After a rich and wonderful life, Christina Blanchette passed away peacefully at the Blenheim Community Village on Friday February 21, 2020.  Born in Holland 97 years ago to her late parents Christian & Wilhelmina Van Zeist, Christina was the last member of her family, having been predeceased by her sisters Dien Hamer and Geret Weggalar as well as her brothers Gerrit, Herman, Rene and Albert Van Zeist.

Christina met and married her husband William Blanchette who was a Canadian soldier stationed in Holland.  After the war she and their first child Elise boarded a ship with six hundred other war brides and their children and headed to Canada where she was reunited with William.  Their family would grow to include six children; Elise Roy (late John), Rose Hamilton (John), Marianne Blanchette, Emile Blanchette (Connie), Raymond Blanchette (Pat) and Norman Blanchette.  Following William’s death in 1999, Christina moved to Blenheim to be closer to her family.  She enjoyed visits with her grandchildren Mark, Rick, Deb, Michael, Nicole, Jason, Wade, Ben, Katie, Tiffany and Josh as well as 19 great-grandchildren.

A time of visitation will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Sunday February 23, 2020 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.  Cremation will follow.  Friends wishing to remember Christina with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Quilters Guild.

Linda Breese, much loved wife of Ken Breese passed away at home on Saturday February 15, 2020.  Linda was born in Chatham 65 years ago to the late George & Mary Lou (Dawson) Crewe-Thompson and is survived by her sisters Lee & Earl Davidson and Charlene & John Ireland, her brothers Ed & Sheri Thompson and Michael & Sharla Thompson and her chosen sister Julie Zuo.

Linda and the late George Randall were the very proud parents of three boys; George Randall, Ed Randall and Tim & Missy Randall.  When Linda married Ken in 1995, her family grew to include Tina Wood and Adam Breese.  She will be remembered fondly by her grandchildren Geordan, Grace, Gabriel, Michael, Samantha, Dylon, Kaitlynn, Dylan, Ella, Alexa, Jocelyn, Megan and Sabrina, her great-grandchildren James, D-Andre and Luka, many nieces & nephews and her fur family.

It is said that you can take a child out of the country but you can’t take the country out of a child and Linda was a true example of that.  She loved the country.  She loved back yard barbeques and road trips with her family.  She loved loud music and a good game of euchre.  She was a hard working person whose faith in God was shown through the way she respected the world including all of her family friends over the years.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday February 19, 2020 where visitation will take place from 11:00 – 1:00 p.m.  A Funeral Service for Linda will take place at 1:00 p.m.  Refreshments will follow at Julie’s Restaurant.

Friends wishing to remember Linda with a memorial donation are asked to consider addressing two of her greatest concerns, the Lung Association in order to help others with COPD and the Pet & Wildlife Rescue to help animals.

Surrounded by his loving family, Lee Kirkwood of Blenheim passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Friday February 14, 2020 at the age of 77 years.  He leaves behind his sons Chris & Janice Kirkwood and Troy & Kelly Kirkwood both of Blenheim and his daughter Lindsay & Glenn Soucie of Amherstburg. He was the proud grandfather of Asher, Cohen, AJ, Charlotte, Brandon, Kashia, Shae-Lyn, Wade, Todd and Alexa and great-grandfather of Seth, Austin, Brady, Charlee and Noah.

Lee was one of four children born to the late Clarence & Elsie Kirkwood.  He is survived by his brother Gerry and his sister-in-law Pauline Kirkwood.  He was predeceased by his brother Clare Kirkwood and his sister Lorraine and her husband Ray Hands.

Lee worked for many years as the Manager of the Goderich Community Credit Union, retiring in 1999 and was a member of the London Real Estate Board.  He was an avid Red Wings fan who enjoyed golf, classic cars and dancing.  In 2008 he left his home in Westdell Beach and moved to Blenheim to be closer to his family.

It was Lee’s wish that his family would remember him in their own ways.  Cremation has taken place.  Friends wishing to remember Lee with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Fred Ryckman of Blenheim passed away with his family by his side on Wednesday February 12, 2020.  He was 69 years old.  He leaves behind his wife Pat (Nealey) Ryckman who he married 33 years ago but who he loved for many years before that and his son Jeff Dunlop (Candace).  He was predeceased by his son Mike Dunlop in 2018.

Fred was one of 8 children born to the late Neil & Alice (Kemp) Ryckman and is survived by his siblings Rose Ryckman (late Harold Want), Frances Hearns (late Art), Dorothy Ivison (Ken), Irene Bell (late John), Jim Ryckman and Kathryn Want (Ray).  He will be missed by many brothers and sisters in law, nieces and nephews, all of whom were his favourite.  He was predeceased by his infant brother Robert.

Fred was a country boy at heart.  He was raised in a time when helping your neighbour wasn’t a chore, but a natural order of the world.  He would do anything for anybody, any time of the day or night.  He was a loving son who took care of his mother after his dad died.  He was the man whose patience shone through while he helped folks at New Beginnings in Chatham.  He was humble and he was kind.  He and Pat enjoyed many cruises over the years with family and friends and had just returned from their final one together last month.

Family and friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Monday February 17, 2020 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday February 18, 2020 from 11:00 – 1:00 p.m.  A Funeral Service conducted by Pastor Bill Terris will follow at 1:00 p.m.  Interment to take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

Friends wishing to remember Fred with a memorial donation are asked to consider New Beginnings in Chatham so that they can continue to support survivors of acquired brain injuries and strokes as well as their families or the Canadian Cancer Society.

LAURIE, Jo-Anne (Nee Embury)

Peacefully and quietly yet with a little sass and attitude, the wings we always knew were there took flight and she left us on February 10th, 2020.   Gone to find her treasured son Mike and picking up Mandy, Snicker, Seagram, Chopper, Bumble and Hermie along the way.

Beloved wife of 59 years to Jim. The best mom ever to Jen and her husband Michael Bush and the late Mike (2011).  Loving and often hilarious grandma of Tyler and his mother Liz, and grand dogs Nugget and Timber.  Predeceased by her parents Ken and Evelyn Embury.  Much adored sister of Ken and his wife Sheila, Kim and her husband Terry St. Pierre and the late Bruce Embury. Caring sister-in-law of Carol Embury, Shirley Dawson, the late Gord and the late George Laurie. A very special aunt to her nieces and nephews. A kind and wonderful lady to many.  Following her wishes cremation has taken place. A time to remember Jo-Anne will be held on Monday, February 17th. 2020 from 2 pm to 4 pm at Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 53 Stanley Street, Blenheim, 519 676 9200.  In lieu of flowers please consider donations to your local humane society or animal shelter.

Rene Maurice Delanghe passed away at the Blenheim Community Village on Sunday February 2, 2020, his 72^nd birthday.  Cherished son of Yvonne (Rosseel) and the late Henry Delanghe.

Rene was the beloved husband of Judy (Chinnick) Delanghe for 50 years.  He was a loving father to Karen Pieters and her husband Chris of Waterloo, Jennifer Roberts and her husband Allan of Kitchener and Amy Coatsworth and her husband Matthew of Chatham.  He will be lovingly remembered by six grandchildren Lynn and Kyle Pieters, Brooke and Chelsey Roberts and Noah and Lyla Coatsworth.

Dear brother of Delores Lucier (Paul) and Arlene Pertan (Joe), brother-in-law to Gary Chinnick (Anne), Rick Chinnick (Karen), Gail Blonde (Peter), Robin Chinnick (Alicia), Bonnie Rikley (late Reg), Phill Rikley (Bella) and Steve Rikley (Barbara).  Predeceased by his sisters-in-law Nancy Rikley and Cheryl Chinnick.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Rene was an outgoing, friendly person who enjoyed socializing with others.  He had a passion for roller coasters and trips to Myrtle Beach.  He owned and operated a fruit farm with his wife Judy for 42 years.

Visitation will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday February 5, 2020 from 7 – 9 p.m. and again on Thursday February 6, 2020 from 10 – 11 a.m. followed immediately by a Funeral Service at 11:00.  Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

Friends wishing to remember Rene with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Cancer Society (directed to either Brain Tumor or Prostate Cancer Research).

Wilhelmina “Wilma” Hummel, forever loved wife of the late Reinder Hummel (2018) passed away peacefully on Sunday January 26, 2020 at the age of 83.  Wilma was the loving mother of Pieter (Diane) Hummel, Mary (Brian) Ford, Willem (Lori) Hummel, and Shirley Urry.  Proud grandmother of 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.  Dear sister of Jan (Alice) Verkaik.

She is predeceased by her parents William and Marie (Lintmeijer) Verkaik.

Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Thursday January 30, 2020 for visitation from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m.  A funeral service will take place in the funeral home on Friday January 31, 2020 at 11 am.

Cremation to follow with burial in Evergreen Cemetery at a later date.

Friends wishing to remember Wilma with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Society or Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation.

Cheryl Marie Robinson (Haskell) passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Friday January 24, 2020 at the age of 60 years.  She will be missed so much by her three children Randy Haskell, Gerald Haskell and Terri Marie Haskell as well as her siblings Ron Robinson, Doug & Evelyn Robinson and Lynn Coll.  Cheryl was the daughter of Marilyn DeClerck (2013) and Richard DeClerck (2010) and Ronald Robinson Sr.

Visitation will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday January 28, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  A Funeral Service conducted by Pastor Tim Joyce will follow at 1:00 p.m.

Friends wishing to remember Cheryl with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Word of Life Church Soup Kitchen or the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Mary (Maria) Kormendy passed away at Victoria Hospital in London on Friday January 24, 2020.  Mary was born in Slovakia on December 25, 1936 to her late parents Zuzanna (Gregor) & Jan Mikulec and is survived by her sister Helen.

In 1938 Mary’s family moved to Canada which is where she would eventually meet and marry the love of her life Cyril Kormendy.  In November, 1954 Mary and Cyril were married, beginning a journey that would span another 50 years before Cyril passed away in 2005.  Together Mary & Cyril raised seven children; Paul who predeceased her, Bill & Trish Kormendy, Linda & Barry Jensen, Bob & Grace Kormendy, Brian & Leonora Kormendy (Ramirez), David & Sylvia Kormendy and Kenneth Kormendy.  Their family grew to include grandchildren Doug, Kaleena, Melissa, Eric, Shawn, Carly, Brianna, Renata, Meghan, Kylie, Clinton, Morgan and Daniella as well as great-grandchildren Brandi, Makayla, Jase, Charleigh, Kaedence, Kaleb, Kasey, Holden and Mia and Josh who affectionately called her Babka.

In 2007 Mary was given a second chance at happiness when she married Bill Parker and accepted his family as her own.  Mary will be missed by her best and longtime friend Mary Maydon.

Being a wonderful mother and an awesome cook were just two of the things that made Mary loved in life.  She was a long time member of St. Mary’s Church and Saint Vincent de Paul.  She and Cyril worked hard on the farm while they raised their children.  Mary was the St. Mary’s Hall caterer for over 25 years and eventually started her own business “Mary’s Catering” which made her well known in the area.

Visitation will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday January 29, 2020 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Parish Prayers will be held prior to visitation at 6:30 p.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Church on Thursday January 30, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim.

Friends wishing to remember Mary with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.  Online condolences for the family and memorial donations may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com  

KOZLOF: Robert “Paul” of Edmonton AB, formerly of Blenheim ON

It is with great sadness that Paul Kozlof’s family reports his unexpected passing at Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, on Thursday January 16th, 2020, at the age of 66. Paul was the loving son of Mary Johnston (Kozlof, nee Beaubien) and the late Walter Kozlof; stepson of the late Clarence Johnston; dear brother to Larry Kozlof (Jane), Sharron Cooper (Brian), Patricia Hamelin (Tom), and Mary “Maggie” Engel (Rudi). Predeceased by brothers Richard Kozlof, Alexander Kozlof, David Johnston and sisters Karen Armstrong (Phillip) and Janice Yourex (Glen). Paul was uncle to many nieces and nephews.

A special thankyou to Ian Gillmore of Edmonton for his friendship to Paul and his help to the family.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday January 24, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.