Obituaries

Robert John “Bob” Rehill

A photo of Robert John “Bob” Rehill

Robert John “Bob” Rehill of Erieau passed away on Sunday June 17, 2007 at the age of 69 years. Bob and the love of his life Sandy (MacDonald) recently celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary. Though Bob had many life experiences including a time with the Canadian Navy, his most rewarding experience was to watch his two young sons become fine young men, husbands and fathers themselves: Jon, a member of the Cambridge Fire Department and his wife Carol live in Kitchener with their children Robert and Laura. Joel, a member of the Chatham-Kent Police Service and his wife Lisa live in Ridgetown with their children Dylan, Mackenzie and Madison. Missing Bob are many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews as well as his brother Jim & Shirley Rehill of Stouffville and his brother in law Guy Kinnear of Midland. Bob was predeceased by his sister Betty in 1995.

Peggy Georgiane Didur

A photo of Peggy Georgiane Didur

Peggy Georgiane Didur, beloved wife of the late Alex Didur passed away at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance on Thursday May 10, 2007 at the age of 73 years. Peggy was born in Blenheim to the late Edna (Holmes) and Everitt Rogers.

F. Eileen (Armstrong) Band

A photo of F. Eileen (Armstrong) Band

F. Eileen (Armstrong) Band, born in Barrie Ontario, died at Riverview Gardens, Chatham on Wednesday January 31, 2007. Beloved wife to the late William (1978). Dear mother of Beverly and Bill Gregg of Chatham and William and Betty Band of Georgetown. Loving Mimi to Tim and Jolayne, Tracy and Karl, Butch and Marg, Michael, Alison and Brian. Great grandmother to Brandon, Shayla, Casey, Cole, Courtney and Kyle. Eileen was a retired R.N., and a member of the Windsor Lioness Club and Bowling Group. She was a member of St. James Presbyterian Church.

Betty Jean (Wardle) DeLeeuw

A photo of Betty Jean (Wardle) DeLeeuw

Betty Jean (Wardle) DeLeeuw passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham Campus on Tuesday January 9, 2007. Betty was born in Blenheim 61 years ago to the late Ora (Hilterbridle) and Earl Wardle. Betty is survived by her husband Hector “Bud” DeLeeuw of Blenheim along with a daughter Diane (Gilbert) Campbell. Also surviving are sisters Hildred Hillman of London, Nancy Crow of Chatham, Brenda Ritchie of Chatham, Wanda Chesney (Ken Travis) of Chatham, Becky and Romeo Brideau of Chatham Surviving brothers include Bob and Deb Wardle of Blenheim, Gary and Carolyn Wardle of Browns Burg Indiana, Arthur and Pat Wardle of Rondeau, Harold Wardle of Blenheim and John Wardle and Michelle of London. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. Recently predeceased by a sister Carris Wickwire (2006), also predeceased by another sister Marjorie Formosa.

Becky Demeurichy

A photo of Becky Demeurichy

Becky Demeurichy, on Wednesday January 3, 2007 the village of Erieau lost one of her most precious treasures. Becky was born to her parents Randy and Nancy Rhodes only 25 years ago. In the same way that her parents loved her, Becky loved them. Unlike many children, Becky couldn’t have been happier than to have her Mom and Dad living only a short walking distance away. It wasn’t very far from her parent’s house that Becky met and fell in love with her husband Robert “Rob” Demeurichy. Together, Becky and Rob’s life was full of many wonderful memories of warm sunny days on the sandy beaches of Erieau. There was always plenty of love and plenty of fun spent celebrating life with their family and friends.

Careful to watch out for her until she could hold her own, Becky was the cherished “little sister” of Sarah Milodrowski and her husband Jeff and Suzanne Lux. In so many ways, Rob’s Mom, Connie Vidler and Dan Thomas, along with Rob’s Dad Jack Demeurichy and his companion B.J., were like her own family. Rob’s brothers Rich Demeurichy and Ryan Demeurichy became like brothers to Becky. Also surviving are Grandparents Bobbi Scribner and Marylou and Hartley Vidler. Aunt Becky will be missed by three nieces and a nephew.

Famous for dragging home any critter that in Becky’s mind needed a home, she will be missed by her four legged fuzzy children named Corona, Diezel, Austin and Sienna.

Extended family, friends and community were invited to support Becky’s family by attending visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Sunday January 7, 2007. On Monday January 8, 2007 the Rhodes and Demeurichy families will marked the saddest day of their lives when they came together along with their extended families and community for a funeral service commemorating Becky’s life.

On the day of Becky’s passing, Pastor Tim Joyce (a Police Chaplain and the pastor of the Word of Life Church) came into the Demeurichy’s and Rhodes families lives with care and sensitivity, helped to shepherd them through the crisis at hand.

John K. “Jack” Baker

A photo of John K. “Jack” Baker

John K. “Jack” Baker of Lambeth, passed away Sunday December 31, 2006 at Parkwood Hospital in London. Jack was born 74 years ago in Markdale to the late Marabel Halbert (1995) and Harry Baker (1980). He is survived by his wonderful and loving wife Patricia “Pat” Baker (Gander) along with sons Garry Baker and Pam of London and Jerry Baker of Vancouver. Grandfather will be missed by a special granddaughter Melissa. Also surviving are sister-in-laws Glenda Vermeersch of Kitchener and Shannon McKillop of Blenheim and a brother-in-law Don Gander and Kim of Blenheim. Old friends will remember Jack from his days when he owned and operated the family variety store “Baker’s Red & White” in Cedar Springs. Jack continued to work in Retail Management for over thirty years for “Mac’s” in a number of locations including Sarnia, St. Thomas, Union, Mildmay, Tavistock and Preston.

Jean Ruth (Embury) Drury

A photo of Jean Ruth (Embury) Drury

Jean Ruth (Embury) Drury of Blenheim, passed away Thursday November 9, 2006 at Four Counties Hospital. Jean was born in Blenheim 80 years ago to George and Annie Embury. She is survived by her husband Harland and together they farmed on the Drury Side road for 59 years. Jean is survived by her children, Chris Ryckman, Sue & Bob Segeren, Terri & Lorne Fryer and Ken Drury. Missing their grandmother are nine grandchildren Daffny Ryckman, Tony & Nicole Segeren, Jeremy & Emily Segeren, Eric, Nick & Lizz Fryer and Tyler Drury, two great grandchildren Abby & Dylan Segeren, a step grandaughter Tammy Lavoie and two step great grandchildren Chelsea and Cameron. Predeceased by her grandson Dustin Drury, her daughter-in-law Judy Drury, and her eleven brothers and sisters.

Joanne Marie Carpenter

A photo of Joanne Marie Carpenter

Joanne Marie Carpenter, JoAnne Marie Peacefully with her beloved husband Donn by her side, JoAnne Marie Carpenter passed away on Monday October 16, 2006 in Chatham. JoAnne was born in Iroquois Falls 50 years ago to her parents Roger and Rita Sauve. She and Donn were married on October 4, 1978 and spent a number of years in Calgary where their two children were born. Their son Justin married his wife Giulia this past July and now lives in Barrie. Their daughter Jolene passed away at the age of 11 months. Joanne is fondly remembered by her sister in law Theresa Timm and by her niece Debbie Summerfield.

Matilda “Til” Stevens (McAleece) Clayton

A photo of Matilda “Til” Stevens (McAleece) Clayton

Matilda “Til” Stevens (McAleece) Clayton passed away at Blenheim Community Village on Wednesday, August 16, 2006. Til was born in Blenheim 89 years ago. She is predeceased by her husband Gordon in January 1995. Surviving are her three daughters Maryanne and Bob Simpson of Blenheim, Carol and Rick Coll of Blenheim, Kathy and Phil Bertonlini of Wallaceburg. Missing their grand mother are Tara Simpson and Justin Faubert, Matt Simpson and Heather Hawley, Jason and Jamie Coll, Meghan Bertolini and Benn Bertolini along with great grand children Oliver Faubert and Jack Simpson. Also surviving Til are her sisters Agnes Greer of Blenheim and Marg Sibbald of Durham. Predceased by her parents Rachel (McFetridge) and Archibald McAleece, along with sisters Jen Fiddler, Anne Riseborough and a brother Sam McAleece.

Linda Carey

A photo of Linda Carey

Linda Carey, peacefully at home on Friday July 28, 2006, Linda Carey at the age of 61 years. Linda and her beloved husband Bill would have celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary in October. Linda will be sadly missed by her sons Will & Laurette Carey and Craig Carey & Brandi Buchan, by her daughter in law Jackie Carey and by her grandchildren Lauren, Ashlyne, Jesse and Taylar. She will also be missed by her brothers Dave & Claudette Cragg, Richard & Arlene Cragg, by her sisters Fran & Rick Campbell and Margery & Ty Newby as well as her niece Marg & Dean Muharrem.