Lesley Anne Kelly (nee Pitchforth), in her 59^th year, passed away on February 16, 2017 at the Chatham-Kent Hospice after a courageous battle with cancer. Lesley was born in East Africa and was the daughter of the late Ronald and Jacqueline Pitchforth (nee Capper). Lesley leaves behind her beloved and dedicated husband Tim Kelly. Lesley was a loving daughter-in-law to Dan and Madeline Kelly and step-mother to Steve (Amanda) Kelly and Joanne Kelly (Dave Stranos) and Spencer Ray, Taylor and Cole Kelly. She was overjoyed to hold her first grandchild Joey Stranos. Lesley was greatly loved and respected by her sister Mandy Lagan. She enjoyed spending time with her nephew Matthew Lagan and niece Hannah Lagan. Lesley was a wonderful friend, neighbour, co-worker and mentor to many. She worked for many years as a property manager, establishing her own company. Lesley stood out as a true example of integrity, determination and strength. She had a special appreciation for a great meal, the water, a beautiful sunset, the colours of fall, dominos, travel, a good book and a tremendous love for her dog, Parker.

Friends will be received at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street in Blenheim on Tuesday February 21, 2017 where visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. Friends wishing to remember Lesley with an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

In the early morning hours of February 16, 2017 Leta (Burk) Hanson, loved wife of the late Ed Hanson, passed away peacefully at the Village on the Ridge. Leta was born in Blenheim on March 14, 1925 to the late Roy and Anna (Holmes) Burk and was predeceased by her sister Evelyn and brother George. She served in the Army for three years as a member of the Canadian Women’s Army Corp. She also worked at the Roy Deary Jewellery Store in Blenheim. Leta and Ed raised three daughters; Louise (Ray) Mack, Carroll (late Wayne) McDermid and June Hanson all of Blenheim. They were proud of their grandsons Kenneth McDermid, Timothy Mack & Josē DaSilva and James Mack. Leta will be fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews, and her congregational family.

Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Monday February 20, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Interment in Burk Cemetery at a later date. Friends wishing to honour Leta’s life with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Blenheim.

Karrie-Ann Roy was given her eternal angel wings, with her family by her side at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Thursday February 9, 2017. She was predeceased by: Meme Tanner, Pepe & Meme Roy, three Uncle John’s (Johnny Roy, John Tanner and John Rogers) along with other cherished loved ones.

Karrie is survived by her dad Bob Roy, her mother Lyn (Gord) DeLong, brother Dave (Michelle) Roy, sister Cindy (Shane) Sykes, nephew Austin Roy, nieces Brooklyn Sykes, Kennedy Sykes and Caelan Roy and extended family Clint DeLong & family and Tamie Bagic & family. She will be sadly missed by her family, partners in life, her Earth Angel family and cherished loved ones.

Karrie was diagnosed on December 14, 2009 with Stage IV colon cancer. For the next 7 years she took on her new mission and became the C.E.O. of her own new company that she jokingly called “Save My Ass Incorporated. ” Her prognosis of 9 months to live turned into 7 years of great memories where we shared with her a life-transforming journey. She formed her “Relay for Life” team in 2010 and to honour her caregivers she called her team “Earth Angels”. The team of 90 supporters has grown into hundreds of Earth Angels around the world and will continue to grow in Karrie’s memory.

Family and friends are invited to attend the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday February 10, 2017 where visitation will take place from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m.

A Celebration of Life for Karrie will be conducted by her Earth Angel Reverend Father Dave Fuller of the Trinity Anglican Church (Blenheim) on Saturday February 11, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in St. Mary’s Hall.  It was Karrie’s wish that cremation will follow the service and a memorial service will be held on a beautiful sunny day at the beach.

Friends wishing to remember Karrie with a memorial donation are asked to consider Trinity Anglican Church (Blenheim), the Chatham-Kent Hospice, P.A.W.R., or a local charity of their choice.

Abram Neufeld, husband of Susana passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on February 5, 2017. He was 66 years old.  Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday February 8, 2017 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  A Funeral Service for Abram will be held in the Charing Cross Old Colony Mennonite Church on Thursday February 9, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with Bishop Peter Friesen officiating.  Interment in Pardoville-Union Cemetery.

Cyril Roets of Blenheim passed away on Saturday January 28, 2017 in his 75^th year. He is survived by his wife of 53 years Ruth Walker, his children Doug & Lisa Walker, Dale Roets, Debbie Roets, Dennis & Julie Roets, Darlene Roets, Brad & Connie Walker and Melissa Walker, 22 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and his sister Noreen Charron. He was predeceased by his parents Margaret & Archille Roets and by his sister Irene Laforet.

Cyril was a survivor in life. He quit school after grade three. At a young age he ventured out on his own, working as a hired man on various farms. He worked for many years at Standard Tube in Blenheim. He enjoyed hunting small game and fishing. He taught himself how to fix motors and despite not being licensed as a mechanic, he was able to repair anything that people brought to him. He was an avid gardener, producing some of the best tomatoes and enough potatoes to last through the winter. Once he saved a child from a burning building. Beneath a sometimes stubborn exterior there was a very loving man, especially when it came to his family. With that in mind, Cyril’s wishes were that cremation would take place and that his family would remember him at a private graveside service in Evergreen Cemetery.

Robert (Bob) David Cannata

June 7th 1948- January 26th 2017

(Retired from Union Gas)

Bob passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends, at the Chatham Kent Hospice in his 69th year. Beloved son of the late George and Nancy Cannata (née Thomson}, Bob will be sadly missed by his sister Connie McAleese, brother Ross Cannata, all of his nieces, nephews and  their families, his many  Cannata cousins, as well as Bob’s other family of lifelong friends Jack, Peter, Bob, Al, Roy, Merlin and his close friends in Erieau. For those that were lucky enough to know Bob, his ever present sense of humour, his wry smile and easy, unassuming way made him an instant friend to all. If someone was measured by the number of friends one has made in the course of a lifetime, “Bobby “, would stand out in a crowd.

Bob, it may be your last call at ” The Sandbar ” , but your memory will live on in all of our hearts forever. Good Day!  A gathering of Bob’s friends will take place at the Sandbar in Erieau on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 7pm. (cash bar).

Visitation, Funeral Service and burial will be in Toronto with a date to be announced next week.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make a donation to Chatham Kent Hospice Foundation. We will be forever grateful for the loving care they provided Bob in his final days www.chathamkenthospice.com

Glen “Smoke” Embury passed away on Monday January 23, 2017 at the age of 94 years. He leaves behind his daughter Patricia Johnson and her husband Garnet, his grandchildren Matthew Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Suzanne & Tim Vaughan, Bill & Andrea Turner and his great-grandchildren Kaylie Vaughan, Harley Vaughan, Reece Turner, Miya Johnson and Landon Johnson. He is also survived by his son-in-law Gillis Turner. He was predeceased by his wife Merle (Pardo) Embury, his daughter Janice Turner and his brothers and sisters Edwin Smith, George Embury, Fern Bond, Hazel Scoyne, Ken Embury, Fred Embury and Gordon Embury.

Glen was a sports enthusiast who loved baseball and hockey but mostly baseball. As a young man he tried out to be a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. He loved small game hunting and could often be found tracking ducks, pheasants, geese and rabbits. He was a fan of Springer Spaniel dogs.

When Glen was 21 years old, he enlisted with the Kent Regiment which later became the Essex Scottish Regiment and was awarded the rank of Sergeant. He spent 6 years overseas during WWII fighting in France, Normandy, Holland and Belgium. In October, 2014 the French Government bestowed on Glen the French Legion of Honour medal which is the highest honour that is given.

Two years after he returned from war, Glen married his wife Merle and started a family. Friends will remember him from his days of working at A.J. Sales, Union Gas and Motor Wheel in Chatham.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday where visitation will take place from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 185 will conduct a service at 6:45 p.m. A Funeral Service for Glen will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Thursday January 26, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

Friends wishing to remember Glen with a memorial donation are asked to consider either the Blenheim Freedom Library & Military Museum, VON or the Alzheimers Society.

John Brian Haverty of Morpeth passed away in his 95^th year on Sunday January 22, 2017 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.  John was a WWII Veteran.  He was born in London, England on February 8, 1922.  He emigrated to Canada after the war.  John is survived by his wife Janet (Nichol) Haverty, by two sons Tom and Sean and by two grandchildren Katie and Shane.  He was predeceased by his son David in 2015.  In keeping with John’s wishes, cremation has taken place.  An interment of John’s urn will take place at a later date.  Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.

Peter James Coholan of Dealtown passed away on Thursday January 19, 2017.  Peter was born in Saint John, New Brunswick 62 years ago.  He will be missed by his wife Kerry (Finn) Coholan, by his children Erin Booth, Kasey & Michael Maguire and Peter “PJ”, by his grandchildren Colbie, Claire and Grant.  He was anxiously awaiting the birth of his fourth grandchild soon.  Peter is also survived by his siblings Beth, Lynn, Patty, Kim, Mark, Paul and Mike.  He was predeceased by his parents Marie and Patrick Coholan and by his brother John.  He will be sorely missed by his four legged daughter Mabel.

Peter was a sports enthusiast, a lifelong supporter of the Montreal Canadiens and the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL.  He studied Sociology at the University of Waterloo before accepting a position at the Southwestern Regional Centre in Dealtown.  Following his retirement in 2008 he worked for five years in the cafeteria of UCC “The Pines”.

In keeping with Peter’s wishes, cremation has taken place.  Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday January 24, 2017 where a gathering will take place from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.  Words of remembrance will be shared at 3:30 p.m.

Friends wishing to remember Peter with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Pet and Wildlife Rescue project (PAWR) in Chatham-Kent.

Frances Elizabeth Stothart, affectionately known to all as “Frani” passed away with family by her side at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Friday January 20, 2017. She was predeceased by her husband Frank Stothart on March 19, 2004.

Frani was the first child born to her late parents William & Dona (Humphrey) Nealey. Her 69 short years were spent loving and caring for everyone around her.  She was an awesome Mom to Susan Longbottom of Chatham, Carol & Chuck Huckle of Blenheim, Leigh Anne & John O’Brien of Sault Ste. Marie and Butch Stothart of Blenheim.  She was the best Grandma to Missy & Tim Randall and their children Jocelyn and Megan, to Matthew & Rochelle Stothart and their children Hudson and Harper, and to Noah and Abby O’Brien.  Sadly she was predeceased by her grandson Tyler.

Being the eldest of nine children, Frani helped her parents when it came to raising her siblings Marie Smith (Leonard), Pat Ryckman (Fred), Gloria Anson (Ed), Ken Nealey (late Linda), Stacie Beaton (Doug), Tami St. Lewis (John), Dona Bechard and the late Bill Nealey. She was loved by many nieces and nephews and by her good friend Bob Marlatt.

Frani was always a friendly face working at the local grocery stores. She was a lover of nature and believed in God.  She was a valued member of the Blenheim Baptist Church.  She will be missed.

Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Monday January 23, 2017 where visitation will take place from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. A Funeral Service for Frani conducted by Pastor Bill Terris will begin at 2:00 p.m. Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Frani with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Blenheim Baptist Church or the Chatham-Kent Hospice.