Carolyn Louise Leyh
Carolyn Louise Leyh, 61, passed away peacefully at Arbor Hospice on Jan. 9, 2004.
The gift of song was Carolyn's blessing. Throughout her life she enjoyed singing, filling the air with her beautiful soprano voice for all to hear. She sang with the University Musical Society's Choral Union, the Cantata Singers, the Comic Opera Guild, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Choir, and in the Choir of the First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor of which she was a member. She was a member of the Ypsilanti Garden Club, and enjoyed the outdoors, animals and flowers.
The Brooklyn native, was born Aug. 17, 1942 in Jackson, Michigan, the daughter of the late Roy and Kathryn (Wolf) Leyh. She is survived by a brother Dean Leyh, sisters Elizabeth Middlebrook, and Christine Gallant; nephews Jason (Wendy) Middlebrook and Derek Middlebrook; and niece Michelle (Che) Fowler.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor. Interment was in Highland Cemetery, Brooklyn. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Ann Arbor.
Pearl F. Bates
Pearl F. Bates, 81, of Onsted, passed away January 1, 2004, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Pearl was born April 16, 1922, in Oneona, Al., the daughter of George and Minnie (Mezo) Wynn.
Grandma Bates will always be remembered for her love of beautiful things (flowers), and her unconditional love for her family, her love of children, and her desire to always put pride in everything she did.
When asked, the legacy that she wanted to leave she replied, "Be kind to people. If you see someone who needs help, help them. Educate yourselves and your children so that they may be able to help others, and don't live from paycheck to paycheck."
Pearl is survived by her daughters Valerie (David) Lipka and Susan (Richard) Villarreal; her grandchildren, David (Amie) Lipka, Christopher Vlodyka, Victoria (Jim) Breining, Aaron Vlodyka, Dana (Philip) Potocki, and Michael Calvird; her great grandchildren, Alexander Wittanen, Alexandria Vlodyka, Justin Vlodyka, Kaitlyn Potocki, Emma Vlodyka, Cameron Breining and Amanda Potocki; and a brother, Lloyd Wynn.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Hollis.
Funeral services were held in the Purse Funeral Home in Tecumseh with Pastor Dan Schultz of Word of Life Fellowship in Brooklyn officiating.
Melody Anne "Mel" Berkeypile
Melody Anne "Mel" Berkeypile, age 46, of Napoleon passed away April 14, 2004, at University Hospital, Ann Arbor.
She was preceded in death by her father, Donald Sr., sister, Mary, brother, Donald II, and her grandparents. Surviving are her mother, Mary L. (fiancé Lee Callander); six siblings, John, Rodney, Suzanna, Candy (John), Donald (Mary), Randy (Kim); nieces and nephews Nicole, Joshua, Jacob, Jenae, Zachary, Tyler, John, Brandon, Ashley, Donald III; great-niece, Ayvree; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
At her request, cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service celebrating Mel's life will be held on Saturday, April 24, at 2 p.m. at the Sycamore Baptist Church with Pastor Stephen C. Veatch officiating. For those who wish, contributions in Mel's memory may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. Arrangements were entrusted to the Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home.
Herbert Raymond Ford
Herbert Raymond Ford, age 87, of Brooklyn, passed away April 15, 2004, in his home under the loving care of his family and the wonderful people of Hospice of Jackson and Oaklawn. Born November 19, 1916 in Clio, to Ray and Estella Ford, Herb spent his youth and early adulthood in the Flint area.
Herb married Reba Smith of Lapeer on September 28, 1941. While residing in Livonia in the early 1960's Herb founded Livonia Youth Incorporated, a summer recreation program for high school students. He was honored as WERB Radio's "Citizen of the week" for his efforts. From 1962-1970, Herb was Director of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce. Herb was a life member of the Masons, Detroit #2 Lodge. He retired in 1975 after 39 years of service at Fisher Body. Herb enjoyed an active retirement. He was an avid golfer and bowler, and a regular participant in Brooklyn Senior Center activities. His special passion was his involvement in the Brooklyn Kiwanis Club. During his 27 years of membership, he served in various positions, including Past President. He was recently honored as 2004 Kiwanian of the year. Herb was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Reba on November 21, 1989. Survivors are three children, son, Stephen (Deanna) Ford; daughters, Teena (Mike) Shupert and Barbara (Gary Kaiser) Ford; grandaughters, Kelley, Allison, Abigail, Naomi, Elizabeth; and great-grandaughter, Julia. Also surviving is a sister, Evelyn. Herb leaves behind many special friends in the Brooklyn area. He attended the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, April 18, at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn. The family requests memorial contributions be given to Hospice of Jackson and Oaklawn.
William C. Spangenberg
William C. Spangenberg, age 68, died on April 16, 2004, at his home. He was born August 6, 1935 in St. Paul, Minn., the son of William P. Spangenberg and Laura (Moeller) Spangenberg Hier. Bill married Elizabeth Larson on September 6, 1961 at Mayflower Church in Minneapolis, Minn.
Bill is survived by his wife and their children, Susan Joy (Jon) Stevens of Clarkston, Mich., William "Pete" Spangenberg of Brooklyn, Joseph H. Spangenberg of Gilbert, Ariz., and Kari M. Spangenberg of Brooklyn and her fiancé Mark D. Webster of Addison; grandchildren, Amy and Paul Stevens and Matt Iverson; and a sister, Shirley (Dennis) Wachholz of Forest Lake, Minn.
Bill graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1958 from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. and worked as a Field Sanitarian for the American Institute of Baking until his retirement in 1998. Bill was a member of the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church and enjoyed being a part of their Men's Breakfast Group.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 24, at the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church with Rev. Robert Malsack officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to the Scholarship Fund at the American Institute of Baking. Envelopes will be available at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn where Bill's family will receive friends on Friday, April 23, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.
Pauline E. Baker
Pauline E. Baker, age 89, of Center St., Waldron, Mich. passed away Wednesday, April 14, at Lenawee Medical Care Facility in Adrian. She was born May 29, 1914, in West Unity, Ohio to Merlin and Hazel (Betzer) Ray. She married Jack O. Baker on October 5, 1932, in Defiance, Ohio and he preceded her in death on April 1, 1979.
Pauline was a life long Waldron area resident. She was a member of Munson United Brethren Church, Waldron Kitchen Band and past vice president of the Womens Mission Fellowship.
Surviving Pauline are one daughter, Nancy (Dr. Gordon) Fish of Brooklyn; two sons, Marion (Corene) Baker of Mendon, Mich. and Merlin (Mary Lou) Baker of Bryan, Ohio; two sisters, Dorothea Kuney of Livonia, Mich. and Donelda VanDoren of Seneca, Mich.; one brother, Donald (Dorothy) Ray of West Unity, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one grandson, David Baker.
Funeral services for Pauline Baker were held on Saturday, April 17, at Eagle Funeral Home in Waldron with Rev. Paul Webster officiating. Internment followed at Waldron Cemetery.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may make memorial contributions to Great Lake Hospice.
Gordon A. Bell
Gordon A. Bell age 67 of Bay City, Mich., formerly of Addison, passed away on Monday, April 5, 2004 at Bay Regional Medical Center in Bay City.
Wilma "Willy" Thomson
Wilma "Willy" Thomson age 68 of Addison, passed away Saturday, April 17, 2004 at her home. She was born February 8, 1936, in Buffalo, New York, the daughter of George and Ruth (Hauck) Thomson. She is preceded in death by a sister, Georgia (Dick) Breissinger. Willy, as she is known to her friends, studied with various artists worldwide as she moved from state to state and country to country.
With her three children, she finally settled in Tokyo, Japan, where she intensely studied etching and sumie art, while teaching architectural design at St. Mary's International School Tokyo. One of her greatest accomplishments at St. Mary's was developing and teaching the high-level, fine art International Baccalaureate degree program for Architectural Design, offering her students university-level credits. In addition to her life at St. Mary's Willy also belonged to the Shinjuku Art Association and exhibited her art work at such prestigious art galleries as the Odakyu Dept. Gallery. After living in Japan for over 25 years, Willy made the difficult decision to come home to the States. Getting reacquainted with American culture was initially trying, but through her art, she was able to meet good friends and to once again immerse herself in the various media that she enjoys working with. Although her subject matter is still primarily Asian, she had begun a renewed love of the vast beauty of the United States.
Willy is survived by her children Kris Beyer (Charles Jollay) of Addison, Kurt Beyer of Brooklyn and Richard (Amy) Beyer of Charlotte, N.C.; grandaughter Grace Beyer; and siblings George (Helen) Thomson and Norma (William) Snip. A celebration of Willy's life took place on Monday, April 19, at the Somerset Center United Methodist Church with Pastor Jim Barney officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to the Life Fund c/o Onsted State Bank, or those who wish can visit Willy's web site that will be up and running soon to purchase prints of her art work at http://www.wilmathomson.com/
Billie G. Shepherd
Billie G. Shepherd, age 56, of Cambridge Township, died Sunday, April 18, 2004, at his home. He was born on June 25, 1947, in Prestonburg, Kentucky, to Calvin and Jacqueline (Clifton) Shepherd. On Aug. 3, 1968, he married Patricia Swinehart in Tucson, Ariz., and she survives.
Billie worked for the Ford Motor Company in Ypsilanti. He was also an artist and loved to paint with water colors. Billie served in the United States Air Force and was a past member and president of the Brooklyn Artists. He was also a Scoutmaster for Troop 637 of Onsted 20 years ago.
In addition to his wife, Pat, he is survived by two sons, Sean Shepherd and his wife, Shelley of Manitou Beach and Brandon Shepherd at home; one sister, Dianna Krouse and her husband James of Ypsilanti; his step-father, Thomas Osborn of Onsted; and a step-brother, Scott Osborn and his wife, Linda of Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Jacqueline Osborn.
Funeral services for Billie will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Adrian with Pastor Scott Osborn officiating. Burial will be in Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens in Tecumseh with full military rites conducted by the V.F.W. Annis-Fint Post 1584. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Billie Shepherd. Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home.
Richard C. Disbrow
Richard C. Disbrow, 79, passed away April 19, 2004. Arrangements are pending at Borek Jennings Funeral Home in Manchester.
