Debra (Mommers) Dalles
Debra M. “Debbie” (Mommers) Dalles, age 39, of Laramie, Wyoming, died at her home surrounded by family on Tuesday, November 29, 2005, concluding her courageous battle with breast cancer since the summer of 2001.
Debbie was born on October 16, 1966 in Saginaw, Mich. to Guillaume and Brenda Mommers. Debbie was raised in Brooklyn, Mich. where she graduated from Columbia Central High School in 1985.
In 1987 Debbie enlisted in the United States Navy and received her training as an electronics technician. She was responsible for and maintained communication and weather equipment to support Naval Air Traffic Operations. Upon her honorable discharge in 1993 she received a 3.96 (out of 4.0) performance evaluation in addition to a “Good Conduct Medal” and “Letter of Commendation” in 1993.
While stationed in San Diego, California she met and eventually married her “Soul Mate and best friend” Brian Dalles on July 1, 1989 who was also serving in the Navy at the time.
On September 6, 1992, Debbie gave birth to their first son Wesley “Wes” and in 1993 the family eventually all moved to Laramie and had a home built on the Dalles family ranch. On August 20, 1996 Debbie and Brian celebrated the birth of their second son “J.W.” Debbie had always stated that being a mother as well as a wife was her “true purpose in life” adding that she enjoyed it more than anyone could articulate.
In keeping with her true interest in the caring of others, Debbie entered and eventually graduated in 1997 from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor degree in Social Work. Even more impressive was that she did it with “Honors,” all while seeing to her overwhelming duties as a homemaker.
From June of 1993 to 1996 Debbie worked as an administrative assistant with Veterans Affairs in Laramie to support veterans obtaining college funding from the Military. Most recently Debbie was employed by the Albany County School District #1 at the Little Laramie Valley School since 1996 throughout periods of her illness. She spoke often of her true pleasure of being around the children and teachers on a daily routine basis.
Just prior to passing Debbie had requested a thank you to Dr. Merrill and his wife Lisa in addition to everyone at the Cancer Center for their hard work, compassion and friendship. She wanted all people that had come into her life to know that they all played a very important role with her and each person was very special to her, and again wanted those all thanked for their individual friendships and love.
Family members and friends all knew Debbie have been amazed at how children were attracted to her as well as her attracting to the children. If there was a baby in the crowd she would eventually be holding him/her in her arms. She was observed by many people to be driving a vehicle actually packed with children to one event or another and actually defined what the “Neighborhood Mother” was all about.
Never did Debbie think of herself first. She always remembered the birthdays and went the extra step of having little dinners and picnics to make people as happy as possible. Christmas was definitely one of her favorite days as she adored the giving of presents to others.
Beyond her internal and external beauty, Debbie will be remembered for her love of life, infectious laugh, intelligence, and more importantly her love of family.
Debbie’s overriding concern while nearing her time of passing was the welfare of her two sons and husband. She had mentioned earlier that she hoped people were willing to simply write a short letter to her sons Wes and J.W. to describe what they recalled of her so that the boys could have it to refer to not only now but later in life.
Debbie was preceded in death by her Grandparents Casper and Agnes Mommers, and Paul and Marge Janke.
She is survived by her husband, Brian Dalles of Laramie; sons, Wes and J.W. of Laramie; parents, Guillaume and Brenda of Brooklyn, Mich.; brothers, twin brother Richard (Melissa) Mommers, of Bowling Green, Ohio, John (Edith) Mommers of Indian Head, Maryland, James (Debbie) Mommers of Onsted; and sister, Tammy (Dharmesh) Gada of Adrian, Mich.
Debbie was also loved and greatly admired as family and friend by all her unnamed brother and sister-in-laws and her many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services are scheduled for Friday, December 16, at 2 p.m. at the Gateway Community Church, 268 S. Main, Onsted, Mich.
In lieu of flowers Debbie had asked that if anyone wished to do so please donate to the Meredith and Jeannie Ray Cancer Center, 225 N. 30th, Laramie, Wyo. 82072, or Hospice of Laramie located at 1262 N. 22nd, Laramie, Wyo. 82072.
A fund for Debbie’s two sons Wes and J.W. has also been set up at First Interstate Bank in care of Sharleen Castle, 1771 Snowy Range Road, Laramie, Wyo. 82070.
Marion Annieve Giffin
Marion Annieve Giffin, age 81, of Sumpter Township, Mich., formerly of Taylor and Sweezy Lake, Mich., died at her home on Monday, December 5, 2005. She was born June 8, 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of the late Lloyd and Edna Lorene (Alger) Fidler. She was preceded in death by her husband Neal C. Giffin in 1999. Also preceding her in death were her parents and two sisters, Frances and Ruthie.
She is survived by two children, Beverly Phillips, of Allen Park, Mich. and Michael (Joy) Giffin, of Belleville, Mich. ; one brother, Lloyd (Margie) Fidler of Missouri; eight grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church of Troy, Mich. Marion was an avid writer who was working on a reference book comparing the Old Testament to the New.
Interment was at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri. Memorial contributions can be made to Arbor Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements were made by David C. Brown Funeral Home, Belleville, Mich.
Irma Arlene Tremblay
Irma Arlene Tremblay, age 85, passed away Thursday, December 1, 2005. She was born January 24, 1920 the daughter of Frank and Laura ( Moores ) Frost. She married Ranald Tremblay on March 18, 1944 and he preceded her in death on March 6, 1990.
Irma is survived by her daughters, Mary (David) Sawyer of Napoleon and Kathryn Tremblay Delano of Ypsilanti, two grandchildren, Karen (Christopher) Van de Water of Napoleon and Scott David (Kelly) Sawyer of Auburn Hills and two great grandchildren, Kathryn Amara Van de Water and Steven David Sawyer.
A celebration of Irma’s life took place on Monday, December 5, at the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church with Reverend Robert Malsack officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to the Dahlem Nature Center or to Brooklyn Presbyterian Church. Envelopes will be available at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn.
Wanda Patrick
Wanda Patrick, age 74, passed away December 1, 2005. She was born July 11, 1931 in Ann Arbor the daughter of Louis and Vera (Gauss) Frey.
Wanda is preceded in death by her children, Randy Patrick in 1990, Russell Patrick in 1977 and Roxanne Bowerman in 1995, sister, Helen Craft, grandchild, Riley Patrick. Wanda is survived by 10 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and brother, Gerald Frey.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Donor’s choice. A graveside service was held for Wanda on Friday, December 2, 2005 at Rowe’s Corners Cemetery in Manchester, with family friend Michael Strange officiating. Arrangements were entrusted to Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn. (517) 592-2280.
JoAnn Schiel
JoAnn Schiel, age 70, of Brooklyn, passed away at W. A. Foote Memorial Hospital on November 30, 2005. JoAnn was born June 26, 1935 in Detroit, the daughter of Paul and Frances Dray. She married Richard Schiel on July 29, 1954 in Bay City and he survives.
Mrs. Schiel was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved her family. Besides her husband of 51 years, Mrs. Schiel is also survived by her children, Richard Jr. (Darcy) Schiel, Randy (Jeanette) Schiel, Scott (Joan) Schiel, Lester (Cathy) Schiel, and Chad Schiel; and grandchildren, Joshua, Polly, Jason, Darby, Joseph, Jessie, Kyle, Derek and Eli. JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Paul Dray, Jr.; and infant sister, Ruth Dray.
A Celebration of life was held on Saturday, December 3, 2005, at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel, Brooklyn, with Pastor Robert Malsack officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to the charity of donor’s choice and envelopes are available at the funeral home. Interment was at Highland Cemetery.
Agnes M. Garner
Long-time Brooklyn resident Agnes M. Garner, 87, died Nov. 22, 2005, in Barboursville, W. Va. She had lived at Lake Columbia and then at the Brooklyn Living Center before moving to West Virginia to be near her son, Robert, and his family.
Edward Partacz
Edward Partacz, age 86, of Brooklyn passed away on November 23, 2005 at W.A. Foote Memorial Hospital. Mr. Partacz was born on January 30, 1919 in Detroit the son of Peter and Anna (Pysterk) Partacz. He married Rose Pancio on August 23, 1941 and she survives.
Besides his wife Mr. Partacz is survived by two sons, Kenneth Partacz and Terrance Partacz; daughter-in-law, Linda Partacz; and two grandchildren, Krista and Kelly. He was preceded in death by son, Gerald Partacz in 1999.
A celebration of life was held on Monday, November 28, at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn at 1 p.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Rita’s Catholic Church at 2 p.m. with Father Lehr Barkenquest officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to the Salvation Army. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Jacqueline J. Vaughn
Jacqueline J. Vaughn, age 71 of Jackson, passed away on November 30, 2005 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born May 18, 1934, the daughter of Royal and Geraldine Chapel. She is survived by three children Chuck (Cindy) Vaughn, Timothy (Shelly) Vaughn, and Kim Ann Bird and her special friend Roger Hettinger; grandchildren, Jereme Vaughn, Stacey (Derek) Rhodes, Jason Bird, and Kasey and Nikki Vaughn; great granddaughter MacKenzie Vaughn, sister, Barbara Andrews, and brother, Mike Chapel. Jacqueline was preceded in death by her husband Dewain; grandson, Justin Vaughn; sister, Phyllis Bunting and brother, Sonny Chapel.
Funeral services were held at the Chas. J. Burden & Son Funeral Home in Jackson on Monday, December 5, 2005 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Robert Malsack officiating. Interment followed in Roseland Memorial Gardens. Those who wish may make contributions in Jacqueline’s name to the Borgess Cardiovascular Center.
Eleanor Ann Tuckey
Eleanor Ann Tuckey, age 73 of Tecumseh, died November 25, 2005 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor. Ann was born on June 7, 1932 in Ft. Valley, Ga. the daughter of W.D. and Eleanor (Mingledorff) Saunders. On July 3, 1955 she married Gene Tuckey in Ft. Valley, Ga., he survives.
Her many interests and loves were reading, needlepoint, crossword puzzles, gardening and her family. Ann loved to travel and especially enjoyed the years she and Gene spent at their home in Ft. Myers, Fla. Her joys in Florida were dominoes, boating and flowers. Ann graduated with a Nursing degree in 1951 from Macon General Hospital School of Nursing. She enjoyed a long nursing career at Herrick Memorial Hospital and Saline Community Hospital.
Ann was a member of the Tecumseh United Methodist Church and Vice Commander of the Orange Harbor Boat Club in Ft. Myers, Fla.
Ann was a member of the Tecumseh United Methodist Church and Vice Commander of the Orange Harbor Boar Club in Ft. Myers, Fla.
Besides her husband Gene, Eleanor is survived by three children, Blair (Samantha) Tuckey of Brooklyn, Joseph (Sherri) Tuckey of Tecumseh, and Sarah (Jeff) Miller of Onsted; six grandchildren, Erin, Joseph, Andrew, Dustin, Jonah and Michael; one sister, Jean (Harold) Wall of Waynesville, N.C.; a niece Susan (Mike) Vergantino of Bluffton, S.C. and a nephew Thomas (Kay) McGehee of Macon, Ga. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 30, 2005 at 11 a.m. at the Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh with the Rev. David McKinstry officiating. Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery, Tecumseh. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and Hospice of Lenawee.
