Rita Marie DeMaeyer of Blenheim passed away at Copper Terrace Nursing Home on Friday August 1, 2014. Rita was born in Tilbury North Township 92 years ago to her late parents Delia & Dusty Martin. She always wore a smile, had a contagious laugh and showed much determination in everything she did. With the help of her husband Joe DeMaeyer who predeceased her in 1998, Rita ran an upholstery shop outside of Blenheim. She is survived by her siblings Edna Armstrong, Marie Abrams and Gerald & Irene Martin, by her children Pat & Ron Lloyd, Mary & John Blythe, Alice Demers, Doreen & Bob Larabie, Rose & Bob Rose, Shelley & Bill Montgomery, Bev & Pam DeMaeyer and Joe & Shari DeMaeyer as well as by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Friends wishing to remember Rita with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Frans “Frank” DeLocht of Cedar Springs passed away on Thursday July 31, 2014 at the age of 90 years. Frank was one of three boys born in Belgium to the late Jan and Maria (Geentjens) DeLocht and he is survived by his brothers Lowie and Karel both in Belgium, by his sisters-in-law Roza and Gusta Soentjens and also by his extended family in Belgium. Frank enjoyed farming until his retirement. He was predeceased by his wife Margarethe (Soentjens) DeLocht on January 8, 2004. Cremation has taken place. A private interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim.

Doug Glover, a retired Captain of the Royal Canadian Air Force passed away on Tuesday July 29, 2014 at the age of 84 years. Husband of the late Kathleen Glover and Therese Glover. Father of Kathleen Glover of Smith Falls and Joel & Elizabeth Glover of Carleton Place. Doug loved his time in service to his country and the many places he was privileged to visit. For over 41 years he provided inspiration to others at the AA meetings he attended wherever he lived. Those who knew Doug knew that he could find the silver lining in most anything. He will be missed by family and friends. He was looking forward to the adventure of his final flight.

Family and friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Monday August 4, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. where a Service of Remembrance will be held for Doug before proceeding to Evergreen Cemetery where his urn will be interred next to Kathleen and Therese. Friends wishing to remember Doug with a memorial donation are asked to consider the War Amps.

Gloria Ann (Speed) Mervin of Blenheim passed away at Riverview Gardens on Wednesday July 23, 2014 at the age of 82 years. Gloria was predeceased by her husband Clayt Mervin on May 26, 2014. She will be remembered as an active member of the community being a member of the Blenheim Seniors Centre, the Past President of Meals on Wheels, a member of the Blenheim Legion Branch 185 where she held positions on the Executive Committee and was Past President and Past Zone Commander of the Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed woodworking, especially fret work which she taught others to do and she participated in a number of craft shows to show her handiwork. Gloria was predeceased by her first husband Delbert Shepherd and by her second husband Bud DeLeeuw who she once co-owned Bud’s Supertest with. She was also predeceased by her brothers Glenn Robert Speed and Joseph Charles Speed. She is survived by a number of nieces and nephews. It was Gloria’s wish that cremation take place and a family graveside service take place at Burk Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Gloria with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Bill Thomas of Blenheim passed away on Saturday July 19, 2014 at the age of 82 years. Bill is survived by his children Shelley Hawkins of Teeswater, Dan Thomas & Connie Vidler of Erieau, Robert & Leslie Thomas of Aurora, Michael Thomas of London and Randy Thomas of B.C., by his sister Marjory Parish Allen of Colorado, his sister-in-law Keitha Thomas of Kingston, by 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and by his best friend Rea Brinkman of Blenheim. He was predeceased by his first wife Betty Thomas (1994), his second wife Lou Ann Thomas (2004) and by 4 brothers. Friends will remember Bill from his 42 years working at Siemens. Cremation has taken place. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. Friends wishing to remember Bill with a memorial donation are asked to consider Loads of Love. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Devin Tedford of Blenheim passed away on Monday July 14, 2014 at the young age of 21 years. Devin is the much loved son of Tina Tedford & Dan Loebach and Peter Tedford & Christine Foulon. He will be sorely missed by his brother Jalen Tedford with whom he shared many happy memories growing up, and by his step sisters Holly Foulon and Taylor Foulon as well as his Grandparents Madeline Tedford, Janice Graham and Dennis & Rosie Graham. He will also be missed by many Aunts, Uncles and cousins. Devin was predeceased by Hubert Tedford (Bumpa).

Devin was an avid sportsman who excelled in hockey. He played for years with the Blenheim Minor Hockey Leagues, followed by the Chatham Cyclones and most recently the Blenheim Ridgetown Chiefs. He loved dirt biking, four wheeling, jet skiing and playing lacrosse for the Wallaceburg Griffins. He was a graduate of the Blenheim District High School where he met many good friends. Devin will be forever remembered for his contagious smile and his outgoing personality. He was a kind and caring soul who put the needs of others before his own.

Devin’s family invite friends and family to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday July 18, 2014 for visitation from 2:00 – 9:00 p.m. and again at the Glad Tidings Community Church for visitation on Saturday July 19, 2014 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. A Funeral Service for Devin will begin at 2:00 in the church with Rev. Bill Terris officiating. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery.

Max Cowley of Blenheim passed away peacefully at home on Monday July 14, 2014 at the age of 64 years. Max was the much loved husband of Elaine (Meehan) Cowley who passed away on April 30, 2014. He will be missed greatly by his children Jennifer & Jeff Couture of Grande Pointe and Michael & Sarah Cowley of Chatham, by his grandchildren Jeremy, Jordan, Seth, Hunter and Emma, by his father Don & Lorna Cowley of Blenheim and by his sister Dianne Chamberlain-Moffat and her husband Peter Moffat of Chatham. Max was predeceased by his mother Jean (Smith) and by his brother Mark. He was a millwright by trade, working for the British Tobacco Company for many years and then Navistar where he retired. Friends and family are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Thursday from 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service conducted by Rev. Bill Terris will be held on Friday July 18, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. Friends wishing to remember Max with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Parkinson’s Society or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Wayne Knowler of Blenheim passed away at home on Saturday July 5, 2014. Wayne was born in Blenheim 77 years ago to his late parents Elmer & Gladys (Henderson) Knowler. He was predeceased by his wife June (Furman) Knowler in 2006. Wayne and June raised seven children; Dennis & Janet Knowler of Chatham, Stephanie Lee of Blenheim, David Knowler of Blenheim, Jill & John Day of Cedar Springs, April & Dave Stepniak of Blenheim, Scott & Janice Knowler of Ridgetown and Brad & Andrea Knowler of Ridgetown. He was the much loved grandfather of Renee & Jason Humphrey, JW & Cathy Day, Jessica Day, Justin Day, Alex Knowler, Natalie Knowler, Sean Knowler, Jamie Adams, Ryan Knowler, Troy Knowler, Michael Knowler, Lucas Knowler, Taylor Stepniak, Sarah Stepniak, Jenna Stepniak, Madeline Knowler, Ethan Knowler, Sam Knowler, Ben Knowler, Bridget Knowler and great-grandfather of Nicholas and Brennan. He is survived by his brother Gary & Sharon Knowler of Kingston. Wayne wore many hats in his life working on drilling rigs for gas wells on Lake Erie, he was a bartender and bouncer for the Cadillac Hotel, he worked at the Lambton Generating Station and drove dump truck for H.L. Henderson, Harwich Township and Bud’s Haulage. He enjoyed the great outdoors and family vacations to Martin River, Sharbot Lake and Miller Lake, playing cards and lawn darts with friends and his annual fishing trips to Biscoe with his sons and son in law. Wayne loved all sports. He was the #1 fan of the Charing Cross Mens Fastball team (he has two grandsons who play on it) and he enjoyed watching his grandkids play hockey and baseball. At the end of the day, nothing made Wayne happier than spending time with his family. It was Wayne’s request that this stage of his life be regarded with quiet dignity. Cremation has taken place. A private family graveside service will take place in Evergreen Cemetery where Wayne will be laid to rest with June. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements. Friends wishing to remember Wayne with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Brain Tumor Foundation or the Blenheim Food Bank.

Please join Jeffrey Brinkman, his wife Debbie and their daughter Abbie at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on July 5, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to remember and share the lives of Dorothy (Cox) Brinkman (February 25, 1933 – April 26, 2014) and Bill Brinkman (November 22, 1925 – March 25, 2014) as we remember them in their passing. Light snacks and beverages will be served.

Theresa (Geelen) Vercouteren, loving wife of Frank, passed peacefully at home on Monday June 30th, 2014 in her 71st year. Mother of Janet Fulkerson (Richard Doan) & Mike Vercouteren. Grandmother of Tanner, Megan, Erica, Amanda & Kyle and Great-Grandmother of Maximus. Theresa was predeceased by her parents Jacob & Elisa (Thiessen) Geelen & by her sister Nell McFadden. Sister and sister in law to Chris Leunissen, Frank Geelen, Tina Blondeel, Glenn McFadden, John (Marie) Geelen, Anna (Ron) Bailey, Gary Geelen, Mary (Ken) Hogg, Evert (Lorraine) Geelen, Marie Harrison, Alida (Ron) Jacobs and Ted (Mary Ellen) Vercouteren.

Family will receive friends at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Thursday, July 3rd from 2-4 & 7-9 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church on Friday, July 4, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Reception following at Deer Run Golf Course. Donations to the local OSPCA Building Fund would be appreciated by the family.

Theresa always thought of others first. She will be remembered for her passion of photography, local history, hairdressing, flowers & butterflies, love of animals (especially Pepper & Skippy). She enjoyed helping local school kids with being Santa’s helper & tours of the farm.