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.
Garland L. Goyer
Services for former Garden City resident Garland Goyer, 88, of Westland were Jan. 6 in Vermeulen Funeral home with burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Livonia. Officiating was the Rev. Rocky Barra.
Mr. Goyer was born April 3, 1914, in Bricknell, Ind., and died Jan. 1, 2003, in Westland. He was an electrician/pipefitter.
He lived in Garden City 50 years. He was a lifetime member of Masonic Lodge in Garden City and a 50-year member of Community Baptist Church where he was very active and involved in building the Sunday School and church buildings.
Mr. Goyer loved to garden and was very industrious. He built his family home in Garden City.
Surviving are his daughters, Carol Draper of Westland and Garlene Delekta of Sterling Heights; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Martha K. Laajala
Martha Laajala, 83, of Harrison, formerly of Garden City, died Jan. 7, 2003.
Mrs. Laajala was born Nov. 19, 1919, in Osceola.
Surviving are her son, James Laajala of Harrison; daughter, Helen (Raymond) Boehringer of Portage; sisters, Helen (John) Haleks, Elizabeth Heikkinen; six grandchildren, Traci (Daniel) Murfey, Scott and Robert Laajala, Jodi, Jamie and Jennifer Boehringer; great-grandson, Brayden Murfey; and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Laajala was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; son, Robert Laajala; brothers, Matt, Eli and Arthur; and sisters, Anna, Mayme, Aili and Mildred.
Arrangements were made by Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison, with burial at Glen Eden Memorial Cemetery in Livonia.
Anthony G. Scerri
A funeral Mass for former Garden City resident Anthony Scerri, 81, of Dearborn Heights will be 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17, in St. Dunstan Church, 1515 Belton, Garden City, with burial at Parkview Memorial Cemetery, Livonia.
Visitation is noon to 9 p.m. today, Thursday, Jan. 16, in John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, 1139 Inkster Road, Garden City. There will be a Rosary 7:30 p.m. this evening in the funeral home.
Mr. Scerri was born Oct. 1, 1921, in Malta, and died Jan. 12, 2003, in Dearborn. He was an assembler.
Surviving are his wife, Evelyn; children, Miriam (Dennis) Johnson, Shirley Hobbs, Monica Scerri, Debbie Johnson and Mark (Donna) Scerri; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Dorothea M. Takacs
Services for former Garden City resident Dorothea Takacs, 66, of Belleville were Jan. 17 in Pawlus-Robert Bros. Funeral Home with burial at Cadillac Memorial Cemetery.
Mrs. Takacs died suddenly Jan. 14, 2003, in St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ypsilanti. She was a helper to many unfortunate, and generous in giving of her time and talent. She had a green thumb and loved animals, especially Sparkie.
Surviving are her daughters, Sheri (Patrick) Essian and Donna (Gary) Hogue; mother, Dorothea Mayo; and six grandchildren, Justin, Jessi, Lynn, Katie Lynn, Jennifer and Angela.
Mrs. Takacs was preceded in death by her father, James Heard, and sister, Mary Samide.
Michael R. Sonnenberg
Services for Michael Sonnenberg, 42, of Westland were Jan. 18 in St. John Neumann Catholic Church. Officiating was the Rev. George Charnley.
Mr. Sonnenberg was born May 16, 1960, in Detroit, and died Jan. 15, 2003, in Taylor. He was a quality control inspector at Ford Motor Company Wayne Stamping Plant. He came to the Westland community in 1997 from Canton.
Mr. Sonnenberg was a member of S.N.M.C. He was a 1978 graduate of Plymouth-Salem High School and Sienna Heights College. He enjoyed camping and canoeing with his children.
Surviving are his children, Jason McBee of Southfield, Carolyn (Matthew) Thompson of Garden City, Lauren Sonnenberg of Dearborn Heights, Michael Sonnenberg of Dearborn Heights and Kelley Sonnenberg of PlymouthTownship; siblings, James (Gail) Sonnenberg of Superior Township, Thomas Sonnenberg of Inkster, Robert (Sharon) Sonnenberg of Northville and Laura (Ron) Sonnenberg-Radtke of Milan; and granddaughter, Sarah Thompson.
Memorial tributes may be made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.
Arrangements were made by Schrader-Howell Funeral Home.
Tillie C. Pilszak
Services for Tillie Pilszak, 87, of Redford Township were Jan. 18 in Our Lady of Grace Church, Dearborn Heights with burial at St. Hedwig Cemetery, Dearborn Heights. Officiating was the Rev. Ronald Cyprys.
Mrs. Pilszak was born Jan. 16, 1915, in Great Barrington, Mass., and died Jan. 15, 2003, in Dearborn Heights, after a long battle with cancer. She worked for 60 years as a beautician in her own shop "The Classic Beauty Shop" in the David Scott Building in Detroit. She retired at age 77. She never drove, but used the city busses. She was commended by the Detroit City Council at age 67 for 50 years of working in the city.
Surviving are her husband, Joseph; sisters, Jean Wozniacki and Christine Bykowski; granddaughters, Melanie (Ken) Graham and Linda (Paul) Klebba of Garden City; three great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Mrs. Pilszak was preceded in death by her daughter, Sylvia Morosky.
Memorial tributes may be made to the cancer fund of your choice.
Arrangements were made by John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home.
Norma J. Chace
Services for Norma Chace, 56, of Garden City were today, Thursday, Jan. 23, in R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, Garden City with burial at Cadillac Memorial Gardens West, Westland. Officiating was the Rev. Roy Forsyth.
Mrs. Chace was born Aug. 20, 1946, in Northville Township, and died Jan. 20, 2003, in Garden City. She lived in Garden City for 37 years and was a homemaker. She was a former president of Memorial Elementary School PTA and worked for the Head Start Program until November 2000.
Surviving are her husband, Robert; children, Robert Jr., Sherry, Joseph and Jason; parents, Donald and Phylis Wilber; siblings, Elizabeth, Joe and Donald Wilber and Debbie Krowisz; and granddaughter, Katelyn.
Memorial tributes may be made to American Cancer Society.
Theresa Stafford
Services for Theresa Stafford of Garden City were today, Thursday, Jan. 23, in St. Raphael Church with burial at St. Hedwig Cemetery, Dearborn Heights. Officiating was the Rev. Frederick Misiolek.
Mrs. Stafford was born March 13, 1933, in Detroit, and died Jan. 18, 2003, in Garden City. She was a homemaker.
Surviving are her husband, Comer; children, Rosanne (Dennis) Lewandowski, Joseph (Shari) Stafford and Patricia (James) Boudreaux; siblings, Andrew, Frank, Peter, Francis and Lena; grandchildren, Andrew Christina and Lauren; and great-grandchildren, Emily and Austin.
Mrs. Stafford was preceded in death by her sister, Rose.
Memorial tributes may be made to Angela Hospice.
Arrangements were made by John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home.
Robert W. Adams
A memorial service for Robert Adams, 48, of Garden City will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, in R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 31551 Ford Road, Garden City.
Mr. Adams was born Oct. 14, 1954, in Detroit, and died Jan. 16, 2003, in Garden City. He was a life-long resident of Garden City. He was a salesman for a heating and cooling company.
Surviving are his wife of 10 years, Judy; children, Jason, William, Charles and Betty; sisters, Suzanne Ostrega and Betty Nelson; and nephew, Joseph.
James W. Zimmerman
Services for James Zimmerman, 76, of Dearborn Heights were Jan. 21 in St. Dunstan Church, Garden City with burial at St. Hedwig Cemetery, Dearborn Heights. Officiating was the Rev. Lawrence Zurawski.
Mr. Zimmerman was born May 11, 1926, in Detroit, and died Jan. 16, 2003, in Pontiac. He was a 1944 graduate of St. Anthony's High School. He was in the seminary from 1944 to 1956, receiving degrees in English and theology.
After leaving the seminary, he joined St. Veronica's in East Detroit and Sacred Heart in Roseville, working from 1957-1963 as an English teacher. He continued his career as an English teacher at Taylor Public Schools 1963-1977 and retired from there as Taylor Truman High School administrator.
He was a member of St. Dunstan's Catholic Parish in Garden City where he was choir director, organist, parish council member, catechism director and Bible study teacher.
Surviving are his wife, Helen; daughters, Mary (Robert) Farran and Christa (Darin) Gillis; siblings, Wallace Zimmerman, Richard Zimmerman, Marguerite Russo and Marianne White; and grandchildren Joshua, Andrew, Jonathan, Lauryn and Justyn.
Mr. Zimmerman was preceded in death by his brother, Alfred Zimmerman.
Nellie Irene Smith
Services for former Garden City resident Nellie "Lee" Smith, 93, of Zephyrhills, Fla. were Jan. 22, in R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home with burial at Parkview Memorial Cemetery.
Mrs. Smith was born Nov. 30, 1909, in Knoxville, Tenn., and died Jan. 18, 2003. She worked for Lockheed in California, then was a homemaker in Michigan.
Surviving are her husband, Oscar; children, James Kirby of California, Joan Hunter of Florida, formerly of Garden City, Lee Kirby of California; sister, Emma Berry of Garden City; 15 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her daughter, Lethea Kirshner.
Memorial tributes may be made to First United Methodist Church of Garden City.
