Dolores Ona Burke peacefully passed away to go home to be with Jesus on December 20, 2008 at Meadowpark Nursing Home in London. Dolores was the wife of the late Clifton Robert Burke. They lived their married life at Fourth Line near Blenheim where she attended Fourth Line United Church. She is survived by sisters: Vera Walker of St. Catherines, Laura Fenner of Tilbury, Shirley Tielman of Dresden and Camilla George of Peterborough. She is also survived by her son Robert Glen Burke of Waterloo and her daughter Beverly Ann (George) Carruthers of London. She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren Graham & Kelly Carruthers, Rebecca & Derrick Seaman and Sara Carruthers as well as her great-grandchildren Cameron and Aliyah Carruthers and Lauren and Grace Horner. After achieving her Masters of Arts degree in 1972 Dolores established The Carpenter’s Shop at her Fourth Line Home where she fellowshipped with Christians for many years. She was an avid gardener both on her property and in witnessing to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Visitation will be held Monday December 22 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley St., Blenheim and the funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 23 at 11 am with Rev. Colin Patterson officiating. In lieu of flowers donations made to World Vision of Canada would be appreciated by the family.

Gary John Arthur Lipa of Chatham passed away at his home on Thursday December 18, 2008. Gary was born 61 years ago to his parents Lyle and the late Mary (VanBiesbrouck) Lipa. He is survived by his son Gary Lipa Jr. of Chatham, by his sisters Diane & Ken Winser of London and Connie Rokebrand of Chatham, by four nephews and by his extended family Jeff & Nicole White of Milton and Nicole Papps of Chatham. Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held at a later date and will be announced at that time.

Clare Ernest Giffin, a loving husband, father and grandfather passed away on Friday December 5, 2008 at the age of 75. Clare is the son of the late Leonard and Edna (Rumble) Giffin. He had many passions in life, the first being farming. He recently celebrated his 59th anniversary of graduating from the Ridgetown College of Agricultural Technology. As a young man, Clare loved to play ball and hockey having played hockey in Europe for a winter. One day Clare met a young lady by the name of Florence Maynard at a field meet in London and took her out for supper at the Pigs Pantry. Two years later they met again at a community dance and went to the Red Rooster for sodas. On April 8, 1961 they were married. Clare and Florence loved camping, boating, square dancing and spending time in Texas. Together they raised three sons; John, James & Roberta and Wayne & Heather. Often with his best pal Noelle by his side, Clare created many wonderful memories with his grandchildren Blake and Reid. He is survived by his brother-in-law Bill Maynard & friend Mabel and by his brothers Gerald and Lyle. The Giffin family will receive friends at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street in Blenheim on Monday December 8, 2008 from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service celebrating Clare’s life will be held in the New Scotland United Church on Tuesday December 9, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Wanda Burse officiating. Cremation will follow with a private family interment in Evergreen Cemetery at a later date. Those wishing to honour Clare’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider New Scotland Church.

Peter Henderson passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife Theresa by his side on Remembrance Day, Tuesday November 11, 2008. Peter was born in Glasgow, Scotland 81 years ago. He was an Aircraft Inspector, having served with the Royal Navy. He is survived by his sister Betty & Ron Bainbridge of Courtright and by his brother James & Iris Henderson of Elliot Lake. He is predeceased by his sister Ina and brother George. Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday November 14, 2008 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Parish Prayers will be held at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Blenheim on Saturday November 15, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. It was Peter’s expressed wish for cremation to follow and that his ashes be returned to Scotland for burial there. Friends wishing to honour Peter’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Cancer Society, Relay for Life.

Robert W. Marshall passed away at Riverview Gardens, Chatham on Saturday November 8th in his 56th year. Bob was originally from Walkerton Ontario. He was a former resident of S.W.R.C. before moving to the home of George and Peggy McIntyre where he resided for many years. Bob moved into his own apartment in Blenheim where he became well known to the community. Bob loved his town of Blenheim. He was always interested in the changes within the community and its people. His passion for politics was evident and Bob seldom missed the regular council meetings in Blenheim. He was astute to the political process and the happenings of council. Bob’s desire to be a contributing member to his community was apparent in his summer lawn cutting and winter snow removal services. Bob’s dream was to be able to return to Blenheim to resume these services. Cremation has followed his death and Bob will be buried in Walkerton at his family plot. A private family service will take place at a later date. Donations may be made to Community Living Chatham-Kent in Bob’s remembrance.

Gerald Allen Sykes of Chatham passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Wednesday November 5, 2008 just one day after his 64th birthday. Gerald was born in Raleigh Township to his parents Marian (Wilkinson) and Nelson Sykes. He is survived by his sister Ona & Pat Forget and by his brothers Murry & Marie Sykes and Larry Sykes. Gerald is also survived by his nephews & nieces Shawn, Angie, Dale, Chad, Melissa, Christopher, Erin, Corey and Vicki as well as great nephews & nieces Dontae, Desmond, Donavan, Meghan, Ryan, Riley, Makayla and Cooper. Missing their step-dad are Anthony, Ghenene and Charlene. In keeping with Gerald’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street, Blenheim on Saturday November 15, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be held in Pardoville Union Cemetery. Friends wishing to honour Gerald’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Cancer Society.

Albert John Lucio passed away Saturday November 1, 2008 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham Campus. Albert was born 69 years ago in Chatham to his parents Lena McClean and Hector Lucio. He is survived by his loving wife Gloria (Krause) Lucio and by his two sons Mark (Annette) Lucio and Brad Lucio, all of Blenheim. Missing her grandfather is Vanessa (Casey) Strain of Blenheim. Albert will also be missed by his great granddaughter Teagan. Surviving is his sister Evelyn (John) Cummings of London as well as his sisters-in-law Joan Lucio of Blenheim and Marilyn Lucio of Mount Brydges. Also surviving are brothers Doug Lucio and his wife Theresa of Mount Brydges and Ken Lucio of Cedar Springs. Albert is predeceased by his brothers Henry Lucio, Terry Lucio, his sister Nettie White and brother-in-law Ken White. Friends are invited to attend visitation at Glad Tidings Community Church, 403 Chatham Street South, Blenheim on Wednesday November 5, 2008 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. & 7:00-9:00 p.m. A funeral service celebrating Albert’s life will be held at Glad Tidings Community Church on Thursday November 6, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Pastor Ken Powell officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. Friends wishing to make a memorial donation in memory Albert are asked to consider Glad Tidings Community Church.

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.