Philip Noel Comins
Philip Comins, 86, of Traverse City and Birmingham, died Monday at Grand Traverse Pavilions of Parkinson's disease. Born Dec. 24, 1915, in Ripon, Wis., to the late Harry and Amy
(Calkins) Comins. On Feb. 3, 1940, at the First Presbyterian Church in Flint, he married the former Margaret Hillis, who survives. Margaret was the love of his life to his last breath and everyone knew it.
Mr. Comins graduated from the University of Michigan in 1937, and had a contagious love for the U of M football team. He will be remembered most for being such a gentle, loving man. Mr. Comins was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Flint, the Rotary Club in Troy, where he had perfect attendance for many years, and the Antique Clock Club in Greenfield Village. He was an animal lover, especially Airedales.
Other survivors include his daughters, Patricia (Herb) Sawin and Amy (Eric) Mueller, all of Traverse City; grandchildren, Scott (Sylvia) Byrnes, Kim McKenna, Tammy Byrnes, Karen Mueller, Jill (Sean) Roberts; and great-grandchild, Corey Byrnes.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Frank, Harry and Albert Comins; and sister, Dorothy Comins. A memorial service was held at Grace Episcopal Church on Friday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Louise Kountze officiating.
Carolyn S. Degen
Carolyn Degen, 70, of Bloomfield Hills, died Sept. 21, 2002, at home. She was born Feb. 7, 1932, in Detroit.
Mrs. Degen was a homemaker who enjoyed making things better for those around her.
She is survived by children, Colleen (Michael) Goodson, Maureen Degen, Kevin, Brian (Jennifer) and Sean (Janice); grandchildren, Dustin, Daniel, Brandon, Brennan and Courtney; and sisters, Sister Dolores (Phyllis) Staub, O.P. and Sister Corinne (June) Staub, O.P.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond Funeral Home in Troy. Interment
at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy. Memorial tributes may be made to Carolyn S. Degen Memorial Trust, 2600 Crooks Road, Troy, 48084.
Corrine E. Easterbrook
Corrine Easterbrook, 81, of Beverly Hills, died Sept. 14, 2002, at home. She was born July 1, 1921 in Janesville, Wis.
Mrs. Easterbrook was a former secretary for Treasure Island Naval Base-Civilian Section. She was a volunteer for BASCC, (Birmingham Area Senior Coordinating Council) and enjoyed playing bridge.
She is survived by husband, John N.; children, Jane, Jack (Eileen), Richard, Don (Margarita), Joan and Bob; grandchildren, Katie, Allison, Cristina and Vincent; and siblings, Alice Moser and Walter Husting.
Private funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home in Royal Oak. Memorial tributes may be sent to Alzheimer's Association, 17220 West 12 Mile Road, Suite 100, Southfield 48076.
Joseph A. Dewey, Sr.
Joseph Dewey, 93, of Warren, formerly of Beverly Hills, Marine City and Lake Park, Fla., died Sept. 20, 2002. He was born Aug. 4, 1909, in Detroit.
Mr. Dewey attended St. Leo's Grade School and Detroit Northern High School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was founder and president of Dewey's Lumberville in Detroit and Dearborn. In 1932, he founded the Hollywood Review Magazine. He was a former director of the Detroit Yacht Club and the Detroit Lumberman's Association; the Detroit Athletic Club; Knight's of Columbus and the American Powerboat Association. He built the first Hydro-Plane boat in Detroit that raced in the 1962 Gold Cup: The Miss Lumberville.
He is survived by wife, Norma; children, Joseph A., Jr. and Mary Ann Batcher; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Lynch & Sons Funeral Home in Clawson. Interment
at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield. Memorial tributes may be sent to Beaumont Hospice Fund, William Beaumont Hospital, 3601 West 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, Mich.48073-9952, American Cancer Society, 18505 West 12 Mile Road, Southfield, Mich. 48076 or Michigan Humane Society, Memorial/Honorarium Department, P.O. Box 214182, Auburn Hills, Mich. 48321-4182.
Raymond M. Lyons
Raymond Lyons, 86, of Bloomfield Hills and Naples, Florida, died Oct. 2, 2002, in West Bloomfield. He was born Nov. 16, 1915 in Detroit.
Mr. Lyons served as an FBI Special Agent during World War II and Co-founded The Society of XFBI Agents in Michigan, becoming the second president of the Society. For ten years he was on the advisory board of Providence Hospital, serving as chairman for two years. He retired as vice-president of Employee and Public Relations for Fruehauf Corporation.
He is survived by children, Ray (Mary) of Carlsbad, Calif., Mike (Cheryl) of Apollo Beach, Fla., Paul (Julie) of Birmingham, Kelly of Springfield, Ohio, Holly (Ed) Connell of Charlottesville, Virginia and Pat (Dan) White of Piedmont, Calif.; nineteen grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.
Memorial mass at Holy Name Church, 630 Harmon, Birmingham on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. Arrangements entrusted to Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors. Memorial tributes may be made to Catholic Social Services of Oakland County, 1424 East Eleven Mile Road, Royal Oak, Mich. 48067.
Keith E. Matheson
Keith Matheson, 41, of Grand Rapids, formerly of Birmingham, died Oct. 2, 2002 at home. He was born Oct. 14, 1960 in Detroit.
Mr. Matheson graduated from Birmingham Seaholm High School; undergraduate degree from Wayne State University and received a Doctor of Jurist Prudence degree from Detroit College of Law. He practiced law in Detroit and in Grand Rapids. He enjoyed spending summers in Pentwater, Mich.
He is survived by wife, Sarah; father, Kenneth of Grand Rapids; mother, Joan of Birmingham; brother Craig (Jane) of Fremont; and nieces, Kate, Tess and Abby.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Tate Funeral Chapel in Pentwater. Interment
at Pentwater Cemetery.
Edna Elvira Smith
Edna Smith, 89, of Birmingham, died Sept. 24, 2002, in Marwood Manor, Port Huron. She was born Dec. 1, 1913, in Ashtabula, Ohio.
Mrs. Smith enjoyed playing bridge and flower gardening. She worked for many years at Junior League in Birmingham.
She is survived by son, Darrell (Diane) of Marysville; and step-grandchildren, Eric and Aaron.
No visitation or services are scheduled. Funeral arrangements were handled by Marysville Funeral Home in Marysville.
Robert "Doc" Crawford
Robert Crawford, 84, of Birmingham-Bloomfield area, died Dec. 28, 2002.
Mr. Crawford was a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan, where he was a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon. He was a youth counselor, a coach, athletic director, teacher and principal of Warren-Lincoln High School. When he retired, they named the school athletic field the Robert "Doc" Crawford Athletic Field, in honor of him.
He is survived by wife, Dorothy; children, Bob (Rosemary) and Pamela A. Hayes; grandchildren, Brooke and Russell Bockemuehl, Andrew and Katie Crawford; sisters, Venita Miller, Betty Hauxwell and Jane Walter.
A memorial service will be held at the Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 1100 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003. The family will greet visitors at 1 p.m., with the service at 2 p.m.
Memorial tributes may be made to the Robert "Doc" Crawford Memorial Scholarship (for students going into education), Lincoln Senior High School, Attn: Tina Jackson, 22900 Federal Avenue, Warren, Mich. 48098.
Albert Pontello
Albert Pontello, 92, of Beverly Hills died Jan. 1, 2003, at home. He was born Sept. 1, 1910, in Cavasso Nuovo, Italy.
Mr. Pontello emigrated to Canada at 15, then to the United States at 18. He founded the Albert Tile Co., and retired in 1996. He visited Italy every summer for 28 years to visit with his parents and brothers.
He is survived by wife, Ursula F.; children, Constance (Richard) Heitmeyer of Washington, D.C., Albert Jr. of Beverly Hills, Marguerite (Eric) Beckman of Raleigh, N.C., Robert (Leslie) of Kildeer, Ill.; and nine grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home in Royal Oak. Memorial tributes may be made to The Salvation Army, 16130 Northland Drive, Southfield, Mich. 48075.
Beverly Jane Morehead
Beverly Jane Morehead died Dec. 31, 2002, at home.
Born in Jerome, Mich., in 1926, she graduated from Eastern Michigan University and taught at John Hill Junior High School in Dearborn Heights. She was an artist, working primarily in oils, and was active in many organizations, including the American Association of University Women, and was a patron of the arts and traveled extensively.
She was the wife of the late John P. DeMarsh; mother of Paul M. (Peggy), Richard A. (Barbara Smith), Jane A. (William) O'Neil and Joseph A. (Nora Schankin); nine grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
A celebration of life, including a one-woman show, will be held 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at The Community House. Call (248) 644-5832.
Funeral arrangements were handled by the William R. Hamilton Funeral Home.
Beatrice Kounin
Beatrice Kounin, 85, of Denver, Colo., formerly of Birmingham, died Dec. 31.
She was the wife of the late Jacob Kunin. She is survived by sons, John, Gary, Lee and Richard Davis; brother, Leonard Ostreich, 10 grandchildren; and one great grandchildren.
Services were held Jan. 5 at Eternal Light Memorial Park in Boynton Beach.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. John, 1320 Everett Court, Lakewood, Colo. 80215, or the Alzheimer's Association, Rocky Mountain Chapter, 789 Sherman St., No. 500, Denver, Colo. 80203.
Robert Walls
Robert J. Walls died Jan. 5, 2003, in Winter Haven Fla., at age 88.
Mr. Walls worked for Burroughs Corp., and retired as owner and vice president of engineering from Royal Oak Tool & Machine Co. He was an avid golfer and one of the founders of Forest Lake Country Club. He was also a member of Crystal Downs in Frankfort, Mich., and Cypresswood Country Club in Winterhaven, Fla. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and member of the Scottish Rite and the Elks Club Lodge No. 1523.
Mr. Walls was born on Feb. 23, 1914, in Detroit.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Evelyn (Ward); sons, R. James (Dorothy) Walls of Flagler Beach, Fla., Bill Ward of Stuart, Fla., Ralph Ward of Stuart, Fla.; daughters, Nancy (Paul) LaMotte of Victoria, Australia, Virginia (Dan) Mitchell of Green Bay, Wis., and Peggy Wolford of Stuart, Fla.; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were handled by the William R. Hamilton Funeral Home. Visitation is at 11 a.m. Friday until the time of committal service at noon at White Chapel Cemetery Chapel of the Flowers.
Memorials should be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, Fla. 33823 or St. Paul Episcopal Church, 656 Ave. L, NW, Winter Haven, Fla. 33881.
Maria Egyed Kiss
Funeral services for Maria Egyed Kiss, 90, were held Wednesday at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel.
Mrs. Kiss died Jan. 5 at home in Bloomfield Hills. She was born April 3, 1912, in Gyor, Hungary. She was a homemaker and devoted grandmother who enjoyed cooking and gardening, especially growing roses.
She is survived by two grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Maria Gyarmati.
Funeral arrangements were conducted by the A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home. Interment
was in White Chapel Cemetery.
Ann M. Rowe
Funeral services for Ann M. Rowe will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003, at Peace Lutheran Church, 17029 W. 13 Mile Road.
Mrs. Rowe died Dec. 24, 2002, at her home in Beverly Hills. She was born on Dec. 10, 1911, in Maxwell, Ontario, Canada. She was a resident of Beverly Hills since 1944 and was a registered nurse and worked for Excello Corp. and Cadillac Gage. She was a member of the American Association of Industrial Nurses & Birmingham Seniors.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry R. Rowe, and sister, Ruby Kordyzon. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are being conducted by the A.J. Desmond Funeral Home. Memorials may be sent to Peace Lutheran Church.
David William Deiotte
David William Deiotte, age 5 weeks, died Jan. 2, 2003, at Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel. Interment
was in White Chapel Cemetery in Troy.
Survivors are parents James and Deborah Deiott; sister, Danielle; brothers, James Jr., Christopher and Michael; and grandparents, Leonard and Louise Fellenstein and Jeanne Deiotte. Memorials
Joann Fairchild-Ludington
Joann "Jodi" Fairchild-Ludington, 57, of Grosse Pointe Shores, died November 6, 2002. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mrs. Ludington had a varied career. She formerly worked for New York Magazine; Ms. Magazine with Gloria Stienem; executive vice president of PBAA, a national publishing trade association; studied and received her FCC License; talk show host; news reporter with WJW and finally morning and afternoon traffic reporter. She did a lot of volunteer work, such as, working with the Grosse Pointe School System as president of Grosse Pointe North Parents' Club; publisher and editor of the club's newsletter; co-chairwoman of the 1996 All-Night Party and co-chairwoman of Norsemoms. She also wrote Dennis Archer's newsletter, "The Future is Now."
Mrs. Ludington is survived by husband, Ivan, Jr.; son, Michael Ludington Fairchild; stepchildren, Dana (Judy), David (Karen), and Susan (Randall) Gillary; step- grandchildren, Ian, David, Erin, Kathy, Emily, Jennifer and Katie; siblings, Diane Fairchild of Grosse Pointe Shores and John A. (Anne) Fairchild, Jr. of Grand Rapids; and niece, Alexandria.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Peters Funeral Home in Grosse Pointe Woods. Interment
at Ludington Cemetery in Harbor Beach. Memorial tributes may be made to The Kimberly Anne Gillary Foundation, 201 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, Mich. 48084 or Mariner's Church, 170 East Jefferson, Detroit, Mich. 48226.
Lawrence G. Gifford
Lawrence Gifford, 78, of Bloomfield Hills, formerly of Southfield, died Nov. 3, 2002, at William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. He was born Aug. 13, 1924 in Berea, Ohio.
Mr. Gifford was in the Strongsville School system and on all the high school sports teams and the school play. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he worked as a radar technician during the war. He attended Case Western University as a work-study student for one year. He graduated from Ohio State University. He retired from Detroit Edison where he worked in power generation and the design of many of Detroit Edison's power plants.
After retirement he consulted for Moylan Engineering. Mr. Gifford served Southfield Presbyterian Church as a trustee, elder and usher. He was active in the Detroit Edison bowling league; Edison Golf League; and the Wednesday Afternoon Golf League. He attended Edison Retiree Lunches; loved to play cards, jigsaw puzzles, watching sports on TV, organ music, books, movies about WW II, and a passionate Ohio State University fan.
He is survived by wife, Nancy; children, David (Heidi), Carol (Griff) DeMare, Patty (David) Landgren and Amy (Paul) Bildzok; grandchildren, Laura, Stephen, Rachel, Beth, Matthew, Allison, Ariella and Talia; three sisters and one sister-in-law.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Haley Funeral Directors in Southfield. Interment
at Acacia Park Cemetery in Beverly Hills. Memorial tributes may be made to Southfield Presbyterian Church, Heart Association or the Leukemia Foundation.
Arthur J. Zelten
Arthur Zelten, 78, of Bloomfield Hills, died Nov. 6, 2002, at De Pere, Wisconsin. He was born in Green Bay, Wis. on Feb. 8, 1924.
Mr. Zelten graduated from St. Norbert College, Wis. and the University of Wisconsin. He served in the U.S. Army. He was an accountant for Chrysler for 26 years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing
He is survived by wife, Marylou; children, Andrea of Rochester Hills and Paul of Waterford; grandchildren, Taylor and Carlos; siblings, Walter (Jeanine) of Chicago, ILL., Donald (Joey) of Poland, Maine, Norbert (Kay) of Fence, Wis. and Mary (Richard) LeComte of Oconto, Wis.
Memorial visitation at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 15, until 11:30 a.m. Mass, at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel, 2215 Opdyke Road, Bloomfield Hills. Inurnment at St. Hugo of the Hills Columbarium. Memorial tributes may be made to Al Zelten Family Memorial Scholarship Fund, St. Norbert College, 100 Grant Street, West DePere, Wis. 54115. Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors, Troy.
John J. Wetzel
John Wetzel, 89, of Grosse Pointe Farms, died Nov. 7, 2002. He was born June 21, 1913.
Mr. Wetzel was a graduate of Cass Technical High School and the University of Detroit. He was retired from Chrysler Corporation where he was director of corporate office of quality control. After retirement, he assisted Almor Corporation as administrative vice president and general manager.
He was an avid boater and member of the United States Power Squadron for 50 years; a licensed pilot; past member and former director of the American Speakers Club; Charter Member of the Detroit Engineering Society; lifetime member of the American Society of Body Engineers; a member of the Warren Astronomical Society; a member and lector of St. Paul's on the Lake Catholic Church, Grosse Pointe Farms; an avid photographer, amatuer radio operator, astronomer and bird enthusiast.
He is survived by children, John "Jay" (Martha) of Bloomfield Hills and West Palm Beach, Fla., and Charlene (Dave) Kull of Brighton; grandchildren, Liz (Brad) BeMent, Dawn, Mary, David (Chris), Tom (Noelle) and Rob (Laura); great-grandchildren, Matilda, Emma, Adam, Bryce and Blake; sister, Tillie (Rene) Haelewyn.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, Royal Oak. Interment
at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Detroit. Memorial tributes may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association.
G. Irving Allgren
G. Irving Allgren, 76, of Bloomfield Hills, died Nov. 9, 2002 at Providence Hospital, Southfield. He was born March 6, 1926 in Mohawk, Mich.
Mr. Allgren was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He attended the University of Detroit. He was employed as a haberdasher/proprietor of a men's clothing store, (his lifelong career). He was a member of Michigan Apparel Club. He enjoyed golf and spectator sports.
He is survived by wife, Emma; children, Robin L.(Ray) Fuller, Glen A., Brian E., Susan A. (Fred) Fritz and Warren H.; "Grampy" of Jon-Austin.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, Royal Oak. Inurnment at Roseland Park Cemetery, Berkley. Memorial tributes may be made to American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.
Thomas M. Sheeran
Thomas Sheeran, 77, of Bloomfield Hills, formerly of Southfield, died Nov. 9, 2002, at home. He was born March 12, 1925, in Detroit.
Mr. Sheeran was a U.S. Navy veteran from World War II, serving on the USS Fessenden in the South Pacific. He was a graduate of University of Detroit. He retired after 40 years as controller of warranty and service engineering for Ford Motor Company, in 1991. He was a member of Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed his family and gardening.
He is survived by wife, Mary Lou; children, Thomas, David (Catherine), William (Patricia), Martha (Keith) Peters, and Amy (Aaron) Decker; grandchildren, Megan, Kathleen, Sara, Joseph, Larua, Lizzie, Jason, Sam, Matt, Jamie, Tim, Gretchen, Jack; siblings, Vincent and Katherine.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons, Royal Oak. Interment
at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield. Memorial tributes may be made to Hospice of Henry Ford, P.O. Box 02220, Detroit, Mich. 48202-0220.
John Alvin Julian
John Julian, 66, of Bloomfield Hills, formerly of Troy, died Nov. 10, 2002, at U of M Hospitals, Ann Arbor. He was born January 25, 1936 in Pottsville, Pa.
Mr. Julian graduated from Western High School in Detroit. He served in the U.S. Marine Reserves for six years. He retired in 1998 as a salesman for Service Tire Co., Detroit. He was a member and past president of the Usher's Club of St. Thomas More Church, Troy. He was an avid sports fan of all Detroit sports teams.
He is survived by wife, Margaret; sons, John D. (Shirley) of Oak Park and Robert (Holly) of Pittsburgh, Pa.; grandchildren, John, Sarah and Spencer; brother, Bernard of Ocala, Fla.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, Troy. Interment
at White Chapel Cemetery, Troy. Memorial tributes may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
D. James Watson, Jr.
D. James Watson, Jr., 83, of Birmingham, died Nov. 11, 2002, at Woodward Hills Nursing Home, Bloomfield Hills. He was born April 9, 1919, in Detroit.
Mr. Watson graduated from Grosse Pointe High School and the University of Michigan, where he was an active member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity and loyal alumni. He served in the U.S. Navy over five years spending some of that time aboard the tanker, Kankakee, in the Pacific Ocean. He was recalled to Washington, D.C., for two years during the Korean War and released from active duty as a commander. Mr. Watson retired from Comerica Bank as a 1st vice president in 1983. He served on the board of directors of the Tri-County Red Cross; life member of the Nature Conservancy, serving as treasurer of the Michigan Chapter; member of the DAC and Senior Men's Club in Birmingham. He enjoyed visiting the National Parks, traveling, his rose garden, fishing, reading, walking and spending time with his family.
He is survived by wife, Shirley; children, Susan Watson (Ronn) Brodie, Sally Watson (Allan) Menkel, and David James, III; grandchildren, Susan, Allyson, Ian, Zachary and Seth.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, Royal Oak. Interment
at White Chapel Cemetery, Troy. Memorial tributes may be made to Nature Conservancy, 101 East Grand River, Lansing, Mich. 48906; Leader Dogs for the Blind, P.O. Box 5000, Rochester, Mich. 48308 or Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3633 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, Mich. 48084.
Richard E. Warnick
Richard Warnick, 66, of Beverly Hills, died Nov. 10, 2002, at Woodward Hills Nursing Home, Bloomfield Hills. He was born July 21, 1936, in Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Warnick was a graduate of Ohio State University. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, Lt. JG. He was chief operating officer and partner of Cambridge Industries, an automotive parts supplier for various companies. He was a member of Birmingham Country Club; Pelican's Nest Golf Club, Bonita Springs, Fla.; Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity; and various professional associations.
He is survived by wife, Candyce; children, Elizabeth A. and Matthew R.; and brother, Paul W.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, Royal Oak. Services were private. Memorial tributes may be made to Josephine Ford Cancer Center, c/o Henry Ford Hospital, P.O. Box 2220, Detroit, Mich. 48202 or Beaumont Hospice, 3601 West 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, Mich. 48073.
