Wall-Custance Memorial Forest Program

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Great Great Grandmother.

Blanche Margaret McEwan (nee McRae) passed away peacefully with her family by her side, on May 13th, 2026.

She was predeceased by her husband Donald (2025), her Granddaughter Amanda (2025), her sisters Donna Hayden (2019) and Dorothy McRae (2003).

She leaves behind her daughter, Joy Strobl (Ken); grandchildren Jessica Strobl (Jeff Elliott), children Quinton, Savannah, Leo; Adam Strobl (Alison), children Max, Grady.

Also left to cherish her memory, her son, Ross McEwan (Franka Barbirolo); grandchildren Jacob McEwan (Jody), children Jake, Gaje; Kayla, children Warren, Silas, Theo, Blythe; Melissa McEwan, children Ethan, Drew, Blair; Thomas McEwan (Julianne), son Tyler; Elysia McEwan (Luke Hurren), son Seth; Vlad McEwan; Lucas McEwan (Nicole Thomson), children Trent, Jade.

She is also survived by her step brother, Gary Dean (Marcia) & their family.

She was very proud of all her family, loved and supported each one of us unconditionally!!

She will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.

“Our love is with you always and forever in our hearts”

A private family internment will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Blanche M. McEwan in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

GOW, Michelle – On May 13th, 2026 we unexpectedly lost our beautiful mom, wife and friend, Michelle. She was found resting peacefully in her sleep. 

She will be deeply missed by the love of her life of 42 years, Alex Gauvreau, as well as her children, Trinity (Josh) Gauvreau, and Trey (Shaylin) Gauvreau, who she admired so deeply. She is left to mourn by her parents Lawrence and Shirley Gow, whom she loved immensely. She also leaves behind a sister, Lori (Troy) Hanson. Besides immediate family, she also leaves to mourn many friends & extended family. 

Born on March 16th, 1966, she served as a paramedic for 30 years with the Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Service. She saved countless lives, and delivered many healthy babies along the way – something she was very proud of.

Besides her work, she was deeply spiritual and always had a love of dragonflies. She always enjoyed being present, enjoying the little things in life and finding peace in every moment. She loved spending time at her trailer, and her favourite place to be was with her family. 

We kindly ask that you remember our mom for everything she was. A kind soul and a gentle friend to everyone. 

We thank everyone for their condolences and thoughts. In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you donate to Boots on The Ground.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at Lakeside Church, 7654 Conservation Rd, Guelph, ON N1H 6J1, beginning at 2:00pm with memories shared at 3:00pm.  Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Michelle C. Gow in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

WINCHCOMBE, Yvonne Marie – Yvonne Marie Winchcombe (Bonnie), née Muise, 88, was born on October 9, 1937, and passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, at AR Goudie Long-Term Care in Kitchener, ON.

She is survived by her children, Charlene Winchcombe-Forhan (George Forhan), Guelph, ON; Heather Winchcombe (James Richey), Fall River, NS; and Brent Winchcombe (Andrée Drouin-Winchcombe), Rockland, ON; and her pride and joy – her five grandchildren, Zachary (Robyn), Tanya, Laura, Jeffrey, Dylan (Lauren), and great grandson, Ivan, all of Ontario.

She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Charles (Grant) Winchcombe, her parents, Isaac Nathaniel Muise and Mary Frances Saulnier of Yarmouth County, NS, and her siblings and their spouses, Dorcus (Roy), Annie Barbara (Barb, Doug), Agnes Antoinette (Toni, Peter), Walter (Pauline), Catherine (Don), Margaret (Nan, Finley), Olive (Olie, Bill), and Bernard (Gerry), as well as several nieces and nephews. She departed this life for what we can only imagine will be a joyful family reunion.

As the youngest of 9 siblings, with a 21-year age span, she had become an aunt, twice over, by the time she was 1 year old. Over time, that number grew to 39 nieces and nephews. With her earliest memories of growing up in this large family during the WWII era in southwestern NS, her life had a solid foundation in her Acadian roots, her Catholic faith, and her people.

Bonnie and Grant raised their own family beginning during the early 1960s, in and around Halifax, NS, with extra special time during an epic Atlantic to Pacific family driving vacation in ‘79, and during the ‘80s and ‘90s at their cottage on Sole’s Lake, NS.

Trained as a bookkeeper, Bonnie worked as a bank teller, an office administrator for Ainslie Animal Hospitals, and as a medical office receptionist for various family physicians. She also regularly, single-handedly held down the fort at home for months at a time while Grant was away with work for DND. In retirement, she and Grant moved to Guelph, ON, to maximize quality time with their kids and grandkids.

Bonnie’s circle of friends, comprised mostly of family, neighbours, and coworkers, was also large, with a number of them embraced as ‘family by choice’. Over the years, she offered countless people a place at the table, a meandering conversation, or a home away from home, while passing through Halifax or Guelph. That connection to her people was tremendously important to her, and this was still evident recently among the staff and residents at her long-term care home where she was described as ‘spicy’ and ‘the queen’. As the layers peeled away with the advancement of her dementia, it became clear that, at her core, were her fierce independence and her deep desire to help others.

Her family would like to thank family physician, Dr. Angela Lightle, and her team in Guelph for the care and compassion they provided for over 20 years; the Catholic community at St. Joseph Parish, Guelph, for the comfort and friendship they provided; and resident staff at AR Goudie for their patience, care, and kindness.

Cremation has taken place, as was her wish, under the care and direction of Wall-Custance Funeral Home Ltd., Guelph, ON. There will be no visitation. Interment will be held at Marymount Cemetery, Guelph, ON.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to donate in Bonnie’s memory, please consider your local community or campus foodbank, or your local humane society. Thank you.

Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Yvonne M. Winchcombe in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

WIGGINS, David – The family of David Wiggins is sad to announce his death on Monday, May 11, 2026 at Hospice Wellington.

David was born in Gimli, Manitoba, the son of an RCAF pilot and a British war bride. He received his BA from Carleton University and his MBA from McMaster University. After earning his designation as a chartered accountant, he practiced first in Hamilton, then in Mississauga and Toronto and finally in Puslinch Township, only fully retiring in 2024.

David was a devoted member of the Baha’i Community, serving in many different capacities over the years as well as an active participant in many local groups including Bereaved Families of Ontario and the Optimist Club of Puslinch.

David was predeceased by his parents, Maxwell Vincent (John) Wiggins and Marjorie Gordon, and by his son Josh. He was much loved and survived by his wife Mary, sister Kate (John), daughter Maggie (Fulvio), stepson Ian (Ulala) and by grandchildren Shinryu, Livia, Satori, and Yurika, as well as by many nieces and nephews and his sisters-in-law Ina and Grace.

The family is grateful for the kindness and compassionate care provided by his family physician Dr. Ana Dul, the Juravinski Cancer Clinic, Guelph General Hospital and Hospice Wellington.

Family and friends will be received for visitation at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 6-8 pm. Funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 1 pm (To view the service remotely, click here). Burial at Crown Cemetery.  Following the burial, there will be a reception at Nanson Hall (Duff’s Church) across from the cemetery.  Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

Memorial contributions to the Foundation of Guelph General Hospital, Hospice Wellington or Juravinski Cancer Clinic would be appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of David Wiggins in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

FEARON, Eileen – Eileen died peacefully on Monday, May 11, 2026 at the age of 93 at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, in Guelph, Ontario.

Formerly of Toronto, Burton-upon-Trent, and Birmingham, England, she was born in Crossmaglen, County Armagh, Northern Ireland.

She was called to her profession as a Registered Nurse from 1952–1995, reflecting her values of compassion, generosity, and kindness. Her final years of work were spent as a member of the Ontario Nurses’ Association, during which time significant pay equity advances were made.

Eileen is remembered for her profound intelligence, curiosity and high-spirited, “disco dancing” way of living life – reflected in her love of adventure, travel and dedication to family.

She was predeceased by her brothers John, Eugene, Patrick, and Bernard, and her sisters Mary, Brigid, and Bernadette. Eileen is survived by her son Andre, daughter Linda, and granddaughter Alanna (and partner Lukas).

With special thanks to the staff at St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph.

A private family service was held.  Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

Donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada are gratefully appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of Eileen Fearon in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

BUTLER, Elizabeth “Beth”

August 20, 1939 – May 10, 2026

With hearts full of love and thanksgiving for a woman whose life reflected God’s grace and faithfulness, the family of Beth Butler announces her peaceful passing on May 10, 2026. Beth has now gone home to be with her Lord and Saviour, whom she faithfully served throughout her life.

Born on August 20, 1939, Beth was the oldest of four children born to George and Isabel Sickle. She grew up on the family farm near Glen Morris, where she developed the resilience, compassion, and strong work ethic that would define her life. At the age of 13, Beth contracted polio, a disease that brought lifelong physical challenges. Through every hardship, she demonstrated remarkable courage, perseverance, and unwavering trust in God.

Beth graduated from the Macdonald Institute at the University of Guelph in 1962 with a Bachelors of Households Sciences, where she met the love of her life, Daniel “Danny” Butler. They were married in 1963 and began their life together in Barrie, where Danny practiced veterinary medicine while Beth devoted herself to creating a loving and faith-filled home.

In 1965, they moved to Guelph, where Danny joined the Ontario Veterinary College and Beth embraced her calling as a full-time homemaker, mother and volunteer. Together, Beth and Danny raised four children in a home grounded in love, kindness, hospitality, and steadfast Christian faith.

In 1982, the family moved to Madison, where Danny joined the veterinary faculty at the University of Wisconsin. They returned to Guelph in 1987 and spent many joyful retirement years surrounded by their growing family and cherished grandchildren.

Beth’s faith was central to every aspect of her life. Wherever she lived, she faithfully served her church and community through countless volunteer roles, quietly helping others. She was a longtime and devoted member of First Baptist Church in Guelph, where her gentle spirit, servant’s heart, and enduring faith touched many lives.

Beth was also a gifted seamstress and talented in needlecrafts, expressing creativity and care through everything she made for family and friends.

Beth will be lovingly remembered by her devoted husband of 63 years, Danny Butler; her children Ron and Sharon Butler, Karen and Paul Wismer, Phil and Anne Butler, and daughter-in-law Antonia Jiménez Butler; and by her treasured grandchildren Heidi Butler and Nate Edwards, Noelle Butler and Jeremy Lovelett, Emma Butler, Daniel Butler, Sarah Wismer, Isaac and Vanessa Wismer, Erica Butler, and Owen Butler.

She was predeceased by her beloved son Kevin Butler (2021), her sister Jean Kindy, and her brothers Bill Sickle and Jim Sickle.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Extendicare Columbia Forest for the compassionate care Beth received.

A woman of deep faith, quiet strength, and loving devotion to family, Beth leaves a legacy of grace, perseverance, and trust in God that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial visitation at WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception.  Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Waterloo Wellington or to First Baptist Church Guelph.

A tree will be planted in memory of Elizabeth (Beth) A. Butler in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

HEIPEL, Scott – It is with heavy hearts but profound gratitude for a life lived with boundless joy that the family of Scott Heipel announces his passing on May 9, 2026 at Wellington Terrace in Fergus, Ontario. Born on February 12,1976, Scott was the cherished and only son of Ron and Jane Heipel.

A decorated Special Olympics athlete, Scott brought determination and his strong-willed spirit to the pool, the hockey rink and the bowling alley; while he was known for a touch of stubbornness that made him a formidable competitor, he was equally recognized for his sense of humour that could lighten any moment. His passions ran deep, from his unwavering loyalty as a Guelph Storm hockey fan to his love for the music of Garth Brooks, and the high energy world of the WWE and his favourite John Cena (“u can’t c me”). Above all, Scott was a deeply loving man who possessed the best smile in the room – a grin that perfectly captured his zest for life.

He will be profoundly missed by his devoted parents, Ron and Jane, and remembered with love by his aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and adopted sister Kendra Klein. Scott is predeceased by his grandparents Margaret and Victor Robinson of Palmerston and Clayton and Marie Heipel of Harriston. Scott will always be remembered for his warmth, humour and love of his friend Ryan Fox for 48 years, and for his many friends at Ontario Special Olympics Guelph/Fergus, Guelph Giants Special Hockey, Live and Learn and ARC Industries. Scott was a valued and dedicated employee at Guelph Boston’s Pizza and Guelph Stone Road Metro Foodland.

Heartfelt thank you to Wellington Terrace for their truly exceptional care, and special gratitude to Dr. John Stickney, Nurse Ryen, Nurse Hannah and the amazing caring staff at Oak Glen, who all provided exceptional kindness and support.

A private funeral service will be held for Scott at Wall-Custance Funeral Home. However, a public celebration of life for Scott will also be held at a later date and location to be announced.

Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Guelph Giants Special Hockey (click here) and/or Ontario Special Olympics (Fergus Phantom Swim Team) (click here).

A tree will be planted in memory of Scott R. Heipel in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.