James Robert ‘Bob’ Austin, passed away peacefully at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on February 14, 2026 after a brief illness.  Bob enjoyed living at St. Andrew’s Residence in Chatham for the last ten years, after residing most of his life in the Blenheim area. Born in Chatham June 5, 1938, he was the last surviving member of his family. Son of the late Walter and Alicia (Barron) Austin, and brother of Francis (Mickey), John Mac, Ada Lachapelle, Dolores Kelly and Mary Theresa Nead (Mack).

Bob was a proud retiree of Navistar, who continued to give public tours of the plant after he retired.  He was active at St. Andrew’s, and always enjoyed a good social event.  Bob enjoyed outings with friends and family, including regular visits to the Legion with his nephew Mike. A man of deep faith, Bob was involved for many years with local prayer groups including the Third Order of Franciscans. He enjoyed different sports through the years including bowling and curling and was an avid racing fan. He enjoyed watching hockey and baseball, cheering on the Blue Jays during their run for the title last year.

Always there to lend a hand, Bob was loved by many nieces and nephews and their families and was an honorary member of the Zimmer family.  He will be missed by many.  Huge thanks to everyone at St. Andrews Residence for helping Bob enjoy such a full life, and to the staff who cared for him so compassionately at CKHA.

Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with funeral arrangements.  Visitation will be held in St. Joseph’s Church, Chatham on Thursday February 19, 2026 from 11:00 – 12:00 followed immediately by a Funeral Mass.

Friends wanting to remember Bob with a memorial donation are encouraged to consider Outreach for Hunger https://outreachforhunger.com/donate/ or the Chatham-Kent Hospice https://chathamkenthospicefoundation.com/donations/

David Clemens Doddy passed away peacefully at home Saturday February 14th.

David was the son of the late Peter and Elizabeth Doddy. He will be remembered by his children, Barbara (George) Myltschenko and Dan (Anika) Doddy. He was predeceased by his infant son, David Patrick.

Nothing brought Dave greater joy than his grandchildren—William, Andrew, and Gracie—who were the light of his life and the source of his proudest moments. Whether cheering for them in their chosen sport or activity, lending a steady hand building Lego, making his famous “two cheese grilled cheese” or simply watching them grow, he treasured every minute spent with them.

Dave dedicated his entire career to Fram (later Seimens) in automotive testing. Having started there immediately after high school he eventually went on to create and receive patents for at least two parts—an achievement that reflected both his mechanical brilliance and his determination to improve what wasn’t working.

Those who knew him knew he was happiest outside. Summers found him drawn to the water on Rondeau Bay, usually carrying a crowd over to “the island” on Dave’s Taxi, or pulling a smiling kid or two behind it in tubes or on skis. In winter, he traded waves for snow, equally at home in the crisp air and bright landscapes of the season on a snowmobile. No matter the time of year, when he was healthy, Dave was rarely idle. He had an innate need to tinker, repair, and restore. Neighbours, friends, and family all benefited from his capable hands.

Thank you goes out to those who helped make the last months and days of his life comfortable, caring for him where he was happiest, at home.  Special gratitude to caregivers Tena and Corinne, Nurse Prab, the Chatham-Kent Community Paramedicine team and Jesse from ProResp for their kind spirits and willingness to go above and beyond when Dave experienced his hardest days.

Cremation has taken place and plans for a celebration of life will happen at a later date.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ronald George Park, age 81, who has gone on to tend the farmers fields of heaven.

Ron passed peacefully on February 7, 2026 with his family by his side at the Chatham-Kent Hospice.  He was predeceased by his parents Florence and Wesley and his brother Albert.  Ron is survived by his wife of 38 years, Shriley Kunzler, his son Scott (Nancy), daughter Deanna (Russ) and stepdaughters Christine, Jane and Clara.  Ron also leaves behind loving nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Born July 21, 1944 in Wyoming Ontario, Ron was a proud farmer whose collection of farmer’s hats was legendary amongst his family and friends.  Enjoying a cup of coffee with Ron was always a treat.  His sense of humour often highlighted his mischievous side.  Always the clever businessman, Ron loved the satisfaction of negotiating the best deals at auctions and yard sales.  His gentleness and down to earth manner will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Monday February 16, 2026 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Chatham-Kent Hospice would be appreciated.

Interment at Wyoming Cemetery will take place at a later date.

Susan G. Shriver, a “Citizen of the World” passed away peacefully in Chatham, Ontario on February 7, 2026.  Susan was a wonderful mother, a faithful friend, a dedicated volunteer, a world traveller and a lover of languages. She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Olinda, Ontario, a practitioner of the values of the International School of Personality and Human Relations (PRH), and active in the Franco-Ontarian community.

Susan Toni Guthridge was the only child of Richard Clay Guthridge and Anne Margaret Brown and grew up in New York City playing in the neighbourhood around 52^nd Street and the East River of Manhattan. Susan excelled in school and entered William Smith College in upstate New York at the age of 16. After completing a BA, Susan travelled to Europe, Israel, and Egypt spending two years in France learning French in Strasbourg and teaching English in Paris. Her time living and teaching in France guided the course of Susan’s future.

Susan returned to the United States to attend Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia to complete a Masters of French Language and Literature and, in parallel, a Masters of Librarianship. While at Emory, Susan met her first husband, John R. Shriver, and daughter Noelle Anne was born. They emigrated to Windsor, Ontario, Canada in 1971 and Susan started to work for the Windsor Public Library at the Willistead Manor branch. In 1976 she began teaching at Belle River District High School in the French immersion program.  Susan transferred to the newly opened L’Ecole Secondaire L’Essor in 1979 and truly enjoyed teaching the students Francais, Ethics, Co-Op and working in the school library until her retirement in 1996.

Towards the end of her teaching career, Susan met her second husband, Ted (Edward) Joseph Bell (d. 2023) at a PRH workshop. Susan moved to the Blenheim area where she and Ted lived on a farm with their cats and then moved to be by the water in Erieau.  Susan moved to the perfect townhouse in Blenheim when Ted entered assisted living in Ridgetown.

Susan had slow, progressive kidney failure through much of her life and started on dialysis in 2017; first in Windsor and then in Chatham.  The Dialysis Team in the Chatham Health Centre Dialysis unit were like an extended family, and the Nephrology Team in London were attentive to her health, her concerns and requests.

Susan will be deeply missed by her daughter Noelle, son-in-law Alan, step-grandchildren Julia, Madeline, Robert and their families, stepson Ken Bell and the extended Bell family, many first cousins and their families around the US, and her large group of friends including ones from childhood, university, her travels in Europe, her time in Windsor, and more recent friendships she formed in Chatham-Kent; all who have been such a strong support and source of joy.

A Celebration of Susan’s Life will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday, May 9, 2026. If you would like to make a donation in Susan’s name, please consider the Blenheim Medical Health Foundation (The Hub).

Louella (Copeland) Lindsay passed away on Saturday January 31, 2026 in her 96^th year.  Born in New Waterford, Nova Scotia in 1931 she was the daughter of the late Lloyd and Anna (McLean) Copeland and the wife of the late Robert Max Lindsay who passed away in 2003.

Louella is survived by her daughter Mary (Bill) Fulton, sons Bruce, John (Janet), Tom (Sue), Greg, Jamie (Michelle) and Max Jr., step daughter Linda (Bruno) Rota, brothers Gordy (Diane) and Bob as well as her brother-in-law Doug Dolsen.  She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her son Larry, her sister Mary Dolsen, and her brothers Jim, Don and Murray.

Louella has donated her body to science research.  There will be a Celebration of Life in the spring.

Doreen Mae Barker, born January 15, 1932 to the late Harold & Jessie (Rutherford) Barker passed away in Chatham on Tuesday January 27, 2026.    She is the sister of Nancy Penney of Morpeth and the late Mary Lou Marchand, dear aunt of Ken Penney (Darlene) of Chatham, Debbie Wardell (Mark) of Chatham, Laurie Marchand (Jen) of Toronto and Susan Lindsay (Tom) of Blenheim and is survived by several great nieces and nephews.

Doreen lived most of her life in Morpeth.  She loved birds and dogs, singing, yodeling and playing her harmonica.  After leaving Morpeth, she spent fifteen years in the Chatham Retirement Resort where she made many friends including Lorraine, who continued to come and visit her after she moved to Copper Terrace last October. 

Cremation will take place and Doreen’s urn will be interred with her parents in Morpeth Cemetery in the spring.

John Guenther of Cedar Springs passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the age of 49.

Born in Mexico, John carried with him a strong work ethic, resilience, and appreciation for hard work that shaped the man he became throughout his life. He was a loving husband to Natasha (Robinson). Seventeen years ago they were married, beginning a life together filled with love and countless memories.

John’s greatest joy in life was the birth of his daughter, Grace Elizabeth, in 2011. Grace was truly her dad’s pride and joy. John was a devoted and fiercely protective father who cherished every moment with her, always ensuring she felt safe, loved, and supported. Whether through quiet moments at home or while Grace was chasing Buddy around while sitting near the campfire, simply being there whenever she needed him was what he loved about being her father, John taught Grace the values of hard work, kindness, and perseverance. His love for her was deep and unwavering, and she will forever carry his guidance, strength, and spirit with her.

John was a hardworking man with a natural mechanical ability and a talent for fixing just about anything. He enjoyed getting his hands dirty and took great pride in his work, particularly in farming, which remained close to his heart throughout his life.

John was the much-loved son of Katharina and her husband Peter Unger. He will be deeply missed by his siblings: Margaret and Jake Unger, Anna and Abe Klassen, Abe and Maria Guenther, and Frank and Annie Guenther.  He will also be deeply missed by many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his father, Isaac Guenther.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Sunday for visitation from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Glad Tidings Community Church on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Kent Babbey officiating. Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery.

Anne (Berendsen) de Brouwer passed away peacefully at age 89, on Wednesday January 21, 2026.  Anne was one of 8 children of the late Johannes and Johanna (Veldman) Berendsen.

For 61 years Anne was a loving wife to Pete de Brouwer, the fun-loving young man she first kissed on a snowy New Year’s Eve in 1953, just a few weeks before she and her family emigrated to Canada.

She was a nurturing, patient and generous mother who was ridiculously proud of her four children: Ben (Patricia), Marianne (Brant), Allen (2021) (Marja) (Tim) and Melissa (Stephen).

As Oma, Anne was supportive and happily cheered her grandchildren on in any and all pursuits. She will be forever remembered by her grandchildren Cayley, Athena (Curtis), Weston (2004), Charlotte (David), Raina (Jason), Evan, Sawyer (Natasha), Sam (Madison), Andrew (Erika), James (Sally) and great grandchildren Claire, Nathan, Kylie, Daele, Arbor, William, Nole and Lilla.

Anne will be dearly missed by her surviving sisters Wilma and Trudy, and her brother, John; as well as many in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours.

Anne emigrated from the Netherlands to Canada with her parents, four sisters and three brothers, in February 1953.  She arrived as a 16-year-old teen, and was immediately placed as a live-in maid and nanny for a family in St. Thomas. Needless to say, it was a challenging transition for a girl who spoke no English, and was separated from her family. When I asked her how she managed those early days, weeks and months, she replied “I just learned the language one word at a time and bit by bit things improved.”

Such a positive outlook.  And basically, that is how Mom tackled things.  We never heard mom say something (anything) was too hard, or beyond her ability, or likely to fail.  If she wanted to do something, or learn something, or join something, she just did.  And she encouraged all of her children to approach life and our dreams with the same positive attitude.  She never discouraged us from trying something new.  We never heard her say “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

In 1995, Mom won two airline tickets to Holland.  She decided it was a great opportunity to participate in the ‘Vierdaagse’ (International Four Days Marches) in Nijmegen.  A serious personal challenge, the event consisted of walking 40 kilometres a day for 4 consecutive days – each day a different route extending from Nijmegen into the surrounding towns and countryside.  Mom completed the challenge and earned the coveted Four Days Marches Cross.

Mom was a woman who said “yes” easily.

To her husband, her kids, her family and friends.

Yes to parties and dances; yes to a 3 week trip across the U.S. with 11 other troublemakers in a refurbished school bus;  yes to a game of cards; yes to sewing a special prom dress; yes to a concert in the park; yes to after school rides from a steady stream of practices and games for years and years; yes to a brisk walk anywhere; and always, yes to a shopping excursion.

These are just a few of the lessons we learned from our mother, Anne.  Mom, we will carry your love and positivity forward with us and remember you always.

Visitation will be held at Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday January 23 from 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

A private family interment will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim on Saturday January 24.

Following interment, we will host Mom’s Celebration of Life and Luncheon at 12:00 noon at the Willow Ridge Golf and Country Club, 439 Chatham St. South Blenheim. Everyone is welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Chatham-Kent Hospice are appreciated.https://chathamkenthospicefoundation.com/donations/

Terry McEachran passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Friday January 16, 2026 at the age of 63 years.  He is the son of the late Evelyn & Lloyd McEachran and will be remembered by his siblings Carol, Glen, Glenda, Allen and Mike, his Community Living family and his former Southwestern Regional Centre family.  He was predeceased by his brothers Richard and Danny.  Terry will be laid to rest in Woodstock with his father.

Louise Mack of London passed away on Friday, January 16, 2026 at the age of 78. She will be greatly missed by her children Timothy (José) and James, and her beloved partner, John Robinson. She will be also be missed by her sister, Carroll, and nephew, Kenneth. She was predeceased by her husband, Ray (2019); her parents Edward & Leta (Burk) Hanson; and her infant son, John.

Louise was an avid gardener and loved plants and flowers, hummingbird and dragonflies. She worked as a florist at Colonial Nurseries in Chatham before becoming a teller at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, from which she later retired. Louise loved dachshunds and cared for six little doxies through the years, as well as one gigantic Great Dane. She enjoyed watching the Toronto Blue Jays and the Maple Leafs. Never one to forget a face, Louise would always find time to stop and chat with people. She was a former Optimist’s Women’s club member, an active member of the Cherryhill Seniors Activity Club, and a devoted congregant of Riverside United Church.

Visitation for Louise will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 20, from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00. Interment at Burk Cemetery will take place at a later date.