Robert “Bob” Asselin, age 73 of Blenheim Ontario, much loved husband of Elaine (Kuley) Asselin passed away on May 31, 2020.  They were married 48 years.

Bob was born in Port Arthur, Ontario and was predeceased by his parents Maurice and Lorna (Morehouse).  He is survived by aunts, uncles and cousins.

Bob spent his early years in Atikokan and Thunder Bay.  During his teens he worked in Quetico Park on the portage crew at French Lake and later as foreman of the Junior Ranger Camp.  He had a special love and knowledge of Quetico Park and continued to return through the years to enjoy canoeing and backpacking with family and friends, sharing that knowledge, experiences and adventures with them.

His career as an educator led him to many parts of Ontario.  He was employed by the Nipigon Red Rock Board of Education, Fort Frances Rainy River Board of Education and Lambton Kent District School Board.  As an educator, Bob was a teacher, principal, administrator, consultant, curriculum co-ordinator and Superintendent of Education (Curriculum).  He was actively involved in the profession and his accomplishments were many.

While continuing his career in education, he received his Bachelor of Arts from Lakehead University (1974) and Masters of Education, Advanced Level from the University of Minnesota (1979).  After retiring in 2000, Bob completed a Masters of Business Administration in Information Technology Management from Athabaska University (2004).

In each community that Bob lived in, he strongly believed in giving back to the communities through his affiliations and memberships with many service clubs and organizations.  He served in many areas, some of which included Elementary Men Teachers Federation, Board Member of the Police Commissioners of Fort Frances, Director of Operation Aware, Board Member of Chatham-Kent Family YMCA, Capital Theatre and hockey & wrestling coach in Hurkett/Dorion.  Bob was a Rotarian for many years in Fort Frances and Chatham-Kent and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow for his various works within Rotary.  Because of his profession, community service, interests and having lived in different communities, Bob developed many friendships over the years.

Bob was a caring and generous person.  Anything he undertook, he did it with passion.  He always enjoyed getting together with family & friends and had many interests from canoeing, hunting, fishing, prospecting, wine making, cooking, travelling and reading.  Bob especially loved spending time at the family camp at Nydia Lake.

In dealing with health issues during the past 6 years Bob remained determined, strong and never complained.  He remained positive and looked to the future.  His hearty laugh was a joy to hear.  Much appreciation to all the Doctors, Nurses and Health Care providers who were connected with Bob over the past few years, to close friends who visited and spent time with Bob, and family & friends who kept in touch.

Bob will be dearly missed by many but especially by his wife Elaine.

As per Bob’s wishes, cremation has taken place.  A private time of remembrance in celebration of his life will be held at a later date.  Donations in Bob’s memory can be made to the London Health Sciences Foundation, Kidney Foundation of Canada, Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada or a charity of choice.

I will miss you Bob and you will remain in my heart forever.

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Anthony James Ondrovcik (Jim) of Highgate.  Predeceased by parents Tony and Marie Ondrovcik (Burk).  Loving husband of Anne.  Loving father and stepfather of Cheryl Bechard (Jim), Holly Cazabon (Kevin), Brad Ondrovcik (Marika), Tony Ondrovcik, Kate Semple (Matt), Daniel Ondrovcik (Malini), Kristal Chahal (Mike), Paul Durocher (Michelle).  Jim will be greatly missed by grandchildren Natasha, Hayden, Owen, Charles, Seeger, James, Keaton, Avery, Mitchell and many nieces and nephews.  Loving brother of Joyce Reissner (Ray), Nancy Greaves (Terry), Mike Ondrovcik (Dave), Tim Ondrovcik (Nancy), Wendy Ondrovcik, Margaret Ondrovcik (late Dave) and Robert Laidlaw-Ondrovcik.

Cremation will take place and a celebration of Jim’s life will be held later.  Friends wishing to remember Jim are asked to donate to the Mary Webb Centre in Highgate (P.O. Box 30, Highgate Ontario N0P 1T0).

Joanne May Morton of Chatham passed away on Thursday May 28, 2020.  She was born 46 years ago, loving daughter of Nancy & Brian Morton and will missed tremendously by her sister Jennifer Egan (Darryl).

Until a recent move to Chatham, Blenheim was home for Joanne and it was also where she made a life for the people she loved the most; her sons Randy (Lydia), Ryan and Steven Park.  Her number one priority was to be a great Mom which came naturally to her.  She was always there to encourage their choices in life and she was their number one cheerleader at all of their hockey and baseball games.  Joanne had a gift of helping people and through her work with the Tri-County Literacy Network she was able to help many succeed in life.  She will be missed.

Cremation will take place and a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.  Friends wishing to remember Joanne with a memorial donation are asked to consider Chatham-Kent Community Living or a Charity of Choice.

On Tuesday, May 26, 2020, lifelong Erieau resident Susie Attewell passed away at her home at the age of 73.

She leaves behind sons Craig (Susan) Attewell & Albert (Susan) Attewell along with grandchildren Gabe (Meaghan) O’Brien, Jeffrey ( Andrea) O’Brien and Libby Attewell and great grandchildren Addison and Parker O’Brien.  She will also be missed by her best friend and sister Bertha (Brian) Case, her brothers Jim (Janice) Fulkerson, Mark (Gail) Fulkerson, and her friends from the coffee shop.

Susie was predeceased by her parents Albert (Bud) & Audrey Fulkerson.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Ronald McDonald House of Southwestern Ontario or the Word of Life Soup Kitchen in Blenheim.

A celebration of Susie’s life will take place at a later date.

Marjorie “Diane” Pinsonneault of Chatham and formerly of Blenheim passed away in London on Sunday May 24, 2020.  Diane was born 69 years ago to Marjorie (Morgan) & the late Douglas Burke.  She was one of three siblings and was predeceased by her brothers Larry Burke and Bruce Burke.

If you knew Diane, you would have witnessed the unconditional love that she had for her family.  She was blessed with two children in her life; Laura Pinsonneault and Kevin Pinsonneault and was blessed even further when she was given the name Grandma by Brayden, Kaycie and Jodilyn.

Diane retired after a long-time career as a Developmental Service Worker at Southwestern Regional Centre.  The care and compassion she showed to everyone she worked with was commendable and she was respected by all.  She was a woman of faith who knew that God would walk beside her and for that she was thankful.  She will be remembered fondly by her church family and friends at The Gathering Place in Ridgetown.

Friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Cremation will follow with a private family interment of Diane’s urn at a later date.

Friends wishing to remember Diane with a memorial donation are asked to consider The Gathering Place in Ridgetown.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions in place, only 10 people will be allowed inside the Funeral Home at one time.

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.