Services & Obituaries

SPENCER
At London Health Sciences Centre – Victoria Hospital on Thursday, July 24, 2008 Robert M. Spencer of London in his 66th year. Beloved husband of Moneta R. (Little) Spencer. Predeceased by his son Brian Spencer. Loving brother of Ron and Philip Spencer both of British Columbia. Fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends one hour prior to a memorial service which will be held in the chapel of the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 123 St. George Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3A1 or to the Rotary Foundation of Canada, Box B9322, P.O. Box 9100, Postal Station F, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3A5. On line condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com

PUTIKS:
Peacefully at Victoria Hospital, London on Tuesday, July 22, 2008. Hugo Putiks of London in his 95th year. Beloved husband of the late Zelma Putiks. Dear father of Anita Low and her husband Jack of London. Predeceased by his sister Emily Gulbis. Caring grandfather of Andrea Wilkinson and her husband Gregg of Ailsa Craig and Heather Rettberg and her husband Dave of Evansville, Indiana and his great granddaughters Ashley and Danielle Wilkinson. A private family funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London on Friday, July 25th. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, London. As an expression of sympathy friends who wish may make memorial donations to the London Health Sciences Centre Foundation, 747 Baseline Road East, London, ON N6C 2R6. (online condolences accepted at amgfh.com)

BERNARD

At London Health Sciences Centre – Victoria Hospital, on Monday, July 21, 2008, Terry Bernard in his 69th year. Beloved husband of Gwen. Loving father of Shelley and Jeff Vanderweyst of London, Steve and Vicki McCaw of Lobo, Susan and Marc Hall of California, Ron and Teresa of Stratford. Devoted grandfather of Emma Vanderweyst and Lexi Hall. Also remembered by his siblings Noreen Buckley, Jacquie and Fran Lee, Robert “Bob” Bernard. Terry will be sadly missed by his extended family, many nieces and nephews, great friends and employees. Predeceased by his loving sister Judy Hardy and sister-in-law Helen Bernard. Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Sunday July 27th, 2008 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London where the memorial service will be conducted in the chapel on Monday July 28th at 11:00 a.m. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation 150 – 633 Colborne Street, London, ON N6B 2V3 or Jesse’s Journey P.O. Box 5099, London, ON N6A 4M8. On line condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com

JOLLY
Peacefully and with great sadness, the family wishes to announce the passing of James “Jim” William Jolly in his 75th year at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital on Thursday, July 17, 2008. Father of Kelly and Kirby. Loving son of the late Mabel and Harry Jolly. Cherished brother of Joan Hancock and the late Jacqueline “Din” White. Forever remembered by his brother-in-laws Ron White and the late Jerry Hancock. Beloved and special “Uncle Jim” of Michele, Melissa, Scott, Patti, Melynda, John, Stephen and Julie. Dear great uncle of Matthew, Paul, Lucas, Catherine, Lauren and Alana. Jim enjoyed playing euchre, bridge and bingo and watching the travel movies of Bill and Trudie Nieuwland at the Country Manor in Thedford, Ontario where he resided for the past few years. Jim touched the lives of many and will be fondly remembered by his friends in Parkhill and Thedford. The family will receive friends one hour prior to a memorial service which will be held in the chapel of the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 1:00 pm with Reverend Greg Little officiating. Interment in Woodland Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to St. James Anglican Church, 155 Broadway Street, P.O. Box 481, Parkhill, Ontario, N0M 2K0 or to the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Foundation, 395 Carrie Street, Strathroy, Ontario, N7G 3C9. Our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Andrew Whynot for his compassionate care to Jim over the years. Special thanks to the nursing staff at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital and to the Country Manor Staff for all their wonderful care and kindness. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com

SWIFT
At London Health Sciences Centre – University Hospital on Monday, July 14, 2008 Clifford Edward Swift formerly of Lambeth in his 92nd year. Beloved husband of the late Dorothy (Macfie) Swift. Loving father of Diana Johnston and her husband Bill of Grand Bend and Douglas Swift and his wife Helen of Komoka. Survived by his grandchildren Alicia and her husband Michael, Katie, Clifford and Rachel. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, (519) 433-5184. Special thanks to the 2nd floor staff at Extendicare London Limited and especially his buddy, Roland Martin. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com

Muriel Lauraetta (Penny) Chapman

At London Health Sciences Centre – University Hospital on Sunday, July 13th, 2008 Muriel Lauraetta (Penny) Chapman of London in her 83rd year. Muriel was born June 10th, 1926 in Cape Bear, P.E.I. Predeceased by her husband Eldred Ellison Chapman, six brothers and seven sisters. Greatly missed and always loved by her children Barbara and Wayne Harrison, Brenda and Alf Langner, George and Laurie Chapman, her grandchildren Jamie and Tammy Chapman, Angela and Jay Friesen, Kathryn Harrison, Burton Chapman, Lauren Harrison, Christine Chapman, Kendra Harrison, Sara Langner and her great-grandchildren Joshua Chapman and Alora Friesen. Muriel enjoyed her many trips to P.E.I. and Florida to visit her nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, London on Wednesday, July 16th at 1:00pm. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to the Salvation Army General Fund, 371 King Street, London, Ontario N6B 1S4. Funeral arrangements entrusted to A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London (519-433-5184).Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. 1 Corinthians 15:57

DITTRICH
At London Health Sciences Centre – Victoria Hospital on Saturday, July 12, 2008 Alois Dittrich of London in his 85th year. Beloved husband of the late Elizabeth (Bender) Dittrich. Dear father of Peter Dittrich of Vancouver B.C., Charles Dittrich and his wife Adele of Burlington and Grace Dittrich and her partner Sam Duncan of Toronto. Survived by his grandson Dylan. Fondly remembered by his nephews Peter Kunstl and Walter Holler of Bregenz, Austria. The family will receive friends one hour prior to a memorial service which will be held in the chapel of the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 11:00 am. Interment in St. Peter’s Cemetery, London. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the London Regional Cancer Program, 747 Baseline Road East, London, Ontario, N6C 2R6. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com

MORROW: At Extendicare, Halton Hills on Monday, July 7th, 2008 Reverend Edwin Morrow formerly of London. Beloved husband of the late Jessie (Roberts) (Holloway) Morrow and the late Cora E. (Hart) Morrow. Dear father of Robert E. Morrow and his wife Jacqueline of Georgetown. Also loved by his grandchildren Robert J. Morrow of Georgetown and Janet E. Morrow and her husband James Gignac of Brantford and his great-grandchildren Adam and Pamela both of Brantford. Dear step-father of Bill Holloway and his wife Linda of Brampton. Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends one hour prior to a memorial service which will be conducted in the chapel of the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London on Friday, July 11th. at 1:00 p.m. Interment of cremated remains in Woodland Cemetery, London. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com

O’HALLORAN –

As always, with pride, dignity and courage, peacefully surrounded by loved ones and with a penguin by her side, Kristen Leigh O’Halloran, on Monday, July 7, 2008, in her 26th year. Beloved daughter of Doug and Marsha O’Halloran. Dearest sister and best friend of Erin O’Halloran. Eternal ski buddy of Jeff Nairn. Loving “Auntie Kwis” to Rikka. Cherished “daughter” and guardian angel to the Westminster Park community. Dearly loved lifelong friend of Amber, Morgan, Jessica, Lisa, Nicole and many more. Fondly remembered and survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins. Predeceased by Grandma and Grandpa O’Halloran, and Grandma and Grandpa Ferri. Always loved by her Toys “R” Us family. Kristen’s family wishes to personally thank Dr. Logan, Nurse Nancy Fulton, Chemo Nurse Elly, and all the staff at the LRCC and CCTC for your incredible compassion and support throughout Kristen’s journey. Kristen was many things to many people. She was an incredible nurse – a true nurturer and compassionate soul. She was a sports nut – “Go RedWings!”. Kristen played baseball and ringette and was a natural between the posts. She loved roadtrips and was always up for a good flea market. Fashionista extraordinaire – she always looked fabulous. Kristen taught us all about the real meaning of life. She was a soldier. A survivor. She was an inspiration to all who met her. Kristen’s life was full of love and laughter. She finished her journey here with class and quiet strength, and is now looking forward to her next journey – full of eternal sunshine, dancing, bocce ball games, search-a-words, movies, lots of tea, roadtrips, laughter and endless Stanley Cup games. Visitation to be held Wednesday, July 9 from 7-9 pm, and Thursday, July 10 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. (Due to extensive construction in the area we recommend taking Wellington Road North and turning left on Horton Street, then another left on Ridout Street South.) A Celebration of Kristen’s Life will be held on Friday, July 11, 2008 at 11:00 am, at St. Stephen’s Memorial Anglican Church, 727 Southdale Road East, London, with Reverend T. Keith Nethery officiating. In honour of Kristen’s love of the greatest game on earth, visitors are welcome (but not required!) to wear their favorite hockey jerseys to the Church Service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make donations can do so to the “Kristen O’Halloran Memorial Fund” at CIBC White Oaks Mall branch. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com
“You Are The Wind Beneath My Wings”

Muriel Banting Cecile Bacon (nee MacDonald), died at Longworth Nursing Home at 12:45am, July 7, 2008. Her passing was peaceful with her daughters at her bedside.

Muriel is survived by her daughters Bev Kobal and Judy Herman and grandchildren Terry and Lori Webster (London), Chris and Michelle Webster (Leamington), Cassie and Mark McNiven (Beamsville) and nieces Betty Jane Bosmeny (Chicago), Linda Hendy (Toronto), Barb Davidson (Barrie) and by great -grandchildren Eric Webster (London), Konner and Logan Webster (Leamington) and Evan McNiven (Beamsville).

Although Muriel’s father died when she was six months old, incredibly, her mother, Elizabeth MacDonald nurtured five daughters during the depression with help from family members and friends. Muriel was the “baby” and her sisters, Leone, Jean, Eve, and Audrey (all deceased) doted on her, and through many hard times, the five sisters and their Mother maintained a very strong family bond.

Muriel, born in Barrie, moved many times as her husband Stanley Arthur Bacon, (pre-deceased in 1977), was in the Armed Forces (moved 17 times in 22 years).

Late February 1997, after the death of her son, William Arthur Bacon (Bill – 42 yrs. old) in 1996, Muriel moved from Barrie to London and spent her remaining days loved and cared for by her daughters.

Muriel was very adament that she not have a service. She wanted her friends and family to remember her during her vital and productive years.

You will notice her photo is not recent (63 yrs.). Mom wasn’t vain but she often said “that is the picture I want to be remembered by” as she was happy and content.

A wonderful, dedicated and loving Mother, wife, grandmother and friend, Muriel, will be remembered for her big brown eyes, amazing smile, quick wit and her most endearing quality, always giving of herself.

We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to David Mullen, Vice President, of A. Millard George Funeral Home for his overwhelming sympathy and professionalism during this most difficult time.

As well, we are grateful for the excellent care given to our Mother during the last 2.5 months by the staff at Longworth Nursing Home and constant vigil during her passing and for 2.5 years at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Transitional Care Unit. The nurses, PSW’s and administration staff deserve medals for the work and kindess they consistently display on a daily basis.