United Church.

Dolores Ona Burke peacefully passed away to go home to be with Jesus on December 20, 2008 at Meadowpark Nursing Home in London. Dolores was the wife of the late Clifton Robert Burke. They lived their married life at Fourth Line near Blenheim where she attended Fourth Line United Church. She is survived by sisters: Vera Walker of St. Catherines, Laura Fenner of Tilbury, Shirley Tielman of Dresden and Camilla George of Peterborough. She is also survived by her son Robert Glen Burke of Waterloo and her daughter Beverly Ann (George) Carruthers of London. She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren Graham & Kelly Carruthers, Rebecca & Derrick Seaman and Sara Carruthers as well as her great-grandchildren Cameron and Aliyah Carruthers and Lauren and Grace Horner. After achieving her Masters of Arts degree in 1972 Dolores established The Carpenter’s Shop at her Fourth Line Home where she fellowshipped with Christians for many years. She was an avid gardener both on her property and in witnessing to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Visitation will be held Monday December 22 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley St., Blenheim and the funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 23 at 11 am with Rev. Colin Patterson officiating. In lieu of flowers donations made to World Vision of Canada would be appreciated by the family.

Gary John Arthur Lipa of Chatham passed away at his home on Thursday December 18, 2008. Gary was born 61 years ago to his parents Lyle and the late Mary (VanBiesbrouck) Lipa. He is survived by his son Gary Lipa Jr. of Chatham, by his sisters Diane & Ken Winser of London and Connie Rokebrand of Chatham, by four nephews and by his extended family Jeff & Nicole White of Milton and Nicole Papps of Chatham. Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held at a later date and will be announced at that time.

Clare Ernest Giffin, a loving husband, father and grandfather passed away on Friday December 5, 2008 at the age of 75. Clare is the son of the late Leonard and Edna (Rumble) Giffin. He had many passions in life, the first being farming. He recently celebrated his 59th anniversary of graduating from the Ridgetown College of Agricultural Technology. As a young man, Clare loved to play ball and hockey having played hockey in Europe for a winter. One day Clare met a young lady by the name of Florence Maynard at a field meet in London and took her out for supper at the Pigs Pantry. Two years later they met again at a community dance and went to the Red Rooster for sodas. On April 8, 1961 they were married. Clare and Florence loved camping, boating, square dancing and spending time in Texas. Together they raised three sons; John, James & Roberta and Wayne & Heather. Often with his best pal Noelle by his side, Clare created many wonderful memories with his grandchildren Blake and Reid. He is survived by his brother-in-law Bill Maynard & friend Mabel and by his brothers Gerald and Lyle. The Giffin family will receive friends at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street in Blenheim on Monday December 8, 2008 from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service celebrating Clare’s life will be held in the New Scotland United Church on Tuesday December 9, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Wanda Burse officiating. Cremation will follow with a private family interment in Evergreen Cemetery at a later date. Those wishing to honour Clare’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider New Scotland Church.

Peter Henderson passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife Theresa by his side on Remembrance Day, Tuesday November 11, 2008. Peter was born in Glasgow, Scotland 81 years ago. He was an Aircraft Inspector, having served with the Royal Navy. He is survived by his sister Betty & Ron Bainbridge of Courtright and by his brother James & Iris Henderson of Elliot Lake. He is predeceased by his sister Ina and brother George. Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday November 14, 2008 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Parish Prayers will be held at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Blenheim on Saturday November 15, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. It was Peter’s expressed wish for cremation to follow and that his ashes be returned to Scotland for burial there. Friends wishing to honour Peter’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Cancer Society, Relay for Life.

Robert W. Marshall passed away at Riverview Gardens, Chatham on Saturday November 8th in his 56th year. Bob was originally from Walkerton Ontario. He was a former resident of S.W.R.C. before moving to the home of George and Peggy McIntyre where he resided for many years. Bob moved into his own apartment in Blenheim where he became well known to the community. Bob loved his town of Blenheim. He was always interested in the changes within the community and its people. His passion for politics was evident and Bob seldom missed the regular council meetings in Blenheim. He was astute to the political process and the happenings of council. Bob’s desire to be a contributing member to his community was apparent in his summer lawn cutting and winter snow removal services. Bob’s dream was to be able to return to Blenheim to resume these services. Cremation has followed his death and Bob will be buried in Walkerton at his family plot. A private family service will take place at a later date. Donations may be made to Community Living Chatham-Kent in Bob’s remembrance.