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.

Sheldon Sean Hall, a resident of Shrewsbury and a member of the 2014 Graduating Class at Harwich Raleigh Public School passed away on June 29, 2014 at the age of 14 years. Sheldon was born in Richmond Hill to his parents Linda (VanDusen) Hall (John) and Jim Hall but moved to Shrewsbury in 2002. He had plans of becoming a mechanic. Sheldon is survived by his brothers Brady Hall (Jessica), Dustin Hall and Colton Hall all of Shrewsbury. He is also survived by his Grandma VanDusen, Grandma and Grandpa Barraclough and many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Friends and Classmates. Visitation will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Wednesday July 2, 2014 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Sheldon will be held in Glad Tidings Community Church on Thursday July 3, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Eric Revie officiating.

Mommy, Daddy, Brady, Dustin and Colton: I just wanted to let you know that I made it home. The journey wasn’t an easy one, but it didn’t take long. Everything is pretty here, so fresh and new. I wish you could close your eyes and see it too. Please try not to be sad for me…try to understand. God is taking care of me in the shelter of His hand. There is no sadness, no sorrow or pain. Here there is no crying and I’ll never hurt again. Here it is so peaceful when all the angels sing. I really have to go now; I’ve just got to try my wings. Know that I’m with you always and forever and that I love you all so much. I’m sending you kisses and hugs from above…Sheldon

Louise Armington “Granny” McIvor passed away at home on Thursday June 19, 2014. Louise was born in Ridgetown 89 years ago to George Louch and Nellie Simons. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Sandy McIvor in 2002 and by her daughter Mildred Louise in 2005. Louise will be missed by her grandson David Lee (Kathy), her granddaughter Sarah Parker and by her great grandchildren Kendra Lee, Preston Lee, Haleigh Brunner and Sydnee Brunner. Before settling in Blenheim, Louise and Sandy operated a lodge in the north at Collins Inlet for five years. She fostered several individuals throughout her lifetime and worked for 25 years at Southwestern Regional Centre. In keeping with Louise’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held in Glad Tidings Community Church on Thursday June 26, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be held in the church from 12 – 1 p.m. Interment in Morpeth Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Louise with a memorial donation are asked to consider Glad Tidings Community Church or the Blenheim Food Bank. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with Funeral Arrangements.

It is with great sadness that we announce our daughter Ivy Ida June Knowles-Turner was born still on June 18, 2014. The joys that we imagined sharing with our daughter and the life lessons that we sensed she would have taught us have now been replaced with an unimaginable loss. Ivy will be forever held in the hearts of her Mommy Cindy Knowles and her Daddy Christopher Turner. In her short time, she did teach us what unconditional love really is. She was beautiful.

Also anticipating Ivy’s arrival were her extended family members and friends.

Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements. Friends wishing to remember Ivy with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network. www.pailnetwork.ca/

Mariann Cecelia Vinall of Chatham passed away peacefully on Sunday June 8, 2014 at the age of 94 years. Mariann was born in Brantford, one of three children to the late Mary Frances (O’Neil) & John Patrick Ryan. She is survived by her sister Helen Phillips (William) and was predeceased by her sister Patricia McGraw (Thomas). For many years Mariann was a Financial Administrator for the Essex County Roman Catholic School Board. She travelled the world and enjoyed sharing the many stories of her adventures. She and her late husband Alfred Thomas Vinall raised six children; Mary Frances & Dave Tennant, Paula & Bob Goulet, John & Cindy Vinall, Geraldine Vinall (predeceased), Patricia & Tim Statham and Michael & Robin Vinall. They were also blessed with ten grandchildren; Kimberly Bigelow, Ryan Goulet, Janice Guy, Jillian Vinall, William Legg, Sean & Greg Statham, Amberly, Katie & Robert Vinall as well as thirteen great-grandchildren; Kyle, Dylan, Tyler, Leah, Andrew, Hayley, Adrian, Shaun, Austin, Aran, Sarah, Ella and George. Mariann is also survived by many nieces and nephews. In keeping with Mariann’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held in her home town of Brantford at a later date where her urn will be interred at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with Funeral Arrangements. Friends wishing to remember Mariann with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

George Robert Osmon of Ridgetown passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Saturday June 7, 2014. George was born in Chicago 78 years ago and was predeceased by his parents Mary and Frank Osmon. At a High School Track Meet he met a young lady named Beverley Henderson who would become his best friend and on September 15, 1956 they married, starting a life that would span almost 58 years. Friends will remember George as an Engineer at Siemens. He was one of the founding members of the Heritage Credit Union, a Member of Ridgetown Rotary, having been awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award and he was a driver for Meals on Wheels in Ridgetown. George and Beverley raised four children; Norene Desat (John) of Sarnia, Steven Osmon (Daize) of Hamilton, Stuart Osmon (Beth) of Chatham and Scott Osmon of Blenheim. He will be missed by four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a brother Thomas Osmon (Joan) of Chatham. Predeceased by his sister Victoria Lachine. Following his retirement, George and Beverley enjoyed travelling from one coast to another in both Canada and United States. In keeping with George’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements. Friends wishing to remember George with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Ridgetown Rotary Club or the Children’s Wish Foundation.

Clayton Alexander Mervin of Blenheim passed away at Riverview Gardens on Monday May 26, 2014 at the age of 84 years. He will be missed by his wife Gloria (Speed) Mervin, his step-daughters Carol Korpela of Calgary and Sally Mandeno of Chatham, by his sister Marie Inchley of Sarnia, his brother Alex & Lillian Mervin of Ridgetown and by several nieces and nephews. Clayt was predeceased by his sister Marg Trudeau, his brother and sister-in-law Bob & Jean Mervin and by his first wife Nellie (Stover) Mervin. Clayt was born at Rushton’s Corners, son of the late Otis and Ellen (Clayton) Mervin. He was a crane operator by trade and worked for Huron Construction and Maurice Doyle. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 185 in Blenheim where he held the position of Past President. He was also the Past President of the Blenheim Seniors Centre. In his past time he enjoyed woodworking, craft shows and reminiscing about his years of operating cranes. It was Clayts wish that cremation take place and a Memorial Service would be held at a later date (to be announced). Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements. Friends wishing to remember Clayt with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice. Friends wishing to send a card to Gloria may address it to:

Gloria Mervin

c/o Riverview Gardens,

519 King Street West,

Chatham ON N7M 1G8

Douglas Neil (Doug) Hope of Blenheim died peacefully while surrounded by his loving family on Friday May 2, 2014 at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance at the age of 74. Doug was born 8 May 1939 to Tom and Elizabeth Hope and was raised with 8 other siblings. Doug and Jane (Ford) raised two boys Chris who married Leanne of Winnipeg and Scott who married Laura of Blenheim. He was very proud of his five grandsons, Brett, Brenden, Kyle, Shawn and Jeremy. Doug worked for the Bank of Montreal after high school. He then worked for W.G. Thompson and Sons for 39 years as a Bean Broker. Doug had the opportunity to travel the world in his duties at Thompsons. Doug was the President of the Blenheim Golf Course where he was a life member. He was the Treasurer of the Blenheim Curling Club and he also was involved with the Kinsman Club of Blenheim where he also was the President. Doug enjoyed golfing, curling, snowmobiling and being around friends and family. Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life which be held at the Blenheim and Community Golf Club on Tuesday May 6, 2014. Doug’s family will receive visitors from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. when a short service will take place followed by a luncheon. In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations to the Chatham-Kent Hospice, the Canadian Cancer Society or Charity of Choice.

Nancy Kelly-Smith of McKays Corners passed away on Wednesday April 30, 2014 at the age of 64 years. She will be missed by her husband Gary, her children, grandchildren and sisters. At Nancy’s request, her funeral arrangements will remain private.

Elaine Cowley, a resident of Riverview Gardens and Blenheim passed away on Wednesday April 30, 2014 at the age of 63 years. Elaine is the much loved wife of Max Cowley of Blenheim and will be missed greatly by her children Jennifer & Jeff Couture of Grande Pointe and Michael & Sarah Cowley of Chatham, by her grandchildren Jeremy, Jordan, Seth, Hunter and Emma and by her sister Peggy & Jack Groot of Ridgetown. She was predeceased by her parents Bill and Kathryn (Broadwood) Meehan. Elaine enjoyed and was well known for her ability to sew, having received many awards for her sewing displays at the Ridgetown Fair. Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday. A Funeral Service conducted by Rev. Bill Terris will be held on Saturday May 3, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. Friends wishing to remember Elaine with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Parkinson’s Society.