It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Wayne “Riley” Coll on January 3^rd in his 68^th year.  Born in Chatham, the son of the late Earl & Irene Coll.  Brother to Sandy Coll, Rick (Carol) Coll, Raymond Coll and Pattie (John) Spacil.  He was a wonderful uncle to many nieces & nephews.  Predeceased by his sisters Diane Coll and Debbie Marriott.  His demons are gone, and may he finally rest in peace.

Dorothy P. Wright (Fraser), a resident of Blenheim passed peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday December 30th, 2022. She was born in Ridgetown and was the daughter of the late Alvin and Hazel (Turner) Fraser. She is predeceased by her loving husband of 54 years, Allison Wright. Dear mother of Glenn Wright of Dusseldorf Germany and mother-in- law to Jackie Wright of Blenheim. Loving grandmother of Ashley (late Bradley) DeBoer, Justin (Pauline) Wright and Amber (Jordan) Scott. Adoring great grandmother to Kamryn DeBoer and Rylee Wright. Cherished sister of Irene (late Don) Koyle and predeceased by her infant sister Helen Fraser. Caring sister-in-law to Patricia (Doug) Haskell and loving aunt to all of her nieces and nephews. Cherished friend to her chosen daughter Eileen Lindsay.

Dorothy loved spending time with her family and enjoyed visits with her son Glenn. She was very proud of her grandchildren and would do anything for them. She especially loved playing with her great grandchildren whether it was having a tea party, reading books or playing on the floor.

She was always available to listen, give advice, give a hug or soothe a crying baby. She was loving, caring and kind and became known as “Granny” to so many due to her nurturing ways.

Dorothy (Granny) could be found mending or sewing, reading novels or doing crosswords. She liked to go for walks, work outdoors in the yard, go for rides in her Chevy Malibu or go for coffee with her friends. She was very independent and determined and was known for handing out witty remarks.

Caring, loving and supportive neighbors and friends will miss her dearly, as she was a staple in the neighborhood, known for keeping watch or lending a hand whenever needed.

She has left us with so many fond memories that we will love and cherish forever.

As per her wishes, a private service and burial will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday January 4th, 2023. Friends and family wishing to remember Dorothy (Granny) are encouraged to donate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation https://www.heartandstroke.ca/

CLARK AUSTIN MIFFLIN – Died peacefully at home on the morning of Jan 1st at the age of 74. Clark loved to farm and never retired – even through advanced lung disease, he was committed, determined, and enthusiastic. Farming was his passion and favourite topic of conversation (often over coffee at the Erie Café), though politics and history were close behind. He was active in the Merlin community, a devoted man who valued work and service. Loving husband, father, and brother, survived by wife Hélène, daughters Erin (Paul), Kathleen, Charlene (Aaron), Kristena (Ryan), and son Thomas (Stephanie). Grandfather to Claire, Blythe, Violet, Austin, and Beau; step grandfather to Katie and Tyler. Brother to Fraser (Colleen), Jill, and Janelle (Les). Cherished by his cousins, beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by wife Lynda, parents Charles & Tena. Visitation at Blenheim Community Funeral Home (53 Stanley Street, Blenheim N0P 1A0) will be Wed Jan 4th from 6-8 PM and Thurs Jan 5th from 11 AM-1 PM. Funeral Thurs Jan 5th 2:30 PM at Blenheim Community Funeral Home, interment to follow at Victoria Cemetery (20651 Tasker Road, Merlin N0P 1W0). In lieu of flowers, donations to Operation Smile, Parkinson Canada, Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, or Victoria Cemetery Fund would be much appreciated.  To watch the live streamed funeral service please register by clicking the following link:  https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=e7e21b9a-824d-4aa9-98bc-9ea2b96b60c9

The family respectfully asks attendees wear a mask. 

Bill Dauphin, a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle, passed away in Chatham on Friday December 30, 2022 with family by his side.  Born on June 24, 1957, Bill was the son of the late Reginald and Salina Dauphin.  He was married to the love of his life, Patty (Goodwin) Dauphin for 45 years.  He will be missed by his children and grandchildren, Matt & Cassie (Paylie, Madison and Jaxsyn), Jeremy & Lauren (Liam and Ayla), and Mitch & Stephanie (Lucy).

He will be remembered by his siblings Jane & John Barnett, Dan & Trish Dauphin, Ron & Patty Dauphin, and Tim & Aimee Dauphin.  He was predeceased by his sister Charlene (survived by Mario).  Bill was a devoted brother who loved his family very much.

A son-in-law to Doris & Lorne (deceased) Goodwin, and brother-in-law to Carol & Bruce (deceased) Embury, Linda & Jim Minnie, Laurie & Dale Glassford, and Diane Wilkins (deceased).

Bill was a hardworking man who had a great love for music, campfires, fireworks, trips to Las Vegas, and holidays with his family in Florida.  He loved having friends stop by the shop for a visit and a beer.  He especially loved cruising in his ’66 Plymouth Satellite convertible with Patty at his side.

Bill was so proud of his three sons and their accomplishments and encouraged them to shoot for the stars and to be good men.  He inspired his sons with his love for the trade of carpentry.  He adored his three beautiful daughters-in-law who were more like his own daughters, and he was always excited to spend time with his grandchildren who were his pride and joy. Bill was a true family man and loved nothing more than to crank the tunes and dance and sing with his family.  His smile was warm and his laugh was infectious.

Whenever Bill’s name was mentioned it was always followed by how he always had a smile on his face and what an amazing builder he was. He had a close bond with several of his friends.

Visitation for Bill will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday January 3^rd from 2:00 – 4:00 & 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  A Celebration of Life will be held at the home of Matt & Cassie Dauphin on Thursday January 5th between 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. In true Billy-D fashion, pizza, wings and beer will be served.  Feel free to stop by during this time for a drink and a visit.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Dale E. Creighton Brain & Biobank through the Funeral Home.

Abraham Unger, a loving husband, father and grandfather passed away at his home in Dresden on Saturday December 24, 2022.  Born in Mexico on July 17, 1978 Abraham was the son of the late Helena and Wilhelm Unger.  He is the much loved husband of Katharina (Martens) Unger.  He will be missed by his children and grandchildren David (Mason), Susan & Jordan (Levi, Zephaniah, Elijah and Leia), Jessica & Lukas (Theodore and Iyla), Amanda & Nekco, Ajay, Aden, Ava and Vincent.

He will be remembered by his siblings Margaret & Abraham Knelsen, Anna & Peter Wall, Peter & Katherina Unger, Jacob & Margaret Unger, Cornelious & Maria Unger, Ben & Lisa Unger, Isaak Unger and Johann Unger.  He was predeceased by his brother Wilhelm in 2022 (survived by Helena).

Abraham was a hard working man who loved fishing, cooking, camping and just being outdoors.  He would do anything he could for his family because they were always first in his heart.

Visitation for Abraham will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Thursday from 2:00 – 4:00 & 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  A Funeral Service will be held in Glad Tidings Community Church, 403 Chatham Street South, Blenheim on Friday December 30, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.  Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

Evelyn Jean Bond passed away with her loving family by her side at Meadow Park Nursing Home on December 27, 2022.  She was 88 years old.

Evelyn will be remembered with great fondness by her daughter Joyce Tembikowski (Dean) and her son David Bond (Cindy), by her grandson Mike Bond (Pam) and their children Kaiya, Alexis, Sydney, Hailey and Lincoln as well as her brother John Craner (Sharon).  She was a kind and generous soul who loved people and loved God.  Her sense of humour was always appreciated by her family and friends.

Visitation for Evelyn will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday December 31, 2022 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.  A Funeral Service will follow at 11:00.  Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery where Evelyn will be laid to rest with her husband Ivan Bond who passed away in 1992.

Friends wishing to remember Evelyn are asked to consider the Alzheimers Society or the Canadian Cancer Society.

George Arnold Bryant, husband of the late Bea (LaFreniere) Bryant (2016) died on Monday December 26, 2022 at the age of 91 years.  He is survived by his son David Bryant (Marg Pietens).  He will be remembered fondly by his granddaughter Evelynn Bryant and was predeceased by his grandson Benjamin in 2020.  He was the lst surviving member of his family.

As with Bea, George made the selfless decision to support medical training and advancements through his bequeathal to the University of Western Ontario.

Adriana “Jane” Verhart of Blenheim passed away with family by her side on December 17, 2022.  Jane was born in Wassenaar, Holland 71 years ago to the late Anna & Pieter Verhart.  In 1952 the family of 8 immigrated to Canada, landing at Pier 21 in Halifax with $20.00 and travelled by train to the Chatham area, eventually settling in Blenheim where Jane was raised.  She will be missed dearly by her children Ann Marie Waddick, David Waddick, Diana Waddick and Jason Waddick.  She is survived by her siblings; Bill Verhart (late MaryLou), Adelaide Vercouteren (late John), Pete & Doreen Verhart, Nelly Reedhead (late Clay), Henny & Leonard Casier and Leo & Pat Verhart.  She was predeceased by her sister Anna VanWissen.  She will also be missed by her nieces and nephews Deb, Sue, Cheryl, Brenda, Mark, Cindy, Vicky, Wendy, Veronica, Mike, Jackie, Philip, Nicole, Shawn, Todd, Tara, Sherry, Dawn, Scott and Darren and their families.

Jane loved visiting friends, be it for a game of cards or a cup of coffee.  She looked forward to summers camping in Timmins and Rondeau Park as well as tending to her gardens.  She loved to dance and she loved her cats…they were great companions for her.  She will be remembered for her years of driving school buses in Blenheim and Chatham-Kent.

Visitation for Jane will take place at the Funeral Home on Tuesday December 20, 2022 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Cremation will follow and a graveside service will take place in Evergreen Cemetery at a later date.

Sally Guay (nee Warren) peacefully passed away at Riverview Gardens on Friday December 16, 2022 at the age of 73. Born in Chatham, Sally was the daughter of the late Charles and Lillian Warren (nee Vidler). Dear wife of the late Yvon Guay (2021). Sally and Yvon raised two children, Tammy Guay and Jim Guay. They were blessed with five grandchildren, Brooke, Cody, Summer, Shawna, and Anthony as well as two great-grandchildren, Christopher and Elena. Sally was the sister of Tom (Judy) Warren and the late Jerry Warren (survived by Audrey). A private family interment at Evergreen Cemetery will be held. Donations may be left to the Alzheimer’s Society of Chatham-Kent. Online condolences may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

Bob “Turtle” Krouse, a resident of Erieau, peacefully passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Thursday December 15, 2022 at the age of 73. Born in St. Catharines, he was the son of the late John and Faye Krouse. Beloved husband of 45 years to Kim Krouse (nee Lehman). Dear father of John (Terri), Al (Tor) and Becky (Matt). Proud Grampy to Riley, Avery, Violet, Emma and Poppy. Bob is survived by sisters Ruth Metcalfe, Linda Bennoot (Brian), and his brother Guy (Frans DeMars). Predeceased by sister Karen Stuivenberg, brother in laws Larry Metcalfe and Gary Lehman. Also survived by brother in law Mike Lehman (Cheryl), sister in laws Gayle Lehman (Larry), Wendy Fulkerson (Lawrence), Vicki Lehman and Jody Eyraud (Denis). Bob will be missed by many nieces and nephews. Bob was a member of the Blenheim Legion and a past Erieau Firefighter for over 25 years. He retired from ALL TEMP due to his health. His favourite spot was the loading dock of the Erieau Packers overlooking the channel or on his porch with an O.V. He loved spending time on Sundays cussing over his beloved Cleveland Browns. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley St. in Blenheim on Monday December 19, 20222 from 2:00pm until 4:00pm and from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. A private family interment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Ridgetown. Donations may be made to the St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Erieau Firemen’s Association or a charity of your choice.