Wendy Gale Sykes, much loved daughter of the late Vi and Roy Sykes passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Monday April 1, 2020.

Wendy’s greatest joy in life was her children.  She will be missed greatly by her son Gabe Sykes with his daughter Fiona and her mother Melissa as well as Gigette Burk with her children Nathan, Kainaen and Neven.  She will also be missed by her brother Robert Sykes, her nieces and nephews and their families.

Cremation has taken place.  Family and friends will have an opportunity to gather at a later date when Wendy’s urn is placed in Pardoville Cemetery with her father.

Sue Newman of Cedar Springs passed away peacefully in the still of the night on Monday March 30, 2020.  She was 75 years old.  She leaves behind the two people who looked up to her most in life; her daughter Leanne Crawford (Steven) and her son Mike Newman.  She will be missed by her grandchildren Evan Vaughan (Marie-Philip), Daniel Vaughan (Teneshia), Matthew Crawford (Jayde), Josh Crawford (Alison), Stevie Crawford (Mackenzie), by ten great-grandchildren and by many nieces and nephews.  In 2001 she was predeceased by her husband of 34 years, Lorne Newman.  She was also predeceased by her parents Dorothy & Lee Thomas and by her only brother George Thomas.

Sue drew strength in life through her faith in God.  She was a long-time member of Cedar Springs United Church until its closing and then became a member of the Fourth Line United Church.  It was that faith that allowed her to face the future unafraid these past few weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.  She was very grateful for the kindness that was shown to both her and to her family by the doctors and nurses at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.

Sue will be remembered as a kind and caring neighbour, a great friend and a person who left this world a better place.  She mastered the art of making butter tarts and always had some on hand in the freezer…just in case.

Cremation will take place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with funeral arrangements.    Friends wishing to remember Sue with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Westover Treatment Centre.

Jim Luke of Blenheim passed away on Sunday March 29, 2020.  He leaves behind his soulmate of over 37 years Jane Pope, her daughter Karen & Mike Parren and their daughter Marla of England, his brother Richard & Bonnie Luke of Newmarket and his sister-in-law Janice Smith & Terry Fiala of Blenheim.  He was predeceased by his parents Reginald & Mabel (Herman) Luke, his sister Elizabeth Mortlock and his brothers Jack and Wayne Luke.

Jim was a quiet man in life who wished for the same when his time was done here on earth.  His family will remember him privately.  Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with funeral arrangements.

It is with great sadness we share the news that Robert “Jack” Osborne has passed away shortly after his 83^rd birthday.  He passed peacefully, embraced in love by family and all of the wonderful people who have cared for him the last 3 ½ years at the Blenheim Community Village.

Jack was born March 14, 1937 and was predeceased by his parents Charles and Gladys (McKay-Gosnell) Osborne, by his wife Jane (Holdaway) Osborne and by his siblings.  He is survived by his brother Hal Gosnell.

Jack was an extremely quiet and private man who lived his life on his terms.  He was a truck driver, a skier, a sailor, an amateur pilot and skydiver, a fisherman and a traveller…  He loved animals, he loved a cold beer and he loved living in Erieau which he affectionately called his “drinking village with a fishing problem”.

As per Jack’s wishes, NOTHING was to be done after he passed.  So those wishing to honour him…

RAISE A GLASS TO JACK!

CHEERS!!!

Lyle Clayton Drewery passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 under the continued loving care of The Village on the Ridge, Ridgetown, Ontario.  Lyle was born on January 24, 1921 to Gladys (Bennett) and Addison “Mac” Drewery in Charing Cross, Ontario, where he was raised and spent his life farming. He married the love of his life, Doreen Elenore Iles in 1945 and they made their home on his mother’s farm in Charing Cross until he retired.  He and Doreen then relocated to Blenheim, Ontario. They were married 67 years at the time of Doreen’s passing. Lyle & Doreen were members of the Kent Kennel Klub for a long time with Lyle being the Treasurer for many years. He and Doreen raised & showed Collies & Shelties under the name of Drewlane Kennels.  Lyle also greatly enjoyed many years of fishing, especially on the French River, playing hockey and curling in more youthful days, playing cards and being together with good friends. He had a quick wit and a great sense of humour, always sharing a good joke. Lyle was a member of the Century Masonic Lodge, Merlin, Ontario and was named Master of the Chatham District in 1986, which he greatly enjoyed.

Lyle leaves behind one sister, Audrey (Drewery) Card, of Fraser, Michigan, U.S.A., his beloved nephew Daniel Card and wife Mary (Lee) Card,  his niece Joy (Card) Robeson and husband Lafayette Robeson, his nieces Patricia (Mills) Frederick and husband Robert Frederick, Wendy (Mills) Scott,  and his nephew Graham Mills and husband Greg O’Neill, and several great & great great nephews and nieces.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the many caregivers at The Village on the Ridge who consistently provided such loving care to their beloved uncle, Lyle.   He will be greatly missed by all.

Arrangements are being handled by Blenheim Community Funeral Home.  Cremation has taken place. A private, graveside family gathering will be held at Pardoville Cemetery at a later date where Lyle will be interred beside his loving wife Doreen.

Arlene Anne Majek of Erie Beach was called home on Thursday March 5, 2020 at the age of 83 years.  Arlene will be missed by her children Randy Stoner (Katherine), Lindy Majek (Bob), Mary Kay McEachren and Todd Majek (Jennifer), by 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, by her sister Dianne Roelofs (Gerry), sister in law Fern Stoner and many nieces and nephews.  She will also be missed by her neighbour and best friend Barb Drew.  Arlene was predeceased by her parents Fred & Elizabeth Stoner, her sister Doreen (Victor) Newby and her brothers Roger and Kenneth Stoner.

In keeping with Arlene’s wishes, cremation has taken place.  Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday March 14, 2020 where visitation will take place from 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. A Funeral Service conducted by Pastor Bill Terris will take place at 1:00 p.m.

Friends wishing to remember Arlene are asked to consider Pet & Wildlife Rescue or the Big Fix Grassroots Cat Rescue.

It is with such sadness we share that our dad, Lloyd “Neil” Wellwood of Merlin passed away on Wednesday March 4, 2020.  He was born 80 years ago to the late Lloyd & Margaret “Elda” (Devlaminck) Wellwood and was raised beside his siblings who he loved very much Diane (late John) Halliday of Kingsville, Marlene & Brad DeLyzer of Merlin and Keith & Ann Wellwood of Merlin.

As a young man, Dad met the love of his life (and ours), Cheryl (Eldridge).  On February 26, 1966 they married and started writing chapters in a book that would span over 48 years before Mom predeceased him in 2014.  They were both great role models who gave us the tools and confidence we needed to raise five loving grandchildren Rebekah (Marius), Joe, Meg, Grace, Cole and one great-grandson Quentin.

Although we are biased, we believe that we had the best dad that two daughters could ever ask for.  He always gave 110% of himself and said that work came before play.  He taught us that huge tasks could be accomplished with ease when a family worked together.  He had the greatest respect for the land, for his neighbours, for his friends and for his church.  All through his life he remained humble, placing the needs of others before his own.  He always made sure to call people by their first name when he saw them because he wanted them to know how important they were to him.

Any good deed that Dad did in his life was not for fame or glory, but was done out of love and respect.  He accomplished great things and will be missed.  His determination will continue in us and in our families.  We will always remember the day Dad passed away, “March fourth” more as his legacy to us which will be to “March forth” and continue to make this world a better place.

As we prepare to write the last chapter of our Dad’s book, we invite family and friends to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will take place on Friday from 2 – 5 and 7 – 9 p.m.  A Funeral Service will be held in Charing Cross United Church on Saturday March 7, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.  Following the interment in Pardoville-Union Cemetery we ask you to please join us at the Merlin Hall for dinner.

We love you so much Dad,

Colleen & Dennis Garlough and Joan & Sandy Matthew

It is with saddened heart to announce the passing of Henry Frank Pokornik on Wednesday March 4, 2020 at the age of 90.  Henry was the beloved husband of Phyllis (Payne) Pokornik and son of the late Bessie and Frank Pokornik.  He is survived by his siblings Frank Pokornik and Mary Goodison and was predeceased by his brother Jerry Pokornik.

Henry was a certified welder and machinist.  He was a family member of the Frank Pokornik & Sons business.  He was the person who designed and fabricated the cradle that holds the Town of Blenheim bell.   He will be remembered for many years to come on New Years Eve when everyone gathers to ring in the new year.

There will be no visitation or service.  Cremation has taken place.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

John William Nealey of Chatham and formerly of Blenheim passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Monday March 2, 2020 at the age of 78 years.  He will be missed by his loving wife Linda (McLean) Nealey who he was married to for over 54 years and by his sons Glen Nealey, Len Nealey and John Nealey.  Survived by his siblings Jim Rooks, Lee Rooks, Glenna Skarbo, Ian Rooks, Lynn (Shawn) Noury and Maureen Rooks.  Predeceased by his sister Sharon Anderson.

John was raised near Bothwell and attended High School in Glencoe.  He served in the Army being stationed in Egypt.  He drove truck for many years until his retirement and was able to see many parts of Canada and the United States with Linda by his side.

Cremation has taken place.  A Funeral Service for John will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Sunday March 8, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.  Friends wishing to remember him are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice or the Cancer Society.  Online condolences for the family and memorial donations may be left at www.blenhiemcommunityfuneralhome.com

Madeline Donahue, much loved mother of Michael and his wife Angela and grandmother of William and Christopher, passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Sunday February 23, 2020.   She was predeceased by her husband Bill in 1971.

Madeline was born in Tilbury 88 years ago; one of 7 children born to Leah and Adelore Benoit and is survived by one sister Lorine Goodreau of Tilbury.  She was predeceased by her sisters Dorothy McKinlay, Corine Bechard, Bertha Pickering, and her brothers Clarence and Leo Benoit.

Madeline was a part of the Southwestern Regional Centre family, working in the dietary department until her retirement.  She was a kind and caring person who made friends with ease.  Madeline had a great sense of humor and a contagious laugh.  She loved golfing, playing cards, and watching Ohio State football as well as making rice crispy treats and strawberry jam with her grandsons. She will be dearly missed by her lifelong friend and co-worker, Molly Meloche of Rondeau, and all the wonderful friends she made at the Chatham Retirement Resort.

On her retirement Madeline spent six months of each year with Michael and Angela in California where she was able to form an unbreakable bond with her grandsons whom she simply adored.

It was Madeline’s wish that this stage of her life be regarded with quiet dignity.  Cremation will take place and her urn will be interred with her husband Bill in California.