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.

Brian Arthur Johnston of Chatham and formerly of Blenheim passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Monday December 13, 2016 at the age of 61. He will be remembered with great fondness by his wife Annette Beaudoin and her family.

Aside from family and friends, Brian’s passion in life was being a mechanic. He was gifted at being able to repair diesel engines and helped neighbours in the Blenheim area to keep their farm machinery in order. His happiness came from fixing things for other people.

In death, as in life, Brian’s legacy of fixing things will continue. In an act of complete selflessness, he made the decision to donate his body to science; to become a “teacher” at the University of Western Ontario. It was his hope that if he could help even one person or fix one more thing, then his dream would be realized.

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

Donna Kathleen Burchiel of Blenheim died at the C-K Hospice on Sunday December 11, 2016. She was born in Romney Twsp on December 22, 1927, daughter of Erle & Hazel (Charleton) Morgan.

Donna was predeceased by her husband James W. Burchiel (2002) who she married on May 17, 1950 in Wheatley. She is survived by four children James R (Alicia), Curtis, Heather (Robert Burns) and Fred, by 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Donna worked for many years as a sales clerk at Metropolitan and Stedmans department stores. She was a 70 year member of the Rebekah Lodge, a 35 year member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 185 and a 46 year life member of the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary.

Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday December 14, 2016 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Legion and Auxiliary Service will be held at 6:45 p.m.  A Funeral Service for Donna will be held at the Funeral Home on Thursday December 15, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Bill Terris officiating.  Friends wishing to make a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice and the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 185 Poppy Fund.

Mr. Joseph Venclik passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, December 1, 2016. Joseph was born 77 years ago to the late John and Filomena Venclik. Beloved husband of 57 years to Nellie (Vandehogen) Venclik. Loving father of Sandra (& the late Murray) Tunstall, Sherry Venclik and Laurie Venclik. Cherished grandfather of D.J. (Carly) Christian and Madison Tunstall and great grandfather of Chase Christian. Dear brother of Millie Spacil, Mary Spacil and Carol Segeren, brother-in-law of Joe Vandehogen, Pete (Annette) Vandehogen, Frank (Carol) Vandehogen and Mary Vandehogen. Also sadly missed by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Charlie Spacil, John Spacil, Willy Segeren, Martin (Liz) Vandehogen, John Vandehogen, Adrian (Anne) Vandehogen, Helen Vandehogen and Annie Beuglet.

Joe was an avid Montreal Canadiens fan and also played hockey with the Morpeth Oldtimers, McKays and Cadillac Hotel hockey teams. He also loved to play golf and go camping with his family.

Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation on Sunday, December 4, 2016 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the Funeral Home on Monday, December 5, 2016 at 11 a.m. Cremation to follow.

Friends wishing to remember Joe with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Tire Jump Start Program.

Mrs. Loretta Lachine (Antaya) passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November 29, 2016. Loretta was born 94 years ago to the late Edward and Olivia Antaya. She is predeceased by her husband Donald Lachine (1982). She will be forever missed by her children Bob (Jane) Antaya, Carol (Wayne) Parker, the late Donald (Sandra), Edward (late Beverly), the late Dianne and John Payne, Evelyn (late Gary) Nott, Sandra (late Robert) Rumble, Janet VanDeHogan, Randy (Tracy Faulkner), Wendy Lachine (Linda Dunn), Daniel (Alicia), Lawrence, Cameron (Bernadette), and the late Leonard Lachine. Loving grandmother of many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Dearest sister of Nora (late Joe) Dauphin, Donna (Elroy) Batton, and Anna Mae (Doug) Pardo and sister-in-law of Carl (Madeline) Lachine. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.   Predeceased by her brothers Bernard and Leonard Antaya and her many brothers and sisters-in-law.

Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation on Thursday, December 1, 2016 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. Parish Prayers will be held at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass celebrated by Fr. John Juhl will be held in St. Mary’s Church on Friday, December 2, ­­­­­­­­2016 at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim.

Friends wishing to remember Loretta with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Howard Mutual Medical Centre, Ridgetown or the Charity of One’s Choice.

Lillian Eugenia Nichol of Blenheim died at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Thursday November 24, 2016. She was born in Harwich Township June 14, 1929, daughter of Lloyd and Dora (Robertson) Tompkins.  In July, 1951 she married Robert C. Nichol.  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 six great-grandchildren.

Eugenia studied music at Western University and taught piano lessons for 18 years. She played church organs for 15 years.  In 1966 she commuted daily to Windsor to attend Teacher’ College.  She taught 18 years at St. Mary’s School in Blenheim and 8 years at St. Ambrose School in Chatham.  Lifes journey was challenging, interesting and gratifying.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Eugenia’s life will be held in St. Mary’s Hall on Saturday December 10, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. where everyone will be given the opportunity to share their memories either quietly or at the microphone.

Friends wishing to remember Eugenia with a memorial donation as asked to consider a charity of your own choice.

Charles Alexander Ternoey of Tilbury passed away at his home on November 22, 2016. Loving husband of 62 years to Rosemary (Korpan) Ternoey and father to his 5 daughters and only son; Carol Jacobson (Gordon), Catharine Huellemann, Deborah Hogan (Dean Carnegie), Natalie Ternoey, Laurie Garrod (Les) and Alexander Ternoey (Jennifer). He will be remembered fondly by 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Charlie was born in “the silver dollar” on February 24, 1927 and he resided there his entire life, enjoying his farming career and family get-togethers. He will be forever remembered and loved for being “smarter than the average bear”.

In keeping with Charles’ wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Tilbury Legion, 4 Stewart Street in Tilbury on Saturday November 26, 2016 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. All are welcome.

Mr. Lyle Russell Fisher passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Sunday November 20, 2016 at the age of 92 years. Lyle was one of three siblings born to his late parents Ellen & Arthur Fisher.  He is survived by his brother Erwin (late Violet) formerly of Port Crewe and was predeceased in life by his sister Olive Coatsworth (late Bob).

Lyle is the much loved husband of Dorine (Gould) Fisher. Lyle and Dorine were longtime residents of the Port Crewe area.  They were fortunate to have been married for 66 years and to have raised four sons who Lyle was very proud of; Allan & Nancy of Redbridge ON, Ed & Cindy of Beardmore ON, Dan of Fort McMurray AB and Kevin & Kim of Chatham.  Lyle will also be remembered by 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

When Lyle wasn’t busy delivering milk or driving a school bus, he was an avid outdoorsman, be it in his garden, hunting or fishing. He was also a lifetime supporter of the Chatham Jr Maroons Hockey Club.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will be held on Thursday from 3-5 pm & 7-9 pm. A Funeral Service for Lyle will be held on Friday November 25, 2016 at 11:00 am with Pastor Rick Dressler officiating. Interment in Stewart Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Lyle with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s/Dementia or Breast Cancer charities.

Helen May (Percy) Parker formerly of Erieau passed away at the Fairfield Park Nursing Home, Wallaceburg on Sunday November 13, 2016. Helen was born May 31, 1921 to her late parents Owen & Glyde (Welter) Percy. Her only sister Edith Mary died of pneumonia when she was 6 years and 6 months old. When Helen was 17 years old and working in Port Burwell, she met the love of her life Harold “Boots” Parker and began a life together that would span over 62 years when Boots died on January 12, 2000. Together in Erieau, Helen and Boots raised three children Wayne & Carol Parker, Edith (late Larry) MacDonald and Ken & Susanne Parker. She was the very proud grandmother of Duayne Parker, Todd & Sue Parker, Lisa & Brent High, Tracy & Frank deBakker, Scott & Jody MacDonald, Kirk Parker & Ian Buchanan and Chad & Tanya Parker. Her world got brighter with the addition of her great-grandchildren Katie Parker (A.J. Fordham), Cody Parker (Meghan), Driel Parker, Mitchell & Stephanie High, Davis High, Jessica & Felix Vlasak, Amber deBakker (T.J. Brodie), Zachery deBakker, Jenney MacDonald, Parker MacDonald (Mackenzie Neaves), Tyson Parker, Tori Parker, Tanisha Casey, Shaun Casey and Lindsay Casey and even brighter with the addition of the great-great grandson Eldrick “Tiger” High. Helen is survived by her sisters-in-law Audrey Parker and Jean Verstraete, and by her brothers in law Bill & Mary Parker and Bob & Alice Parker.

It was Helen’s wish that her Funeral Service would be shared with her immediate family and that she would be laid to rest with Boots in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. Acting as pallbearers for their Great-Grandmother will be Mitchell High, Davis High, Cody Parker, Parker MacDonald, Tyson Parker and Zachery deBakker. Friends wishing to remember Helen with a memorial donation are asked to consider St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Erieau.