Lucille I. Brown
Lucille I. Brown, age 93 years, of Onsted, passed away Saturday morning, January 18, 2003 in the Lynwood Manor in Adrian.
Donald Albert Smith
Donald Albert Smith, age 43, of Michigan Center, passed away unexpectedly January 10, 2003 at Herrick Hospital in Tecumseh. He was born January 28, 1959.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Diane (Raab); two sons, Albert J. Smith and Cody J. Smith; mother, Rose Smith of Norvell; brother, David Smith of Norvell; two sisters, Debra (Leroy) Hinton of Concord and Deanette (Kevin) Condra of South Carolina; in-laws, Rudy and Tina Raab; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Albert J. Smith.
Donald attended Napoleon High School and served two years in the US Army. He and Diane enjoyed their home on Michigan Center Lake. Don was an avid hunter, fisherman and horseshoe player, all for which he had several awards and trophies to show. He spent his last day doing what he loved, fishing on the lake and pulling in his limit with his brother Dave and cousin Ken. His sons spent many special days with him in his sports. Don will be greatly missed by friends and family, especially for his generous spirit, loving ways, sense of humor and laughter. He was employed at Elders Landscaping of Adrian.
Services will be held at the Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home, Michigan Center, on Tuesday (January 14, 2003) at 3 p.m. with Pastor Chuck Turner officiating. Cremation will follow the services. Interment will take place next to his father at Norvell Cemetery at a later date. For those who wish, contributions to the family or American Diabetes Assn. would be appreciated.
Richard James Robarge, Sr.
Richard James Robarge, Sr., age 67 of Okeechobee, FL, formerly of Jerome, MI, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2003 at the Westside Regional Medical Center in Plantation, FL. Memorial service at 11 a.m. January 18 at Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Addison.
Clifford A. Geiger
Clifford A. Geiger, age 90 years, of Addison, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2003 at his residence.
Verne Clifford Knight
Verne Clifford Knight, age 98, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2003 at Vista Grande Villa in Jackson. He was a long time resident of Addison, Michigan.
Born on August 12, 1904 in Landess, Grant County, Indiana to Charles Luther Knight and Daisie Farr Knight, he was the third son in a family of eight and grew up on the family farm. In 1921 he was graduated from Warren High School, Warren, Indiana, Valedictorian of his class. Following graduation, he studied two terms at Indiana State Normal School, Muncie, Indiana. Still sixteen years of age, he left his studies and worked his way West to Terry, Montana where he taught school in a one room school house. After one school year, he returned to finish his studies at Muncie. While at that school, he met his future wife, Velma Irene Cain. They were married in Fort Wayne, Indiana on June 30, 1926. She preceded him in death on May 16, 1980. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his son, James A. Knight of Jackson, four brothers: Don, Dale, Mark and Karl; two sisters, Mildred and Susan Irene.
Mr. Knight is survived by his daughter, Marilyn K. Underhill of Hillsdale; eight grandchildren, Diane (Roderick) MacLennan of Hillsdale, Linda (Jackie) Mosley of Williamston, Michigan, Laura (Kevin) Dully of Southboro, Massachusetts, James A. Knight, Jr. of Madison, Wisconsin, Lisa (Adrian) Knight-Giuliani of Morganville, New Jersey, Gerald (Maureen) Knight of Ann Arbor, David Knight of Jackson and Carol (Scott) Drain of Ann Arbor; ten great-grandchildren; one sister, Marjorie Gard of Warren, Indiana, many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Knight was a pioneer in the air conditioning business. His career started in the early 1920's. He worked first in sales of refrigeration in Fort Wayne, Indiana for the Refrigeration Equipment Company and then in Kendallville, Indiana for the McCray Company. He was Sales Manager for the Southern States and traveled on the road selling refrigeration. Later he was appointed Chief Engineer. After leaving McCray in 1947, he became Vice President of the Betz Corporation in Hammond, Indiana, a position he held until he came to Michigan in 1951 to work for the Primus Company in Addison. By 1963 he was the sole owner of the company and changed the name to Addison Products Company. He built the Jonesville, Michigan factory in 1956 and also expanded the Addison business to Garland, Texas and Orlando, Florida. Addison Products Company developed and built dehumidifiers, room air conditioners, residential and commercial air conditioning and space heaters. During his career, Mr. Knight held many patents on air conditioning equipment. He also belonged to many industry organizations. At an early age Mr. Knight learned to fly and he held a pilot's license for over fifty years. He also had a passion for hunting and fishing and took annual trips to Canada, the far West and the Arctic Ocean. For many years he owned a ranch near Sheridan, Wyoming.
Mr. Knight was a Trustee at Adrian College for many years and in 1977 he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration from that college. In 1983 he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration from Hillsdale College. Hillsdale College also named him Entrepreneur of the Year at a Family Business Institute in 1988. In 1971 he received the Silver Knight of Management Award from the National Management Association. This is the highest honor of the NMA bestowed for professional services to employees, management personnel and business associates. The Sagamore of the Wabash Award was presented to him in 1983. This is the highest award given by the Governor of Indiana for service.
Mr. Knight established Scholarships in honor of his wife, Velma I. Knight, at Adrian College, Hillsdale College, Spring Arbor University and Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri. These scholarships were set up to give financial aid to students of Christian Studies. Several hundred students have benefited from these programs. Bethany Christian Service of Grand Rapids and the Knight Civic Center of Warren, Indiana also benefited from Mr. Knight's philanthropy. The Knight Family Charitable & Educational Foundation was established in 1984. This Foundation makes annual donations to dozens of deserving agencies. Mr. Knight funded the Knight Civic Center in Warren, Indiana.
For many years Mr. Knight had been a member of the Jackson Country Club. At the time of his death he was a member of the Addison United Church, the Devils Lake Yacht Club and a lifetime member of the BPOE in Kendallville, Indiana. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 8, at the Brown-VanHemert Funeral Home in Addison, with the Rev. Thomas J. Burke, Jr. officiating. Interment will be made in Hillside Cemetery in Addison. Visitation hours will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2003.
Memorial donations may be made to the Velma I. Knight Scholarship Fund at Adrian College and the Velma I. Knight Scholarship Fund at Hillsdale College.
Kevin Gerard Kennedy
Kevin Gerard Kennedy, age 42, touched all of our lives from Sept. 2, 1960 to Jan. 5, 2003. Survived by his loving wife, Mary Kennedy; four adoring children: Tiffany, Kevin (K.C.), Keagan, and Macauley; mother, Dolores Kennedy; brothers and sisters: Kim and Valerie Kennedy, Ford and JoAnn Kennedy, Beth and Tim Sullivan, Kip Kennedy and her husband Ron Chmielewski, Mike Kennedy, Mark and Amy Kennedy, Sean and Carla Kennedy, Todd and Bonnie Kennedy, Guy and Mary Kennedy, Richard and Sharon Rottier, Karen and Kevin Bibbins and numerous nephews, nieces and close friends. He was preceded in death by his father, F. A. Kennedy, and his niece, Rozlin Kennedy.
He will be remembered as a cherished husband and father, who was also devoted to his extended family. Kevin was a member of St. Rita Catholic Church and an avid fisherman, golfer, skier and cook. He participated actively in his children's athletics and coached his son's football teams. He has made an impact on all who knew him with his natural ability to bring happiness and warmth. .. to any occasion. The joy he has brought to us will last a lifetime. His family takes pride through his dedication to his family's business, Polly's Country Market, along with all of his accomplishments and will carry that pride with them through the rest of their lives.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. with a Scripture Service at 8 p.m. at the Jenter & Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel. Funeral prayers from the funeral home will be on Thursday at 10:15 a.m.. and a funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church with Father Lehr Barkenquest officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Kevin Kennedy Memorial Fund care of Citizens Bank, 310 S. Main, Brooklyn, MI 49230.
Robert W. Iveson
Robert W. Iveson, 76, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2002 at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas. Robert was born on December 30, 1925 in Fenton, Michigan to Glenn F. and Leora S. Iveson. He served in the military, and was a life member of the American Legion.
Robert is survived by his wife, Mary Iveson of Nemo; daughter, Cathie Kroll; sons, Robert (Julie) Iveson, Glenn (Nancy) Iveson, and Ray Iveson; grandchildren, Kristy Kroll, Robbie Iveson, Braden Iveson, Nathan Iveson, and Nicholas Iveson; brother, Max (Barbara) Iveson; sister, Jean (Robert) West.
Visitation hours will be Friday, January 10, 2003 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the New Life Baptist Church. Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 11, 2003 at the church in Addison, Michigan at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Matt SeGraves officiating The church is located at the intersection of US-127 and US-223.
Doris C. Pagan
Doris C. Pagan, age 79, of Brooklyn died January 4, 2003 at Herrick Memorial Hospital in Tecumseh. She was born on January 22, 1923 the daughter of George and Libby (Sargent) Campbell. She married George J. Pagan on April 12, 1947 in Detroit, MI and he preceded her in death July 6, 1990.
She is survived by their children Ardis B. Pagan of Garden City, and Mark B. (Karen) Pagan of Onsted; sister, Betty Charette of Novi, Danielle and Storm Pagan, Onsted.
Doris was an Outdoor and Wildlife Artist whose work was recognized by Ducks Unlimited and she was an avid golfer at Hill's Heart of The Lakes Golf Course.
A celebration of Doris' life will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2003 at the Jenter-Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel with a gathering at the Irish Hills Eagles in Brooklyn starting at 5 p.m. Memorial contributions designated be made to the family who will establish a Scholarship for Future Wildlife Artists. Envelopes are available at the funeral home where Doris' family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until the time of service.
Aleta F. Farr
Aleta F. Farr, age 73, of Napoleon, passed away at the Countryside Care Center on December 31, 2002. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, George T., her children, Tom (Shirley) Farr of Napoleon, Rose (Mark) Yancey of Richland and Carolyn (Randy) Brown of Jackson; seven grandchildren; and her brother Wilbur (Adala) Miller of Brooklyn.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, worked as a Tax Preparer for H & R Block, and was a member of the TOPS Club, the Sodbusters Golf League and the Napoleon United Methodist Church. She enjoyed cooking, golf and bowling, was active in the Napoleon Schools and Community and was one of the organizers and longtime board members of the Napoleon Medical Center.
Aleta was born in Brooklyn, March 7, 1929. Her parents were Earl B. Miller and Florence Talmage Miller. She married George Thomas Farr on January 21, 1950.
Services were held Saturday, at Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home in Michigan Center, with the Rev. Robert Freysinger officiating. Interment in Oak Grove Cemetery, Napoleon. Contributions in her memory are directed to the Napoleon United Methodist Church or the Alzheimers Assn.
Robert "Bobby" M. Zuch
Robert "Bobby" M. Zuch, age 26, of Brooklyn passed away suddenly on December 30, 2002. Bobby was born on July 22, 1976 in Detroit.
He had just begun his career as an Arborist with Asplundh and was a member of the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) Bobby leaves behind his fiancée, Mandy Gelia of Brooklyn; his mother, June Zuch and father, Robert Zuch, both of Brooklyn; one brother, Jason Zuch of Canton; sister, Cathy (Bob) Thiel of Jackson; his maternal grandmother, Ruth Jones of Adrian; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services were held Saturday, January 4, 2003 at the Jenter & Braun Funeral Home, Brooklyn Chapel with Fr. Lehr Barkenquest and Pastor Cherry officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Assn. or to the American Heart Assn.
Robert John Hawley
Robert John Hawley, age 90, of Cement City, passed away on April 3, 2003. Bob was born November 30,1912 in Jackson, MI the son of Sherman and Nettie (Crosthwaite) Hawley. He married Saraphine Runyan on January 12,1935 and she preceded him in death on June 3, 2000. Bob was a farmer all of his life, and his fondest memories were traveling to Texas in the winter with Saraphine.
Surviving are his children: Ann (John) Eppel of Cement City, Robert Dale (Judy) Hawley, also of Cement City, and Wayne (Jean) Hawley of San Antonio, TX; four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Besides his wife, two sisters and a brother preceded Bob in death.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. at the Cement City Baptist Church in Cement City. Pastor Drew Woods will officiate. Memorials may be made to the church.
