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JAEM JANKOVIC
Dexter
Jaem Jankovic, known to many as "Grandpa Jim, " died Oct. 14, 2005.
He was the loving father of James T. (Cathy) Jankovic, Jo Anna (Gary) Garlacz and Vera (Dale) Jankovic-Boychuck.
Mr. Jankovic was the wonderful grandfather of eight terrific grandchildren, Jamie Lynne (Dan) Garlacz-Allie, Jody Rae Garlacz, Christopher James Garlacz, Brandon Robert Garlacz, Megan Rose Jankovic, Miranda Jo Jankovic, Peter James Boychuck and Cora Rose Joanna Ramona Boychuck, and the great-grandfather of Izabella Rae Allie.
He was married
to JoAnna Simrak Jankovic, loving wife, mother and grandmother, who died in 1993.
Mr. Jankovic was born in Yugoslavia in 1920. During World War II, he was a prisoner of war.
He worked for Eagle Pitcher Industries until his retirement in 1982, when he moved to his farm in Batesville, Ark. Although he loved his native land of Yugoslavia, he always said, "God Bless America, the greatest land in the world."
Mr. Jankovic leaves behind a legacy of self-determination, tenacity for life and the willpower to accomplish things in his own way.
"We will miss him very much and look forward to the time when we are all together again in heaven, " his family said. "As Pastor Matt Hook says, 'Honor the dead by loving the living.'"
Visitation was held Sunday at Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel in Dexter. A funeral was held Monday at Dexter United Methodist Church.
At the family's request, memorial contributions in Mr. Jankovic's name may be sent to Hope Foundation in Ann Arbor.
JOHN WILLIAM "BILL" LEWIS
Chelsea
John William "Bill" Lewis, 83, of Chelsea died peacefully Oct. 12, 2005. He was born Nov. 17, 1921.
Mr. Lewis is survived by his wife, Ruth L. Lewis; daughters, Sandra Mets and Susan Lewis; and his grandchildren, Katherine (Christopher) Caines and Erik Mets.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the American Cancer Society and Arbor Hospice.
Arrangements were by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea.
JOSEPH A. STEELE JR.
Chelsea
Joseph A. Steele Jr., 58, of Chelsea died Oct. 16, 2005, surrounded by his loving family at his home. He was born Jan. 22, 1947, in Chelsea the son of the late Joseph Sr. and Dorothy (Forner) Steele.
Mr. Steele had worked for the U.S. Postal Service for nearly 35 years, retiring in 2002. He was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy from Jan. 3, 1967 to Sept. 5, 1972.
Mr. Steele was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ and former council member.
On Oct. 6, 1967, he married
Ruth Ann Trinkle, and she survives.
Mr. Steele enjoyed the outdoors and especially liked hunting and fishing with his two sons, Jeffrey (Jessica) Steele of Roy, Utah, and James (Terri Mills) Steele of Grass Lake.
In addition to his sons, he is survived by one grandson Cameron; four brothers, Richard (Margaret) Steele of Chelsea, Paul (Mary) Steele of Chelsea, Don (Hazel) Steele of Kentwood and Tim (Colleen) Steele of Martin; and two sisters, Mimi (Jim) Doolittle of Kalamazoo and Keri (Tim) Johnson of Portage.
He is also survived by six nephews, three nieces and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by infant twin brothers, Kenneth and William Steele.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. today at St. John's United Church of Christ. The Rev. Nancy Doty will officiate.
Burial will follow at Mt. Hope cemetery in Freedom Township.
The family received friends yesterday at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's United Church of Christ or Hospice of Michigan.
MURIEL MARIE CHANCE
Ann Arbor
Muriel Marie Chance, 86, of Ann Arbor died Oct. 6, 2005, at the Evangelical Home of Saline surrounded by her family. She was born Jan. 6, 1919, in Chelsea, the daughter of Edward and Elsa Martin. She spent her early years in Chelsea and most of her adult life in Ann Arbor.
Mrs. Chance was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening, especially her rock garden, working with pottery, the challenge of crossword puzzles, playing gin rummy and eating tomato sandwiches. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She is survived by her children, Eric (Sandra) Dunkel of Ann Arbor, Mary (Charles) Niethammer of Saline, Susan (William) Bycraft of Murrells Inlet, S.C., and Kathryn (Christopher) Bouchard of Brooklyn; and two sisters, Lucille Martin and Arlene Larson, both of Chelsea.
Also surviving are grandchildren Shelley (Steven) Kasper, Erica Dunkel, Paul Salyer, Lisa (Andrew) Sieczka, William (Jackie) Bycraft, Rebecca (Karl) Schook, Michael (Marsha) Bycraft, Julie Bouchard and Daniel Bouchard; and great-grandchildren Angela, Morgan and Ashley Kasper, Drew and "Baby Girl" Sieczka, Allison Shock and Carly Schook.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Roy Chance, who died March 22, 1997, and her son, Michael Wallace, an Army sergeant first class who was listed as missing in action in Vietnam April 19, 1968.
At Mrs. Chance's request, cremation has taken place and a private family memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Silver Maples in Chelsea, where she lived for the past several years, and also expresses special appreciation to the entire staff at the Evangelical Home of Saline for the exceptional care given to Mrs. Chance during her final days.
The family asks that individuals celebrate Mrs. Chance's life by directing donations to the Evangelical Home of Saline, 440 W. Russell St., Saline, MI 48176.
JEFFREY RICHARD FRENCH
Chelsea
Jeffrey Richard French, 48, of Chelsea died Oct. 6, 2005, at his home from complications of a work-related injury that happened several years ago. He was born April 1, 1957, in Ann Arbor.
When he was 1 year old, his family moved to Dexter and then 18 months later moved to Brighton, where he grew up and graduated from Brighton High School.
Mr. French loved sports and excelled in track and football. In 1979, he moved to Chelsea with his parents. He worked for Chelsea Lumber Co. and then Fingerle Lumber in Ann Arbor.
Mr. French enjoyed working outdoors and interacting with the customers. After a serious injury at work and subsequent surgeries, he retired on disability.
He loved nature, animals and the outdoors, and especially enjoyed fishing and hunting with his dad. He also enjoyed his dog, Lady, and his parents' three dogs.
Mr. French also enjoyed playing the guitar from the time he was 10 years old and took lessons until his teacher said, "I have taught you all I know, " his family said.
Mr. French is survived by the children he adored, daughter Stefanie (Joe Brenner) French and son Ryan (Jessica) French; and granddaughter Hailey. A grandson is expected in December.
He is also survived by his parents, Richard and Vivian French; his brother, James; and nephew, Christopher, all of Chelsea, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A funeral was held Tuesday at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home. Deacon David Rosenberg officiated. Visitation was at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea.
Memorial contributions may be made to the World Wildlife Federation and the Huron Valley Humane Society.
EDWARD G. DURANCE
Dexter
Edward G. Durance, 72, of Dexter, who served as Midland County prosecuting attorney from 1954 to 1976, died Oct. 8, 2005, at Arbor Hospice Residence.
Mr. Durance opened a law office in Midland in 1977 and practiced law until he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in 1987.
Mr. Durance was born June 23, 1933, to William and Mildred (Dean) Durance in Grosse Pointe. He attended Detroit schools, and received degrees from Wayne State University in 1954 and Wayne State University Law School in 1956.
At the age of 25, he was appointed Midland County Prosecuting Attorney by Circuit Judge Donald Holbrook Sr. He was elected president of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan in 1975 and served on the Board of the National District Attorneys Association, as well.
Mr. Durance was an Eagle Scout and Scoutmaster of Troop 63 in the inner city of Detroit before moving to Midland. He spent the summers of his youth and retirement at the centennial family farm in Charlevoix.
Mr. Durance also was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of 51 years; sons, Paul W. (Nancy) and Stephen E. (Robbyn); daughters, Diane Durance (Scot Ewen) and Laura Durance; and grandsons, William and Richard of Twinsburg, Ohio, Matthew, Daniel and Peter of Midland, Kristin and Timothy Ewen of Ann Arbor and Leah and Jessica Diestel of Dexter.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland. Private burial will take place at Brookside cemetery in Charlevoix.
Memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scouts of America, local humane societies or Zion Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor.
Arrangements were by Generations Funeral and Cremation Service.
LAURA L. GRIM
Chelsea
Laura L. Grim, 43, of Chelsea died Oct. 7, 2005, at her home. She was born March 27, 1962, the daughter of Peter J. and Joyce (Davis) Husak. On July 24, 1981, she married
Kevin D. Grim and he survives.
Mrs. Grim enjoyed the outdoors. She loved anything that bloomed and liked to watch the birds and deer from her window. She loved her dogs Lucky, Bear and Cheyenne. Most of all, she loved her family.
Mrs. Grim is survived by her three children, Jason M. Grim, Jessica L. Grim and Nicholas R. Grim, all of Chelsea; and one grandchild, Connor Grim.
Also surviving are her brothers, Peter Husak of Whitmore Lake and David (Tammy) Husak of Dexter; sister-in-law, Tina (Geary) Baroni; brothers-in-law, Gary (Beth) Grim and Dick (Jill) Grim; her in-laws, Gary and Sharon Grim; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandmother, Christine Davis.
A funeral was held Tuesday at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea. The Rev. Beth Foster officiated.
Memorial contributions may be made to Huntington Corea Disease Research, Michigan Chapter.
LEONARD ARTHUR PLATT
Marquette
Formerly of Dexter
Leonard Arthur Platt, 85, of Marquete, formerly of Dexter, died Oct. 7, 2005, at Marquette General Hospital. He was born Dec. 24, 1919, in Ann Arbor, the son of Leona Esther (Gray) and Calvin L. Platt.
Mr. Platt was educated in Dexter Community Schools, graduating in 1937. He was a lifelong member of St. James' Episcopal Church in Dexter, and served as a teacher and officer in the church school. He was a vestryman, senior warden, organist, lay reader and, often times, a member of the Diocesan Convention.
Mr. Platt was drafted for military service in the U.S. Navy in 1943, serving in Hawaii on board the aircraft carrier USS Siboney (CVE). He also served at the Naval Reserve Training Center in Dearborn and was a "plank owner" in USS Mahan, San Francisco/San Diego, completing his career at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., in 1967. He retired as a senior chief yeoman.
Following naval retirement, he took a position with Thalner Electronics Laboratory Inc in Ann Arbor, retiring in 1981.
Mr. Platt was a former member and chaplain of American Legion Post 557 in Dexter and was a member of Richard Jopling Post 44 of the American Legion in Marquette. He also served in the Fleet Reserve Association.
Mr. Platt married
Marcella Anna Fallmer of Escanaba in May 1954 and they have a son, Daniel Frederick Platt, who makes his home with his mother.
In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Platt is survived by his sister, Pauline (Rex) Hauber of Missouri; a half-sister, Gertrude (Paul) Burroughs of Stockbridge; dear friends Jerry (Kay) Harrington of Big Bay, Jim Harrington of Negaunee and Susan Neumeier of Escanaba; four great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
Mr. Platt was preceded in death by his mother, Leona Esther Hall; step-father, Leonard Daniel Hall; half-brother, William Harold Platt; and half-sister, Mernavieve James.
A funeral was held Tuesday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Marquette. Burial with veteran's honors was held at the Lakeview cemetery in Escanaba.
Memorials may be directed to the Lake Superior Hospice Association, 326 N. Front St., Marquette, MI 49855, or St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 201 E. Ridge St., Marquette, MI 49855.
Funeral arrangements were by the Fassbender Funeral Home.
SUSAN M. GILLESPIE
Chelsea
Susan M. Gillespie, 53, of Chelsea died Oct. 3, 2005, after a long illness. She was born Nov. 13, 1951, in Ypsilanti, the oldest of five children of the late Elma Allison and Paul Lobbestael.
On June 7, 1973, she married
Gary Gillespie and had two beautiful daughters, Nicole and Sarah. She resided with her husband, Gary, and grandson, Matthew David Gillespie.
Mrs. Gillespie was well known professionally in restaurants in Washtenaw County. After college, she became a foreman at Chrysler Corp.
Mrs. Gillespie was an artist, "queen " of yard sales and, most of all, she was a devoted to her grandchildren, who were the lights of her life.
Survivors include her husband, Gary; daughters, Sara and Nicole Gillespie of Ypsilanti; beloved grandchildren, Matthew David, Riley James, Jacob Michael and Brieanna Brooke. She was expecting a grandson, Rome David.
Also surviving are two brothers, Paul Lobbestael and Glenn Allison; and sisters, Sally and Sharon Lobbestael.
Services were held Oct. 7 at the North Lake United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Arrangements were by Generations Funeral and the Cremation Service.
