Services & Obituaries

STEVENSON, Norma Mary

With great sadness the family of Norma Stevenson announces her passing on Sunday, October 16th at the age of 76 years. Norma will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 54 years, Eddie, and her beloved children, Charles (Sam) and their children Michelle, Tyler, Ken, Tyler (Kayleigh): Alison (Scott) and their children Fergus, Benjamin and Harrison: Teddy: Richard (Susan) and their children Abigail and Isaac. Norma will also be fondly remembered by her sister Jackie, and by her sister-in-law Betty. Norma was predeceased by her sister Valerie and brother Les. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service in memory of Norma will be held at Chalmers Presbyterian Church, 342 Pond Mills Road (at Commissioners Road), London on Wednesday, October 19 at 11:00 am with Reverend John Bannerman officiating. Opportunity to meet with the family will take place from 10:00 – 11:00 am and at the reception following the service. Interment in Woodland Cemetery scattering gardens, London. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Chalmers Presbyterian Church Care and Share Program, 342 Pond Mills Road, London, ON N5Z 3X5 would be appreciated. Online condolences at www.amgfh.com

REILING: Hans
At Victoria Hospital, London on Friday, October 14, 2011. Hans Otto Reiling of London in his 69th year. Beloved husband of Gerda Kramer. Dear brother of Elvira Grikschot and her husband Walter of Montreal. Also loved by Gerda’s children, Carolyn and Tom Codyre, Christopher and Barb Kramer and their children. A memorial service will be held in the chapel of the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London on Tuesday, October 18th at 11:00 am. Interment of cremated remains at a later date in St. Peter’s Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 150 – 633 Colborne Street, London, ON N6B 2v3 On line condolences accepted www.amgfh.com

HARRIS, Roy……Peacefully at Victoria Hospital, London, on Friday, October 14, 2011, Master Warrant Officer Roy Harris, CD, (Ret’d), in his 88th year. Loving husband of 61 years to Patricia D. (Cove) Harris. Beloved father of Judy, Philip, and Patrick. Loving bruv of Gladys McLean of Regina. “Grandpa” Roy to David, Heather, Mark and Bruce. Roy loved his country, serving in the RCAF in WWII and continuing a 33 year career in the military. Roy was born in Corning, Sask. and was happiest working in the yard, helping his neighbours, spoiling his four legged friends (Holly, Musky and Lexie), cheering for the Green Riders, London Knights and hating the Leafs. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the many doctors and nurses who cared for Roy during the challenges of his last 10 months. A special thank you to Dr. Schreier and his Palliative care team. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family 1 hour prior (10am) to the funeral service being conducted at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Western Counties Wing, Parkwood Hospital, London, on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 11:00am. Guests should use parking lot #3. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation – Parkwood Hospital (Veterans Care Fund), 268 Grosvenor Street, London ON N6A 4V2 or to London Health Sciences Foundation – Palliative Care Unit, 747 Baseline Road East, N6C 2R6. A. Millard George Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements 519-433-5184. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com

PAYNE-HILL: Atha
At Victoria Hospital, London on Wednesday, October 12, 2011. Atha F. (Hill -Mitchell) Payne of London, in her 90th year. Beloved wife of the late Kenneth Hill and the late Chester Payne. Dear mother of Barbara Febrey and her husband Paul of Edson, Alberta, Marie Blois and her husband Archie of London, Tom Hill and his wife Nancy of Bayfield, Robert “Sam” Hill and his wife Joan of London and Susan Bottorff and her husband Bob of Madison, Tenn. Predeceased by her brother Al Mitchell and her granddaughter Tracy Hill. Loving grandmother of Shawn, Patrick, Denise, Lori, Allan, Kenneth, Lucas and Carly. Also loved by her 9 great-grandchildren and her 2 great-great-grandchildren. Friends will be received by the family from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm Friday at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London where the funeral service will be conducted in the chapel on Saturday October 15th at 2:00 pm. Interment in Dorchester Union Cemetery, Dorchester. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 150-633 Colborne Street, London, ON N6B 2V3, the Canadian Diabetes Association, 442 Adelaide Street, North, London, ON N6B 3H8 or the charity of your choice. On line condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com

VAN ZEIST, Frank……Peacefully at University Hospital, London, on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, Frank Van Zeist in his 80th year. Loving brother of Rein Van Zeist. Beloved uncle of Marlon Noorman and family. Also missed by Karin Barth and his friends at the Cherryhill coffee club. Cremation has taken place. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 371 King Street, London, ON N6B 1S4. A. Millard George Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements 519-433-5184. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com

HOUGHTON, Elinor

At University Hospital, London on Wednesday, October 10, 2011. Elinor Jane (Brown) Houghton of London in her 81st year. Beloved wife of the late Reginald “Reg” Houghton. Will be sadly missed by by many relatives and friends. Predeceased by her twin brother James Brown and brother Carl Brown. Elinor worked all her life at Victoria Hospital. Friends will be received by the family 1 hour prior (10-11 am) to the funeral service being conducted in the chapel on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 11 am at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. Interment in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, London. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations to the charity of choice would be appreciated. Online condolences at www.amgfh.com

LOCKHART, Albert……

Peacefully at Parkwood Hospital, London, on Monday, October 10, 2011, Albert “Ab” Lockhart in his 80th year. Beloved husband of the late Marj (2004). Loving father of Julie Gower, Fay Ewing (Mark), Lori Thwaites (Rob) and Monica Wood (Tom). Proud Papa of Ali, Jessica, Katie, Mary, Matt, Micheal, Vanessa and Nikki and 9 great-grandchildren. Dear brother of Opal Magee, Helen Anderson, Hazel MacLean, Irene Fiss, Cecil Lockhart, Alice Clement and Walter Lockhart. Also missed by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his brother Eric Lockhart. Ab served with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry for 3 years, with active duty in Korea. Upon his retirement from the military he started working in construction and finally owning London Acoustics, until retiring in 1992. A special thanks to the staff of Parkwood Hospital and to Betty for being a comforting friend over the past 5 1/2 years. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family a half an hour prior (11-11:30am) to the memorial service being conducted from the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Western Counties Wing, Parkwood Hospital, 801 Commissioners Road East, London, on Friday, October 14, 2011 at 11:30am. (please use Parking Lot #3). As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation – Parkwood Hospital (Veterans Care), 268 Grosvenor Street, London ON N6A 4V2. A. Millard George Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements 519-433-5184. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com

SMITH, Kenneth James

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Kenneth James Smith on October 8, 2011 at University Hospital, after a short illness. Dear husband of the late Betty Smith, loving stepfather and friend of Lynne Webb, dear father of Julie Spencer of Sidney B.C. and Kelly Czap of Idaho, U.S., beloved grandfather of Allison Webb and Bryan Webb and G.G. to Asa Fletcher Webb. Missed by son-in-law and fishing buddy Don Webb, also by Katie Ewald, Hans and Marie Ewald, Adam Kulakowsky and many good friends. Ken was an adventurous, unique and talented man. He was a proud alumnus of South Collegiate where his passion for photography began. He became an award winning news photographer for the London Free Press for over 35 years, but perhaps he is best remembered for his 50 years as the weekly Garden Columnist. Every Saturday, thousands of readers would take in his wise advice. In his later years, Ken became a senior “groupie” for his grandson’s rock band, the Constantines. In 10 years he never missed a London show and was often seen on stage taking photos of the band. He was a wonderful ambassador for the city of London, a city he was so proud to call home for his entire life. As Ken would always say at family gatherings, “Here’s to us, those like us, damn few!” Well said, Ken. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family on Thursday, October 13, 2011 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. A private family interment will take place in Teeswater Cemetery at a later date. Because of Ken’s love of the Forest City, donations may be made to ReForest London, P.O. Box 25144, London, ON N6C 6A9. Online condolences at www.amgfh.com

RONALD DAIN PHILP……

Loving husband of Sophie, adored father of Stephen, Michael, Chris and their respective wives, Caroline, Tracy and Natashia, he was a wonderful grandfather to his five grand children, Michael, Allison, Michelle, Jayden and Elijah and to Tracey’s sons, Colin and Tyson.

After a courageous but blessedly short battle with cancer, Ron passed away on October 6th, 2011 at Parkwood Hospital. His family would like to thank the nursing and medical staff at the hospital for their support and kindness during his illness.

Ron enjoyed most the fellowship of family and friends and was a member of Mount Zion United Church and the Masonic Lodge No. 303 A.F. & A.M. Music was an important part of his life since his childhood and he delighted in being part of the choir at Mount Zion. He also took a deep interest in young people believing that most just needed time and attention from someone who cared and believed in them. Sports, in particular hockey, baseball and soccer were a way for him to nurture and mentor youngsters while at the same time teaching values that would hopefully last a life time. While fun was always the first objective, he would allow to those closest to him that winning “felt pretty good too”.

During his retirement years, Ron, Sophie, family and friends spent whatever time they could at their cottage in Northern Ontario. Summers were blessed with laughter, camaraderie and comfort that came from the deep bonds built over many years of shared experiences and being a part of nature that was as close to heaven as Ron would hope for. When they were not at the cottage, Ron and Sophie were active members of the local Huff and Puff group where they developed many friendships through a shared love of sports.

Cremation has already taken place and there will be a visitation at London’s Mount Zion United Church, 471 Ridgewood Cres. South, in the Sanctuary on the evening of Thursday, October the 13th, 2011 between the hours of 7pm and 9pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Mount Zion for Ron’s friends and family on Friday, October the 14th, 2011 at 2pm following a private interment at Woodland Cemetery.

Flowers should be sent in care of A. Millard George Funeral Home on Ridout Street and donations in lieu of flowers should be to either the St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation (Palliative Care Unit), 268 Grosvenor Street, London, Ontario, N6A RV2. or a charity of your choice. On-line condolences will be accepted at www.amgfh.com

BOWERY, Margaret……

Peacefully at University Hospital, London, on Wednesday October 5, 2011, Margaret (Nicholson) Bowery of London in her 89th year. Beloved wife of the late Ted Bowery Sr. (1995). Loving mother of Bunny D’Avirro and her husband the late Eugene of St. Thomas, Ted Bowery and his wife Coleen of London, Bill Bowery and his wife Dodie of London, Brian Bowery and his wife Jan of Medicine Hat, Alberta and Bob Bowery and his wife Angie of Blairmore, Alberta. Cherished grandmother of 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Dear sister of Bill Nicholson and his wife Shirley and
Jean Iverson and her husband the late Ken. Also missed by her nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her brother Laird Nicholson and his wife Margaret. The family would like to thank the nurses, staff and friends at Chelsey Park Retirement Home and the medical staff at University Hospital for their care and compassion. Friends will be received by the family from 2-4 & 7-9 pm, on Friday, October 7, 2011 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South London, where the memorial service will be conducted in the chapel on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 1:30pm, with Reverend Susan Cameron of Mount Zion United Church officiating. Private family interment in Woodland Cemetery, London. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu flowers, donations may be made to Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Suite 150 – 633 Colborne Street. London ON N6B 2V3 or to the Canadian Diabetes Association, London Branch, 442 Adelaide Street North, London ON N6B 3H8. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com