Catherina Maria (Van Raay) Boogaart of Blenheim in her 92nd year, passed away on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025 peacefully at home with her family by her side.  Beloved wife to Jack Boogaart (2006) for over 50 years.

Catherine was born in the Netherlands on January 3, 1934, daughter of the late Jack and Cornelia Van Raay.  She immigrated to Canada with her family in 1949 arriving via Ellis Island, New York and settled in Chatham, Ontario.

Dear mother of John (Cindy) Boogaart, Rosemary (Larry) Van Gerven, Corinne (Steve) Varney, Therisa (Len) Morrice and Hilda (Brad) Stirling.

Loving Oma to Amanda (Bill) DeVries, Mark Boogaart, Nicole (Cameron) Pickering, Tara (Mark) Moir, Jolene (Jason) Garnett, Erin (Dan) Nixon, Paul Varney, David (Ashley) Boogaart, Cliff (Karmahn) Morrice, Mitch (Rose) Van Gerven, Ryan (Daniella) and Devin Stirling (Rachel).  Special great Oma to 23 great grandchildren.

Catherine is survived by her family Marie (Pierre 2009) Rammeloo, Bert (Ria) Van Raay, Jeanine (Tony 2020) Driessen, Jack (Margaret 2013), Corrie (Art 2021) LeClair and Joanne (Oscar 2018) Delrue.   Brother-in-law John Boogaart (Mary 2016) and Yvonne of Chatham and also missed by many relatives in the Netherlands.

Mom worked hard raising her 5 children working on the family farm in Mull picking tomatoes, cucumbers, hoeing and labouring in the pig barns.  She turned a 100+ year old home back in 1964 into a cozy decorated family, neighbour and friend filled home, opening her door to everyone. She had many talents but her sewing skills were precise, making many outfits for weddings, dresses for family and nieces, and the neighbours, which were so beautiful, and her own design never using a pattern.

Upon moving to her custom self-designed home, she found her new passion in gardening.  Along with Dad, they created their millennial garden.  Her perennial garden was so colourful and aromatic, and she loved sharing her plants with anyone who toured her paradise.

Special thanks to all who cared for Mother especially Ann, her PSW for many years, who shared and learned many of Mom’s secrets to gardening but above all became wonderful companions.  Also, MaryAnn who supported Mom and cared for her deeply in her final days.

Anyone wishing to make a donation, please consider St. Mary’s Church Building Fund or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 53 Stanley St., Blenheim, Tuesday Dec. 30 from 400 – 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday Dec. 31 from 10:00-10:45 a.m. at the funeral home.  Parish prayers will take place on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Mass to be held at St. Mary’s Church, 95 Marlborough St., Blenheim at 11:00 a.m.

Internment at Evergreen Cemetery Blenheim, Ont.

Reception following to be at St. Mary’s Hall Blenheim.

Michael David Smith of Blenheim, Ontario, passed away at the age of 64.

He was the son of Bernard C. Smith (2006) and Ellen J. Smith of Port Alma, Ontario.  He is survived by his wife, Tracey and children Vanessa of Toronto, Haley of Edmonton and Brian of Kitchener as well as his grandchildren Alexis of Toronto and Calvin of Chatham.

Predeceased by his brother James (2002), he was the brother of Ivy (Leamington On), Charles (Leask Sk), and Patrick and his wife Betty (London On).  Uncle to Marcelina, Francois, Igor and Jordan.

Born in Belleville On, Michael attended school in Ruthven On and Kingsville On, eventually earning a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Windsor and a Master of Arts from Laurier University.

Michael was a skilled minor hockey player, and he shared his knowledge and talent with his 3 children.  He enjoyed working on cars, collecting antiques and going for walks with his dog Ripley.

A gathering of family and friends will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Monday December 29, 2025 from 11:00 – 1:00 p.m.  Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Leamington.

Randy Robert Shepherd passed away peacefully in London on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the age of 64.

Randy will be deeply missed by his son, John Shepherd (Roshelle); his granddaughter, Callie Shepherd; his mother, Marion Shepherd (predeceased by Bob in 2021); his sisters, Patty Heyninck (Matt) and Penny Tucker; as well as his many nieces and nephews.

Anyone who knew Randy knew that he lived life to the fullest. He was a risk-taker with a sharp sense of humour and a gift for words. He loved nothing more than teasing and taunting those around him, often spending hours reminiscing and sharing life stories with anyone willing to listen.

Randy loved his family and friends unconditionally and would do absolutely anything to protect them. He had an enormous heart and never hesitated to help—whether that meant cooking a meal for someone who was struggling or giving his last dollar to someone in need.

Even in death, Randy continued to think of others. In his final act, he chose to become an organ donor, demonstrating remarkable strength, kindness, and compassion. Through this selfless decision, Randy gave the greatest Christmas gift imaginable—the chance for others to live, love, and continue their own journeys. His family is incredibly proud of him.

Randy’s family will remember him privately. Those wishing to honour his memory are invited to consider a donation to a soup kitchen or local homeless shelter.

Dale was a man whose happiness was contagious and whose presence could turn strangers into friends wherever he went.  He never saw junk – only potential treasures or something that could be turned into a few extra dollars.  Resourceful, creative, and endlessly optimistic, Dale had a way of seeing value where others might not.

He loved his family deeply, especially his children and grandchildren.  He was the son of Ruth & Cyril, deeply loved by Claudette, father of Beau, Tess and Taya (Curtis) and grandfather to Breanna Boundy, Haven and Beau Jr Veenstra, Owen Hewiston, Leon and Elise Conn and “Uncle Dale” to many.

Dale would do absolutely anything for anyone at the drop of a dime – or at the very least for some gas money.  His generosity knew no bounds, and his heart and house were always open.

Dale lived by his favourite phrase, “happy, happy, happy”, a saying he never let a day pass without sharing.  He brought laughter wherever he went, including through his legendary Donald Duck impression that delighted both kids and adults.

Always up for a road trip or the next adventure, Dale never let distance, discomfort, or the state of his body stop him from saying yes to life.  If there was somewhere to go or something to see, he was ready to take the drivers seat.

After a life lived with joy, humour and boundless love, Dale is finally at peace and no longer in pain.  He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In the early morning hours of Saturday December 13, 2025 Jane Pope passed away peacefully while listening to her favourite country music and holding her daughter’s hand.  She will be missed greatly by Karen and her husband Mike Parren of England and by her granddaughter Marla, who brought her immense joy.

Jane was born in Chatham 73 years ago to the late Garnet & Margery (Hebblethwaite) Smith.  She is survived by her sister Janice Smith (Terry Fiala) and was predeceased by her only brother David as well as her partner of many years Jim Luke.

Throughout her life, Jane always felt blessed to be surrounded by her family, great neighbours and good friends.  Although she appreciated all animals, her cats were at the top of the list.  Friends will remember her from her many years of working at Mallory Industries.

It was Janes wish for her family to remember her privately.

Wife of the late Johan Banman, and mother of Frank, Abe, Cornie, Jake, Margaret, John, Margaret, Lisa, Helen, Jake, Nick, Ben, Tina, Nancy, Dave and the late Pete, passed away at her home in Blenheim on December 9, 2025 . She was 85 years old. Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, on Friday December 12 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.  A Funeral Service for Anna will be held in the Charing Cross Old Colony Mennonite Church on Saturday December 13 at 2:00 p.m., with Ält Abram Friessen officiating.  Interment will be in the Pardoville Union Cemetery following the service.

Shirley McCorkle of Chatham passed away on Thursday December 4, 2025 at the age of 86 years. She was the proud mother of Monica Oram (Rob), Sherry Brudritt, Miriam McCorkle, Terry McCorkle, Larry & Kim McCorkle, Stephen McCorkle and the late Karrie Hartford (survived by Basil), and will be missed greatly by her grandchildren Corey, Calvin, Kayla, Dealia, Lacey, Greg, Grace, Brent, Erin, Amanda, Courtney, Emily, Meagan, Damian and Moriah, their spouses and their families including a number of great and great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by three grandchildren Alisha, Joey and Melissa.
Family was the ultimate joy for Shirley. She was one of seven children raised by the late Jurald & Elsie Boswell and is survived by Pat Smith (late Jim), John Boswell (late Gloria) and David Boswell (Cheryl). She was predeceased by Mary & Rupert McCorkle, Joe Boswell and Jerry Boswell (survived by Glenda).
Shirley worked for many years as a Developmental Service Worker at Southwestern Regional Centre. She was loved and respected by everyone who lived and worked there.
In every community, there seems to be someone whose positive spirit is impossible to ignore—a person whose gentle smile is as familiar as sunrise, even when clouds gather overhead…that was Shirley. Even though she endured significant losses in her life, she showed that the silver lining was always within reach, especially when she was surrounded by the love of family and friends. Her smile, her laughter and those genuine hugs that she gave will never be forgotten.
Visitation for Shirley will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday December 9, from 2:00 – 5:00 and again on Wednesday December 10 from 12:00 – 2:00 followed by a funeral service conducted by family; her nephew Kenneth McCorkle and grandson Corey Hartford.  Following the service you are welcome to join the family for a luncheon at the Shrewsbury Community Hall
Friends wishing to remember Shirley with a memorial donation are asked to consider three of her favourites; the Children’s Health Foundation in London https://childhealth.ca/,  the Canadian Cancer Society https://cancer.ca/en/ or the Diabetes Association https://www.diabetes.ca/.

Jean McQuarrie of Blenheim passed away at home on Thursday December 4, 2025 at the age of 92.  She will be missed by her children Cindy Ford (Bill), Leslie McQuarrie (Karen) and Gordon McQuarrie, by three grandchildren William Ford Jr (Jennie), Maegan Bogaert (Chad), Tyler McQuarrie (Dara), seven great-grandchildren and her sisters Nona Fraser, Marilyn Hackett and Carolyn Christener.  She was predeceased by her husband Garnet McQuarrie in 2001, by her parents George & Gladys (Balmer) Wardell, her sisters Velma Campbell and Betty Brownlee and by her brothers Melvin, Bill and George Wardell.

Throughout her life, Jean demonstrated an unwavering commitment to kindness.  Her selflessness and compassion left a lasting impression on all who knew her.  She was content to go for walks, tend to her flower gardens and spend time with her family.  Friends will remember her from her days  working at Stedmans Variety Store and Glaziers Canning in Blenheim and later at Southwestern Regional Centre where she worked until her retirement.  She was a long time member of the Blenheim United Church.

A private family service will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday followed by interment in Evergreen Cemetery.  Those wishing to remember Jean with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Blenheim Legion Poppy Fund.

There is no greater heartache in life than having to share the loss of your child.  With broken hearts we let you know that Olivia Sarah Hanak-Guttridge, just 23 years old passed away on September 22, 2025 following a car accident.  She will be missed immensely by her parents Heather Hanak (Gary Bryans) and Warren Guttridge (Marylu), her brother Joseph Guttridge and her sister Jennifer Brown (Kevin).  She was an awesome aunt to Gideon and Grace, granddaughter to John & Helen Hanak and the late Harley & Donna Guttridge and niece to Linda Dupuis (Al Howes), Sally Benge (Terry) and Allison Graef (Harley).

Olivia had a huge heart, especially for animals – a steady stream of furry friends including cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and ducks always seemed to find their way to her door.  And throughout her life, any job that she had was one where she could make a difference in someone’s day.  Most recently she worked at the Tilbury Tots Daycare.

True to her caring nature, Olivia wanted to help others even after her death.  To that end, she had signed her license to become an organ donor, and thanks to her generosity, others have now been given a second chance at life.  That’s the kind of selflessness she showed every day.

We would have celebrated Olivia’s birthday with her on November 29^th.  We have chosen to keep that day now to celebrate her life.  Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home that day at 11:00 where there will be a chance to visit with her family until noon when a Funeral Service conducted by Rev. Eric Skillings will take place.  Following the funeral service, everyone is invited to gather at the Merlin Legion to join us in celebrating a life, albeit too short, was lived fully, boldly and without regret.

Our family would like to convey our sincerest gratitude to the Chatham-Kent EMS and Police Service as well as the Victoria Hospital Critical Care Trauma Unit.  The care and kindness that you gave to Olivia did not go unnoticed.

In keeping with Olivia’s love of animals, those wishing to remember her through a memorial donation are encouraged to consider the Chatham-Kent Animal Rescue https://ckanimalrescue.com/donate/ or Chatham-Kent Pet & Wildlife Rescue https://pawr.org/funds/