Paul Edwin Malott, formerly of Blenheim passed away suddenly at his home in Bourget, Ontario on Thursday January 5, 2017. Paul was born in Chatham 73 years ago to the late George & Ethel (Furman) Malott.  He was one of five children and was the last surviving member of his family, having been predeceased by his sisters Helen Knott, Jean Lewis, Barbara Fields and Nina Ward.

As a young man Paul helped his father work on cars in a shop on Lumley Street in Blenheim. He met the love of his life Roberta “Bunny” Haydon and began a journey that would span almost 55 years.  Together Paul and Bunny raised two children; Robert & Susan (Mayea) Malott and Vicki & Henry Petersen.  They are the proud grandparents of Christina & Gaetan, Shawn & Heather and Brittany & Zac and great-grandparents of Sophia and Benjamin.  Paul is survived by three brothers-in-law Murray Knott, Floyd Lewis and Donald Ward.  Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Paul began a career at Southwestern Regional Centre as a Health Care Aide and retired from a Departmental Management position in Transportation. Earlier on in his spare time you would see Paul and his fishing buddy Dave Richards loading up his fishing boat to spend hours on the water trying to catch “the big one that always gets away”.  Later on Paul enjoyed helping Bunny raise Yorkie and Pomeranian pups, and travelling in their motorhome after they retired.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Paul will be held in the Funeral Home on Thursday January 12, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.  In keeping with Paul’s wishes, cremation will follow.

Friends wishing to remember Paul are asked to consider a charity of their choice in lieu of flowers.

Elizabeth VanDerMolen of Blenheim, beloved wife of the late Eppie VanDerMolen (2001) passed away at home on Thursday January 5, 2017. Elizabeth was born in Holland; one of eleven children to the late Catherina & John Heuvelmans. She is survived by her siblings Ann Dorssers, Truus Ermers, Mary Vandenberg, Cathy Denomy, Theo Heuvelmans, Gerard Heuvelmans, John Heuvelmans, Leo Heuvelmans and Chris Heuvelmans. She was predeceased by her sister Angela VanRaay.

Elizabeth was the proud mother and mother in law of Bob & Lynn VanDerMolen, Jackie & Aron McGaffey, John & Patty VanDerMolen, Anthony & Jamie-Lee VanDerMolen, Jim & Lisa VanDerMolen, Debbie Payne & Dan and Cindy VanDerMolen. She was predeceased by her son Andy VanDerMolen and her daughter Karen VanDerMolen. She is survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren including her pride and joy Brian Beriault.

Elizabeth loved watching nature shows and crime shows. She loved nature. She spent many hours working in her garden or sitting by the water. She loved to fish and she could crack a good joke anytime.

Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday January 7, 2017 for visitation from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will begin at 4 o’clock. Friends wishing to remember Elizabeth with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Victor Johnston Cross, born August 20, 1929 to Myrtle Rinnert Cross & Russel Cross in Dawn Township, Ontario passed away on Monday January 2, 2017.

Vic grew up on the farm with his siblings. He learned about hard work, horses, making maple syrup, skating and fell in love.  Vic went out on his own at age 16 to explore life and worked on many farms across Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.  Later he sailed the Great Lakes on large cargo ships.  He met his bride, Molly on Christmas Day 1950 at his parents’ home, they danced the evening away. It was love at first sight. They married March 8 1952.  His 2^nd love was horses. They moved to the farm near Blenheim with their 3 daughters in 1965. Vic built a precision racetrack and began training and racing his horses across southern Ontario.  He retired from Crown, Cork and Seal in Chatham. During the first years of retirement he planted many trees on the farm, at one point we thought he was starting a tree farm. Thank-you for the shade and the beauty of the snow blanketing the treetops and branches. His proud crop of 80 plus squash was shared by many and the largest weighed in @ 9 Lbs.  He continued to train and race horses until the age of 80. He was truly a horse whisperer. In retirement he and Molly spent 24 winters in Corpus Christi Texas where they enjoyed beaches, sunshine & many of their winter Texan friends & family.  Always ambitious, determined and easygoing attitude. His motto” if there’s a will there’s a way” kept him moving during his challenge and fight with Parkinson’s disease.

He is survived by his wife Molly of 64 years, his daughters Terry Srokosz of Blenheim, Della & Robert Johnson of Texas and Gwen & Doug Duyck of Merlin, his grandchildren Cody, Colton, Dylan & Brittany, Molly, Robbie, Jill, Reagen, Jessica, Justin and Jackie and by his great-grandchildren Callie, Forrest, Joshua, Jordyn, Toby, Aiden, Addison, Morgan, Corbin, Joel, Jack and Finn. Victor is also survived by his son-in-law Larry Srokosz and his siblings Stella & Dean Webster of Chatham, Pat & George DeMaeyer of Wallaceburg, Sam & Hat Cross of B.C. and Joanne Cross of Chatham. He was predeceased by his siblings Dorothy Cross, Mary & Fred Smith, Lloyd & Irene Cross and Frank & Theresa Cross.Cremation has taken place. Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday where visitation will take place from 6:00-9:00 p.m. A Funeral Service for Victor, conducted by Pastor Eric Skillings will take place in the Funeral Home on Saturday January 7, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

Friends wishing to remember Victor with a memorial donation are asked to consider either the Parkinsons Society or the Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.

Larry Gownlock of Blenheim passed away on Saturday December 31, 2016 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. Born 66 years ago to his parents Edna (Bond) & the late William “Joe” Gownlock, Larry will be sorely missed by his brother Don Gownlock & Brenda Faubert and by his sister Susan Gownlock & Rob Marlatt.

For many years Larry worked beside his brother Don in construction. In keeping with his love of outdoors, Larry took a job working on the farm with Don Giffin which he enjoyed very much.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Thursday January 5, 2017 from noon until 1:00 p.m.   A Funeral Service for Larry will begin at 1:00 p.m.   A private family interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery at a later date.

Friends wishing to remember Larry with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Cancer Society.

Antje Postma, affectionately known as “Ank” passed away with her family by her side at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Thursday December 29, 2016. Ank was born in the Netherlands 67 years ago to her late parents Johanna & Frederick Hengelaar. In 1977 as a young mother and a Public Health Nurse, she emigrated to Canada. Determined to make a good life for her children, she learned to speak English by watching Sesame Street and in 1980 after completing courses in Canada she fulfilled the requirements of becoming a Registered Nurse in Canada and accepted a job at the Southwestern Regional Centre.

Ank was a wonderful mother to her daughters Johanna & Tim VanDriel of Beamsville, Gracia & Paul Hendrie of Chatham and Klarika & Mike Hamer of Port Elgin and to her son Ricky Postma of Blenheim. She was so happy when she became a grandmother to Callum, Caelyn, Daria and Rhys. She was expecting her fifth grandchild in February.

Ank will be fondly remembered by her siblings and their spouses Hennie & Joop Corba, Gerrie & Sietse deHaan, Femmie & Gerrit vanArragon, Marianne & Henk Luttikhof, Frits & Wilma Hengelaar and Susan Hengelaar (late Gerrit Jan).

In keeping with Ank’s wishes, cremation will take place. A time of visitation with her children will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday January 4, 2017 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Ank’s urn will be interred in Holland at a later date.

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

One of life’s greatest gifts is to have friends and Mom was blessed to have many. Your support through her journey meant more to her and to us than you can ever know. We would like to extend a huge thanks to all of you and especially to Mom’s nursing friends Fay Williston, Kay Bateman, Karen Kuchta, Judith Girty and to Joanne Henderson for being there when we couldn’t be and making sure that Mom was never alone.

Johanna, Gracia, Klarika and Ricky

Harry Stewart Smith passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, December 27, 2016. Harry was born 79 years ago (December 13, 1937) to the late Gladstone and Irene Smith. Harry married his childhood sweetheart Carol Warwick and they recently celebrated 59 years of marriage. Harry was the father of Brenda (& the late Rick Bokor) Colebrook, Mike and Tanya Smith, Karen and Morley Shepherd, Robin and Dave Howse, Penny and Henry Smolders, Shane Smith and Dana Pringle. Harry was proud of his 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Harry is survived by his brothers Jim, Sam and sister Betty Anne Martin. His sister Geraldine Wyman predeceases him.

Harry was an active fruit farmer in Cedar Springs for many years after taking over the family farm from his father Gladstone. Harry later moved to Guilds and then the Blenheim area to carry on with his farming passion. He retired to Blenheim and put his farming expertise into his flower gardens.

Harry was a resident of the Blenheim Community Village for the last few years. Harry’s family would like to thank the staff for their support during his stay.  Harry’s family would also like to thank Vicki Lehman for her friendship and support.  Harry fondly referred to Vicki as his “favourite daughter”.

Cremation has taken place and his immediate family will observe a private gathering.

After a courageous battle with cancer, Bella Irene (nee Butcher) (South) Halliwell was taken peacefully into the loving arms of our Lord at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Thursday December 22, 2016 at the age of 74 years. Loving wife and best friend of William Halliwell. Loved mother of Marlene & Mark Brady, Janice Copp (nee South) and Douglas & Janet South. Loved Gramma of Kailey and Laura Brady and Grandmother of Caitlyn and Justin Copp. Loved stepmother of Mary-Anne & Richard Duberville and Garry & Nancy Halliwell. Step-grandmother of Ashley. Bella will be missed by many close nieces, nephews and great grandchildren, relatives and good friends. She was predeceased by her parents James & Louisa Butcher, sisters Hilda &Allan Westerman, Maud & Ray Porter, Phyllis & Henry Bond and brother George & Jessie (Hughs) Butcher and by her stepson Kevin Halliwell. The family’s gratitude is extended to Roy, Darlene and Brenda.

Bella and Bill loved to travel, whether it was trucking or in their motorhome. Friends will remember Bella for her contagious smile, her love of animals and from her years of working at Southwestern Regional Centre.

Visitation will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday December 27, 2016 from 2 – 4 p.m. and will continue from 7 – 8 p.m. when a service conducted by Rev. Wanda Burse will take place. Cremation will follow. Bella’s family has requested that friends consider a donation to the Chatham-Kent Hospice in lieu of flowers.

Salina Margaret Dauphin of Blenheim, much loved wife of the late Reginald Dauphin (2001) passed away at the Chatham Kent Hospice on Saturday December 17, 2016 just one day after her 84^th birthday.

Affectionately known as “Mama Bear”, Salina was happiest when she was surrounded by her family which included her children Jane & John Barnett, Charlene & Mario D’Antonio, Dan & Patricia Dauphin, Bill & Patricia Dauphin, Ron & Patricia Dauphin and Tim & Aimee Dauphin, her grandchildren Matt & Cassie, Jeremy & Lauren, Mitchell & Stephanie, Mike & Valerie, Chris, Danny, Wes & Stephanie and Jacqueline & Wade and her great-grandchildren Ella, Paylie, Madison, Jaxsyn, Lucy, Liam and Ayla. Sadly she was predeceased by her daughter Sheila Dauphin and great-grandson Sylar.

Salina was one of sixteen children born to their parents Samuel & Salina Lindsay. She is survived by one sister Mabel Brown of Ridgetown and was predeceased in life by her siblings Marguerite Lindsay, Vieletty Neeley, Vanessa Devine, Louella Turner, Byron Lindsay, Henry Lindsay, Thomas Lindsay, Charles Lindsay, Will Lindsay, Sam Lindsay, Dave Lindsay, Bill Lindsay, Lancelot “Brick” Lindsay and Matthew “Pat” Lindsay. She will be remembered fondly by sisters in law Carol Ann Lindsay, Madeline Lindsay, Florence Lindsay, Betty Lindsay, Dorothy Dauphin, Diane & Donald Hebert and Pauline Dauphin. She will also be remembered by her good friends Judy & Carl Davidson.

In her spare time, Salina liked to knit, crochet and work on puzzles. She was proud to be a long time member of the Blenheim Baptist Church and the Ladies Aid Mission Circle there. Her presence will be missed.

Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will be held on Tuesday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Salina, conducted by Pastor Bill Terris will be held on Wednesday December 21, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Salina with a memorial donation are asked to consider either the Blenheim Baptist Church or the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Marjorie Kathleen “Kay” Hastings passed away at the Village on The Ridge on Saturday December 17, 2016. Kay was born in Hamilton 96 years ago and was the last surviving member of six children born to William and Mabel (Fraser) Magee.

As a young woman, Kay attended the Hamilton School of Nursing for three years. Upon completing her Nursing degree, she furthered her education by attending the University of Western Ontario for one year to obtain a degree in Public Health.  After graduation, Kay became a Public Health Nurse for Kent County where she met and fell in love with a gentleman named Gordon Hastings.  Kay and Gordon were married and together they raised three daughters, Janet & Paul Wiper of Rondeau, Mary Anne McCallum of Kilworth and Margaret Hastings of London.  They were very proud when their family grew to include two grandsons Matthew McCallum & Johana Real and Michael McCallum.

To know Kay Hastings was to love her. She was kind and gentle.  She always had a story to tell.  Being a Public Health Nurse might have been the best job for Kay but she quit to take on a more perfect job which was being a wife and a mother.  She loved the outdoors, whether it was on the family farm or her return visits to Bala and the Muskokas.

Kay was predeceased by her husband Gordon in 1993. She was also predeceased by her sisters Isabel Latimer, Helen Sinnott and Muriel Townsend, and by her brothers Gordon Magee and Alec Magee.  She is survived by a brother-in-law Doug Goldring and several nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will be held on Monday from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. A Funeral Service for Kay will be held at the Funeral Home on Tuesday December 20, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

Friends wishing to remember Kay with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Foundation of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance or the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Robert Coatsworth Nichol passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Monday December 13, 2016. Bob was born in Harwich Township on March 31, 1929, son of Thomas and Bertha (Giffin) Nichol. In July, 1951 he married Eugenia Tompkins who predeceased him just three weeks ago. They had four children Rob, Jane, John and Tom. The family expanded to include seven grandchildren Tori, Lexi, Andrew, Tyler, Jesse, Boyd (Dawn) and Daniel and seven great-grandchildren.

Bob was a truck driver by trade, making many hauls for Alcan Homes to the James Bay area. In his spare time he enjoyed creating things with wood and meeting friends at the local coffee shops. He was a member of St. Luke’s Church in South Buxton and for many years he sang with the Friends of Buxton Male Choir under the direction of Cleta Morris.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Bob’s life will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday December 30, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. where everyone will be given the opportunity to share their memories beginning at 7:00 p.m. Friends wishing to remember Bob with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Friends of Buxton Male Choir or the Chatham-Kent Hospice.