In the early morning hours of Friday May 15, 2015 a special bond that few people understand, the bond between twin sisters was broken when Marie Shelp, twin sister of Marsha Shelp passed away at home. Marie was born 53 years ago to her late parents Everett and Doris (Rumble) Shelp. Along with Marsha, Marie will be missed by her older sister Carrie (Ron) Ball, by her niece Heather (Chris) Harder, her nephew Bryan (Abbie) Ball and by her great niece and nephews Keira Harder, Riley Harder and Zephyr Ball. Marie will also be remembered fondly by her Aunt Carole Shelp, her Uncle Keith (Doreen) Rumble and by her cousins Ann Huggard, Kevin Shelp, Greg Rumble and Laurie Birch. Friends will remember Marie for her quick and sometimes sarcastic humour, from her days working at Southwestern Regional Centre and at Pioneer in Ridgetown and for the fantastic gardens that she helped to form in the close community outside Rondeau that she loved so much. Friends and family are invited for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Sunday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service for Marie will be held in Emmanuel Congregational Church in Ridgetown on Monday May 18, 2015 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Barry Dixon officiating. Interment will take place in Morpeth Cemetery where Marie will be interred with her Mom and Dad. Friends wishing to remember Marie are encouraged to consider the Blenheim and Area grief program called “…a time to mourn” or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Mitchell Robert Moore passed away at the Victoria Hospital in London on Tuesday May 5, 2015 just three days after his 19^th birthday. Mitch is the much loved eldest son of Carolyn Ross (Mike Weedon) of Chatham and Mark Moore (Melissa) of Charing Cross and will be missed by his brother Trevor Moore and by his extended family Brittany Wysman, Brandon Wysman, Megan Weedon, Jeremy Weedon and Kyle Weedon. He will be remembered with great fondness by his grandparents Vera & Al Moore, Doris & Gary Ross, John Weedon and Anna Campisi, by several Aunts and Uncles and by his girlfriend Randi-lyn Bellamy.

Mitch was “Mr. Sports”, a man who lived for making memories on hockey rinks, football fields, baseball diamonds and golf courses. He was a great friend and a confidant…the leader of the pack who had the knack of finding the right thing to say even if it brought out some sarcastic wit. He was an honourable young man who, after his graduation from Blenheim District High School in 2014 was set to attend Niagara College in the Construction Technology course. His competitive nature found him challenging Trevor during many videogames but he was always ready to end his day with a quiet talk in the hot tub.

Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday May 8, 2015 for visitation from 2 – 5 & 7 – 10 p.m. A Funeral Service for Mitch will be held in the Blenheim Arena on Saturday May 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Pardoville Union Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Mitch with a memorial donation are asked to consider ALL For Kids or Cancer Research.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a wonderful husband and father, Orley Donald Cofell of Ridgetown on Tuesday April 28, 2015 in Victoria Hospital, London. Don married his best friend Margo (Russell) Cofell 58 years ago and together they raised four children of whom he was very proud; Don Cofell of Chatham, Charlene Cofell of Highgate, Bernie Cofell of Highgate and Janice & Pascal Fernandes of Aylmer. He was the best Grandpa to Tyler & Jessica, Dylan, Jesse & Courtney and Cody and was so happy to be able to spend time with his great-grandchildren Madison, Tanner, Jazmin, Brooke-Lynn and to hold his most recent great-grandson Carter Orley. Friends will remember Don from his days working at Navistar, Peters Lumber Yard and Home Hardware. It was Don’s wish that this chapter of his life be quietly shared with his wife and children. A private family service was conducted. Interment in Gosnell Cemetery, Highgate. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with Funeral Arrangements. Friends wishing to remember Don with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Erva Norine Muckle of Blenheim passed away on Wednesday April 29, 2015 at the age of 95 years. Erva was one of eight children born to the late Edward & Edna (Marshall) Stevenson and is survived by one sister Muriel (Collens) Henderson of Kingsville. She was predeceased in life by her sisters Ada Vezina, Edith Gray, Irene Robinson and by her brothers James, Bill and Bob Stevenson. She and her husband Glen who passed away in 1999 farmed on the Front Ridge for many years. Together they raised two children; Anne & David Feltham of Chatham and Steve “A.J.” Muckle who lives on the family farm in Blenheim. They were also the proud grandparents of Catherine & Milt Taft of Amherstburg and Lee-Anne Feltham of Ottawa and great-grandparents of Emily Taft and Aaron Taft. Erva was a member of the Ridge Community Church where she was an honourary member of the UCW. She worked at the CIBC, Shillington Insurance and Kerr & Wood Law Office in Blenheim. Friends and family are invited to visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Sunday from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. A Funeral Service conducted by Rev. Jim Brown will be held at the Funeral Home on Monday May 4, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Erva with a memorial donation are asked to consider either the Kidney Foundation or the Cancer Society.

Bernice Iola Fader passed away on Sunday April 26, 2015 at the Blenheim Community Village. Bernice was born in Stanhope Township near Haliburton 82 years ago to her late parents Earl & Merle (Ball) Redner. She was the much loved wife of Claude Fader who predeceased her on April 4, 2012. Bernice and Claude raised three children; James and Marilyn Fader of Uxbridge, Janice and Dennis DeJager of Blenheim and David & Cheryl Fader of Blenheim. They were blessed with eight grandchildren Cathy-Jo & Dan Mihalic, Amanda & Lee Shellenberg, Angela & James Burnell, Matthew & Lauri Butzer, Josh & Alecia Butzer, Vicki & Chris Redman, Brian & Emma Fader and Ashley & Jeremy Ward and were further blessed with fourteen great-grandchildren Owen, Austin, Brooke, Emma, Hannah, Hope, Brady, Levi, Jovie, Josiah, Lucas, Evangeline, Reese and the late Yvie. She will be remembered with much fondness by her sister Joan & Basle Cooper of West Guilford and her brother Captain Val & Gloria Redner of North Bay. Predeceased by her sister Glenda & Garf Hutchings. Bernice was a long time member of Glad Tidings Community Church whose favourite time of the year was Christmas. Friends and family are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home for visitation on Wednesday from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and again at Glad Tidings Community Church on Thursday from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. A Funeral Service for Bernice will be held in Glad Tidings Church on Thursday April 30, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Maple Lake United Church Cemetery, Maple Lake at a later date. Friends wishing to remember Bernice with a memorial donation are asked to consider either the Cancer Society or “Sew On Fire” which is a group within the church that makes clothing for third world country missions.

Elizabeth “Betty” Srokosz passed away on Sunday April 26, 2015 at the age of 88 years. Betty and her late husband Edward (1980) farmed in the Erieau Marsh where they also raised their daughter Cheryle Dejager who predeceased her in 2000 and their son Ron Srokosz who now lives in Erieau. Following their retirement, Betty and Edward moved into Erieau where they made many longtime friends. Betty always took the time to have a conversation with people and to ask about their families. She enjoyed spending time at the Sandbar in Erieau. Eventually Betty’s life would take her to Blenheim where she has lived for the last number of years. She will be remembered fondly by her son-in-law Dennis DeJager, by her grandchildren Jess & Matt Thompson of London, Ben & Ashely Srokosz of Chatham with their son Aleks, Christopher & Penka DeJager with their daughter Annika; Jayna & Stephen Sweeney with their children Emma, Sarah and Mathew; Michelle & Mike Hansen with their children Jordan and Kayla. In keeping with Betty’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A private graveside service will take place. Friends wishing to remember Betty with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Diabetes Society or March of Dimes. Blenheim Community Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.

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!