Services & Obituaries

GYSEMANS, Alexander “Alex” Johannes

Peacefully on Sunday, December 25, 2022 at peopleCare Oakcrossing London, Alex passed away in his 83^rd year.  Beloved husband of Pauline “Pat” Adams.  Loving father of Erick (Bonnie) Gysemans and Sandra Brown.  Proud grandfather of Kaylee Gysemans, Leah Gysemans and Christopher Brown.  Cherished brother of Nancy (John) VanDooren, Irene (Ron) Schelfhault, Albert (Alie) Gysemans, Rita (Mark) Clapton. Predeceased by his parents Johanna and Franciscus Gysemans, his sister, Jackie Gysemans, and his brothers, John, Felix, and infants, Marcel (1952) and Marcel (1953).  Alex was a hard worker having had a tobacco farm in the Strathroy area and later working as a painter/handiman in London.  Alex enjoyed fishing and travelling with his wife.  Cremation has taken place.  Internment in Oakland Cemetery, London at a later date.  As an expression of sympathy, donations in memory of Alex may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.  The family would like to thank the staff at peopleCare Oakcrossing for their excellent care.  Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184.  Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

SUMNER, Catherine…

Catherine Sumner passed away quietly at the Dearness Home, London on Friday, December 23, 2022 in her 90th year. Beloved wife of the late John Sumner (2018) for 64 years. Loving mother of John and his wife Lorraine of California, David of Bayfield, and Peter and his wife Terry of London. Cherished grandmother of Jonathon (Annie), Jillian, Jordan and Amanda, and great-grandmother of Molly and Jayden. Fondly remembered by her niece Dianne Arnold. Predeceased by sisters Debra, Pat, Doreen and by her brothers Matty and Allan.

Friends are welcomed for visitation on Friday, January 13, 2023, from 2-4 pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The graveside service will take place on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 11am at Woodland Cemetery, 493 Springbank Drive, London (please meet at cemetery office). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Living London, 190 Adelaide Street South, London, ON N5Z 3L1. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com      

MARZIALI, Janet…

Suddenly in her sleep at Fox Hollow, London on Friday, December 23rd, 2022, in her 89th year. Beloved wife of the late Tanner Marziali (2022). Loving mother of Janice (Kevin), Michael (Linda) and Richard (Belinda). Cherished nana of Spencer, Lauren, Domenic, Noah, Alicia, Emmelee, Julien and GG of Elliana. Dear sister of David Branton and sister-in-law of Elsa Marziali (Ian). Friends are welcomed for visitation on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, from 9-10 am at A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The funeral mass will take place in the chapel at 10 am. Interment at St. Peter’s Cemetery, London. Those wishing to honour Janet, are asked to consider a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, 20 Eglinton Avenue West, 16th Floor, Toronto, ON M4R 1K8. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

WOTRING, Laraine S.

Passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 22, 2022 in Port Stanley, Ontario in her 69th year.

She will be dearly missed by sister Shirley (Dave), brothers Glenn (Carol), Dale (Gayle), and sister-in-law Cathy. She will be missed by her nephews Jesse, Casey, Corey and niece Sonia. Predeceased by brother Kenneth.

Fondly remembered by extended family and friends.

It is with hearts filled with gratitude that we remember the loving care she received from staff at  Extendicare nursing facility in Port Stanley.

Cremation has taken place and a private interment will take place at a later date. Funeral arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

NUTTING, Dennis…

March 15, 1936 – December 22, 2022
 
With his loving family by his side, Dennis passed peacefully at Parkwood Institute, London on Thursday, December 22, 2022 in his 87th year.

Dennis is predeceased by his cherished wife of 51 years, Wilma, his brother, Doug (the late Rona), and his sister, Sylvia (the late Roy). Deeply missed by his wife Ursula, son Paul (Wanda), and daughter Michelle (Richard). He was a loving Papa to his four grandchildren, Hayley (Jeff), Martyn (Rebecca), Alex (Monika), and Drew (Brittney), and three great grandchildren, Clare, Ella, and James. He is lovingly remembered by friends and extended family in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Born in Woolmer Green, England, Dennis was an avid soccer fan, coach, and lifelong Arsenal supporter. Dennis served two years in the British military from ages 18-20. Dennis worked as a wood machinist in England and at Presstran Industries in Canada during his career.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service to honour Dennis’ life will be held at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London on Friday, January 6, 2023, at 7 pm with visiting one hour prior starting at 6 pm.

As an expression of sympathy, donations in memory of Dennis may be made to Parkwood Institute – Palliative Care, c/o St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, ON N6A 4V2 or the Canadian Cancer Society, 500-55 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, ON M4V 2Y7. The family wishes to extend a warm thank you to all of the staff at Parkwood for their compassion and wonderful care of Dennis.
 
Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

RASIMUS, Anthony “Tony”

   “Live one day at a time and make it a masterpiece”

On Thursday, December 22, 2022 the world lost an extraordinary man whose life was a Masterpiece. Anthony Rasimus of London Passed away peacefully at Marian Villa in his 98th year.

We will all miss his wisdom ,great sense of  humour, love of adventure, VERY friendly nature and joy of life.

Beloved husband of the late Katharina Schelken (2005). Dear friend of the late EvaMarie Hupfel de Schussler (2021).  Loving father of Peter (Carol),  Helene (Bryan Rouse), Eric (Caren), and Irene (Henry Marsh). Brother of Anne Fricko. Much loved grandfather Laura (Dan Husser), Timothy Rasimus (Melissa), Heather Froehlich, Jennifer (Matt Thomas), Mark (Rochelle), Shauna (Chris) Shepley, Amy (Greg Harris), Christopher (Ashley), Breanne Avraham, Matthew (Nicole) Marsh, Ryan Marsh and numerous great grandchildren. Nieces and nephew, Trudy, Mary Ann, Kathleen, David.

Cremation has taken place.  Friends will be received by the family from 1 to 3pm on Friday, December 30, 2022 at the A. Millard George Reception Centre, 60 Ridout Street South, London (located on the south east coroner of the parking lot).  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The Canadian Red Cross (Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal) PO Box 4000, Mississauga, ON L5M 9Z9.  The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Marian Villa for their excellent care and compassion.

He had the extraordinary gift of loving and caring neighbours, who were always there for him. The family is so grateful.

Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

MANCARI, Marjorie……

With heavy hearts & happy tears, we wish to announce that Marjorie Mancari of London, in her 86th year passed peacefully with her daughter Terri & granddaughter Tia by her side. She will be dearly missed by her husband Robert Tanton of 35 years.  Marjorie will be missed by her sisters Selby & Bonnie.  Loving mother of  Brian & Sandra, Duane & Claudette, Cathy, Terri & Joanne, Tommie & Mimi, Chris & Sam. Cherished  grandmother of Leanne, Michelle, Shawn, Danielle, Amber, Natalie& Matthew, Tia& Gary, Justin, Scott, Timothy& Christine. Dear great grandmother of Tarra, Lucas, Gianna and many more.  Marjorie was predeceased by her daughter Candaice and son Brent.  She was a GREAT woman who will be missed by many.

NICOLA, Andreea…
 
Peacefully at her home, Andreea joined the Light on Monday, December 19, 2022 in her 55th year. An amazing companion and wife of Remus Nicola for 31 years. Dear mother of Alexandra. Dear sister of Iudit and cherished sister-in-law of Amalia. Dear aunt of Valentina and Ana. Beloved daughter of Violeta and daughter-in-law of Roman. Predeceased by her father Laszlo-Csaba and mother-in-law Aurelia.

Like in any story, it’s the heroes that are forgotten. And like this story, Andreea was one of the unknown heroes of our time. The fact that she suffered an unspeakable and cruel trauma in her late childhood, she stood-up. In her fight against a brutal political regime-she stood-up. For a simple and natural human right-she stood-up. For Freedom-she stood-up. Although she endured political imprisonment and was faced with the fear of death, she was reborn like a Phoenix from the ashes of a nation’s revolution. “Praise to all unknown heroes of the world,” she would have said.

From her childhood trauma to her political imprisonment, a spark was lit. Her spirit enlightened as she transcended from a rebel of her times into a servant of fellow humans and a voice against the darkness of this world. Throughout her life, even though she was deemed a rebel in the eyes of many, her unbelievable compassion and empathy towards fellow humans-including her wrongdoers, was more than a sign that Andreea sees this world with different eyes, aimed towards an earthly mission.

The first steps of her mission began with sharing knowledge with her high school students for several years. Between teaching and the daily chores of a family life, walking in nature was something close to mystical for Andreea. Although in the classroom she imparted her teaching gift with honour and enjoyment, the nature was always her attraction. It seemed like the pulse of nature was somehow communicating with her. She walked the paths of remote places, pristine forests, and climbed mythical mountains-absorbing from nature something unseen with the naked eye, along her way. This inexplicable force-Nature-unveiled the path of her mission.

Andreea began applying her understanding of nature in her garden. Her physical touch and love of plants, trees and flowers was always magical. She grew such wonderful flowers, a vast and abundant bio-vegetable garden and many sweet fruit trees. But her love only grew in energy and compassion when she became an active member of London Middlesex Master Gardeners-sharing this realized knowledge with whomever was interested in nature and in the magic of reality. Through her caring hands-inspired by nature’s voice-a garden of Hesperides manifested from nowhere for any traveler to wander.

Although Andreea was enjoying everything in her life, she realized something was still missing. This something came in an inexplicable way. Soon after winning a psychological battle with her earlier traumas-like in a quantum leap, an artist came to life out of empty space. She started painting in acrylics, making handcrafts and without a moment’s pause-began teaching classes and sharing the knowledge of the craft. Nature and gardening were still the attraction and the main themes in her painting, but now experienced and expressed from a different level of perception. Like teaching, the Art was a gift that came to life naturally from a hidden and dark place. This was the gift she was looking for along the way. She found what was missing-completing her fully. Andreea found her authenticity as a visual artist, being dedicated to the craft through an active membership of London Community Artists and with active participation in multiple art gallery exhibition shows. The flow of life allowed Andreea to close the circle of her travel with the opening of her first art gallery. “A completed being,” a wise elder would say.

Like in any story, there is always the impermanence of life that we often overlook and forget. Life continuously challenges our path. It is its nature, and we just need to accept it in the way Andreea accepted the challenge with an illness she battled for years. With courage and dignity, she fought a good fight until her last breath. It seems that any completely built temple in life requires a sacrifice. Andreea made this sacrifice without a blink of an eye, knowing that she is surrounded by compassionate friends and companions supporting her unconditionally until the light would ascend-returning her home in the land of the Morning Star. May Andreea be a companion of light on our path for as long as we walk under the Rising Sun. “Walk well and do good deeds,” as Andreea would say.

Besides everything, she was first a mother to Alexandra. Her love for her daughter goes beyond earthly words. Alexandra had the magical luck of having such a mother and a teacher. Andreea’s ways of practising compassion, empathy, gratitude, faith, hope, love and charity towards all of us, is a good example for Alexandra’s path in life. “Walk well and do good deeds,” Andreea would say. May Andreea be praised by Alexandra for as long as the wheel of time permits-and why not, even beyond.  

As a companion and traveller in life, Andreea was not just a part that completed her partner Remus, she was one with him in all manifestations of life. A spiritual compass and a moral square that cannot be expressed in any earthly words. This companionship of 31 years with its own ups and downs was traveled well, doing good deeds along the way, and always with a smile of gratitude and kindness on their faces. May Andreea be praised and continue as the companion of light for Remus until it is his time to return home. He will find you; He knows the path. So let it be.

And like in any story, the hero sacrifices the self for the good of all fellow creatures. Although her sacrifice may seem unfair in the eyes of this world, she was aware that everything under the Sun has a season and that the time under the heavens shall be spent wisely and with good deeds. Her dedication, compassion, love and kindness left a trace of light for everyone to follow and always remember-that it is simpler in life when you are kind and compassionate in all manifestations of your lives. Her sacred temple was finished on this land, and she is now ready to travel where the light may desire her.

Andreea, you brought happiness in any life you touched walking along your path-sorrow is in any heart that knew you parted from us. But happy we will meet again and we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. Walk well on your path Andreea, keep the light of the sacred fire burning, and do only good deeds wherever you may travel.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 2:00 pm. In memory of Andreea, donations may be made to a favourite place of hers, the London Public Library. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

VAN ARNHEM, Herman…
June 3, 1935 – December 17, 2022

Herman Van Arnhem passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Saturday December 17, 2022 at the Strathmere Lodge in Strathroy, ON.  He was 87 years old.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Agatha “Ada”, their four children; Ingrid (John) Huls, Deborah (Jerry) Roukema, Rose (Rob) Wynands, and Gary (Bethany) Van Arnhem.  He leaves behind fourteen grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.  

He was born on June 3, 1935 in the Netherlands and immigrated to Canada in 1954.  He was the oldest child of Gerrit and Elizabeth Van Arnhem and he had five siblings; Mieke (John) Kuindersma (both deceased), Lennie (Ed) Lammers, Peter (Kathy) Van Arnhem, Elly (Reiner) Scholten, and Jerry (Jane) Van Arnhem.  He is also remembered by his in-laws; Betty Van Rijs, Tina Van Rijs, and Anne and Hank Vanderlaan.  

Herman was a man of faith; he knew that Jesus loved him.  He and Agatha were long time members of Talbot Street Church where he served that community in various capacities; Head Counselor for the Cadets, an Elder on the Church Council and was known as the “Soup King” at the Collective Kitchen.

He built a very successful Construction company, Van Arnhem Homes.  He was well respected and well liked in the industry, serving as the local chairman of HUDAC for two years.  There was not much that Herman couldn’t fix or adapt or repair and in his retirement years, he used this amazing skill to benefit many non-profit organizations and the people they supported.

The other focus of his life was his family.  He was an adored Opa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  We celebrated many an occasion at the big house in Lambeth where you would find Herman standing over the BBQ grilling chicken, being in the middle of a good euchre game or a rousing game of penny poker.  Kind, generous, compassionate and fun loving were characteristics that endeared him to all.  We will miss him fiercely and remember him fondly.

The funeral will be held at Talbot Street Church, 513 Talbot Street, London on Thursday December 22, 2022.  Visitation will be in the Atrium of the church at 11 am followed by the Service at 12 noon. Herman would be honoured if you supported any of his favourite charities; Teen Challenge, the Alice Saddy Association, or London Christian High School.  

Funeral arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

SITLINGTON, David…..

 Passed away peacefully, at University Hospital on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the age of 74.  Beloved husband of the late Carolyn Sitlington (2016).  Loving father of Sarah (Nathan) Watson. Cherished grandfather of Parker and Madyson. Dear brother of Judy (Brian) Latam, Brenda (Sam) Breyer, Roger (the late Susan), Robert (Roseanne), Brian and the late Jim (Susan). He will be missed by his extended family Anne and Bryan Watson. Fondly remembered by his in-laws Joe (Beverly) Mayo, Evelyn (Wayne) Rogers and Marilyn (Wayne) Rabideau. Predeceased by his parents Ernest and Mary Sitlington. Also survived by several nieces and nephews and their families. Friends will be received by the family on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 from  2 – 4pm & 6 – 8pm at A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London where the funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 11am with visitation an hour prior starting at 10am. Interment at Dorchester Union Cemetery to follow. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to ALS Society of Canada, 1701-393 University Avenue Toronto, ON M5G 1E6 or to London Regional Cancer Program, c/o London Health Sciences Foundation 747 Baseline Road East London, ON N6C 2R6. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com