Harry R. Sobbe
age 66 of Highland Twp., died July 25, 2007.
Survived by his beloved wife, Joan (nee Wasaquam); children, Kimberly Sobbe, Christopher Sobbe; grandchildren, Nicholas & Casey; sisters, Marilyn VerLinden and family, Della Norush and family; brothers, Henry “Chip” Sobbe and family, Bernard Sobbe and family; and many dear friends.
Mr. Sobbe was a former firefighter with Highland Twp. for 10 years, a former Park Ranger with Kensington Metro Park for over 20 years, and retired from Numatics in 2006.
The family of Harry Sobbe invites friends and neighbors to a memorial gathering at their home from 1:30 pm—4:00 pm on Saturday, August 4. For further information, please contact Lynch & Sons at 248.684.6645.
Barbara Warren
age 77, of Polk City, FL and formerly of Milford, died suddenly July 31, 2007 surrounded by her family and friends. Beloved wife of Bud. Loving mother of Sue (Stanlee) Linton, Karen (Sue Tippett) Warren & Lynn (Shirley) Warren. Dear Grandmother of Benjamin, Kaitlin, Matthew, Heather, Ye-Ye and Xin-Xin. Also leaves many loving extended family members and friends and her two dear Yorkie’s, Peko and Joey.
Barbara was a retired Milford US Postal worker and member of the Milford Garden Club and held officer positions in many of the organizations she belonged to. She had a competitive spirit, loved spending time with her family, cooking, traveling and motor home rallies.
A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held Thursday, August 2, 2007, 5:30-7:30 PM at the family home in Milford. Memorials in her name are encouraged to the Michigan Humane Society and MADD. For further information please call Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors, Milford, at 248-684-6645.
Gerald Lee Caswell
age 71, of Milford, died August 5, 2007. Loving brother of James (Alberta) Caswell. Preceded in death by his parents, Ruth & Fred Caswell. Also leaves many dear extended family members and friends. Memorials may be made to St. John Health Foundation, Hospice Care, PO Box 673271, Detroit, MI 48267-3271. For further information please call Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors at 248-684-6645.
Patsy Pfaff-Cox
joined our Heavenly Father on June 1, 2007 after a courageous battle with ALS Disease. Patsy was born on October 17, 1936 in Elizabethan, Tennessee to Bonnie Dempsey & Earl Feathers who later divorced. Although Patsy was an only child, she was blessed to have a family with 7 half sisters and brothers who remained very dear to her. Patsy started her own family early in life; she was just 15 years old when she had her first of eight children. She said after all there was “nothing else to do in those Tennessee hills but be barefoot and pregnant”. Patsy moved to Michigan as a young woman along with her husband Kenneth Bishop in search of a better life due to the affluent auto industry. Affluence did not immediately follow her as Patsy struggled raising a family of eight, but with the help of many dear friends she kept the family together. She often reminisced about her friendships and how grateful she was to people like the Dauers, the Andersons, Mr. Karp & Mr. Muray Hill and the many people she knew in Michigan. Eventually, Patsy would settle in Florida where once again she acquired many friends as she did throughout her life. She was easy to love as she made everyone feel at ease.
Patsy had many jobs during her lifetime to try to make ends meet, but she was very proud of her job as a Medical Records Technician at St. Joseph Bon Secours Hospital in Port Charlotte, Florida. Everyone in the hospital loved Patsy as she had a way of touching and comforting those around her. She was respected and recognized as employee of the month during her employment.
Patsy enjoyed collecting Hummel figurines, loved doing Sudoku puzzles and really loved her “Dr. Phil” and Oprah. She had a natural talent and great love of music. Although she never had formal lessons, Patsy taught herself to read music and had the extraordinary gift of being able to hear a piano piece once and play it from memory. Some of her children’s fondest memories of her are those days spent around the piano singing Christmas carols and church hymns. She belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary and was a proud and active member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Charlotte, FL.
Patsy and her current husband, William Cox, were able to enjoy extensive traveling in their retirement years including several cruises and trips to Hawaii, Texas and California.
Looking through the eyes of others one would say that one of Patsy’s greatest achievements was the way she made other people feel about themselves. She was unselfish and giving. She dedicated her life to her family and friends. Even with her illness she never felt sorry for herself. She kept a positive attitude and was always open to new ideas. Patsy was bubbly, fun and full of life.
Beloved wife of William. Dear mother of Sheila (Ralph) Solomon, Janet (Bob Hinchcliffe) Lieder, Patricia (Hal) Hardy, Kenny (Lorie) Bishop, the late Michael (Lori) Bishop, Sheri (Ralph) Pyc, Cynthia (Jack) Stowers and Stephen (Evonne) Bishop. Step-mother of Robert (Helene) Pfaff, Audra (Stan) Kilanowski and Louis (Tammy) Cox. Cherished grandmother of Jeremy, Kimberly, Matthew, Jason, Erica, Erin, Jamie, Ryan, Carrie, & Laura; great-grandmother of 3. Loving sister of LeRoy, Robert, Margaret, Alma, Caroline, Teddy, Lois and Jane.
A Funeral Service will be held at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty, Milford, MI, Friday, June 8, 10 AM. Friends may visit Wednesday 5-9 PM & Thursday 2-9 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Hospice or ALS Association. For further information call 248-684-6645.
Basil Fattaleh
a resident of Milford for over thirty-years, died on Thursday, May 24, 2007 in Tampa, FL. Born on June 5, 1918, he was the oldest of Michael & Edna Fattaleh’s four children. At a young age he felt responsible for his siblings and helped to provide and care for them. Working in his father’s grocery store and café while attending school, it was at this early age that his dedication to family deepened. He carried this devotion with him when he returned from the United States Air Force Service in WWII. He was a romantic that reflected in his big smile and sparkling blue eyes and was known to spontaneously whistle, sing, or dance. Shortly after WWII he saw a pretty Alice Catherine Anton crossing the street, for which he could not resist and gave out a whistle. One year after that whistle, they were married on September 2, 1946. The newlyweds opened a small grocery store in Phoenix before returning to Detroit shortly after the birth of their first son, Daniel. Enjoying their new lives together as parents they purchased a home and were later blessed with the births of their second son, Dennis and daughter, Janet.
Basil’s sense of family devotion led to a very secure household with a lot of happy memories. For Danny and Dennis, it meant having a father who accompanied them on camping trips with the Scouts, helping them catch fish, and work with them on projects. He helped Dennis make his first go-kart by taking the wheels of the old baby buggy and the motor off the old lawn mower. As Danny and Dennis grew up, he was there as their golfing buddy and they became accomplished duffers. For Janet, it meant a dad who took her on dates when she was little when Alice was busy with the women’s card club night. That’s where Janet learned how a gentleman treats a lady: opening doors, having a nice dinner, going for a movie, and having a little song sang and a little dance at the end of the evening. She would often see Basil singing and dancing with Alice in the kitchen as she prepared supper or made cookies.
Dad was always there for us three kids. He supported us, made sure he was there for us, and encouraged us to be the best we could. He paved our way and he let us know that he was proud of us. He loved us very deeply, but even more, he loved Alice and wanted to be with her. We know he’ll be singing to her and slow dancing with her and letting her know how much he loves her.
Basil was preceded in death by his beloved wife Alice in 2004. In addition to his children, Daniel (Helene) Daniels, Dennis Fattaleh, Janet (Charles) Buhse, he is survived by his grandchildren, Jennifer (Andrew) Newman, David Daniels, Robert Daniels, Stacy Daniels, Alex Fattaleh, Jeannine Buhse and Laura Buhse; great-grandchildren, Joshua and Alexis; brother, John; sister, Katherine and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, 1955 E. Commerce Rd., Milford Friday 11AM with Fr. Ron Anderson officiating. Entombment will follow at Oakland Hills Cemetery, Novi. Friends may visit at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty, Milford, Thursday 4-9PM. For more information call 248.684.6645 or visit www.LynchFuneralDirectors.com.
Doris I. Croy
age 90, formerly of Lincoln Park, died on May 25, 2007. She is survived by her son, Dennis (Ann) Croy of Milford; daughter, Donna Sue (James) Woods of Sanford, 5 grandchildren & 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph “Paul” Croy in 1988, a brother, Harold Putt and sister, Margaret Allen.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 1325 Champaign Road, Lincoln Park, May 31 at 12PM. Luncheon to follow Memorial Service. Memorials may be made to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. For further information please call 248-684-6645.
June Marie Couture
a resident of Highland Township, went to be with the Lord on Thursday morning, May 31st, 2007. She was 73 years old. Born to Roy & Helen Armbruster on June 11th, 1933 in Detroit, June grew up in Commerce Township and was a 1951 graduate of Walled Lake High School. Following high school she attended Cleary College and went on to work as a loan officer with GMAC in Bloomfield Hills for over fifteen years. A long term member of Union Lake Baptist Church; she trusted and loved the Lord Jesus Christ. Her life presented challenges that drew her closer to Him and demonstrated a life full of joy because of her focus on Christ. She sincerely loved others and helped and prayed for countless people. She is survived by her sons, Craig Couture of Florida, Larry, John, & Kurt Couture of Michigan; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Also surviving are her sister, Jane Larson of Clarkston, brother, Bill Armbruster of Oregon, and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband John S. Couture in 1969.
Funeral from Union Lake Baptist Church, 8390 Commerce Rd., Commerce, Monday, June 4th, 12 PM. Dr. Richard Griffin to officiate. Burial Commerce Cemetery. Friends may visit at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty, Milford, Sunday 3-8 PM. For further information call 248-684-6645.
Jerome F. "Jerry" Kapanowski
age 70 of Milford for over 35 years, May 27, 2007. Loving husband of Carol. Dear father of Julie (Brad) Petty, Marty (Cindy), Kenny (Carolyn) and Maureen (Mark) MacDowell. Loving grandfather of 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Loved by many extended family and dear friends. Funeral from Saint Mary Catholic Church, 1955 E. Commerce Rd., Milford, Thursday 11 AM. Friends may visit at church at 10:30 AM. Father Ron Anderson to officiate. Friends may visit at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty, Milford, Wednesday 2-9PM. Rosary service 7PM. For further information please call 248-684-6645.
Helen Josephine Lawson
age 90 of Milford, formally of Ypsilanti, May 26, 2007.
Loving mother of Woodrow (Joyce) Daniels of Milford and Jack (Bettie) Daniels of Westland. Dear sister of Belle Hopkins of Vero Beach, FL. 8 Grandchildren, 14 Great-Grandchildren and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren. Also many loving nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.
Helen was born on Nov. 7, 1916 in Freeburn, KY. She was one of 12 born to Angeline (Norman) Francis and William Francis. She married Grover W. Lawson on July 9, 1951 in Edgarton, W. VA. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Grover W. Lawson, her son, Larry Lawson of Ypsilanti and Great-granddaughter, Jessica Valko of Milford.
Funeral from Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty, Milford Wednesday, 11 AM. Rev. Richard E. Pape to officiate. Friends may visit Tuesday 4-9PM. Burial Highland Cemetery, Ypsilanti. For further information please call 248-684-6645.
Roger Felix DeClercq
a resident of Commerce Township, died on Sunday, May 20th, 2007 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. He was 77 years old. Born in Isegem, Belgium on January 7, 1930, he was the son of Victor and Margaret (nee Lenore) DeClercq. After his father’s death, Roger emigrated to the United States with his mother, passing through Ellis Island and settling in Detroit when he was 15 years old. After owning his own dry cleaners and working other jobs, Roger began his long career in law enforcement, starting as a Patrolman and rising to the rank of Sergeant in Harper Woods. After fifteen years on the job, he attended the Detroit Police Academy and FBI School. He served as police chief in New Haven and then moved to Wixom where he served with the Wixom Police Department as a Patrolman, later in their K-9 and Mounted Divisions and his last years as a detective. He retired in 1988 after 23 years with the Wixom Department. With his first wife, Virginia, Mr. DeClercq raised three daughters and three sons and in 1975 he married Mary Misko. They made their home on Chickory Lane in Commerce Township for over thirty years. Roger De Clercq was a “stubborn Belgian” who loved his family, his horses, cats and dogs and was well known for his willingness to help, his honesty, his fairness and the fact that you always knew where you stood with him. He leaves a legacy of public service and rich family memories. He is survived by his wife, Mary DeClercq; children, Diane DeClercq of Commerce, Donald DeClercq of Roseville, David (Terese) DeClercq of Clinton Twp., Robert DeClercq of Roseville, Susan DeClercq of Commerce, Dawn DeClercq of Commerce, granddaughter, Danielle Erb and his many loving sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and dear friends who join with his family in mourning his death and giving thanks to God for his life among them. >
Funeral from Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty, Milford, Friday, May 25th, 9:15AM to St. William Catholic Church, 531 Common St Walled Lake, for Mass at 10AM. Fr. Edward Scheuerman will officiate. Burial Oakland Hills Cemetery, Novi. Friends may visit at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty, Milford, Wednesday 4-9PM & Thursday 2-9 PM. Vigil Service Thursday 7PM. Memorials may be made in his name to St. Jude's Children Hospital or to the Michigan Humane Society. For further information call 248-684-6645.
