Floyd A. Balman
Services for Floyd A. Balman, 85, of Farmington, were held Jan. 10 at First United Methodist Church of Farmington with the Rev. Jeffrey Maxwell officiating. Burial followed at Oakland Hills Cemetery in Novi.
Mr. Balman was born Sept. 7, 1917 in Rozel, Kan. and died Jan. 6, 2003 at Angela Hospice in Livonia. He worked as an engineer for Ford Motor Company. He also worked for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, Kan. and Ford Aircraft in Kansas City, Mo.
He is survived by his wife, Edith; son, Marshall (Gail); daughters, Carolyn (Terry) Wik and Jo Lynn Balman; brothers, Robert (Nadine) and Bruce (Barbara); three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church of Farmington Memorial Fund; 33112 Grand River Ave., Farmington, MI 48336.
Arrangements made by Thayer-Rock Funeral Home in Farmington.
Robert J. Crawford
Services for Robert Jordan Crawford, 82, of Farmington Hills, were held Jan. 11 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Farmington with the Rev. Ronald Browne officiating. Burial followed at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.
Mr. Crawford was born Dec. 23, 1920 in Detroit and died Jan. 8, 2002 in Farmington Hills. He was a member of the Local 636 Pipefitters Union for 55 years and was a World War II Navy veteran.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn; sons, Patrick (Joan), Terry (Linda), Kevin (Teresa), Robert (Cheryl), Michael (Barbara) and Brian; brother, Kenneth (Pat); sisters, Rita (Edward) O'Neill and Jean (Spence) Turner; and grandchildren, Dawn, Tracey, Tim, Jeff, Caitlyn, Krista, Susann, Scott, Josh, Gabe, Nick, Dan, Zack, Mike, Robby, Jordan, Alyssa, Brenna, Jessica, Kay and Kirsten.
Arrangements made by Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home in Farmington.
Curtis J. Tillman Sr.
Services for Curtis J. Tillman Sr., 47, of Farmington, were held Jan. 11 at Lighthouse Cathedral Church in Detroit with the Bishop Charlie Green officiating.
Mr. Tillman was born July 17, 1955 in Detroit and died Jan. 3, 2003. After graduating from Cooley High School in Detroit, he attended Schoolcraft College, WCCC Brown College Quincy College and Chicago State College on an athletic scholarship for basketball. He worked for Gateway Outdoor Advertising in Ferndale and enjoyed all sports, especially basketball. He was the Kishwaukee College assistant basketball coach from 1981 to 1982. Mr. Tillman was also an ordained minister and served at Lighthouse Cathedral Church in Detroit.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia; children, Curtis Jr. and Andre Durand; mother, Martha Tillman; father, Leroy (Donna) Tillman; grandfather, Herman Lindsey; sister, Kim Tillman; mother and father-in-law, Ralph and Clester Lewis; brother-in-law, Roger (Marla); and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Gary W. Peterson
Gary W. Peterson, 50, of Farmington, died Jan. 8 at Harper Hospital in Detroit.
Born Dec. 20, 1952 at Mt. Carmel Hospital, Mr. Peterson attended Our Lady of Sorrows School for 12 years. He lived across the street from the church and was frequently called upon as an altar server.
He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Michigan with a degree in civil engineering and subsequently earned a master's of science in engineering and a master's in business administration. In 1976, Mr. Peterson joined Zelmet/Wozniak and Associates, a civil engineering and surveying consulting firm, and was promoted to junior partner in 1982.
His career with Zelmet/Wozniak lasted 27 years. He designed many award-winning projects including Chelsea Park in West Bloomfield, Henry Ford Retirement Village in Dearborn, numerous Village Green apartment complexes throughout the metro area and Autmn Glen in White Lake Township.
Mr. Peterson was an auto-racing enthusiast and a long-time hockey player and Red Wing fan.
He is survived by his wife, Martha; children, Elizabeth and Caroline; mother, Eleanor Peterson; and sisters, Kathleen (James) Grant and Carol (Patrick) McElroy. He is preceded in death by his father Westcott "Pete" Peterson, longtime engineer for the City of Southfield, and brother, James.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Karmanos Cancer Foundation, the Gary W. Peterson Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Michigan or Our Lady of Sorrows School.
Elizabeth M. Pala
Services for Elizabeth Marie Pala, 86, of Farmington, were held Jan. 11 at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home in Farmington with the Rev. Paul Bersche officiating. Burial followed at Oakwood Cemetery in Farmington.
Mrs. Pala was born July 13, 1916 in Detroit and died Jan. 8, 2003 at Danto Health Care in West Bloomfield. She worked as a cashier for Great Scott's Grocery Store and also owned and operated Betty's Confectionery in 1940.
She is survived by her daughters, Mary Lou Pala, Elizabeth (Marvin) Tyghem and JoAnn (James) McCready; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Alex.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Book of Life International, 3111 SW 10th Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33069.
Arlene B. Curd
Services for Arlene B. "Barney" Curd, 80, of Farmington, were held Jan. 11 at Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home in Farmington with the Rev. Andrew Baligian officiating. Burial followed at Glen Eden Memorial Park.
Mrs. Curd was born Oct. 1, 1922 in Canada and died Jan. 8, 2003 in Farmington. She was a homemaker and known by her close friends and family as the "Irish Queen."
She is survived by her husband, John "Uncle Jack"; sons, Michael (Carol), John (Susan) and Steven (Patricia); daughter, Patricia (John) Baligian; grandchildren, Michelle (Robert), Sean (Krysten), Elizabeth, Daniel, Andrew, Christopher, Alison, Brian and Matthew; great-grandchildren, Claire, Jack and Olivia; and sister Joyce Dobrick. She is preceded in death by her sister, Dulcie McKelvey.
Alvina A. Norton
Services for Alvina Ann Norton, 91, of Farmington, were held Jan. 15 at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home in Farmington with the Rev. Dr. James McGuire officiating. Burial followed at Oakland Hills Cemetery in Novi.
Mrs. Norton was born May 11, 1911 in Bartesia, Ill. and died Jan. 13, 2003 at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. She was the owner and operator of Torch Port Airport and Restaurant on Torch Lake in Eastport, Mich.
She is survived by her daughters, Berry Bemis and Janice Norton; brother, Cyril Schniers; sisters, Alberta Paul, Clara Hillier and Evelyn Simms; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. She is preceded in death by her husband, Reggie.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lissencephaly Network, Inc., 10408 Bitteroot Court, Fort Wayne, Ind. 46804.
Phyllis B. Miller
Services for Phyllis B. Miller, 72, of Farmington Hills, were held Jan. 13 at Lola Park Lutheran Church in Redford with the Rev. Gregory Gibbons officiating. Burial followed at Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia.
Mrs. Miller was born Feb. 28, 1930 in Detroit and died Jan. 10, 2003 at Courtyard Manor in Farmington Hils.
She is survived by her husband, William; sons, Craig (Carol), Brian (Karol) and Scott (Amy); brothers, Robert and Jack Howison; and grandchildren, Eric, Christopher, Jennifer, Michele, Ashley, Melissa and Kimberly.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethesda Lutheran Home, 700 Hoffman, Watertown, WI 53094.
Laura M. Rizzardi
Services for Laura Mary Rizzardi, 84, were held Jan. 13 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wayne with the Rev. Francisco Radecki officiating. Burial followed at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens in Novi.
Mrs. Rizzardi was born March 16, 1918 in Malvern, Pa. and died Jan. 10, 2003 in Troy. She was a homemaker.
She is survived by her daughters, Valen Bellavia and Florence Page; daughter-in-law, Nancy Rizzardi; brother, Carl DeCamillo; sisters, Ann Hosbach and Emily Chipponeri; 16 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband James and son, John.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church in Wayne.
Arrangements made by Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home in Farmington.
Harold E. Greer
Services for Harold E. Greer, 72, of Farmington Hills, were held Jan. 14 at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home in Farmington.
Mr. Greer was born March 8, 1930 in Dyersburg, Tenn. and died Jan. 10, 2003 at Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills. He worked as an installer for ADT Alarms and was a Korean War Air Force veteran. He enjoyed gardening.
He is survived by his wife, Pauline; sons, Richard (Barbara), Scott (Stacey) and Roger; daughters, Susan (Mark) Hanlon and Mary Jo Greer; sisters, Mildred Connely and Catherine Dold; and five grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association - Midwest Affiliate, Dept. 77-3968, Chicago, IL 60678-3968.
Anna Coccimiglio
Services for Anna Coccimiglio, 67, of Farmington, were held Jan. 14 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Farmington with the Rev. Loren O'Dea officiating. Burial followed at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.
Mrs. Coccimiglio was born Nov. 26, 1935 in Italy and died Jan. 8, 2003 at Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills. She was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Farmington.
She is survived by her husband, Raymond; son, Raymond; daughters, Dr. Lucy Coccimiglio and Lillian (David) Ryall; brother, Antonio Colarossi; sisters, Geisina Colarossi and Elisabetta Colarossi; and grandson, Matthew Ryall.
Arrangements made by Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home in Farmington.
Zoltan T. Rado
Private services were held for Zoltan Thomas Rado, 85, of Farmington Hills.
Mr. Rado was born June 16, 1917 and died Jan. 13, 2003 at Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills. He worked in real estate sales.
He is survived by his wife, June; sons, Mark (Mary), Glenn (Karen), Kirk (Anna) and Paul; daughters, Lisa Barrie, Karla (Thomas) Richey and Erika (Nancy); grandsons, Christian, Ryan, Eric and Austin; and brothers, William (Miriam) and Edward.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Farmington Hills Public Library.
Arrangements made by Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home in Farmington.
William G. Noseworthy
Services for William G. Noseworthy, 73, of Farmington Hills, were Jan. 11 at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home in Farmington.
Mr. Noseworthy was born Feb. 27, 1929 in Detroit and died Jan. 8, 2003 at Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills. He was a retired detective and sergeant for Michigan Intelligence and was a U.S. Navy veteran.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; sons, William (Susan) and Timothy (Theresa); daughters, Deborah (Charles) Rymal, Tamara Marshall and Terri McBean; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Rose L. Rowe
Services for Rose Lynn Rowe, 79, of Farmington, were held Jan. 13 at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home in Farmington with the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Maxwell officiating. Burial followed at Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia.
Mrs. Rowe was born April 16, 1923 in Sterling, Mich. and died Jan. 10, 2003 at Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills. She was a teacher for Midland Schools. She was a Detroit Tiger fan and loved to bake.
She is survived by her son, Jim (Renee); daughters, Pat (Fred) Hamilton and Shari (Bruce) Siegel; brother, Paul Demura; grandchildren, Valerie, Jennie, Zack, Canyon, Rachael, and Natalie; and great-granddaughter, Morgan Rose. She is preceded in death by her husband, Harry.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Sandra A. Verbedian
Services for Sandra A. Verbedian, 48, of Farmington Hills, were held Jan. 14 at R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home in Livonia with the Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian officiating. Burial followed at Mt. Hope Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia.
Mrs. Verbedian was born in Pontiac and died Jan. 7, 2003 in Farmington Hills. She worked as an apartment housekeeper.
She is survived by her husband, Dennis; daughter, Angela; sister, Marie Jacks; and brothers, Jim, Bob and John Toro.
Sister Jane Marie VanderLaan
Services for Sister Jane Marie Vanderlaan, RSM, 90, Sister of Mercy, were held Jan. 14 at McAuley Center's Sacred Heart Chapel in Farmington Hills.
Born in Grand Rapids to Jay and Anne VanderLaan on Dec. 6, 1912, she was baptized Elizabeth Ladean at Holy Name Parish in Grand Rapids. She graduated from Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids in 1931. On Feb. 1, 1932, she joined the Sisters of Mercy and made perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1937. Sister earned a bachelor of arts degree from Mercy College of Detroit and a master's degree in education from the University of Detroit, later enriching her personal and professional growth by taking courses at Central Michigan University, Wayne State University and Georgetown University.
Sister Jane Marie served in elementary schools in Michigan for 34 years, often as a teacher of music and mathematics. Her years as teacher and principal took her to Traverse City, Remus, Cadillac, Holland, Cheboygan, Pinconning, Big Rapids, Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Berkley, Lansing and Parnell.
In 1980, Sister Jane Marie transferred her skills to the healthcare field where she served for 18 years as a receptionist, switchboard operator, patient visitor and volunteer at St. Mary's Mercy Hospital in Grand Rapids. In April 1999, she moved to McAuley Center where she engaged in a ministry of prayer and reflection. Her love for children and their love and respect for her were not forgotten, and former students would travel to visit with her at McAuley after she retired.
Sister was involved in a number of groups and enjoyed working with other seniors when she lived at Breton Village in Grand Rapids. For many years, she prepared St. Mary's Church for daily mass and visited the sick from the parish.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund, 29000 11 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336-1405.
Arrangements made by McCabe Funeral Home in Farmington Hills.
Helen D. Yoder
Services for Helen D. Yoder, of Dearborn, were held Feb. 3 at Henry Ford Village Chapel in Dearborn with the Rev. David Noble officiating. Burial followed at Battle Creek Memorial Park.
Mrs. Yoder died Jan. 30, 2003 at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn. She was a member of the Bloomfield Hills Country Club and a Women's District Golf Champion. She was an outstanding bridge player.
She is survived by her sons, James (Barbara) and Jeffrey (Mary); grandchildren, Scott (Kelle), Brian (Katherine) and Kevin; and great-granddaughter, Claire. She is preceded in death by her husband Roger.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan, 400 Mack Ave., Detroit, MI 48201.
Arrangements made by Thayer-Rock Funeral Home in Farmington.
Michael J. Stanko
Services for Michael J. Stanko, 54, of Farmington Hills, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7 at St. Fabian Catholic Church in Farmington Hills. Visitation will be held 2-9 p.m. today, Feb. 6 at McCabe Funeral Home in Farmington Hills.
Mr. Stanko was born in Detroit and died Feb. 2, 2003 in Farmington Hills. He worked as an engineer for Ford Motor Company.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children Jennifer (John) Valenti, Paul (Tawnya), Pamela (John) Daugherty and Elizabeth (Brad) Paddock; two brothers; one sister; and six grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Ford F. Buckner
Services for Ford Frederic Buckner, 89, formerly of Farmington, were held Feb. 5 at Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home in Farmington with the Monsignor Walter Hurley officiating. Burial followed at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.
Mr. Buckner was born June 10, 1913 in Detroit and died Feb. 2, 2003 at Howell Care Center. He was a cabinet maker.
He is survived by his wife, Edith; son, Ford; brothers, Albert and Earl; sisters, Dorothy Mummert and Lorraine Dilion; grandchildren, Lawrence, Margaret, Maryann and Diane; and great-grandchildren, Katherine, Megan, Dakotah and Erin.
Donald A. Mercer
Services for Donald Allen Mercer, 76, of Farmington Hills, were held Feb. 5 at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home in Farmington.
Mr. Mercer was born Jan. 28, 1927 in Detroit and died Feb. 2, 2003 at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. He worked as a driver for Kroger for 36 years and was a former driver for Jefferson Trucking comapny & Excello Corp. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a Union Steward for Teamsters Local #337.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Doris; sons, Robert, Dean (Sandra) and Kenneth; daughters, Cynthia (Tony) Grech and Carol Mercer; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 406 W. 34th Street, Suite 820, Kansas City, MO 64111.
Carolyn M. Heinicke
Services for Carolyn M. Heinicke, 68, of South Lyon, were held Feb. 4 at Phillips Funeral Home in South Lyon.
Mrs. Heinicke was born Dec. 6, 1934 in Massachusetts and died Jan. 29, 2003. She was a member of Nardin Park United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Kenneth; daughters, Ann (Duwayne) Griffis and Debra (Jerome) McCray; three brothers; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Helen F. Dowding
Services for Helen Frances Dowding, 97, were held Feb. 3 at Sharp Funeral Home in Swartz Creek, Mich. with the Rev. Carolyn Wik officiating.
Mrs. Dowding was born Aug. 17, 1905 in Sault Ste. Marie and died Jan. 31, 2003 at Durand Convalescent Center. She worked for the S.S. Kresge Company for 14 years and then married Murray (Jack) Roswell Dowding on Aug. 18, 1934. She and her husband owned Redford Oil Company in Detroit until his death on April 15, 1956.
Mrs. Dowding was later employed by Steelcrete in Novi and retired from the company at the age of 86. She was a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Victoria Chapter No. 290 and of the White Shrine. She was also a member of United Methodist Church of Farmington and served as board member and secretary of the Farmington Public Library.
She is survived by her daughters, Lou (John MacGready), Dr. Murlene McKinnon (Jack Grunwald) and Marjorie (John Young Jr.); grandchildren, Murray (Jody) MacGready, Loanna (Jack Ammerman), Arnette (Marc Lamoreaux), John Young III and Lucas (Danielle) Young; great-grandchildren, Kristen, Jack and Jay Ammerman, and Jacob and Erynn Lamoreaux; step-great-grandchildren, Laura and Matthew Lipski; nephew, John (Nancy) Buck; niece Mary Alice (Robert) Wood; and several great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Murray (Jack); sisters, Mildred White and Marjorie Geney Gilchrist; and brother Howard Buck.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Farmington Public Library.
