WATSON, Susan June passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham Campus on Monday October 27, 2008. Susan was born in Orillia 61 years ago to her parents June (Branch) and Walter Watson. She is survived by her four loving sons, James and Tracey O’Sullivan of Chatham, Gerald O’Sullivan of Blenheim, Sean and Bonnie O’Sullivan of Chatham, and Michael and Amie O’Sullivan of London. Grandma will be missed by a number of grandchildren. Susan is also survived by her sister Lorraine Oakes and her husband John of Orillia, and by her brother Bob Watson and his wife Cathy of Morpeth. Susan is predeceased by her sister Sandy Handy. Friends are invited to attend visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street, Blenheim, on Thursday October 30, 2008 from 1:00-3:00 pm. A service celebrating Susan’s life will be held at the Funeral Home on Thursday October 30, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Bill Terris officiating. Friends wishing to honour Susan’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Lung Association.

Helen Kathleen (Griffith) Rooke passed away in Ridgetown on Wednesday October 22, 2008. Helen was born 80 years ago in Chatham Township to her parents Laura (Morrison) and Earl Griffith. She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years Merv Rooke of Blenheim and by her three sons, John Rooke of Walllaceburg, Bradley Rooke of Vancouver and David Rooke and Darlene Loftmann of Brantford. Missing their grandmother are David, Kayla, Josh, Dakota and Dillon. Helen is also survived by her sister Mary Anne Shaw of Sarnia and a brother Mike Griffith and his wife Valerie of Wallaceburg. Helen is predeceased by her brother Eldon. Friends are invited to attend visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street, Blenheim on Sunday October 26, 2008 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. & 7:00-9:00 p.m. A celebration of Helen’s life will take place at the Blenheim United Church, Monday October 27, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Bruce Cook officiating. For many years Helen was actively involved in the life of the Blenheim United Church. Her participation included helping out with Sunday school, membership in the U.C.W. and she was also a past Secretary Treasurer. Friends wishing to honour Helen’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider either the Blenheim United Church Memorial Fund or the Heart and Stroke Association.

Joel Michael Verwegen (23) died October 13, 2008. Joel is the much loved son of Michael and Jennifer, brother to Alex and partner and best friend to Jen Horak. Joel was a student at the University of Toronto, and a passionate seeker of knowledge. Joel’s families are of the Bob and Beth Eskritt family, the Ted and Toni Verwegen family and the Nancy and Paul Horak family. Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street, Blenheim on Thursday October 16, 2008 from 5 – 9 p.m. A celebration of Joel’s life will be held on Friday October 17, 2008 at 7:30 pm at the Links of Kent Golf Course, 120 Indian Creek Road West in Chatham. Friends wishing to honour Joel’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider either the Brain Injury Association of Canada or the Jane Goodall Institute.

Michelle Louise Simpson passed away on Sunday September 28, 2008 at the age of 43 years. Michelle is survived by her daughter Tonya Wright of Chatham, by her mother Linda & Ken Nealey of Blenheim and by her father Arnold DeLong of London. She is also survived by her siblings Michael DeLong & Kelly, Chrissandra Nealey & Dave, Kenneth Nealey Jr, Kelly Nealey & Dave, Kim Nealey & Kevin, Cathy Lamont, Karen Lamont & James, Arnold DeLong, Rena DeLong, Dawn DeLong & Mike, Carrie Maloney & Mike as well as several nieces and nephews. In keeping with Michelle’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday October 3, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Friends wishing to honour Michelle’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Lung Association or the O.S.P.C.A.

Surrounded by his loving family, Nicholas Johannes Hewko passed away at home on Wednesday September 17, 2008 following a brief journey with cancer. Nick was born in Belgium 61 years ago. He married his wife Nadia (Lykow) in 1967 and together they raised their sons Paul & Sandi with their daughter Sara of Mississauga and Geoff & Michelle of Oakville. Nick is survived by his father John Hewko and his companion Luba Royko of Toronto, by his sister Annie & Samaran Sing with their children Eric & A.J. of Charleston, South Carolina and his sister Irene Hewko of Toronto. Nick’s family will receive friends at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday September 19, 2008 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church on Saturday September 20, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Ouvry Cemetery. Those wishing to remember Nick’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Oncology Department.

Marlene Hagan of Blenheim passed away on Saturday September 13, 2008 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. Marlene was born in Leamington to her late parents, Ray and Susan (Langlois) Simpson 63 years ago. She married her husband Bill Hagan in 1967 and together they raised their sons Patrick Ian Hagan & Maureen of Chatham and Robin Andrew Hagan & Sherri of Hanover. Marlene’s most precious gifts in life were her grandchildren Taryn, Aislyn, Kailyn and Caleb; to her they were number one. Marlene is survived by her sisters Carolyn & Ron Queale of Maidstone, Luanne & Dale Nash of Leamington and Sandra & Mark Whittle of Leamington, by her brothers Ray Simpson of Leamington, Bill & Judi Simpson of Calgary, Al & Rosita Simpson of Leamington, Michael Simpson of Leamington and Mark Simpson also of Leamington. Marlene will be remembered through her many years as a Dental Receptionist for Dr. Allingham in Blenheim as well as her involvement in the Blenheim Historical Society. Her favourite past times included photography, finding and refinishing antiques and of course her faithful feline companion “Cosmo”. Marlene’s family invite friends for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday September 16, 2008 from 2:00 – 4:00 & 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, Blenheim on Wednesday September 17, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Cremation will follow with a private family interment in Pardoville Union Cemetery at a later date. Friends wishing to honour Marlene’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider the “Myles’ Miracle Mission”.

Stanley Gabriel Stefina passed away on Thursday September 4, 2008. Born to his late parents Andrew & Anny (Gazo) Stefina 69 years ago, Stan had many interests in life but family always ranked number one. He is survived by his daughters Denise Stefina of Chatham and Karen (Leslie) McQuarrie of Blenheim and by his sons Rob (Gina) Stefina of Windsor and Brandon Stefina of Blenheim. He was predeceased by his daughter Stephanie. Stan is the proud Grandpa of Tyler McQuarrie, and Bianca, Sophia and Brandon Stefina. Stan got much pleasure in life by helping his sisters Annie Janicek of Alvinston and Mary (Karl) Pirhalla of Blenheim. He was the last surviving brother of the family having been predeceased by Joe, Frank, Andy and Steve. He is survived by his sisters in law Delores Stefina, Jean Stefina, Sylvia Stefina and Mary Anne Stefina. Stan retired as a Maintenance Worker at Motor Wheel in Chatham. He was also a good farmer. Stan loved to work the land. He loved to listen to the Prairie Farm Report on Sunday. He loved to go crop touring in his “pickemup truck”. And at the end of the day when his work was done, he loved to fish. The Stefina family invite friends to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday September 6, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. for a time to share their memories and stories of Stan. Cremation will follow. Those wishing to honour Stan’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital ICU Department, the Victoria Hospital Critical Care Trauma Centre or Ducks Unlimited.

Jayne Margaret (Gonyou) Stuart passed away at the Leamington Mennonite Long Term Care Facility on Tuesday September 2, 2008. Jayne was born 78 years ago and is predeceased by her parents Sarah (McNeil) and Lyall Gonyou. Predeceased by her husband Robert Henry Stuart (1991), Jayne is survived by her children Brenda Tetley and her husband Tony of Windsor, Karen Danchuk and her husband Ken of Windsor, Robert Stuart and his wife Karen of Cottam, Todd Stuart of Windsor and Brian Stuart and his wife Debbie of Kingsville. Missing their grandmother are Kelly, Chris, Heather, April, Tina, Kurtis, Shauwn and Kyle. Jayne was blessed to have great grandchildren including Alyssa, Drew, Akeara, Bailey, Dillon, Chloe, Cameron, Wyatt and Cooper. She is also survived by her brother Bill Gonyou and his wife Louisa as well as by her sisters-in-law Barb Gonyou and Mildred Gonyou. In addition to her husband, Jayne is predeceased by her grandson Robert (1998) a sister Lois Parent and by brothers Clare Gonyou and Jack Gonyou. A Memorial Service celebrating Jayne’s life will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street, Blenheim on Saturday September 6, 2008 at 11:00 a.m., with Captain(s) Neil and Dolores Abbott of the Salvation Army Church officiating. Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim following a reception at the Blenheim Masonic Lodge. Friends wishing to make a memorial donation in honour of Jayne are asked to consider a charity of choice or the Canadian Cancer Society.

Allen Ray Greenway of Morpeth passed away on Monday August 25, 2008. Allen was born 68 years ago to his late parents Jennie (Walters) and Harold Greenway. Together, Allen and his wife Mary Ellen (Eskritt) have owned and operated Greenview Aviaries in Morpeth for many years. They also raised their family Wayne & Cindy Daly of Ridgetown, Ken Daly & Gwen of Palmyra, Brian & Sue Daly of Ridgetown, Allen & Brigetta Daly of Victoria, B.C., Darlene & Alex Miller of Thamesville and Scott & Teri Daly of Ridgetown. Allen is survived by his sister Cathie Wright of Blenheim, by 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Wayne Pasco Goodwin passed away peacefully with his family at his side at Meadow Park Nursing Home, Chatham on Tuesday August 19, 2008. Wayne was born 78 years ago in Harwich Township to his parents Alma (Buckler) and Sidney Goodwin.Surviving is his loving wife of 52 years Donna (Shepley) Goodwin of Chatham and formerly of Blenheim. Wayne is also survived by his two children, Cheryl Oosterhoff of Chatham and Mike Goodwin and his wife Krista, also of Chatham. Missing their grandfather are Joel, Saul, Madison, Aaron, Kaela and Kendra. Surviving are his sisters Audrey Jackson of Chatham and Marge Drennan and her husband Charlie of Corunna as well a sister-in-law Doris Goodwin of Blenheim. Wayne has one surviving brother Ray Goodwin and his wife Marie of London and he is predeceased by his brother Lorne in 1999. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Until his illness, Wayne was an active member and supporter of the Masonic Lodge, Kent Lodge #274 Blenheim.