Alice L. Howland
Alice L. Howland passed away November 6, 2003. Alice Lorene was born on Aug. 14, 1906, to Rev. A. and Cecil (Turk) Ambler at their homestead farm on Cement City Rd., Brooklyn, Mich. She was the second of four children born into the family. Fred A. Jr. (died in infancy), Ila (Harold) Bales and Fred B. (Vivian) all of whom preceded her in death. Upon graduation from Brooklyn High School in 1925, she married Hugh Hess Howland on Aug. 22, 1925. He preceded her in death 61 years later on Feb. 17, 1987.
To this union were born five children, Betty (Leo) Ehnis of Charleston, S.C., Hugh (Donna) of Brooklyn, Fred (Marie) of Toledo, Ohio, Charles (Eunice) of Manitou Beach and Delbert (Bonnie) of Brooklyn. She is survived by 19 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Two great-grandsons preceded her in death. She is also survived by a nephew, Dr. Cameron (Margie) Ambler of Fenton, Mich.; three nieces, Florence (Roy) Ladd of Largo, Fla., Norma (Bob) Bales of Bloomingdale, Mich., and Belinda Marshall of San Antonio, Texas.
Alice was noted not only for her devotion to her family, but to her Lord. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Brooklyn. She served as pianist for her church, Sunday school superintendent and correspondent to those who served the Lord in foreign lands. Unknown to most people, including their immediate family, Hugh and Alice assisted college students who were preparing for the ministry, missionary work and the medical field. How many thousands of people were helped by them, and then Alice herself after Hugh passed away, only Eternity will be able to give an accurate answer. A celebration of Alice's life took place on Monday, Nov. 10, 2003, at the First Baptist Church in Brooklyn.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to God's helping hands. Envelopes will be available at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn. Interment took place at Highland Cemetery in Brooklyn.
Margaret R. Rahm
Margaret R. Rahm, age 85 of Brooklyn, Mich., passed away Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at her home under the care of Hospice of Lenawee. Margaret was born June 10, 1918, in Toledo, the daughter of John and Lucy (Finzel) Meckley. She married Howard E. Rahm on September 30, 1938, in Toledo, and he preceded her in death October 18, 1985. Margaret is survived by two sons, Terry (Sandra) Rahm of Coarsegold, CA, and Edward Rahm of Brooklyn; stepdaughter, Juanita (Frank) Sevey of Holland, OH; nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Besides her husband and parents, Margaret is preceded in death by her daughter Judith Balogh on January 11, 1981 and her sister Pauline Miles. A graveside celebration of Margaret's life took place on Monday, Nov. 10, 2003, at the Ottawa Hills Memorial Park in Toledo, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Lenawee. Envelopes and maps to the cemetery will be available at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn.
Leon Charles Swank
Leon Charles Swank, age 75, lifelong resident of Norvell Township, passed way at his home on Nov. 10, 2003. Leon was born in Norvell Township on March 26, 1928 to Lott and Ruth (Stevens) Swank. On Sept. 4, 1948 he married Mary Jane Curtis at the Norvell Community Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lott and Ruth (Stevens) Swank, three brothers and five sisters. Surviving are his adored wife of 55 years, Mary Jane (Curtis) Swank; three children, Rose Mary (Bruce) Davenport of Lansing, Charles Swank and Arlene (David) Caroen, all of Brooklyn; his beloved grandchildren, Michelle Keyes of Mason, Brent Davenport of Lansing, Liza Cox, Julia Jordan, Dawn Baldridge, all of Brooklyn, Matt Caroen of Pinckney, Andrew Caroen of Salt Lake City, Utah and James Caroen of Gregory; 11 great-grandchildren; his sister, Nancy Swank of Grass Lake; sister-in-law Doris Pittman, Agnes and Colleen; three brothers-in-law, Lester, Freeman and "Bud"; and several nieces and nephews.
Leon was a graduate of Brooklyn High School and retired from Tecumseh Products. He raised and raced registered quarter horses, farmed for over 50 years and was a member of the Norvell Community Baptist Church.
Services will be held at the Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home, 820 Fifth Street in Michigan Center, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Ned Bernstein officiating. Interment will be at Norvell Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. For those who wish, contributions to the Norvell Community Baptist Church would be appreciated.
Anne Bailey
Anne Bailey of Brooklyn passed away Oct. 21, 2003, at the age of 72 years. Anne was a long-time member of Brooklyn Baptist Church and is survived by six children, Dina (Mike) Richardson of Jackson; Mark (Erin) Petterle of Spruce, Michigan; Eric (JoAnna) Petterle of Tennessee; Mona (Mark) Climstein of Jackson; Joel (Chris) Petterle of Denver, Colorado; and Kurt (Stacey) Petterle of Illinois; 18 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother; special family member Gary Matthes. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Bailey.
Funeral services were held October 24 at the First Baptist Church of Brooklyn, with Pastor Raymond Bruce officiating. Interment was at Highland Cemetery. Those who wish may make contributions to the Brooklyn Baptist Church. Arrangements were entrusted to the Charles J. Burden & Sons Funeral Home.
Velma L. Bennett
Velma L. Bennett, age 91 years, of Wolf Lake Park, Brooklyn passed away Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003 under the care of Lenawee Medical Care Facility in Adrian.
She was born Nov. 15, 1911 in Pellston, Michigan the daughter of Chester "Art" and Lucina (Davis) Kent. Velma graduated from L'Anse High School. She married Mylon "Benny" Bennett on August 27, 1942 in Trenton, Michigan. He preceded her in death on June 15, 1992.
She was a member of the Springville United Methodist Church, where she was active in the Women's Club and loved to sing in the choir. Velma also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, golf, and especially bowling. Velma owned and operated DuRite Plating Company in Detroit and the Twin Gables in Cambridge Township. Although she had lived in Brooklyn since 1959, she wintered in Bradenton, Florida.
Surviving Velma is her daughter, Myra (Marvin) Raupp of Brooklyn, her daughter-in-law Carol Bennett of Port Huron, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, one brother, Don (Bonnie) Kent of Sun City, Arizona and many nieces and nephews, and special friends Jean and David Harmon of Bradenton, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Harold, her grandson Kim, and brothers Ernie and Richard Kent.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 11 a.m. at the Springville United Methodist Church with Pastor Melany Chalker officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Springville United Methodist Church, or to Lenawee Medical Care Facility.
Arrangements were entrusted to Dunn Chapel, Brown-VanHemert Funeral Home in Onsted.
Jack Marvin Dean
Jack Marvin Dean, age 68, of Napoleon, passed away suddenly on October 20, 2003, at W.A. Foote Memorial Hospital. Jack was born on March 11, 1935, in Jackson, the son of Edward and Helen (Wright) Dean. He married Joy Lynne Horsfall on April 19, 1958 at Clark Lake and she survives. Mr. Dean served our country in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Cornerstone Community Church, member and associate missionary at New Tribes Mission and a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. Clark Equipment employed Dean until his retirement in 1989.
Jack was blessed with a bright, creative mind. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather and loved the Lord. He always put others first. Jack loved to laugh and tease. He enjoyed golfing and fishing and loved to be with his many friends telling stories. Jack went to Bolivia three times on missionary trips. On two trips, he went to help build schools for the Ese Ejja Tribe. Jack spent one school year serving as a maintenance person for Tambo School in Bolivia, a New Tribes Missionary Kids School.
Besides his wife, Mr. Dean is survived by his sons: Scott and Don (Kathy) Dean of Napoleon; brothers Bondy Neil of Napoleon, Richard Dean of Surprise, Arizona; and three grandchildren, Hailee, Connor and Madison Dean. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and brothers: Jay and Don Dean. A celebration of Jack's life was held on October 24 at Borek Jennings Funeral Home Braun Chapel, with pastors John Masters and Ken Creger officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Cornerstone Community Church building fund or Youth Haven Ranch, Rives Junction. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Joseph M. Brooks
Joseph M. Brooks, 85, of Jonesville, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003, following an automobile accident in Hillsdale County. He was born on July 13, 1918 in Somerset to Leon and Florine (Taylor) Brooks. He married Claudia Falkowski in 1947.
He was a graduate of Cement City High School and the State Police Academy. Mr. Brooks retired from the Michigan State Police, Jonesville Post, and was a retired Lt. Col. USMCR. He had served in the US Marine Corps during WW II and the Korean Conflict.
He is survived by one daughter, Terrill (Marshall) Persky of Naperville, Il.; one son, Joseph (Elise Harrelson) Brooks of Saginaw; and one sister, Louise Green of Spring Arbor. He was preceded in death by his wife Claudia in 2001 and one brother, Reid Brooks.
At his request, cremation has taken place and there will be no services. Memorials to the Jonesville Public Library would be appreciated. Arrangements were made by the George White Funeral Home in Litchfield.
Merle L. Conant
Merle L. Conant, 84, of North Port, Fla., died Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003 in North Port. She was born April 5, 1919, in Clark Lake and moved to Florida in 1982 from Brooklyn. Merle was a member of the Eastern Star and a registered nurse who retired from the Jackson County Health Department.
Merle was preceded in death by her husband, George Conant; sister, Doris Stuart; and nephew, Morris Plows. She is survived by her friend and companion, Harold L. Jay.
Arrangements and cremation by Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood, Florida.
Laurie Ann Demski
Laurie Ann Demski, 50 of Brooklyn, died Saturday, October 25, 2003, at St. Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor. She was born October 6, 1953, in Redford, to Walter and Cecilia (Konarski) Herod. Laurie graduated from Bishop Borgess High School and on March 25, 1972, she married the love of her life, Dana Demski and he survives.
Laurie celebrated life passionately. She was employed as a secretary at Bethany Assembly of God Church. She served in the church as a Women of Vision Sunday School Teacher, inspiring and mentoring women. Her volunteer work included coaching, teaching and working at the Crisis Pregnancy Center. Her most important accomplishments were raising her family, serving as a prayer warrior and loving Jesus faithfully.
Surviving Laurie, in addition to her husband, Dana, are her three children, Kimberly A. Traxler and her husband, Stanley, of Adrian, and their son Brendon Traxler; Aric P. Demski and his wife, Nicole, of Adrian, and their children Janae and Jared, and Cara L. Falk and her husband, Jeremy, of Rapid City, SD.
Preceding her in death were her parents.
The funeral service for Laurie will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Anderson Funeral Home with Pastor Steve Saunders and Pastor Dave Thompson officiating. Burial will be in Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens in Tecumseh. Visitation hours will be on Monday from 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to ALS of Michigan or American Cancer Society. Envelopes are available at Anderson Funeral Home.
Mary Ruth Van Luven
Mary Ruth Van Luven, age 64, of Brooklyn, passed away Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003, at her home. She was born March 20, 1939, in Little Rock, Arkansas, the daughter of William and Wilma (Holliman) Merritt. She married Glenn Van Luven on June 23, 1956, in Little Rock and he survives.
Mary is also survived by her daughters, Glenda Hoover of Michigan Center, Vicky (Marvin) Nyman of Hudson and Cindy (Brian) Bates of Addison; son, Glenn (Kristen) Van Luven Jr. of Michigan Center; brothers, Bill Merritt of Houston, Texas and Bob Merritt and Ronald Merritt, both of Dahlenega, Ga; sister, Ellen Vaughn of Lovejoy, Ga.; and grandchildren, Amber, Ashley, John, Joshua and Erica. Mrs. Van Luven was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Arthur Merritt.
There will be no services for Mrs. Van Luven and memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Michigan Cancer Association.
Pearl P. Jonas
Pearl P. Jonas, age 79, recently of Brooklyn, passed away suddenly on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003. Pearl was born April 23, 1924 in Bay City, Mich., where she lived for several years before moving to Ann Arbor, and later Brooklyn. While in Ann Arbor, she was active in the Ann Arbor Schools lunch program. Pearl also volunteered in the pediatric ward at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
Mrs. Jonas was preceded in death by her son, Emery C. Jonas, Jr.; and her brother, Edward Primeau. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Emery C. Jonas; son, Gregory J. Jonas of New York; and her sisters-in-law, Kelly Madden of Bay City and Isabel Jonas of Saginaw. She will be greatly missed.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel, in Brooklyn. A short visitation will begin at 9 a.m. before the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Joseph Shrine Catholic Church, 8743 US-12, Brooklyn, with Father Carl Simon officiating. For those who wish, contributions may be given to the American Kidney Fund ( http://www.akfinc.org/ ) or the Cascades Humane Society ( http://www.cascadeshumanesociety.org/ ).
