Services & Obituaries

COX, Reitta K…
Reitta K. (nee Ellis) Cox (99) at PeopleCare Oakcrossing, London, Ontario. Surrounded in spirit and in truth by the love and support of many family members, friends and loved ones. Predeceased by her husband, Reverend George Cox (2011) who was the love of her life for 68 years; by her son Sterling Victor Cox (1997) (Margaret); and by her siblings Sterling, Frances and Murray; Mother of Katheleen Ellis (Kathryn Forester). Grandmother of Richard Cox (Siân) and Suzanne Uren. Great-grandmother of Zachary, Emma and Luke Cox, and Timothy and Jonathan Uren. She was also beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Reitta graduated from Essex Ontario District High School, was very active in her church and a Brownie Leader before entering the Salvation Army Theological College in Toronto.  She graduated in 1941 and after serving churches in Wingham and Dunnville she married Captain George Cox in 1943. Together they ministered in Listowel, Brockville, Toronto and Cobourg before leaving for South Africa in 1949 with their 2 children to do missionary work. In Johannesburg she was in charge of a young men’s hostel and also worked as the Salvation Army’s court worker assisting women attending the courts (many of them sex workers with alcohol and addiction issues) and finding them shelter and employment. In Cape Town she actively participated in and supported all aspects of the ministerial requirements of the churches served by her husband. She also worked with child welfare services. After 20 years Reitta returned to Canada with her family and continued to support her husband in several pastorates. Living in Essex in retirement she remained active in church work.

Music was always a great part of her life and she formed Ladies Vocal Trios whenever possible. At Corunna United Church an LP record was made, selling hundreds of copies (all proceeds were donated to missionary work). Keeping in touch with family and friends was very important to her and writing letters was a pleasure. After George’s death she remained active at PeopleCare, participating in residents’ councils and committees until failing health required her to curtail her involvements. She and George were among the first residents of PeopleCare and during her years there she befriended many of the staff and residents regaling them with stories about life in South Africa and providing a wise and loving “listening ear.” Appreciation is expressed to the wonderful staff of PeopleCare for their thoughtful care of both George and Reitta in their final years.

Memorial donations can be sent to Colborne Street United Church, Essex United Church, 53 Talbot Street South, Essex, ON N8M 1B1 or the charity of your choice. Visitation will be held from 1-2 pm at Colborne Street United Church, 711 Colborne Street, London, ON on Saturday, December 15, 2018 where the funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Interment to take place on December 17, 2018 at 11 am in Greenhill Cemetery, Kingsville, Ontario. Arrangements entrusted to A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

McLEOD, Helen (nee McArthur)….

Peacefully on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Marian Villa, London, Helen Cameron McLeod passed in her 97th year. Beloved wife of the late Donald “Gordon” McLeod (1993). Loving mother of Kathryn Patton (Gordon) and Mary Liberatore, all of London. Cherished grandmother of Mark Liberatore (Rhian) and great grandmother of Oliver, Charlotte and Elliott. Loved by her bonus grandchildren Kirby Patton, Heidi Patton (Robert), Blair Patton (Jaime), Marcy Demelo and Hilary Patton (Penny) and her 7 bonus great-grandchildren. Helen will be dearly missed by her nieces Jane Sproule, Elizabeth Schellenberger, Susan Beveridge and her nephew Brian McArthur (Loretta). Predeceased by her parents Donald and Margaret McArthur and brother Kenneth McArthur (the late Anne). Helen was a life long member of First-St. Andrew’s United Church and was a dedicated auxiliary member at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 from 12-1 pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The funeral service will be held at 1 pm in the funeral home chapel. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, London at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to My Sisters’ Place, 566 Dundas Street, London, ON N6B 1W8 would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

NIELSEN, Betty (nee Campbell)…
Peacefully on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Westmount Gardens at the age of 98. Beloved wife of the late Egon Nielsen (1982). Loving mother of Peder Nielsen & his wife Susan of London and Ellen Farnsworth & her husband Frank of Orillia. Grandmother of Carleen (Mike), Erik (Adelee), David (Erica) and Pearson (Jacquie). Loved by 9 great grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. Family and friends are welcome to a Graveside Service at Woodland Cemetery, London on Monday, December 10, 2018 at 11 am  (meet at cemetery office 10:45am). Donations may be made to a charity of your choice. A. Millard George Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

BURDEN, Rod….

Suddenly at his residence on Friday, November 30, 2018, Rodney Burden at the age of 63. Loving father of Melissa Hosfeld and her husband Hoss and Shannan Burden. Cherished grandfather of Cameron Burden. Much loved brother of Loretta Schnurr. Rod will also be missed by his nephew Andrew Schnurr and his special friend Kathy Fortais. Predeceased by his granddaughter Olivia. Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Rod’s Life will be held at a later date. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London. Donations in Rod’s memory may be made to the WWF-Canada, 400-410 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 1S8. Arrangements entrusted to A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

CAMPBELL, Doris….

Peacefully with her family by her side on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at Victoria Hospital, London, Maria Delores “Doris” Campbell passed away in her 98th year. Cherished mother of George Campbell (Joanne), Christine Smith and son-in-law Richard Peicheff. Loving grandma of Patrick Joseph Campbell, Gary Campbell (Emma), Joyce Hasler (Bret), Jane Baynham (Dave), Ed Peicheff (Carla), Sean Peicheff (Christine), Andrew Smith and Bryan Smith (Jody). Nana of Julie (Matt), Melissa (Dave), Dallas, Kai, Maria, Mya, Olivia, Adam, Adrian (Amy), Justin, Landon, Ryan, Brian, Cody, Shealee, Lily and Rowan and 8 great-great-grandchildren. Survived by her sister Helen Attard and her brother Twani Saliba of Malta. She will be missed by her many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Predeceased by her three children Josephine, Arthur, Elizabeth and her brother Paul. Friends will be received by the family on Monday, December 3, 2018 from 12-1 pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The funeral service will be held at 1 pm in the funeral home chapel. Interment in St. Peter’s Cemetery, London. Donations in Doris’ memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 201 King Street, London, ON N6A 1C9 or the Children’s Health Foundation, 345 Westminster Avenue, London, ON N6C 4V3. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

SHARPE, Mary Ann…

At her residence on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, Mary Ann (née Wright) Sharpe at the age of 88 years. Beloved wife of the late Bob Sharpe (1963). Proud mother of Julie Sharpe, Bob Sharpe, Karen Bedard (John) and Wayne Sharpe (Sydney Shore). Cherished grandma of Sam Sharpe. Dear sister of Sharon Tighe (Pat) and sister-in-law of Marilyn Wright. Predeceased by her brothers Edward Wright and Norman Wright. A private service will be held at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. A private interment in Irwin Cemetery, Lambton County. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 150-633 Colborne Street, London ON N6B 2V3. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

STUART, Virginia Margaret (nee Stutt)… 

Peacefully at home, Virginia (Ginny) Stuart in her 83rd year. Beloved wife of Dr. Ken Stuart for 58 years. Dear mother of Gavin (Caroline) and Alan (Lynda). Cherished grandmother of Monica and Jillian. Sister-in-law of Rae Alexander, Jan Ellison, Bevan Stuart, Connie Adams and Judy O’Donnell. Predeceased by her bother, John Stutt. She will also be missed by other extended family members. Ginny was a volunteer at the London branch of the Red Cross for many years and was a dedicated member of Calvary United Church. Donations in memory of Ginny may be made to the Red Cross, PO Box 4000 Mississauga, ON L5M 9Z9 or London Health Sciences Foundation, 747 Base Line Road East, London, ON N6C 2R6. Ginny will be interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, London. Friends will be received at A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London on Saturday, December 1, 2018 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. A funeral service will be held in the A. Millard George funeral chapel Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 2:00pm with visitation one hour prior.  Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

SOTELO, Jose Luis “Joe” …
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joe on Monday, November 26, 2018 at the age of 64. Caring dad to Kathy (Mike) and Jon (Heather). Papa and Grandpa Joe to  Mikenna, Ryan, Jaymee, Austin, Sofia and Holden. Predeceased by his father Eduberto and survived by his mother Guillermina, brother Carlos and sister Jackie and their families. Friends will be received by the family from 12-1 pm on Friday, November 30, 2018 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 1pm.  In keeping with Joe’s wishes cremation has taken place. If wished, donations may be made to the Dialysis Program c/o London Health Sciences Centre University Hospital, 339 Windermere Road, London, ON N6A 5A5  Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

Petrie, Phyllis …

Peacefully at University Hospital, London on Saturday, November 24, 2018, Phyllis Petrie of London (formerly of Dorchester and Grand Bend) passed away in her 87^th year. She was the beloved wife of Jack (2006); loving mother of Debra Males (Lee), Alan (1999), Donna (1961), Kent (Michelle) and Leah Kleinjan (Peter); grandmother to 6 grandchildren and great-grandmother to newborn Jack.  She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Bill and Karol Clipperton, brother-in-law Steve Barta and sister-in-law Olive Manley. Phyllis was predeceased by her Clipperton siblings Calvin (Edith), Dolly Allen (Bud), Russ, Jim (Agnes), Doris O’Connor (Mike), Kim Barta, and Ruth White (Ray); Jack’s siblings Lorne (Pearl), Bill (Jean), Glen (Hazel), Ken (Frances), Bud (Jean), Lenore Duncan (Arthur) and Steve Manley.  Phyllis was the aunt to 73 nieces and nephews.  She was blessed with a large and close-knit family. Her likability and generosity with her time gave her the blessing of many life-time friendships including Margaret Mason, Judy Portis & Margaret McLaughlin. She had a good life. The family is grateful to Dr. Hugh Rooney, Dr. Erin Spicer and Jill Gibson for our mother’s care.  We thank University Hospital 4^th floor (particularly Dr. Myers, Sandy, Ryan and Gina), where she was a frequent patient over the previous 13 months. All of you gave our mother the best care possible. At Phyllis’ preference, a private funeral was held on Wednesday, November 28, 2018. Interment was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery.  A. Millard George Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

ROSE: Les……

With heavy hearts, the family of Charles Leslie “Les” Rose announces his sudden passing on Saturday November 24, 2018 at the age of 67. Beloved husband of Rita (Capitano) Rose for 35 years. Loving father of Meaghan Higgins (Jason), and Heather Rose. Proud Papa of Mira, Zeya, Ethan, Bain, Kale and Reid. Cherished brother of Denise Soall (and best friend Mark). Dear brother in-law to Vic Capitano (Denise), Cathy Quick (Doug), Bernie Capitano (late Rowena), Phil Capitano (Debbie), Trish Andrew, Terri Capitano (Tim), John Capitano (Cathy), Don Capitano (Sharon), and Susan Fletcher (Scott). Adored “Uncle Les” to many nieces, nephews and families. Survived by special mother in-law Catherine “Kay” Capitano. Predeceased by his parents Dennis and Margaret Rose and father in-law Vic Capitano Sr. Les was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and lived along the Promenade of Portabello beach. His family moved to London, Ontario in 1966. He had a lengthy career of 37 years with Canada Post and was an avid soccer player with a semi-professional career at the German Canadian Club. Les was a proud Scotsman who regularly enjoyed meeting friends at the pub. He had an open heart for everyone he met and will be fondly remembered by many special friends. Over the years he enjoyed cooking, gardening, curling, times around the pool and being at the cottage with family. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 13, 2019 from 1 – 3pm, at the German Canadian Club, 1 Cove Road, London. Please wear your favourite soccer jersey (or any sports jersey), something Scottish or plaid if you wish. If desired, memorial donations at a charity of choice would be appreciated by the family. A. Millard George Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com