Mrs. Ilse Ward of Chatham passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Monday June 15, 2015 at the age of 86 years. The laughter may be gone but our Omi remains in our hearts forever. She will be missed by friends & family alike. She was a proud mother of two children; Petra & Michael, grandmother of 3 grandchildren; David & Alexander children of Michael & Kayla, Theraisa child of Petra & Charlie and 2 great-grandchildren; Haydin & Abigale children of Theraisa & Scott. It was Ilse’s wish she be interred next to her husband Frank Ward in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Chatham. Friends wishing to remember Ilse with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham Kent Health Alliance – Palliative Care Unit or charity of your choice. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Barb Girard of Erieau passed away on Saturday June 13, 2015. Barb was born in Chatham 65 years ago to her late parents William and Ethel (Farr) Smith. Following their deaths at an early age, Barb was raised by her aunt and uncle Dola & Irvin Reaume of Jeanettes Creek. She and her husband Pete Girard, who predeceased her in 2010 were the proud parents of two children; Chrystal Girard & Jeff Clayton and Andy who died as an infant. She is survived by her sister Dawn McKinlay of Manitoulin Island, her brother Bill & Brenda Smith of Duncan, B.C. and her sister in law Liz Smith (late Frank) of Barrie, her honourary grandchildren Kristyn and Trevor Clayton and several nieces and nephews. Barb will be missed as well by Pete’s family Betty Ann & Larry Collins of Erieau and John Girard of Erieau, by her good friends Rose and Cheryl, the “coffee group” at The Galley in Erieau and by her faithful companion Mya. Friends will remember Barb from her many years of dedication to Southwestern Regional Centre. In keeping with Barb’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A graveside service officiated by Pastor Tim Joyce will be held on Wednesday July 22, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Friends wishing to remember Barb with a memorial donation are asked to consider either the Erieau Firefighters Association or St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Erieau.

On Monday June 1, 2015 we became the proud parents of a baby girl named Ruby Hoffman-Bray. Although she couldn’t stay long, the footprints that she left in our hearts will remain forever. Eagerly awaiting the arrival of Ruby were her parents Tammy Hoffman and Darrell Bray, her sister Julianna Dicks and her brother Jaden James Henry Hoffman. She will be forever in the hearts of her Grandparents Rose Bray & Rick Gunter and James & Katherine Hoffman, as well as her aunts and uncles Kelly Gunter, Sally Gunter, Christine Aultman, Robert Beogetter, Natasha Hoffman and Timothy Stevenson.

To honour our daughters life, family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday June 6, 2015 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

Tammy Hoffman & Darrell Bray

Shane Lloyd of Blenheim passed away at Riverview Gardens in Chatham on Sunday May 31, 2015. Shane was born in Glace Bay, NS 60 years ago and has lived in Blenheim since 1992. Friends will remember him as the kind hearted soul who walked about town for much of his day, the one who brought your garbage containers back up to your house after the trucks had done their job and the young man who stood on the corner and waved you to go by before he crossed the street. He was a man of few words but a man of many good deeds. He was one of thirteen children born to the late Annie (MacDonald) and Melvin Lloyd. He is survived by his sisters Lila Walker of Blenheim, Mary Lou Stephens of Blenheim, Yvonne & Tony Hines of Glace Bay NS, Emma Jean Lloyd & Lawrence of Glace Bay NS, by his brothers Louis & Valerie Lloyd of Port Morien, NS, Crawford & Diane Lloyd of Glace Bay NS, Joseph & Sherry Lloyd of Merlin, Melvin Jr & Phyllis Lloyd of Toronto, Jesse & Darlene Lloyd of Glace Bay NS, Hector & Diane Lloyd of Chatham, Henry & Kathy Lloyd of Glace Bay NS and by several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his brother Alex Lloyd. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements. There will be no formal Funeral Service here. Cremation has taken place and Shane will be taken to Nova Scotia to be laid to rest with his Mom and Dad.

Marie Helen (McFadden) Moore of Blenheim passed away on Sunday May 31, 2015 at the age of 72 years. Marie was born in Rodney to late parents Otto and Charlotte (Regis) McFadden. She is survived by her husband of 23 years Leroy Watts, by her children Tammy Rudorfer & Ken Kelly of Ridgetown and Michael & Bonnie Moore of Dresden, by her grandchildren James, Tina & Joel, Jessica & Mike, Joshua & Jessica and by her great grandchildren Jordyn and Benjamin and by Leroy’s children James & Renee Watts of Fort Smith NWT, Darren Watts of Ridgetown, Darryl & Kelly Watts of Chatham, by his grandchildren Jara, Jenni, Krystal, Drew, Leah and great grandchildren Karmyn and Kira. Marie is also survived by her siblings Gordon& Frances McFadden of Rodney, Ernie & Barb McFadden of Rodney, Hugh & Joyce McFadden of West Lorne and Betty Keutch of Rodney. She was predeceased by her sister Mildred Brown and by her brothers Jerry, Kenneth, Glen and Eugene McFadden.

Marie wore many hats in her life, but her lifelong dream was to be given the white foreman’s hard hat so that she could make sure that any hint of procrastination would be dealt with. She loved working in her gardens, she loved all of the holidays, especially Christmas which she would begin preparing for in September and she loved baking…again especially at Christmas time when her freezer would be full. She loved going up north to the camp “The Ponderosa” with Leroy. Most of all she loved spending time with her family. If she had a “mother” and “grandmother” hat, she would have worn it with great pride.

Visitation for Marie will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday June 3, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. when a Funeral Service, conducted by Rev. Linda McFadden will take place. Cremation will follow and a family interment will take place at a later date. Friends wishing to remember Marie with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Southwestern Ontario chapter of the Canadian Liver Foundation.

Margaret Jean (Coll) Parry passed away at the Blenheim Community Village on Friday May 29, 2015. Margaret will be remembered with great fondness by her son Fred & Judi Parry of Bright, Ontario as well as her grandchildren Trafford, Jessica and Brooke and her great grandchildren Kolton, Ryn and Elric. Margaret is survived by her sister Ella & Lyle McCormick of Leamington and was predeceased by her sisters Mayme Graham, Florence McArthur and Edna Mason and by her brothers Stanley Coll, Norman Coll and Earl Coll. In keeping with Margaret’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A reception will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Thursday June 4, 2015 at 12:00 noon. Words of remembrance will be shared at 1230.

A few words…

Since there’s to be no formal funeral proceedings – respecting my Mother’s wishes – I would like to say a few words on her behalf.

Due to the onset and increasing ravages of Dementia, my Mother’s condition had deteriorated over the past few years, to the point whereby she could no longer live independently. The number of ‘bad’ days gradually outnumbered the ‘good’ days.

During these increasingly difficult times, she required an extraordinary amount of care from professionals, family and friends. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Dr. Martha Clendenning, my cousin Lynda Pickering, and the excellent care provided by all the staff at Blenheim Community Village (Revera). My Mother also was fortunate to have the support of a loving and extended circle of family and friends – you know who you are.

Finally, my Mother will be remembered as a warm and generous person who could be a “character”… but one that endeared us to her. My wish is that she is finally at peace.

What else can be said? I loved her and know she loved me … my wife and her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In the words of a popular song,

“I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow”

Olive Muriel Coatsworth passed away on Wednesday May 27, 2015 at CKHA at the age of 93 years. Born in Romney Twp. Daughter of the late Arthur Fisher and Ellen Telfer. Beloved wife of the late Robert (Bob) Coatsworth predeceased in March 2000. Loving Mother of Jane Knister and friend David Irwin, Joan Armstrong and friend Marty Zimmer, and Jerry and MaryLou Coatsworth, all of the Merlin area. Cherished Grandmother of Tracy Knister(Ed), Richard (Deanna) Armstrong, Doey Armstrong (Talon), Bob (Jenny) Coatsworth, Eric (Sonya)Coatsworth. Dear Great Grandmother of 7 grandsons. Survived by two brothers Lyle (Doreen) Fisher and Erwin Fisher. Olive attended the Talbot Street United Church for many years where she was a member of the UCW and a Sunday School Teacher.

Memorials may be made to: Talbot Street United Church, Cancer Society, or the charity of your choice. Friends may call at Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street, Blenheim Ontario on Friday May 29^th from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Funeral Service Saturday May 30, 2015 at 1pm from the Funeral Home with Rev. Eric Skillings officiating. Interment in Shank’s Cemetery, former Romney Township.

In the early morning hours of Friday May 15, 2015 a special bond that few people understand, the bond between twin sisters was broken when Marie Shelp, twin sister of Marsha Shelp passed away at home. Marie was born 53 years ago to her late parents Everett and Doris (Rumble) Shelp. Along with Marsha, Marie will be missed by her older sister Carrie (Ron) Ball, by her niece Heather (Chris) Harder, her nephew Bryan (Abbie) Ball and by her great niece and nephews Keira Harder, Riley Harder and Zephyr Ball. Marie will also be remembered fondly by her Aunt Carole Shelp, her Uncle Keith (Doreen) Rumble and by her cousins Ann Huggard, Kevin Shelp, Greg Rumble and Laurie Birch. Friends will remember Marie for her quick and sometimes sarcastic humour, from her days working at Southwestern Regional Centre and at Pioneer in Ridgetown and for the fantastic gardens that she helped to form in the close community outside Rondeau that she loved so much. Friends and family are invited for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Sunday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Marie will be held in Emmanuel Congregational Church in Ridgetown on Monday May 18, 2015 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Barry Dixon officiating. Interment will take place in Morpeth Cemetery where Marie will be interred with her Mom and Dad. Friends wishing to remember Marie are encouraged to consider the Blenheim and Area grief program called “…a time to mourn” or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Mitchell Robert Moore passed away at the Victoria Hospital in London on Tuesday May 5, 2015 just three days after his 19^th birthday. Mitch is the much loved eldest son of Carolyn Ross (Mike Weedon) of Chatham and Mark Moore (Melissa) of Charing Cross and will be missed by his brother Trevor Moore and by his extended family Brittany Wysman, Brandon Wysman, Megan Weedon, Jeremy Weedon and Kyle Weedon. He will be remembered with great fondness by his grandparents Vera & Al Moore, Doris & Gary Ross, John Weedon and Anna Campisi, by several Aunts and Uncles and by his girlfriend Randi-lyn Bellamy.

Mitch was “Mr. Sports”, a man who lived for making memories on hockey rinks, football fields, baseball diamonds and golf courses. He was a great friend and a confidant…the leader of the pack who had the knack of finding the right thing to say even if it brought out some sarcastic wit. He was an honourable young man who, after his graduation from Blenheim District High School in 2014 was set to attend Niagara College in the Construction Technology course. His competitive nature found him challenging Trevor during many videogames but he was always ready to end his day with a quiet talk in the hot tub.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday May 8, 2015 for visitation from 2 – 5 & 7 – 10 p.m. A Funeral Service for Mitch will be held in the Blenheim Arena on Saturday May 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Pardoville Union Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Mitch with a memorial donation are asked to consider ALL For Kids or Cancer Research.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a wonderful husband and father, Orley Donald Cofell of Ridgetown on Tuesday April 28, 2015 in Victoria Hospital, London. Don married his best friend Margo (Russell) Cofell 58 years ago and together they raised four children of whom he was very proud; Don Cofell of Chatham, Charlene Cofell of Highgate, Bernie Cofell of Highgate and Janice & Pascal Fernandes of Aylmer. He was the best Grandpa to Tyler & Jessica, Dylan, Jesse & Courtney and Cody and was so happy to be able to spend time with his great-grandchildren Madison, Tanner, Jazmin, Brooke-Lynn and to hold his most recent great-grandson Carter Orley. Friends will remember Don from his days working at Navistar, Peters Lumber Yard and Home Hardware. It was Don’s wish that this chapter of his life be quietly shared with his wife and children. A private family service was conducted. Interment in Gosnell Cemetery, Highgate. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with Funeral Arrangements. Friends wishing to remember Don with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation.