Ruth Irene Cousino
Ruth Irene Cousino, age 82, of Adrian, passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2004. She was born April 12, 1921 in Jasper, Mich., the daughter of Ruth Marion Barrow and William Erwin Hill. She married Arthur H. Cousino on December 19, 1941 in a double ceremony with her brother Donald A. Hill and Amy E. Lownsbury. Her husband preceded her in death in 1988.
Ruth Irene lived in Adrian all of her life and graduated from Adrian High School in 1940. She shared with her daughters numerous stories about life in Adrian and never walked down Maumee Street without running into someone she knew. Another Adrian highlight for Ruth, was working at the Old Stone Ground Mill and the Lenawee County Fair.
She worked as a contract postal carrier and retired from her custodian position at Onsted Community Schools in April 1986 after 12 years of service. In retirement, Ruth Irene enjoyed bowling on the Senior League on Mondays and Maplettes on Wednesdays at Lenawee Recreation. She volunteered at the Croswell Opera House, and as a young woman had worked there as an usher during World War II. She was an avid Detroit Tigers fan, and an avid fisherwoman, who knew all of the "best holes" in the local lakes. Ruth Irene enjoyed gardening and feeding and watching the birds.
She is survived by her brothers, Donald A. Hill of Adrian and William Erwin Hill, Jr. (Hellen), Port Charlotte, Fla.; one sister, Phylis J. Leeth (Manford) of Sturgis, Mich.; five daughters, Billie Lorraine Pedigo (Edwin), Gloria Jean Kimball (Henry), Karen Ann Brown (Glen), Judy M. Johncox (Bruce) and Susan I. Cousino; 11 grandchildren; and 30 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two children, Danny Arthur and Jan Marie and three brothers, Harland, Howard, and Norman (Bud) Hill. Also preceding her in death was her son-in-law Andrew S. Hubbell, Sr.
Funeral services for Ruth Irene were held on Friday, Feb. 20, 2004 at Gateway Community Church in Onsted with Rev. Thomas McMichael officiating. Burial followed at East Rome Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Ruth Irene may be made to the Latch Key Program at Gateway Community Church or the Croswell Opera House. Envelopes are available at the Braun Everiss Wagley Funeral Home with whom the services for Ruth Irene were entrusted.
Lawrence E. Ketner
Lawrence E. Ketner, age 85, of Napoleon, passed away February 18, 2004 at the Odd Fellows and Rebekah Home. He was born in Union City, Michigan on Oct. 1, 1918, the son of Meritt and Maude (Benn) Ketner. He married Jeanette Ryerson on Dec. 26, 1936 and retired from Wagoner Transportation in 1980, after 32 years of service.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jeanette; his children, Carole Jenkins, Michael Ketner, both of Jackson, Dave (Carol) Ketner of Colorado and Joyce Tolford of Napoleon; one sister, Ida Emerson of Lansing; one brother, Norman (Elaine) Ketner of Ionia; twelve grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Lyle Ketner.
Per his request cremation has taken place and no services will be held.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home in Michigan Center.
Richard Dean Elston
Richard Dean Elston, 39 of Addison, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at W.A. Foote Memorial Hospital in Jackson. He was born on June 20, 1964 in Jackson, MI to Melvin Dean and Duretta Jean (Switzer) Elston.
Rick was raised in Addison and then moved to Dallas, Texas in 1984 and then returned to Addison in 1997. He graduated from high school in 1982. He then graduated from Baker College in Jackson in 2000. He was employed at Planet Powersports in Coldwater as a Computer Technician. He was a member of the NorthEastern Lodge #210 F. & A.M. Fremont, Indiana, member of Mizpah Shriners, A.A.O.N.M.S. of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Rick enjoyed working with cars; he coached girls summer softball in Addison. He was an avid Detroit Red Wings hockey and University of Michigan football fan.
Rick is survived by his mother, Duretta Jean Elston of Addison; one sister, Deborah M. Elston and friend Lynn Mandenberg both of Chicago, Illinois, aunts, uncles and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father Melvin Dean Elston and his maternal grandmother Marie Switzer.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 at the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Addison with Pastor Keith W. Porter officiating. Cremation followed.
A Masonic Memorial Service was held at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
LeRoy Edwin Miller
LeRoy Edwin Miller, age 64, of Brooklyn passed away February 11, 2004. Mr. Miller was born in Detroit on November 13, 1939, the son of Donald and Mary (Turbin) Miller. LeRoy married Darlyn "Lynn" Moody in Detroit on June 25, 1960 and she survives.
He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Michigan Center and retired from Southern Michigan State Prison where he was employed as a cost accountant until his retirement in 2002. Mr. Miller served his country in the U.S. Navy. Besides his loving wife of 44 years, LeRoy is survived by his children, Donna (Greg) Fischer of Washburn, Wis. and Tom (Kendra) Miller of Richmond, Ky; father, Donald Miller of Brooklyn; brother, Marvin (Sharon) Miller of Carson City, Mich.; sisters, Marilynn Miller of Boston, Mass and Darlene (Dewaine) Earley of Brooklyn; grandchildren, Shelby and Alexandria Fischer of Washburn, Wis., Katherine, Kasedria and Jeffrey Miller of Richmond, Ky; nieces and nephews, David (Brenda) Aungst, Mike (Lora) Aungst, Travis (Mindy) Earley, Christinia Earley and several great nieces and nephews. LeRoy was preceded in death by his mother in 1991.
A celebration of Mr. Miller's life was held on Saturday, February 14, 2004 at Christ Lutheran Church with Pastor W.T. Zollman officiating. Memorials may be given to Christ Lutheran Church. Envelopes are available at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel. Interment was at Roseland Memorial Gardens.
Viola Catherine Every
Viola Catherine Every, 85, of Brooklyn passed away Sunday February 15, 2004, at Edmar Care Center in Michigan Center. She was born March 25, 1918 in Elyria, Ohio the daughter of Joseph and Florence (Healy) Brandt. She married Leon Every in Angola, Ind., and he preceded her in death in 1980.
Viola was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 315 and SALON 472840 Club. She is survived by her daughter, Linda (Ross) Moore; one granddaughter, Amy Moore, both of Addison; and one sister, June (Russell) Peterson. A celebration of Viola's life will take place on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 beginning at 11 a.m. at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn. Interment Highland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Heartland Hospice and Home Care or to the donor's choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home where the family will receive friends on Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Scarlett Faith Wiley
Scarlett Faith Wiley, infant daughter of David and Kelly (Ryan) Wiley went to be with the Lord on Monday, Feb. 9, 2004 at Mott's Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor.
Scarlett Faith was born on Monday, Nov. 11, 2003 in Toledo Hospital. She is survived by her parents, her brother, Zachary Bazner; her sister, Reaghan Wiley, all of Onsted; maternal grandparents, Marcia Ryan of Dearborn Heights; Thomas (Rita) Ryan of Martinsville, Ind., paternal grandfather, Frederick Wiley of Pulaski, Tenn., maternal great grandmother, Helene Ryan of Livonia, aunts, Patricia Ryan and Kathleen Ryan; uncles Michael Ryan, Michael (Nancy) Wiley, Robert (Nancy) Wiley, several cousins and many great aunts and great uncles.
Scarlett Faith was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Yvonne Wiley, and maternal great grandfather, Thomas Ryan.
Funeral services were held last Saturday at the Springville United Methodist Church in Springville with Pastor Melany Chalker officiating. Interment will be made in Maple Shade Cemetery in Onsted.
Memorials are suggested to the Ronald McDonald House or the Child Life Program at Mott's Hospital. Envelopes are available at the Brown-Van Hemert funeral home in Onsted.
Edward John Bauer
Edward John Bauer, age 67, of Brooklyn passed away Monday, May 31, 2004 at his home. He was born October 12, 1936 in Jackson the son of Alphonsus and Helen (Bartlett) Bauer. He married Judy Donahee on December 16, 1989 in Brooklyn and she survives.
John is also survived by his children, Francis Marie (Karen), Edward (Bonnie) Bauer of Napoleon, Richard (Dawn) Bauer, Joan (Richard) Cunningham all of Clarklake, Tim Bauer of Napoleon, Kelley Anderson (Bauer) of Brooklyn; step-children, Al Donahee of Jackson, Tina (John) Rose, Tonya Travioli all of Brooklyn, Holly (Rob) Parker of Ida, Steve (Carol) Donahee of Jackson, Scott (Heather) Donahee of Brooklyn; brothers, Bob (Mary) Bauer of Jacksonville, Florida, Larry (Marvene) Bauer of Arizona; sisters, Mary (Dale) Wallace of Jackson, Cecilia Miller, Theresa (John) Trudell all of Florida, Agnes (Charlie) Redmond of Athens, Sister Annrita Bauer of Grass Lake, Bernadette (Gary) Dahlbergh of Minnesota; 29 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Stella Bauer, Irene Emery; brothers Sonny Bauer, Ben Bauer and Tom Bauer. John was a member of the Brooklyn Irish Hills Eagles Aerie #3689 and the American Legion Wilber-Bartlett Post 315.
A celebration of John's life took place on Saturday, June 5, at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn. Burial was at the Norvell Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Cornerstone Community Church at: 126 N. Main Street, Brooklyn, Mich. 49230, or to a charity of one's choice. Envelopes will be available at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home.
Gerald Irvine Hamilton
Gerald Irvine Hamilton, age 77, of Norvell passed away peacefully with his family at his side at the University of Michigan Hospital on June 4, 2004.
He was born in Columbiaville, Mich. on November 15, 1926. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Bette Marie; three sons, William (Nancy) of Tarpon Springs, Fla., Michael (JoAnn) of Fenton, Mich. and Max (Mary) of Jackson; six grandchildren, Christa, Elizabeth, Ian, Molly, Michael and Max; and his great granddaughter Katherine Leigh "Kate."
Jerry was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He served his nation in World War II in the US Merchant Marines and the US Army in the Philippines and occupied Japan. He was a truck driver for U.S. Truck for 35 years, member of the teamsters local 185 where he was a Union Steward, formerly owned Jerry's Bike and Hobby Shop in Pontiac, was a member of the Norvell Community Baptist Church and a member and Past Master of Napoleon Lodge #301 Free and Accepted Masons.
In his retirement he drove bus for the YMCA Storer Camp and was a substitute driver for Napoleon Community Schools. He was also active as a volunteer for the RSVP, Community Action Agency and the Department on Aging, and was a lifelong hunter and fisherman. He was also a long time Norvell Township Trustee.
At his request cremation has taken place. His fraternal brothers will hold a Masonic Service in Jerry's Honor at the funeral home Thursday at 6 p.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 6:30 p.m. with Pastor Ned Bernstein officiating. The family would appreciate memorial donations in his honor be made to the Napoleon Mason's Scholarship Fund or the Norvell Community Baptist Church, 204 Commercial St., Norvell.
Arrangements were by Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home in Michigan Center.
Melvin Kern
Melvin Kern, age 66 of Brooklyn, passed away June 4, 2004. He was born March 1, 1938 in Neapolis, Ohio the son of Ronald and Mary (Ziegler) Kern. He married Nancy Daubenmeyer on January 21, 1972 in Bowling Green, Ohio and she survives.
Melvin is also survived by his mother, his son Kris (Charlee) Kern of Brooklyn and 3 grandchildren, Taylor Circoloff, Zachary Kern and Hannah Kern, siblings, Shirley (Gene) Wolfe of Fort Wayne, Ind., Janet (Paul) Alderman and Ronald (Terry) Kern all of Phoenix, Ariz.
Melvin was preceded in death by his father and his sister, Sue. Mr. Kern was a member and Past President of the Irish Hill Eagles Aerie #3689 and a member of the American Legion. He also served our country in the U.S. Army.
A celebration of his life took place on Tuesday, June 8, at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn. Memorial contributions may be given to the Eagles Scholarship Fund, 9500 Wamplers Lake Rd., Brooklyn, for both Men and Women. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
