Jeanann Sheeler died on Tuesday October 10, 2017. Jeanann is the loving daughter of Betty & Phil Sheeler of Chatham.  She is survived by her brother Jeff, her husband Chris Bonnici and her daughter Megan St. Amour.  Cremation has taken place and a private family interment will take place.

Friends wishing to remember Jeanann with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Windsor Hospice, the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

Ross Hoffman of Blenheim passed away on Tuesday October 10, 2017. Born in Howard Township on the family farm 78 years ago, Ross was one of six children born to George & Berniece (Osborne) Hoffman. He is survived by his sister Hazel Tysick (Wayne) and his brothers Murray Hoffman (Bonnie) and Max Hoffman (Theresa) as well as his sisters in law Violet and Pat Hoffman. He was predeceased by his brothers Fred and Gary Hoffman and his sister in law Susan Hoffman.

Ross will be missed by his wife of 45 years Eleanor Malm and their children including Rosemarie Hamilton (Greg), Lorrie-Lynn Osmond (Martin), Carla-Jean Malm (Roy) and Cheryl-Leann Pardo, their grandchildren Amanda, Tara, Michelle, Amanda, Starla, Ginette (Henry) and Dayna as well as 7 great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by several nieces and nephews.

Ross worked for many years and retired from Thompsons in Blenheim. In his retirement years he drove cars between dealerships for Terry Linton.

Cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to a graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery on Saturday October 21, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Friends wishing to remember Ross with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

In his 101st year of life, Francis (Frank) Talbourdet passed away, with family by his side, on October 10th, 2017, at Fairfield Park in Wallaceburg, Ontario.

Frank celebrated his 100th birthday on March 1, 2017. It was a privilege for family to share this milestone, as it has been to experience a century of history through the stories of this articulate and insightful gentleman.

Raised on the hardscrabble prairies of the early 1900’s, Frank endured the hardships of the Great Depression, riding the rails in pursuit of work, and later served his country in the Second World War.

An electrician by trade, Frank was also a teacher of many life lessons. He demonstrated the importance of living in the present and keeping your world large. He taught the value of education, lifelong learning, and civic engagement. Frank audited courses at the University of Toronto and Ryerson after retirement, and regularly attended sessions at the legislature.

Frank settled in Toronto after the war and married Una Fletcher (1992) in 1946. Together, they had two children, Joseph (1997) and Jane Ablett, wife of Dr. Gary Ablett (2010). He is also predeceased by his second wife Shirley Kayes (1999) whom he married in 1995, and his brothers Peter (2008) and Guy (2008). Frank was the proud grandfather of Jeff (Kerri) of Vancouver and Greg (Anna Krangle-Long) of Edmonton, and four great grandchildren, Oliver, Oscar, Seth and Nina.

A private ceremony for family will be held in Toronto. Donations can be made to the charity of your choice.

Simone Ameel of Ridgetown, loved wife of the late Marcel (April 1, 2017) passed away on Tuesday October 10, 2017 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance at the age of 90 years. Simone was born in Bermen, Belgium to Albert and Marie (Lootens) Galonde and was the last surviving member of her family. She was predeceased by her sister Annette and by two brothers who died in their childhood. Simone and Marcel farmed for many years just outside of Ridgetown where they raised their sons Dell Ameel & Kathy Miron who live in Dutton and Albert Ameel who passed away in 2002. They were the proud grandparents of Jodi & Justin Smith of Tilbury, Jeff & Amanda Ameel of Chatham, Todd & Jenn Ameel of St. Thomas, Tracey & Mike Vanderlip of Rushton’s Corners and Tammy & Dave Richards of Dresden. They were also the proud great-grandparents of Tyler, Colin, Riley, Sadie, Kyle, Peyton and Bentley. She will be missed by Odiel & Audrey Ameel of Ridgetown and by her nieces and nephews.

It was Simone’s wish that cremation would take place and that a graveside service would take place. Family and friends are invited to gather at the family plot in Greenwood Cemetery, Ridgetown on Friday October 13, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers friends are asked to consider making a memorial donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Diabetes Association. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Gerdie (Tuyp) Tol of Blenheim passed away suddenly at the age of 84 at her home.

Born in Holland September 26, 1933 she emigrated to Canada in 1956. Gerdie worked at Southwestern Regional Centre in Dietary for 32 years and retired from there. She was predeceased by her loving husband and best friend Hank Tol on March 3, 2016.

She will be sadly missed by her lovely daughter Fran Tol of Charing Cross and Roger McClatchey of Chatham, her lovely granddaughter Alicia Chartier (Tol) and her husband Jordan of Chatham and her great grand children Richard and Abigail Chartier.

Gerdie enjoyed weekly, visiting her favourite stores in Blenheim.  For years she made slippers, hats and mitten sand donated them to organizations in Chatham Kent.  She enjoyed Bowling on Thursdays and spending time with her family.

We would like to thank Dr. Tom Perkins and staff and the VON as they went above and beyond their duties.

Gerdie was predeceased by her son Richard Tol in 1989 and her daughter Deborah (Creamer) Tol in 2007. She was also predeceased by her Mom and Dad in Holland and by 9 brothers and 3 sisters also of Holland.

In keeping with Gerdies wishes cremation has taken place. There will be no Funeral Home visitations or services. A private family interment will take place at a later date.

Friends wishing to remember Gerdie with a memorial donation are asked to consider the World of Life Church Food Bank in Blenheim.

William “Bill” Mantle of Blenheim passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 7, 2017.  He was born 82 years ago to the late Iva Marie (Rock) and Llewellyn Hiram Mantle.  He will be remembered fondly by his wife of 54 years Patricia (Shantz) Mantle, his children Crystal and Tom Tye of Blenheim, Laurie Mantle of Chatham, Bradley and Cristina Mantle of Texas and William “Bill” Mantle Jr. of Florida. He was the proud Papa of Marissa, Garrett, Brandon and Ashley, Kyle, Jessica and Joel, 14 great grandchildren and was predeceased by his great grandson Daeton (2006).  He will also be remembered by his siblings Bruce Mantle, Llewellyn (Sharon) Mantle, Roy (Ann) Mantle, Mary Lou Mantle and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his sister Ruby (2006) and brother Wallace (1997).

Bill was an avid fisherman and hunter, and enjoyed boating, smoking meat and traveling with his wife Patricia.

The family would like to thank the staff at Blenheim Community Village for their care and compassion for Bill over the last two years, and the special care that was given to him in his final days.  The family would also like to thank Dr. Perkin and Nurse Practitioner Jennifer for all their special care.

It was his wish that friends and family remember him quietly and if someone wanted to make a memorial donation that they would consider helping the Blenheim Baptist Church or The Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Cremation has taken place.  A private memorial service for immediate family will be held at a later date. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.

Jim Gardiner of Blenheim passed away on Thursday September 28, 2017.  He was born 79 years ago to Gladys (Drury) Gardiner and the late Percy Gardiner.  He will be remembered fondly by his wife Cheryl (Johns) Gardiner, his daughter Wendy & David VanEerd and their children Keith and Victoria of Highgate and Mike Gardiner of London was well as his chosen family Kim Johns, Dana Hines (Gary), David Johns and John Johns all of the USA with their 12 children.

Jim was one of 7 siblings and is survived by his sisters Ruth and Donna both of Chatham, his brother Bill of Erie Beach and his brother Wayne of Chatham.  He was predeceased by his sister Darlene and his brother Bob.

Jim worked for many years as a linesman for the Blenheim PUC.  He enjoyed life to the fullest, especially if it included being on the lake.  It was his wish that friends and family remember him quietly and if someone wanted to make a memorial donation that they would consider helping the Lung Association.  Cremation has taken place.  Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.

Arthur Huffman of Blenheim passed away peacefully on Friday, September 22, 2017. Arthur was born 88 years ago to his late parents Helen (Wilkie) and Blake Huffman. Beloved husband of Lillian (Sterling) Huffman for 58 years. He will be remembered with great fondness by his sons Ken, Gary (Cathie), and Don (Phyllis), his 2 grandchildren and his nephews Allan and Steven Sterling and their families. Predeceased by his brother-in-law Albert (Marilyn) Sterling.

Arthur was a member of Rondeau Bay Agricultural Conservation Corporation, The Western Ontario Angus Association and Beef Producers for Change.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will take place on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.   A Funeral Service for Arthur will take place at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 27^th at 1:00 p.m. Cremation will follow. Interment of ashes will take place at a later date in Evergreen Cemetery.

Donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we have to share the unexpected news that we lost our dear beautiful Chelsea Bel. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 23, 2017 in a London hospital after a battle with a rare condition called Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Chelsea was a strong willed, thoughtful, free spirit. She had a huge heart and was an animal advocate who will be missed by many.  We have set up a gofundme in Chelsea’s memory.  Any donations will go toward Second Chance Animal Rescue in her name.

www.gofundme.com/donate-to-scar-in-Chelseas-name

We know you will always be our brightest star.

On Saturday September 16, 2017 our family and some of Chelsea’s close friends will gather at the Blenheim Legion from 2:00 – 5:00 to celebrate her life.

David & Marilyn Belcoure, Troy & Amanda Belcoure and Justin Belcoure

Leverne Lister age 90, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2017. He was truly loved by his wife Florence of 60 years. Also survived by his children Rosemarie (Richard) Schroeder, Michelle (Ralph) DeBrabant, grandchildren, Brianna and Sarah. He will be missed by all his family including his siblings, Joyce (Chuck) Judson, Ken Lister and loving nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by his parents Christopher & Anne (Huffman) Lister, his brother Murray Lister and sisters-in-law Marian Lister, Ella Lister and Reida Lister.

Vern enjoyed woodworking, Bingo, baking, and going to the Farmers Market. He was an animal lover and will miss his cat Rocky dearly. Vern kept busy delivering flowers for several local florists until he was in his mid-70’s. He was also an active proud member of the K of C Council 6865, 3rd degree and a 4th degree member in the past.

Vern truly enjoyed life and would lend a hand to anyone in need. To meet him made you smile leaving a lasting impression. He touched the hearts of many and will truly be missed.

Family and friends are invited to Craford Cemetery on Saturday September 16, 2017 where a graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com