Wayne Tilden
Wayne Tilden, age 75 years of Brooklyn, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006, at St. Joseph hospital.
Wayne was born on March 15, 1931 to George and Vera Mildred (Cessna) Tilden. He married Ruth Swartz in 1956. They lived their entire life near Onsted. Wayne played basketball and baseball while in high school. He served in the U. S. Army as a corporal while stationed in Germany. Wayne retired from Ford Motor Co. in Saline in 1989. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.
Surviving besides his wife are their children, Kenneth (Holly) Tilden of Brooklyn and Diana (James) Boyce of Onsted; two grandchildren, Travis (Erin) Tilden of Addison and Derek Boyce of Onsted; two great grandchildren, Logan and Jacob; two brothers, Charles (Ruthann) and William (Carol) Tilden all of Brooklyn; two sisters, Joyce (Hugh) Drake of Brooklyn and Gloria (Stephen) Rainey of Tucson, Ariz.; several brother and sisters-in law, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services for Wayne will be at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, at the Dunn Chapel, Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Onsted with Rev. Sandy Benes officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Shade Cemetery in Onsted. Full military honors will be conducted by Durkee-Seager Post #550 American Legion of Onsted. Memorials are suggested to the American Legion and envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Clarence Linden Wheeler
Clarence Linden Wheeler, age 88, of Clarklake, passed away at W.A. Foote Memorial Hospital on Dec. 9, 2006. He was a Naval Veteran of World War II and a retired engineer with 30 years of service at the railroad.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy M.; two children, James (Carol) Wheeler of Ionia and Linda Lee Wheeler of San Jose, Calif.; six grandchildren, James, Lori Sue and Ronald Wheeler, Kevin (Bobbie) Wheaton, Julie (Robin) Caverly and Jenny (Stan) Heslet; step-grandson, David Lawrence; 15 great grandchildren; two step great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
At his request, cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held with Veteran Honors courtesy of the Jackson County American Legion Ritual Team. Memorial contributions should be directed to the Heartland Home Care. Funeral services were provided by Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home, 820 Fifth Street, Michigan Center.
John E. Dunham
John E. Dunham, age 62 of Mason, passed away suddenly at his home. He was born Dec. 14, 1943, to John C. Dunham and Audrey (Brown) Dunham in Jackson. He is survived by his children, Mike (Rena) of Haslett, Kerry (Darrin) Ludike of Atlanta, Ga.; sister, Pamela Dunham of Cement City ; and three grandchildren, Owain, Dalton and Madison.
He was employed by the State of Michigan for 34 years and was a Navy veteran. A healing farewell service will be held on Wednesday, December 6, at 11 a.m. at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel, Brooklyn, with Rev. Drew Woods officiating. Memorial donations may be given to the family for his grandson, Owain. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home where family members will receive friends on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m.
Wesley Charles Goetz
Wesley Charles Goetz, age 74, of Adrian, died Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006, at his home. He was born Oct. 7, 1932 in Blissfield, the son of Ernest and Esther (Pries) Goetz. On June 19, 1954, he married Gretchen E. Ries at St. John Lutheran Church in Riga and she survives. Wesley was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tecumseh. He was the owner of Goetz Farms and has engaged in farming all his life.
Surviving in addition of his wife Gretchen are one son, Thomas (Elizabeth) Goetz of Tipton; two daughters, Joy (Gregory) Smith of Onsted and Michelle (Gary) Schuch of Brooklyn; one brother, Donald E. Goetz of Blissfield; two sisters, Arlene (Wayne) Lipp of Adrian and Lucille (Norman) Peterson of Portage; six grandchildren, Bradley (Cynthia) Smith, Angela (Nathan) LaJiness, Gabriel (Rowena) Schuch, Nathan Schuch and his fiancée Jennifer Coxon, Kylie Goetz and Derek Goetz; two great-grandchildren, Jordyn Schuch and Blake LaJiness. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter; one brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Shirley Goetz; one brother-in-law, Vivan Lounsberry; and one sister-in-law, Marjorie Goetz.
Funeral services for Wesley will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006, at 11 a.m. at the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tecumseh with the Rev. Phillip Krieger officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 5 to 8 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home at 1448 Short Street, Tecumseh. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee or to the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Lillie B. Miller
Lillie B. Miller, age 78 of Woodstock Township, passed away at W.A. Foote Memorial Hospital on Nov. 30, 2006. She was preceded in death by her husband, H. Cortlandt Miller, and son, Earl Miller.
Lillie is survived by her special friend, Melvin Arntz of Napoleon; five children, Libby (Jim) Wolfe and Herb Miller, all of Brooklyn, Linda Bula of Big Rapids, Diana (Mike) Adams of Jackson and Connie Jackson of Willis; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lucy Struble and Grace (Tom) Bowen; several nieces and nephews. Lillie was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and a former member of the Cement City Order of the Eastern Star and the Grange.
Services were held at Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home in Michigan Center on Monday, December 4, at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor David McKinstry officiating. Interment was at Woodstock Cemetery. Contributions can be made in Lillie’s memory to her family or Hospice of Jackson & Oaklawn.
Terry Lee Taylor
Terry Lee Taylor, age 37 years of Manitou Beach, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006, at his home. He was born on Dec. 5, 1968, in Napoleon, Ohio, the son of Pamela (McKee) Taylor and Timothy Taylor. He graduated from Addison High School in 1988. Terry enjoyed fishing, playing on his computer, golfing, card games, watching movies, gaming at casinos and riding his moped.
Terry is survived by his mother, Pamela (Ronald) Szeve of Hudson; father, Timothy (Pat) Taylor of Kewaskum, Wisc.; brothers, Michael (Marion) Taylor of Campbellsport, Wisc., Scott (Beth) Szeve and Michael (Holly) Szeve all of Hudson and Jeffrey Taylor of Arizona; sisters, Kelly (Gerald) Bell of Addison, Sara Taylor of Kewaskum, Wisc.; uncle, Kern (Noralee) McKee, Jr. of Fairfield, Ohio; special nieces and nephews Karly, Abigail, and Mikey, Jr. of Campbellsport; and several other family members and friends who will dearly miss Terry. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Kern and Geraldine (Momo) McKee, Sr., and Ralph and Eugene (Nana) Taylor; and uncle, Guy McKee.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, at the Brown-VanHemert Funeral Home in Addison, with Pastor Matthew Coleman officiating. A cremation followed and Terry’s ashes will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at Glenwood Cemetery in Napoleon, Ohio at a later date. Memorials are suggested to New Focus Club House and envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Bobbie C. Willi
Bobbie C. Willi, age 61 of Vineyard Lake, passed away at home on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 surrounded by her loving family and under the care of Hospice of Jackson and Oaklawn.
She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Gene S. Willi I; two children, Gene S. (Melissa) Willi II of Temperance and Michelle (Dave) Gragg of Vineyard Lake; four grandchildren, Gene S. Willi III, Dana Willi, Cody and Katy Gragg; two sisters, Jean Wiedner of Taylor and Juanita Malone of Ohio; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters. Bobbie was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother who dedicated her life to loving her family.
At her request, cremation has taken place and no public services will be held. Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of Jackson and Oaklawn, One Jackson Square, Suite 400, Jackson, MI 49201. All arrangements were handled by Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home of Michigan Center.
Calvin K. Durkee
CALVIN K. DURKEE, age 67 years of Cement City, passed away on Monday, January 29, 2007 at his home. Full Military Honors will be performed
On Friday, February 2, 2007 at 3:00 P.M. by the American Legion Durkee-Seager Post #550 of Onsted at the Dunn Chapel, Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Onsted. Visitation will be held from 1-3 P.M. prior to the service. Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society.
Curt Michael Colvin
Curt Michael Colvin, beloved son of George and Kay (McLain) Colvin, passed away at his home in Marshall, on Jan. 20, 2007, at the age of 42. He was born in Jackson on Sept. 13, 1964.
Besides his parents, he is survived by a son, Chad Colvin of Concord; daughter, Darby Colvin, of Tekonsha; brother, Russell (Karen) Colvin of Charlotte; niece, Lauren; and two nephews, Ryan and Jack Colvin, all of Charlotte.
Curt was a master machinist by trade, but was also an accomplished mechanic and engine builder. Curt graduated from Concord High School in 1982 and attended the Jackson Area Career Center taking electronics and robotics. He built an arm-type robot that won a grant for the Career Center. Curt was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed golfing. He loved hunting for mushrooms and asparagus in the spring. Curt was an excellent artist and especially enjoyed doing watercolor paintings of landscape and wildlife. He had a huge heart and loved people and there will forever be a hole in our hearts. Curt will be sadly missed but never forgotten by those who loved him.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel, Brooklyn. Memorial contributions may be given to Curt’s family to be used for his children and envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Elwyn “Sy” Deyo
Elwyn “Sy” Deyo, age 85 of Brooklyn, passed away at Chelsea Community Hospital on Jan. 16, 2007. Sy was born on March 29, 1921 in Lyons, Ohio, the son of Curtis and Nenah (Measures) Deyo.
He married Mildred (Ouellette) in 1947 in Adrian and she preceded him in death on Nov. 15, 1999. He was also preceded in death by his parents of Brooklyn and brother: Vincent. Mr. Deyo served our country as an Ensign of the Merchant Marines during WW II. He was a member of the Irish Hills Eagles, American Legion Wilber-Bartlett Post #315, Masons and Moose Lodge, Brooklyn. Sy was employed by Consumers Energy as a lineman until his retirement in 1986. You might remember him bagging your groceries at the Country Market in Brooklyn where he was currently employed. Sy had played the piano since he was 8 years old and currently had a monthly gig playing at the Living Center in Brooklyn. He knew everyone and had many friends. He was the kindest, most generous man and the best dad.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Sy is survived by his children, Roy ( Elizabeth ) Deyo of Mission, Texas, Lynne Deyo of Wamplers Lake and William (Mary) Deyo of Brooklyn; grandchildren, Tom, Kellie, Michelle, Bill and Lisa; and seven great grandchildren. A memorial service to celebrate Sy’s life will take place at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Brooklyn.
Elmer Karl Kraska
Elmer Karl Kraska, 82, of Somerset Township, passed away after a long and productive life, on Jan. 28, 2007 at his home. He was born June 23, 1924 in Detroit, to Frank and Ella Kraska (nee Wieght). Elmer graduated from Lincoln Park High School in 1943 and was immediately inducted into the U.S. Army.
Elmer landed at Omaha Beach as part of the June 6, 1944 Normandy Invasion. He served in the infantry and fought in France and Belgium until he was seriously wounded during the German siege of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge and a Presidential Unit Citation for his actions during that battle. Elmer spent 18 months in the U.S. Army Wound Recovery Centers in Colorado Springs, Colo., and Battle Creek, learning to regain the use of his legs. After leaving the Army, Elmer attended and graduated from the Chicago Institute of Optometry in 1949. He was a practicing optometric dispenser who specialized in special needs patients, for the next 40 years.
Elmer married Patricia Jean Merchant in 1949, and they were happily married until her death in 1992. Elmer and Patricia had four children, Kenneth Karl Kraska of Cement City, Kimberly Kay (Steinmetz) of Lakeland, Mich., Kathleen Ann (Kalin) of Whitmore Lake, Mich., and Thomas John Kraska of Marshfield, Mass. who survive him; as well as four grandchildren; and four great-grand children. Elmer will be missed by everyone that knew him.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2007, at the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Addison. Burial was in Somerset Center Cemetery.
Mary Redington
Mary Redington, age 90, of Brooklyn, passed away on Jan. 24, 2007, in Lighthouse Point, Fla. She was born on May 20, 1916.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, and daughter, Lynn Galway. Mary is survived by two children, Dick ( Nancy ) Redington and Jim (Susan) Redington, both of Livonia ; son-in-law, Charlie Galway of McHenry, Ill ; nine grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren.
Services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2007. Memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice by the Sea, 1531 West Palmetto Park Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33486-3395, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements were by Borek Jennings Funeral Home.
