Bernice Kaske
Services for Bernice Kaske, 99, of Westland were today, Thursday, Oct. 3, in the chapel of John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home with burial at St. Hedwig Cemetery in Dearborn Heights. Officiating was the Rev. Ray Lucasinsky from Mariannhill Mission Society.
Mrs. Kaske was born March 21, 1903, and died Sept. 29 in Westland. She was a packer.
Surviving are her son, Leo Kaske; and daughters, Lorraine Byrnes of Wayne and Dorothy (Joe) Lademan.
Mrs. Kaske was preceded in death by her husband, Leo.
Donald M. Breest
Services for Donald Marsden Breest, 75, of Westland were Sept. 27 at Newburg United Methodist Church in Livonia with the Rev. Terry Wayne Allen officiating. Burial was at Grand Lawn Cemetery in Detroit.
Mr. Breest was born Aug. 10, 1927, in Detroit and died Sept. 24 in Lyon Township. He retired in 1987 from the Wonder Bakery Co. in Detroit after 28 years of service. He drove the bakery truck and was a salesman.
He was born and raised in Detroit and came to the Westland community in 1977 from Southfield. He was a lifetime member of the Wolverine Masonic Lodge No. 484 as well as a member of the Shrine, Scottish Rite and the Blue Lodge. He was a member of the Livonia Elks and the Sunshine Seniors of Livonia.
He was an active member of Newburg Church, and was a member of the Fidelis Class and volunteered in many areas. He attended Cass Technical High School, and enjoyed woodworking, model trains and travel.
Mr. Breest enjoyed time with his grandchildren. He and his wife were married 54 years.
Surviving are his wife, Beverly C. Breest; daughters, Gale (Robert) Sarkella of New Hudson, Colleen (Thomas) Bayoff of Bingham Farms and Barbara (Jay) Berkowitz of Los Angeles, Calif.; grandchildren, Christopher Sarkella, Rachel Sarkella, Brian Sarkella, Samuel Bayoff, Elizabeth Bayoff, Meg Berkowitz and Ryan Berkowitz; and sister, Mildred (Lee) LaForge of Curran, Mich.
Local arrangements were by Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, Plymouth.
Memorials are suggested to Newburg United Methodist Church.
Cecily A. Farragher
Services for Cecily A. Farragher, 60, of Grand Rapids, formerly of Canton and Westland, will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, from St. Thomas A' Becket Catholic Church in Canton with the Rev. Richard Kelly officiating and burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.
Miss Farragher was born April 2, 1942, in Detroit and died Sept. 25 in Grand Rapids. She taught elementary children in the Livonia Public Schools.
Survivors include brother-in-law Michael Lannan of Grand Rapids, nieces Michelle (Grant) Grable of Chicago, Beth (Michael) Bouma of Grand Rapids, Colleen (Gordon) Shields of Grand Rapids, Maureen (Dave) Partlo of Grand Rapids and Katherine Lannan of Grand Rapids and several grand nieces and grand nephews.
Preceding in death were her parents, Paul and Cecily Farragher, and sister Paula Lannan.
Memorials may be made to the Karmanos Cancer Institute.
William J. Rais
A memorial Mass for former Livonia resident William Rais, 87, of Denton, Texas will be 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, in St. Colette Catholic Church. The family will be celebrating his Life with a Memorial in his Honor following the Mass.
Mr. Rais was born April 21, 1915, in Detroit, and died Aug. 15, 2002, at his residence in Denton, Texas. He was a long time resident of Livonia and was retired from the Water Department of the City of Livonia.
Surviving are his sons, Robert (Deborah) of Northville, Ronald (Monica) of Pilot Point, Texas, Ralph and Raymon of Livonia and Roger of Westland; daughters, Elizabeth Grimshaw of Denton, Texas and Elaine (Robert) Nevel of Flat Top, Tenn.; brother, Walter Rais of Detroit; sisters, Stephanie Flis and Helen Rais of Detroit; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Mr. Rais was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, May 4, 1993.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Aug. 20 at St. Mark Catholic Church with burial in Belew Cemetery in Aubrey, Texas.
Darlene Seesholtz
Services for Darlene Seesholtz, 67, of Livonia were Sept. 13 in John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home with burial at Cadillac Memorial Gardens, West, Westland.
Mrs. Seesholtz was born Dec. 5, 1934, and died Sept. 9, 2002, at her home in Livonia. She was employed by Kmart 28 years, working in the Westland and Livonia stores.
Surviving are her sons, Michael (Revonda) and Ken (Natalie); daughters, Kelly (Mike) Camilleri and Holly (Bill) Pajot; father, Edward Traylor; brother, Lee (June); sisters, Sandra (Doug) Hayes and Marilyn (Neal) Hochkins; and 10 grandchildren, Kylie, Kaitlyn Seesholtz, Chelsea, Kendra, Brianna Seesholta, Becky, Amanda, Brandon Camilleri and Lindsey, Collin Pajot. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
Alfred D. Ellis
Services for Alfred Ellis, 86, of Westland are Sept. 27 in L.J. Griffin Funeral Home with entombment at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Officiating was the Rev. Drexel E. Morton from St. Michael Lutheran Church.
Mr. Ellis was born Sept. 16, 1916, in LeGrand, Iowa, and died Sept. 22 in Garden City. He was an electrician for an electric motor repair shop.
Surviving are his wife, Bernelle; sons, Craig, Kenton (Michelle) and Bud (Mary); daughter, Donna Ruel; one brother; one sister; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Jack R. Seal
Services for Jack Seal, 69, of Westland were Sept. 25 in R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, Garden City, with burial at Cadillac Memorial Gardens West, Westland. Officiating was the Rev. Roy Forsyth.
Mr. Seal was born Dec. 3, 1932, in Detroit, and died Sept. 23 at his home in Westland. He lived in this community many years. He was a club manager for a Veterans organization. He was a member of V.F.W. of Garden City-Post Commander, Westland Moose, Amvets and American Legion.
Surviving are his wife, Rosalie; children, Deborah Hughes, James Seal and Audra (Jason) Moriez; sisters, Doris Theobald and Virginia Rousakis; and seven grandchildren.
Patrick S. Thornton
Services for Patrick Thornton, 30, of Westland were Sept. 24 in Vermeulen Funeral Home. Officiating was the Rev. Jack H. Baker.
Mr. Thornton was born Feb. 4, 1972, in Detroit, and died Sept. 20 in Westland. He was a hi-lo driver. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church.
Surviving are his daughter, Kiana Thornton; father, Michael (Judy) Thornton of Milan; mother, Diane Thornton of Atlanta, Mich.; brother, Steven Thornton of Wayne; and sister, Angela Morina of Westland.
Robert Cockrum
Services for Robert Cockrum, 68, of Westland were Sept. 23 in Vermeulen Funeral Home with burial at Maple Grove Cemetery in Westland. Officiating was the Rev. David A. Kipfmiller.
Mr. Cockrum was born June 26, 1934, in Wayne, and died Sept. 20 in Dearborn. He was a retired truck driver. He was a veteran and served in the Army.
Surviving are his wife, Elaine; sons, Robert Cockrum of Ingelside, Ill. and Jamie (Dara) Cockrum of Canton; daughter, Sandy (Joe) Harbottle of Hamilton; brother, Tommy (Barbara) Cockrum of Westland; sisters, Ethel Doran of Ypsilanti, Evelyn Frances of West Bloomfield, Alethea Barker of Warren and Doris (Richard) Shuman of West Bloomfield; and four grandchildren, Jordan Cockrum, Benny Cockrum, Alyssa Harbottle and Luke Harbottle.
Memorial tributes may be made to American Cancer Society, 29350 Southfield Road, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48076; or American Diabetes Association Michigan Affiliate Inc., 23100 Providence Dr., Suite 400, Southfield, MI 48075-3680
James McGeachy
Services for James "Sam" McGeachy, 37, of New Boston were Sept. 25 in Michigan Memorial Funeral Home in Huron Township. Burial with Military Honors was at Michigan Memorial Park.
Mr. McGeachy died Sept. 21, 2002. He was employed by Sun Pipeline, Inc. of Taylor. He was an Air Force Veteran.
Surviving are his wife, Frances "Marie"; children, James, Smantha and Daniel; mother, Betty "Jean" McGeachy; and sisters, Beverly O'Neill, Kathryn McGeachy, Vicky (Eric) Ide, Branda (Mike) Bucata, Lori (Mike) Mousseau and Amy (Dean) Mascarello.
Mr. McGeachy was preceded in death by his father, Alex.
George Wilson Hafer
Services for George Hafer, 93, of Westland were Sept. 17 in Vermeulen Funeral Home with burial at United Memorial Gardens in Superior Township. Officiating was the Rev. Tom C. Hansen.
Mr. Hafer was born Sept. 4, 1909, in Claunch, Ark., and died Sept. 13 at his home in Westland. He was an automotive factory worker, employed by McCord Corp. 30 years. During World War II he worked on defense contracts. Mr. Hafer enjoyed sports and had played semi-pro baseball. He also enjoyed gardening.
Surviving are his wife, Hattie; daughter, Betty (John) Cole of Plymouth; sister, Dorothy Carpenter of Arkansas; grandchildren, Linda (Kean) Choma, Lisa (Kevin) Hille and John (Ruth) Cole; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial tributes may be made to Angela Hospice, 14100 Newburg Road, Livonia, MI 48154-5010
James L. Gains
Services for James Gains, 66, of Westland were Sept. 17 in Vermeulen Funeral Home with burial at Cadillac Memorial Gardens, West in Westland. Officiating was the Rev. Drex Morton.
Mr. Gains was born Oct. 6, 1935, in Doddridge County, W.Va., and died Sept. 13 in Ann Arbor. He was a production manager for General Motors.
Surviving are his wife, Glenda; sons, Gary Gains of Toledo, Ohio, and James (Sunday) Gains of Westland; daughter, Cheryl (Roger) Martinex of San Antonio, Texas, and Susan (Michael) Howell of Boston, Mass.; mother and stepfather, Ruby and Clair Dennis of Mt. Morris; five brothers; and three sisters.
Maxine Marie King
Services for Maxine King, 70, of Plymouth were Sept. 20 in Schrader-Howell Funeral Home with burial at Knollwood Cemetery in Canton. Officiating was the Rev. Michiael Bryan.
Mrs. King was born Sept. 19, 1931, in Washington, Ohio, and died Sept. 17 in Superior Township. She was a homemaker. She worked in insurance claims at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital 13 years.
Mrs. King came to the Plymouth community in 1950 from Van Wert, Ohio. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Plymouth. She enjoyed traveling, playing bingo, crocheting, cooking and baking for her family, and especially Thanksgiving with her family.
Surviving are her husband of 51 years, Thomas; sons, Thomas (Lola) King of Westland and James King of Jacksonville, Fla.; brothers, Richard Wiler of Ft. Wayne, Ind., Carl Wiler of Oklahoma City, Okla., and George Wiler of Olympia, Wash.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial tributes may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.
Lee Brown
Services for Lee Brown, 97, of Westland were held recently. Arrangements were made by Duzek Funeral Home, Detroit.
Mrs. Brown was born Oct. 4, 1904, and died Sept. 8 in Garden City. She was a graduate of Highland Park High School. She worked for Maxwell Motor Co. for a short time after graduation.
In the 1920s, Mrs. Brown went into the real estate business and held one of the first real estate salesman licenses in Michigan. She maintained her license until the mid-1990s. In the 1930s, she became involved in the oil business and continued in this field through World War II.
Mrs. Brown became interested in numerology during the early 1940s. She taught numerology and participated in a number of psychic fairs and did some radio work.
She was active in many organizations: president of Desk & Derrick Club of Michigan in Mt. Pleasant in 1956, ways and means chairman for the Michigan Federation of Music Clubs, a member of Tuesday Musicale of Detroit, Women's Symphony of Detroit and a member of Quota Club of Detroit.
Surviving is her son, Richard Brown of Westland.
Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel, in 1967.
Stella D. Schodowski
A funeral Mass for Stella Schodowski, 74, of Westland will be 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, in the Chapel of L.J. Griffin Funeral Home, Ford Road in Canton, with burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Officiating will be the Rev. Leonard Partensky. Visitation is 1-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, in the funeral home.
Mrs. Schodowski was born June 29, 1928, in Hamtramck and died Sept. 16 in Ann Arbor. She was a clerk in the retail business.
Surviving are her daughter, Patricia (Joseph) Wrobel; sister, Helen Kaun; and grandson, Stephen.
Mrs. Schodowski was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond.
