Alberta Mary (Harris) Smith passed away on Sunday January 10, 2010 at the Windsor Metropolitan Hospital. Alberta was born in Ridgetown 85 years ago to the late LaRoy and Lena May (Downing) Harris and was predeceased by her husband Donald Douglas Smith in 2005. Alberta is survived by her children Barb & Robert Siddall of Wheatley, Leroy & Pam Smith of Monetville and Don & Linda Smith of North Buxton. Also surviving are 18 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren, her sister Marjorie Lamb of Wheatley, her brother Gordon & Mina Harris of Strathroy, her sister-in-law Rose Marie Smith of Morpeth and her brother in law Allan & Carol Smith of Ridgetown. Alberta is predeceased by her son Ralph Smith and her grandson Ricky Don Smith, by her sisters Della Ferris and Edna Lamb and by her brother Kenneth Harris. Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2:00 – 4:00 & 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Mrs. Smith’s Funeral Service will be conducted at the Funeral Home on Thursday January 14, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Morpeth Cemetery. Acting as pallbearers will be Tim Siddall, Mark Siddall, Ben Smith, Gary Smith, Charles Smith and Joe Smith. Tammy Greenwood will act as an honorary pallbearer. Friends wishing to make memorial donations are asked to consider the Spina Bifida Association of Ontario.

Keith Newcombe of Ridgetown passed away on Friday January 8, 2010 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. Keith is the son of Alice (Padbury) and Arthur Newcombe. He was born at the family farm on the Ridge Road 80 years ago. Keith and his wife Marilyn (Durfy) celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on November 12, 2009. Together Keith and Marilyn raised four children; Judy & Dave Erskine of Blenheim, Robert Newcombe of Vancouver B.C., David and Karen Newcombe of Windsor and Linda & Ferg Connolly of West Lorne. They were blessed with eight grandchildren; Heather Erskine-Landon & Joe of Scarborough, David Christopher Newcombe of Windsor, Brian Erskine of Scarborough, Sharon Marie Newcombe of Windsor, Chloe Connolly of West Lorne, Gabrielle Connolly who predeceased Grandpa, and Ashley Langlois and Matthew Langlois. Their blessings continued with the addition of their great grandchildren Skyler, Malaya and a soon to be born grandson. Keith is survived by his twin brother Kingsley & Jean Newcombe of Chatham, by his sisters in law Pat & Larry Rumble of Ridgetown and Dorothy & Ross Currah of St. Thomas. He was predeceased by his brothers Leonard Newcombe, Howard Newcombe and Charles Newcombe. Keith was a long time employee of Kysor of Ridgetown Ltd and a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 66 Main Street West in Ridgetown on Tuesday January 12, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Doug Rowley officiating. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Keith with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

George Charles Vidler passed away quietly at home on Christmas morning with his loving family by his side. George was born in Guilds 88 years ago to his late parents Mollie (Paterson) and Charles Samuel Vidler. When he was 18 years old he joined the Scottish Kent Regiment and was a member of the Red Patch of the First Division. George went to England where he was transferred to the Royal Canadian Regiment. He was stationed in Italy, Belgium and Germany before returning to Canada in 1945. In 1947 George married Jeannette (Apfeld) and they became lifelong residents of Erieau where he worked at the coal dock and later at International Harvester in Chatham. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 185 for over 60 years and a former member of the Sertoma Club. George and Jeannette raised four children; Lauraine & Jim Fennell of Bramalea, Brian & Heidi Vidler of Erieau, Jo-Anne Adams & Jerry McKeon of Erieau and Scott & Patti Vidler of Barrie. They were also blessed with granddaughters Michelle, Leigh Anne, Stacey, Sara, Meagan and Hailey, grandsons Bradley, Josh, Matthew and Andrew as well as 8 great grandchildren. George is survived by his brother Hartley Vidler of Erieau, his sister Mary Remington of Chatham and his sister in law Molly Vidler of Erieau. He is predeceased by his brothers John Vidler and O.J. Vidler, his sister in law Ruth Vidler and his brother in law Gordon Remington. The Vidler family invite friends and relatives for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Sunday December 27, 2009 from 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. A Legion Service will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. A Funeral Service for George will be held at the Funeral Home on Monday December 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. David Fuller of St. Paul’s Anglican Church officiating. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember George with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Blenheim Food Bank or the charity of your choice.

Lloyd Peter Bellamy Jr of Blenheim passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 70 years. Lloyd is predeceased by his parents Leoma Marie (Myers) and Lloyd Peter Bellamy Sr. and was one of four siblings; Eunice Segeren and her husband Pete of Blenheim, Bruce Bellamy and his wife Margaret of Blenheim and Sam Bellamy who died in infancy. Beginning his working career at an early age Lloyd was a determined man who always had a smile on his face and a joke in his back pocket. His passion in life was driving truck and he worked for many trucking companies in the surrounding area. Lloyd married Evelyn (Emery) and together they had three children; Liane Snobelen & Ken Newton of Blenheim, Randy Bellamy & Melanie VanVeen of Cedar Springs and Mary Ann who passed away in 1966. Lloyd was a loving grandfather to Brittany Nicole, MacKenzie, Mikaela, Randi-Lynn and Danielle. He is predeceased by his twin granddaughters Rebecca & Rachel Bellamy. In keeping with Lloyd’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place at St. Mary’s Church on Saturday January 16, 2010 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 followed by a reception at St. Mary’s Hall. Lloyd will be interred with his parents in Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham. Friends wishing to honour Lloyd’s life with a memorial donation are asked to help other people by donating to the Blenheim Food Bank.

On Saturday December 19, 2009 at the age of 64 years, Robert “Ross” Prangley peacefully passed away after a courageous 3 year battle with cancer at his home in Blenheim surrounded with love by his wife and children. His humorous ways and acts of kindness towards others will be sadly missed.He was born and raised in Strathroy and relocated to Blenheim in 1972. Ross can be described as a high spirited family man with strong ties to the community. He was one of four children born to the late Jack and Myrtle Prangley, pre-deceased by siblings Grant and Viola Prangley, Junior Williams, Norma and Ernie Zavitz. Ross was the beloved husband and best friend of Barbara (nee Westgate) for 41 years. Ross will forever be remembered by his surviving sister Donnie Williams of Waterdown, beloved children Sherri and Jeff Saunders of Blenheim, Heather Prangley of Bright’s Grove, Darren Prangley and Linda Tung of Toronto, Jason and Erin Prangley of Woodstock, treasured grandchildren Monica and Rachel Saunders, Avery and Alivia Prangley along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know him. Visitation will be held on Monday December 21, 2009 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street in Blenheim. Friends and family are also invited to attend his funeral service on Tuesday December 22, 2009 at 11am at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home with Rev. Curtis Marwood officiating. Interment to follow at Blenheim Evergreen Cemetery. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.

Jean Alice (Verhoeven) Nicolai of Blenheim passed away on Friday December 11, 2009 at the age of 70 years. Jean is survived by her husband Dennis Nicolai, by her children Annette & Dan Tiffin and Wayne & Patty Pinsonneault both of Chatham and by her grandchildren Joey Tong, Laurie and Stacey Tiffin, and Sylvia and Nicole Pinsonneault of Chatham, great grandchild Ashton Tiffin. Jean is also survived by her sister Simone & Maurice McGuigan of Blenheim and by her twin brother Remi & Ramona Verhoeven of Exeter. She is predeceased by her parents August & Elizabeth Verhoeven and her sister Mary Poirier. Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Sunday December 13, 2009 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Jean will be held at the Funeral Home on Monday December 14, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. David Fuller officiating. Friends wishing to remember Jean with a memorial donation are asked to consider the charity of their choice.

At home and surrounded by his family, David Frederick Reid passed away on Thursday December 10, 2009. David was born in Chatham 74 years ago to his late parents Lyle and Irene (Smith) Reid. He married his wife Catherine on July 1st 1960 and together they raised three children; Angela & Paul Nelson of Kitchener, Valerie & Tim Flanagan of Blenheim and David Reid of Kitchener. David and Catherine were blessed with eleven grandchildren; John, Nicole and Kaitlynn Flanagan, Alexandra and Jessica Reid, Robert, Erik and Nicholas Nelson, Chad & Colleen Nelson, Carrie & Greg Muise and Tracey & Adrian Harms as well as two great-grandchildren Ayden Harms and Eve Marie Nelson. David served in the Navy for five years and was a thirty year employee of Rockwell International in Chatham. His love of music was clear as he played the drums and the horns. David thought that every child should have the opportunity to play an instrument and he was able to pass that love on to his own children as well as many other children he taught. A traveler and a fisherman at heart, David was most content and happy at a back yard barbeque and to be surrounded by his family. He was one of 7 children and is survived by his sisters Sharon Kenny of London, Clara Parish of Alberta and Betty Reid of Australia and by his brother Charles Reid of Chatham. He is predeceased by his brothers Barry and Jack Reid. Friends wishing to remember David are asked to consider a memorial donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.

Percy Godfrey Lack of Blenheim passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Thursday December 3, 2009 at the age of 82 years. Percy is the son of the late Charlotte and Percy Lack. He is survived by his only brother Raymond and by his lifetime companion Ila Sawyer. Percy and Raymond have farmed outside Blenheim and they have been the purveyors of dirt and gravel in this area for many years. One of Percy’s greatest pleasures in life was to operate a pay loader. Raymond would like to invite friends to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation on Friday December 4, 2009 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Cremation to follow with a private interment in Evergreen Cemetery at a later date. Friends wishing to remember Percy with a memorial donation are asked to consider a charity of their choice.

With deep sadness, the family of Robin Elizabeth (Hawley) Pepper of Wallaceburg announces that Robin passed away on Saturday November 28, 2009 at the age of 57 years. She will be sadly missed by her mother Wanda Hawley of Windsor, her children Mandi Pepper of Wallaceburg and Bill Bowden Jr of Alberta, by her grandchildren Caidan, Ashton and Konner and by her best friends Betty Ann Allossery and Sandra Filsinger. Robin also made many friends through her work at Rona. Cremation has taken place and a private graveside service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Blenheim where Robin’s urn will be placed with her grandmother Maude Hawley. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home.

Jean Isobel Cowley of Chatham passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Friday November 27, 2009. Jean was born in Harwich Township 78 years ago to her late parents Roy and Grace (Bicum) Smith. She was blessed in life with three children: Max Cowley and his wife Elaine of Blenheim, Dianne Chamberlain-Moffat and her husband Peter of Chatham and Mark Cowley who predeceased her in 1991. Jean is survived by five grandchildren, by her sister Betty Thomas of Blenheim, her brother Raeburn Smith and his wife Virginia of Little Current Ontario and by several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her son-in-law Brad Chamberlain in 1977 and by her brother-in-law Ken Thomas in 2000. Friends will remember Jean working at Crest Hardware, the Cherry Co-op, the Roy Deary Jewelry Store and I.D.A. in Blenheim. Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Monday November 30, 2009 from 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service and reception for Jean will be held at the Funeral Home on Tuesday December 1, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Lynn Brown of the Thamesville United Church officiating. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Jean with a memorial donation are asked to consider a charity of their choice.