It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Hank Cornielis Tol who passed on Thursday, March 3, 2016 with his family at his side.

Formerly of Volendam Holland, Hank has resided in Blenheim Ontario for over 60 years. Hank passed away at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance Chatham Campus at the age of 82.

He was the dearly beloved husband and best friend of Gerdie (Tuyp) Tol of 59 years and father to his son, the late Richard Tol (1989), his daughter, the late Deborah (Creamer) Tol (2007), and daughter Frances Tol and her husband Roger McClatchey of Charing Cross.

Proud Grandfather to Alicia Chartier (Tol) and her husband Jordan of Chatham and Great Grandfather to Richard Chartier.

He is survived by 3 brothers and 3 Sisters in Holland. Predeceased by his Mother, Father, 2 sisters, 9 brother-in -laws and 3 sister -in- laws in Holland

Hank and Gerdie came to Canada in 1956 and settled in Blenheim and worked for the Cedar Springs Hospital where they retired in 1993. Hank struggled with his diabetes but fought hard by walking the streets of Blenheim miles at a time and talked to everyone that he ran into. He then enjoyed doing his rug hooking with his companion “Buddy” his cat, painting and doing crossword puzzles but most of all watching and taping his soccer games.

We would like to thank Dr Providence and the nurses on the 4th Floor of the Chatham Kent Health Alliance, as they went above and beyond their duties to make Hank be comfortable during this tough time.

A private viewing was held on Friday March 4th for Family followed by cremation. A private family interment will be held at a later date.

Those wishing to remember Hank with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Word of Life Church Soup Kitchen.

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

Alfred Alois Dominicus De Bruyne of Leamington and formerly of Blenheim passed away on Thursday March 3, 2016 with his loving wife Madeleine and family by his side at the age of 86 years. Alfred was one of five children born to the late Emerance and Henricus (Henrie) De Bruyne and is survived by his sister Yvonne (Marcus) Edward, his brothers Frederick (Diane) De Bruyne and Mauritz (Rachel) De Bruyne and his sister in law Leta De Bruyne Elliott (late Willie).

Alfred and Madeleine were married on October 4, 1952 and began a loving journey that would span over 63 years. Together they raised three daughters; Jacqueline and husband Walter Clemente, Kathleen and husband David Lippett and Caroline and husband Richard Vandervecht. Loving grandfather of Matthew (Keith Wace), Sarah, Michael (Laura Clademenos), Katlyn, Hailey, Ryan and Danielle.

Alfred and Madeleine farmed on Ridge Road (Front Line) until their retirement when he and Madeleine moved into Blenheim. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, bowling, and coaching his girls’ softball teams. He also acted as a trustee for the Catholic School Board. In 2015 he and Madeleine moved to Leamington to be closer to their children.

In keeping with Alfred’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, Blenheim on Saturday March 12, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Following the Mass, a private family interment of the urn will take place in Evergreen Cemetery while friends gather at St. Mary’s Hall for a luncheon.

Friends wishing to remember Alfred with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation and St. Mary’s Church Blenheim (cheque).

After putting up a bold and strong fight against cancer, Terry Thomson of Chatham passed away at home on Monday February 29, 2016. He will be missed greatly by his children Jenny (Taku Iwasaki) and their son Oscar, Ryan (Hanna), Justin (Rhea) and their son Leroy, Scott (Sandra) and their daughter Shea, Shawn (Tamara) and their daughter Olivia as well as their mother Linda Thomson. Terry was born in London; one of four children born to the late Richard & Beatrice (Gilpin) Thomson and is survived by his siblings Ann (Rick) Holmes, Fay (Craig) Williston and Richard (Gillian) Thomson. He trained as an Accountant and worked in Chatham at Ontario Steel and Rockwell/Meritor. Beyond dabbling in some amateur baking, in his spare time he enjoyed a good game of golf and social times at William Street Café but nothing surpassed the joy of spending time with his grandchildren.

In keeping with Terry’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visiting on Friday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Terry will be held at the Funeral Home on Saturday March 6, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Pastor Tim Joyce. A private family interment of the urn will take place in Arnold Cemetery, Chatham. Friends wishing to remember Terry with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Terry’s family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff of the Oncology Unit at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance and to Terry’s team of doctors including Dr. Bailey and Dr. Sullivan of Chatham as well as Dr. Welch and his staff at Victoria Hospital in London.

Eaton, Pamela Ann (Maybank)

November 24, 1927 to February 25, 2016.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Pam on Thursday, February 25. Beloved Mom to Christina (Don), Barbara (Andrew), Leslie (Dianne), Shirley (Wayne), Marcus (Lisa). Cherished Nanny to Don (Keri), Krista (Gerry), Jennifer (Dan), Leigh-Ann (Gabe), Kathryn, Christopher, Marcus, Amanda (Eric), Ryan, Julia, Samantha, Vivian, Ronan. Loving Greatnan to Ethan, Euan, Quin, Mason, Alexa, Marcus, Rachel, Miguel, Jacob, AJ, Jordan, Blake, Sophia. She is lovingly remembered by her sister Betty, brother Marcus (Pauline), Sister-in-law Margaret and her many nieces and nephews. Pam was married to her very loving husband, Christopher H. T. Eaton until his death in 1988. She always fascinated us with her stories about life in England during the war years from evacuation with her siblings to life in war torn London. Pam genuinely enjoyed life, saw the positive, and cared about people. Even with such a large family, Mom never forgot a birthday. It was the simple things in life that gave Mom the most happiness,

from knitting, being a wiz at Jumble words, to watching Jeopardy, Young and the Restless, and golf. One of her favourite things to do while staying with Shirley was to visit the Eau-Buoy coffee shop in Erieau where she met many caring people. However, Mom’s greatest happiness was when she was able to spend time with her family and this dedication to her family is her legacy. We love you Mom. A celebration of Mom’s life will be held in the Spring.

“Life is eternal; and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.” Rossiter, Worthington Raymond.

Johan Banman, husband of Anna passed away at his home in Blenheim on February 26, 2016. He was 81 years old. Visitation will be held at the Charing Cross Old Colony Mennonite Church on Sunday evening. A Funeral Service for Johan will be held in the Church on Monday February 29, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. with Bishop Peter Friessen officiating. Interment in Pardoville Union Cemetery.

Ronald Pitchforth of Chatham and formerly of Ridgetown passed away at home on Monday February 22, 2016. Ron was born in England where he met and married his wife of 49 years, Jacqueline (Capper) who predeceased him in December 2005. Following their marriage, Ron and Jacqueline moved to Africa where they celebrated the birth of their first daughter, Lesley. On their return to England, a second daughter Mandy was born. From England Ron and Jacqueline moved their family to Canada, landing in PEI for a time before moving to Blenheim and then settling in Ridgetown. Friends will remember him through his years as a Financial Advisor with Investor’s Group, from the years he worked beside Jacqueline when they opened and operated the Bib ‘N Tucker restaurant and later the Bed and Breakfast in Ridgetown. He prided himself with a large garden that provided flowers and vegetables for the restaurant.

Following his retirement and losing Jacqueline, Ron moved to Chatham where he and Lesley lived together for ten years and he enjoyed daily walks with his dog, Parker and a good game of darts with his friends at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 642.

Ron is survived by his daughter, Lesley & Tim Kelly, (Chatham) his daughter Mandy Lagan and her children, Matthew and Hannah, (Toronto) his sister Brenda and her husband, Jim Riley (England), his sister in law Evelyn Capper (England) and his best buddy, Parker.

In keeping with Ron’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation on Wednesday from 1 – 3 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Ron will be held at the Funeral Home on Thursday February 25, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Friends wishing to remember Ron with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 642 in Chatham.

Remi August VanOverloop, born August 14, 1930, passed peacefully on February 6, 2016, at 85 years of age. Remi was born to the late Honore and Leonie VanOverloop in Chatham-Kent, where he pursued his passion for agriculture all the years of his life. A faithful husband, the best 63 of these years for Remi were those spent working alongside his cherished wife, Alice VanOverloop (Schouppe). Together, they built a farm and raised five children: Constance Kersten, Lorrie Clark (Wayne), Michael VanOverloop (Shelley), Stephanie Kluka (Stephen Chau) and Patricia deBrouwer (Ben). In the later years of his life, Remi dedicated much time to and enjoyed the company of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Brent (Heather), Colin (Natalie) and Devon Clark, Courtney (Matt) Kersten-Kwan and Jordan (Krystin) Kersten, Alecia (Josh) Butzer and Nathan (Kim) VanOverloop, Mitchell (Jenny) and Daniel Kluka, Morgan (Kyle) Craven, Cayley (Eric) and Athena deBrouwer, Landon and Lleyton Clark, Levi and Jovie Butzer, Elise and Charlotte Clark, Selena Davis and expected great-grandchild VanOverloop. He was predeceased by grandchild Weston deBrouwer and great-grandchild Yvie Butzer.

As a young man, Remi was a mechanic for International Harvester and held several positions at The British Leaf while saving to buy a farm. Upon purchasing land of his own, Remi tackled the challenging work of many speciality crops, and even introduced the mechanical cabbage harvester to Canada. In the winter, he spent long hours in the shop rebuilding tractors or working on carpentry and fix-it projects at the behest of family and friends. He had an enormous garden and an equally large soft spot for all animals. Remi’s hobby was hard work; he strove to be of service and did so with a jovial heart. His faith, humour and practical efficiency are already missed by the large family he nurtured, but the mark of his love and laughter on our hearts will never fade.

Visitation will take place February 8^th from 2-4pm and 7-9pm (prayers at 7pm) at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass for Remi will be held at St. Joseph’s Church, Chatham on February 9, 2016 beginning with words of remembrance at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Mass at 10:00 a.m.   Donations to the Chatham-Kent Hospice would be welcomed in lieu of flowers.

Beatrice “Bea” Bryant of Blenheim died on Wednesday January 13, 2016 at the age of 93 years. She is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, George Bryant and by her son David Bryant (Marg Pietens).  She will be remembered fondly by her grandchildren Evelynn Bryant and Benjamin Bryant and by her brothers Ron LaFreniere and Guy LaFreniere (Rosemary).  Predeceased in life by her sisters Lillian and Pat.  Bea’s lifelong passion for teaching will continue through her bequeathal to the University of Western Ontario.  Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.

Doris Hastings passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 in Marion Villa, London, after a short battle with cancer. Predeceased by mother Elsie Hastings, father Thomas Hastings, sisters Helen Hastings, Ruth & Gordon Higgs, Ann & Bob Pennington, Olive Goldring and brother Gordon Hastings. Survived by her sister in law Kay Hastings of Ridgetown and brother in law Douglas Goldring of Chatham.  Also survived by 9 nieces and one nephew and their families.  Doris lived and worked in London for many years at TD Canada Trust while also maintaining a home in Blenheim with her dearest sister Helen. She will be remembered most for her consistently cheery disposition and her positive outlook on life. She was always there to help a friend or family member in need and was so generous in so many ways.

Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Monday January 18, 2016 for visitation from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. A Memorial Service conducted by Rev. Wanda Winfield will take place at 2:00 p.m.  A private family interment will take place at a later date when Doris’ urn will be placed in Evergreen Cemetery with her mother.

Friends wishing to remember Doris with a memorial donation are asked to consider a charity of their choice.

On the pleasant day of January 7^th, 2016 a sweet spirit left us for the heavenly realms of God, for on that day Laurie Krause died from a sudden heart attack.  She was sixty three years old.

All who met Laurie considered her to be a loving, hospitable, Christian woman. Quilting and cross stitching were her delights.  Her husband Don’s careers (Canadian Forces and pastoral ministry) caused the Krause’s to live in more than twenty different places.  Laurie had a lot of courage to move from the familiar to the unknown so often.

Laurie was a good gift from God. She was admired and loved and she loved her family – Nathan (Miranda) of Dartmouth, Benjamin (Julecia) of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Jonathan of Edmonton and Adam (Shannon) of Oromocto, grandsons Jack and Owen, and two brothers David and Robert (Laurie) Black.

Out of sight but not out of our heart.

At her request, Laurie has been cremated. Visitation will be at the Blenheim Baptist Church from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. on Friday January 15^th followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m.  Reception to follow in the church hall. Donations can be made to Doctors Without Borders.