Paul Melanson of Blenheim passed away at Riverview Gardens in Chatham with his family beside him on January 1, 2020.  He is survived by his wife of 35 years who he swooned over with his roller-skating abilities, Jean (Pearce) Melanson, his daughter Susan & Kevin Passwaters, by his step children Cindy & Wes Girard, Denise & Terry Walker and Kim Giannini as well as 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his step-son Kevin Bailey in 2017.

Paul was born in Moncton, New Brunswick 84 years ago.  He was one of seven children born to the late Emma & Zeno Melanson and is survived by his sisters Janette & Ron Cormier and Lorett & Aurile Lavigne.  He was predeceased by his siblings Lena Ludee, Irene & Paul Melanson, Raymond & Marie Melanson and Doris & Roaul Lalonde.

Paul retired from the maintenance department at Southwestern Regional Centre.  Many of his retirement days were spent puttering in his garage where he made toyboxes for his grandchildren while listening to his favourite singer Hank Williams.  He and Jean spent summers between Wildwood Park and New Brunswick and winters at their home in Florida, sometimes making side trips to Texas.  He enjoyed being Jean’s chauffeur to anyplace she wanted to go but would spend his time doing puzzle books while she shopped.  He was kind and he was patient.  Most of all he was loved.

It was Paul’s wish for cremation to take place and for his family to remember him privately.  His family extends many thanks to the staff of Riverview Gardens on 6 West and 5 West for their commendable care over the past few years.  Your kindness did not go unnoticed and will be remembered.

Betty Beattie passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday January 1, 2020.  She was born in Chatham on October 18, 1929 to her late parents Vanessa & Gordon Beattie.

Loving mother to Shirley (Jamie) Brandie, Barbara (Jim) Houston, Jane (Dave) Kirkland, Judy (Ben) Casey, Lorie (Jack) Burk, Ron (Cheryl) Holmes, Darlene (Greg) Swance and Michael (Dave) Beattie.  Loving Grandmother to Melissa, Jimmy (Laurie), Jason, Cari, Ryan (Andrea), Tyler (Amber), Brandy (Larry), Shawn, Dawn (Boyd), Michelle (Jeremy), Matthew, Jesse, Lucky (Carrie), Derek (Jeanette), Colin (Nadja), Kelsey (Stephen), Kim and Jordan.  Predeceased by grandchildren Justine, Michael, Jason, Jane and Todd.  Also survived by numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.  She will be sadly missed by her brothers Ted and Mike Beattie.  Predeceased by her sister Emma.

Betty was an avid knitter who knit and donated over 100 knitted hats to the homeless every year.  Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting her left feeling blessed and joyful.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday January 4, 2020 where visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. and will be followed immediately by a Funeral Service conducted by Pastor Eric Revie.  A private family interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery after which the family will meet friends at Glad Tidings Community Church for a luncheon.

Friends wishing to remember Betty with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Salvation Army or a charity of your choice.

Janet Main (Paterson) Hart, dear wife of the late Robert McCaig Hart passed away at the Huron Lodge in Windsor on December 21, 2019.  Born in Airdrie, Scotland 93 years ago to the late William & Jeanie Paterson, Janet was raised alongside her sister Helen and her brothers William, Tim, Alex, John and Jimmy.

Janet was the proud mother of Jim Hart (late Nancy) of Morpeth and William Hart (Karen) of Windsor.  She loved being a grandmother to Brodie, Ashley and Liam.

As a young lady, Janet helped build Spitfires, a single seat aircraft used during WWII for the British Government.  She loved to cook and bake and especially enjoyed her family.

Janet’s family invite family and friends to a time of visitation at the Victoria Greenlawn Funeral Home & Cemetery, 1525 Highway #3 in Oldcastle on Tuesday December 24, 2019 between 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.  At that time, a graveside service will be held followed by a reception.

Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with Funeral Arrangements.

Michael Steel, best friend and beloved husband to Lori Steel (Speed), passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on December 20th, 2019 at the young age of 59. Born in Chatham, Michael was the son of Carol (Dave) McVicar and the late Gary Steel. He is predeceased by his brother Rick (Paulette) Steel and much loved by his sisters Kelly (Mike) Delong and Cindy Graves. Mike was a loving step-father to Aaron (Ashley) Armstrong and Michelle (Will) MacNaughton. He was also a very proud Papa to Olivia, Gwen, Everleigh and Maisie.

Mike worked for many years for the Lambton Kent District School Board as a custodian spending the majority of his years caring for Ridgetown Public School and Harwich Raleigh Public School. Mike enjoyed tinkering around the house and helping out whoever or wherever he was needed. He always looked forward to his yearly trips away with his wife Lori and could be found on Sundays enjoying Nascar.

He will be greatly missed by many nieces and nephews as well as many life-long friends.

Visitation will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Monday, December 23rd from 11 a.m.  – 1 p.m. & 2 – 4 p.m. immediately followed by a funeral service at the funeral home. Cremation will follow. 

Donations made in memory of Mike to the Chatham-Kent Hospice in lieu of flowers would be appreciated by the family.

Gerardus “Gerry” Baetsen of Merlin, loving husband of Linda (Hopper) Baetsen, father of Tom & Lisa Baetsen, Gary & Kristi Baetsen and the late Jackie Baetsen and “Opa” to Ashley, Tyler, Amber, William, Natalie, Jaedyn, Jake and Ella passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Thursday December 19, 2019.

Born in Holland on April 24, 1943, Gerry was one of fifteen children born to the late Anna Marie & Lambertus Baetsen.  He is survived by his siblings Christina Henrietha McDonald, William Renier Baetsen,  Johanna Petronella VanOirschot, Leonie Marie Sproule, Elisabeth Wilhelmina Foote and Petronella Maria Brouns.  He was predeceased by his siblings Marie Leonie Vroomans, Leonardus Antonius Baetsen, Antionette Maria Baetsen, Berta Maria Mann, Wilhelmina Gerarda VanDevl, Margaretha Henriette Mitrakos, Anna Matilda Consten and Antonius Lois Henrick Baetsen.

Survived by his brother-in-law Larry Hopper, sister-in-law Marilyn Cartier and his pal, Chase.

Gerry was a Millwright by trade and worked for many years at Dorssers in Blenheim.  His love of working followed him in his retirement as he continued to keep busy every day.  He loved his family with all his heart.  He and Linda enjoyed spending their winters in Florida where they made many good friends.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will take place on Sunday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m.  A Funeral Mass for Gerry will be held in St. Patrick’s Church, Merlin on Monday December 23, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.  Cremation will follow.

Friends wishing to remember Gerry with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Joseph Frank Suk of Blenheim passed away at University Hospital in London on Monday December 16, 2019 at the age of 87 years.  Joe was born in Chatham on January 20, 1932.  He was married to his wife Virginia (Verstraete) Suk for 59 years and they had two children; Linda Suk and the late John Suk.  He is survived by his daughter in law Laurie, by two grandsons Colin and Evan Suk and by his sister Mary Rooney.  He was predeceased by his parents Frank & Anna (Marsalek) Suk, his sister Lillian Braet and his brother Jerry John Suk.

Joe worked at the Sugar House, Daymonds and Motor Wheel in Chatham before taking a job at the Blenheim Arena where he retired.  He was a member of St. Mary’s Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Visitation will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m.  A Funeral Service will take place at the Funeral Home on Thursday December 19, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.  Cremation will follow.  Friends wishing to remember Joe with a memorial donation are asked to consider a charity of your choice.  Online condolences for the family and memorial donations may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

It is with sad hearts that “Team Richards” announces the recent trade of David Charles Richards, Dave to his friends, to “Team Heaven”.  His family and close friends were with him in the final negotiations and wished him well with his new team.  Coincidently the new team has many players from his past who he respected and loved including his parents Amelia & Charles Richards.

Dave was married to his wife Trudy for 47 years and they made so many, many great memories as a team with family and friends.  They added players over the years; Jamie and wife Dana along with their beautiful caring daughters Andie and Scottie (his baby girls), Joel and wife Jacquie with the very handsome and talented young men Finley (Finn always said Grampa was his best friend) and Cohen (his big boys).

Loving Older Brother to Ann & Keith Wellwood and Kathy & Mark Brunner.  Awesome Brother-in-Law to Raymond & Pat Stone and Mark & Vivian Stone.  A fun Uncle to many nieces & nephews, Dave leaves behind a large extended family who he loved and so many, many friends who he adored, loved having fun with and making lasting memories with.  He will sure miss all of the time spent with his BFF Mike Rumble, his great friend Doug Johnston and of course all of his long-time friends including those from Wednesday Beer Boys, the Golf Course and his great team mates from Senior Hockey.

Dave was a great Montreal Canadiens fan who loved baseball and hockey.  He played baseball for many years.  Dave played his last hockey game Thursday morning the day he was traded.  He coached Blenheim Minor Hockey for a few years and then was a trainer and equipment manager with the Blenheim Blades for a few years, which both Jamie and Joel played for.  He was with the team in 1994-95 when they went to league finals.  He was inducted into the Blades Hall of Fame in 2012.

Dave was always so proud of his two sons and their accomplishments.  He adored his two beautiful new daughters-in-law who were more like daughters and he was always excited and ready to watch and boast about his Grandkids activities

The trade will be finalized with a “Celebration of Life” for family and friends to be held at Willow Ridge Golf & Country Club in Blenheim, Ontario on Friday January 10, 2020 from 6 – 10 p.m.   Feel free to wear anything Montreal Canadiens and of course funky socks…two of Dave’s favourites.

Team Richards charity of choice is the Blenheim Blades.

Tom Driver of Blenheim passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, December 14, 2019.  Tom was born in Chatham to the late Ila (Coulter) and James Allen Driver.  Beloved husband of Sherry (Buxton) Driver.  Loving father of Bill Steel (Alyssa Pan), Cassey (Jonathan) Beauvais, Ian Driver, Kari (Jordan) Lawrence and Courtney (Tom) Matun.  Dearest grandfather of Ethan Driver, Brooke Steel, Sophie and Tristan Beauvais.  He will be sadly missed by his brothers and sisters-in-law Millie VanderNaalt (late Harry), Jackie Ross, John (Angie) Buxton, Kandy (Rick) Osbourne, Darlene Buxton (late Bill), Jerry (Cindy) Buxton and Sally (Brad) Caron.  Also remembered by his uncle Vern and aunt Leona Coulter and several nieces and nephews.

As per Tom’s wishes, cremation has taken place and Memorial Visitation will be at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Monday, December 16, 2019 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm and again on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 from 1-3 pm followed by a Funeral Service, conducted by Pastor Bill Terris.  Burial of ashes will be in Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Morpeth.  Friends wishing to remember Tom with a memorial donation are asked to consider either the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation or the MS Society of Canada.

Randy Bellamy, best friend and beloved husband of Melanie (Stephen) Bellamy passed away on December 13, 2019, at the age of 57.  He will be missed by his daughters Randi-Lyn Bellamy and Danielle Bellamy, his mother Evelyn Bellamy (Albert Collins) and his sister Liane Snobelen (Ken Newton) and family.  Randy was predeceased in life by his sister Mary Ann in 1966 and his father Lloyd Bellamy in 2009

It was Randy’s wish that his friends would remember him in their own way when he died, so go hunting, tell a favourite joke or grab a beer and toast a life well lived.  And if you want to remember him with a memorial donation, he had a soft spot in his heart for children so a donation to Sick Kids Hospital would have made him happy.

James “Jim” Graham of Blenheim passed away on Friday, December 13, 2019.  Son of the late Thomas and Lorraine (Cormier) Graham.  He is survived by his daughter Dawn Graham and son James Graham.  Grandfather of Breanne, Jadyn, Brooke, Kaitlyn, Lauryn and Shealyn.  He will be missed by his siblings Joseph Graham, Marilyn Graham, Thomas (Linda) Graham, Elsie (Terry) Beaulne, Trudy Graham (Ron Hagan), Sherry (Sandy) MacDonald and Michelle Graham.  Also sadly missed by many nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by his brother Robert Graham.    Cremation has taken place and internment of ashes will take place at a later date.

Friends wishing to remember Jim with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Salvation Army.  At this time, the family would also like to extend our sincerest gratitude to Jim’s friends in Blenheim and especially his room mate Bob Robertson who offered Jim guidance and a safe haven in his final days.