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.
Obituaries
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.