Services & Obituaries

SPECHT, Rudolf…..

Peacefully at University Hospital, London, on Thursday, July 30, 2015, Rudolf “Rudy” Specht in his 83rd year. Beloved husband of the late Dale (Bond) Specht (2005). Loving father of Mike Specht of Kincardine and Erich Specht and his wife Jacqui of London. Predeceased by his daughter Mary Beth Specht. Cherished grandpa of Jordan, Dylan and Meghan. Missed by his nieces and nephews. Rudy was a teacher at Beal Secondary School from 1965-1995. The family would like to thank the staff at Mount Hope for their care and compassion. Friends will be received by the family from 2-4 and 7-9 pm on Friday, July 31, 2015 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. Funeral Mass at Holy Family Parish, 777 Valetta Street, London, on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 10 am. Interment in St. Peter’s Cemetery, London. Prayers Friday evening at 7 pm. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario, 4500 Blakie Road, Unit 117, London ON N6L 1G5. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

SKOFF, Anna…..

Cremation has taken place.

VAN DER LINDEN, Kevin…

Unexpectedly at his residence on Sunday, July 26, 2015, Kevin Van Der Linden of London in his 46th year. Beloved son of the late Joan (Slaunwhite) Rennie and her husband Terry. Loving brother of Allan Van Der Linden and his wife Carolyn Duffield, Denise Matthews and her husband Chris and Katie Belz and her husband Simon all of London. Cherished uncle to many nieces, nephews, great-niece, and great-nephew and dearly missed by his aunts and uncles and their families in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family one hour prior (12-1pm) to the service, being conducted in the chapel of the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 1pm. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation – London Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT), Main Building Room B2131, 550 Wellington Road, London ON N6C 0A7. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

SULLIVAN, Maria….

Peacefully with her daughter by her side, on Sunday, July 26, 2015 at Strathroy Hospital, Maria (Van Der Aa) Sullivan in her 92nd year. Beloved wife of the late Morris Vermunt (2010) and the late Edward Sullivan (1988). Cherished mother of Simone Sharrow (late Joseph (2003)) of Alisa Craig. Proud grandmother of Tina Wright (Shawn) of Alisa Craig, Charlene Mathews of St. Thomas, Warren Sharrow of Guelph and great-grandmother of KJ, William, Martina, Aliah, Lilianna, Joey, Cheyenne and Khloe. Step-mother to Liz (Gary), Joanne (late Don (2005)), Walter (Brenda), Maryann (Randy), Marg (Rick), Joe (Laurie) and step-grandmother to 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by her 6 brothers and sisters. A heartfelt thank you to the medical team and support staff at Craigwiel Gardens for their care and compassion. Friends will be received by family on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 from 12 – 1p.m. at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, where the funeral services will be conducted in the chapel at 1p.m. Interment to follow at Woodland Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of London & Middlesex, 435 Windermere Road, London, ON N5X 2T1. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

SMALL, Philip “Phil”…..

We announce the unexpected passing, with his wife by his side, Phil of London at the age of 49 on Saturday, July 25, 2015. Beloved husband, soulmate and true love of Kerri Small. Cherished son of Barbara and Peter Small of Sonning Common, England. Loving father of Michael Small and Elizabeth Small, both of Tillsonburg; stepfather to Rebecca Tipping (Brian), Ryan Charlton (Ashley), Cory Charlton and Stephanie Young (Steven). Proud Poppa Phil of Keirra, Madison, Jacob, Ainsleigh, Cash and Olivia. Dear brother of David Small (Paola) of Poole, England (nephew Nathan). Friends will be received by family on Friday July 31, 2015 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London where the service will be held in the chapel on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 10:30 am. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, London. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 180-633 Colborne Street, London ON N6B 2V3. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

BATHURST, Marianne….
With heavy hearts, but gratitude for a life well-lived, the family of Marianne said goodbye on Friday, July 24, 2015, at Royal Victoria Regional Health Care Hospital, Barrie, after a short illness, in her 92nd year. A strong believer in spirituality and the afterlife, she has been reunited with her beloved husband Harold William Bathurst and her brothers Jack, George and Douglas and her in-laws Edna Adams, Don Slater, Dr. RRK “Chum” Dickson, Mina Adams and George Luce. Marianne is lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her daughter Anne Marie Mann. Survived and loved by sisters Blanche Slater, Kathleen Dickson, Alice Luce and Frances “Frankie” Sharman (Tony). Her grandsons John (Angie) Mann, Paul (Erika) Mann, David (Tu-Le) Mann and Robert Mann will miss the laughter, love, honest conversations and entrepreneurial advice freely given by “Nanny B”. Dear great-grandmother of Austin, Nolan, Nathaniel and Christian Mann. Remembered by many nieces and nephews. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Trimble for her compassionate care. Friends will be received by family at A. Millard George Funeral Home (60 Ridout Street South, London, ON) on Thursday July 30, 2015 from 12-1pm, where the Service of Remembrance will be held in the chapel at 1 pm. Interment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London, to follow. In Marianne’s memory donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

POLLEY, Ruth….

Peacefully at the Dearness Home on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, Ruth (Grieve) Polley of London in her 97th year. Beloved wife of the late Keith Polley (1986). Loving mother of Marilyn Wickerson and her husband Reverend Peter Wickerson and Diane Polley and her husband Ron Lavell all of London. Cherished grandma of Paul Wickerson (Lisa Steckle), Lisa Wickerson (Tim Moffat), Michael Wickerson (Beth) and Kelly Aleksic and great-grandma Ruth to Ryan and Reid Moffat and Oscar and Max Wickerson. Survived by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her brothers Alf, Walt and John and her sisters Florence and Edna. The family would like to thank the staff at Dearness Home for the compassionate care. Friends will be received by the family one hour prior (1-2 pm) to the funeral service being conducted on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 2 pm, in the chapel of the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, London on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 10 am (please meet at the cemetery office). As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 442 Adelaide Street North, London ON N6B 3H8. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

BITE, Gaida…

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Gaida Bite (nee Abolins). She was born in 1932 in Bebri, Latvia. She survived Soviet persecution during the Second World War and subsequent life in post war refugee camps to make her way to Canada in 1950. Once in Canada, she met and married the love of her life, a fellow Latvian refugee and war veteran, the late Eriks Bite. They had three wonderful children and 4 much loved grand children. She passed away peacefully at home on July 19, 2015, after celebrating her 83rd birthday with both her sons. She will be forever missed and held in loving memory by her son Dr. Uldis Bite and his wife Lorena; grandchildren, Dr. Anna Bite and Kris; Julia and Eric; Marisa; Aaron and Elizabeth; and Paul; son Karlis Bite and Maala; Nalin, Anaka and Akash. She was predeceased by daughter Valda, granddaughter Lija, and her many pets. Friends will be received by family on Friday July 24, 2015 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, where the services will be held on Saturday July 25, 2015 at 11am. Interment to follow at Woodland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gaida’s memory would be appreciated to your local Humane Society.
Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

MURCHISON, Elsie…..

Unexpectedly at Ottawa General Hospital, on Sunday, July 19, 2015, Elsie (Kirby) Murchison of London in her 82nd year. Beloved wife of David Murchison for 57 years. Loving mother of Dr. Sylvia Murchison and her husband Alex Hanham of London and Stephen Murchison and his wife Karine Milliard of Ottawa. Cherished Nana of Olivia, Tabitha, Charlotte and Juliette. Dear sister of Charlie Kirby and his wife Linda and sister-in-law of Stephen Murchison and his wife Carol, Catharine Henning and Bruce Murchison. Predeceased by her parents Elsie (Swan) and Charles Kirby and her sister Sylvia. Also missed by many nieces and nephews. Elsie was a kind, compassionate and beautiful woman. Her children and her family were her greatest joy. She was happiest in her true English garden surrounded by nature. Elsie loved music, her cats and cooking for her family. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Elsie’s life will be held on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 1:00 pm, at St. Anne’s Anglican Church – Byron, 1344 Commissioners Road West, London. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the London Humane Society, 624 Clarke Road, London ON N5V 2K5 or the London Regional Cancer Program, 747 Baseline Road East, London ON N6C 2R6. A. Millard George Funeral Home, entrusted with arrangements 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

Peacefully, at University Hospital in London, on Saturday, July 4, 2015, Eleonora “Mieke” Petronella Gillesse, of London, formerly of Sarnia, passed away at the age of 88. Beloved wife of the late Marinus “Martin” Gillesse (2004). Loving mother of Anthony “Tony” Gillesse of London and Philip Gillesse of Kingston. Cherished grandmother of three grandchildren. Dear sister of John Cook. Predeceased by her brother Casey Cook. Family and friends will be received at A. Millard George Funeral Home Reception Centre, 60 Ridout Street South, London (located on the south east corner of the parking lot), on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sympathy may be expressed through donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com