FLORA J. NICHOLS
Flora J. Nichols, age 78, of Cement City, passed away on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 at the Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio.
She was born on June 2, 1927 in Jackson, Mich. to Victor and Grace (Dyer) Ackerson. She married Garold L. Nichols on June 8, 1948 in Jackson, Mich., and he preceded her in death on March 10, 1996.
She lived her early life in Jackson, and the past 25 years in the Cement City area. She was employed at the former Willow Lake Truck Stop of Addison.
She is survived by one son, Gerald L. “Jerry” Nichols of Cement City; two daughters, Sharon (Art) Carnes of Jackson, Julie (Rex) DuBois of Addison; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; one sister, Peggy Puente of Mason, Mich.; nephews, nieces, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Funeral services were held on Friday, October 7, 2005 at the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Addison, with Pastor Keith W. Porter officiating. Entombment took place at Roseland Memorial Gardens in Jackson. Memorial contributions are suggested to the family.
Elayne H. McFee
Elayne H. McFee, age 83, of Napoleon Township, passed away October 4, 2005 under the caring and compassionate care of the staff at Arbor Manor. Elayne was born in Flint, Mich. to Willard and Ida (Meyer) Hodges.
She is survived by three daughters, Pamela (Marvin) Peyton of Greenville, Sue (Tim) Carpenter of Jackson and Marta (Bill) Ross of Napoleon; grandson Robert W. (Rhonda) Frank of Kimball, six great-grandchildren and her brother Richard Hodges. She was preceded in death by her husband C. Robert McFee in 1989. Elayne was a retired buyer from the L. H. Field Company.
At her request cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends at the home of Bill and Marta Ross on Saturday, October 8, 2005 from 2 to 6 p.m. Those who wish may make Memorial Contributions to the Arbor Manor Residents Council or the Arbor Manor Activity Fund. All arrangements were handled by Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home of Michigan Center.
Anna Rose Gage (Romanowski)
Anna Rose Gage (Romanowski), age 77, of Clarklake left this world’s pain and troubles behind on October 1, 2005 at Jackson. Anna was born May 12, 1928 to Anna and Walter Ramanowski at Jackson.
She is survived by her son, Gary Scott of Clarklake; daughter, Marsha Scott of Jackson ; step-daughter, Becky of Ohio; sisters, Lillian Wilson and Evelyn Brenner; many nieces and nephews.
Annie was loved by all who knew her. She will be greatly missed by many friends and family. As was her request, cremation has taken place and no services will be held. All arrangements were handled by Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home in Michigan Center.
Phyllis J. Pierson
Phyllis J. Pierson, age 87 of Cement City, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006, at W.A. Foote Memorial Hospital. Born June 17, 1919 in Tecumseh, she was the daughter of Floyd and Susie (Olds) Willnow. She married Leonard Pierson on June 29, 1940 in Clarklake and he survives.
Besides her loving husband of 66 years, Phyllis is also survived by her children, SuAnn (Tony) Middleton of Clarklake and Douglas (Kathleen) Pierson of Clarkston; three grandchildren, Derek Middleton, Natasha (Robert) Sebolt and Mark (Ashley) Pierson; sister, Nancy (Hop) Anderson of Clarklake; niece, Angela Anderson of Rockford, Mich.; nephew, Eric Anderson of Clarklake; and great nephew, Ian Anderson.
Phyllis was a member of the Cement City Baptist Church, the Cement City Garden Club and the Girl Scout Leaders of America. A Celebration of her life took place at the Cement City Baptist Church on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006 with Pastor Drew Woods officiating. Burial was at Clarklake Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Cement City Baptist Church. Envelopes will be available at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn.
Brenda Christine Bailey
Brenda Christine Bailey, age 55 of Clarklake passed away Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006, under the loving care of her family and Great Lakes Hospice. She was born Aug. 19, 1951, in Concord the daughter of Wayne and Angela (Taylor) Bailey. Brenda will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.
She is survived by her siblings, David (Theresa) Bailey of Brooklyn, Terrie D. King of Luray, Va., and Scott (Amanda) Bailey of Clarklake.
A Celebration of Brenda’s life will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn. Burial will take place at Highland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to a charity of the donor’s choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m.
Alma I. Holitschke
Alma I. Holitschke, 98, of Adrian, passed away on Oct. 14, 2006. Born the daughter of Gustav and Johanna (Lindner) Hanelt, Alma was born on April 2, 1908, in Germany. In 1929 she married Herman Holitschke in Germany and he preceded her in death on June 10, 1968. She and Herman came to America on Aug. 6, 1966, residing in Clinton and Onsted. Here hobbies were bingo, knitting and making stockings for everyone she knew.
Alma is survived by her daughters, Trudy Tressler and Erna Bly (Melvin) Metcalf, all of Adrian; seven grandchildren, Erika (Ron) Frey, R. Ron Weber, Ingrid Weber, Patricia Bauer, Tom (Shelly) Bauer, Teresa Morris and Carolyn (Mark) Evans; 12 great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews in Germany.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Ingeborg; her son, Horst; and other relatives lost during the war. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006, at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home in Tecumseh. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery in Clinton.
A. Edward Matthews
A. Edward Matthews, age 95, of the Brooklyn Living Center in Brooklyn, formerly of the Addison-Rollin area, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2006, at Foote Hospital in Jackson.
He was born on May 31, 1911 in Clinton, Mich., to Albert Edward and Bertha (Schofield) Matthews. He married Beatrice J. Mellinger on July 27, 1935 in Vandercook, and she preceded him in death on July 21, 1990. He then married Frances I. (Copeland) Belcher on Dec. 7, 1996 in Rollin, and she preceded him in death on January 4, 2006.
Ed lived his early life in the Clinton and Grass Lake area, before moving to Addison-Rollin area in 1943. He attended Clinton Schools. Ed was a Dairy Farmer for many years, and also was employed at Tecumseh Products, retiring in 1976. He was a member of the Michigan Farm Bureau, the Rollin Baptist Church, the Addison Senior Citizens Center and the Carousel Club.
He is survived by three sons, James E. (Barbara) Matthews of Addison, William L. (Marilyn) Matthews of Brooklyn, Thomas W. (Donna) Matthews of Jerome; one daughter, Wilma J. (Darold) Woodward of Springport; two step-sons, Charles E. (Joyce) Belcher of Hudson, John W. (Georgie) Belcher of Onsted; one step-daughter, Roberta (Warren) Frantom of Paris, Tenn.; 15 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his first wife Beatrice and his second wife, Frances; two brothers, Arthur and Walton; and two sisters Alberta and Merleen.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Oct. 16, 2006, at the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Addison, with Pastor Matthew M. Coleman officiating. Burial took place in Woodstock-Sanford Cemetery in Woodstock Township. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Rollin Baptist Church or to the Addison Senior Citizens Center.
Taylor Marie Fisher
Taylor Marie Fisher, age 6 years of Brooklyn, went to be with the Lord very unexpectedly Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006, at Motts Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. Taylor was a vibrant first grader at Onsted Elementary School who loved life and all those around her. Her greatest joy was to be with family and friends, being outdoors, hiking for flowers with mommy, hunting with daddy and guiding the way for her baby sister who she loved more than anything.
She was born on May 4, 2000, in Ann Arbor, the beautiful daughter of Shaun and Jaime (Laird) Fisher and loving big sister of Alyssa. She is also survived by many other heartbroken family members, grandparents, Bob and Joyce Laird of Brooklyn and Greg and Denise Fisher of Onsted; great grandparents, Dorothy Fisher of Kentucky, Marilyn Minick of Florida and Malcolm McKenzie of Adrian; great-great grandmother, Thelma Minick of Florida; aunts and uncles, Greg and Amanda Fisher of Alaska, Justin Fisher of Onsted, Chad Fisher of Adrian and Jennifer and Jamie Six of Brooklyn; special cousins, Kylee and Robbie Six, Hunter, Wyatt, Ty, Austin, Kody, Ryan and Gabriel Fisher; her cats, Belle and Buck; and her dog, King.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006, at the St. Joseph Catholic Shrine Church with Rev. Father Ed Ertzbischoff officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery, Brooklyn. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dunn Chapel, Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Onsted.
In lieu of flowers donations are requested to the Taylor Marie Fisher Fund at the Onsted State Bank. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Duane C. Coolbaugh
Duane C. Coolbaugh, age 69, of Vineyard Lake, passed away on Friday, Oct. 6, 2006, at his home under the care of family, friends and hospice of Jackson & Oaklawn.
Duane is survived by his wife of 25 years, Carol (Richards) Coolbaugh; children, Leo (Gerri McNally) Coolbaugh of Oregon, Brad (Lisa) Coolbaugh of Parma, Rita (Jay) Hath of Jonesville, Lucinda (Jerry Dubois) Berry of Jackson, Christine (Doc) Brooks of Napoleon, Robert (Kim) Armstrong of Tennessee and Shirley Charlton of Kalamazoo; 14 grandchildren; sister, Marion Jusick of Battle Creek; brother, Don Coolbaugh of Jackson; sister-in-law, Twyla Coolbaugh of Vineyard Lake and Rosemary Coolbaugh of Jackson; several nieces and nephews; and the Richards family. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Judy; and two brothers, Bob and Harold.
Duane was a retiree of Clark Equipment, a U.S. Army Veteran and former member of the Michigan Center Lions Club. He shot pool in the Town & Country Pool League, bowled in the Bowlorama Men’s House League, enjoyed golfing, fishing and milkshakes at the Brooklyn Big Boy and Napoleon Café.
He was a member of St. Rita’s Catholic Church, where funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006, at 10 a.m. with Father Lehr Barkenquest officiating. Interment will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery in Napoleon with military honors courtesy of the Jackson County American Legion Ritual Team. Visitation will be held at Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home in Michigan Center on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. For those who wish, contributions to Duane’s family for their needs and wishes would be appreciated.
James Gallinati
James Gallinati, age 88 of Brooklyn, passed away at home on Oct. 4, 2006, under the loving care of his family and Hospice of Jackson and Oaklawn. James was born in Flint on June 10, 1918 the son of James Louis and Nora E. (Davis) Gallinati. He married Barbara Ann Hardy on May 26, 1946, at Clarklake Baptist Church and she survives. Mr. Gallinati served our country in the Navy and was a member of the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church for 47 years. He worked for the Michigan Department of Transportation until his retirement in 1978.
In addition to his loving wife of 60 years, James is also survived by his children, James (Cindy) Gallinati, Barbara (Rex) Bernstein and Robert (Trudi) Gallinati; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and long-time friend, Tom Shultz. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert Louis.
A Celebration of Mr. Gallinati’s life took place on Friday, Oct. 6, 2006, with Rev. Robert Malsack officiating at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn. Burial was held at Highland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Jackson and Oaklawn or the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church building fund. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Donald C. Kouba
Donald C. Kouba, age 66 of Brooklyn, passed away Oct. 5, 2006. He was born June 20, 1940 in Romulus, Mich., the son of Carlos and Marguerite Kouba. He married Nancy Lee Houston on Aug. 26, 1961, and she survives. Don retired from the Southgate Community School District after serving 28 years as a teacher and assistant principal. Don was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, who loved to hunt, fish and share endless stories with his friends.
Besides his wife, Don is survived by his sons, Jeffrey (Lori) Kouba and their children, Kyle and Ashlyn; and Kurt (Tracy) Kouba and their children, Zachary and Katelyn. According to his wishes, cremation has taken place and his ashes will be placed at the family deer camp in Iron River, Mich. Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Lenawee. Envelopes are available at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel.
