Our mother, Ada Wright, passed away this morning on Tuesday October 15, 2024.  She was born in Chatham on May 11, 1933 and walked this earth for over 91 years…58 of them with our father Bill Wright who passed away ten years ago.

Mom was the eldest in a family of three girls who have stuck together through thick and thin.  She, Aunt Joyce Guerin (Bill) and Aunt Brenda Rumble (late Ted) were always a strong presence in each others lives and were role models for generations to come.  Mom was predeceased by her parents Harry & Velma (Walker) Payne, and her infant brother Earl Payne.

Mom and Dad were married on July 7, 1956 and started their family that would come to include Kelly Wright & Gary Oliver, Craig Wright & Lynne Sears and Philip Wright & Kerstin Essmann.  She was proud of all of us and when our families grew to include grandchildren (great-grandchildren):  Jared & Emma Oliver (Henry and George), Blayne Oliver & Mackenzie Aldridge, Kary & Edwin Phillip, Andrew Wright, Stacey & Brad Gulliver (William and Finnegan), Matthew Wright & Brittany Brassard, Tiffany & Jason Lafortune (Oliver and Levi), Tyler Oliver (Hannah) and Vincent & Veronica Oliver (Violet), she was over the top proud of each and every one of us.  She was “Auntie Ada” to many nieces and nephews.

Mom was a school teacher who had an uncanny ability to remember something special about each one of her students.  She saw the potential that each child had, and she drew on those things because she understood that positive expectations from a teacher would influence positive outcomes from a student.   She gave respect and she received it back tenfold.  It always made her day when a former student stopped her on the street to talk to her.  She was happy, when at the age of 70 she took a job at the funeral home and got to meet so many families whose lives she had been a part of.

Always a teacher, always a student, Mom was quick to share her words of wisdom and always kept an open mind to learning new things.  At the age of 90 she took up playing a ukulele.  She joined the Fit Club in Blenheim and worked out three times a week.  She would have said that beer doesn’t hurt anybody and if you go to Sons of Kent or the Red Barn, you’ll find a flavour that you like.  She did her best to leave this world a better place than she found it, to make everybody feel important and instil values in us that we will carry forward and make her proud.  She would have told us to be kind, be respectful and to look for the best in people.  She would have told us to live our lives so that at the end of the day we would be able to look in the mirror, shake hands with ourselves and say “I’ve done my best”.

Thank you to everyone who made a difference in her life and helped her out in the past few years.  She was blessed beyond words.

Visitation for Mom will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday October 19, 2024 from 2:00 – 5:00 & 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.  A private family interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery with a Celebration of Life at a later date (to be determined).

Family and friends wishing to remember Mom with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Blenheim United Church or the Blenheim Youth Centre which were near and dear to her heart.

Joseph Clark Longe, a resident of Ridgetown and formerly of Blenheim passed away with his family by his side at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on October 13, 2024.  He is survived by his wife of 68 years Frankie (Bell) Longe, his sons Frank and Fred (Wendy), his grandchildren Nadine & Ryan, Sara, Margaret, Curtis, Rachael & Jason and Chelsea, his great-grandchildren Jaden, Jude, Kaydence and Olivia, Jessie and his great-great grandchildren Frankie and Noah.  He was predeceased by his son Bill and wife Sandra Longe.

Joe was born on October 14, 1935 to the late Clark & Margaret (Sharpe) Longe.  He became a 2^nd Class Stationary Engineer, spending the first part of his career working on lake freighters and the second part of his career working at and retiring from the Southwestern Regional Centre.  He was the kind of man who was always ready with a smile and a story, a man who worked hard and never sat still, and a man who liked to solve problems and make sure that things were done right.  His hard working hands are now at rest.

It was Joe’s wish that his family remember him privately at this time.  Friends wishing to remember him with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice https://chathamkenthospicefoundation.com/donations/

With heavy hearts we say good-bye to a father, brother and friend Franciscus (Frank) Vercouteren, who passed away Friday, October 11, 2024.

Born June 12, 1938 to the late Theodore Vercouteren Sr. (1983), Wilhelmina Luke (1942) and Alida Pijpers (2011).

Husband to Theresa (Geelen) (2014).  Survived by two children, Janet Fulkerson and Michael Vercouteren.  Grandfather to 5 grandchildren; Tanner, Megan, Erica, Amanda and Kyle, and two great grandchildren Dexter and Lennon.   Brother to Maria (1938), Marie, Theodore Jr (Mary Ellen), Alida Jacobs (Ronald) and Alfred (1968).  Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Frank was a busy man, always on the go.  Upon leaving High School he was involved with Cadet training at the Chatham Armories.  He married Theresa, a Ridgetown girl, and was elected to the Ridgetown Council at age 25.  He became a licensed hairdresser and worked beside Theresa at their shop, then he started in Real Estate becoming a broker in Blenheim and operating Vercouteren Real Estate Ltd in 1970 for the next 35 years.  He was a member of the Chatham-Kent Real Estate Board and the Appraisal Institute of Canada.  He was a member of the Canadian Pheasant Association in 1980, operating a breeding hatchery, raising ornamental pheasants, peacocks and quail on his hobby farm.  He chaired the International Kent County Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Show in 1979.

Frank was elected to the Blenheim Council in 1980, serving 15 years and was elected Reeve of the Kent County Council in 1988.  He was a councillor for Chatham-Kent, Ward 2 from 1999 – 2018, Commissioner on the Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission, President of the Blenheim District Chamber of Commerce, Past Chairman of the Blenheim Business Improvement Association, member of the Chatham-Kent Fires Advisory Board, member of the Blenheim Mosse Lodge, the Blenheim Royal Canadian Legion Branch 185, Chairman of the Blenheim Arena, Chairman of the Chatham-Kent Seniors Fair Committee, Chairman of the Agriculture Hall of Fame Committee and Vice Chair of the B.F.I. Advisory Committee.  He was a licensed Auctioneer and an Associate Broker with O’Brien South Kent Realty Inc.  Frank was a 3^rd Degree Knight and member of St. Raphael Council 8435, Ridgetown.  The Knights will do an honour guard at the funeral on Thursday.

Frank’s friends characterized him as a good guy.  If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have many things.  He was fair and honest in his dealings with people.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m.

Frank was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.  A Celebration of life and Holy Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church on Thursday October 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Romeo presiding.  He will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery beside his wife Theresa.

In lieu of flowers, as an expression of remembering Frank, please consider a donation to P.A.W.R., St. Mary’s Building Fund or a charity of your choice.

Special thanks to staff and caregivers of the 4^th and 6^th floor at Riverview Gardens for their special care.

In loving memory of Ethel Emily Jennings, a cherished soul who brought warmth and light to all who knew her.  Ethel was a devoted mother to her four children – Rick, Tony, Annette and Margaret, and a beloved wife to her late husband, Christopher, who passed in 2019.  Her faith,  kindness, strength and unwavering love made an impact on everyone around her.  Ethel’s legacy of love and compassion will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.  She will be deeply missed but her spirit will forever shine in our memories.

There will be a celebration of life on Oct 26, 2024 at the Blenheim Baptist Church at 11am with a light lunch to follow.

Jeannette Snobelen passed away in Windsor on Sunday October 6, 2024.  She was born 84 years ago to her late parents Carman & Alice Faubert.  Following Alice’s death when Jeannette was only ten years old, her father remarried, giving her a second mother Dorothy who also predeceased her.

She will be missed greatly by her daughters Sandra Zarankin (Dave) and Lori Fenison (Jason), by her grandchildren Zachary, Alex, Karlie & Zak and Payton, as well as her great grandchildren Harrison, Hugh, Billie, Analaya, Ty and Cade.  There were two very sad times in her life; losing her husband Wayne in 2001 and her son Gregory in 2021.

Jeannette enjoyed a childhood of 8 brothers and sisters.  She is survived by her sisters Rita Russell (late Brad), Diane Medd (late Bill), Pat Reid (late Barry), Wanita Bishop and her brothers Ron Faubert (Shirley) and Mike Faubert.  She was predeceased by her sister Doreen Grant (survived by Larry) and her brother Carman & his wife Ann Faubert.

Growing up in a large family has its advantages…you have a strong support system as you grow, you learn how to share and you learn how to forgive and get along with others.  Jeannette was an example of those qualities.  She was thoughtful and caring, she loved family get-togethers, especially Christmas, and she valued close relationships.

Jeannette spent many years working in the Business Office at Southwestern Regional Centre.  She enjoyed many years living near Erie Beach.  After she had a stroke and needed some extra help, she moved to LaSalle to live with her daughter.  When she lost her ability to speak, her resilience shone through and she continued to communicate through modern technology on her phone.   On October 6^th she suffered one more stroke but this time it was too severe and she passed away with her family by her side.  She was loved beyond measure.

Visitation for Jeannette will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday October 11, 2024 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. which will be followed by a Funeral Service conducted by Rev. Paul McPhail.  Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

Douglas Lloyd Wright passed away in Chatham on Monday, October 7th, 2024, at the age of 93 years; he was predeceased by his first wife, Lea Szucs and second wife, Bertha Wright (Delanghe, Blommaert)

Proud Father of the late Lesa Jansen, survived by Henry Jansen, Lori and Daniel Collins, Lloyd, and Michele Wright. Stepfather of the late Janet Cunningham, survived by Allan Cunningham, Dennis and Jacalyn Blommaert, Michelle and Marco Wright Convertino, and Steven and Lynn Martin.

Grandpa to Doug (Melissa) Jansen, Craig (Natalie) Jansen, Erica (Rob) Girimonte, Bryanna Alexander, Lea Wright, Mike Cunningham and Jocelyn, Heather Cunningham, and Jennifer (Mike) Rice.

Great Grandpa to Tanner, Taylor, Maci, Hunter, Brody, Hayden and Audrey.

Doug was predeceased by his parents, Ivan and Arletta Wright, and his sister, Beatrice Watson Guy.

He was a respected farmer in the Merlin area for many years. He was a kind and gentle soul who would say his family was the thing he was most proud of in life.

Visitation will occur at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 9th, from 2 to 5 p.m. Rev. Eric Skillings will conduct a funeral service at the funeral home on Thursday, October 10th, 2024, at 11 a.m.

The interment will be at Pardoville Cemetery, where Douglas will be laid to rest.

Friends planning an expression of remembrance are asked to consider the Blenheim Medical Health Hub https://blenheimhealthhub.com/donate/ .

Edward Lloyd Pratt of Blenheim passed away on Sunday October 6, 2024.  He will be forever missed by his wife of 52 years Linda (Peltier), their children Sherrie Cofell (Jeff) and Aaron Pratt as well as their grandchildren Ethan Ryan, Quinn, Aja, Ariana and Annabelle Cofell.

Born 74 years ago to his late parents Robert & Marjorie (Lloyd) Pratt, Ed was predeceased in life by his only sister Shirley.  He will be remembered by Linda’s brothers Gary Peltier (Rhonda Cowell) and Dave Peltier (Brenda).

A man who always liked to keep busy, Ed loved the outdoors, he loved camping, he loved old cars and he loved fixing things.  He was happiest when his hands were dirty and his tool boxes were full.  He farmed for a time, he worked for the township and he and Linda both retired from Peeters Mushroom plant.  He was one of the good guys in this world.  Nothing brought him more peace and contentment in life than simply being a good husband and father.  He didn’t do the things he did for the recognition or the fanfare; he did them because he cared.  He was kind and humble.

It was Ed’s wish that this part of his life be shared quietly with his immediate family.  Cremation will take place and he will be laid to rest with his parents in Pardoville Cemetery.

Family and friends wishing to remember Ed with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Cancer Society https://cancer.ca/en/ways-to-give/personal-donation.

Kenneth Riehl passed away on October 6^th, 2024 at his home in Ridgetown, Ontario.

Kenn was born on September 20^th, 1979 to his parents James Wellington Riehl and Margaret Diane Riehl.  He leaves here on earth missing him his daughter, Alexis Ruby Riehl and his sister Jacqui Waddick.  He is predeceased by his sister Rebecca, grandparents Ron and Ruby Taylor and Wellington and Dorothy Riehl.  He will be missed by aunts, uncles and cousins.  His pets Diesel and Griffin will miss him along with his friends in Ridgetown.

Kenn’s family will remember him privately.  Family and friends wishing to remember him with a memorial donation are asked to consider the CHAPS program https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/6897 or the Alzheimer’s Society https://alzheimer.ca/chathamkent/en/take-action/donate .

With sadness the family announces the passing of Dorothy Anne Campbell of Blenheim on September 17, 2024 at the age of 89.  Anne was one of three children born to their late parents John and Alean (Duffin) Dixon.  She was predeceased by her sister Betty Allen and is survived by her sister Jacie Shaw (Ron) of Chatham.  Beloved mother of Eric Campbell (2008) (Linda Martin) and Jeff Campbell (Jacqui).  Grandmother of Kasandra Campbell (Joshua – Great grandchild), Josh Campbell, Sarah and Parker Campbell, Danielle and Nikole Martin Campbell.

Anne was born on May 21, 1935 and raised on a farm in Kent Bridge.  In typical Anne style she embarked on a career with London Life which transitioned into her passion of Real Estate for 50 years, which she believed to be the best job in the world.  As a single mother of 2, she had many challenges over the years but handled them with strength, determination and grace.

Anne love spending time with family, laughing, cooking, gardening and always wearing a smile.  She was a loving and caring person, devoted mother, grandmother and friend, always thinking of others first.  To know her was to Love her”.

The care and all of the staff at the Blenheim Community Nursing Home were exceptional.  Thanks you!

Donations to St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Erieau would be appreciated.  We will celebrate Anne’s life with appetizers and a glass of wine on Thursday October 10, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:30 at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home.  It will be an informal time of gathering and fellowship.  A family service will follow at a later date.

Irene Hall passed away in her sleep in the early morning hours of September 27, 2024 after living a life that marked 102 years on September 15^th.

To say that Irene’s life was incredible would be a testimony of the resilience, steadfastness and determination that she was forced to learn at a young age to become the person she was.  When she was eleven years old she was placed in a home in England with other children whose parents were unable to care for them.  Her departure from there at the age of 16 was soon followed by World War 2 and she found herself working midnights in a factory where they made bombs and folded parachutes for soldiers (a story that her great grandson loves to tell).  As her life unfolded, she met a young man named Albert Hall and they fell in love with each other.  In the days when she also worked late shifts as a barmaid, she saved Albert the good cigarettes and he brought her nylon stockings, both things that were scarce during the war.

Irene and Albert married and prior to their departure to Peru for three years, they became parents of two daughters Lynne Gardiner (late Bill Bourdeau) and Irene Hall.  The rest of their family who were born in Canada includes grandchildren Heather Gardiner (Franco Palazzi) and Melissa & James Traxler and great-grandchildren Hunter Baylis, Rylan Traxler and Grace Traxler.

“Nanny” as she was known to her granddaughters was one of the strongest willed women that they knew.  She was a cheeky tiny British lady who was spoiled by Albert who brought her a cup of tea every morning in bed complete with a cup and saucer.   Their love was exceptional and rare…when they kissed, they would always give three pecks.  Irene made amazing Yorkshire pudding, mincemeat, buns and yummy crispy pancakes.  She loved games and was known as the family cheater!  If you ever had the chance to play the game of Sorry or Haymarket, you always lost!   She loved soap operas and was an avid watcher of All My Children and One Life to Live until they both went off the air.  She loved to gamble, play scratch tickets and the slots.

Although the beginning and the end of Irene’s life presented challenges, the dash in between was a beautiful one.  Although her eyesight and hearing failed her in her final years, she looked forward to daily visits from Irene and Lynne who made sure she knew how much she was loved.

Visitation for Irene will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday October 1, 2024 from 11:00 – 11:30 which will be followed immediately by a funeral service conducted by Reverend Wanda Burse.

Friends wishing to remember Irene with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Blenheim Health Hub https://blenheimhealthhub.com/donate/ or the Chatham-Kent Hospice https://chathamkenthospicefoundation.com/donations/.