Patricia Ann Pirhalla passed away at home on Sunday July 31, 2022 at the age of 70 years.  She was predeceased by her parents Karl & Mary (Stefina) Pirhalla and her baby sister Nancy Susan Pirhalla.  She was a kind hearted soul who will be missed by her godchildren Susan Rigg and Trevor Podolinsky, her neighbours  Giacomo & Mary Apuzzo and her dear friend Chris and family.  She will be missed especially by her cousins Debbie, Marianne and Linda (Omer).

Pat was very proud and close to her parents.  The story of how they immigrated from Slovakia and met at a picnic that the Slovakian community had at a bush outside of Blenheim brought a smile to her face every time she told it.  She considered it an honour to care for them in their final days.  She spent her working career at Union Gas in Chatham and was content in her retirement to spend time at home and at the family cottage with her dog Daisy.

It was Pat’s wish that cremation take place and that she be laid to rest with Karl and Mary in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim.  Friends wishing to remember Pat with a memorial donation are asked to consider Chatham-Kent Animal Rescue https://ckanimalrescue.com/ or Pet & Wildlife Rescue https://pawr.org/funds/.

John “Jan” Jouwsma a life long resident of Blenheim, passed away peacefully at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at the age of 80.  Born in Holland to the late Ed and Linda (Bras) Jouwsma.  Beloved husband of the late Carol (James) Jouwsma (2021).  Loving father of Margaret Stuckey, the late April Jouwsma (1964) and the late Michael Jouwsma (1967).  Dearest grandfather of Jessica (Mike) Levesque and great grandfather of John, Matthew and Benjamin Levesque.  He will also be missed by many nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by his sister Diane Van Dolder.

John was a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion obtaining his 50 years of membership in 2015.

As per John’s wishes, cremation has taken place and he will be buried with his wife Carol in St. Anthony’s Cemetery.

Those wishing to remember him with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Cancer Society.

Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with funeral arrangements.  Online condolences and donations can be left for the family at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com.

With heavy hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Bob Terry on July 19, 2022 at the age of 76.

He was the beloved husband for almost 52 years to Linda (Clendenning). Lovingly remembered by his son Greg (Val) and grandchildren Alana and Makenna Terry whom he adored.

Bob will be missed by his sister Ginny Terry Schedewitz and in-laws Bill and Linda Clendenning and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Jack and Georgie Terry and his brother-in-law Brian Schedewitz.

Bob taught history for many years, starting in Burlington, followed by Tilbury and finally at Blenheim District High School where he taught and coached for more than 20 years.  

He was a true sportsman both as a player, a coach, and a fan. He played hockey, baseball, curling and golf where he developed many life-long friendships.  He was a former president of both the Golden Acres Curling Club and Blenheim Community Golf Club (now Willow Ridge), where he also worked for a number of years following his retirement from teaching.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Willow Ridge Golf Club on Friday July 29, 2022 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.  Words of remembrance will be shared at 4:00.

Memorial Donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Chatham Kent Hospice or a charity of your choice.

“Barbara June Campbell (Carey) passed away in Winnipeg on Sunday July 10, 2022. Barb was born in Chatham in 1928 to her parents Chester and Alice (Wood) Carey. Barbara met her future husband, (Harry) Douglas on a hayride one night on a blind date. Barb and Doug eventually moved to Blenheim where they started a family and had two sons, Bruce (Betty) with their son Kyle (Jess) and their children Henry, Maise and Georgia and who currently reside in Winnipeg and Brian (Kathy) with their son Alexander and daughter Angelica who currently live in Oakville.

Barb enjoyed a long career as a nurse, getting her start at the Chatham General Hospital. She also spent time in a General Practitioner office, and in the Operating room. But her most impactful legacy was as Director of Nursing (Mrs “C”) for the Thamesview Lodge, establishing the nursing protocols for the newly formed nursing home in Chatham. Barb was later involved in IODE in Blenheim and sincerely enjoyed raising a family and being part of this great community.

Barb is survived by her brother Richard Carey (Susan) and sister Beth (Ron Alderton) and predeceased by her husband H. Douglas Campbell, her brother Donald (Red) Carey and brother Doug Carey. Services for Barbara will be held on Thursday July 28th at Blenheim Community Funeral Home.  Visitation will take place between 10:00 – 10:45, a Funeral Service at 11:00 followed by interment in Evergreen Cemetery and a reception at 1:00 p.m.

Friends wishing to remember Barbara with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice https://chathamkenthospicefoundation.com/donations/

Yvette Bourbonnais (Fuerth) of Windsor passed away July 16, 2022 following a short illness.  Yvette was the daughter of Rene and Loma (Penny) Bourbonnais, step daughter of Roger Maurice. She was the spirited sister of the late Michel (2021), Yvon and Marjorie, Denis and Barb, Collette and Gary, Paul, as well as Roger’s family.

Yvette was abundantly proud of her two daughters, Vanessa and Natalie Fuerth.

Yvette was passionate about many things in life. One being a teacher where she would encourage and inspire children to learn and grow.  Yvette also loved cats, crafting, angels and butterflies.

The family will remember Yvette privately, but if you would like to honour her, go read a book to a child, visit someone who needs a friend, or donate to the OSPCA http://ontariospca.ca/

She will be missed by her family.

We are so thankful to the Hotel Dieu ICU team and the doctors and nurses on 6 West for their wise and compassionate care of Yvette.  We are also grateful for her attentive neighbours as well as the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for their personal assistance.

It is with sad and heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Donald James Jackson who passed away at home on July 15, 2022. Donald was born in Raleigh Township 85 years ago to the late Orlo and Jean (nee Ross) Jackson. He is predeceased by his brothers Ross and Ray. Sadly missed by his nephew Richard Jackson of Chatham (Judith Beauchesne). Donald will be remembered for his dedicated years of working at the Southwestern Regional Centre as a Supervisor and later being one of Michelle Wright’s security personnel. Donald was a huge Michelle Wright fan and will also be remembered for volunteering at the Chatham-Kent Airport and the Chatham Cultural Centre. Cremation has taken place and a private family interment will be held at Owen Cemetery at a later date. Those wishing to make a donation to a charity of their choice would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

Mike Gallant of Blenheim passed away peacefully at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Monday July 11, 2022.  He is survived by his wife Janet (Attridge), their children Vanessa Devlin (Bob) and Jonathon Gallant (Melany) and grandchildren Mackenzie Devlin, Reegan Devlin and Alison Gallant.  He was the last surviving member of his family, having been predeceased by his parents Henry & Georgina (Ouellette) Gallant and his siblings Irene, Joe, Frank and Albert.

Mike believed in working hard and living well.  He was passionate about everything he did in life and was proud of his accomplishments.  With an educational background in chemistry, he pursued a career with Nordion in Ottawa, a nuclear substance processing facility.  After his 33-year career there in various capacities, her retired from his managerial position in 2006, when he and Janet moved back to her hometown of Blenheim.  He soon became a member of the Blenheim Golf Club (now Willow Ridge Golf & Country Club) and an avid curler at the Golden Acres Curling Club.  In his spare time, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle and spending time with family and friends.

Mike’s advice in life would be that if you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it.   If you don’t ask, the answer will always be no.  And if you don’t step forward, you’ll always be in the same place.  Seize the day, work hard, live well and be kind.

Remember Mike in your own way.  Be a mentor to someone searching for a career.  Teach somebody how to golf or curl.  Believe in a child.  If you’d like to make a memorial donation in his name, please consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice https://chathamkenthospicefoundation.com/donations/ or the Multiple Sclerosis Society https://mssociety.ca/ .

It is with full hearts that we announce Lesa Jansen set out on her new journey July 8,2022 surrounded by those who love her greatly and whom she loved with intensity.  She is survived by her father Douglas (Bertha) Wright and her life partner of 50 years and husband of nearly 46 years, Henry Jansen. She is the proud mother to 2 sons; Doug (Melissa) and Craig (Natalie) Jansen who she loved fiercely and vibrantly and she has spent the last 15 years surrounded by the ones who were the lights of her life; her 6 grandchildren Tanner, Taylor, Hunter, Maci, Brody and Hayden Jansen.   She was predeceased by her mother Lea Wright (Szucs) and by Henry’s parents Martin and Wilhelmina Jansen.

Loving sister to Lloyd (Michele) Wright, Lori (Dan) Alexander-Collins, Michelle (Marco) Wright-Convertino, Steven (Lynn) Martin, Janet (Allan) Cunningham and Dennis (Jackie) Blommaert.  Loving sister-in-law to John (Linda) Jansen, Marty (Rosemary) Jansen and Herman (Mary) Degoey.  Loving aunt to Bryanna Alexander, Lea Wright, Jennifer (Mike) Rice, Heather Cunningham, Mike Cunningham, Erica (Rob) Girimonte, Jen (Chris) Derbyshire, Michelle (Trevor) Bailey, Marty (Jen) Degoey, Robert (Rebecca) Degoey, Teri Lynn (Rick) Voivoda, Bryan (Alisha) Jansen, and their families.

Lesa is fondly remembered by many friends who she considered family.  She treated everyone with respect and in turn was well respected and loved by everyone who knew her. She loved boating, golfing, fishing and enjoying a glass of wine with her girlfriends.  But most of all she loved spending time with her family, giving the best hugs, making everyone laugh and creating special memories in the kitchen with her grandkids making banana bread and cookies. Her undeniable and infectious zest for life is what we will remember most about her and what we will continue to carry forward in her memory.

Lesa was a dedicated and highly regarded Director of Human Resources at Community Living Chatham-Kent for nearly 35 years.

Cremation has taken place.  Visitation will take place on Tuesday July 12,2022 at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home from 2-4pm and 7-9pm.

A celebration of life is currently being planned, date to be announced.

Friends wishing to remember Lesa with a memorial donation are asked to consider either Community Living Chatham-Kent or the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Our grandmother, Theresa Rose Lohnes, lived a great life! Born and raised in Manitoba, she married Gord Lohnes (predeceased & from Toronto) then moved to Wawa where her only daughter, Donna Lynn (predeceased) was born. Theresa enjoyed her years in Wawa as the owner of the ‘Flower and Yarn Bin’. She loved animals and nature and was known for painting murals of native scenes at Fort Friendship as well as portraits of famous politicians. She loved to paint, sew, knit, cook, square-dance, play cards and make pottery. They moved to Blenheim where she relished in garage sales and photography. She was known to cook up a storm for her grand kids (Kassie, Dane & Ryan) and great-grandkids Brendan, Spencer and Chloe. Even her great-great grandkids, Brian, Benji and Braxton had a great time posing for her photo albums and feasting on her Mac and Cheese and Perogies! All who knew her enjoyed her fierce independence and straight-forward nature!

She was her regular, cheerful self at breakfast on Tuesday, June 21st, while sitting in her chair, she put her head down as she did for her usual nap and she fell asleep. She passed peacefully, at the age of 92. We know she lived a wonderful life and will be truly missed!

She was cremated and laid to rest with her husband and daughter in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. No funeral or fuss, when you think of her, …smile and know she made this world just a little bit better.