Margaret "Billie" Pyle
Memorial services to celebrate the life of Margaret (Billie) Pyle, formerly of Monroe, Mich., will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Sunday, September 5, 2004 at 1 p.m. Officiating will be the Reverends Dr. Ellen and Dean McGormely.
As a lady of strong faith she went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 24, 2004. She was at the Lexington Health Care Center in Wheeling, Ill., at the time of her death. She had been sick for approximately ten days. Interment will be at Roselawn Cemetery, LaSalle, Mich.
She was born April 10, 1913, in Brooklyn, Mich. the daughter of Elbridge Nathaniel Siegfried and Ada Margaret (Smith) Siegfried. She graduated from Brooklyn High School in 1931. On November 21, 1931 she married John Ramond Pyle and they moved from Brooklyn, Mich. to Monroe in 1935. He preceded her in death in June of 1978.
"Billie" attended almost all class reunions for Brooklyn High School from 1931 until 1997, at which time she moved to the Chicago area to live with her daughters, Mrs. Sydney Grubb of Wheeling, Ill., and Mrs. Ann Honickel of Antioch, Ill.
She met and married her husband, J. Raymond Pyle, in Brooklyn, Mich. He was the manager of the A & P Grocery Store. She had worked as a waitress and housecleaner at the Brooklyn Hotel at that time. Their daughter, Sydney, was born while they lived in Brooklyn. She also worked many summers at her aunt and uncles' hotel at Eagle Point at Clarklake prior to her marriage.
She spent many summers at Clarklake with her family after leaving Brooklyn in 1935. She also spent much time at Vineyard Lake with her lifetime friend, Leota (Goings) Mays.
"Billie" was a homemaker during her childbearing years. In 1959, she became a part-time assistant to Florence Kirkland at the Monroe County Historical Museum, then located in the Sawyer House on East Front Street. When Mrs. Kirkland retired, she accepted the position of Curator. She loved the museum and Monroe's historical background. She set up a cataloging system that is still used and saw the museum grow to its present location in the former Monroe Post Office building. She worked at the Monroe County Historical Museum for 19 years until retiring in 1978. She was instrumental in setting up the Eby Log Cabin at the Monroe County Fairgrounds and the Martha Baker Country Store. She was also a life member of the Monroe County Historical Society.
She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church for 63 years. She served as an Elder, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, chairman of the Christian Education committee, Naomi Circle Leader, and was a charter member of the Martha Mary Circle.
Active in many community organizations, she was a charter member of the LaPlaisance Bay Chapter of the D.A.C. (Daughter of American Colonists) serving as Regent of the local chapter and also held numerous state offices including Chaplain. She was a lifetime member of the Nancy DeGraff Toll Chapter (D.A.R.) and has held many offices including Regent of that organization. She was a life member of the Monroe Chapter of Eastern Star, and Business and Professional Women's Club.
She had many hobbies, and was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, known as "Nana" to her many grandchildren. She is survived by her loving family and many friends including her children, Sydney Grubb of Wheeling, Ill., James (Aileen) Pyle of Temperance, Mich., David (Pamela) Pyle of Mountville, Penn., and Ann (David) Honickel of Antioch, Ill. 16 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and 2 sisters-in-law. She was preceded in death by her husband, 3 brothers, and a sister. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews in the Brooklyn area.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Heart Association, First Presbyterian Church, the Monroe County Historical Society, or a charity of the donor's choice.
Patricia "Patty" Goebel
Patricia "Patty" Goebel, age 42, of Brooklyn died August 12, 2004 at her home. She is survived by her husband, Charles, a daughter, Sheila La Pointe of Deltona, Fla., stepdaughters, Casie Jo and Caitlynn Goebel of Brooklyn and her adopted father and step-mother, Norman and Debbie Brown of Rising Sun, Ind. She was preceded in death by her son, Nathan and adopted mother, Paulette. She is also survived by her biological mother, Mary Patton of Crestview, Fla., half-sister Carolyn Ball of Corbin, Ky., and LaDonna Davis of Port Walton Beach, Fla., and half-brother, James Patton of Gazintep, Turkey.
She graduated from Switzerland County High School and the Master Gardener Program. She was the owner of Executive Green L.L.C. Patty has been cremated per her wishes.
A memorial event will be held at a future date. Patty loved plants and animals. Contributions may be made in her memory to the Humane Society or The Arbor Day Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel.
Christopher M. Leader
Christopher M. Leader, age 11, died Friday, Oct. 8, 2004 at his home. He was born April 11, 1993 in Ann Arbor, Mich., the son of Dana E. Leader and Linda M. Spada.
Chris was a sixth grader at Onsted Middle School. He is survived by his parents, Dana Leader of Romulus and Linda (Jerry) Golab of Brooklyn; grandparents, Helen Griffin of Plymouth and Phil Spada of Brooklyn; step-sister, Danielle Leader of Romulus; step-brothers, Jason Golab of Dearborn Heights and Bryan Golab of Redford; and several uncles, aunts and cousins.
A celebration of Christopher's Life was held on Tuesday, October 12 at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn with Rev. Dr. James Skimins and Rev. Mary Jean Bird of First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be given to the family for a future fund designated to Chris' school. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Ida Parzych
Ida Parzych, of Jackson, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Friday, October 8, 2004, aged 75 years.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, John; three children, Nancy Reynolds of Horton, James (Beth) Parzych of Ohio, and Mary (Garth Gutkowksi of Jackson; eight grandchildren, Tracey, Christopher, Jamie, Erin, Abbie, Amanda, Kristi, and Darci; seven great grandchildren; and two sisters, Beatrice (Ken) Finley of Brooklyn and Florence Collar of Tiffin, Ohio.
Mrs. Parzych was Vice President of the Polish Falcons for many years and was very active in the organization. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, an avid gardener and caterer. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 with Rev. Father Louis Madey officiating. Burial was at St. John's Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Charles J. Burden & Son Funeral Home in Jackson.
Roy Glenn Russell
Roy Glenn Russell, age 73, of Cement City, and Mesa, Ariz., passed away peacefully at Heartland Hospice on Oct. 5, 2004, in Jackson, Mich., after a two year battle with brain cancer. Roy was born on March 29, 1931, to John and Mable (Green) Russell. He married Juanita Wotring on Aug. 21, 1954, in Birdsall, Mich. Roy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son. Roy was also a loyal member of the American Legion Post #550 in Onsted, Voiture 40/8 of Michigan, Free Masons of Cement City and Plumb Nuts Camping Club of Michigan.
Roy is survived by his loving wife, Juanita; four children, Brenda (Steven) Wallace of Britton, Mich., Roy (Roxie) Russell Jr., of Jackson, Terrie (Larry) Hall of Britton, Mich., and Greg (Debbie) Russell of Deerfield, Mich.; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren with one on the way; one sister, Virginia (Donald) Butler of Onsted; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, John, Chauncey, Stuart, Walter, and David; and one sister, Luella.
A memorial service to celebrate Roy's life was held at the Onsted American Legion Post #550 on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004. The family asks that any memorials be made to the American Legion Post #550; ATTN: Sylvan Creech, 333 Connor St., Onsted, MI, 49265
Ruth Francis Smith
Ruth Francis Smith died at her home near Addison on October 6, 2004. Ruth was born in Lancaster, Ohio on June 18, 1915.
From her earliest memories, Ruth had an intense interest in religion. She majored in religious education at Schauffler College in Cleveland where she became active in issues of justice and racial equality. After college she worked as a teacher on the Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, as an assistant minister at the Congregational Church in Somerset, Michigan, and as a curriculum writer for the national Methodist Church. While in Michigan, she became "quite fascinated" with a local farmer, Donald Smith. They were married on January 24, 1942.
During the 1940s and 50s, she devoted herself to being a wife and mother, while maintaining her active interest in religious issues. In 1961, she was hired as the minister at the Universalist-Unitarian Church of East Liberty, a position she held until her retirement in 1981 - doubling the church membership during her tenure. This out-of-the-way country church became the second love of her life, especially with the people from all walks of life who came seeking the experiences it had to offer.
Reflecting the openness with which she embraced all of her life, she said that the two most meaningful services of her professional career were officiating at the marriage of her Jewish granddaughter and at the commitment ceremony of her gay grandson.
In 2003 she lost Donald after 61 years of marriage, but is survived by four sons, four daughters-in-law, seven grandchildren, two grandsons-in-law, and one great grandson. All remember her as someone with a thirst for learning, as a lover of books and ideas and, particularly, as someone who made everybody feel special.
Over the last year, as her health declined, she was at peace with the idea of her own death. Despite any aches and pains of the moment, her constant refrain up to the moment of her passing was, "I'm okay."
The family wishes to express particular appreciation to Karen Roth and Natalie Ferris for their extraordinary care. We also appreciate the support of family and friends, the East Liberty Church and Hospice of Hillsdale County. A memorial service will be held at the Universalist-Unitarian Church of East Liberty on October 24, at 2 p.m. a dinner will follow.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Universalist-Unitarian Church of East Liberty, 2231 Jefferson Road, Clarklake, Mich. 49234. Memo: Ruth Smith Memorial Fund.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Addison.
Frances C. Hoagland
Fran Hoagland, the former Frances C. Cole, passed away on Oct. 10, 2004 in her sleep after a long illness.
Fran was survived by her three sons; Michael D. Cole, Marc A. Cole, and Jeffery L. Cole, and her daughter, Lori Cole Williams. Grandchildren include Katie Cole, Jennifer Cole Pearson, Matthew Cole, Rebecca Cole and Joshua M. Cole.
She is also survived by a brother, Charles Hire, nephews Kenneth Hire, Thomas Hire and Richard Hire, and a niece, Judy Hire.
Other relatives include Donald and Gloria Hartsuff, Dennis Hartsuff, and Vickie Hartsuff Obarsky.
Other family and friends scattered around the country.
A memorial service will be held in Ridgecrest, California on Wednesday.
Enola V. Kitchen
Enola V. Kitchen age 87, formerly of Brooklyn, of Alanson, Mich. passed away Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004. She was born Sept. 13, 1917 in Manton, Mich. the daughter of Lucious and Alice (Palmer) Matteson. She married Leamon Kitchen on Sept. 30, 1935 in Lansing and he preceded her in death on Feb. 9, 1991.
Besides her husband, Enola was also preceded in death by her mother, father, step mother, Hazel, and 2 brothers, Leo and Leonard. She is survived by her children, James (Pat) Kitchen of St. Helen, Mich., David (Nancy) Kitchen of Evert, Mich., Nola (Al) Snider of Dexter, Mich., Linda (Bill) Wilson, Sharon (Dan) Curtiss all of Brooklyn; brother, Lyle (Lois) Matteson of Manton, Mich.; 21 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Enola was a member of the Brooklyn Senior Citizens. Her pastime was making quilts for her family. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. The Lord has a good angel now and we all have a wonderful guardian angel.
A memorial service to celebrate her life was held on Sunday, November 28, at the residence of Bill and Linda Wilson. A burial of ashes will take place at a later date at Littlefield Township Cemetery in Alanson. For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Brooklyn Senior Center in her name. Arrangements entrusted to Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Brooklyn.
