Thelma Surque
Thelma Surque, age 84, a life-long resident of Cement City, passed away on Aug. 9, 2006, at W. A. Foote Memorial Hospital. Thelma was born in Cement City on Dec. 12, 1921, the daughter of Henry and Rose (Perry) Douglas. She married Ivan Surque on June 29, 1946, in Clinton and he survives. She was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. Thelma was a member of St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Clarklake.
Besides her husband, she is survived by her children, Larry (Vicki) Surque, Dennis ( Nancy ) Surque and Shawn Surque; grandsons, Randy and Chad (Sarah) Surque; granddaughters, Stacey (Brian) Pursley and Claire Zigler; six great grandchildren; and three brothers. Thelma was preceded in death by five brothers and sisters.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to a charity of the donor’s choice. Envelopes will be available at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home in Brooklyn.
A Celebration of Mrs. Surque’s life was held at the funeral home on Saturday, August 12, 2006, with Father Carl Simon officiating. Interment was at St. Joseph Shrine Catholic Cemetery.
Lawrence L. Weaver
Lawrence L. Weaver, age 94, went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006 at the Countryside Care Center in Jackson, Mich. He was born June 10, 1912 in Kalamazoo, Mich., the son of Vernon O. and Emma T. (Krueger) Weaver.
He spent his early life in Kalamazoo and was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School in 1930, Western Michigan University in 1934 and received his Masters Degree from the University of Michigan in 1949. He was a teacher in various schools including being a former principal and superintendent in Osseo School district, principal at Homer, Hanover-Horton and Addison schools in Michigan and principal and teacher at Delta, Ohio schools. He retired in 1977 and was a substitute teacher for 13 more years. He was a member of the Delta United Methodist Church in Delta, Ohio and an associate member of the Somerset Center United Methodist Church in Somerset, Michigan. He was a life member of the Hillsdale Masonic Lodge #32 and was a Charter Member of the Addison Kiwanis Club and of the Delta Lions Club.
He married June Maxine Carncross on May 22, 1938 at the Carncross residence in Pittsford Township, Mich. She preceded him in death May 28, 2000. Lawrence will be remembered as a kind and gentle man, a man of great integrity and courage and a devoted husband, father, grandfather and a loyal friend and neighbor.
He is survived by his daughter, Linda Lou (Arthur) Holloway of Lake LeAnn; his son, Larry (Marlene) Weaver of Pittsford; five grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Vernon W. Weaver; and a sister, Fay C. Currier.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, August 17, in the Brown-VanHemert Funeral Home in Hudson with Pastor Byron Maynard of the New Hope Missionary Church of Jackson, Michigan officiating. Interment will be in the Lickly’s Corners Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 11 a.m. until time of service on Thursday. Memorials are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Emily R. Murphy
Emily R. Murphy, age 89 of Adrian, formerly of Onsted, passed away Saturday, Aug. 12, 2006, at Bixby Medical Center in Adrian. Born on June 30, 1917 in Trimountain, Mich., she was the daughter of Emil and Emma (Johnson) Olson. She married Donald Dwight Dee Rankin on Nov. 1, 1933 in Highland Park, Michigan and he passed away Nov. 14, 1954. She married Carl J. Murphy on Sept. 19, 1956 in Nashville, Mich. He passed away March 16, 1973. She enjoyed gardening and watching sports on television, especially the Detroit Tigers. Emily was a foster grandparent for Tipton Schools for 12 years.
Surviving are her son, Donald (Darlene) Rankin of Decatur, Mich.; daughter, Yvonne (Don) Church of West Paris, Maine; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; three brothers; and five sisters.
Cremation has taken place and no public services are planned. A private intermenty of her ashes will take place in Riverside Cemetery in Clinton, Mich., at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Dunn Chapel, Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Onsted, Michigan
Sharron E. McKimmy
Sharron E. McKimmy, age 62, passed away on Aug. 13, 2006. Born on May 17, 1944 in Northville, Mich., she was the daughter of Harold and Marion (Fukalek) Cooper. She married William McKimmy on Dec. 28, 2000 in Toledo and he survives.
She is also survived by her children, Kenny (Angie) McKimmy of Medina, Jody (Chris) VanSteenkiste of Jasper, Susan (Steve) Wright of Hudson, Trisha McKimmy of Adrian, Diane (Joe) Varga of Cement City, and Becky McKimmy of Adrian; 10 grandchildren; sister, Marianne (Bob) Wilcher of Brooklyn; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Bill and Glenn Cooper; and one sister, Barbara Tidwell.
Per Sharron’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no services. Arrangements are entrusted to the Braun Everiss Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer society and envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Helen Marie Ide
Helen Marie Ide, age 60, of Minneapolis, Minn., passed away on Feb. 6, 2006 at Robbinsdale Hospital. Born on Feb. 19, 1945 in Bad Axe, Mich., she was the daughter of John and Lucille (Moore) Bolda. She was a devoted mother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Helen was a member of St. Raphael Catholic Church in Crystal, Minn.
She is survived by her long-time companion, Paul “Gus” Guscetti; sons, Jim (Pam), Ron (Baubbi Jo), both of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Michael, Katie (Patrick), Tyler, Devin, Bailey, Peyton, Xavier, Hailey, Trenton; great granddaughter, Kirah; sister, Margaret Bendele of Brooklyn; brother, Bill (Pat) Bolda of Port Austin; many nieces and nephews. Helen’s love for her family will be greatly missed.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Helen’s life will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006, beginning at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Shrine Catholic Church with Father Carl Simon officiating. Burial of ashes will follow at St. Joseph Shrine Cemetery.
Jean H. Wolfe
Jean H. Wolfe, age 86 of Addison, passed away on Sunday, August 6, 2006, at Lynwood Manor in Adrian. Her life on earth has ended and her eternal life in heaven with God has begun. She was born on Jan. 4, 1921, in Grayling, Mich., the daughter of William J. and Edna M. (McKone) Miller. She married Donald G. Wolfe on Oct. 23, 1937, in Grayling, and he preceded her in death on March 17, 1979.
Jean was raised in Grayling and then she moved to Battle Creek where Jean and her husband lived for several years, and then she lived in Addison since 1955. Jean and her husband were former owners of Wolfe’s Cottage Inn in Addison. She was a foster grandparent for 22 years at Addison Elementary School. She was a member of West Rome Baptist Church at Manitou Beach for the past 31 years.
Surviving are one daughter, Marion (Jack) Dilyard of Addison; three grandchildren, Christine (Bob) Grohe of North Port, Fla., Craig (Lori) Dilyard of Onsted and Carrie (Eric) Matthews of Addison; seven great-grandchildren, Brian Grohe and Marie Grohe of North Port, Fla., Jessica Dilyard, Jordin Dilyard and Jacob Dilyard of Onsted, Alivia Matthews and Alexandrea Matthews of Addison; one brother, Tom (Peggy) Whipple of Punta Gorda, Fla.; two nieces and two nephews; one brother-in-law, William Atkinson of California. She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald G. Wolfe; one son, Donald G. Wolfe; and three brothers and one sister.
Cremation has taken place at her request. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006, at West Rome Baptist Church, 11984 Rome Road, Manitou Beach, Mich., at Manitou Beach, with Pastor Rob Corbin and Pastor E. Keith Corbin officiating.
In honor of Grandma Jean, Memorial Contributions may be made to Addison Elementary Library to purchase new library books. Envelopes are available at the memorial service or mail checks to: Addison Elementary Library c/o Judy Britsch, 219 Comstock Street, Addison, MI 49220.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home, Addison.
Steven P. Towers
Steven P. Towers, age 46 years, of Somerset Center, passed away Friday evening Aug. 4, 2006 in the Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born July 23, 1960 in Wauseon, Ohio, the son of Donald and Fern (Findley)Towers.
He lived most of his life in the Addison-Somerset Center area and attended Addison Schools. He married Mary L. Halliwill on Jan. 18, 1980 in Hudson. She survives. He was employed by the Koman Masonary Company in Britton for 13 years and also was a self-employed mason. Steven loved the out-of-doors, hunting, dirt bikes, jeeps and camping with his family.
Surviving besides his wife are his children: Rebecca Towers of Hillsdale, Jammie (Nathan) Taylor of Abilene, Texas, Ryan and Dennis Towers, both at home; his grandchildren, Jared and Tristan Towers; his brothers, Gary Towers of Springport, Randy and Edwin Towers, both of Somerset Center; his mother-in-law, Joann Halliwill of Hillsdale; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Dennis and sister Debra Kay.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Brown-VanHemert Funeral Home in Addison with the Rev. Edward Nelson and the Rev. Dennis Goodrich officiating. Interment will be in the Hillside Cemetery in Addison. Memorials are suggested to the family.
Donna Pauline Rinkus
Donna Pauline Rinkus, 87, of Tipton, passed away July 29, 2006, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Donna was born May 4, 1919, in East Detroit, Mich. She was the daughter of William Ernest and Catherine Anna (Diechmann) Lordy. She graduated from East Detroit High School in 1937. On Feb 9, 1946, she married Frank Charles Rinkus. They lived in Detroit until they moved to Brooklyn in 1958. Her husband preceded her in death on Dec. 8, 1975. In 1989, she moved to the Tipton area.
She held various jobs including a stint in a factory during WW II to help the war effort and then worked at Detroit Bank & Trust until she stayed home to raise her family. She was an extraordinary caregiver first to her children, her husband and then to her father-in-law, Anthony Rinkus. She was a loving and involved grandmother to her four belovedgrandsons.
She was well-loved by all who knew her. She had a strong faith in God, loving nature and a kind word about everyone. She was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of the Irish Hills, the North Adrian Grange and the Wednesday Pinochle Club which she formed almost 50 years ago.
She is survived by her daughters, Susan (Rex) Reinink of Tipton, Judith Rinkus of Tipton and Elaine Rinkus of Pelion, S.C.; her daughter-in-law, Pamela Wood-Rinkus of Corvallis, Ore.; her grandsons, Andrew Reinink of St. Louis, Mo., Ford Reinink of East Lansing, Bryan and Spencer Rinkus of Santa Cruz, Calif.; her sisters, June Heine of Eastpointe and Joanne Knapp of Traverse City, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, a son; James Ernest Rinkus in infancy, brothers; Bill and Carl Lordy; and a sister, Beverly Hopkins. Donna’s son, Frank Charles Rinkus, Jr., of Corvallis, Ore., also lost his battle with cancer on the very same day as his mother.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2006, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 11151 US-12, Brooklyn, Mich., with the Rev. Kelly Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Sanford Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Purse Funeral Home, Adrian. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice ofLenawee or St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Condolences may be offered to the family online at http://www.pursefuneralhome.com/
Frank Charles Rinkus Jr.
Frank Charles Rinkus Jr., age 58 of Corvallis, Oregon, died Saturday, July 29, 2006 at his home after a long and brave battle with cancer.
Frank was born on Oct. 12, 1947 in Detroit, Michigan. He was the son of Frank C. and Donna P. (Lordy) Rinkus. He graduated from Brooklyn High School in 1965 and received his Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. On Aug. 10, 1984, Frank married Pamela Wood-Rinkus and two years later enjoyed the birth of twin sons, Bryan and Spencer Rinkus.
He worked in cost accounting for Kraft-General Foods first in Battle Creek and then in Modesto, Calif. until taking early retirement in 1994. He then worked part-time at J.R. Wood in Merced, California until retiring again in 2004.
Frank considered his life complete and successful with his priority always being his immediate family. He was an incredible husband and father and enjoyed his passion of investing in the stock market and working with community theater. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Turlock, Calif. and had become involved with the Congregational Church since moving to Corvallis in 2005. He truly loved his new community and was well-liked by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Pamela Wood-Rinkus of Corvallis, Ore.; two sons, Bryan and Spencer Rinkus, students at the University of California, Santa Cruz; sisters, Susan (Rex) Reinink of Tipton, (nephews, Andrew and Ford Reinink), Judith Rinkus of Tipton and Elaine Rinkus of Pelion, S.C.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank C. Rinkus Sr. who died on Dec. 8. 1975, and Frank’s mother of Tipton, Mich. who lost her battle with cancer on the same day Frank died.
There will be a memorial celebration held on Aug. 12, 2006 at 4 p.m. at the United Congregational Church in Corvallis, Ore. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Corvallis Community Theater.
