At her residence in Chatham on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2001, Maria Melon, age 85, wife of the late Raffaele Melon (1962). Born in Materada in 1915, daughter of the late Ofemia (Venu) and Giovanni Benolich, she came to Canada in 1959. She will be sadly missed by four daughters, Santina and her husband Mario of Chatham, Nives, Adreana and Neria of London; by eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and by a brother, Giovanni Benolich of Italy. She is predeceased by one brother, Valentine Benolich. Friends and relatives called at the Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home, 156 William St. South. Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2001 at St. Joseph's Church. Parish prayers were said at 7 p.m. on Friday. Entombment was in St. Peter's Mausoleum, London, at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Donations to the charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated.
O'ROURKE:
At the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, St. Joseph's Campus, on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2001, Ruth Cecilia OÕRourke, age 87, of Chatham, wife of the late Llewellyn Sadlier (1965) and Hector O'Rourke (1989). Born in Chatham in 1913, daughter of the late Delin (St. John) and John Fox, she was a member of Blessed Sacrament Ladies' Mission Group and a life member of St. Joseph's Hospital Guild Auxiliary. She will be sadly missed by a daughter, Delynne Dick and her husband David of Chatham, a stepdaughter Sharon O'Rourke of Toronto, a stepson Cameron O'Rourke of Calgary, and a niece, Donna Leonard of West Bloomfield, Mich. Predeceased by a brother, Fred Fox; and by a sister, Eva Taylor. Friends and relatives called at the Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home, 156 William St. Sout. Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on Friday, Feb. 9, 2001 at 10 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church. Parish prayers were said at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Burial was in St. Anthony's cemetery. Donations to the Chatham Kent Community Foundation would be appreciated.
SAMSON:
passed away peacefully at Thamesview Lodge on Friday, Feb. 9, 2001, Joseph Samson, formerly of RR 7, Chatham, at the age of 92. Beloved husband of the late Elizabeth (Kozumplik) Samson (1989). Born in Blatnice, Czechoslovakia in 1908. Joe was a retired farmer. Loving father of Bess Kacer and her husband Frank of Burlington, and Mary Ann Machacek and her husband Bill of Charing Cross. Dear grandfather of Bradley, Andrea, Kathy, Robert and David; and great granddaughter Kayla. Also surviving are two sisters in the Czech Republic, and several nieces and nephews in Canada and in the Czech Republic. Friends and relatives called at the Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home, 156 William St. South. Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2001 at 10 a.m. in St. Ursula's Church. Parish prayers were said on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Burial was in St. Anthony's cemetery. Donations to the Alzheimer's Society or the Chatham Public Library would be appreciated.
