Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-07-12, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018. PAGE 17. Obituaries JANIS ANN LOUISE (MORRITT) VODDEN Janis Ann Louise (Morritt) Vodden of Blyth passed away suddenly at St. Mary's General Hospital in Kitchener on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. She was in her 82nd year. The beloved wife of Harold Brockest "Brock" Vodden for 62 years, Janis was the loving mother of John and Ruth Vodden of Wells, Nevada, Mary Ellen and Randy Zupanski of Taipei, Taiwan, Trevor and Carolynn Vodden of Calgary, Alberta, Pamela Ross Simons and Christopher Murray, and Andrew Vodden, all of Toronto, and Kent Vodden of Guelph. Janis will be missed by six grandchildren, Morgan and Courtney Zupanski of California, Ryan and Kelsey Vodden of Calgary, Chandra and Kyairah Vodden and one great-grandchild, Ariyah Vodden-McQuick, all of Toronto. She is survived by niece Yvonne Bean, nephew Dana Bean and his wife Joyce and their children. Also mourning her loss are two people who adopted her as a "grandma", Madeline Kakegamick of Sandy Lake and Shirley Hun Ping Will of Mississauga. Janis was predeceased by her parents, William H. and Hannah Gertrude Morritt and her sister and brother-in-law Maureen and Maurice Bean. Janis had a life-long fascination with history, especially that of the community around her. Janis's history with Huron County reaches back to the 1800s. It was in the 1860s when her paternal grandfather came to the Blyth area from Hay Township with his wife Isabella McIntosh, who was the daughter of one of the earliest settlers on London Road in Tuckersmith Township. The family settled in Hullett Township, but had a Blyth mailing address. Her maternal grandparents also farmed in Hullett Township before moving to Blyth in the late 1800s. Brock and Janis were married on July 3, 1956 at Blyth United Church. Once married, both Brock and Janis worked as school teachers in Tory Hill in Haliburton County before Janis continued her work in the world of education locally. Over the years, Janis took great pride in her gardening work, as well as in her church activities, especially when she served as an elder at Emmanuel Howard Park in Toronto. One of her most vivid memories, she said, was when she volunteered in the Chaplaincy Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Toronto, at which time she was also the editor of the hospital's volunteer newsletter. Another high point in her life was her time in Pearson Township when she tended to livestock and taught both 4-H and Women's Institute classes. During her whole life, Janis was a dedicated gardener. Whether it was when she and Brock lived in a small apartment or when she tended to several football fields of gardens in Northern Ontario, she let her green thumb shine through as a true passion of her life. In recent years, both Janis and Brock have turned to helping others through their passion for local history and the creation of the Repository of Blyth History. They had been unofficially researching Blyth and its people for years, but made it official in 2008. Since then, they have welcomed over 300 visitors to their home to help them research local people, homes or businesses. Those searching for Blyth history who have contacted the Voddens have come from as far away as New Zealand with many others coming from the United States and all over Canada. Their collection now consists of well over 60,000 file cards containing information from a number of sources, including newspapers, books, letters and personal recollections of life in the village. In recent years, the Voddens have been the go -to historians for local endeavours that need a boost by way of historical information. The Blyth Festival and Cowbell Brewing Co. have both turned to the Voddens for their expertise for projects. Both Brock and Janis are published authors, lending their expertise and writing prowess to books on local history. As e-mail, social media and texting became more and more prevalent, Janis was a dedicated letter -writer, maintaining hand- written correspondence with dozens of friends right up until her passing. A memorial service for Janis was held at the Blyth United Church on Monday at 3 p.m., with visitation held one hour prior. Interment of ashes at Blyth Union Cemetery will be held at a later date. Memorial donations to the Huron County branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society would be appreciated. Arrangements were entrusted to Falconer Funeral Homes and condolences may be placed at www.falconerfuneralhomes.com. • 1 MURRAY RAE HOUSTON It is with heavy hearts and fond memories that we announce the passing of Murray Rae Houston on Saturday July 7, 2018. He was in his 63rd year. Murray is now resting peacefully with his late wife Maxine. Murray lived an ordinary life, not much different than other farmers of his generation. He was a farmer who worked hard, a husband who loved his wife, a father who loved his children, a grandpa who loved to play and a neighbour who lent a hand. Murray was the beloved husband of the late Maxine Houston (nee Watts) for 37 years; loving father of Jillian and Chris Csoff and Darryl and Jodi Houston and the cherished grandpa of Eli and Emmett. He was the dear son of the late Rae and Lois Houston. Murray was the loved brother of Bob and Linda Houston, the late Brenda and Dennis Mathers, Glenna Houston and Janice and Gord Carnochan; son-in-law of Barbara Watts and the late Max Watts and brother-in-law of Stephanie and Murray Kellington, David and the late Chris Watts, Darrin Watts and Ruth Ann and Kim Schroeder. Murray was the nephew of Stephen and Judy Watts and Jean MacKinnon and the loving uncle of his many nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place and a private graveside service will be held. A public memorial visitation to celebrate Murray's life will be held at the Brussels Community Centre, Brussels, on Saturday, July 14 from 1 — 4 p.m. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to McGlynn Family Funeral Home, Seaforth. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Huron Residential Hospice or the London Health Sciences Centre Children's Hospital would be appreciated and can be made through the funeral home. Online condolences and memorial donations can be made by visiting Murray's memorial at www.mcglynnfamilyfuneral home.com HARRY BANKS TAYLOR Harry Banks Taylor, passed away peacefully at home on July 7, 2018. He was in his 80th year. Harry was the husband of Margaret (Wells) for 21 years. He was stepfather of Christina (Steve) Summers, Durham; Margaret Fournier, Ethel; Christopher (Tanya) Bank, Brussels; Dixon Smith, North Bay and Robin (Barry) Northway, Smithville and brother of Margaret Beattie, Peterborough and brother- in-law of Esther Taylor, Ottawa. He was grandfather of 12 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Harry will be especially missed by Jack (Maj) Kellum, Fergus and by many nieces and nephews. Harry was predeceased by parents Harry Sr. and Maud Taylor, sister Bettie Hall, brother George Taylor and son-in-law John Fournier. Cremation has taken place. Donations to The Heart and Stroke Foundation or The Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated. Donations and expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to Box 340, Brussels, NOG 1H0. EZRA MERVYN STECKLY Ezra Mervyn Steckly passed away peacefully at Listowel Memorial Hospital on Friday, July 6, 2018. He was in his 79th year. Ezra was father of Gerald and Stacey Steckley and Kim and Robert McLaren; brother of Arnold and Clarence Steckley and Jim Cline and grandfather -in-law of Cethlenne and Imajyca. He will be missed by many nieces and nephews. Ezra was predeceased by parents Soloman and Ella, brothers Claire and Wayne and sister Vicki Hamill and niece Amanda Hamill. Visitation was held at Riverside Funeral Home on Sunday, July 8. The funeral service was held at the Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Church on Monday, July 9. Obituaries continue on page 20 Interment was at Brussels Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and as expressions of sympathy, donations to the Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Church would be appreciated. Cards of sympathy and donations may be forwarded to Box 340, Brussels, NOG 1H0. A cemetery is a history of people, a perpetual record of yesterday and a sanctuary of peace and quiet today. A cemetery exists because every life is worth loving and remembering - always Distinctive Memorials of Lasting Satisfaction North St. West, Wingham Mac & Donna Anderson 519-357-1910 REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. ALL ARE IN COLOUR 4x6 - $4.00 5x7 - $5.00 8x10 - $8.00 Phone to order - 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Rediscover what Huron County has to offer. Pick up your free guide to Stops Along The Way and see what's happening in your area! FREE S Early spring/summer zoic TOPS Along The Way A Visitor's Guide to Huron County What to See Where to Dine Things to Do Museums Trails Golf Courses Available at many local tourist spots throughout Huron County or pick it up at The Citizen 413 Queen St., Blyth - 519-523-4792