Jamie Lee Taylor of Blenheim, dear spouse of Tony VanDerMolen passed away at home on Monday April 17, 2017 at the age of 55 years. Jamie Lee was the daughter of the late Richard and Donna (Knight) Williams. She will be remembered fondly by her family Rick Williams, Scott & Shannon Williams, Robert & Robin Williams and Jason Williams as well as her aunts Edith-Ann Robertson and Bonnie-Lynn Hendwick. Predeceased by Mark Denman. Jamie Lee was a former grade school teacher who loved animals. It was her wish that cremation take place and that her family remember her privately. Friends wishing to remember her with a memorial donation are asked to consider Pet and Wildlife Rescue. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with funeral arrangements.

James Fehr, much loved son of Elizabeth (Wall) and Peter Fehr was born still on Sunday April 16, 2017.  His arrival was being anxiously anticipated by all of his extended family who will remember him privately at a graveside service being held at Pardoville Cemetery on April 18, 2017.

Suddenly at her residence, Diana Kormendy passed away in her 75^th year on Friday April 14, 2017.  She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 50 years, M. Michael (2013).  Dear mother of the late Mark (2008), Denise Lesy (Paul), the late Kevin (1982), Jeannine Haid (Michael), Michael Jason (Joel).  Loving Grandma of Victoria, Emily, Andrew and Elizabeth.  Dear sister of Clara Kormendy (late Steve), Ernest Daniel (Annette) and the late Jeannette VandeWiele (late Albert).  Daughter of the late Arthur & Bernadette Daniel.  Diana earned her diploma in Administrative Studies at Ursuline College and she was a former employee of the University of Guelph.  She was a long standing member of the Catholic Women’s League and she enjoyed her hobbies as an avid quilter and gardener.

Family and friends are invited to the Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, 252 Dublin Street North in Guelph on Tuesday from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. with Vigil Prayers at 7:30 p.m. On Wednesday family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. with Vigil Prayers at 7:30 p.m.  A Funeral Mass will be held in St. Mary’s Church, Blenheim on Thursday April 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.  Interment in Evergreen Cemetery.  As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to Hospice Wellington in Guelph would be greatly appreciated by the family.

Wilfrid Hilaire Hebert of Blenheim passed away in London on Wednesday April 12, 2017.  Hilaire was born in Dover Township 81 years ago to his late parents William & Alda (Lozon) Hebert.  He is the much loved husband of Lia (Claes) Hebert with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage last October.  Hilaire and Lia are the proud parents of their 3 children, Christine, David & Steven.  Christine and her husband Gary Bowden of Erie Beach, David Hebert & Kim Taylor of Blenheim, and Steven Hebert of Chatham.  He loved his children unconditionally, but nothing pulled at Hilaire’s heart strings more than the time he was able to spend with his grandchildren Ashley, Brianne and Richard Bowden, Nichole Dorscht, Holly and Amber Hebert and his two great-grandchildren.  He will be missed by his brother Lionel & Carol Hebert of Blenheim and his chosen sister Evelyn Bellamy.  Hilaire was predeceased by his brother Leonard Hebert.

As a young man, Hilaire worked at the coal yard in Erieau.  From there he worked for Lake Erie Navigation and then retired after 20 years of working as a custodian at W.J. Baird and Harwich Raleigh Public Schools in Blenheim.  His retirement years were filled with spending time with family, travelling with Lia to many destinations across Canada and cutting as much grass as he could find time for, because that is what made him happiest.

A private funeral service conducted by Fr. John Juhl will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home.  Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.  Friends wishing to remember Hilaire with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice or charity of your choice.

Ivy Alice Yandt passed away at the Blenheim Community Village on Saturday April 8, 2017. Ivy was born in Saskatoon Saskatchewan 103 years ago to her late parents Emily and Charles Alp.  She was the wife of the late Clarence Yandt and prior to moving into the Blenheim Community Village, Ivy lived in Merlin.  She is survived by many nieces and nephews over 5 generations in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia

Cremation has taken place and a private family interment will take place.

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Douglas Lloyd Fields, 82, who died on Saturday April 8, 2017 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He leaves behind his wife of 53 years Dona (Round) Fields, his five children Cathy (Mike) Lucier, Janice (Paul) Thompson, Douglas (Margaret) Fields, Candace (John) Rusell and Tina (Darin) Ringheim.  He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and 1 brother Bev (Janet) Fields.

He will always be missed.

Floreen Payne of Blenheim slipped away peacefully into the arms of her Lord on Saturday March 25, 2017. Her husband Murray followed on Thursday April 6, 2017 and is now reunited with Floreen and with his Heavenly Father.

Floreen was born in Howard Township to her late parents Walter & Florence Beecroft 82 years ago. Murray was born in Dover to his late parents James & Sadie Payne 85 years ago. In 1953 they married and began a journey that would span over 64 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.

Murray is survived by his sister in law Anne Payne. He was the last surviving member of his family, being predeceased by his siblings Marjorie Stevenson, Eunice Agar, Floyd and Lloyd Payne and by his niece Gaile Fortney.

Throughout their lives, Floreen and Murray held steadfast in their belief of God and they lived their lives as true Christians. Floreen 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.

Murray began his life as an entrepreneur at a young age, buying his first truck when he was too young to drive. He started a trucking business and hired a driver to haul sugar beets.  Later he would own his own car dealership called Golden Acres Car Sales and built a horse barn and tack shop called Golden Acres Stables & Saddle Shop.  He started his own construction business after working with his father and became a mentor to his sons who followed in their footsteps.

On Sundays you could always find Murray at Glad Tidings Community Church with his family unless he and Floreen were in Florida worshiping at a church there. He was a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Please join family and friends for a Celebration of Life for Floreen and Murray 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 Community Church, P.O. Box 511 Blenheim Ontario  N0P 1A0.  Income tax receipts are available.

A private family interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery prior to their service.

William John “Jack” Rumble passed away at home on Monday April 3, 2017 at the age of 70 years. Jack was one of 8 children born to Earl & Mary (Gifford) Rumble and he is survived by his sisters Nina (John) Snake and Joanne (Bob) Gillespie as well as his brothers Don (Joyce) and Garnet (late Susan) Rumble.  He was predeceased by his brothers Arthur, Joe and Bobby Rumble.

Jack was a hard working young man joining his father in the family business “Earl Rumble & Sons” at the age of 15 years. Eventually he and his brother Garnet would purchase the business from their father and continue the company into the next generation, now being owned by Jack’s brother Garnet Rumble and his nephews Garnet Jr and Bill Rumble.  Rumble Water Wells was bestowed the “Archie Watt Award” by the Ontario Ground Water Association recognizing their longtime family commitment to the industry.

In 1996, Jack was predeceased by his first wife Donna Jean Rumble (nee McMillan). Five years later he was fortunate to meet Evelyn Featherstone and begin a new journey as husband and wife.  Jack loved his family and held a special place in his heart for children.  He will be missed by his nieces and nephews Bill & Erica Rumble, Garnet Rumble Jr, Margie & Chris Authier, Luanne Rumble, Mary & Chris Bell, Katie Gillespie, Donna & Rory Martin, Patty & Norman Wygand, Cynthia Stork, Janet Rumble, Kevin & Jen Rumble, Joe Jr & Tracey Rumble, Pixie Allier, Kelly Rumble, Angie Rumble, Arthur Jr & Cynthia Rumble, Donna Jean Rumble, Daniel Rumble, Chris Rumble, Earl Rumble and Suzie Rumble.  He will be equally missed by Evelyn’s children and their families Pam & Paul Martin (Chris, Steve, Shawn and Chelsea), Bill & Michelle Featherstone (Ashley, Victor, Autumn and Mary Lynn), Robert & Donna Featherstone (Ryan, Felicia and Jeremy), Carolyn & Ken Randal (Ken Jr, Jessica and Nicholas), Janet & Doug Kane (Brandon and Bryson), Joe & Jennifer Featherstone (Olivia) and by his first wife Donna’s children Dianne Brideau, Lynda Quick and John Wardle and their families.  He will be remembered by his Aunt Eleanor Hartford, a number of Great-grandchildren, Great nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jack was a kind and compassionate gentleman. He ran a successful business but would also give anyone who needed it the shirt of his back.  He enjoyed early morning coffee shop visits with his friends, camping, traveling and visits with his friend Ross Hoffman.  He loved everything that there was to love about auction sales and would seldom leave without a new project to tinker on.  He wanted to see the world and although he did a pretty good job with that, he never got to the Panama Canal which was one of his dreams.  Regardless of that, he always said that nobody should be sad when he died because he wouldn’t be sad himself…he said that he had a wonderful life.  And with that in mind, his choice was to be cremated, to have a private interment in Greenwood Cemetery in Ridgetown and to have a party.

A Celebration of Jack’s life will be held at the Rondeau Rod & Gun Club, 10260 Campbell Line, Blenheim on Friday April 7, 2017 beginning at 5 p.m.

Friends wishing to remember Jack with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Blenheim & Area Freedom Library and Military Museum, the Chatham-Kent Hospice and the Diabetes Association. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Marcel Ameel of Ridgetown passed away on Saturday April 1, 2017 at the Chatham-Kent Hospice at the age of 91 years. Marcel was one of two sons born to the late Zoe & Jules Ameel and is survived by his brother Odiel & Audrey Ameel of Ridgetown. When Marcel was 2 years old, the Ameel family immigrated to Canada. It was in Ridgetown, while working at a greenhouse that he met a young lady named Simone and they were married on April 3, 1948. They farmed for many years just outside of Ridgetown and raised two sons; Dell Ameel & Kathy Miron who now live in Dutton and Albert Ameel who passed away in 2002.   They are the proud grandparents of Jodi & Justin Smith of Tilbury, Jeff & Amanda Ameel of Chatham, Todd & Jenn Ameel of St. Thomas, Tracy & Mike Vanderlip of Rushton’s Corners and Tammy & Dave Richards of Dresden. They are also the Great-grandparents of Tyler, Colin, Riley, Sadie, Kyle, Peyton and Bentley. Marcel will be missed by his nephew Danny & Darlene Ameel and by his nieces Judy & Ron Osborne and Marie & Mike Foulan.

It was Marcel’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 on Saturday April 8, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to consider making a memorial donation to the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Kenneth Crackel passed away Sunday March 26, 2017 at the Blenheim Community Village at the age of 92. Born in Chatham, son of the late George and Mary (Lane) Crackel, Kenneth was predeceased by his beloved wife Phyllis (Robinson) in 1995.

On November 30, 2001 Kenneth married Jean (Sparks) and together they have enjoyed 15 wonderful years.

Loving father of Gary Crackel and his wife Joyce of RR1 Charing Cross. Proud grandfather of Stephen Crackel and fiancé Giselle Jacques and Kyle Crackel and friend Breana Bailey. Great-grandfather of Maebella.

Loving stepfather of Greg & Chris Sparks and Brad & Phyllis Sparks. Proud step-grandfather of Lauren Sparks, Ian & Kim Sparks, Sherry & David Buck and Jessica & Brian Patterson. Step great-grandfather to Jack and Myles Buck.

Dear brother to Arthur Crackel, Riverview Gardens, the late Donald Crackel, Evelyn Brooksbank and Marian English. Brother-in-law to Barb McMillan, Don & Peggy Holdaway and Margery & Murray Roe.

Kenneth was a lifelong farmer in Harwich Township, former member of the Golden Acres Curling Club and enjoyed woodworking and travelling. He was a long time member of Charing Cross United Church. He enjoyed square dancing for many years.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will take place on Tuesday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Kenneth will take place in the Charing Cross United Church on Wednesday  March 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham.

Friends wishing to remember Kenneth with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Charing Cross United Church Building Fund, the Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.