Bernice Helen Rochester
Bernice Helen Rochester, age 74 passed away July 15, 2002 at her home. She was born on June 2, 1928 to Arthur and Delcie (Cornall) Gschwind. Bernice married Rudolph "Skip" Rochester on May 18, 1968 in Jellico, TN and he survives.
Other survivors include their daughter, Cil (Mike) Zbeanck of Texas; son, Wayne Parcells of Toledo, OH; two grandchildren, Sheila Moore and John Moore Jr. of Toledo; two great grandchildren, Cryscal and Steven Miles of Toledo; her sisters, Della Gardner and Gert Knell, and her brother, Vin Gschwind.
A memorial service has been held. Arrangements entrusted to the Jenter & Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel.
Leah May Healey
Leah May Healey, age 79, of Addison died Friday, July 19, 2002. She was born July 23, 1922 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Walter T. and Berdena (Nelson) Shorland. Leah married William Thomas Healey on May 3, 1941 and he preceded her in death on April 1972.
Leah is survived by nine children: Dorothy Toungett, William (Sandra) Healey, Berdena Walkley, Richard (Sandy) Healey, all of Fountain Run, KY, Deborah (John) Walker of Addison, MI, Merry (David) Jones and Timothy (Sandra) Healey, both of New Boston, MI, Carol (Lowell) Krueger, Mackinaw City, MI, Ralph (Lillian) Healey, Monroe, MI; 78 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren; a brother, Walter (Marion) Shorland of Glennie, MI; a sister, Flora May (Emery) Beals of Highland, MI.
She was preceded in death by sons-in-law Donald Toungett and George Walkley; sisters, Dorothy Shorland and Alberta Brock; brother, Al Shorland; brother-in-law James Brock; grandsons, Steven Healey, Tyrone Keller and David Walkley; and great granddaughter Laura Aubrey.
Leah worked at the Senior Citizen Center at Mackinaw City, preparing and delivering meals.
Funeral services were held Monday, July 22, 2002 at the Jenter-Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel with the Rev. Kelly Smith officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to the family for future designation. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Highland Cemetery, Highland, MI.
Virginia A. Little
Virginia A. Little, age 76, of Brooklyn passed away on July 22, 2002. Born on July 26, 1925, in Detroit, she was the daughter of Benjamin and Susan (Schaffer) Bowen. She married Richard Little on March 20, 1948 at St. Michael's in Melvindale, MI and he survives.
Besides her husband, she is also survived by her children, Gary Little of Hollywood, CA., Mark Little of Brooklyn, and Kathy Little and her husband Rob Glasby of Laytonville, MD; and two grandchildren. One son, Dennis, preceded her in death in 1992. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements were entrusted to Jenter & Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel.
Frank J. Soullier
Frank J. Soullier Sr., age 79, of Lake Columbia, passed away at home July 10, 2002, under the loving care of his family and Heartland Hospice of Mason. Frank was born June 22, 1923 in Detroit, the son of George and Anna (Torrini) Soullier.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Frances; his children, Mary Bonilla, Frank (Sue) Soullier, Jr., Cyrilla Harvey, Anne (Ron) Soczawa, and Karen (Tom) Davis; ten grandchildren, four great grandchildren and his brother, Paul (Rita) Soullier. He was preceded in death by his brother, John, and his parents.
Frank proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII on the USS Banner in Buckner Bay, Okinawa. He retired from Chrysler Corp. as an executive after 24 years of service.
A Rosary was recited at 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Jenter & Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel. There were funeral prayers from the funeral home on Monday before a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Rita's Catholic Church, Brooklyn. Interment will be private at a later date at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Detroit. Those planning expressions of sympathy are asked to consider Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan or Heartland Hospice of Mason.
Violet "Vi" Sigmund
Violet "Vi" Sigmund of Jackson passed away July 11, 2002 at the age of 85.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Bill Sigmund; sister, June Thompson of Villa Park, Ill; nephew, Arthur W. Sigmund, Jr. "Ty" of Atlanta, Ga; niece, Marjorie (Ralph) Lipscomb of Naperville, Ill; sister-in-law, Mary (Jack) Staite of Murrysville, Pa; and many additional loving nieces and nephews. Vi is also survived by close friends, Ralph "Rusty" Bodman, Charles McClafferty, Kenneth Dillon, and Marion (Jerry) Weinstock. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and one sister.
Mrs. Sigmund was co-owner/operator of the McDonalds of Jackson, Albion and Adrian with her husband for 32 years. Although she and her husband never had children of their own, she adopted the children of McDonalds and thought of them as their own. She was active in the Rose Pageant, Lioness Club of Jackson, Order of the Eastern Star, along with many other charitable organizations. She was also a staunch supporter of the Junior Achievement of Jackson. At one time, Mrs. Sigmund enjoyed flying her husband's plane, and thoroughly enjoyed traveling with her husband. One trip she most enjoyed was the trip around the world in 28 days on the Concorde. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Hospice and Helping Hands Homecare for the loving care they have given Vi.
Services were held at the Wetherby Chapel on Monday, July 15, 2002. Interment has taken place in Fifield Cemetery, Jackson, MI. Those wishing to make a contribution in her memory may do so to the Lions Club of Jackson, 1141 White Oak East, Jackson, MI 49203.
Roger Roedell Trolz
Roger Roedell Trolz, age 63, passed away suddenly on July 14, 2002. He was born on July 10, 1939 in Manchester to Loren and Margaret (Lowery) Trolz.
Roger owned a farm in Manchester and was employed at Napoleon Lumber and was a member of the Napoleon Lion's Club. In his spare time Roger enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing, golfing, but mostly spending time with his family who will miss his outgoing personality, sense of humor, and especially his trademark laugh.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth and children: Jeffrey and Angie, both of Jackson; Terry (Tonya) of Lake City and their mother, Barbara Byrum of Jackson; Shelly (Dale) Babcock and Jeff (Kim) McClurg of Napoleon; grandchildren, Taryn and Kyla Babcock; Lauren and Nicholas Trolz; Mackenzie McClurg; brother, Jerry (Barb) Trolz of Elkhart, IN; sister, Joan (John) Dobben of Jackson; several nieces and nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 17, 2002, from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Jenter & Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Reverend Robert Freysinger officiating. Burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Napoleon. Memorials may be made to the Loren Trolz Scholarship Fund - Manchester Schools, Napoleon Lion's Club; Napoleon Fire Dept. or Napoleon Methodist Church Parsonage Fund.
Darrell K. Ehnis
Darrell K. Ehnis, age 77, of Brooklyn, passed away September 27, 2002 after a long illness under the loving care of his family. Darrell was born March 9, 1925 in Napoleon, the son of Clarence and Lois (Waterman) Ehnis. He married Yvonne vanThoff on November 2, 1947 in Brooklyn and she survives.
Mr. Ehnis was a member of the Cornerstone Community Church, owned and operated the Ehnis Appliance Store and Evon's Greenhouse, all in Brooklyn. He served in World War II as a Military Policeman in the European Theatre.
Besides his wife, Darrell is survived by two daughters, Willow (Hollis) Jeffreys and Brenda (Mike) Stierle; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and two sisters, Linda (Norm) Weatherwax and Charmian (Gene) Dalrymple, all of Brooklyn.
Funeral services were held Monday, September 30 at the Jenter & Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel, pastor John Masters officiating. Burial was in HIghland Cemetery, Brooklyn.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cornerstone Community Church.
Stanley Forest Swartout
Stanley Forest Swartout, age 77 years, of Knoxville, TN, formerly of Cement City, passed away Monday, September 23, 2002 at Fort Sanders Parkwest Hospital in Knoxville, TN.
He was born December 13, 1924 in Cement City, the son of John and Thursa (Struble) Swartout. He was a graduate of Cement City High School and served in the U.S. Navy as an engine room fireman on the USS Essex Air Craft Carrier in World War II. He married the former Dorothy Jane Leyh on August 9, 1943 at Cement City. She preceded in death May 18, 1995. Mr. Swartout lived in Cement City until moving to Knoxville in 1962.
Mr. Swartout was employed by the former Consolidated Cement Co. in Cement City and then as a superintendent at the Signal Mountain Cement Terminal at Knoxville. He was a former member of the Cement City Fire Department, was a member of the VFW at Cement City and loved to fish, golf and hunt.
Surviving are his daughter, Constance (Tim) Smith of Osseo; his son, Thomas (Amanda) Swartout of Bean Station, TN; seven grandchildren, Kyle and Julie Brunk of Ft. Gratiot, MI, Kara and Erik Miller of Troy, Jason and Charolette Smith of Osseo, Lisa and Mike Taylor of North Dakota, T.J., Trent and Coby Lynn Swartout, all of Bean Station, TN; and by eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Swartout and Thursa Swartout McCleey.
Funeral services were held Friday in the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Addison with the Rev. Robert Miller officiating. Interment was in the Cement City Cemetery.
Peter William "Bill" Klaassen
Retired USAF Captain Peter William "Bill" Klaassen, age 84, passed away Sept. 26, 2002. He was born on July 22, 1918 in Detroit, MI to Willem and Petronella (Boone) Klaassen. He married Violet Wilks on Nov. 25, 1948, and she preceded him in death on Aug. 9, 2000.
Mr. Klaassen was a member of the Cement City Baptist Church, Wilber-Bartlett American Legion Post #315 and Irish Hills Eagles. He was a retired fighter pilot and served in WWII with the U.S. Air Force, Duxford 78th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force and a member of the Michigan Air Guard Historical Association.
He built and owned the Shamrock Airport in Brooklyn which opened on July 4, 1976. Mr. Klaassen was an engineer employed with Teer-Wickwire and Brooklyn Products.
He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Findora of Orlando, FL, Barbara (Rob) Couck of Grosse Pointe Woods, Laura (Doug) Sullivan of Holland, MI, Marcia (Ralph) Hubbs of Lake Columbia; his son, Michael (Beth) Klaassen of Poquaoson, VA; 12 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; brother, Robert Klaassen of Eustis, FL; sister, Mary Myers of Brighton, MI. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Daniel, and brother, Howard. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002 at Cement City Baptist Church beginning at 3 p.m. with Pastors Drew Woods and Kyle Detmers officiating. Memorials may be made to the Church Building Fund or the Gideons.
Thelma "Annie" Allen
Thelma "Annie" Allen, age 67, passed away on September 16, 2002 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. She was born on November 11, 1934 in Jackson, MI to John B and Irene (Prentiss) Preller. Annie married Loris Allen on May 27, 1972 in Jackson and he preceded her in death.
Survivors include her daughters, Melinda (Junior) Shafer of Hillsdale, Sheryl (Dan) Weaver of Cement City, Rebecca (Bill) Clark of Tecumseh; a son, Daniel V. Irelan of Brooklyn; 12 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; sisters, Helen (Tom) Weaver and Nancy (Dick) Schutte of Brooklyn. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Kenneth, in 1996, and brother, John Preller.
Funeral services were held Friday, September 20 at the Jenter & Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel, the Rev. Bob Wright officiating. Interment in Highland Cemetery, Brooklyn.
