With heavy hearts we say good-bye to a father, brother and friend Franciscus (Frank) Vercouteren, who passed away Friday, October 11, 2024.

Born June 12, 1938 to the late Theodore Vercouteren Sr. (1983), Wilhelmina Luke (1942) and Alida Pijpers (2011).

Husband to Theresa (Geelen) (2014).  Survived by two children, Janet Fulkerson and Michael Vercouteren.  Grandfather to 5 grandchildren; Tanner, Megan, Erica, Amanda and Kyle, and two great grandchildren Dexter and Lennon.   Brother to Maria (1938), Marie, Theodore Jr (Mary Ellen), Alida Jacobs (Ronald) and Alfred (1968).  Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Frank was a busy man, always on the go.  Upon leaving High School he was involved with Cadet training at the Chatham Armories.  He married Theresa, a Ridgetown girl, and was elected to the Ridgetown Council at age 25.  He became a licensed hairdresser and worked beside Theresa at their shop, then he started in Real Estate becoming a broker in Blenheim and operating Vercouteren Real Estate Ltd in 1970 for the next 35 years.  He was a member of the Chatham-Kent Real Estate Board and the Appraisal Institute of Canada.  He was a member of the Canadian Pheasant Association in 1980, operating a breeding hatchery, raising ornamental pheasants, peacocks and quail on his hobby farm.  He chaired the International Kent County Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Show in 1979.

Frank was elected to the Blenheim Council in 1980, serving 15 years and was elected Reeve of the Kent County Council in 1988.  He was a councillor for Chatham-Kent, Ward 2 from 1999 – 2018, Commissioner on the Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission, President of the Blenheim District Chamber of Commerce, Past Chairman of the Blenheim Business Improvement Association, member of the Chatham-Kent Fires Advisory Board, member of the Blenheim Mosse Lodge, the Blenheim Royal Canadian Legion Branch 185, Chairman of the Blenheim Arena, Chairman of the Chatham-Kent Seniors Fair Committee, Chairman of the Agriculture Hall of Fame Committee and Vice Chair of the B.F.I. Advisory Committee.  He was a licensed Auctioneer and an Associate Broker with O’Brien South Kent Realty Inc.  Frank was a 3^rd Degree Knight and member of St. Raphael Council 8435, Ridgetown.  The Knights will do an honour guard at the funeral on Thursday.

Frank’s friends characterized him as a good guy.  If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have many things.  He was fair and honest in his dealings with people.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m.

Frank was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.  A Celebration of life and Holy Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church on Thursday October 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Romeo presiding.  He will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery beside his wife Theresa.

In lieu of flowers, as an expression of remembering Frank, please consider a donation to P.A.W.R., St. Mary’s Building Fund or a charity of your choice.

Special thanks to staff and caregivers of the 4^th and 6^th floor at Riverview Gardens for their special care.

In loving memory of Ethel Emily Jennings, a cherished soul who brought warmth and light to all who knew her.  Ethel was a devoted mother to her four children – Rick, Tony, Annette and Margaret, and a beloved wife to her late husband, Christopher, who passed in 2019.  Her faith,  kindness, strength and unwavering love made an impact on everyone around her.  Ethel’s legacy of love and compassion will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.  She will be deeply missed but her spirit will forever shine in our memories.

There will be a celebration of life on Oct 26, 2024 at the Blenheim Baptist Church at 11am with a light lunch to follow.

Jeannette Snobelen passed away in Windsor on Sunday October 6, 2024.  She was born 84 years ago to her late parents Carman & Alice Faubert.  Following Alice’s death when Jeannette was only ten years old, her father remarried, giving her a second mother Dorothy who also predeceased her.

She will be missed greatly by her daughters Sandra Zarankin (Dave) and Lori Fenison (Jason), by her grandchildren Zachary, Alex, Karlie & Zak and Payton, as well as her great grandchildren Harrison, Hugh, Billie, Analaya, Ty and Cade.  There were two very sad times in her life; losing her husband Wayne in 2001 and her son Gregory in 2021.

Jeannette enjoyed a childhood of 8 brothers and sisters.  She is survived by her sisters Rita Russell (late Brad), Diane Medd (late Bill), Pat Reid (late Barry), Wanita Bishop and her brothers Ron Faubert (Shirley) and Mike Faubert.  She was predeceased by her sister Doreen Grant (survived by Larry) and her brother Carman & his wife Ann Faubert.

Growing up in a large family has its advantages…you have a strong support system as you grow, you learn how to share and you learn how to forgive and get along with others.  Jeannette was an example of those qualities.  She was thoughtful and caring, she loved family get-togethers, especially Christmas, and she valued close relationships.

Jeannette spent many years working in the Business Office at Southwestern Regional Centre.  She enjoyed many years living near Erie Beach.  After she had a stroke and needed some extra help, she moved to LaSalle to live with her daughter.  When she lost her ability to speak, her resilience shone through and she continued to communicate through modern technology on her phone.   On October 6^th she suffered one more stroke but this time it was too severe and she passed away with her family by her side.  She was loved beyond measure.

Visitation for Jeannette will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday October 11, 2024 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. which will be followed by a Funeral Service conducted by Rev. Paul McPhail.  Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

Douglas Lloyd Wright passed away in Chatham on Monday, October 7th, 2024, at the age of 93 years; he was predeceased by his first wife, Lea Szucs and second wife, Bertha Wright (Delanghe, Blommaert)

Proud Father of the late Lesa Jansen, survived by Henry Jansen, Lori and Daniel Collins, Lloyd, and Michele Wright. Stepfather of the late Janet Cunningham, survived by Allan Cunningham, Dennis and Jacalyn Blommaert, Michelle and Marco Wright Convertino, and Steven and Lynn Martin.

Grandpa to Doug (Melissa) Jansen, Craig (Natalie) Jansen, Erica (Rob) Girimonte, Bryanna Alexander, Lea Wright, Mike Cunningham and Jocelyn, Heather Cunningham, and Jennifer (Mike) Rice.

Great Grandpa to Tanner, Taylor, Maci, Hunter, Brody, Hayden and Audrey.

Doug was predeceased by his parents, Ivan and Arletta Wright, and his sister, Beatrice Watson Guy.

He was a respected farmer in the Merlin area for many years. He was a kind and gentle soul who would say his family was the thing he was most proud of in life.

Visitation will occur at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 9th, from 2 to 5 p.m. Rev. Eric Skillings will conduct a funeral service at the funeral home on Thursday, October 10th, 2024, at 11 a.m.

The interment will be at Pardoville Cemetery, where Douglas will be laid to rest.

Friends planning an expression of remembrance are asked to consider the Blenheim Medical Health Hub https://blenheimhealthhub.com/donate/ .

Edward Lloyd Pratt of Blenheim passed away on Sunday October 6, 2024.  He will be forever missed by his wife of 52 years Linda (Peltier), their children Sherrie Cofell (Jeff) and Aaron Pratt as well as their grandchildren Ethan Ryan, Quinn, Aja, Ariana and Annabelle Cofell.

Born 74 years ago to his late parents Robert & Marjorie (Lloyd) Pratt, Ed was predeceased in life by his only sister Shirley.  He will be remembered by Linda’s brothers Gary Peltier (Rhonda Cowell) and Dave Peltier (Brenda).

A man who always liked to keep busy, Ed loved the outdoors, he loved camping, he loved old cars and he loved fixing things.  He was happiest when his hands were dirty and his tool boxes were full.  He farmed for a time, he worked for the township and he and Linda both retired from Peeters Mushroom plant.  He was one of the good guys in this world.  Nothing brought him more peace and contentment in life than simply being a good husband and father.  He didn’t do the things he did for the recognition or the fanfare; he did them because he cared.  He was kind and humble.

It was Ed’s wish that this part of his life be shared quietly with his immediate family.  Cremation will take place and he will be laid to rest with his parents in Pardoville Cemetery.

Family and friends wishing to remember Ed with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Cancer Society https://cancer.ca/en/ways-to-give/personal-donation.

Kenneth Riehl passed away on October 6^th, 2024 at his home in Ridgetown, Ontario.

Kenn was born on September 20^th, 1979 to his parents James Wellington Riehl and Margaret Diane Riehl.  He leaves here on earth missing him his daughter, Alexis Ruby Riehl and his sister Jacqui Waddick.  He is predeceased by his sister Rebecca, grandparents Ron and Ruby Taylor and Wellington and Dorothy Riehl.  He will be missed by aunts, uncles and cousins.  His pets Diesel and Griffin will miss him along with his friends in Ridgetown.

Kenn’s family will remember him privately.  Family and friends wishing to remember him with a memorial donation are asked to consider the CHAPS program https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/6897 or the Alzheimer’s Society https://alzheimer.ca/chathamkent/en/take-action/donate .

With sadness the family announces the passing of Dorothy Anne Campbell of Blenheim on September 17, 2024 at the age of 89.  Anne was one of three children born to their late parents John and Alean (Duffin) Dixon.  She was predeceased by her sister Betty Allen and is survived by her sister Jacie Shaw (Ron) of Chatham.  Beloved mother of Eric Campbell (2008) (Linda Martin) and Jeff Campbell (Jacqui).  Grandmother of Kasandra Campbell (Joshua – Great grandchild), Josh Campbell, Sarah and Parker Campbell, Danielle and Nikole Martin Campbell.

Anne was born on May 21, 1935 and raised on a farm in Kent Bridge.  In typical Anne style she embarked on a career with London Life which transitioned into her passion of Real Estate for 50 years, which she believed to be the best job in the world.  As a single mother of 2, she had many challenges over the years but handled them with strength, determination and grace.

Anne love spending time with family, laughing, cooking, gardening and always wearing a smile.  She was a loving and caring person, devoted mother, grandmother and friend, always thinking of others first.  To know her was to Love her”.

The care and all of the staff at the Blenheim Community Nursing Home were exceptional.  Thanks you!

Donations to St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Erieau would be appreciated.  We will celebrate Anne’s life with appetizers and a glass of wine on Thursday October 10, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:30 at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home.  It will be an informal time of gathering and fellowship.  A family service will follow at a later date.

Irene Hall passed away in her sleep in the early morning hours of September 27, 2024 after living a life that marked 102 years on September 15^th.

To say that Irene’s life was incredible would be a testimony of the resilience, steadfastness and determination that she was forced to learn at a young age to become the person she was.  When she was eleven years old she was placed in a home in England with other children whose parents were unable to care for them.  Her departure from there at the age of 16 was soon followed by World War 2 and she found herself working midnights in a factory where they made bombs and folded parachutes for soldiers (a story that her great grandson loves to tell).  As her life unfolded, she met a young man named Albert Hall and they fell in love with each other.  In the days when she also worked late shifts as a barmaid, she saved Albert the good cigarettes and he brought her nylon stockings, both things that were scarce during the war.

Irene and Albert married and prior to their departure to Peru for three years, they became parents of two daughters Lynne Gardiner (late Bill Bourdeau) and Irene Hall.  The rest of their family who were born in Canada includes grandchildren Heather Gardiner (Franco Palazzi) and Melissa & James Traxler and great-grandchildren Hunter Baylis, Rylan Traxler and Grace Traxler.

“Nanny” as she was known to her granddaughters was one of the strongest willed women that they knew.  She was a cheeky tiny British lady who was spoiled by Albert who brought her a cup of tea every morning in bed complete with a cup and saucer.   Their love was exceptional and rare…when they kissed, they would always give three pecks.  Irene made amazing Yorkshire pudding, mincemeat, buns and yummy crispy pancakes.  She loved games and was known as the family cheater!  If you ever had the chance to play the game of Sorry or Haymarket, you always lost!   She loved soap operas and was an avid watcher of All My Children and One Life to Live until they both went off the air.  She loved to gamble, play scratch tickets and the slots.

Although the beginning and the end of Irene’s life presented challenges, the dash in between was a beautiful one.  Although her eyesight and hearing failed her in her final years, she looked forward to daily visits from Irene and Lynne who made sure she knew how much she was loved.

Visitation for Irene will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday October 1, 2024 from 11:00 – 11:30 which will be followed immediately by a funeral service conducted by Reverend Wanda Burse.

Friends wishing to remember Irene with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Blenheim Health Hub https://blenheimhealthhub.com/donate/ or the Chatham-Kent Hospice https://chathamkenthospicefoundation.com/donations/.

On Wednesday September 25, 2024 our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle Marvin Ellwood Nicholas Handsor passed away at the age of 80 years.  He was a great man.

“Ellwood” was born in Chatham on Christmas Day, 1943 and because of that, his parents Isabelle & Clarence found it fitting to include Nicholas as part of his name.  He was one of five children and is survived by his sister Judy Dudley (James) and his brothers Terry (Joy), Philip (Margo) and Jim (Deb).  At the age of 14 he found his first love…a 1957 Chevy.  Although he never did own one, he worked on countless classics, bringing them back to their original beauty.

A few years later, Ellwood fell in love again but this time with a young lady named Diane Boswell.  Maybe he never owned a ’57 Chevy, because he loved Diane more.   He would have said that his life couldn’t get better after marrying Mom in 1966 but he also would have said that it did when he and Diane became parents to two boys Marvin Kent (Julie) and Brent (Renee), grandparents to Kyler, Eden and Talon and finally great-grandparents to Roman.

Ellwood was the most welcoming, supportive and inclusive person that you could ever meet. Leaving everyone he met, whether for a moment or a lifetime, with the feeling of being loved.  He saw the good in everything and everybody.  He taught his children to be the best people that they could be and to treat others with respect and kindness.  He was a hard-working man with a great sense of humor.  It didn’t matter if you were family, a friend or someone he just met on the street, he made every encounter a time worth remembering.  He loved blues and soul music, and he loved dancing.  He put his back out once dancing to the macarena and that slowed him down for a bit but it didn’t stop him from doing it again.

He was a long-time employee of Navistar, retiring in 1997 after thirty-two years.  In his younger days he pumped gas for Duncan O’Brien at the White Rose gas station in Blenheim and in between it all, he built his own house and ran his own business called Marv’s Air Tool Repair from his basement shop and his fully equipped garage. With a knack for being able to fix or build anything he set his mind to, he was known as the “Toy Maker” in the days of CB radio. His love for building and tinkering later lead him to ham radio and a whole new world of friends as call sign VE3ZAJ.

One of the greatest lessons in life for his family has been watching the love that Ellwood shared with Diane…she was his world, and he was hers.  All through his challenges with Alzheimer’s disease, Diane was his rock.  They were a good team raising their children and a great example to their grandchildren.

The family would like to invite you to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday September 28, 2024 to join us in celebrating a life well lived.  There will be visitation from 10:00 – 12:00.  We will share a short service with Reverend Tracey Thomas and some words of remembrance at 12:00.  Following a private family interment in Evergreen Cemetery, the family will return to the funeral home to share a time of fellowship and food with you…both things that Ellwood loved to do.

Those who would like to remember Ellwood with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Society of Chatham-Kent https://alzheimer.ca/chathamkent/en/take-action/donate  because they do great things.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Brian Wright, a beloved father, stepfather, grandfather, husband and friend.  He passed peacefully at the Country Village Home in Woodslee Ontario on September 20, 2024.

Brian was born June 22, 1936, to Bertram Wright and Annie Myall in Nottingham, England.  He knew from an early age that he wanted to be a plumber and after a stint in the RAF, that’s what he did.  He loved the job and the social aspect as he enjoyed people.

He leaves behind a sister Chris, a much-loved daughter Lynn and her husband Nigel and grandchildren in Nottingham.  He will be missed by stepchildren Cindy, Mike, Judy, Mitch and Kim Ayres and his wife of thirty-two years, Mary Ann.

Brian loved Erieau, especially after he learned to fish, and it became a passion with him.  He was also proud of his twenty years as a volunteer fireman.  He was a very active Mason for many years.

Special Thanks go to Cindy Ayres for all the time she spent with Brian when I wasn’t well enough to go.  Also, many thanks to Aaron Srokosz for answering my many calls of distress, no matter what the hour.

Thanks to the staff at Country Village Home for their patience and caring.  It takes a very special kind of person to do that job every day.

In keeping with Brian’s wishes, a private Masonic Lodge service will take place at Evergreen Cemetery where he will be interred.