Robert “Bob” Mifflin of Merlin passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Wednesday April 4, 2018. Bob was born in Raleigh Township to the late Elmer & Clova (Bellanger) Mifflin 89 years ago. For sixty-five of those years, he farmed with his best friend and brother Keith in the Merlin area. He will be missed by his sister Betty Soper and of course Keith & Roxene Mifflin. He was predeceased by his brothers Glen in 1998 and Morley in 2015, by his sisters in law Jean and Ilene and by his brother in law Bill.

Bob’s smile will be especially missed by his niece Sheila & Brad Chadwick and their son Christopher as well as his nephew Mark & Nancy Mifflin and their daughter Danielle.

Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Thursday where visitation will be held on Thursday from 7 – 9 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday April 6, 2018 at the Merlin United Church from 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. when a Funeral Service conducted by Rev. James Haupt will take place. Interment will take place in Pardoville Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Bob with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Gordon Newcombe Dickson of Blenheim and formerly Sarnia passed away peacefully at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance 4^th Floor Palliative Unit on Tuesday, April 3, 2018.  Gordon was the son of Lena (Best) and Newcombe Dickson of Thamesville.  He is survived by his wife Donna Jean Sedgman , step children, Karen Cofell and Brian Cofell (Lucy) and step grandchildren Tori Jackson (Justin), Tiffani Jackson, Keiran Rizzetto-Mann and Carrick Cofell.  Gordon is fondly remembered by close cousins Mac Dickson (Roberta), Beth Sproule (Doug), Don Dickson (Rhoda) and Cae Stephens.  Gordon was predeceased by his first partner Norma Jean (Cuthbert) Moffit.  He is fondly remembered by her children Scott Moffit (Christine) and Jeanna Burgess (Carl) and their children Jessica and Chris.

Gordon grew up in Thamesville, Ontario the son and delivery boy of his father Newcombe Dickson’s grocery store.  He also took over the paper route from his older Dickson cousins when he became old enough.  He attended Thamesville Public School, Lambton Kent District High School, and the University of Western Ontario.  He became a computer systems analyst for Imperial Oil for a number of years before striking out on his own contract business in later life.

Gordon was an avid family historian and he and Donna shared many trips during the last few years trying to track down his elusive ancestors. He was a long time member and volunteer for the Lambton Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society.

Visitation will be on Saturday, April 14^th from 1-3 before a formal Celebration of Life at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street, Blenheim Ontario

Donations in memory of Gordon may be made to the Chatham Kent Health Alliance Palliative Care 4^th Floor Unit, Bladder Cancer Canada or the charity of your choice.

Jean Elizabeth Myers has left this life at 97 years of age. She will be long remembered by her five children and their families for her energy and joy of life, which had tapered down somewhat as her years advanced. Throughout her life she maintained a quick wit and open mindedness.

Born in London, Ontario to the late Rose Comiskey and Russell Myers; Jean was an athletic youth who taught herself to swim in the Thames River and went on to become a lifeguard and swimming instructor and she carried on a lifelong love of swimming.

Moving to Detroit with her new husband Klemence Dysarz during WW2, when household provisions were hard to come by, Jean brought a chest full of books as her dowry. Reading her first book as a youth, her mother Rose Comiskey would tell Jean’s 6 siblings not to bother her as she was reading. Even as she read less in later years, she loved being surrounded by books.

Visiting her Aunt Lizzie Comiskey was always a special treat for Jean, as Lizzie was the first woman in Ingersoll, Ontario to drive a car.

Spending summers in a lakefront cottage near Rondeau Park with her husband and children, Jean later became a yearlong resident, living in the cottage for the remainder of her years. A Canadian by birth, she later became a “landed immigrant” to Canada and always kept her U.S. citizenship.

An avid bridge card player, she had a network of bridge-playing friends in two countries, and later at the Blenheim Senior Centre where for many years she organized the duplicate bridge club. Jean remained a bridge fanatic her entire life and would often comment that it kept her mind sharp. She mourned the loss of Adrienne, a friend and bridge partner of more than 55 years.

She is survived by children Paul, Evelyn, Cindy, Russell and Karen and several grand and great-grandchildren.

Annie (Westendorp) Postma died at the Blenheim Community Village on Friday March 30, 2018 at the age of 81 after a long illness. Mother of Eleanor Singor, Dale Postma and his wife Tracey, “Beppa” to Olivia and Natalie Postma. Fondly remembered by her brothers Ed (Lynn) and Henry and by many nieces and nephews. Annie was predeceased by her husband Ralph Postma in 1998, by her parents Ray & Ellen Westendorp, her brothers and their wives Donald & Susie, John & Lenore, Joe & Margaret and by her sister-in-law Willa Westendorp. Cremation to take place with a private family service to be held at a later date in Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home.

We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the staff at the Blenheim Community Village

for your continuous loving care for your Mom.

Janet Bell of Chatham passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Sunday March 25, 2018 at the age of 71 years. Janet was one of four daughters born to John and Roberta (McEachran) Burwell. She is survived by her sisters Sally Burwell and Joan Shea (late Tom) and predeceased by her sister Barb Burwell.

It was at a dance at the Rondeau Pavillion where she would meet a young man named Ken Bell and on June 1, 1968 they were married. Together Janet and Ken raised two daughters, Kathleen Roberta Bell (Steven Frey) and Margaret Ann Bell who they were always proud of. They are also the very proud grandparents of Zoey Frey, Stephanie Frey and Jacob Bechard. Family was so important to Janet.

In her spare time, Janet was an amazing quilter. She made many quilts for family members and enjoyed time spent with her friends at the Chatham-Kent Quilters Guild.

In respect of Janet’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Thursday March 29, 2018 from 2:00 – 5:00 to share memories and a light lunch.

Those wishing to remember Janet with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice so that they are able to continue providing the exceptional care that was extended to Janet and her family.

Walter Lawrence Ardis passed away on Monday March 19, 2018 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance at the age of 80 years. Survived by his children and their families April & Arnie Fraser (Chad and Dustin), Cheryl & Bruce Peltier (Darcy and Bryan), Tracy & Janice Ardis (Brandon and Candise), Crystal & Scott McTavish (Jordan, Spencer, Griffin), Lisa & Everitt Wevers (Carol and Alana) and Trevor & Lisa Ardis (Riona). He will also be missed by his great grandchildren and a brother Orville & Anne Turner. Walter was predeceased by his wife Margaret Ardis, his parents William and Edith (Rylett) Ardis and his brothers Joe Turner and William Ardis.

Walter was a Captain in the Reserves with the Essex-Kent Regiment and was a 20 year member of the Blenheim Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 185. He was a member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Erieau and drove truck for Delhaven Orchards.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday March 24, 2017 for visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A Funeral Service conducted by Fr. David Fuller will take place at 1:00 followed by a lunch at the Blenheim Legion.

Friends wishing to remember Walter with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Society or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

On March 14^th, early in the morning, helped by an earth angel, Mary Lou Crewe went to her everlasting home to be with her husband Glenn Crewe, her parents Manley & Mary (Giffin) Dawson, her sister and brother-in-law Marjorie & Doug Simpson and grandchild Ashley Maracle. The matriarch leaves behind her baby sister Marilyn (Gerald) Richmond, and her children Linda (Ken) Breese – Georgie, Ed and Tim; Lee (Earl) Davidson – Tara and Kevin; Ed (Sheri) Thompson – Leah and Jordan; Charlene (John) Ireland – Mark, Tiffany, Cassadi and Shea-Lyn; Bob Crewe and Pat Charbonneau. She had twenty six great grandchildren and one and a half great-great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. She was adored and loved.

Mary Lou began her life on the Front Line, Blenheim, to Windsor areas and back again to Blenheim. She came back to finish her education to be a teacher. She met and married George Thompson, had her family, continued her studies and finally went back to teaching until retirement. She enjoyed travelling, dancing, reading, her church, lay-ministry, shopping and family gatherings.

Friends and family are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Sunday for visitation from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Mary Lou will be held at the Funeral Home on Monday March 19, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Mary Lou with a memorial donation are asked to consider the charity of your choice.

Donna Marguerite Alice (Rigby) Knights passed away at Blenheim Community Village in the early hours of Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at the age of 79 after a courageous battle with cancer. Donna was predeceased by her loving husband of more than 50 years, William (Stub) Knights, in November 2013, and her beloved only son, Stewart (Stubby) in March 2015. Donna is survived by her daughter, Jane, and husband John Pratt, of Aurora, ON. Donna was cherished “Gramma Stub” to Billy Jo (Knights) and Chris Cunningham, Jessica (Knights) and Matt Hall, Claire Knights, Tyler and Whitney Pratt and Michele Pratt and Quentin Lindfield-Roberts. She was Great-Gramma to Jolee and Miller Cunningham, Cameron and Emily Hall, and Finley Pratt. Donna is also survived by her sisters and brothers in-law, John and Sally Knights, and Ann and Jack Morrison. She also leaves many treasured nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Donna was also fortunate to have many wonderful, close friends who will dearly miss her.

Donna was born on, October 31, 1938, much loved only child to Don and Marg Rigby, both predeceased. Mom loved to say that she “came in on a broom” because of her Halloween birthday. She was a life long resident of Blenheim, except for a few years in her early 20’s when she worked at various banks in London and Toronto. After having children, in 1964, Donna started working as a legal secretary for Tom Warwick’s Law Office in Blenheim, and remained in that position for over 40 years, until retiring.

Donna was a 50-year member of the Blenheim I.O.D.E., and a long time member of the Golden Acres Curling Club, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 185, and Blenheim United Church. Donna enjoyed many summers with her husband and family at their boat in Erieau, relaxing by the shanty, making memories with good friends, and cruising the waters of Lake Erie and Rondeau Bay.

Donna’s family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of the Blenheim Community Village, particularly Dawn Campbell, Carol Coll, and Annette Lucio, for the wonderful care she received there, over the past few years, but especially in her final few days.

The family will receive visitors at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday, March16 from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm, and the funeral will be held there on Saturday, March 17 at 11am officiated by Pastor Tim Joyce of the Word of Life Church.

Donations to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 185, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.

On Sunday March 4, 2018, Mary Frances Elizabeth Dowker, loved by her children Martha Lee Jackson (Manley), Irwin Dowker (late Debra) and Steven Dowker (Marilyn), passed away at the age of 91 years. Mary will be remembered with great fondness by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren David Dowker, Lynetta & Matt Keech (with their children Brayden and Amelia), Matthew & Adriana Dowker (with their children Marilyn and Albert), Shannon & Antun Jurcic (with their children Marija, Luka and Joseph), Melissa Dowker & Terrence Copeland (with their children Lyla and Kaelen Copeland) and Kent & Carly Jackson who are expecting Baby Girl Jackson soon. Mary was predeceased by her husband Keith in 2005.

Born in Tilbury East to the late Vernon & Irene Irwin, Mary was one of four children and is survived by her sister Edith Stark (Murray). She was predeceased in life by her sister Ruth (late Redge Crothers and George Richardson) and by her brother Jim Irwin.

After Mary and Keith were married they lived and worked on a farm on the Fourth Line. When they moved to Blenheim in 1967 Mary started working at the new Blenheim Community Golf Course where she became well known for her absolutely amazing meals and also at the BDHS Cafeteria where she could be counted on for slipping a few extra fries on a plate or making an extra special sandwich for students and staff. Everyone knew when Mary was at work because the smell of baking that came from the kitchen was second to none. You were fortunate if you got to try Mary’s chocolate cake that nobody has ever been able to replicate. Mary retired in the early 1980’s but not before she opened her home to capable adults, being one of the first approved boarding homes through Southwestern Regional Centre. She also worked as a PSW with Community Living. Mary’s retirement years were spent in Blenheim, Chatham and most recently Ridgetown.

There are many changes and challenges that occur over the course of 91 years; some good and some not but the sum of those experiences helped to make Mary who she was. She knew hard work. She was a teenager during the depression and a young lady during WWII. She was determined as a young bride and mother to make sure that her family didn’t go without. That determination continued through the past few weeks as she fought to stay but it wasn’t to be. She is now at peace. Her wish of sharing the last journey of her life with those closest to her took place on Saturday March 10, 2018 when her family gathered at Evergreen Cemetery and laid her to rest with Keith.

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