Obituary of Ben De Vries

De VRIES: Ben. A resident of Blenheim and formerly of R.R.#2 Ridgetown, Ben De Vries passed away at the London Health Sciences Centre, Westminister Campus on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at the age of 66. Born in Oenkerk, The Netherlands, son of the late Wytze and Ynske (Kooistra) De Vries. Beloved husband of Pauline (Pickering) De Vries for 43 years. Dear father of Lisa Vink and her husband Carl of London, Tanya Nooyen and her husband Dave of R.R.#7 Blenheim, and Bill De Vries and his wife Amanda of R.R.#2 Ridgetown. Grandfather of Tracy and Shauna Vink, Camryn Nooyen, and Ashley and Brennan De Vries. Brother of the late Bill De Vries (2001) and his children Linda and Henry DeMars, Mark and Tammy De Vries, Dale and Nick Jaroka, and the late Billie-Anne Smith and her husband Graham. Special cousin of Hilda Dent (late Rob). Brother-in-law of Louise Sutherland (late Don), late Eileen and Henry Srigley, late Harvey Pickering (Elda), Joan Drury (late Leonard), Percy and Betty Ann Pickering, Gary and Lynda Pickering, Brian and Linda Pickering, and several nieces and nephews. Ben came to Canada as a small child and worked in a factory, farmed, and auctioneered. His grandchildren were the light of his life. Family will receive friends at the McKinlay Funeral Home, 141 Park Street, Blenheim on Tuesday from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Wanda Burse officiating. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. Donations to the Foundation of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (Dialysis Unit) would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com. McKinlay Funeral Home, 141 Park Street, Blenheim, Ontario (519)676-3451.