Thomas Howard “Tom” Walch, an avid fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Blue Jays passed away peacefully at his long-time home, the Blenheim Community Village on Saturday May 23, 2020.  Born 78 years ago to the late Harrison & Dorothy (Watson) Walch, Tom spent many years of his life in London before moving to Blenheim.  He is the loving brother of Dixie Peters, Annie Succee, Jeannie Ferguson and the late Norm Ostrander (survived by Barb) and will be remembered by several nieces and nephews, aunts and cousins.

Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. at which time Tom will be remembered by his family here.  A funeral procession will then travel to McArthur Cemetery in Southwold to meet with family members there and to inter Tom next to his Dad who he simply adored.

The family wishes to extend their appreciation to the staff of the Blenheim Community Village and also Dr. Perkin and Dr. Clendenning for their years of care and for their support in the last weeks of Tom’s life.

Friends wishing to remember Tom with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Hearing Services or the Blenheim & Area Bereavement Support Program.

                  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no more than 10 people will be allowed                        inside the Funeral Home or the Cemetery at one time.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of JoAn Dale, matriarch of the Dale Family, on Wednesday, May 20^th 2020 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.

JoAn is predeceased by her father (Oliver) and mother (Muriel Maris).  She is survived by her brothers and sisters Richard Dale (Mary Martha), Alice Dale, Isabelle Gagen (Wayne), Elinor Mifflin (Carl), Marilyn Bright (Paul), Bill Dale (Sharron), Donald Dale and Ronald Dale.

She leaves behind her nieces and nephews Suzanne Dale (Lori Dey), Keith Dale (Stacey), Sarah Cowley (Mike), Kevin Gagen (Vanessa), Jeff Gagen (Nicki), Amy Sills (Marc), Steven Mifflin (Sarah), Heather Vaughan (Fred), Jason Bright (Kristie), Jamie Bright (Andrea), Shelley Duquette, Amy Duquette and Eric Dale.

JoAn was blessed to be able to enjoy her great nieces and great nephews Seth, Hunter and Emma Cowley, Clare Gagen, Bo and Maisie Gagen, Chloe and Mia Sills, Vincent and Nicholas Vaughan, Brayden and Noah Bright, Jessa and Brennon Bright, Mathew and Madison Cowgill.

Survived by her aunt and uncle, Dorothy Maris (late Bill) and Donald Maris as well as several 1^st and 2^nd cousins.

JoAn leaves behind a legacy of compassion and a deep sense of loyalty to her family.

JoAn was a devout Christian and truly cherished the love and strength she received from her church.   She strongly believed and practiced her Christian responsibility to generously help those in need.

JoAn excelled as a registered nurse graduating from the Chatham Public General Hospital in 1965 and then went on to further her education to obtain her Bachelor of Science from the University of Windsor which led to a position as Director and Chair of the Nursing Program for St Clair College at both the Chatham and Windsor Campus.

JoAn generously gave of her time and talents with several different organizations within Chatham-Kent.  She belonged to St Andrews United Church, South Buxton where she was Clerk of Session and had been a choir member for 50 plus years.  She also volunteered on the boards for the PGH Nurses Alumnae, Chatham-Kent Zonta Club and Zonta International, Dickens Fellowship, Alzheimer Society, Boutique Grand Gift Shop at CKHA, Helping Hands Auxiliary and the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation.

A private family gathering will be held for JoAn with Pastor Eric Skillings officiating.   Interment will be at Pardoville Union Cemetery.   A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Those wishing to honour JoAn’s life with a donation are asked to consider St Andrews United Church South Buxton, the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation Oncology Department, the Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

Gerry (Gabby) Apfeld of Erieau passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of May 7, 2020.  Gerry was the son of the late Gerrit and Violet (Johnston) Apfeld.  He was born in Wilkie, Saskatchewan 87 years ago but made Erieau his home with his wife Eva (Warren) for the almost 69 years that they were married.  Erieau would also become where Gerry and Eva would raise their family.  They were predeceased by their first son Christopher at 4 months.

Surviving are:

Their daughter Susan Hendsbee (late Maxwell) and her partner Nick Bryant, her children Christopher & Jill Hendsbee (Hazel, Maxwell and Angus) and William & Natasha Hendsbee (Eva),

Their son Jack Apfeld and his partner Sharon Davis, his daughter Lisa Montrose Apfeld and her husband Todd Montrose, his grandchildren Tiana Reid Apfeld (Ayden and Adelynn) and Chase Montrose,

Their daughter Amy Green (late Ronald) and her children James Green & fiancé Deanna Bak, and Ronald & Katy Green (Ronnie),

Their son Andrew Apfeld and his daughter Korell Apfeld & Matt Treloar.

Gerry is survived by two sisters Marie Karlson (late Leonard) and Jeannette Vidler (late George), by two sisters-in-law Donna Warren and Margaret Warren and by many nieces and nephews.    He was predeceased by Eva’s siblings Emma & Jack Foulis, Ted & Lil Warren, Bob & Jacqueline Warren, Margaret & Fred Embury, Clinton Warren, Bill Warren and John & June Warren.

Gerry loved everything that Erieau had to offer.  He worked on the Alexander Leslie and for many years as a commercial fisherman.  He was one of the survivors of the tugboat explosion in 1955 and once was the village Fire Chief.  He could have described his life as perfect because there were so many good moments.  He loved and was loved back, he worked hard, he took any opportunity to teach children the art of fishing, he was extremely proud of his family and he spent his retirement days trying to catch a bigger fish than he did the day before with his best friend Randy Brown.

Gerry’s family will remember him privately.  Friends wishing to remember him are asked to consider supporting the Erieau Fire Department, St. Paul’s Anglican Church or teach a child how to fish.

Peacefully, Isabel Manning (nee Haines) went to heaven on May 6, 2020. Born March 31, 1927.  Beloved wife of Ralph Manning, of whom she has spent every day missing since his passing 11 years ago. Special mother to Candice McGuigan and her husband Al McGuigan. Lovingly remembered by Sonya Russchen (Brian), Kymberly Everitt and Breanne Davidson (Kevin) along with 6 great-grand children – Layla, Caleb, Harley, Haven, Beau and Grayson. Isabel was a woman who had strong faith in God and was a source of unconditional love to all who knew her. While the loss of her is painful, her family takes great comfort in the fact that she is finally at peace with Jesus, and reunited with the love of her life, Ralph. Family will remember Isabel privately, followed by interment at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Friends wishing to make a donation in memory of Isabel are asked to consider the Alzheimer Society of Chatham-Kent or ROCK Missions.

Steve Mihalco, a long-time resident of Blenheim, passed away on Sunday May 3, 2020 at the age of 84 years.  He will be missed by his wife of 63 years Shirley and their children Stephen Mihalco (Nicole), Scott Mihalco (Shelley) and Sally Mihalco, by his grandchildren Justin, Stephanie, Shai, Samantha, Spencer and Sierra as well as his great-grandson Luke.

Steve was the youngest of four children born to Anna & Stepan Mihalco and was predeceased by his sisters Annie Lovecky (John), Margaret Muir, Mary Legue (Walt) and sister in-law Cheryle DeJager.  He will be remembered by his brothers-in-law Frank Muir and Dennis DeJager (Janice).  He will also be remembered by several nieces and nephews.

Steve worked for many years as an Electrical Contractor, contributing too many important buildings in the community of Chatham-Kent. In his retirement, he enjoyed developing his subdivision, gardening, cutting the grass and sitting in front of the fire watching TV.

A private family gathering will take place followed by a committal service officiated by Fr. John Juhl at Evergreen Cemetery.

Friends wishing to remember Steve with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Peacefully, at the Blenheim Community Village, Betty Lou went to heaven on Thursday April 30, in her 85^th year.  Betty Lou was born in Harwich Township to Samuel George and Jean Elizabeth Sloan (Maynard)  On May 1, 1954 she married Bryce Baker, the love of her life, and they walked hand in hand as they lovingly welcomed Susan (Tom) Hebblethwaite, Brent  (Agnes), Cheryl (Bruce) Ross,       and Bradley (Leisa). Adding to her joy were grandchildren, Tammy (John), Amanda, Lauren (Devon Taylor), Matthew (Christianne) Hebblethwaite; Kyle and Kelsie Baker; Nick (Clara) VanDyk, Carmen (Matt) Cox, Hannah Ross; Scott, Laura and Stephanie Baker.  8 great grandchildren completed her joy.

Betty Lou’s surviving siblings are Ralph (Bonnie) Sloan, Barbara (Jim) Donnelly, Norine (Allan) Duck and Lyle (Pat) Sloan. Many nieces and nephews were very important and loved by her.  Also survived by her loved Baker family – Shirley Jensen, George and Marilyn Baker, Wayne and Shirley Baker, Lorraine and Ray Dhaen, David and Susan Baker.  Predeceased by her brother Gordon Sloan and in-laws Gordon and Donna Baker, Tom Jensen, and Irvine Baker.

Betty Lou & Bryce worked together at their business, Baker Farm Equipment with son Brent for many years. In 1994, Betty Lou graduated from St. Clair College and began her work as a Red Cross Homemaker, helping to make the lives of seniors better in their own homes. Betty Lou was a lover of her God and her New Scotland United Church family where she served many roles – Sunday School teacher, Messenger leader, life UCW member, choir member (until Dec. 2018), VBS snack lady, and the “Cards and Flowers lady”.  Music, books, baking, flowers and gathering her family to celebrate special occasions filled her life.

Much thanks goes to those who recently cared for Betty Lou: CarePartners, (especially her loved  PSW Tena), Dr. Rachel Simmons, the Alzheimers Society of Chatham-Kent, nurses and medical staff at CKHA Continuing Care and the very capable and caring staff in Long Term Care at the Blenheim Community Village.

A private family service will be held at New Scotland United Church with Pastor Melodee Lovering officiating.  A private family interment at Evergreen Cemetery will follow the service.

Those wishing to honour Betty Lou’s life with a donation are asked to consider New Scotland United Church or the Canadian Cancer Society.

To view the slide show created by Betty Lou’s granddaughter Hannah Ross, click link below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dGN8Fa9APbRJruCkb4NyZmUtP6zyofio/view?usp=drive_web

Late in the evening of Monday, April 27th, 2020. Benjamin John Bryant passed away suddenly and peacefully at the age of 38 in his home in London, Ontario.

Patricia (Pat) Anne Copeland of Oil Springs passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Sunday April 26, 2020.  She was born 67 years ago to her late parents Lorne & Helen Powell and was raised in Blenheim with her brothers, the late Harry Powell (Jackie), Jim Powell and her sisters Arlene Powell and Pam Lucio (Rick).

Pat will be forever loved by her daughter Nikki, her husband Jeff and their children Owen, Liam and Lila Davies. She will also be greatly missed by her extended family and friends.

Family will remember Pat privately on Thursday April 30, 2020 followed by interment in Evergreen Cemetery.  Friends wishing to make a memorial donation are asked to consider the London Regional Cancer Program or your local food bank.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Randy Wilkinson on April 23, 2020 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.  Randy was born on January 9, 1957 to Arthur and Betty (Wood) Wilkinson who have predeceased him.  Randy is also predeceased by his brother Steve.

He is survived by his children, Emily (Erich), Jodi (David), Jeremy (Jenn), Jessica (Ryan), Derek (Courtney), his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by his brother Neil (Sandi) and sister-in-law Tracy.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Erie St Clair LHIN and VON Canada (especially Karen) for all of their help during the past two months.

Friends wishing to remember him with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Cancer Society, VON Canada or the charity of your choice.

Anne Elizabeth (Horley) Armstrong, much loved wife of 60 years to Carl Armstrong and mother of Brad (Patti) and Brenda passed away on April 20, 2020 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.  Anne will be remembered fondly by her grandchildren Jessica and Brent Wilbur and by her great-grandchildren Lucas, Zachary and Dylan Wilbur.  Special Aunt to Scott Berry, Kirk and Deb Berry, Brent and Hedi Berry.

Anne was the daughter of Lorne (1980) and Mabel (1968) Horley and daughter in law of John (1980) and Ada (1973) Armstrong.  She was predeceased by her brother Glenn Horley (1959).

Sister in law of Jean Cates & the late Don (1986) and Eileen (1996) and Harold (1997) Berry.

Anne’s family will remember her privately on Thursday April 23, 2020.  Interment will take place in Merlin Cemetery.  Friends wishing to remember her with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Ronald McDonald House or the Diabetes Association.  Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with funeral arrangements.  Online condolences for the family and memorial donations may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com