Nicholas C. Nestico
A Celebration of Life Service for Nicholas Nestico, 78, of Livonia will be 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19, in Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile, Livonia, with burial at Mt. Hope Memorial Gardens. Visitation is noon to 8 p.m. today, Sunday, Aug. 18, in the funeral home.
Mr. Nestico died Aug. 15. He was a veteran of World War II.
Surviving are his wife, Marilyn; children, Cheryl (Randy) Venier of Westland, Brian (Keli), Kenneth and Gregory (Michele); stepchildren, Ronald Stevens and Karen Silcott; siblings, James, Victor, Joseph and Lillian Muldowny; and eight grandchildren.
Mr. Nestico was preceded in death by his daughter, Candace Addison.
Memorial tributes may be made to American Cancer Society.
Peter T. Demers
Peter Demers, 79, of Redford Township died Aug. 6.
Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Barbara; children, Dave (Anne) of Westland, Naomie (Scott) Forney of Southfield, Noel (Kate) of Southfield, Leonard (Patti) of Redford Township, Paul (Jinia) of Farmington Hills, Ruth of Livonia, Denise (Mark) Stein of Bloomfield Hills and Bill of Livonia; 26 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Mr. Demers was preceded in death by his son, Glen, and granddaughter, Erin.
Arrangements were made by Duzak Funeral Home, Detroit.
Donna M. Benoit
Services for Donna Benoit, 77, of Garden City were Aug. 8 in St. Raphael Catholic Church with burial at Knollwood Memorial Park, Canton. Officiating was the Rev. Frederick Misiolek.
Mrs. Benoit was born April 12, 1925, in Bemidji, Minn., and died Aug. 6 in Livonia. She worked in sales. She was a member of St. Raphael Catholic Church.
Surviving are her sons, Richard Benoit of Westland and David Benoit of Orchard Lake; daughters, Sharon (George) Bednarik of Troy and Deborah (Gregory) Macaulay of Herndon, Va.; one brother; two sisters; four grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Mrs. Benoit was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, and son, Michael Benoit.
Memorial tributes may be made in the form of Mass cards or to Angela Hospice, 14100 Newburgh, Livonia, MI 48154-5010.
Arrangements were made by Vermeulen Funeral Home-Plymouth.
Leona E. Hermatz
A funeral Mass for Leona Hermatz of Westland will be 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12, in St. Mary Catholic Church, 34530 Michigan Ave., Wayne. Her body will lie in state 10 a.m. until time of service. Visitation is noon to 9 p.m. today, Sunday, Aug. 11, in Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 34567 Michigan Ave., Wayne. A Rosary will be 3 p.m. this afternoon in the funeral home.
Mrs. Hermatz died Aug. 6. She was co-founder and owner of Wayne Lawn and Garden Center since 1948.
Surviving are her son, Dennis (Patricia); daughters, Sharon (Stan) Wasik and Mary (Jim) Schirmer; and eight grandchildren.
Mr. Hermatz was preceded in death by her husband, Nicholas, and son, Donald.
Memorial tributes may be made to Angela Hospice.
Betty V. Dirnberg
A funeral Mass for Betty Dirnberg, 76, of Westland was Aug. 10 in Ss. Simon & Jude Catholic Church with burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Livonia. Officiating was the Rev. Gerald Bechard.
Mrs. Dirnberg died Aug. 8.
Surviving are her children, Donna, Kathy, Tom (Vonda), Terry and Dawn; one brother; two sisters; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Arrangements were made by Harry J. Will Funeral Home, Wayne.
Reggie L. Milam
Services for former Westland resident Reggie Milam, 25, of Hazel Park were Aug. 1 in Vermeulen Funeral Home, Westland, with burial at United Memorial Gardens, near Plymouth. Officiating was the Rev. George Crabb.
Mr. Milam was born Aug. 27, 1976, in Manistique and died July 27 in Detroit. He was employed in several fields, roofing, sales and canvasser. He attended high school through 10th grade and received his GED.
Mr. Milam was a member of Antioch Baptist Church. He enjoyed helping others. His interests were golf, basketball, and spending time with his daughter playing baseball.
Surviving are his son, Austin Dickey of Westland; daughter, Stephanie Milam of Hazel Park; brother, Clifford Milam; sister, Nickell Milam of Westland; grandparents, John and Barbara Wood; aunt, Lynne Lindsey; and girlfriend, Mandy Grabow.
Mr. Milam was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Daria Milam.
Jeffrey Donald Weigand
Services for Jeffrey Weigand, 28, of Warren were Aug. 9 in St. Michael Lutheran Church, Canton, with burial at Riverside Cemetery, Plymouth. Officiating were the Rev. Jerry Yarnell and the Rev. Drex Morton.
Mr. Weigand was born Nov. 3, 1973, in Livonia and died Aug. 5 in Warren. He came to the Warren community in 1998 from Canton Township. He was a sound and lighting engineer for Bandayd International in Sterling Heights.
Mr. Weigand was a member of St. Michael Lutheran Church in Canton. He was a 1992 graduate of Plymouth Salem High School and attended Wayne State University. He enjoyed traveling, and had a great interest in other cultures around the world.
Surviving are his parents, Donald and Carol Weigand of Canton; sisters, Jennifer Weigand of Canton and Krista Weigand of Canton; grandparents, Leonore Weigand of Plymouth and Julia Szajnecki of Canton; aunts and uncle, Laureen Grosse of Harriston Township, Rose Houle of Plymouth and Robert Weigand of Westland; and several cousins.
Memorial tributes may be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church or Angela Hospice.
Arrangements were made by Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, Plymouth.
Darrell Lee Betz
Services for Darrell Betz, 59, of Westland were Aug. 5 in Uht Funeral Home with burial at Cadillac Memorial Gardens West, Westland. Officiating was the Rev. Larry Rowland.
Mr. Betz was born July 5, 1943, and died Aug. 1 in Wayne. He was a UPS delivery driver. He served in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam.
Surviving are his wife, Linda; daughters, Rennee (Daniel) Pawlicki and Cheryl Betz; mother, Arzetta Betz; brother, Larry (Kathy) Betz, Dennis (Kathi) Betz and Jim (Sue) Betz; and grandson, Hunter Pawlicki.
Mr. Betz was preceded in death by his sister, Judith Betz.
Thomas G. Webber
Services for Thomas Webber, 54, of Westland were today, Thursday, Aug. 8, in Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, Plymouth. Officiating was the Rev. John Paton.
Mr. Webber was born July 15, 1948, in Detroit and died Aug. 5 in Royal Oak. He owned a management consulting firm, Aviat Scoring Center, since the late 1990s. He came to the Westland community in 1999 from Plymouth. He worked with the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Webber attended Northridge Community Church.
He was an avid NASCAR fan, loved motorcycles, hang gliding, scuba diving and boating. He also was a connoisseur of fine wines.
Surviving are his wife, Jan; brother, Robert Webber of Waterford; sister, Peggy (Joe) Bishop of Grand Rapids; parents, Robert and Elizabeth Webber of Grand Rapids; in-laws, Lou and Ann Willoughby of Garden City; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial tributes may be made to Karmanos Cancer Institute.
Patricia Ann O'Rourke
Services for Patricia O'Rourke, 46, of Canton Township will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 9, in St. John Neumann Catholic Church with burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield. Officiating will be the Rev. George Charnley. Visitation is 2-9 p.m. today, Thursday, Aug. 8, in Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 S. Main, Plymouth.
Miss O'Rourke was born April 27, 1956, in Dearborn and died Aug. 4 in Canton Township. She was a manager for SBC Ameritech more than 25 years. She came to the Canton community in 1980 from Dearborn Heights. She was a 1974 graduate of Annapolis High School and graduated with highest honors from Madonna University. She was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Canton where she served on the parish counsel and taught religious education.
Miss O'Rourke enjoyed arts and crafts, swimming and reading.
Surviving are her parents, Frank and Joanne O'Rourke of Dearborn Heights; siblings, Colleen (Brian) McCormick of Canton Township, Frank (Penny) O'Rourke of Columbia, Tenn., Michael (LaWan) O'Rourke of Dearborn, Eileen O'Rourke of Westland and Donna Miller of New Albany, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial tributes may be made to the Capuchin Monastary.
Daniel Anthony Nastale
Services for Daniel Nastale, 86, of Westland were Aug. 6 in St. Bernardine of Siena Church with burial at St. Hedwig Cemetery.
Mr. Nastale was born July 8, 1916, in Detroit and died Aug. 2 in Westland. He was a welder and test driver in the automotive business.
Surviving are his brothers, Jerome (Frances) Nastale and Ronald Nastale, and sister, Christine Alfano.
Mr. Nastale was preceded in death by his wife, Claire.
Arrangements were made by L.J. Griffin Funeral Home.
Ronald Kent Stratton
A Celebration of Life Service for former Westland resident Ronald Stratton, 62, of Phoenix, Ariz., was held recently.
Mr. Stratton was born Dec. 21, 1939, in Ivel, Ky., and died July 27 in Phoenix, Ariz. He attended Willow Run High School, and graduated with a master's degree from Eastern Michigan University. He was a teacher/administrator in the Wayne-Westland school district. In 1995, he retired as principal of Wayne Memorial High School.
Mr. Stratton moved to Phoenix after his retirement. He enjoyed poetry, art, history and sports.
Surviving are his son, Paul of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter, Barbara of Toronto, Canada; parents, Obert and Ruth Stratton; brother, Bobbie (Elsie) of Fort Pierce, Fla.; grandson, Connor; niece Leslie; and nephews, Bobbie, John and Skipper.
Memorial tributes may be made to American Cancer Society or an organization for the benefit of children.
Arrangements were made by Crystal Rose Funeral Home, Tolelson, Ariz.
Steven Thomas Parnin
Services for Steven Parnin, 23, of Westland were Aug. 7 in St. Genevieve Catholic Church, with burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield. Officiating was the Rev. Howard Vogan.
Mr. Parnin was born June 21, 1979, in Livonia, and died Aug. 2 in Detroit. He died in a motorcycle accident. He was a Detroit police officer. He was a graduate of Catholic Central High School, Redford.
Surviving are his wife, Laura; parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Parnin of Livonia; brother, Christopher Parnin; sisters, Lisa Parnin, Marie Parnin and Michelle Parnin; grandparents, James and Maryan Parnin; and in-laws, Charles and Barbara Ronayne.
Arrangements were made by Neely-Turowski Funeral Home, Livonia.
Jeramie Owen Sackett
Services for Jeramie Sackett, 26, of Westland were July 6 in Vermeulen Funeral Home. Officiating was the Rev. Jack H. Baker.
Mr. Sackett was born June 28, 1976, and died July 1 in Canton. He was a laborer.
Surviving are his son, Joseph Sackett; daughters, Alyssa Sackett and Rebecca Sackett; father, Kevin Flannary of Wayne; stepfather, Robert DeBlasio of Nashville, Tenn.; mother, Sherril DeBlasio of Wayne; stepsister, Gina Stacks of Pennsylvania; grandmother, Pat Sackett of Wayne; and great-grandmother, Jennie Onusko of Dearborn.
Memorial tributes may be made to the family fund.
Donna Jean Tuttle
Services for Donna Tuttle, 74, of Westland were Aug. 2 in Uht Funeral Home. Officiating was the Rev. Gary Michalik.
Mrs. Tuttle was born June 6, 1928, and died July 30 in Taylor. She was an office manager.
Surviving are her son, Daniel Tuttle; sister, Karen Lang and Rosalie Homer; and two grandchildren, Erik Tuttle and Shanna Tuttle.
Melvin John Wiitanen
Services for former Redford resident Melvin Wiitanen, 83, of Westland were Aug. 3 in Thayer-Rock Funeral Home, Farmington, with burial at Glen Eden Memorial Park, Livonia.
Mr. Wiitanen was born April 28, 1919, in Red Ridge, Mich., and died July 31 in Livonia. He was a salesman for Independent Biscuit Company. He enjoyed sports; bowling and softball; and was a baseball umpire for various leagues.
Mr. Wiitanen served in the Coast Guard during World War II.
Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Agnes; son, Curtis Wiitanen of Canton; daughter, Cheryl (Randall) Ollila of Westland; brothers, Lloyd Wiitaten of Houghton, Wilho Wiitanen of Houghton and Roy Wiitanen of Clawson; and sisters, Mae Stimac of Fenton and Karen Ranta of Toivola, Mich.
Memorial tributes may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Detroit Area Chapter, 17220 W. 12 Mile Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48076.
Francis A. Trader
Services for Francis Trader of Westland were July 30 in Prayer Baptist Church with burial at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton. Officiating was the Rev. Larry Bartlett.
Mr. Trader was born Nov. 22, 1928, in Detroit, and died July 26, 2002, in Westland. He was a repairman. He was a member of Prayer Baptist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Hazel; children, Patricia (Bud) Davis of Westland, Gary (Debbie) Trader of Canton, Denise (Fred) Skellenger of Weberville and Theresa (Jay) Diadiun of Milford; siblings, Jeannie Buel of Marine City, Don Trader of Livonia, Joyce Enders of Port Huron, Walter Trader of Marine City and Alice Trader of Marine City; half-sisters, Mildred Ross of Livonia and Myrtle Lozen of Virginia; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Mr. Trader also leaves several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements were made by Vermeulen Funeral Home, Westland.
Margarita Zoltowski
A funeral service for Margarita Zoltowski, 57, of Wayne will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, in Ochalek-Stark Funeral Home, Milan, with a mass following at 10:30 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Bob Pienta. Visitation is 6-9 p.m. today, Thursday, Aug. 1, and 4-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, in the funeral home. There will be a rosary at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Mrs. Zoltowski was born Oct. 17, 1944, in Monterrey, Mexico, and died July 25 at Arbor Hospice Residence. She lived in Milan before moving to Wayne. She was employed as a special education teacher at John Glenn High School in Westland.
Survivors include her husband of 36 years, Jim; sons, James (Lisa) of Milan, Anthony (Kyleen) of Garden City and Ronnie (Mary) of Milan; sisters, Teresa, Irma, Lupe and Annie; and six grandchildren, Anthony, Zachary, Chelsea, Brieann, Alissa and Madyson.
Memorial tributes may be made to Arbor Hospice or Ovarian Cancer Research.
Elizabeth J. Van Dam
Services for Elizabeth J. Van Dam, 81, of Westland were July 31 in Episcopal Church of The Holy Spirit with burial at Glen Eden Cemetery, Livonia.
Mrs. Van Dam was born April 8, 1921, in Detroit, and died July 28 at her home in Westland. She was an accountant in the banking industry.
Survivors include her husband, Willard; daughters, Sandra (Henry) Engen, Pamela (Francis) Lundgren and Dawn (Richard) Jarey; brother, Jack White; four grandchildren, Leslie Hite, Alison Engen-Kline, Curt Czerniak and Jason Jarey; and two great-grandchildren, Peter and Becky Hite.
Arrangements were made by L.J. Griffin Funeral Home.
DOYLE C. BELCHER
Services for Doyle Belcher, 75, of Westland were July 3 in John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home with burial at Cadillac Memorial Gardens West, Westland. Officiating was the Rev. Gary D. Headapohl from St. Matthew Lutheran Church.
Mr. Belcher was born Jan. 16, 1927, in Bluestone, W.Va., and died July 1 in Superior Township. He was a machine repairman.
Surviving are his wife, Mary; son, Kevin (Leslie); brothers, Curt and Troy; sisters, Beatrice Evans, Sadie Lavinder and Hazel Barrett; and two grandchildren, Jeffrey and Jennifer.
Mr. Belcher was preceded in death by his son, Martin.
Memorial tributes may be made to American Lung Association.
STEVE M. FUGABAN SR.
Services for Steve F. Fugaban Sr., 74, of Westland, formerly of Garden City, were July 6 from John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home in Garden City with the Rev. Jonathan D. Allen of Community Baptist Church officiating and burial at Glenwood Cemetery in Wayne.
Mr. Fugaban was born April 1, 1928, in Manila, Philippines, and died July 2 in Westland. He was a civil engineer.
Survivors include his children Steve (Debby) Fugaban, Doris Williams, Tom (Lauren) Fugaban, Jim Fugaban, Betty Ann (William) Powell, Kathy (Michael) Barry; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Preceding in death were his wife, Virginia; sons Dennis and Rex Fugaban; and one grandchild, Richard.
ALAN J. KILPATRICK
Services for Alan J. Kilpatrick, 54, of Westland were July 3 from Uht Funeral Home in Westland with the Rev. Kevin Marshall officiating.
Mr. Kilpatrick was born May 6, 1948, and died June 29 at his residence. He was a retired supervisor from Ford Motor Co.
Survivors include his wife, Debra; son Alan Kilpatrick Jr.; and parents Kathrine and H. David Kilpatrick.
Cremation rites were accorded.
RUTH NORMA KING
Services for Ruth Norma King, 95, of Westland were July 6 from Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home in Farmington with the Rev. James E. Britt officiating and burial at Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia.
Mrs. King was born Nov. 13, 1906, and died July 3 in Farmington Hills. She was a member of Clarenceville United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her daughter, Phyllis Kimbrough of Livonia; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Preceding Mrs. King in death was her husband, Earl R. King.
