Patrick Joseph Neill
Services for Patrick Neill, 48, of Dearborn were held Aug. 15 at St. John's Episcopal Church with the Rev. William B. Lupfer officiating.
Mr. Neill was born Sept. 3, 1953 in Dearborn and died Aug. 10 in Detroit. He was a certified public accountant. He came to the Monroe, Tecumseh/Clinton community in 1978 from Dearborn and Gaylord. He was a member of the Friends of the V.F.W. Slater Post in Tecumseh. He was a volunteer for the Sand Lake Fire Department. He received a bachelor degree in business from Northern Michigan University.
Patrick was preceded in death by his mother, Joan Adamson Neill.
Survivors include daughters, Katherine Olsaver Neill, Elizabeth Joan Neill and Sarah Maureen Neill, all of Tecumseh; brothers and sisters, Michael (Mary Ann) Neill of Gainesville, Fla., Thomas (Jennifer) Neill of Dearborn and Catherine (Joseph Krauss) Neill of Plymouth; and father, Joseph T. Neill of Dearborn.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Harper Hospital Cardiac Care Unit.
Arrangements made by Schrader-Howell Funeral Home.
Merlin K. Gaut
Services for Merlin Gaut, 88, of Southfield, were held Aug. 14 at the Newburg United Methodist Church in Livonia.
Mr. Gaut was born Aug. 19, 1913 and died Aug. 10. He retired in 1976 from Ford Motor Co. as a Senior Design Checker in Body Engineering. Previously he worked his way through Chrysler and General Motors, where he received his technical training. He worked in many job shops in the automotive industry. As a young man, he owned a card room and Gaut Opera House in Payne, Ohio. He also worked the farms and had a bread route.
He was born and raised in Ohio and came to Michigan in the late 1930s. He came to Detroit in 1941 and Southfield in the late 1940s. He was one of the "founding fathers" in the City of Southfield where he served on the Civil Service Commission. He was one of the organizers of the Upper-Teens, Inc. and the Southfield Fair. He was also a Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Explorer Leader and served for many years as president of the PTA at John Grace School.
He met Marjorie (a school teacher) at the Grande Ballroom; they've been married for 62 years. They lived for a short while at Waltonwoods Senior Apartments in Canton. He received a public service award from Henry Ford II for his exemplary public service and commendation from the City of Southfield for his years in public service.
In his free time he enjoyed golf, archery (he made his own arrows), shooting, boating and gardening. He was an avid trader in the stock market. The Gauts spent their retirement winters in Daytona Beach and Ft. Pierce, Fla. Mack says of his dad, "He was a great man who wasn't afraid to try anything or volunteer for any job. He enjoyed working with people, loved his family, and always had a smile on his face."
Mr. Gaut was preceded in death by his brother, Marcell Gaut, and grandson, Micah Leyshock.
Survivors include wife, L. Marjorie Gaut of Southfield; son, Mack M. (Marilyn) Gaut of Plymouth; daughter, Marianne J. DesJardins of Southfield; daughter, Martha C. (Dennis) Leyshock of Farmington Hills; grandchildren, Martin (Tracey) Gaut, Mark (Jen) Gaut, Monica (Jeff) Darling, Deloris DesJardins, Tricia Damron, Daniel Leyshock, and Peter Leyshock; seven great-grandchildren; and sister, Maribeth Elick of E. Palestine, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to Newburg United Methodist Church in Livonia.
Arrangements made by Schrader-Howell Funeral Home.
Jeanette A. Lamia
Services for Jeanette A. Lamia, 72, of Plymouth were held Aug. 16 at the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home with the Rev. Doc Ortman officiating. Burial was at St. Hedwig Cemetery in Dearborn Heights.
Mrs. Lamia was born March 5, 1930 in Detroit and died Aug. 12 in Livonia. She was a homemaker. She came to the Plymouth community in 1986 from Redford. She was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. She loved to read, was a loving mother, grandmother, and sister.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank.
Survivors include children, Frank Lamia of Atlanta, Ga., Sam (Mary Ann) Lamia of Peachtree, Ga., and Vita (Joe) Ference of Redford; grandchildren, Kelly, Frank and Joseph Lamia; sister, Jean (Gene) Puglise of Fla., Theresa Mapes of Tenn., and Eleanor Rusu of Plymouth; brother, Ronald Burns of Kalkaska; and sister-in-law, Lottie Burns.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements made by Schrader-Howell Funeral Home.
Bernice Elizabeth Hubbell
Services for Bernice Hubbell, 98, of Commerce Township, were held July 31 at MacDonald's Funeral Home in Howell with burial at Lakeview Cemetery in Howell.
Mrs. Hubbell was born May 16, 1904 in Freeland, Mich. and died July 27 in Commerce Township. She is a retired Chief Bookkeeper at National Bank of Detroit in the Plymouth branch. She was a life member of the Howell Chapter 372 of the Order of Eastern Star. She was a graduate of Ferris State College.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney Lewis Hubbell in 1972; and sisters, Sadie Graves and Mary Slosser.
Survivors include son, Geoffrey (Karen) Hubbell of Howell; daughter, Suzanne Haas of Commerce Township; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and sister, Virginia King of Midland.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Integrated Health Services.
Arrangements made by MacDonalds Funeral Home.
Dorothy Zdan
Services for Dorothy Zdan, 61, of Canton were held July 31 at the Neely-Turowski Funeral Home with Mr. Dan Weideman officiating.
Mrs. Zdan was born June 18, 1941 in Detroit and died July 27 at Arbor Hospice. She was a secretary.
Survivors include husband, William; daughters, Jeanni (Shawn) Munday, and Andrea (Ryan) Nowak; brother, William (Kat); granddaughter, Alison; brother, Robert (Ruth) Bollinger, and sister, Robin (Alan) Smith.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements made by Neely-Turowski Funeral Home.
Laura Elizabeth Weir
Services for Laura Weir, 28, of Canton were held July 29 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church with the Rev. Andrew Webster officiating. Burial was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.
Laura was born May 29, 1976 in Ypsilanti and died July 25 at Angela Hospice. She lived in Canton for 26 years. She was an elementary school teacher at St. Mary School in Wayne, All Saints School in Canton, Tonda Elementary in Canton, plus numerous substitute positions in Plymouth-Canton and Livonia School districts. She held a bachelor of arts degree and Michigan teaching certificate from Grand Valley State University. She was a member of the Girl Scouts, Huron Valley Council troop leader, camp counselor, member of St. John Neumann Praise Choir and St. John Newmann Young Adult Group. She was awarded Outstanding Leader in 2001-G.S.H.V.C. She enjoyed reading, dance (ballet), and collecting doll house miniatures.
Survivors include parents, Robert (Barbara) Weir of Canton; sisters, Jennifer (Kenneth) Meyers of Lake Orion and Kelly Weir of Canton; brothers, Rob Weir of Canton and Kevin Weir of Canton; grandmother, Elizabeth G. Weir of Redford; grandfather, James Owen Fagan of Redford; and several cousins, aunts and uncles.
Arrangements made by Vermeulen Funeral Home.
Sandra Lee Scharmen
Services for Sandra Scharmen, 55, of Plymouth were held July 27 at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Kenneth F. Gruebel officiating.
Mrs. Scharmen was born Oct. 21, 1946 in Detroit and died July 23 at University Hospital. She was employed as a collection manager. She was a member of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church.
Sandra was preceded in death by her mother, Jean Paxton.
Survivors include husband, Charles F. Scharmen of Plymouth; father, John S. Paxton of South Lyon; son, Michael A. Scharmen of Belleville; daughters, Tracy L (Roland) Feria of Redford and Amy M. Scharmen of Plymouth; brothers, Randolph Paxton of Highlands, N.C. and John Paxton of Alpharetta, Ga.; and granddaughter, Alexis Feria.
Memorial contributions may be made: In Memory of Sandra Scharmen, Liver Transplant Emergency Fund, Henry Ford Hospital-Transplant Surgery, Case 7, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202.
Arrangements made by Vermeulen Funeral Home.
Pamela A. Forrestall
Services for Pamela Forrestall, 52, of Canton were held July 25 at St. Thomas a'Becket Catholic Church with the Rev. Gerald V. Bechard officiating.
Mrs. Forrestall was born Nov. 8, 1949 in Detroit and died July 22 in Southfield. She was an information operator with AT&T. She was a member of St. Thomas a'Becket Catholic Church.
Survivors include husband, Michael Forrestall of Canton; daughter, Felecia Forrestall of Canton; brother, Richard (Beth) Harvey of Grand Junction, Colo.; brother, Kenneth (Barbara Jo) Harvey of Davisburg; and brother, Robert (Jessie) Harvey of Weedsport, N.Y.
Memorial contributions may be made to Nash Syndrome or American Liver Research.
Arrangements made by Vermeulen Funeral Home.
Raymond H. Watkins, Jr.
Services for Raymond Watkins, 74, of Riverview will be held Aug. 2 at the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home with the Rev. Drex Morton officiating. Burial will be at St. Hedwig Cemetery in Dearborn Heights.
Mr. Watkins was born Dec. 30, 1927 in Plymouth and died July 29 in Riverview. He was a superintendent at Whitehead-Kales Steel Co. in River Rouge. He retired after 27 years of service. He also was a courier for Southview Florist for over nine years. He came to the Riverview community in 1995 from River Rouge. He was a member of the United Steel Workers Union No. 29 and was a veteran of World War II. He enjoyed photography and was an avid trivia buff. He also enjoyed antiques and antique shopping.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Watkins.
Survivors include sons, Robert Watkins of Roseville and Joe (Joann) Watkins of S.C.; daughter, Patricia Watkins of Phoenix; granddaughter, Robin Palmer of Taylor; great-granddaughter, Andrianna Liford of Taylor; sister, Betty Dane of Va.; and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements made by Schrader-Howell Funeral Home.
Elmer E. Austin
Services for Elmer Austin, 95, of Plymouth, were held July 17 at Vermeulen Funeral Home with the Rev. Michael Bryan officiating. Burial was at Riverside Cemetery in Plymouth.
Mr. Austin was born Jan. 25, 1907 in Troy and died July 15 in Plymouth. He lived in Plymouth since 1933. He was known around Plymouth as the "Tool Man" for his sale of refurbished tools during community events such as Art in the Park and the Fall Festival. Former owner of Austin Taxi of Plymouth, Wayne Cab of Wayne, Elmer E. Austin Used Cars, and Hoover Vaccum of Plymouth. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Plymouth.
Mr. Austin was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Eva Brown.
Survivors include daughters, Shirley (Robert) Roe of Plymouth and Lois (Allen Eddy) Thompson of Plymouth; granddaughters, Debra (Scott) Kureth, Carol Thompson, Lori (Jeffrey) Porter, and Julie (Paul) Montresor; and great-grandson, Austin Kureth.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 45050 N. Territorial Road, Plymouth, MI 48170.
Arrangements made by Vermeulen Funeral Home.
Beverly A. Bain
Beverly A. Bain, 69, of Plymouth, died July 11 in her home. She was born July 21, 1932 in Highland Park and has lived most of her life in Plymouth. She was a retired physical education teacher in the Detroit area schools.
Miss Bain was preceded in death by her mother, Agnes Quinn Bain, sister, Shirley Bain Stroh, brother-in-law, Frank Stroh, nephew Shawn Stroh and her close friend, Nancy Reynolds.
Survivors include cousins, Loran Bluska and Richard Phillips of Port Huron.
Arrangements made by Schrader-Howell Funeral Home.
Helen Cecelia Redford
Services for Helen Redford, 95, of Plymouth were held July 31 at St. Gerald Church in Farmington with the Rev. John Menner officiating. Burial will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.
Mrs. Redford was born Feb. 23, 1907 in Detroit and died July 19 in Wayne. She was a homemaker. She was a former active member of St. Gemma Church.
Mrs. Redford was preceded in death by her husband, William Redford.
Survivors include son, William (Donna) Redford of Plymouth; son, Donald (Betty) Redford; son, Neil (Phyllis) Redford; 10 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Capuchins Monastery.
Arrangements made by Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home.
