Dorothy C. (Smith) Best
Dorothy C. (Smith) Best of Clarklake passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004, at the age of 93.
Mrs. Best was a graduate of St. Mary High School and the daughter of Captain and Mrs. Richard F. Smith who was killed in WWI. American Legion Post 29 in Jackson is named in his honor. She was a member of St. Rita's Catholic Church at Clarklake, the Rosary Society, the Women's Club and Amaranth Club of Jackson.
She was predeceased by her husband Theodore T. (Ted) Best and brothers, George, Richard and Robert Smith. She is survived by one brother-in-law, Dorman B. Bell of Bloomfield Hills, and two step brothers-in-law and their wives as well as numerous nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to her friends and the staff at Summit Park Assisted Living for their devoted care of Dorothy in recent years. In accordance with her wishes, Mrs. Best has been cremated.
A Memorial Service was held at St. Rita's Catholic Church at Clarklake on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lumen Christi High School or St. Rita's Parish. Arrangements by Desnoyer Funeral Home in Jackson, family owned for 114 years.
Jean (Brigance) (Ward) Thomas
Jean Thomas, born Beverly Jean Brigance, age 78, passed peacefully in her sleep from complications of Alzheimer's in Greensboro, N.C., Oct. 31, 2004. She was born March 6, 1926 in Flint, Mich. to William and Marguerite (McKeever) Brigance. She graduated from Flint Central High School in 1944. She married J. Warren Ward Feb. 14, 1948. She married Frank "Carter" Thomas March 15, 1980. Both husbands and both parents preceded her in death.
Jean worked many years as a Postal Clerk at Manitou Beach, Addison Products, Addison, and finally for the March of Dimes in Flint. After retirement she picked up her first paint brush and became an accomplished watercolor artist. Her life long love was music and theater. She played and taught piano, and was the choir director at the Congregational Church in Addison. She participated in community theater in Addison and the Clark Lake Players. She was an active member of the Irish Hills and Flint Sweet Adelines. After retirement, Jean and Carter moved to Bradenton, Fla. Due to illness, they relocated to Greensboro to be near family.
Surviving children are, Bill (Jeanne) Ward of Greensboro, Mary Kathleen "Kay" (Ward), Wenta (Stan Jr.) of Columbia City, Ind., step-son, Jay (Vicki) Reynolds of Houston, TX and step-son Carter (Johnann) Thomas of Fairfax Station, Va. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Cremation will be followed by a service at Lakeview Cemetery, Manitou Beach, at a later date. Those who wish may make a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer's Association.
David Norton
David Norton, age 59 of Addison died on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004 at his home.
Dorothy (Dory) Ford Innes
Dorothy (Dory) Ford Innes, 91, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004, at Olivia White Hospice Home in Flagstaff, Ariz. Dorothy was born on April 11, 1913 as the youngest of three daughters to Antoinette and Walter Ford in the small town of Brooklyn, where her father was the editor of the town newspaper, The Brooklyn Exponent. She attended the University of Michigan where she met and married G. Ronald Innes. Together they raised four children in Chicago. Dorothy and her husband moved to Tucson after Ron's retirement, where Dorothy continued to live after her husband's death in 1977.
Dorothy was a docent at the Desert Museum in Tucson for a number of years and continued to enjoy the desert and its inhabitants for the rest of her life. She was a dedicated member of an ongoing colored pencil art class, winning a ribbon at the Pima County Fair for one of her drawings. She was also a devoted volunteer for the food bank in Tucson until she came to live in Flagstaff at the age of 90. She will be dearly missed by her family, many friends and faithful elderly cat, Toby.
Dorothy is survived by her four children, Ron (Scotty) Innes of Signal Mountain, Tenn., Marcia (Dave) Lamkin of Flagstaff, Ariz., Norman (Jane) Innes of Seal Beach, Calif., and Dave Innes of Evanston, Ill.; four grandchildren, Tom (Sara) Lamkin, Wendy (Dave) Hankin, Kim Innes and Heather (Mark) Gunkel; and one new great granddaughter, Sydney Faith Gunkel, of whom she was very proud and excited.
A small private gathering of family and friends will celebrate Dorothy's wonderful life in Tucson at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy's honor to Northland Hospice, P.O. Box 997, Flagstaff, AZ, 86002 or to the Community Food Bank, P.O. Box 26727, Tucson, AZ, 85726-6727.
Arrangements are under the care of Norvel Owens Mortuary.
Elizabeth Kilchenman
Elizabeth Kilchenman of Jackson, formerly of Brooklyn, passed away October 17, 2004, aged 83. She was born July 1, 1921 to Clare and Jennie Dresser in Brooklyn. She married Howard Kilchenman in 1944.
Survived by two sons, Dean (Rita) Kilchenman, Alan (Kellie) Kilchenman; six grandchildren, Tracey (Laurie), Jamie (Barbara), Andrew (Jamie), Mike Mobarak, Melissa (Stephen) Holt and Troy Ghent; ten great-grandchildren, Kaitlen, Laine, Branden, Rodney, Raelynn, Kye, Tyler, Dylan, Luke and Alyssa.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Howard in 1984. She was a member of the Arbor Grove Congregational Church and had worked at Mercy Hospital.
Funeral services were held at the Patience-Montgomery funeral home on Friday, Oct. 22, with Reverend Carl J. Benes officiating. Burial was at Roseland Cemetery.
Everett C. Leppert
Everett C. Leppert of Brooklyn, passed away Oct. 25, 2004 at home under the loving care of his family and Hearland Hospice at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Joanne; four children, Candy (Don) Baschal of Lansing, Holly (Beth) Leppert of Estero, Fla., Bill (Jennifer) Leppert of Brooklyn and Sherry (John) Campbell of Lake Bay, Wash.; sister, Kay L. Leppert of Saginaw, Mich.; brother, John D. Leppert of Palm Harbor, Fla.; six grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his mother, Vestella M. Leppert, and brother, Robert Leppert.
A veteran of the Korean War, Everett returned home to graduate from Michigan State University with bachelors and masters degrees in accounting. He taught business, typing and accounting at East Jackson High School for 28 years before retiring in 1993. An avid painter and art enthusiast, Everett was treasurer of the Brooklyn Artists Club for over more than 16 years and chairman of the Brooklyn Arts and Crafts show during that time. He also wrote art and history columns for The Brooklyn Exponent.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be a private family service. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Heartland Hospice, 700 W. Ash St., Mason, MI, 48854. Arrangements are by Charles Burden and Sons, 1806 E. Michigan Ave., Jackson.
William Wendell Reed
W.W. "Wink" Reed, 93, of Bradenton, Fla., formerly of Clarklake, passed away Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004 at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton.
Wink was born Jan. 23, 1911 at Clarklake, the son of W.O. and Sylvia Reed. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Donald of Jefferson. On Aug. 1, 1940, he married Leone Allen. They were married 58 years before she died in 1999. Together, they had two sons, William of Harrisonburg, Va., and Robert with his wife, Susan, of Pensacola, Fla., five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Wink graduated from Napoleon High School and was a plumber and farmer for much of his life. He also worked in the physical plant of the State Prison in Jackson and served there as fire chief, retiring in 1976. He was a life member of Liberty Michigan Masonic Lodge #209 and, before moving to Florida, was a member and deacon of the Clarklake Community Church. He will be remembered for his beautiful singing voice. He was regularly called upon to sing at many local occasions and continued to sing regularly at church and community functions until his death.
His remains have been cremated according to his wishes. A memorial service will be held in Bradenton at The Woodlands on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004, and another prior to the Reed Family Reunion in August. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Clarklake Community Church.
Don C. Clapham
Don C. Clapham, age 81 years of Onsted, formerly of Waterford, passed away Friday, Oct. 15, 2004, at his home. He was born on July 15, 1923, the son of Samuel and Elsie (Gableman) Clapham. He married Ruth M. Kleeman on Aug. 26, 1980 in Belleville, Mich. She survives.
Don owned and operated Proto Cast Incorporated in Inkster. He attended Gateway Community Church in Onsted. Don enjoyed the outdoors, woodworking and fishing. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army as a medic. He was very proud to serve his country.
Surviving beside his wife Ruth are one daughter, Barbara (Lawrence) Hladun of Rotonda West, Fla.; one son, Don (Kim) Clapham of Lake Angelus, Mich., a stepdaughter, Carol Ann (Dale) Hickmon of Onsted; a stepson, Steve Coutoumanos of Bend, Oregon; five grandchildren, six great grandchildren, a sister, Jean Perzyk of Waterford; brother, Robert (June) Clapham of Florida; and many other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.
Funeral services were held on Monday, October 18, at the Gateway Community Church in Onsted with Pastor Tom McMichael officiating followed by full military honors by Durkee-Seager Post #550, American Legion, of Onsted. Cremation followed the service. All arrangements were made by Dunn Chapel, Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Onsted.
Dorothy Mae Gooding
Dorothy Mae Gooding of Tipton went to be with our Lord Oct. 16, 2004 at her residence. She was aged 69 years. Dorothy was a baptized member of St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church in Adrian.
Dorothy was born to Max and Anna (Smith) Bickham on Sept. 7, 1935 in Tecumseh, Mich.. She lived with happy memories from her childhood growing up for a short time in Tecumseh and Canandaigua. She attended Onsted High School and graduated in 1953. As her children grew up, Dorothy was very active with the Tipton P.T.A. and was a Brownie Leader. She loved to attend local fish fries, travel and enjoy life. She lived in the Tipton community for 48 years.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James; and brothers, Vernon Bennett and brother Donald Bickham.
She is survived by one brother, William (Arline) Bickham of Napoleon, Mich.; daughters, Debra (Arthur) Campbell of Adrian and Judith (David) Brown of Tipton; and by one son, Mitchell (Kristine) Gooding of Hudson; four grandchildren, Arthur James (AJ), John Michael (Mike), Lauren and Trenton; and also by a niece as close to a daughter as could be, Brenda (Joe) Barenscheer of Belleville and her loving fiancé William Dinse; by a sister-in-law, Carolyn (Hugh) Gooding of Onsted; and by many nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, October 19, in the Dunn Chapel, Brown-VanHemert Funeral Home in Onsted with Pastor Brian R. Keller officiating. Interment was made in Maple Shade Cemetery in Onsted. Memorials are suggested to the Hickman Cancer Center or to Hospice of Lenawee.
Virginia Terrill
Virginia Terrill, age 83 passed away Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004 under the loving care of her family. She was born Jan. 25, 1921 in Detroit the daughter of Frederick Ray and Myrtle (Jones) Valentine. She married Clare Warren Terrill Dec. 13, 1955 in Angola, Ind. and he preceded her in death. She is also preceded in death by her first husband, Gordon Wesch; and her brothers, Fred and Robert Valentine. Virginia was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Brooklyn.
She is survived by her children, Carol and Fred O'Keefe of Belleville, Kendall and Janet Wesch of Brooklyn, Gayel "Hank" and Patricia Wesch of San Diego, Calif., Tim and Teri Terrill of Colorado Springs, Col., Tina Terrill of Canton, Tory and Deannine Terrill of Tecumseh and Tona Lorenz of Romulus; 30 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.
A celebration of Virginia's life was held on Saturday, October 16, at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn and followed by a service held at All Saints Episcopal Church with the Reverend Arthur Mack officiating. Burial was at Somerset Center Cemetery. For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Angela Hospice in Livonia or All Saints Episcopal Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
