Inez M. Witter
Inez M. Witter, age 106, beloved mother and best friend of daughter, Esther Smith, of Brooklyn, passed away January 24, 2003. Her lifetime encompassed the wonderful age of horse and buggy to the man on the moon. Throughout her years on this earth, she was a generous and unselfish woman, devoted to her family and they will greatly miss her presence. Mrs. Witter was cremated and a memorial service will be held in Florida. Suggested donations can be sent to Hospice Memorial Fund in her name, c/o HCR Manor Care Foundation, Jackson, Michigan.
Ruby M. Kay
Ruby M. Kay, age 76, of Brooklyn passed away January 27, 2003. She was born in Eola, Texas on March 8, 1926 the daughter of Arthur H. and Minnie O. (Hopper) Durden. She married Max Kay on September 16, 1945 in Brooklyn and he survives. Ruby was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Brooklyn.
Besides her husband, she is survived by three sons: Gary (Joann) Kay of Brooklyn, Carl (Betty) Kay of Saginaw, David (Cheryl) Kay of Saginaw; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and a sister, Alice Spencer. She was preceded in death by four brothers and sisters.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2003 at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Brooklyn beginning at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Robert Walton officiating. Memorials may be given to the church. Arrangements entrusted to the Jenter & Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel.
Paul E. Speer
Paul E. Speer, 84, of Clarklake, Mich. passed away Feb. 1, 2003. He was born Dec. 8, 1918, the son of Paul B. and Alfreda (Meinert) Speer in Toledo, Ohio. Paul's mother preceded him in death and he was raised by his father and stepmother Georgianna (Bitzer) Speer.
He married Bernadine Rosselet on Oct. 12, 1952 and she preceded him in death. Paul served in the United States Army in the South Pacific and was a WWII veteran. He was a long-time resident of Clarklake and belonged to many organizations including: life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3360 and BPOE Lodge #1912. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Wilber-Bartlett American Legion post 315, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and the Zenobia Shrine Temple.
He worked as a territory manager at John Deere Plow before retiring in 1975.
Paul is survived by his step-daughter Lee Ann (Robert) Strickland of Hamilton, Ohio; grandsons Robert J. (Shelly) Strickland of Oakton, Va., and Mark P (Shelly) Strickland of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; and great grandchildren Sarah and Nathan. Paul was also preceded in death by his father, stepmother and his sister Joan C. Pittman.
There will be a visitation Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11 a.m. at the Jenter and Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel. A eulogy will be given by Larry Disbrow. In lieu of flowers, memorials and contributions may be given to the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children.
Gilbert H. Mohr
Gilbert H. Mohr, formerly of the Brooklyn area, died January 30, 2003, in Dunnellon, Florida.
William Rice, Jr.
William Rice, Jr., age 78, of Napoleon Township, passed away at W. A. Foote Memorial Hospital January 25, 2003. He was born to William Rice, Sr. and Aggie (Howard) Rice. He married Virginia Carol Arnett on March 1, 1947 and his wife of 56 years survives him.
Other survivors include four children: Garland (Mary) Rice of Onsted, Rick (Vickie) Rice and Patty (Eric) Johnson, all of Norvell and Cathy (Ed) Rosencrans of Napoleon; three granddaughters, four grandsons and six great grandchildren, and three sisters, Roberta Howard, Ailene Melkodaj and Catherine Rudd. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, a retiree of AA Products in Manchester, member of the Cement City Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and an Army veteran of World War II, 89th Infantry Division, Third Army.
Visitation will be at the Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home in Michigan Center on Tuesday, January 28 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home Wednesday at 11 a.m., the Rev. Jerry Bailey officiating. Interment, Oak Grove Cemetery, Napoleon. Graveside Military Honors will be given by the Brooklyn American Legion Post 315 Honor Guard. Contributions in his memory are directed to the charity of the donor's choice.
Phyllis M. Goings
Phyllis M. Goings, age 97, of Brooklyn, died Jan. 24, 2003, at her home.
She was born Feb. 24, 1905, in Cement City, Mich., the daughter of Edward and Mary F. (Gregory) Every. She married Timothy Goings on July 28, 1928, and she is survived by their children, Miriam (Wright) Sawyer of Livonia, Mich., Marty (Dick) Hubbard of Onsted, Mich., Peg (Jim) Garrett of Tipton, Mich., and daughter-in-law, Linda Goings of Brooklyn; 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Goings was preceded in death by her husband, and son, Robert. She taught kindergarten in Brooklyn Schools, retiring in 1968 and belonged to the MEA, NEA and MARSP. She was a life member of the Brooklyn Library Board and active in many community organizations including Brooklyn Research Club, Cement City Garden Club, Jefferson Book Club, Pedro Card Club and enjoyed bowling for many years on her Monday Night League.
For 85 years Mrs. Goings was a faithful member of the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder, deacon and Sunday school teacher and belonged to the Woman's Association of the Presbyterian Church and Laura Oliver Circle.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Robert Malsack officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. The family received friends Monday at the Jenter-Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn. Envelopes are available at the Jenter-Braun Funeral Home.
Robert W. Davis
Robert W. Davis, age 88, passed away January 21, 2003 at W. A. Foote Memorial Hospital. Mr. Davis was born in Toledo, OH on July 31, 1914 to Charles and Mabel Davis. He married Helen Davis on January 12, 1957 in Detroit and she preceded him in death on March 23, 2000.
He was employed with the Detroit Police Department for 29 years until his retirement in 1966. Mr. Davis was a member of St. Joseph Shrine Catholic Church in the Irish Hills and the Detroit Retired Police Officers Assoc. Mr. Davis enjoyed gardening and singing in his spare time.
Survivors include his children: Ann (Greg) Cagney of Jackson, Suzanne (Gary) Moore of Carlton, Judy (John) Daniel of Roseville; five grandchildren and one great grandchild; sister, Virginia Lang. He was preceded in death by his sister, Helen A. Davis. A Rosary Service was held at Jenter & Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel, and on Friday a Mass of Christian Burial was held with Father Carl Simon officiating. Interment was in St. Joseph Shrine Cemetery. Memorials may be given for the blind to the Clarklake Lions Club.
William Carl Clark
William Carl Clark, 45, of Britton, died suddenly as the result of an accident on Monday, January 20, 2003. Bill was born April 18, 1957 in Tecumseh, the son of George and Nancy (Schoolmaster) Clark. On April 21, 1975 he was married to Rebecca Irelan and she survives.
Bill was employed in the construction industry. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and grandfather. He enjoyed working on cars.
In addition to his wife, Rebecca, Bill is survived by his father, George (Helen Filipek) Clark of Homer; his mother, Nancy (Robert) Parks of Britton; one son, William Carl Clark II of Britton; three daughters, Lou Anne Clark of Tecumseh, Stacy (Kevin) Prielipp, and Kristi Clark, both of Britton; five brothers, Robert H. Clark of Tipton, Bruce (Brenda) Clark of Adrian, Brad Clark of Arkansas, Robert (Tina) Parks Jr. of Battle Creek, and Terry (Tracy) Filipek of Spring Arbor; five sisters, Rebel (Don) Teboe of Clinton, Susan (David) Armstrong of Madison, Wisconsin, Julie Parks of Ashley; Vicki (Tim) Houttekier of Deerfield, and Joanne Davis of Kansas City, Missouri; and one granddaughter, Jordan Taylor Prielipp. Bill was preceded in death by one brother, Bryan, one sister, Jackie Lou Clark, and his grandparents.
Services were held on Friday, January 24 at the Britton Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor Robert Wright officiating. Interment followed at Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens in Tecumseh. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Tecumseh Chapel of Couture-Handler Funeral Homes.
Helen Myers
Helen L. Myers, age 75, passed away January 25, 2003 while visiting her son in Englewood, Florida. Born in Norvell Township July 27, 1927 she lived her whole life in the Brooklyn area. She retired from General Motors after 22 years. She was preceded in death by her husband Wenley J. Myers, parents Viola and Nelson Briggs and sisters Illa Weatherby and Opal Peavy. She is survived by her son Michael N. Raymond (Karan) of Englewood, Florida, a grandson Torin M. Raymond of Traverse City, Mich., many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Per her wishes cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at Jenter & Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel in the spring. Memorial donations may be made to the Michigan Heart Association.
Mary E. Vischer
Mary E. Vischer, age 76 years, of Tecumseh, passed away late Thursday evening, Jan. 23, 2003 in the Herrick Manor in Tecumseh.
She was born March 18, 1926 in the Irish Hills of Michigan, the daughter of Edward and Julia (Tilden) Brighton. She was a graduate of Clinton High School and lived most of her life in the Irish Hills and Tecumseh. She married Harry P. Vischer, Jr. on Aug. 23, 1952 at St. Joseph Catholic Shrine in the Irish Hills. He survives.
Mrs. Vischer was a retired key-punch operator and machinist at the Tecumseh Products Company, retiring about 12 years ago. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Adrian, a former member of St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Tecumseh where she was a past president of the Altar Society and helped found the religious education program. In earlier years she was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Shrine where she sang in the choir.
Surviving besides her husband are two sons, Mark Vischer of Fairborn, Ohio and James H. (Kitrina) Vischer of Three Rivers; one daughter, Ann Marie (Stuart) Vischer of Adrian; a second-like-daughter (niece), Shirley "Tootie" Horn of Kalamazoo; four grandchildren, Brandi Lynn Vischer of San Diego, California, Angela K. and Andrew Lewis, both of Adrian, and Brandy Vischer of Riverside, Ohio; and by one great grandson, Dalton Vischer of Riverside, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and one sister.
Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service was held Monday in the St. Joseph Catholic Shrine in the Irish Hills with Monsignor Vincent Howard and the Rev. Father Louis Komorowski as celebrants. Interment was made in the St. Joseph Shrine Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association. Envelopes are available at the Dunn Chapel, Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Onsted.
Ruby Kay
Ruby Kay, 76, of Brooklyn died Jan. 27, 2003.
She was the wife of Max Kay and mother of Gary, Carl and David. Arrangements have been entrusted to Jentner & Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel.
Ella May Merglewski
Ella May Merglewski, age 83, of Livonia passed away January 19, 2003. She was born on May 7, 1919 in Detroit, the daughter of Earl and Ella (Formel) Lawrence. She married Stephen Merglewski and he preceded her in death in 1988.
Survivors include her children: Cheryl (Mark) Bill of Japan, formerly of Northville, MI; Stephanie (Henry) Spisz of Livonia; and three grandchildren: Danny, Darryl and Henry Stephen. Besides her husband she was preceded in death by one brother. Private services have been held. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Jackson or Angela Hospice in Livonia. Arrangements entrusted to the Jenter & Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel.
