Obituaries

Harry Douglas Campbell

A photo of Harry Douglas Campbell

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

A photo of Larry John Solski

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

A photo of Joseph Thomas “Tom” Doiron

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

A photo of Lillian Martha (Robertson) Bell

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

Faith “Sharon” Theresa Burk

A photo of Faith “Sharon” Theresa Burk

Faith “Sharon” Theresa Burk, “The Pie Lady”, passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham Campus on Wednesday October 3, 2007. Sharon was born in Ottawa 80 years ago to the late Blanche (Voyce) and William Parrington. She was predeceased by her husband Howard Burk 1979. Surviving her are her children Louise Hord of London, Tom Burk and his wife Cathy of Blenheim, Sheila Allman and her husband Peter of Sarnia and her son-in-law Garnet Rumble of Blenheim. Missing their grandmother and great grandmother are 12 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Art Parrington of Ottawa and Bill Parrington and his wife Audrey of Ottawa. Missing her life-long friend is Betty Srokosz. Sharon is predeceased by her daughter Susan Rumble (1999), a grandson, Cyrus Burk (1973) and her by her son-in-law Murray Hood (1989). She is also predeceased by her brothers Frank Parrington, Erwin Parrington and Gerald Parrington and by her sisters Lyssa Thompson and Evelynn McQuewn. She is also predeceased by her God Parents Gordon and Bertha Armstrong.

Boneta (Bonnie) Atkins

A photo of Boneta (Bonnie) Atkins

Boneta (Bonnie) Atkins, 80 years of age died peacefully on August 30, 2007 surrounded by her family. Bonnie was a Registered Nurse, working at the Public General Hospital for 42 years where she had a very rewarding career. Daughter of John & Flossie Nichol, Bonnie was predeceased by her husband of 50 years Carl in 2000. She is survived by her children Cathleen (Tom) Burk, John Atkins, Marilee Travene and Eric (Lori-Anne) Atkins. Also missing Grandma are 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by all of her friends at the Blenheim Community Seniors Centre, especially her best friend Barbara McMillan.

Donald “Don” Munro Campbell

A photo of Donald “Don” Munro Campbell

Donald “Don” Munro Campbell passed away with his family at his side on Friday August 24, 2007 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham Campus. Don was born 78 years ago in Harwich Township to his parents Janet “Jean” (Rowe) and Douglas Campbell. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Joyce (Graves) Campbell of Blenheim. Missing their father are Randy Campbell and his wife Carrie of Blenheim, Cindy Solski and her husband Larry of Cedar Springs, April Trudgen and her husband David of Morpeth and Marc Campbell and his wife Sharon of Blenheim. Grandpa will be missed by Douglas and Glen Campbell, Aaron and Eric Solski, Tessa Trudgen, Darcy Campbell, Tara Campbell & her friend Brendan. Don is predeceased by his brother Glen Campbell and his wife Vera as well as by his sisters Elda Campbell and Mary Wylie and her husband Warren.

Arthur Vernon “Vern” Churchill

A photo of Arthur Vernon “Vern” Churchill

Arthur Vernon “Vern” Churchill of Blenheim, passed away Friday July 20, 2007 at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance, Chatham Campus. Vern was born in Saskatchewan 91 years ago to Annie (Kirchner) and Alvin Churchill. Recently, Vern celebrated 60 years of marriage to his loving wife Jane (Henderson). He is survived by his son Donald “Don” Churchill and his wife Carmel of Freeport Bahamas, Douglas “Doug” Churchill and his wife Laurie of Chatham, Gary Churchill of Toronto, and his son-in-law Douglas Brown and his friend Lynne Hume of Lakefield. Grandchildren include Kenroy, Nicholas, and Jacob Churchill, Andrew Brown and his wife Elizabeth and Elizabeth Corriveau and her husband Stephen. Also surviving are brothers Howard Churchill of British Columbia, and Everett Churchill of Saskatchewan, a sister Winnie Churchill, and a sister-in-law Dora Churchill. Vern is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by a daughter Shirley Brown, a brother Lorne Churchill and a sister-in-law Gertie Churchill.

Vivianne Agatha Bowden

A photo of Vivianne Agatha Bowden

Vivianne Agatha Bowden (nee Atteck) passed away peacefully on Sunday July 1, 2007 at the age of 91 years. She is survived by her only daughter Ann Bowden. Originally from Trinidad, Vivianne was one of 11 children born to their parents Elizabeth and Phillip Atteck. Her sister Patricia Wright now lives in New Zealand, her brothers Phillip in St. Catherines, Louis in Austria and Gerald in Spain. Vivianne is predeceased by her sisters Olive, Sybil, Rita, Olga, and Grace as well as her brother Clive. Vivianne also has several nieces and nephews in England, Europe and North America. Vivianne was trained as a nurse. In 1965, she made Canada her home and a few years later she was proud to become a Canadian Citizen. Vivianne moved to Blenheim in 1981. She was an avid reader, a seasoned traveller, a gourmet cook and had a keen interest in the dog fancy through being a member of the Kent Kennel Klub. She shared her gifts in life through her volunteer work with Big Sisters and with developmentally and physically challenged children.

Richard “Glen” Brown

A photo of Richard “Glen” Brown

Richard “Glen” Brown of Chatham passed away Wednesday June 27, 2007 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham Campus. Glen was born 60 years ago to the late Elaine (Parr) and Earl Brown. He is survived by his loving wife Leslie (Smith) Brown as well as his children Amy O’Sullivan and her husband Mike of London, Angie Moore and her husband Shawn of Wallaceburg, and a son Mike “Brownie” and his wife Lisa Brown of Blenheim. Grandfather will be missed by Riley, Zoey, Jack, Denver, Bennett and Niya. Also surviving are his brothers Phil Brown and his wife Cindy of Mississauga along with Danny Brown and his wife Gail of London. Extended family includes his mother-in-law Dora Jean “D.J.” Smith of Blenheim, Karen and Lee Richards of Lucan, Randy and Janet Smith of Blenheim, Brett Smith of Blenheim, and Sydney and Paul Lewis of Barrie. Glen was a 32nd. degree Mason and a member of the Chatham Ahcom Shriner’s club