Death Notices – March 2020

Published March 4 2020

Marion Gardner
GARDNER, Marion (Bartlett). March 9, 1932 – February 28, 2020. Passed away at home surrounded by the love of her family. Wife of the late Norm (1997). Mother of Norman of Sydney BC, Nancy Stelpstra (and David) of Simcoe, Heather Cloet (and Bryon) of Simcoe, the late Susan (1958), George of Victoria BC, Judith Koopman (and Ted) of Lynedoch, Walter (and Abby Church) of Port Dover, David of Victoria BC. Grandma/Bama and great-grandmother to Joel Stelpstra, Cameron Stelpstra; Laura France (and Greg) and their children Max and Emmeline; Sarah Cleaver (and Casey) and their children Jack, Isla, and Emmett; Jason (and Jessica Farrell) and their children Ava, Baustyn and Lily; Nicholas Koopman (and Jessica) and their children Julian and Winston; Tristan Koopman (and Michelle Winmill); Hayley Koopman (and Brendon Walsh); Tanner Gardner, Shelby Gardner; Jonah Gardner and Emma Gardner. Marion will be remembered by her brother Bob Bartlett, sister Elinor Kotanko as well as brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by sister Kathy Howden. Marion had a wide circle of friends that she painted with, played scrabble with, went to yard sales with and of course her beloved tea ladies. Following Marion’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date. Donations may be made to the Who Did It Club or a charity of choice. Arrangements entrusted with Thompson-Mott Funeral Home, Waterford (519-443-5332).

Life’s Masterpiece
Life, the mystic artist
A picture fair, has made,
With colours on a canvas
That will never, never fade.
It’s framed in golden memories
Of friendship warm and true,
And underneath it is inscribed
Three letters – y o u.

 

Linda Miedema
MIEDEMA, Linda Ann. Passed away unexpectedly at her home in Norfolk on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the age of 66. Linda Miedema (nee Church) was the beloved mother of Robert and Shannon Miedema of Halifax and Christina Miedema and Darryl Hunt of Simcoe. Loving Nana of Logan, Audrey, Paige and Margot. Survived by sister Elayne and George Wardell of Paris, brother Earl Church of Fenelon Falls and sister Joan Church of Toronto and predeceased by brother John Church (1996) and sister Jan Church (2019). Also survived by extended but very close family and her steadfast companion, Kohl. Linda was always surrounded by song. She was a field naturalist who could identify birds by song. She shared her love of music with others through her singing groups. She sang loudly behind the steering wheel. Most sweetly, she would sing her adoring children and grandchildren to sleep. Friends were invited to call at Cooper Funeral Home, 19 Talbot Street West, Jarvis on Friday, February 28, 2020 where a time of remembrance was held at 4:00 p.m. followed by visitation until 7:30 p.m. Donations to the Women’s Initiative with the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Friends of Point Pelee Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Friends are invited to send condolences and sign the Book of Memories at www.cooperfuneralhome.ca

 

Published March 11, 2020

David Morris
MORRIS, David Francis passed away at Brantford General Hospital on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 in his 67th year. Dear brother and brother-in-law of George and Donna Morris and Joel and Sandra Morris. Fondly remembered by his nephews and niece. Predeceased by his parents Archie and Georgina and his brother Samuel. Dave enjoyed fishing, being on the water in his boat Driftwood, sports and socializing at the local coffee shop. Cremation has taken place with all services to be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Waters Funeral Home, 102 First Ave., Port Dover (519-583-1530). For those wishing, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of choice would be appreciated. Online donations and or condolences can be made at www.thompsonwatersfuneralhome.ca

David Novinka
NOVINKA, David Alexander, of Nanticoke, previously of Port Dover, passed away suddenly at West Haldimand Hospital, Hagersville on Sunday, March 8, 2020 in his 67th year. Cherished husband of Karen. Dearly loved father and step-father of Michael Novinka of Simcoe, Kristi and Scott Evans of Cayuga and Jason Lindsay of Simcoe. Loving grandfather of Nicholas, Jacob, Autumn, Savannah, Aiden, Hunter and Priscilla. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Ken and Yvonne Novinka of Simcoe, Cathy Novinka of Port Dover, Sandra and Bill VanGaal of Brantford and Linda Novinka and Claire Steeves of Simcoe. Dave will be sadly missed by his nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Nick and Anne and his first wife Joanne. Dave was retired from Ontario Hydro since 2012 and didn’t have any problem filling in the time. He enjoyed life to the fullest every day. He loved to travel, especially to Arizona in the winter months. Dave was a wine maker and a handyman but mostly he was a family man, he loved time spent with family and friends. Friends are invited to share their memories of Dave with the family at visitation on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (evening only) at Thompson Waters Funeral Home, 102 First Ave., Port Dover (519-583-1530). A Service to Celebrate Dave’s Life will be held in the funeral home Chapel on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 11 a.m. The Reverend Kathryn Vance officiating. Cremation to follow. For those wishing, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated. On-line donations and/or condolences can be made at www.thompsonwatersfuneralhome.ca

Bill Saunders
SAUNDERS, William Todd. Peacefully at Norfolk General Hospital, on Monday, March 2, 2020. Bill Saunders, formerly of Port Dover, in his 90th year. Husband of the late Dorothy E. Saunders (nee Vokes) (2016). Dear father of the late Jim (1984), Michael and Debbie, and Michelle Saunders all of Port Dover. Loving grandfather of Meaghan and Josh MacDonald, Haley Saunders, and Michael Saunders; and great-grandfather of Rowan, Peyton and Hunter MacDonald. Brother of Marie Hewitt, Tom Saunders, Dave Saunders and the late Bob Saunders. Following cremation, a graveside service will be held at Port Dover Cemetery at a later date. Friends are invited to sign the Book of Memories at www.cooperfuneralhome.ca. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Cooper Funeral Home, Jarvis (519-587-4414).

 

Published March 18 2020

Karen Cooling
To update you, given the growing concerns around Covid-19, my family and I have made the careful and difficult decision to postpone Karen’s Celebration of Life scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2020. This was a tough call to make – given that we looked forward to celebrating Karen’s life with her closest family and friends. We know Karen would want all of us to prioritize our health and safety during this global pandemic. It is extremely important for us to celebrate my wife, and we will be exploring future dates and reaching out in the not too distant future. My family and I thank you for your patience and understanding, and wish you all health and wellness during this unprecedented time.
Peter Cooling

Antonio Masella
MASELLA, Antonio passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at Norfolk General Hospital in his 81st year. He was surrounded by all of his immediate family. Loving husband of Mickey (Micheline). Dear father of JoAnn Masella (Michael MacIssac) of Stratford and Cindy Masella (Anthony Noxell) of St.Thomas. Cherished grandfather of Andrea, Charlie, Korey, Vincent, Rosa, Reghai, Angel, and Riona. Sadly missed by brother Michael (Nancy) and niece Natasha of Vernon, BC. Predeceased by his parents Giuseppe and Elena and granddaughter Melaney. Tony was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and an avid Montreal Canadien fan. Cremation has taken place with all services being held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Waters Funeral Home, First Ave., Port Dover (519-583-1530). For those wishing, donations to Lung Health Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, Diabetes Canada and St. Cecelia Roman Catholic Church would be greatly appreciated. Online donations and or condolences can be made at www.thompsonwatersfuneralhome.ca

 

Published March 25, 2020

Don Walters
WALTERS, Donald George – passed away at the Norfolk General Hospital, Simcoe on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in his 80th year. Beloved husband of 60 years to Patricia (nee Beauchamp). Don and Pat lived and raised their family in Woodstock until 2018 when they moved to Port Dover to settle in by the lake. Loving father of Mark Walters (Donna Eaton) of Goderich, formally Woodstock. Cherished grandfather and great-grandfather of Matthew Walters of Woodstock, his children Addison and Emilee; and Alicia VanHalteren (John) of Port Dover, their children the late Taya (2015), Alexis, Koen and Kasa. Donald will be sadly missed by his siblings Betty Hill (Jim) of Simcoe, Mary Walda (late Ken) of Ingersoll and the late Karen Kokobocker. Donald will be lovingly remembered by nieces, nephews, extended family and his very loyal 4-legged companion Mackenzie. Don was a lover of sports especially hockey, baseball and golf. He was an avid boater spending many years enjoying Lake Erie aboard his boat “Miss Taya”; he also delighted in a love of fishing. A celebration of Don’s life will be held at a later date. The Jason Smith Funeral Chapel, 689 Norfolk St. North, Simcoe in care of arrangements. Those wishing to donate in memory of Don are asked to consider the Simcoe & District Humane Society. Personal online condolences at www.smithfuneralchapel.com

Margaret Forbes
FORBES, Margaret Irene passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 21, 2020 in her 87th year. Dear mother of Cindy Collins (Michael Penton) of Port Dover and Linda Wende (Erich) of Selkirk. Will be forever missed by grandchildren Courtney (Adam), Justin, Adam, Sean, Cody, Erica, Sheila (Joe) and Julian (Emily). Fondly remembered by great grandchildren Haille, Abbey, Mackenzie, Emile, Braxton, Theo, Darren, Alexi, Grayce and Charlie. Margaret was a sports enthusiast and enjoyed watching the Blue Jays, Maple Leafs and the Tiger Cats. Family was everything to Margaret. In earlier years, travelling to Mexico with the love of her life Edwin, was the ideal place to spend winters after retiring as a civil servant at Queen’s Park in Toronto. She will be sadly missed by many. Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Waters Funeral Home 102 First Ave., Port Dover 519-583-1530. For those wishing, donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. Online donations and or condolences can be made at www.thompsonwatersfuneralhome.ca

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