Born to William and Dorothy (Pilon) Collins, she grew up in Erieau with her 4 brothers and 2 sisters who knew her as Maggie. Survived by sister Sheila Tiedeman, brothers Albert (Evelyn), Jack (Marcella), James and Larry (Betty Ann) Collins, brother-in-laws Walter (Lynn) and John (Cathy) McIlroy and sister-in-law Nancy McIlroy. Predeceased by sister Barbara (Bob) Maynard, brother-in-law Rick Tiedeman, sister-in-law Donna Collins and brother-in-law Robert McIlroy. She was adored by many nieces and nephews who knew her as Aunt Mag.

It was in Erieau that she met her loving husband of 46 years and best friend Richard. They were married in Cedar Springs in 1968 and have lived on the Bisnett Side Road for 42 years. She was beloved mother of Jeff of St. Thomas and Shelly (Pat McIlhargey) of London and proud grandmother of 6 beautiful grandchildren; Ethan, Owen and Hannah (McIlroy), Caitlin and Brooke-Lynn (Guerin) and Blake (McIlhargey).

Margaret was a hard worker and had endless talents. She was an exceptional painter, crafter and finished her working days as a hairdresser at her salon; Making Waves on Talbot St. In Blenheim. Her favourite pastimes included fishing on the waters of Lake Erie, travelling through Canada and the US with Richard, golfing with her buddies at Deer Run Golf Course but her favourite was spending time with her grandchildren. It brought her much joy to take them to the beach to collect beach glass, make crafts with them, play games and bake with them.

Margaret’s family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Allan Morrison and the staff at Chatham Kent Health Alliance for their thoughtful care during her illness.

Visitation will held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home (60 Stanley St) on Wednesday, April 22nd from 2-4 and 7-9pm. A funeral service will take place on Thursday at 11:00am at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home. Immediately following the service, friends and family are invited to Deer Run Golf Course for a celebration of Margaret’s life and light lunch. Friends wishing to remember Margaret with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Christian Blind Mission.

Robert Allen Lorne Johnston, affectionately known as “Rob”, “Robbie”, “Uncle Bob”, “Uncle Hoy” and “Uncle Trunkle Tree” passed away with his family by his side in the early morning hours of Sunday April 19, 2015. Rob was born to his late parents Ken & Signe (Nelson) Johnston 56 years ago. He will be remembered fondly by his sisters Charlotte & Paul, Leslie & Todd, Valerie, Laura & Helen, his brother David & Wanda as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Rob was predeceased by his brother Wayne and by his nephew Justin Everitt. He will be remembered by the many friends he made over the years, especially in the Village of Erieau that adopted him, for his contagious smile, his famous “Kramer entries”, his favourite seat at the Sandbar and for his selfless acts of kindness. Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday for visitation from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Rob will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Friends wishing to remember Rob with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Erieau Firefighters Association.

Ethyle Watts, much loved wife of the late Charles Watts (1996) passed away at the Blenheim Community Village on Friday April 17, 2015 at the age of 97 years. Ethyle was born in northern Saskatchewan and was the last surviving member of her family. She was predeceased by her sisters Merle Walsh, Jean Boyce and Gladys Hundgerford as well as her brother Ray Murray. Ethyle will be proudly remembered by her sons Don & Susan Watts and Ron & Judy Watts. She was blessed in life with 7 grandchildren (predeceased by her granddaughter Loriann), 13 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Monday April 20, 2015 for visitation from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A Funeral Service, conducted by Rev. Wanda Burse, Pastor of the Blenheim Community Village will be held at the Funeral Home at 1:30 followed by interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Ethyle with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Blenheim United Church Memorial Fund or the Parkinson’s Society.

Morley Mifflin of Merlin passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Sunday April 12, 2015 at the age of 81 years. Morley was one of five children born to the late Elmer and Clova (Bellanger) Mifflin and is survived by his sister Betty Soper (late Bill) and by his brothers Robert Mifflin and Keith & Roxene Mifflin. He was predeceased by his brother Glen & Jean Mifflin. He met and married his best friend Ilene (Bellamy) who predeceased him on April 5, 2005. Together they raised three children; Theresa Mifflin & Keith Shepherd of Chatham, Mark & Nancy Mifflin of Merlin and Mike Mifflin of Newmarket. They were also blessed with five grandchildren; Danielle, Krista, Morgan, Dustin and Kayla. Morley was a retiree of Union Gas where he worked as a welder. He loved spending Mondays and Wednesdays playing cards at the Merlin Legion, helping out at the Merlin Community Hall and riding his three wheel bike to the coffee shop in Merlin as often as he could. Friends and family are invited to the Merlin United Church on Tuesday April 14, 2015 where visitation will be held from noon until 2:00 p.m. A Funeral Service, conducted by Pastor Eric Skillings will be held at 2:00 p.m. Interment in Victoria Cemetery, Baddertown. Friends wishing to remember Morley with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Kidney Foundation. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with Funeral Arrangements.

Morley’s family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the nurses on 4th floor Medicine at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance for going above and beyond…your kindness was noticed and appreciated!

Antonie “Toni” Von Wegner of Kingsville and formerly of Blenheim passed away at the Leamington District Memorial Hospital on Saturday April 4, 2015 at the age of 87 years. Toni was predeceased by her husband George in 1988. A private graveside service will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim.

Mary Margaret (Stefina) Pirhalla of Blenheim passed away peacefully at the Blenheim Community Village on Good Friday, April 3, 2015 at the age of 91 years after a courageous battle with cancer. Mary was born in Strezenice, Slovakia on November 19, 1923 to her late parents Anna (Gazova) & Andrew Stefina Sr. She was predeceased by her husband, Karl (October 2014) of almost 65 years, her sister, Anne Janicek, her brothers Joseph, Steve, Frank, Andy Jr. and Stan, her brother-in-law Steve Janicek, and her sisters-in-law , Hilda, MaryAnn and Emma. Their surviving daughter Patricia Pirhalla lives on part of the family farm near Blenheim. Their second daughter Nancy Susan Pirhalla (1956) passed away as an infant. Mary is survived by several sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews throughout Ontario, New Jersey and Slovakia. She was the last surviving member of the original Stefina family that came to Canada in 1936 and came to settle in Blenheim shortly thereafter. She met her husband Karl, (known to many as Charlie) at a picnic that was held by the Slovak community in a bush outside Blenheim and six months later, on her birthday in 1949, they were married. Mary was a homemaker, mother and worked together side by side with her husband on their farm all her life. She loved to garden and the garden we had could have fed half of Blenheim. She cooked, pickled, canned and preserved everything from that garden. Anyone (family or friend) that visited our home or cottage never left hungry or thirsty. It was Mary`s wish that no visitation take place, but family and friends are welcomed to attend a Funeral Mass to celebrate her life at St. Mary’s Church, Blenheim on Saturday April 11, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. followed by interment in Evergreen Cemetery and a luncheon at St. Mary’s Hall. Blenheim Community Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Friends wishing to remember Mary with a Memorial Donation are asked to consider the Canadian Breast Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke or the Karl and Mary Pirhalla Family Burse through the Capuchins at St Mary’s Church. I would like to thank the staff at Blenheim Community Village, Dr. Perkin, and especially, Dr. Haddad for showing my mom such loving care during her stay.

James Douglas Lane of Chatham passed away peacefully in London on Saturday March 21, 2015 at the age of 61 years. He will be missed by his best friend and wife Audrey (Antworth) Lane, by his daughter Veronica & Max Girardo with their children Ryenne and Luca (and a baby due in September), by his son Steven Lane, by his sister Patricia Leight, by his very best friend Dan Marlatt, by his extended family in New Brunswick including his mother-in-law and father-in-law Rae and Orlo Brewer, Karen & Jason Acott, Andrea & Pat Underhill and Susan & Shawn Wood and their families including Logan, Lanson, Heidi, Rachel, Keaton and Carson. Jim was predeceased in life by his parents Frances (Scarlett) and Malcolm Lane and by his brother Bruce Ogg. Friends will remember Jim as a generous man who had great compassion for life…he never left a task undone.

Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation on Tuesday from 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held in the Funeral Home on Wednesday March 25, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Cremation to follow. Friends wishing to remember Jim with a memorial donation are asked to consider the VON Palliative Care Program or the CKHA Chemotherapy Unit.

It is with such profound sadness that we share with you the passing of our father, Stewart “Stubby” Knights on Wednesday March 18, 2015.

Over the past few weeks we have been pondering what measures a man’s life and what we will remember about our dad, and we’ve come to this:

Our dad was born on December 27, 1961 to his parents Donna (Rigby) and the late Bill “Stub” Knights who were the two people he admired most in his life. They not only gave him a sister to grow up with (Jane & John Pratt) but they gave him the tools that he would need to make it in life, taught him how to get back up if he fell down and taught him about hard work. Our dad got along with his dad so well that he quit school in 1978 to partner with him at Blenheim Abattoir and Meat Markets. Being in the cattle business brought him the opportunity to go show livestock at fairs…the most memorable time for him was when he met the Queen at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.

Our dad had a contagiously positive outlook…he lived life instead of letting it pass him by. He smiled and he laughed and he didn’t let the bad things get him down. He was all about kids, especially his three daughters Billy Jo & Chris Cunningham, Jessica & Matt Hall and Claire Knights. He was crazy about his grandchildren Jolee, Cameron and Emily and was looking forward to his fourth grandchild in just a few months. He helped coach minor league baseball when we were small and he was a sponsor of the Blenheim Open where he also helped to cook the steaks for the meal. His cooking abilities brought together a production company called “Bent Rim Productions” that participated in BBQ competitions across Ontario.

Our dad loved sports…he was a true fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the winter he spent countless hours on the ice playing for many local teams and in the summer he spent his time on baseball diamonds. He was the one who started the “case of beer strike out rule” just to keep things interesting and to motivate players. He had his own hockey card made up which maybe has been best shared only with the other guys of that same elite group. He also enjoyed spending summers on his boat “Stubs Tub” which docked in Erieau.

Finally our dad surrounded himself with friends…many good friends; some who remained close since their school days. Friends were so important to him…whether it was a beach party in the middle of winter where everybody wore beach attire, whether it was going to an AC/DC concert or whether it was just a quiet time watching his favourite movie “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”, our dad was always up for a new and fun challenge with his friends. He will be missed.

Cremation has taken place. Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will take place on Friday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. Following that, and in keeping with our dad’s sense of adventure, we will celebrate his life at the Blenheim Memorial Arena on Saturday March 21, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. where his urn will be placed on center ice and his friends will sit in the bleachers!

If you wish to remember our dad with a memorial donation, we hope that you will consider All For Kids which will provide funding for boys and girls in the Blenheim and Ridgetown area who otherwise would not be able to play sports.

Billy Jo, Jessica and Claire

Barbara Weir (Fraleigh) MacLean of Blenheim passed away peacefully at Blenheim Community Village on Saturday March 14, 2015 at the age of 86.

Born in London, Ontario she was the beloved wife and partner of J. Lachlan MacLean (2009) and the daughter of the late Sidney A. and Cecille (McLurg) Fraleigh of Forest. The dear mother of Deborah Ann MacLean-Brine and her husband Bob Brine of London; the late Heather Fraleigh MacLean- Meek (2004) and her husband Fred Meek of London ; Ian Lachlan MacLean and his wife Mara Sperandio-MacLean of Vancouver; Stephanie Lynn MacLean and her husband Ralph Romano of Blenheim. The adored grandmother of Meggan Brine, Cameron Meek, Fiona Meek, Nicolas MacLean, Sophia MacLean, Clara Romano and Eric Romano. Great -Grandmother of Heather Richmond. Dear Sister of Ann Manning (John) of Forest; Sidney Fraleigh Jr. (Velma) of Forest and Janet Smart (David) of Chatham. Sister-in- law of Phyllis Nelson (William-2013) of Peterborough. Barb will be missed by her many close, loving friends and fondly remembered by a number of nieces and nephews.

Barbara graduated from the School of Journalism at University of Western Ontario in 1950, a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She married Lachlan in 1951 and their careers took them to Windsor, Toronto, Sarnia and Blenheim. Barb was a journalist for the Sarnia Observer newspaper, member of I. O. D. E. in Sarnia and Blenheim and served as Regent of both chapters, a past president of University Women’s Club in Sarnia, and a member of the Golden Acres Curling /Club in Blenheim. She was active in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Sarnia. Her connections were strong as a CGIT leader and convener of United Church Women at the Blenheim United Church where in 1965 she became the Assistant to the Minister in Christian Education and Leadership. She was a secondary school supply teacher in Kent County. Always an energetic volunteer, she was a past chairperson of the Chatham-Kent Advisory Board of the CNIB. She was an active supporter of the blind and deaf-blind and was named to the Board of Directors, Ontario Division for CNIB. After her retirement she never failed to contribute her help and advice to the many volunteers who offered their time and services to the CNIB. In 2001, Barbara received recognition from the federal government for outstanding service and contribution as a volunteer. A loving mother she looked forward, with great anticipation to the family cottage holidays at Hillsboro Beach. She was an ardent swimmer all her life, loved to travel and will be sorely missed by family and friends.

Barbara’s family is appreciative of the care and compassion provided by the staff of the Blenheim Community Village Nursing Home who cared for Barb over the past 10 years and particularly over this past month. The family also valued the medical care of Dr. Martha Clendenning.

Family and Friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday March 27, 2015 for visitation from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. followed a memorial service and celebration of life at 3:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim, at a later date. Memorial contributions to the Chatham-Kent Alzheimer’s Society’s Day Program, the Canadian National Institute of the Blind (Windsor -Essex-Kent District) or the Blenheim United Church Benevolent Fund are asked to be considered.

Surrounded by his family, John Walker Ward passed away peacefully at home on Sunday March 15, 2015. Born in Harwich Township 87 years ago to Sidney & Lottie (Walker) Ward John worked hard all of this life eventually running his own backhoe and trucking business. As a young man he met his wife Doris June Story and after a five year courtship, John and Doris married and would have celebrated their 67^th wedding anniversary this May. John and Doris raised three children, Dianne & Derick Goddeeris of Aylmer, Paul Ward & Michelle Legue of Blenheim and David Ward of London. They were also blessed with four grandchildren; Carey & Richard Marshall, Gilbert John & Charmaine Goddeeris, Matthew Ward and Rachel & Ben Kirkconnell as well as four great grandchildren Ryan Marshall, Caitlyn Marshall, Tyelor Goddeeris and Hailey Goddeeris. John is survived by his sisters Jean Tole (late Byron), Leora & Clarence Rodwell, Blanche Burke (late Frank), Shirley & Jim Green, by his sister in law Jackie Ward and by several nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his brothers Earl, Raeburn and Sidney. Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday March 17, 2015 for visitation from 12:00 – 2:00 and a service conducted by Rev. John Anderson at 2:00 p.m. Cremation to follow. Friends wishing to remember John with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Salvation Army.