Obituaries

Our hearts are heavy with the loss of Jack Jepson on January 18, 2025 at Victoria Hospital, London at the age of 85 with family by his side. Jack was predeceased by his partner in life, Kathleen Bisset (April 15, 2014). He will be lovingly cherished and remembered by Karen (Scott) Sweet and Diane Bedard. He was “Grampa Jack” to Matthew (Jeanna) Dejong, Erica (Adam) Dejong, Denyse Zumach, Jocelyn Zumach, Ryan (Kim) Zumach, James Zumach and eleven great-grandchildren. Jack was well loved and so appreciated. We fondly witnessed his adoring love for our mother and his joy in his role… Read complete obituary here.

Passed away peacefully at LHSC – University Hospital on Friday, January 17, 2025 at the age of 77. Loving husband of the late Jo-Anne “Jo” (Page) Sapala. Cherished father of Tania and Rick MacQueen of Appin, and Krysia and Eric Phillips of Stratford. Proud grandpa of Aidan and Mikey, Kyle, James and Mallory, and Nate. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Ted and Josie Sapala of London. Fondly remembered by his nephew Mark. Predeceased by his parents Teofil and Zofia Sapala. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff at LHSC – University Hospital and Dr. Jeff… Read complete obituary here.

Passed away peacefully at LHSC – University Hospital on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the age of 89. Beloved husband of the late Jeany (Marissen) Kaptein for over 66 years. Cherished father of the late Sandra and Bill Anderson, Brian Kaptein, and David and Shawna Kaptein. Fondly remembered by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Dear brother and brother-in-law of late Wijnand Kaptein (late Magda), late Nel Mercer (late John), late Jopie Vergunst (late Loek), late Richard Kaptein (Agnes), Jannie Van Hemert (late Gerrit), Rien Kaptein (Tineke), Wil Bokhorst (late Leen), Annie Zylstra (late Dennis), Roland… Read complete obituary here.

Carl Hughes passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 29th, 2024, at Parkwood Hospital, with his close friends by his side. He was predeceased by his beloved father Frank (2000) and his loving mother Madeleine (2022). Carl will be dearly missed by his sister Maureen White and his cherished nieces Laura White, and Jennifer White. His cousins Sylvia and Anne Baribeau, as well as his dear friends Saman Maleki, Solmaz Karamdoust, and Benjamin Maleki, who will remember him with love and fondness. A proud Navy veteran, Carl was known for his quiet nature, meticulous attention to detail and wonderful sense of humour…. Read complete obituary here.

Peacefully after a battle with dementia and with family by his side on January 1, 2025, in his 89th year Kenneth “Ken” Stainthorpe went home to be with his Lord and Saviour. Ken was born in Dauphin, Manitoba on November 16, 1936 and then moved with his family to Quebec in 1939 as his parents’ sought employment in the farming community eventually obtaining the family farm in Melbourne Quebec in 1947. Ken left the family farm moving to Toronto, Ontario in 1953 where he met his future wife Jean, in 1955 who he married in 1958. Ken retired from policing… Read complete obituary here.

Orly Friesen – teacher, traveller, businessman, storyteller, died peacefully in his 90th year on December 13, 2024, of colon cancer. Born in Manitoba on September 25, 1935, he was a restless soul and enjoyed travelling through European and African countries, China, Latin America and many Canadian provinces and US states. His one spoken disappointment was that he never made it to South America. His five years teaching in Ghana and numerous years as a businessman in BC were among his favourite. While in Ghana, he was well known for his two crocodiles, monkey and live snake collection (including a cobra,… Read complete obituary here.

Passed away peacefully on December 11, 2024 at the age of 88. She will be deeply missed by her daughter Angela (Meadows) Kelly and her “favorite” son in law Sean Kelly. She was a proud and loving grandmother of Shannon Kelly and Catherine Kelly who brought her much joy. She loved her visits with them and was very involved in their lives. Dear sister of Peter Lucyshyn and sister-in-law of Brenda Martin of Port Dover.  Predeceased by her parents Natalia and Michael Lucyshyn of Lachine, Quebec. Mother to Okcana and Danya Hrushy. Nadya moved from her birthplace of Lachine Quebec… Read complete obituary here.

Marsha died peacefully at home on Sunday, December 8, 2024, in Grand Bend Ontario. Marsha was in her 74th year. Marsha is survived by many cousins and dear friends. Marsha is predeceased by her parents Harvey and Irene DeFore of Thedford. Marsha was born in Sarnia, Ontario and grew up in Thedford. Marsha loved children and spent her career as a devoted schoolteacher. She took early retirement from teaching to spend more time with her beloved mom. Marsha and her mom were avid travelers and enjoyed many trips and adventures together. After her mom passed Marsha continued to travel and… Read complete obituary here.

Diane Maisie (Parker) MacGregor passed away peacefully at Westmount Gardens, London, Ontario December 6th, 2024 shortly after her 90th birthday. Diane joins her beloved husband George, who passed away over 20 years ago. Diane was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the daughter of Elgin (Peck) and Ollivette (Ollie) Parker. Diane is predeceased by her brother, Donald. In 1959 Diane met the love of her life, George, who had worked with her Dad. They were married in Winnipeg, then moved to Windsor, and lived most of their married years in Chatham. They have two sons; Kevin (and Marj) and Christopher (and Noel)…. Read complete obituary here.