It is with great sorrow that we announce on Friday December 6, 2019 our beautiful daughter and mother Stephanie Nicole McIntyre of Chatham was taken too soon at the age of 37 years.  She will remain forever in the hearts of her parents Tammy (Clark) & Don McIntyre, her sister Melanie McIntyre and her pride and joy, her daughter Hailey Lynn McIntyre.

Stephanie was born on April 12, 1982 and attended school in Chatham.  From a young age she fought a battle with diabetes and although her days may have been different from other children, she didn’t let that stand in the way of her happiness and the pursuit of her childhood dreams.  Of all the good things that happened in her life, becoming a Mom to Hailey was the best…she loved that role and she loved Hailey with all her heart.  She will be missed so very much.

A private family remembrance has taken place.  Friends wishing to remember Stephanie with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Al Moore, beloved husband of Vera (Sykes) Moore passed away at home on Wednesday December 4, 2019.  He will be remembered fondly by his daughter Margaret & Allan Pym and his son Mark & Melissa Moore.  Al earned “Pop” status when his first grandson Mitchell Moore was born in 1996.  Mitch passed away in 2015, leaving Al to be loved to the moon and back by Allison Pym, Trevor Moore, Rachel Pym, Nathan Pym, Brittany & Galen Wilson and Brandon Wysman.

Al was predeceased by his parents Margaret (Allison) & Robert Moore and by his stepmother Kathleen Moore.  He is survived by his sisters Mary Moore and Dianne Gleeson (Todd Dauphinas).

Al worked for 44 years beginning in 1961 beginning in the retail division of BF Goodrich.  By 1964 he had become credit manager.  He worked for 2 years with Goodyear as Assistant Manager, coming back to BF Goodrich as District Sales Manager where he had the prestigious honour of earning the Winners Circle for being the top salesman in Canada.

In 1982 Al resigned from BF Goodrich and purchased Pang Vulcanizing, remaining in his own business until 2005 when he sold the business and retired.

Visitation for Al will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday December 6, 2019 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and then again at the Charing Cross United Church on Saturday December 7, 2019 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. when a Funeral Service conducted by Pastor Andrew Gilliland.  A private family interment will take place in Pardoville Union Cemetery.

Friends wishing to remember Al with a memorial donation are asked to consider Pulmonary Fibrosis or the Charing Cross United Church.  Online condolences for the family and memorial donations may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

Sally Anne Grainger (nee Kennedy)

Sunrise July 12, 1936

Sunset December 2, 2019

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Sally on December 2, 2019 at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.

Sally leaves behind her daughter Anne, her son Scott (Glenys) and her two granddaughters Katelyn and Emily Grainger. Predeceased by her loving husband Murray of 55 years.

Sally was born in Chatham on July 12, 1936 to Bill and Helen Kennedy. She lived with her family in Burlington for the last 50 years and Erieau since birth. Throughout her career as a nurse, she touched many lives and cared for both her family and patients selflessly. She generously donated her time for 28 years to Maycourt of Oakville. Her favourite past times were auction sales, collecting cookbooks and Friday night prayer meetings in Erieau with her oldest and dearest friends.

In keeping with Sally’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be a celebration of life at a later date to be announced.

In keeping with Sally’s spirit of healing, donations to a hospice of choice would be greatly appreciated.

Connie Joan Coatsworth of Merlin passed away with the family that she loved so dearly by her side on Sunday December 1, 2019.  At the age of 65, Connie has left an indelible imprint on this world, first as a soulmate to her husband Marvin who she loved dearly for over 46 years, then as a mother to four children who she was always thankful for; Terri Coatsworth & Jorn Coutts, Caleb Coatsworth & Milo Horton-Coatsworth, Jonathan & Kimberley Coatsworth and Matthew & Amy Coatsworth and finally as the adored grandmother of Madison Coutts, Ethan Gillier, Elora Gillier, Ty Brown, Elliott Brown, Noah Coatsworth and Lyla Coatsworth.

Connie was one of nine children born to Joan (Bechard) & the late Henry Lucio.  She will be missed by her sisters Cathie Bulley & Gary Huffman and Kellie & Scott Barton, and by her brothers Richard & Pam Lucio, Robert & Monica Lucio, Patrick & Kathy Lucio, Brian Lucio, Jeff & Lisa Lucio and Dana Lucio and their families.

Connie was a kind and loving person who constantly put the needs of others first.  The roads she travelled in life always took her in the direction of caring for people as a caregiver, an advocate and a counsellor.  She was a life-long learner and believed that you were never too old for more education. She first completed her Bachelor’s of Social Work with a young family and then went on to earn her Masters of Social Work at the University of Windsor and certificates of specialty in Addictions and Marriage and family counselling from the University of Guelph. She constantly updated her skills to benefit her clients through workshops and seminars.  She was a long-time member of the Southwestern Regional Centre family before venturing out and starting “Caring Counselling” in Chatham.

Friends and family are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation on Thursday from 2-5 & 7-9 p.m.  A Celebration of Life will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday December 6, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.  Interment will take place in Pardoville Cemetery.  Friends wishing to remember Connie with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Diabetes Association.

Marian Ruth Sykes passed away peacefully at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Friday November 22, 2019.  She was 95 years old.  Marian was the fourth of nine siblings born to the late Felicia Burnedien (Beaton) and Verne Thomas Wilkinson.  She was the last surviving member of that family.

In 1942, Marian married her husband Nelson Edward Sykes, sharing 68 years together before Nelson’s passing in 2010.  Marian and Nelson raised four children; Ona & Pat Forget, Murry & Marie Sykes, Larry Sykes and the late Gerald Sykes (2008).  She was loved by her grandchildren Shawn Forget (Deb), Dale Forget, Chad Sykes, Christopher Sykes (Erin) and Corey Sykes and her great grandchildren Dontae, Desmond, Donavan, Meghan, Ryan, Makayla, Cooper, Evan, Nathan and Delaine.  Marian was predeceased by her daughter in law Annette Sykes in 2003 and by her great granddaughter Holly Sykes in 1998.

Cremation has taken place.  A Celebration of Marian’s life will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday November 30, 2019 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Friends wishing to remember Marian with a memorial donation are asked to consider charity of their choice.

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Emile Joseph Rooms who was born April 9, 1939 in Wallaceburg, Ontario and left this world November 17, 2019 after a sudden and courageous battle with cancer.  Emile was fondly known as Moe.  He was raised in both Wallaceburg and Sombra Township on a farm where he spent time helping with crops and livestock.  He enjoyed boxing, hunting, fishing and golf in his younger days.  In later life, he enjoyed senior shuffling and participated in many tournaments.  He was married 60 years to the love of his life Nellie (Somerset) Rooms.

Emile is predeceased by his parents Remi and Aletha (Hill) Rooms, Mary (Lawereys) and Bill VanReyendam and by his siblings William and Terrence Michael Rooms.  He is survived by his siblings Loretta (Rooms) Kool, Shelley (Rooms) and Dave Hill, and by his cousin Bill Regnier.

He is also survived by three children Tim Rooms and wife Carmel, Sandra (Rooms) Richards and husband Dan Richards and Brenda (Rooms) Huff as well as five grandchildren; Brent, Carley, Jackie, Hannah and Cole and three great grandchildren Sophia, Ayrton and Warren.

Friends and family will be welcomed at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 53 Stanley Street in Blenheim on Thursday November 21, 2019 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. which will be followed by a Mass at noon in St. Mary’s Church, 95 Marlborough Street North, Blenheim.  There will be a luncheon to follow at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 185, 34 Catherine Street in Blenheim.

Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or All For Kids (supporting children to keep them in sports and recreation through the Municipality of Chatham-Kent) would be appreciated.

Elda Richmond, beloved wife of the late Alex Richmond (2004) passed away on November 14, 2019.  Born in Dahinda, Saskatchewan on November 10, 1924 Elda was the last surviving member of her family having been predeceased by her parents Charles & Naomi (Cundle) Morrow and by her siblings Clara, Ruby, Lloyd, Wesley, Gordon, James, Arthur, George and Fred.

Elda was a wonderful mother and mother-in-law to her seven children; Ruth & Glen Babcock, Gordon & Linda Richmond, Wayne & Barbara Richmond and Marvin & Carol Richmond all of Blenheim, Cheryl & Mickey Brooke of Morpeth, Gerry & Anita Richmond of Ridgetown and Tamara & Ian Toll of Blenheim.  She will be remembered fondly by all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her grandson Jonathan Goodbrand in 2018.

Elda and Alex farmed together for many years and raised their family at Huffmans Corner.  She was a long-time member and supporter of the Blenheim United Church and was well known for her baking and her talent as an upholsterer.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation on Sunday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m.  A Funeral Service for Elda will be held in the Blenheim United Church on Monday November 18, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.

Friends wishing to remember Elda with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Nancy Crawford of Blenheim passed away at home on Friday November 8, 2019.  Nancy was born 76 years ago to the late Betty & Lloyd Crozier and was predeceased by her only brother Kenneth.

Nancy was a fun-loving wife and mother whose perseverance and faith was tested when her son Mark Crawford died in 1971, her husband Fred Crawford died in 1998 and her daughter Tracy Crawford died in 2018.  Despite that adversity, she somehow managed to smile and face the future unafraid.  She treasured the moments she had with her daughter Wendy Crawford (Gary Bechard), her granddaughters Myranda Rose and Kelsey Massender, her grandson Kody Massender, her great grandson Kayden and her son-in-law Donald Mason.

Nancy was a long-time employee of Southwestern Regional Centre, where she  made lifetime friends.  When she moved into her apartment in Blenheim she bought dog treats for all the dogs who were being walked past her door and made her home a second home for her neighbours cat.  She was just an all around kind and caring person who will be missed greatly.

Cremation has taken place.  A Celebration of Nancy’s life will be held at the Willow Ridge Golf & Country Club, Blenheim on Saturday November 23, 2019 from 11:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Friends wishing to remember Nancy with a memorial donation are asked to consider Craford Cemetery.

Special thanks are extended to the nurses from VON, Nurse Practitioner Jon-Ann Meko and neighbours Anita, Dwayne, Morgan, Taylor and Zelda Purdy for all you did to make Mom’s life that much better.

Irmgard “Irma” Gertrud Van Loon passed away quietly at her home, surrounded by family, on November 7, 2019. She was born 83 years ago in Germany, the daughter of Albert and Gertrud Griegoschewski, and immigrated to Canada in 1954 with her surviving siblings Dieter, Ursula, Jurgen, and Bernhard.
She is survived by her husband William Van Loon, who she married in 1957. During those 62 years she was a wonderful mother to, Alexander, Sabina, Renata, Torin, and Damian. She is succeeded by 10 grandchildren namely Derek, Sacha, Patrick, Vanessa, Joshua, Jordan, Cash, Race, Tate, and Makay. Also by three great-grandchildren namely Delilah, Emerson, and Kinsley.
Irma resided most of her life in Blenheim Ontario where she was a school bus driver who was greatly loved and respected. She babysat many children who still come and visit her. She was also a member of the Catholic women’s league at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic parish in Pardoville. Most recently a member of St. Mary’s parish in Blenheim.
Irma was deeply loved and respected by all of her family and friends and she will be dearly missed by all.
A Funeral Mass will be held for Irma in St. Mary’s Church on Friday November 15, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.

Surrounded by the people he loved, Terrance Laverne Argent passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Wednesday October 30, 2019 at the age of 76 years.  Terry is survived by his loving wife of 54 years Marie (Silcox) Argent and by his three daughters who he adored; Terroleen Argent (Rick Turner), Debbie McLean (Darrell) and Dorinda Argent (Keith).  He will be missed by his grandchildren Pete (Kate), Neil (Steph), Tamara (Kevin), Quisha (Andrew), Joshua (Sam), Mackenzie, Zach, Lindsay, Hayden, Jaxx and Candace (Mike) and by his great-grandchildren Addison, Daiton, Terry, Xander, Josè, Ellie, Remi, Finn, Chase, Aubree, Riley, Keaton, Denver, Hadley and Alaia.

Terry was predeceased in life by his parents Norma & Dayton Argent and is survived by his sisters Marilyn Bonner, Susan Wasylyk and Kathy Armstrong as well as his brother Fred Argent.

As a truck driver, Terry was fortunate to see many places and meet many people in his life.  In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing with his family.  It was his wish that his family would remember him privately at this time.  Although his stay at the Chatham-Kent Hospice was brief, his family would like to thank the staff there for the tremendous care and compassion that was shown to both Terry and to them.  Friends and family who would like to remember Terry with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Hospice so that they can continue the great service that they provide.