Services & Obituaries

DEGRAW, Rose Charron …
Her wish was answered, she has gone home. On Thursday, November 28, 2019 at the age of 71, Rose Degraw of London, Ontario. Beloved wife of Don Degraw for 51 years. Caring mother of James (Michelle) and Krisinda (Steve). Loving Nana of Haily Rose, Sam and Justin.  Sister of Rob Ferguson. Friends will be received by the family from 12-1 pm on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 1 pm. Cremation to follow. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of London, 435 Windermere Road, London, ON N5X 2T1. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

CARRUTHERS, David….

Peacefully with his daughter holding his hand on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at Meadow Park Nursing Home, London, David Carruthers passed away in his 88th year. Beloved husband of the late Mildred Carruthers (2006). Loving and supportive dad of Elizabeth & Glenn Parsons, Bruce & Margaret Carruthers and David & Carol Carruthers. Proud and devoted Grumpa of Jennifer & Steven and grandfather of Emily, Greg, Andrea and Lauren. Dear brother of Cathy & Ken McHarg, Bill (deceased) & Marlene Carruthers, Bobby & Pat Riendeau, Jack (deceased) & Muriel Carruthers and Rita Riendeau Hlibchuck (deceased). Favourite Uncle to Kevin & Sue McHarg and cousins Helen & Brian Riley. Missed by his companion Christine Handfield, his buddies Stan & Mark and his sidekick and therapy dog “Murray”.

Dad was a Veteran and served his country in the Navy. He was an entrepreneur who supported his family through his many businesses and ideas. Spontaneous at heart, dad was larger than life, was a big tease and never stopped supporting his children and grandchildren, whatever their passion was.

Cremation has taken place. Those wishing to make a donation in David’s memory are asked to consider the St. John’s Ambulance Dog Therapy Program, Southwestern Ontario Branch, 741 King Street, London, ON N5W 2X2. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

STEWARDSON, John….
Peacefully at home in his sleep, on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 John passed away in his 69th year. Beloved husband of the late Lisa Stewardson. Proud father of the late Brandee Stewardson, Michael (Amanda), Matthew (Lee-Anne) and Justin (Karen Tebbutt) Stewardson. Papa of Emma-Lee Stewardson and Savannah Tebbutt. Dear brother of Norraine (late Dale) Galloway. Uncle of Andrea (Jamie) Kuntz and family, Allison (Mike Milson) Hunter and family. John was a proud member of IATSE Local 105 and a retired member of UNIFOR Local 88. Friends are welcomed for visiting on Saturday, November 30, 2019 from 1-3pm and 5-7pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. Interment at Woodland Cemetery, London at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lung Association, 18 Wynford Drive, Suite 401, Toronto, ON M3C 0K8. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

STEIGINGA, Ype “Ed” …

Called home into the loving arms of his Lord and Saviour, Ed died peacefully on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at the age of 92 at Parkwood Hospital, London. Beloved husband of Brenda (nee Sandstra) Steiginga for 68 years. Dear father of Robert Steiginga (Susan), Nancy Bouterse (Jack), Margaret Nyboer (Andrew), Gerald Steiginga (Nicole) and David Steiginga (Christine). Also loved by his 22 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren (with another one on the way). Dear brother of late Freek Steiginga (Klaaske), Fred Steiginga (late Gay), late Gerrit Steiginga (Klaaske), late Pete Steiginga (Willy), Maatje Tuiniga (late Sytse) and the late John Steiginga (Lucy). A special thank you to the staff at Parkwood Hospital for making Dad’s last two month’s comfortable. You made him feel special and he loved you all. Friends will be received by the family from 10-11 am on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at Talbot Street Church, 513 Talbot Street, London, ON N6A 2S5, where the funeral service will be held at 11 am. Burial to follow at Woodland Cemetery, London.  Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com  

BENTLEY, Joan Pauline…

Peacefully on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at University Hospital, London, Joan Pauline Bentley in her 85th year. Cherished mother to Chris Bentley, and Andrew Bentley. Grandmother to Kimberly Bentley, John Bentley, Alicia Deman, Alana Melwood, and Laurel Norris. She will also be missed by her niece Teri Bentley-McGregor. A private family graveside will take place at Woodland Cemetery. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

STAFFORD, Laurence….

Suddenly at home, on Sunday, November 17, 2019, Laurence Stafford in his 93rd year. Beloved husband of Sheila Stafford for 74 ½  years. Loving dad of Larry Stafford (Tammi), Nancy Hughes (Don), Michael Stafford (the late Sharon, 2018) and Wendy Bennett (Dwane). Adored Grandpa of Larry (Ann), Christopher, Lindsay, Jamie (Maegan), Jenna, Ryan, Lauren (Todd), Melissa (Ian), Michael (Jayme), Dwayne, David (Kailey), Kelsey, Daniel (Megan) and Brandon and great-grandpa of 13. Laurence will also be missed by his nieces, nephews and extended family. Predeceased by his parents Herman and Ruby Stafford and his sister Donna and her husband Harvey Lennox. Sympathy donations may be made to the London Regional Cancer Program, 747 Base Line Road East, London, ON N6C 2R6 in memory of his daughter-in-law, Sharon. Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2019 from 1-4 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 501 (Lambeth), 7097 Kilbourne Road, London. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com 

HICK, Kathleen…
Peacefully at the Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa on Saturday, November 16, 2019, Kathleen “Kay” Hick (nee Droumbolis) in her 92nd year. Beloved wife of Allan Arthur Hick of 70 years. Loving mother of Wendy Rheault (David Mondi) and Steven Hick (Vaida). Devoted grandmother of David Rheault (Jessica Kirby), Natalie Martin (Rob), Justin Hick, Alex Rheault (Brittney Fraumeni), and Kristina Hick (Graham Sorenson), and great grandmother of Madeline Martin and Noelle Martin. Predeceased by her parents George and Elizabeth Droumbolis, and sisters Victoria, Sylvia and Mary. Survived by sister Viola Droumbolis. Kay loved long walks, dancing, making new friends, crossword puzzles and bingo. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family for visitation on Sunday, November 24, 2019 from 12-1 pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The memorial service will be held in the funeral home chapel starting at 1 pm. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

Laurie Maureen Irving (born January 21, 1966) passed away on November 16, 2019 in her 54th year. Predeceased by her parents Donna and Roy Irving. Loving mother to Tara Withers (Brad) and Paul Withers and proud grandmother to Cameron Withers. Laurie was loved and will be dearly missed by her sisters Grace (Terry) Stafford and Sue Reynolds (Clark Jordan) and by nieces and nephews; CJ, Andrew (Laura), Scott (Ashley), Tameka and great nephew Leo. Laurie was also loved and remembered by dear friends Lisa Shaver, Joan Stafford and Claire Proulx. She will also be missed by her special four-legged friends Marley and Sofie. You’ll be with us every day. You’ll be forever in our hearts. Love you forever. A Celebration of Laurie’s Life will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2019 from 1-4 pm at Calvary United Church, 290 Ridout Street South, London (please use Garfield Avenue entrance side door ramp). Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Laurie, are asked to consider donating to My Sisters’ Place, 566 Dundas Street, London, ON, N6B 1W8. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

SAVORY, Philip….

Suddenly after a long illness, at Victoria Hospital, London on Friday, November 15, 2019 at the age of 74. Beloved husband of Lynn Savory for 33 years. Loving father of Hilary and Roger Savory. Also survived by his first wife, Shirley Vaughan, their children, Sue Burden (Kelly), Brett (Sandra Kasturi) and Grandpa Phil to Sarah, Spencer, and Dorothy Burden and great grandpa of Casey Oliver. Brother of Alvin (Sandra) Savory. Phil was an accountant for over 40 years, serving farmers and small business owners in Middlesex, Elgin and Oxford counties. Friends are welcomed for visiting on Thursday, November 21, 2019 from 5-8pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The funeral service will take place on Friday, November 22, 2019 at 11am at Metropolitan United Church, 468 Wellington Street, London. Interment at Woodland Cemetery, London. Online condolences, memories, and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com.     

GEIGER, Audrey O.

In her 98th year after a brief stay at Parkwood Hospital, London, Ontario on Friday, November 15, 2019. Audrey died the way she lived, with a zest for life and love for her family and friends. Trained as a social worker, Audrey, with her husband of 71 years, Rev. Gordon R. Geiger, served congregations in Creighton Mine, Binbrook, Lucknow, Essex, St. Catharines, Windsor, Sarnia, and at Riverside United in London. The many friendships she developed along the way, some long and enduring, were her joy. After Gordon’s official retirement, the couple travelled widely in North America, camping across the prairies many times, and taking trips and cruises to Europe. Audrey was predeceased by her son Alan Geiger and her brother Elwood Thompson. She was lovingly attended by her children and husband during her final short illness, during which she and her family were grateful for the caring attention of staff at Longworth Retirement Home and Parkwood Hospital. Audrey is sorely missed and joyfully celebrated by Gordon, Roy Geiger and his wife Peggy Roffey, Anne Koemsted and her husband Ted, Joan Geiger-Dow and her husband Daniel Dow, Ross Geiger and his wife Geri and Paul Geiger and his wife Marianna Boyd, 13 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and her many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.  Audrey is survived by sisters Mary Beresford and Ruth Larmor. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family on Thursday, November 21, 2019 from 12-1 pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London where the funeral service will be held at 1 pm in the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, 804- 2 Lansing Square, North York, ON M2J 4P8. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com