Gary Ray Scott
Gary Ray Scott, age 53, of beautiful Clark Lake, passed away at Foote Hospital December 28, 2005. Gary was born in Jackson to James Scott and Anna Rose Romanowski Scott.
He is survived by his sister Marsha Scott, two aunts, Lillian Wilson and Evelyn Brenner and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Scott has been cremated. A memorial celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2006, at 1 p.m. at the Brooklyn Eagles, 124 Monroe Pike. Arrangements were made by the Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home, in Michigan Center.
Richard Leo Deneka
Richard Leo Deneka, age 72, of Columbia Township, passed away December 20, 2005, under the loving care of his wife of 52 years and family. Mr. Deneka was born on September 9, 1933 in Leslie, Mich., the son of Leon F. and Maryann (Kaminski) Deneka. Richard married Carolyn Murray on May 1, 1953 in Covington, Ky., and she survives. Richard was a devoted husband, father and deeply enjoyed his grandchildren. Mr. Deneka loved the Lord and enjoyed golfing and fishing. Richard was a tire builder for Goodyear for 28 years. Mr. Deneka was a member of the Eagles and the American Legion.
Besides his wife, Richard is survived by his children, Richard “Rick” Deneka, Jr., Tina (Scott) Wyman, Ramona Deneka and Lisa (Thomas) Wright; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and sister, Caroline Pryer. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter Linda (Deneka) King; and brothers, Leon, Stanley and Michael Deneka.
A Celebration of his life was held on Friday, December 23, 2005 at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel with Father Lehr Barkenquest and Larry Schlenker officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Barbara J. Gaetzi
Barbara J. Gaetzi passed away Sunday, December 18, 2005 in Naples, Fla. She was born on August 15, 1924 and was a long-time summer resident of Clarklake and spent winters in Naples.
She is survived by daughter, Barbara Ann (John) Dardzinski; sons, Tom (Jill), Bill (Mary), John III, and Jimmy (Penny); eight very special grandchildren; and 2 1/2 great-grandchildren. There will be no services.
John Michael Gallesero
John Michael Gallesero, age 79, of Brooklyn, passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2005. He was born Aug. 25, 1926 in Detroit, the son of John and Geraldine (Loselyong) Gallesero.
He married Joan Baars on December 20, 1985 in Redford and she survives. John is also survived by his daughter, Sally (John) Malesky of Onsted; son, John (Kelly) Gallesero of Redford; eight grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
A Celebration of John’s life will take place on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn. Memorial contributions may be given to Arbor Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home where the family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4 to 9 p.m.
Jean LaPorte
Jean LaPorte, age 75, passed away December 19, 2005 at Garden City Hospital. Jean was born on February 23, 1930 in Vandercook Lake, Mich ,, the daughter of Ward and Doris (Ebbert) Glover. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Mrs. LaPorte is survived by her daughter, Vickie (James) Bushey of Westland; brother, Jack W. Glover of Winterhaven, Fla., and sister, Roberta (Lee) Katz of Glendale, Ariz. Arrangements entrusted to the Borek Jennings Funeral Home. A private burial will take place at Highland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society or your local hospice.
Thelma Bird Spring
Thelma Bird Spring, age 98, passed away at Jackson County Medical Care Facility on December 20, 2005. Miss Spring was formerly a long-time resident of Brooklyn. Thelma was born on April 16, 1907 in Norvell the daughter of Cornelius and Jessie (First) Spring. Thelma was a friend to all and had a special love of children. She took care of many, both young and elderly, in the course of her lifetime, allowing many parents and adult children times of rest knowing their loved ones were greatly loved and cared for. She graduated from Cleary Business College and was employed as a secretary with Hart & Howell until her retirement. Thelma was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eastern Star, the First Baptist Church in Brooklyn and the Alumni Association of Brooklyn.
Ms. Spring is survived by her sisters, Sylvia Hyma of Grand Rapids and Arlene Peterson of Lake City, Mich.; nephews, Carl (Jennifer) Spring of Jackson, Nils (Donna) Peterson of Plymouth and David Knappen of Kingsland, Texas; niece, Karin (Robert) Russell of Clearwater, Fla.; eight great nieces and nephews; and several great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Leonard and Clyde Spring.
A Celebration of Thelma’s life took place on Friday, December 23, 2005 at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home with Pastor John Masters officiating. Interment took place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Napoleon. Memorial contributions may be given to the Cornerstone Community Church or the First Baptist Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Esther C. Wolf
Esther C. Wolf, age 88, of Brooklyn passed away Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2005. Born Aug. 21, 1917 in Brooklyn, she was the daughter of William and Catherine (Johncox) Brix. She married Clarence Wolf on May 31, 1936 in Brooklyn and he survives.
She is also survived by her son, Michael (Sandra) Wolf of Brooklyn; daughter-in-law, Joyce Wolf of Arizona ; 11 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Esther was preceded in death by her son, William in 2004, a daughter, Helen, in infancy in 1937 and grandson, Scott in 1989. She was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, the American Legion, Ladies Auxiliary and the Fraternal Order of Eastern Star.
According to Esther’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will take place at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn. Memorial contributions may be given to All Saints Episcopal Church.
Larry W. Ruble
Larry W. Ruble, age 70, of Brooklyn passed away at W.A. Foote Memorial Hospital on Dec. 12, 2005. Mr. Ruble was born Nov. 19, 1935 in Parkersburg, W. Va., the son of Everett and Bertha (Brown) Ruble.
Larry was a member of the Wilber-Bartlett American Legion Post #315 in Brooklyn, and was a former member of Kiwanis. He served our country during the Korean War in the Navy on the U.S. Coral Sea and the USS Midway. Larry is survived by his wife of 25 years, Sharon; brother, Gayle (Patsy) Ruble of Greencastle, Penn.; nephew, Gayle, Jr. (Leslie) Ruble of Orlando, Fla. and niece, Andrea (Howard) Sprankle of Greencastle, Penn. He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Macedonia United Brethren Church in Greencastle, Penn. or Greater Hillsdale Humane Society. Envelopes are available at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home in Brooklyn where a celebration of his life took place on Friday with Pastor Rod Walker officiating. Burial was at Highland Cemetery.
Alice S. Neely
Alice S. Neely, age 84, of Brooklyn passed away on Dec. 15, 2005, under the loving care of her family and Heartland Hospice. The daughter of Marion and Gladys Griffes Sturgis, she was born Sept. 22, 1921 at Fowler, Mich.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David A Neely, on May 31, 1995 as well as one brother, Dr. Donald G. Sturgis of Sellersburg, Ind. She is survived by two sons, Dennis A. (Tamara) Neely, James E. (Linda) Neely and stepson John D. Neely, all of Brooklyn; granddaughters, Abigail (Brad) Denning and Kathryn Neely, both of Brooklyn; several nieces and nephews including special nephew, John R. Sturgis and family and special niece, Denise Sturgis, all of Sellersburg, Ind.; and her ever-faithful cat companion, Muffin.
A graduate of Ann Arbor High School, class of 1939, and Hamilton Business College in Ann Arbor, she also attended Lansing Business University where she was a member of the Alpha Iota Business Sorority and served as their historian. During World War II, she was employed as an executive secretary at Reo Motors in Lansing.
As a youngster growing up in Ann Arbor, Alice was a member of the Ann Arbor Presbyterian Church where she belonged to the King’s Daughters under the direction of Mrs. Frank Mickle. Alice was a member for over fifty years of the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church. Active in a number of organizations, she was a member of the Rei Hul Circle as well as several retiree organizations in Florida where she and her husband wintered for a number of years.
A very special thank you is given to Casa Care and special care providers Jeanne Matthews and Tami Pollock.
Services were held on Monday, Dec. 19, 2005 at the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Brooklyn. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Cascades Humane Society or the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund. Arrangements were made by Chas J. Burden & Son Funeral Home, Jackson.
Mary H. Hubbard
Mary H. Hubbard, formerly of Onsted, Mich., passed away peacefully on Dec. 4, 2005 in her Belleview, Fla. home at the age of 89 after an extended illness. She was born November 25, 1916 in Onsted, the daughter of Athol and Marie (Bramble) Brainard. She was a graduate of Tecumseh High School and Western Michigan University at Kalamazoo, Mich.
On Oct. 17, 1944, she married Dale Martin of Fennville, Mich. who preceded her in death in 1949. On Sept. 8, 1967, she married Leland M. Hubbard who passed away on July 1, 1992. She was also preceded in death by her parents and sister, Ruth Biddix.
She was employed as a high school teacher in Grand Ledge and worked at Michigan Bell, Stearns Mfg. Co. and Commercial Bank in Adrian.
She is survived by one daughter, Patricia (Robert) Jones; one granddaughter, Dawn (William) Morris; one great grandson, William Morris II of Belleview, Fla.; nieces, nephews and members of the extended family of her husband, Leland M. Hubbard in Onsted.
At Mary’s request, cremation has taken place and no public services will be held. A private service will take place in Onsted at a later date. Memorial donations may be directed to Springville Methodist Church or the Onsted Fire Department.
Arnold William Graves
Arnold William Graves, age 90, of Brooklyn, passed away Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005 at his residence. He was born Aug. 10, 1915 at his present home in Cambridge Township, the son of William and Louella (Billmeyer) Graves. He lived in the Brooklyn area all his life and moved into his family farm after his parent’s passing.
He married Ruth Mulnix on April 17, 1938. She preceded in death. Arnold was a retired Dairy Farmer and Clarke Equipment Co. employee. He was a member of the St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church at Cambridge Junction where had been Senior Warden of the Vestry and a member of the Brooklyn Historical Society. Arnold enjoyed local history, gardening and hunting and in 1956 won an award for the most points (29) on a deer rack shot in Michigan.
Survivors include a granddaughter, Anne (Ivan) Graham of Jackson; a grandson, Phillip (Amy) Baxter of Marysville; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth; two daughters, Margaret Bilby and Mary Jane Baxter; by a grandson, Brian Bilby; and by a sister, Mary Lutz. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005 in the Dunn Chapel, Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Onsted with the Rev. Sandy Benes officiating. Interment will be made in the Maple Shade Cemetery in Onsted. The visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
