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.

Peacefully, at the Blenheim Community Village, Betty Lou went to heaven on Thursday April 30, in her 85^th year.  Betty Lou was born in Harwich Township to Samuel George and Jean Elizabeth Sloan (Maynard)  On May 1, 1954 she married Bryce Baker, the love of her life, and they walked hand in hand as they lovingly welcomed Susan (Tom) Hebblethwaite, Brent  (Agnes), Cheryl (Bruce) Ross,       and Bradley (Leisa). Adding to her joy were grandchildren, Tammy (John), Amanda, Lauren (Devon Taylor), Matthew (Christianne) Hebblethwaite; Kyle and Kelsie Baker; Nick (Clara) VanDyk, Carmen (Matt) Cox, Hannah Ross; Scott, Laura and Stephanie Baker.  8 great grandchildren completed her joy.

Betty Lou’s surviving siblings are Ralph (Bonnie) Sloan, Barbara (Jim) Donnelly, Norine (Allan) Duck and Lyle (Pat) Sloan. Many nieces and nephews were very important and loved by her.  Also survived by her loved Baker family – Shirley Jensen, George and Marilyn Baker, Wayne and Shirley Baker, Lorraine and Ray Dhaen, David and Susan Baker.  Predeceased by her brother Gordon Sloan and in-laws Gordon and Donna Baker, Tom Jensen, and Irvine Baker.

Betty Lou & Bryce worked together at their business, Baker Farm Equipment with son Brent for many years. In 1994, Betty Lou graduated from St. Clair College and began her work as a Red Cross Homemaker, helping to make the lives of seniors better in their own homes. Betty Lou was a lover of her God and her New Scotland United Church family where she served many roles – Sunday School teacher, Messenger leader, life UCW member, choir member (until Dec. 2018), VBS snack lady, and the “Cards and Flowers lady”.  Music, books, baking, flowers and gathering her family to celebrate special occasions filled her life.

Much thanks goes to those who recently cared for Betty Lou: CarePartners, (especially her loved  PSW Tena), Dr. Rachel Simmons, the Alzheimers Society of Chatham-Kent, nurses and medical staff at CKHA Continuing Care and the very capable and caring staff in Long Term Care at the Blenheim Community Village.

A private family service will be held at New Scotland United Church with Pastor Melodee Lovering officiating.  A private family interment at Evergreen Cemetery will follow the service.

Those wishing to honour Betty Lou’s life with a donation are asked to consider New Scotland United Church or the Canadian Cancer Society.

To view the slide show created by Betty Lou’s granddaughter Hannah Ross, click link below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dGN8Fa9APbRJruCkb4NyZmUtP6zyofio/view?usp=drive_web

Late in the evening of Monday, April 27th, 2020. Benjamin John Bryant passed away suddenly and peacefully at the age of 38 in his home in London, Ontario.

Patricia (Pat) Anne Copeland of Oil Springs passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Sunday April 26, 2020.  She was born 67 years ago to her late parents Lorne & Helen Powell and was raised in Blenheim with her brothers, the late Harry Powell (Jackie), Jim Powell and her sisters Arlene Powell and Pam Lucio (Rick).

Pat will be forever loved by her daughter Nikki, her husband Jeff and their children Owen, Liam and Lila Davies. She will also be greatly missed by her extended family and friends.

Family will remember Pat privately on Thursday April 30, 2020 followed by interment in Evergreen Cemetery.  Friends wishing to make a memorial donation are asked to consider the London Regional Cancer Program or your local food bank.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Randy Wilkinson on April 23, 2020 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.  Randy was born on January 9, 1957 to Arthur and Betty (Wood) Wilkinson who have predeceased him.  Randy is also predeceased by his brother Steve.

He is survived by his children, Emily (Erich), Jodi (David), Jeremy (Jenn), Jessica (Ryan), Derek (Courtney), his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by his brother Neil (Sandi) and sister-in-law Tracy.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Erie St Clair LHIN and VON Canada (especially Karen) for all of their help during the past two months.

Friends wishing to remember him with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Cancer Society, VON Canada or the charity of your choice.

Anne Elizabeth (Horley) Armstrong, much loved wife of 60 years to Carl Armstrong and mother of Brad (Patti) and Brenda passed away on April 20, 2020 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.  Anne will be remembered fondly by her grandchildren Jessica and Brent Wilbur and by her great-grandchildren Lucas, Zachary and Dylan Wilbur.  Special Aunt to Scott Berry, Kirk and Deb Berry, Brent and Hedi Berry.

Anne was the daughter of Lorne (1980) and Mabel (1968) Horley and daughter in law of John (1980) and Ada (1973) Armstrong.  She was predeceased by her brother Glenn Horley (1959).

Sister in law of Jean Cates & the late Don (1986) and Eileen (1996) and Harold (1997) Berry.

Anne’s family will remember her privately on Thursday April 23, 2020.  Interment will take place in Merlin Cemetery.  Friends wishing to remember her with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Ronald McDonald House or the Diabetes Association.  Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with funeral arrangements.  Online condolences for the family and memorial donations may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

Jacques “Jack” Hould of Blenheim passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Sunday April 19, 2020.  Jack was born in a small town in Northern Quebec called McWatters 68 years ago but eventually made Blenheim his home for many years.  He was a kind soul who focused on the good that he saw in everyone he met.  He was a long time employee of Southwestern Regional Centre who came to work faithfully every day to work in the Housekeeping department.  In his own way he tried to make people smile and add a ray of sunshine to their lives.  During his stay at the Hospice, he recognized those same efforts in the people who surrounded him as it became his turn to receive the kindness he had always given.  In keeping with Jack’s wishes, his family will remember him privately.  Friends wishing to remember him are asked to pay it forward to someone in need or consider a memorial donation to the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

GREENE, Gerald “Richard” 

“A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best.”

It is with heavy hearts we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather on April 11, 2020 at the age of 76.  Richard was the eldest son of the late Gerald and Doris Greene of Blenheim.  He is survived by his loving and very patient wife of 50 years, Sherry (nee: Blackburn) and two daughters, Melodie Greene of Indonesia and Heather and Tom Moore of Wyoming, Ontario.  Extremely proud grandfather of Connor, Cian and Brydie Moore.  Dear brother-in-law to Bill Blackburn (late Betty) of Chatham, the late Dale Blackburn and Carolyn of Exeter, the late Glen Blackburn and Dot of Terrance Beach, Don Blackburn (late Charlotte) of Cambridge, Larry and Helen Blackburn of Chatham, Joan and Harry Kranenburg of Trenton and the late Randy Blackburn of Chatham.  Lovingly remembered by several nieces, nephews and friends.

Richard’s love of community and its youth was expressed through his contributions to Scouting, where he brought to life some pretty amazing Christmas floats and elaborate haunted houses.  Likewise, it gave him the excuse to live out his childhood dream of building and operating the well known Kub Kar and Drag Tracks, which brought much excitement for boys and girls over a 40-year span.  Although, many wonderful memories for his children and grandchildren were also created as a result of his involvement in Scouting, it was his enthusiastic love of Algonquin Park that led to countless summers canoeing, kayaking and hiking that will be most cherished.  We may have made fun of his obsession, but his love of nature and being outdoors was infectious, and many memories were made and shared as a family.

Anyone who received one of Richard’s woodworking originals knows he was a man of many talents who could do anything, build anything and had unwavering devotion to family and friends.  His quiet presence was immeasurable and will be immensely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Due to the current health pandemic, cremation has taken place; however, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.  For those wishing to make a memorial donation please consider The Friends of Algonquin Park, Ronald McDonald House or a charity of your choice.