H. David Buckingham
A memorial service for former Livonia resident H. David Buckingham, 48, of Venice, Fla. will be Friday, Jan. 31, in Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Venice Chapel, Venice, Fla.
Mr. Buckingham was born April 4, 1954, in Detroit, and died Jan. 27, 2003, in Venice, Fla. He lived in Venice since 1998.
Surviving are his son, Eric David of Michigan; brother, Glenn (Alvena) of Camden, Maine; and sisters, Gail (Frank) Credit of Milford and Barbara (John) Hay of Traverse City.
Memorial tributes may be made to Hospice of SW Florida.
Betty Monnie Waller Sweitzer
A memorial service for Betty Sweitzer, 83, of Livonia was Jan. 29 in Thayer-Rock Funeral Home, Farmington. She donated her body to the University of Michigan Medical School.
Mrs. Sweitzer was born Feb. 3, 1919, in McLeansboro, Ill., and died Jan. 27, 2003, in Livonia. She grew up and attended high school in Illinois before moving to the Detroit area in 1941. She was an inspector for 30 years at G.M. Diesel (Detroit Diesel). Mrs. Sweitzer enjoyed traveling with family and friends. She especially loved playing poker with her grandson, Nikki.
Surviving are her son, Michael (Carol) Sweitzer; daughters, Betty Jean (Bob) Awrey and Vicki (John) Eddy; brother, Bud Waller; sister, Kathleen Casey; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial tributes may be made to St. Mary Mercy Hospital Cancer Center, 36475 Five Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48154.
John Vincent McMonagle
John McMonagle, 65, of Grand Rapids died Jan. 24, 2004.
Surviving are his former wife and good friend, Adrienne Harms; children, Sean (Jennifer) McMonagle of Cleveland, Ohio, Kelly McMonagle and Ed Kavanaugh of South Lyon; and sisters, Noreen (William) Briebois of Livonia and Grace McMonagle of Detroit.
Mr. McMonagle was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Nellie McMonagle, sister, Rosemary, and brother, Frank.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, 3000 Monroe, Grand Rapids, MI 49509.
Arrangements were made by Cook Funeral Home, Grandville.
Doris Fredrick
Services for doris Fredrick, 82, of Farmington Hills were Jan. 28 in Manns-Ferguson Funeral Home in Livonia.
Mrs. Fredrick died Jan. 25, 2003.
Surviving are her children, Rev. David (Sharon), Rick (Sandy), Rod (Kathy) and Judy; siblings, Tresa Puhl and Henry Durfee; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Fredrick was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice, son, Doug, and daughter, Margaret.
Memorial tributes may be made to Hospice of Michigan.
Lisbeth Nelson
Services for Lisbeth Nelson, 85, of Livonia were Jan. 29 in Manns-Ferguson Funeral Home, Livonia.
Mrs. Nelson died Jan. 26, 2003.
Surviving are her children, Alice (David) Roff, Carl (Monica) Nelson, Sharon (Jurgen) Schnepel and Scott (Donna) Nelson; siblings, Kenneth Wahlstrom and Barbro Sickles; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Nelson was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; and son, David.
Ross D. Schlabach
Services for former Livonia resident Ross Schlabach, 78, of Northville were Jan. 27 in Casterline Funeral Home in Northville, with burial at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens in Novi. Officiating was the Rev. Dave Bevington from Angela Hospice.
Mr. Schlabach was born Sept. 25, 1924, in Detroit, and died Jan. 23, 2003, in Northville. He lived in Northville for 11 years and previously lived in Livonia 37 years in a home that he and his wife built.
He attended Redford Union High School where he recently received his dipolma. He was a retired carpenter and worked for Di-Mar Construction Co. He was a member of the VFW Post 4012 of Northville. He served in the U.S. Army Aircorp during World War II.
Mr. Schlabach was an avid golfer and loved gardening. He was a true outdoorsman and loved dogs, especially Moses, who would sit in his golf cart while he played.
Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Virginia; children, Nancy (Jim) MacDonald of Ypsilanti, Sam (Connie) Schlabach of Guerneville, Calif., Roxanne (Paul) Vermeesch of Milford, Iris (John) Lokar of Novi and Joe (Donica) Schlabach of Santa Rosa, Calif.; sister, Betty (Pete) Wilcox of Englewood, Fla.; and nine grandchildren.
Memorial tributes may be made to Angela Hospice, 14100 Newburgh Road, Livonia, MI 48154-5010.
William J. McBride
Services for former Livonia resident William McBride, 60, of Detroit were Jan. 25 in Luna Pier Baptist Church, Luna Pier. Officiating was the Rev. Kenneth Steffes.
Mr. McBride was born June 13, 1942, in Detroit, and died Jan. 22, 2003, in Warren. He was retired from Kroger.
Surviving is his daughter, Kimberly Mannthey of Oregon; siblings, Karen Ross of Luna Pier, David McBride of Philadelphia, Pa., Ronald McBride of Ann Arbor, Beverly Barney of Highland, Susan Crandall of Livonia and Gail Carr of Canton; and one grandchild, Nathan.
Mr. McBride was preceded in death by his wife, and parents.
Memorial tributes may be made to the charity of choice.
Arrangements were made by Casterline Funeral Home, Northville.
John Albert Fioretti
Services for John Fioretti, 58, of Livonia were today, Jan. 30, in Thayer-Rock Funeral Home in Farmington. Officiating was the Rev. Leonard Partensky.
Mr. Fioretti was born Nov. 15, 1944, in Detroit, and died Jan. 26, 2003, in Southfield. He was a forklift driver for US Foods in Wixom for 23 years. He attended Cody High School in Detroit. His hobby was horse racing.
Mr. Fioretti was a veteran, serving in the Navy in the Vietnam War.
Surviving are his wife of 31 years, Sandra; sons, John (Dawn) of Riverview, Joseph of Livonia and Jeffrey of Livonia; daughters, Susan (Charles) Aldrich of Clarkston and Sarah of Livonia; brother, Charles (Marcie) of Almont, Mich.; sisters, Shirley (George) Hamilton of Taylor and Mary Ann (Neal) Flynn of Farmington Hills; and 12 grandchildren.
Memorial tributes may be made to American Heart Association, Midwest Affiliate, Memorials & Tributes Program, Chicago, IL 60678-3968.
Richard Thomas Willman
Services for former Livonia resident Richard Willman, 65, of Westland were Jan. 28 in Vermeulen Funeral Home. Officiating was the Rev. Bart R. Muller.
Mr. Willman was born Nov. 6, 1937, in Detroit, and died Jan. 23, 2003, in Wayne. In August 2002, he retired from Home Depot. He worked many years at private greenhouses and was a mechanic for International Harvester. He was a 1956 graduate of Livonia Bentley High School.
Mr. Willman was a 4-H leader 15 years, a member of the Greater Detroit Aquarium Society, Benzie County Ham Radio Club, Stu Rockafellow Amateur Radio Society, Ann Arbor Model Railroad Society, Division 6 North Central Region National Model Railroad Association and a former charter member of the Yankee Air Force.
He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Westland and a founding member of Faith Lutheran Church in Livonia.
Mr. Willman enjoyed model railroading, gardening, tropical fish, ham radio, reading, fishing, camping, hunting and was a NASCAR racing fan.
Surviving are his wife, Vivian; children, James Willman of Westland, Crystal Anderson of Westland, Linda Willman of Westland and Colleen Willman of Wayne; brother, James (Katherine) Willman of Livonia; grandsons, William and Richard Anderson and Eric Willman; great-grandson, William Anderson; and many nieces and nephews.
Timothy Alan Pigeon
A memorial Mass for Timothy "T-Bird" Pigeon, 45, of Fairfield Plantation, Villa Rica, Ga., will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church in Redford Township.
Mr. Pigeon was born Nov. 29, 1957, and died Jan. 15, 2003. He was a 1976 graduate of Berkley High School. He was a foreman for Aubrey Silvey Enterprises in Georgia.
Surviving are his son, Wyatt Pigeon of Carrollton, Ga.; daughter, Adaline Pigeon; father, Alan (Alma) Pigeon of Livonia; mother, Charlotte (Michael) Smith of Warren; brothers, Terry (Pamela) Pigeon of Arlington Hgts., Ill, Alan (Theresa) Pigeon of Berkley and John (Caroline) Pigeon of St. Clair Shores; sisters, Sherry "Nicky" (Pat) O'Halloran of Livonia and Julie Blouin of Detroit; and 19 nieces and nephews.
Ralph S. Sharpe
Services for Ralph Sharpe, 80, of Livonia were Jan. 18 in Harry J. Will Funeral Home.
Mr. Sharpe died Jan. 16, 2003. He was a veteran of World War II. He was a life member of Livonia Lodge No. 586.
Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Mary; children, Elizabeth (Richard) Parent, Karl (Terri) Sharpe and Marilyn (Bryan) Burr; sister, Edith Thorn; grandchildren, Kristoffer, Jessica, Jacquelynn, Jason, Jeannette, Jenelle, Craig, Jeniece, Kristin and Daniel; and great-grandchildren, Kyle, Andrew, Sabrina and Sadie.
Memorial tributes may be made to Angela Hospice.
Phyllis A. Mitchell
Services for Phyllis Mitchell, 74, of Plymouth were today, Thursday, Jan. 23, in Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, with burial at Riverside Cemetery in Plymouth. Officiating was the Rev. John Sullivan.
Mrs. Mitchell was born July 16, 1928, in Highland Park, and died Jan. 20, 2003, in Pittsfield Township. She was a retired school teacher from Fiegel Elementary School in the Plymouth/Canton schools, and a member of the Michigan Education Association and the National Education Association. She was also a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church.
Surviving are her husband of 53 years, Millard; children, Michele (Regan) LaMothe of Grass Lake and Annette (Rahn) Frederick of Plymouth; and grandchildren, Kyle and Cody Frederick and Lindsay, Ryan and Patrick LaMothe.
There are family members who reside in the Livonia community.
Arrangements were made by Schrader-Howell Funeral Home.
Mary S. Ulfig
A funeral Mass for Mary Ulfig, 65, of Livonia was Jan. 22 in St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Livonia.
Mrs. Ulfig died Jan. 19, 2003.
Surviving are her husband, Alfie; children, Sandy Simpson, Mark (Judy), Daniel (Cheryl) and Kenneth; siblings, Patsy Lucente, Rose Pando, Sara Kelley, Catherine Lang, Frank Lucente, Virginia Marasco, Antoinette Sabatino and Tony Lucente; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Ulfig was preceded in death by her son, Michael; and siblings, Jennie Prestininzi, John Lucente, Angelina Zignate and Margaret Amiccuci.
Memorial tributes may be made to Angela Hospice or Barbara Karmanos Cancer Institute.
Arrangements were made by Manns-Ferguson Funeral Home.
Robert L. Lynch
Services for Robert Lynch, 86, of Livonia were Jan. 22 in St. Maurice Catholic Church, with burial at Parkview Memorial Cemetery. Officiating was the Rev. Sidney Eckert.
Mr. Lynch was born Sept. 23, 1916, in South Orange, N.J., and died Jan. 19, 2003, in Royal Oak. He was a group claim manager. He was a veteran and served in the Army.
Surviving are his son, Michael Lynch; daughter, Mary Lynch of Troy; and grandson, John Lynch.
Arrangements were made by Neely-Turowski Funeral Home.
Debra L. Fritz
Services for Debra Fritz, 49, of Livonia were Jan. 19 in the chapel of L.J. Griffin Funeral Home, with burial at Parkview Memorial Cemetery. Officiating was the Rev. Larry D. Rowland from First Baptist Church of Wayne.
Mrs. Fritz was born Dec. 2, 1953, in Detroit, and died Jan. 17, 2003, in Livonia. She was a teacher.
Surviving are her mother, Dolores Dunn; brother, David (Dolores) Dunn; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and, nephews.
Mrs. Fritz was preceded in death by her husband, Marc.
Robert Henninger
Former Livonia resident Robert Henninger, 69, of Loudon, Tenn. died Jan. 19, 2003, in Knoxville, Tenn. He was a retired employee of Avery Dennison Co.
Surviving are his wife, Helen; children, Barbara (Keith) Spindle, Lynn (Michael) Sweeney of West Bloomfield and Robert of Chicago, Ill.; sister, Barbara (John) LeWellen of Denver, Colo.; and six grandchildren.
Arrangements were made by Loudon Funeral Home, Loudon, Tenn.
Orvilla H. Lynn
Services for Orvilla Lynn, 84, of Livonia were Jan. 21 in Christ The King Lutheran Church in Livonia, with burial at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy. Officiating was the Rev. Peggy A. Rose.
Mrs. Lynn was born Oct. 7, 1918, in Bellaire, Mich., and died Jan. 17, 2003, in Livonia. She was a homemaker.
Surviving are her children, Jacquie (Donald) Huddleston of Troy, Richard (Barbara) of Sterling Heights, Rodger (Patricia) of South Lyon and Cheryl (Roger) Sorenson of Indiana; sister, Jean Baxter; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were made by Leonard A. Turowski & Son Funeral Home.
Faye Irene Sewruk
Private services for Faye Sewruk, 78, of Livonia were held recently. Arrangements were made by Leonard A.Turowski & Son Funeral Home.
Mrs. Sewruk was born June 7, 1924, in Germfask, Mich., and died Jan. 17, 2003, in Westland. She was an office manager for an insurance company.
Surviving are her children, Sally (Bob) Crutcher of Livonia and Thomas (Sue) of Westland; grandchildren, John, Jeff, Brandt, James and Magan; and great-grandchildren, John and Thomas.
Donna M. Norgaard
Services for former Redford resident Donna Norgaard, 64, of Livonia were Jan. 22 in Thayer-Rock Funeral Home in Farmington, with burial at Oakwood Cemetery in Farmington. Officiating was the Rev. Larry R. Austin.
Mrs. Norgaard was born Nov. 3, 1938, in Calumet, and died Jan. 18, 2003, in Livonia.
She was a transplant tech at Brainer's Greenhouse in Wixom. She graduated from Clarenceville High School.
Surviving are her sons, David Norgaard of Howell and Tom Norgaard of Redford Township; daughters, Janet (Richard) Thyrion of Calumet and Lori Norgaard of Livonia; mother, Elma Skelton of Warren; brother, Ralph (Kathryn) Rensi of Farmington; sister, Yvonne (Gary) Green of Battle Creek; and two grandchildren, Jordan and Miranda.
Mrs. Norgaard was preceded in death by her husband, James in Nov. 2000.
Robert William Stephens
Services for Robert Stephens, 79, of Northville were Jan. 22 in St. Colette Catholic Church in Livonia. Officiating was the Rev. Michael Loyson.
Mr. Stephens was born May 11, 1923, in Detroit, and died Jan. 19, 2003, in Livonia. He was an engineer for Vickers, retiring in 1989.
Surviving are his wife, Marcella; children, Tom (Gabriele), Sue Felago, Jeanne (Frank) Wren, Carol Burrows, Anne (Rocky) McHenry, James (Lydia), Michael (Becky), Bob (Kelly), Kathie (Doug) Marshall, Paul (Lynn) and Mark (Jennifer); 38 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
There are family members who reside in the Livonia community.
Memorial tributes may be made to Judy Brown c/o American Life League, P.O. Box 1350, Stafford, VA 22555.
Arrangements were made by Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home, Farmington.
Howard Charles Lethemon, Jr.
A memorial service for Howard Lethemon, Jr., 81, of Plymouth was Jan. 10 in Meadowbrook Congregational Church in Novi, with burial at Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia.
Mr. Lethemon was born May 31, 1921, in Wyandotte, and died Jan. 3 in Plymouth. He was a former resident of Farmington.
He was a custom home builder and building inspector. Mr. Lethemon was a lifetime member of Shriners Scottish Rites. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He enjoyed flying.
Surviving are his sons, Richard Lethemon and Robert Lethemon; daughters, Linda Cunningham and Cheryl Kinnaman; brother, William Lethemon; sisters, Jean Hurd and Marjorie Rockey; and five grandchildren.
Mr. Lethemon was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Roberta.
There are family members who reside in the Livonia area.
Arrangements were made by Harry J. Will Funeral Home.
