Russell L. Nigg
Russell Nigg, 75, of Ada, formerly of Hinsdale, Ill., and Bloomfield Hills, died Jan. 22, 2003, at Spectrum Health Center, Blodgett Campus, East Grand Rapids. He was born Aug. 30, 1927, in Detroit.
Mr. Nigg graduated from Lawrence Institute of Technology. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He was an automotive engineer and manager of the engineering department (Brake and Clutch Division) at Borg Warner for 20 years. Before that, he was employed at LTV in Sterling Heights. Mr. Nigg was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and Amvets. He was a great dog lover who also enjoyed playing bridge and traveling.
He is survived by daughter, Julie Nigg (Dr. Ash) Mansour of Ada and dear friend, Nancy Steding.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home in Troy. Memorial tributes may be made to the Michigan Humane Society.
Carroll David Smeak, II
Carroll Smeak, II, 72, of Birmingham, died Dec. 15, 2002, at Wm. Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. He was born Feb. 4, 1930, in Hagerstown, Md.
Mr. Smeak was an U.S. Army veteran serving in the Korean Conflict. He was a retired branch manager of Motors Holding Division-G.M.C. for General Motors. He was a World Traveler with the Nomad Club and an avid gin player.
He is survived by wife, Frances; children, Joanne Smeak, Jenny (James) Cherocci, David (Kathleen), Douglas (Suzanne) and Daniel (Kimberly) and 12 grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home in Troy. Interment
at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy. Memorial tributes may be made to the Salvation Army or Lutheran Social Services.
Charlotte Louise Schiehsl
Charlotte Schiehsl, 73, of Bloomfield Hills,died Jan. 25, 2003, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Pontiac. She was born March 7, 1929, in Perrysburg, Ohio.
Mrs. Schiehsl graduated from Perrysburg High School, Case Western Reserve University and University of Toledo. She also received an extended education in nursing beyond college. She was a registered nurse at Woodside Medical for 20 years. She taught nursing, supervised hospital staff and took undergraduate classes after retirement. She enjoyed gardening, volunteer work at church and related charities and a Senior Center blood pressure volunteer.
She is survived by husband, Robert; children, Mary (Dean) Bolitho and Eric (Mary Ann); and grandchildren Erica and David.
Visitation at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 32515 Woodward in Royal Oak, 2-8 p.m. Jan. 30. Visitation at Congregational Church of Birmingham, 1000 Cranbrook Road, Bloomfield Hills Friday 10 a.m. until Memorial service at 11 a.m. Memorial tributes may be made to Karmanos Cancer Institute.
Katharine "Kay" S. McGregor
Katharine "Kay" McGregor, 82, of Bloomfield Hills, formerly of Rochester and Algonac, died Jan. 25, 2003, at Crittenton Hospital in Rochester Hills. She was born Sept. 12, 1920 in Detroit.
Mrs. McGregor attended Grosse Pointe country Day (now University Liggett) and graduated from Grosse Pointe High School. She was a member of the Tau Beta Association, Junior League of Birmingham, Mayflower Society and the Country Club of Detroit. She maintained a greenhouse of rare orchids and a yard full of roses. She enjoyed needlepoint, and traveling the U.S. waterways on their boat.
She is survived by daughter, Katharine McGregor Altherr-Rogers of Rochester; grandchildren, Richard H. Altherr, Jr. of Lake Angelus and Katharine McGregor Altherr of Rochester.
Funeral arrangements were handled by The Wm. R. Hamilton Co. in Birmingham. Interment
was private at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit. Memorial tributes may be made to charity of your choice.
Edward Thomas Smendzuik
Born in Winnipegosis, Manitoba, Canada, on Dec. 8, 1914, Edward Thomas Smendziuk died Jan. 14 of cardiac arrest at age 88.
He lived in Canada until he was 8 years old. His family settled in Hamtramck, which remained his lifelong home.
Survived by wife of 56 years, Stephany; four children, Julie (Bill O'Brien) of Maplewood, Minn., Edward D. (Connie), John B. (Bonnie) of Beulah, Mich., and Marilyn (Bob Rice); and six grandchildren. Graduate of Hamtramck High School; served as letter carrier at Hamtramck Post Office for 22 years and supervisor in Detroit Postal System for 12 years.
National treasurer Metropolitan Club of America and president of Spirit No. 4 in Hamtramck. Treasurer of PNA Lodge 1676 and treasurer of St. Florian Ushers. Member of National Association of Letter Carriers (retired) and National Association of Postal Supervisors. Rosary offered by St. Florian Ushers. Funeral was held at St. Florian Church on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2003, followed by burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Hayes Holmes
U. Hayes Holmes, retired Atlanta-based Southern Region public relations manager of Ford Motor Company, died Sunday, Jan. 26, at Lenbrook Square seniors' residence in Atlanta.
Born on Sept. 20, 1919, in Louisville, Ky., he graduated from Louisville Male High School in 1937. Mr. Holmes earned a degree at the University of Louisville in 1940. He started every baseball game during his four years, at what was called the central fielder position.
He became a sports writer for the Louisville Times before enlisting in the U.S. Navy from 1942-46. During World War II, he served on an LST ship transporting Army tanks and other materials. He served in military campaigns including Anzio, Italy, and reached the rank of a senior lieutenant.
He played professional baseball in 1946 with the Bowling Green, Ohio, Barons. He later was named public relations manager for the Louisville Colonels baseball team.
Mr. Holmes joined Ford Motor Company in 1947 as editor of its employee newspaper at the Louisville Assembly Plant. He went on to manage Ford regional public relations offices in Detroit, Cleveland, Boston and Atlanta.
He also was named PR manager of Ford Tractor Operations, public and professional relations manager for the company's Engineering Staff, and manager of regional field public relations offices. He retired in 1983 as Ford PR manager in Atlanta.
He was a long-time member of Capital City Club in Atlanta. In his Detroit-area Ford years, he was a member of Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, and Orchard Lake Country Club in that community.
Mr. Holmes was preceded in death by his wife, Paula Harris Claffey Holmes. He is survived by Halla Claffey, Paula's daughter, of Milford; Martha Holmes Waxman, sister, of New York City; her two daughters, Anne Holmes Waxman in New York City, and Terry Holmes Koshel of Westchester County, N.Y., and her two children.
Arrangements will be handled by H. M. Patterson Oglethorpe Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta.
Heather Ann Knopf
Heather Knopf, 67, of Birmingham, died Jan. 26, 2003 at Wm. Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. She was born Sept. 1, 1935 in Regina Saskatchewan Canada.
Mrs. Knopf attended public schools in Canada and Manatoba University, a fine arts school in Canada. She was a long-time Unitarian; was a member of the Ladies Aux.-Veterans of Foreign Wars and Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Association.
She is survived by husband, Melvin; children, Rick (Chris) Handley of Clarkston and Cherie Handley of Toronto, Canada; ten grandchildren; and sisters, Norma Schumacher of Renelstake-British Columbia Canada and Myrna Hawkins of Calgary Alberta Canada.
Funeral arrangements were handled by The Wm. R. Hamilton Co. in Birmingham. Interment
was private. Memorial tributes may be made to charity of choice.
DEANNE LYNNE GALBREATH
Deanne Galbreath, 43, died after a short illness, on March 26, 2002, at Wm. Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. She was born on June 6, 1958, in East Chicago, Ind.
She was employed as an office manager in a medical practice, working with elderly people. An avid sports enthusiast, she enjoyed soccer, hill-walking, mountain climbing, fishing, river rafting and tennis. Reading and gardening were also among her hobbies. Memberships included the Orchard Lake Country Club; and was former vice-president of the PTA at Barnard Elementary School in Troy.
Mrs. Galbreath is survived by her husband, Ashford Allen; two sons, Ashford Andrew of Lawrence, Kan., and Alexander Ryan of Troy; her mother, Patricia Russell of Bodega Bay, Calif.; one sister, Deborah Russell Broman of Napa, Calif., and two brothers, Gregory and George Pelter of Kansas City, Mo.
Funeral arrangements were handled by the Wm. R. Hamilton Co. of Birmingham. Committal will be private. Memorial tributes may be sent to, Deanna Galbreath Tribute Fund, c/o United Way, 1212 Griswold, Detroit 48226-1899
JOHN EDWARD KANE
John Kane, 84, of Chandler, Ariz., died on March 27, 2002, in Mesa, Ariz. He was born on July 16, 1917 in Philadelphia.
Mr. Kane was a U.S. Marine in World War II. He was a film buyer for General Cinema Corporation, formerly of MGM and Paramount Studios.
He is survived by his wife, Terri; daughter, Eileen Kane; his son, Steve Murray; and granddaughter, Genevieve Eldred; and nieces and nephews in Philadelphia.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Melcher Mortuaries in Mesa, Ariz. Memorial tributes may be sent to National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, 60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 404, Great Neck, N.Y. 11021.
FRED VERDI
Fred Verdi, of Beverly Hills, died April 1, 2002, at home.
He was a retired Automotive Engineer with GM Fisher Body Division (Industrial Design). He graduated from Wayne State University; was a member of Oakland Writers Association and held writers workshops in his home.
Mr. Verdi is survived by his daughter, Mary Ann (John) Hus of Beverly Hills, and his brother, Don Verdi of Beverly Hills.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home of Royal Oak. Interment
was at Holy Sepulchre in Southfield. Memorials may be sent to American Lung Association.
BETTY JANE GAGNIER
Betty Jane Gagnier, 81, of Farmington Hills, died March 29, 2002.
She is survived by her children, Christina (Patrick) Angott of Orchard Lake, Martha (Steve) Vannelli of Bloomfield Hills, Barbara (James) Lange of Beverly Hills and Chip (Rene) Gagnier of Indianapolis, Ind.; nine grandchildren and two great-granddaughters; her cousin, Donald Shaw of Canada; and her niece, Wendy Igel of Canada also.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Lynch & Sons Funeral Home in Walled Lake. Memorial tributes may be sent to Heart, Cancer, Alzheimer's or Arthritis Associations.
PATRICK B. REYNOLDS
Patrick Reynolds, 86, of Birmingham, died on March 30, 2002, at Wm. Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. He was born on March 7, 1916 in Chester, Ill.
Mr. Reynolds served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Teton in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. He attended Walsh College in Troy. He was a retired CPA, employed as a director of Accounting at The Detroit News.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth M.; daughter, Margie Wollam of Cohassel, Mass.; sons, Mark (Suzanne) of Birmingham and Scott (Olga Shamraj) of Granite Springs, N.Y.; grandchildren, Mark, Brett, Tim, Jane and Nathan; and sister, Kathryn Longlois of Champaign, Ill.
A memorial service is being held, Friday, April 5, at the Wm. R. Hamilton Co., 820 East Maple, Birmingham at 10 a.m. Cremation is at Perry Mount Park Cemetery.
DENISE DOONAN
Denise Doonan, 92, of Bloomfield Hills, formerly of Birmingham, died on April 2, 2002, at Maple Village Assisted Living Center - Bloomfield Hills. She was born on March 4, 1910, in Detroit.
Mrs. Doonan was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening. She was a member of the Village Club, Bloomfield Hills and Christ Child Society; and a former member of the now defunct Detroit City Club. She was an avid bridge player with St. Regis and St. Hugo Churches in Bloomfield Hills.
Mrs. Doonan is survived by children, Michael J. (Kathleen M.) of Bloomfield Hills, Thomas A. of Bloomfield Hills, and Denise (Timothy) Baier of Bloomfield Hills; and grandchildren, Michael W., Patrick J., Todd T. and D.Kelly.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home of Royal Oak. Interment
was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield. Memorials may be sent to Christ Child Society, 15751 Joy Road, Detroit, Mich. 48228.
JOSEPH W. WESNER "JOE"
Joseph Wesner, 46, of Bloomfield Hills, died on April 1, 2002, at home. He was born on August 29, 1955, in Philadelphia.
Mr. Wesner graduated from LaSalle College High School in Philadelphia where he was a varsity athlete in football and rowing for which he was National Schoolboy Champion; a graduate of Georgetown University, where he was captain of the varsity football team, a member of the rowing team and also in the Georgetown University Hall of Fame for Athletes; and also a graduate of Cranbrook Academy of the Arts. He was employed as a professor for the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, where he was chairman of the Sculpturing Department. Mr. Wesner enjoyed tennis, rowing, travel and cooking.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa L.; children, Lauren R. Ackerman and Isabella Pearl Wesner; parents, Frank J. & Pearl M. of Philadelphia, Pa.; brother, Frank J. (Mia) of Bryn Mawr, Pa.; sister, Mary Jane "Janie" (Michael) Nolen of Blue Bell, Pa.; and also many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home in Royal Oak. Interment
was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pa. Memorial tributes may be sent to the Joseph W. Wesner Memorial Fund, c/o College for Creative Studies, 201 East Kirby, Detroit 48202 or Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 16170 Templar Cr. Southfield, Mich. 48075.
THOMAS B. LABO
Thomas LaBo, 75, of Bloomfield Hills, died on April 4, 2002, at home. He was born on March 23, 1927, in Rockwood, Mich.
Mr. LaBo was a graduate of Trenton High School, where he was Swimming State Champ and of Michigan State University. He was a veteran of the US Navy from WW II. Mr. LaBo had retired from Ford Motor Company where he had various responsiblities, including corporate safety engineer and National Joint Committee on Health & Safety. He was "Man of the Year" at Ford in Security, Safety & Plant Protection. He also orchestrated 13,000 film productions in "Driver Ed. & Safety" that were distributed by Ford to driver education facilities. He was active at Church of St. Owen, Bloomfield Hills, including past president of the Usher's Club. He enjoyed reading, travel, bridge and crossword puzzles.
Mr. LaBo is survived by wife, Gloria G.; children, Scott (Jeanne) of Lansing, Chris J. (Patty) of Chicago and Jayne Pagnucco of Buffalo, N.Y.; grandchildren, Amanda, Sean, Alex and Sean Peter; great-grandson, Kevin; and siblings, Phillip (Mary) of Raymore, Mo., Caroline (Art) Guimond of Wyandotte and Marlene Barnes of Brighton.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home in Troy. Interment
was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield. Memorial tributes may be sent to the American Cancer Society.
JOHN E. GATES, SR.
John Gates, 73, of Beverly Hills, died on April 4, 2002, at Wm. Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. He was born on March 8, 1929, in Highland Park.
Mr. Gates was a graduate of Catholic Central High School and of Wayne State University. He was a member of the Michigan State Bar Association. He was employed at the Gates & Gates Law Firm, where he was proud to have his sons working with him. Mr. Gates enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia; sons, John E., Jr. (Judy) of Birmingham and Christopher (Louise) of Royal Oak; his grandchildren, John Jeffrey, Lisa and Laura; and brother, George (Betty) of Milford.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home in Royal Oak. Interment
was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.
ROGER W. O'SULLIVAN
Roger O'Sullivan, 86, of Bloomfield Hills, died on April 5, 2002, at Wm. Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. He was born on Jan. 2, 1916, in Springfield, Ill.
Mr. O'Sullivan was a graduate of the University of Detroit; a sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps in WWII; and employed by Ford Motor Company where he retired as a Global Engineering Administration Manager, Controller's Office at Ford Division and the Ford Falcon Product Development Program. He also worked for the Archdiocese of Detroit (Chancery Office), Travelers Insurance Company Branch Office manager, and General Motors Detroit Diesel Engine Division-Finance Dept. He was a third degree and lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus in Livonia; a member of St. Regis Church in Bloomfield Hills; and he enjoyed reading, golf, travel and being with his family.
Mr. O'Sullivan is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Thomas (Diane), Mary Anne (William) Reising, Daniel (Roseanne), Michael (Joan), Patrick, James (Anne), Kathleen (Jim) Riney and Maureen (Roy) Bartz; 26 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home in Troy. Interment
was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield. Memorial tributes may be sent to The Capuchin Monastery.
T. NORRIS HITCHMAN
T. Norris Hitchman, 93, of Grosse Pointe, died on April 7, 2002, at home. He was born in Detroit.
He graduated from Northwestern High School, Wayne State University and Harvard Business School. Mr. Hitchman was a financial investor for Kales, Kramer Investment Company, Kenower, MacArthur and Company and The Ohio Company. He served on the city commission of Huntington Woods; was an advisor to the Berkley school system, a member of the Oakland County Commission and the Oakland County Citizens League. He was also an active member of the Financial Analysts Society of Detroit, the Wrangler's and Ex-dividends; The Grosse Pointe Senior Men's Club the Harvard Busines School Club of Detroit and a member of the Grosse Pointe Woods Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Hitchman is survived by his wife, Vivilore; children, Thomas N., Jr. (Myrna) of Beverly Hills, Ann (Robert) Pike, and Julia (James) Smith; step-children, Lyle (Diane) Heavner, Carol (Ronald) Bussell, Nancy (Roger) Battistella, Susan (Michael) Becker and Robert(Carol) Heavner; his grandchildren, Paula (Bryce) Dreeszen, Thomas D., Marianne Smith, Cynthia and Julie Pike; nine step-grandchildren, nine step-great-grandchildren and sister, Beatrice (John) Campbell.
Funeral arrangements were handled by A.H. Peters Funeral Home in Grosse Pointe. Memorial tributes may be sent to Wayne State University School of Business Administration or Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.
RUTH E. MORTIMER
Ruth Mortimer, 90, of Birmingham, died on March 28, 2002. She was born on April 22, 1911, in Detroit.
She was active at the Congregational Church of Birmingham.
Mrs. Mortimer is survived by her sons, William, of Adrian, David of Sandusky, and Thomas of Bolton, Conn.; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, 2002, at the Congregational Church of Birmingham, United Church of Christ. Memorial tributes may be made to the church.
RICHARD FAIRCHILD
Richard Fairchild, 58, of West Bloomfield, died on April 3, 2002, at Botsford Hospital of Farmington Hills. He was born on March 23, 1944, in Detroit.
He is a graduate of Western Michigan and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era for two years in Ft. Knox. Mr. Fairchild was a professional photographer. He founded "Fairchild Photography" and is well-known throughout this area. He specialized in sports, weddings, schools and portraits. His photographic work has often been in the Birmingham Eccentric.
Mr. Fairchild is survived by a son, Miles O'Donnell of Hartland, Vermont; his mother, Jean Fairchild of Bloomfield Hills; and his siblings, Wendy Fairchild of Chicago and Stephen of Plymouth, Mass.
Funeral arrangements were handled by The Wm. R. Hamilton Co. in Birmingham. Cremation was at White Chapel Memorial Cemetery in Troy. Memorial tributes may be sent to The American Diabetes Association, 30300 Telegraph Road-Suite 117, Bingham Farms, Mich. 48015.
JOY "TINY" HORNE
Joy Horne, 83, of Bloomfield Hills, died April 9, 2002 at home. She was born August 7, 1918 in Detroit.
She graduated from Highland Park High School and was a member of Tres Jour.
Mrs. Horne is survived by husband, Francis (Frank) and son, Jeff of San Clemente, Calif.
Funeral arrangements were handled by The Wm. R. Hamilton Co. in Birmingham. Interment
will be private at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit. Memorial tributes may be sent to The Trigeminal Neuralgia Association, 2801 S.W. Archer Road, Suite C, Gainesville, Fla. 32608.
JOHN P. HAWKINS, "J.P."
John Hawkins, 88, of Royal Oak, formerly of Bloomfield Hills, died April 10, 2002 in Wm. Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. He was born October 16, 1913 in Brazil, Ind.
He attended Highland Park Junior College. He retired after 39 years with General Motors Corp. as a District Manager for Chevrolet Division. Mr. Hawkins enjoyed golf and music, especially playing the organ and piano.
He is survived by wife Elna; children, Philip (Mary), Mary Jo (Donald) Roe, Becky (David) Jenkins, and Maggie Smith; thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Sunday, April 14 from 2 to 6 p.m. at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home on Woodward in Royal Oak. Funeral liturgy will be Monday, April 15, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment
will be at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy. Memorials may be sent to Karmanos Cancer Institute.
THOMAS E. BROWN
Thomas Brown, 83, of West Bloomfield, and Bradenton, Fla., died on March 4, 2002, in Bradenton, Fla. He was born on March 22, 1918 in Detroit.
He attended Cranbrook School and graduated from Antioch College in Ohio. Mr. Brown retired from Ford Motor Credit Corporation where he was a certified public accountant. He was a member of Northbrook Presbyterian Church and Plum Hollow Country Club in Southfield. He was active in fund-raising activities for the Boy Scouts and served on the Board of Directors of Wright-Brown Roofing Company of Detroit.
Mr. Brown is survived by wife, Mary Lane; sons, Thomas E. Jr. of Bloomfield Hills and Charles W. of Grosse Pointe Farms, and three grandchildren.
Interment
will be at Northbrook Presbyterian Church in Beverly Hills on May 12. Memorial tributes may be sent to the Kind Foundation, P.O. Box 32934, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. 33420.
BARBARA "SKIPPY" PRENTIS-FRENKEL
Barbara Frenkel. 74, of Stuart, Fla., formerly of Bloomfield Hills, died April 9, 2002, at home.
She attended Miss Newman's School for Girls and graduated from Kingswood and the University of Miami. Mrs. Frenkel was a member of Franklin Hills Country Club, Temple by the Sea in Fla., Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills; president of the Meyer and Anna Prentis Family Foundation, Inc.; former president of the National Council of Jewish Women, head of Angel Ball; a volunteer at Michigan Cancer Foundation, and trustee of Michigan Opera Theater. She was active in sports and loved tennis, skiing and golf.
She is survived by husband, Marvin; children, Dale (Patty), Dr. Ronald and Cindy Frenkel; grandchildren, Maradith, Mark, William, Warren and Max Frenkel and Hannah Kanter; sisters, Jewell Morris and Beverly Wagner; and also many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were handled by The Ira Kaufman Chapel in Southfield. Interment
was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham. Memorial tributes may be sent to Hospice of Martin County, 2030 Southeast Ocean Blvd., Stuart, Fla. 34996 or Temple Beth El, 7400 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48301.
