HAWKINS, JEAN: Suddenly, on Thursday, November 3,
2005 at her home in Wainfleet, Jean Ada Hawkins
(McKellar), nee Ballantine, in her 69th year. Beloved wife
of Wayne Hawkins, and loving mother of her daughters
Susan McKellar, Carol McKellar and David O'Leary, Donna
and John York, and Bev and Hank Rintjema, and
step-daughter Tammy Hawkins. Cherished grandmother of
Darcy, Daina, Daniel and Jessica and great-grandmother of
Brysen. Dear sister of Dennis Ballantine of London. Jean
will also be remembered by her many friends and
neighbours for her 25 years of service delivering mail in the
Caistor Centre area. The funeral service was led by Rev.
Dale Massender at Merritt Funeral Home, Smithville, on
Monday, November 7, 2005 at 11 am. Cremation followed.
Memorial contributions to the Welland and District Humane
Society would be appreciated by the family and can be
made through the funeral home.
HORNAK, JOSEPH: Peacefully, with family by his side on
Monday, February 28, 2005 at the United Mennonite Home
in Vineland, Joseph Martin Hornak in his 74th year. A
lifelong resident of Smithville, Joe was predeceased by his
wife Judy (nee Faiola, 1999) and his parents Andrew
Hornak (1975) and Anne Hreha (1986). He was the loving
father of Joseph A. (Joey) Hornak of Smithville. Dear
brother of Mary and Bob McMaster and Mike and Mary
Hornak all of Smithville. He will also be sadly missed and
remembered by his nephews Rick Malaryk, Bob and
Teresa Malaryk, Terry and Lynn Hornak, all of Smithville,
his niece Tammy Hornak and her husband Duane Boychuk
of Caledonia, and great-nieces and great-nephews Ashlyn,
Mitchell, Jacob and Tiana. Friends called at the Merritt
Funeral Home, 287 Station Street, Smithville on Tuesday
from 2-4 and 7-9 pm, with the Vigil for the Deceased
(Prayer Service) at 7 pm. The Funeral Liturgy was
celebrated Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at 10:30 am at St.
Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church, Smithville, with
Father Matthew Pendanathu officiating. Interment at the
church's adjoining cemetery. Memorial contributions to the
Alzheimer's Society or the Vineland United Mennonite
Home would be appreciated by the family.
KLUZ, RICHARD: Surrounded by his loving family, Rich
passed away on Friday, December 31, 2004 at the age of
44. He was the cherished husband of Janet and loving
father of Matthew, Joe, Jenna and Laura. He was the
beloved son of Wanda and the late Walter Kluz, brother to
Donna and Greg Masi, Dennis Kluz and the late Mike Kluz.
Son-in-law of Ross and the late Mary Kuchyt,
brother-in-law to Shirley and Larry Hurtubise, David and
Catherine Kuckyt, and Ron and Wendy Kuckyt. He will be
sadly missed by his many nieces, nephews and by all that
knew him. The Funeral Liturgy was celebrated at 11 am
on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at St. Martin of Tours'
Roman Catholic Church, 166 West Street (Reg Rd 20),
Smithville, with Father Philip English officiating.
Pallbearers were Craig Leblanc, Craig Nelson, Ken
Speakman, Rob Hendriks, Ted Przybyl and Ed Chalecki.
In lieu of flowers, it was Rich's request for donations to be
made to his children's education; these can be made at the
Funeral Home.
LACEY, MARION: Peacefully at Grandview Lodge,
Dunnville on Friday, August 5, 2005 in her 90th year.
Marion Laverne Lacey (nee Luey) of Smithville. Beloved
wife of the late Ernest Lacey (1985). Cherished mother of
Harold (Mary) of Hamilton, Beverley McKay (Lloyd) of
Welland, Robert (Patricia) of Ancaster, Carman (Gigi) of
Beamsville, Murray (Darlene) of Grimsby. Treasured
grandmother of 11 grandchildren and 17 great
grandchildren. Survived by brothers Lyle Luey (Phyllis) of
Grimsby and Leslie Luey (Peggy) of British Columbia.
Predeceased by her brothers Arthur, Gerry and Earl.
Friends may call at Merritt Funeral Home, 287 Station
Street, Smithville Sunday August 7, 2005 2-4pm. A private
family funeral service will follow. Memorial contributions to
the Diabetes Association would be appreciated by the
family and can be made through Merritt Funeral Home,
Smithville (905) 957-7031 or merritt-fh.com.
LEACH, WILLA: Peacefully, on Monday, December 26,
2005 at Rapelje Lodge in Welland, Willa Miriam Leach (nee
Beamer) of Smithville, in her 76th year. Beloved wife for 53
years of George Leach. Loving mother of Jeff and Janice
Leach of Kapuskasing, and of Rob and Jane Leach of
Listowel. Cherished by her grandchildren Jason, Craig,
Connor, Larkin and Zoe. She will also be missed by her
brother-in-law George Marshall, and many nieces and
nephews. Predeceased by her sisters Geneva Lewis,
Geraldine Marshall, Verlie Forand and Mary Beamer.
Together with her husband George they operated a farm in
St. Anns, and Willa was a feature writer for the Niagara
Farmers' Monthly community newspaper. She was an
enthusiastic member of the West Lincoln Women's Hockey
Team, a winning team player for the Plymouth Cordagettes
of Welland as Ontario Intermediate Fastball Champions,
achieved her Black Belt in Karate, won numerous Ontario
championships for bait casting, and many other
achievements. Willa was an active and devoted member of
her community and touched the lives of many as a long-time
volunteer of T.E.A.D. of Hamilton, coach of girls sports in
Smithville, and NDBRA basketball referee. A service of
remembrance was held at Merritt Funeral Home in
Smithville on Friday, December 30, 2005 at 11 am. Rob
and Jeff Leach both spoke of family times and the
leadership of Willa as their mother and in the community.
Willa's niece Sandy Bibeau also spoke of past times shared
on the farm, and her oldest grandson, Jason, spoke of the
life lessons Willa passed on to the next generation. Ivan
Carruthers offered remembrances of working with Willa at
the newspaper and in the sports community, and Sunny
McCollum talked of their long-time friendship and the lasting
contributions and support Willa gave to girl's and women's
sports in West Lincoln. A time of fellowship continued at the
Smithville United Church hall. Cremation has taken place.
If desired, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer Society of
Niagara Region can be made through the funeral home
(905) 957-7031 or merritt-fh.com. Special thanks Sharon
McMaster, Sandy Bibeau, to Dr. Arthur Comley, the Staff of
Smithville Medical Centre, the Smithville UCW, and the Staff
of Rapelje Lodge and its many volunteers with particular
thanks to the Staff of House 300 for their kindness and
tremendous care.
M. Eileen Simmons
1919 - 2007
SIMMONS, EILEEN: Surrounded by her family on Friday,
August 24, 2007, M. Eileen Simmons (89 years) of Smithville
went to join her beloved husband, William Thomas Simmons (1992)
and her Saviour Jesus Christ. Eileen was extremely blessed by
her devoted family: loving mother of Marilyn Kool (Art),
Sharon Gillmore (Paul), William T. Simmons, Brenda Brenzil (Lyle),
Lynda Simmons (Gary Boyko), and Cheryl Ecker (Bruce). Cherished
by her grandchildren Arthur, Patricia (Al), Tammy, Joseph (Melanie),
Nathaniel, Karee (Wally), Bill (Teri), Jody (Dina), Cameron,
Lyndsay, Amanda, Kailey, Paula (Kevin), John (Karen),
Bernadette (Rick), and Brandon, her great-grandchildren
Bryan (Danielle), Adam, Calvin, Zachary, Cristian, Erin, Tara,
Brittney, Ashley, Andrew, Aaron, Xavier, Gabrielle, Alexander,
Tytus, Kylen, Wyatt, Sheyanne, Peyton, Dylan, Brendan, Cherylee,
Tyler and Spencer, and by her great-great-granddaughter Brianna.
She will also be missed by her sister Dolores Zorychta and
brothers John, Raymond, Joseph, sister-in-law Marcella Angelo
and brother-in-law Fred Simmons. She was predeceased by her
parents Mary and Joseph Giovannetti, grandson Michael Kinzel,
sisters Florence, Marguerite, Gladys and Colleen and brothers
Clement, Charles, Edmond and many members of Bill's family.
Friends may call at the Merritt Funeral Home, 287 Station
Street, Smithville on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm with Rosary
for the Eileen at 7 pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated
on Tuesday, August 28 at 11 am at St. Martin of Tours' Roman
Catholic Church, Smithville, with interment at the church's
adjoining cemetery. If desired, memorial contributions to
the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family
and can be made through the funeral home.
