Floreen Payne of Blenheim slipped away peacefully into the arms of her Lord on Saturday March 25, 2017. Floreen was born in Howard Township to her late parents Walter & Florence Beecroft 82 years ago. In 1953 she married a young man named Murray Payne who she supported and walked beside for over 63 years. Floreen and Murray raised five children; Shannon & David Pringle (with their children Jordan, Amanda and Matthew), Jim & Gloria Payne (with their children Rachael, Joshua and Jesse), Tom & Deb Payne (with their children Heather and Erica), Shivonne & Dan Holt (with their children Dan Jr, Michael, Christine and April), and Steve & Janice Payne (with their children Ashley and Tyler). Their family grew to include more gifts from God; their great-grandchildren Nathaniel, Chloe, Olivia, Devin Jr, Avery, Jared, Liam, Noah, Mason, Isabel, Korbyn, Maxx, Grayson, Cora, Micaela, Lucy, Nathaniel, Josie, Kaydence, Emelia, Aubree and Cynthia.

Floreen was the youngest of ten children and is survived by her brother Jim Beecroft and her sister-in-law Gwen Beecroft. She was predeceased by her sisters Ellen Forsyth, Joy Pearson and Lillian Tilley, and by her brothers Thomas, Charlie, Howard, Reg and Irvine Beecroft.

Throughout her life, Floreen held steadfast in her belief of God and lived her life as a true Christian. She was a most loving and giving person who was forever displaying random acts of kindness. Her signature on all correspondence was “Smile, God Loves You” and she shared God’s love with everyone. She was the pianist at Glad Tidings Community Church for over 60 years and on Sunday afternoons she would play for the church services at Southwestern Regional Centre. Most of all, she was a kind and caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be missed dearly.

Please join family and friends for a Celebration of Life on Sunday April 30, 2017.  Regular morning worship service at Glad Tidings Community Church begins at 10:30; luncheon at 12:30 followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m.  Please know that you are welcome to attend all of the events.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations toward the Children’s Ministries Renovation Project of Glad Tidings.  Income tax receipts are available. 

Richard Willimot of Blenheim passed away on Wednesday March 22, 2017. Richard was born 48 years ago to his parents Linda Willimot and the late Tom Willimot (2003). He will be remembered always by his sister and brother-in-law Cindy & Arnold Warwick of Ridgetown, their children Rebecca and Dennis who he loved so much and their dog Hollywood. He will be missed as well by his grandmother Helen Hazlett of Blenheim. Richard was predeceased by his grandparents Lloyd Hazlett, John Willimot, Rebecca Willimot-Smith and Charles Smith.

Richard faced some real challenges in life, being diagnosed with arthritis at the age of 15 that would eventually restrict his ability to walk. However, he faced his life with a positive attitude and a great degree of determination that he inherited from his dad. He attended Fanshawe College in London receiving a degree in Radio Broadcasting which he was able to use at CFCO and CKSY in Chatham. He was a founding member and instructor at the Taoist Tai Chi Society in Chatham. He self-taught himself the art of computer generated animation and was able to work with Dreamworks and Amblin Entertainment. His latest accomplishment was to start his own production company called Penguin Frog Studio that had ties in New York. One of Richard’s fondest memories was a trip to Ireland with his sister Cindy when they took their dad home and met their extended family there.

Richard’s wish was that this part of his life be shared with his immediate family. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be scattered at one of his favourite places.

Friends wishing to remember Richard with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Arthritis Society.

Geraldine E Thomas (nee Anthes) passed away peacefully on Thursday March 9, 2017 at the Blenheim Community Village where she had been a long term resident since 2008. Geraldine “Geri” was in her 103^rd year. She was born in Aldborough Township on August 4, 1914 to Jacob & Ellen (Main) Anthes. She was predeceased by her husband James B. Thomas, her stepsons Reginald (Agnes) and Lowel Thomas, her sister Aleda Riley (James) and by her brothers George (Margaret) and Clarence (Thelma) Anthes.

Geri is survived by her son Clarence “Yogi” Shaw (Marilyn) of Blenheim, her step daughter Marlene Thomas of Shakespeare, her niece Marie Kish of Chappaqua N.Y., several nieces and nephews in California, her grandsons in London and Kitchener, granddaughters in Kitchener and by several step grandchildren in Canada. Geri was also predeceased by her longtime family friend and travel companion Reta Swartz.

After graduating from school, Geri laboured in Rodney and lived briefly in Plymouth Michigan before returning to London where she laboured at Victoria Hospital and for the Belvedere Hotel Catering at the Robert Simpson Company. She was the supervisor of Foods for Sommerville House at the University of Western Ontario. After retirement she enjoyed travelling and gardening, she was a member of the London Crochet Club and the Hamilton Road Seniors, organizing entertainment at 30 Baseline Apartments. After a fall and breaking her arm, Geri moved to the Blenheim Community Village Retirement Home in October 2008. In December 2013 after a hospital stay she returned to the Blenheim Communituy Village Long Term Care.   Many thanks go to the nurses, care workers and staff of the Blenheim Community Village, to Dr. Perkin for Mom’s care and to the visitors.

Friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will be held on Saturday March 11, 2017 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. when a service for Geri will be held. A private family interment will take place in the Rodney Cemetery on Monday. Friends wishing to remember Geri with a memorial donation are asked to consider a charity of their choice.

Flip Vandersluis, a well-known contractor in Blenheim passed away on Monday March 6, 2017 at the age of 79 years. Flip was born in Lollum Friesland, Netherlands on May 26, 1937 to the late Renze & Hotske (Nydam) Vandersluis. It was in Blenheim, on March 14, 1959 that he married his sweetheart Marie Furman and began a lifetime of memories that would last for over 50 years when Marie passed away in 2009. Flip and Marie were the proud parents of six children; Rick & Cathy Vandersluis, Rob Vandersluis, Bonnie & Chris Delargy, Laura & David Huffman, Wendy & Larry Smith and Philip & Tracey Vandersluis. Their family grew to include eleven grandchildren Cameron Vandersluis, Alexander Vandersluis, Ryan & Amanda Delargy, Sean & Erica Delargy, Samantha Delargy, Shelby Huffman, James Huffman, Craig & Kym VanGassen, Brandon & Nikki VanGassen, Nathan Vandersluis and Nicholas Vandersluis as well as eight great-grandchildren Blake, Jayden, Grady, Max and Sophia VanGassen and Harper, Renn and Sutter Delargy. He was predeceased by his granddaughter Ashley Marie VanGassen.

Flip was one of fourteen children and is survived by his brother Mike Vandersluis and his sisters Irene Wolting and Sadie Postma. He was predeceased by his sisters Louise VanDyke, Gertie Wagner and Wietske Hamberg and by his brothers Klaas, Michel, Friedrich, Cornelus, Otto, Eise and Henry Vandersluis.

In keeping with Flip’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday where visitation will be held from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Flip will be held in Trinity Anglican Church on Saturday March 11, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Friends wishing to make a memorial donation are asked to consider Trinity Anglican Church or the London Health Sciences Foundation.

Flip’s family wishes to thank Dr. Martha Clendenning, the staff of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and the staff of Victoria Hospital in London for the wonderful care and compassion that was given to our father, grandfather and great-grandfather. That meant so much to us.

Michael James Awram of Blenheim and formerly of Ridgetown passed away on Sunday February 26, 2017 at the age of 62 years. Michael was one of three children born to the late Mike & Beatrice (Crossett) Awram and is survived by his sisters Carol McKellar & Tom Savage of Chatham and Debra Awram of Highgate.  Michael will always be remembered with great fondness by his wife Anita McKinlay, by his children Megan Awram (Dustin Deline) and Michael Awram (Chelsey Jeffrey) all of Chatham, by his grandchildren Michael Jeffrey Awram, Alisynn Awram and Layla Deline, by Anita’s children Heather McKinlay (Eugene Verzin) of London, England and Duncan McKinlay of London Ontario. He was an awesome Uncle to Michael McKellar and Kari McKellar and great uncle to Jacob, Keelan, Portrait, Kate, Ella and Aada. He was predeceased by his infant daughter Jennifer.

Michael was a friendly, outgoing man who was a great hockey player and a cabinet maker by trade. In his spare time he enjoyed the outdoors, be it fishing or a back yard barbeque with family and friends.

Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday March 1, 2017 where visitation will be held from 12:00 until 2:00 when a service conducted by Pastor Gilliland will begin. Interment will take place in Greenwood Cemetery, Ridgetown.

Friends wishing to remember Michael with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Children’s Hospital in London.

Doreen Helen Kent of Merlin, much loved wife of the late Gordon Kent (2014) passed away at the Meadow Park Nursing Home on Friday February 24, 2017 at the age of 89 years. Doreen was the daughter of the late Olive (Atkinson) & Vernie Jones and is survived by her only sister Marlene Kent (late Doug).  In her life, Doreen had accomplishments that she was very proud of.  She graduated from University of Western Ontario in 1948 and took a position as a High School Teacher at the Merlin District High School.  She had a love for music, loved her church and enjoyed a life with Gordon for over 59 years.  Nothing made Doreen more proud than her family which included her children Dana & Stephanie Kent, Dale & Sandra Kent, Elaine Bessie (late Dennis) and Darin & Susan Kent and her grandchildren Jennifer & Greg, Meredith, Joseph, Owen, Steven, Logan and Tyler.  She will be missed by her brothers in law Marshall & Joan Kent and Lee Kent as well as her nieces and nephews Christine & Tim, Tracy, Jeff & Tammy and Julie & David.

A private family service conducted by Rev. James Haupt will take place on Friday March 3, 2017 followed by interment in Stewart Cemetery, Merlin. Friends wishing to remember Doreen with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Sick Children’s Hospital, London as that charity had a special place in her heart.

Online condolences for the family and memorial donations may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

Geraldine Louise (Graham) Guttridge of Merlin passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Sunday February 19, 2017. Geraldine was born in Raleigh Township 83 years ago to her late parents Evelyn & Lewis Graham. One night on a double date she met a man named Warren Guttridge and on February 3, 1951 they were married, beginning a journey that spanned over 66 years. Geraldine and Warren raised three children; Pam && Robert Tasker of Chatham, Kim & Shelley Guttridge of Merlin and Theresa & Mike Fleury of Merlin. They are the proud grandparents of 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Geraldine is survived by her sisters Elaine Wilson and Donna & Bob Botting as well as her sister in law Nancy Graham. She was predeceased by her sister Marjorie Graham, her brother Tom Graham and her brother in law Ron Wilson.

Geraldine enjoyed spending time with her family. Over the years she worked at some of the local stores and restaurants in Merlin and she was a member of the Merlin Legion where she helped with catering.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will take place on Wednesday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Geraldine will take place in the Funeral Home on Thursday February 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Eric Skillings officiating. Cremation will follow with a private graveside service to be held in the Merlin Cemetery at a later date.

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

Lesley Anne Kelly (nee Pitchforth), in her 59^th year, passed away on February 16, 2017 at the Chatham-Kent Hospice after a courageous battle with cancer. Lesley was born in East Africa and was the daughter of the late Ronald and Jacqueline Pitchforth (nee Capper). Lesley leaves behind her beloved and dedicated husband Tim Kelly. Lesley was a loving daughter-in-law to Dan and Madeline Kelly and step-mother to Steve (Amanda) Kelly and Joanne Kelly (Dave Stranos) and Spencer Ray, Taylor and Cole Kelly. She was overjoyed to hold her first grandchild Joey Stranos. Lesley was greatly loved and respected by her sister Mandy Lagan. She enjoyed spending time with her nephew Matthew Lagan and niece Hannah Lagan. Lesley was a wonderful friend, neighbour, co-worker and mentor to many. She worked for many years as a property manager, establishing her own company. Lesley stood out as a true example of integrity, determination and strength. She had a special appreciation for a great meal, the water, a beautiful sunset, the colours of fall, dominos, travel, a good book and a tremendous love for her dog, Parker.

Friends will be received at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street in Blenheim on Tuesday February 21, 2017 where visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. Friends wishing to remember Lesley with an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

In the early morning hours of February 16, 2017 Leta (Burk) Hanson, loved wife of the late Ed Hanson, passed away peacefully at the Village on the Ridge. Leta was born in Blenheim on March 14, 1925 to the late Roy and Anna (Holmes) Burk and was predeceased by her sister Evelyn and brother George. She served in the Army for three years as a member of the Canadian Women’s Army Corp. She also worked at the Roy Deary Jewellery Store in Blenheim. Leta and Ed raised three daughters; Louise (Ray) Mack, Carroll (late Wayne) McDermid and June Hanson all of Blenheim. They were proud of their grandsons Kenneth McDermid, Timothy Mack & Josē DaSilva and James Mack. Leta will be fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews, and her congregational family.

Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Monday February 20, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Interment in Burk Cemetery at a later date. Friends wishing to honour Leta’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Blenheim.

Karrie-Ann Roy was given her eternal angel wings, with her family by her side at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Thursday February 9, 2017. She was predeceased by: Meme Tanner, Pepe & Meme Roy, three Uncle John’s (Johnny Roy, John Tanner and John Rogers) along with other cherished loved ones.

Karrie is survived by her dad Bob Roy, her mother Lyn (Gord) DeLong, brother Dave (Michelle) Roy, sister Cindy (Shane) Sykes, nephew Austin Roy, nieces Brooklyn Sykes, Kennedy Sykes and Caelan Roy and extended family Clint DeLong & family and Tamie Bagic & family. She will be sadly missed by her family, partners in life, her Earth Angel family and cherished loved ones.

Karrie was diagnosed on December 14, 2009 with Stage IV colon cancer. For the next 7 years she took on her new mission and became the C.E.O. of her own new company that she jokingly called “Save My Ass Incorporated. ” Her prognosis of 9 months to live turned into 7 years of great memories where we shared with her a life-transforming journey. She formed her “Relay for Life” team in 2010 and to honour her caregivers she called her team “Earth Angels”. The team of 90 supporters has grown into hundreds of Earth Angels around the world and will continue to grow in Karrie’s memory.

Family and friends are invited to attend the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday February 10, 2017 where visitation will take place from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m.

A Celebration of Life for Karrie will be conducted by her Earth Angel Reverend Father Dave Fuller of the Trinity Anglican Church (Blenheim) on Saturday February 11, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in St. Mary’s Hall.  It was Karrie’s wish that cremation will follow the service and a memorial service will be held on a beautiful sunny day at the beach.

Friends wishing to remember Karrie with a memorial donation are asked to consider Trinity Anglican Church (Blenheim), the Chatham-Kent Hospice, P.A.W.R., or a local charity of their choice.