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SELAH MAXEL PETSCH
Chelsea
Selah "Maxel" Petsch of Chelsea died Sept. 27, 2005, in the arms of her loving husband.
"She went to sleep in her earthly home and awoke in the arms of her loving savior, " her family said.
Mrs. Petsch was born Dec. 22, 1933, to Max L. and Frances L. (Wilmot) Duckworth. She married
her husband, Ellsworth, June 15, 1963. They had resided in Chelsea since their marriage.
Mrs. Petsch had been a faithful member of Mt. Hope Bible Church in Grass Lake.
She is survived by her husband, Ellsworth; her daughter, Maro Petsch of Jackson; her son-in-law and daughter, Walter and Jean Santos of Antioch, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Emily, 5, David, 2, and Joshua, 9 months old, all of California.
Mrs. Petsch is also survived by her brother and his wife, Donn and Rolena Duckworth of Jackson; sister-in-law, Mary Deana Duckworth of Mount Pleasant; and four nieces.
She was preceded in death by her father, Max, in 1971; her mother, Francis Lucille, in 1998; and her brother, Gene, in 1990.
Funeral services were held Saturday at Mt. Hope Bible Church in Grass Lake. The Rev. Joseph O'Neill and pastor Walter Santos officiated. Burial was at Oak Grove cemetery in Chelsea.
The family received friends at Cole Funeral Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Hope Bible Church Building Fund, 12884 Trist Road, Grass Lake, MI 49240.
SPENCER DAVID SAUNDERS
Dexter
Spencer David Saunders, 17, of Dexter died Sept. 28, 2005. He was born Oct. 1, 1987, in Garden City to James and Kellie (Venier) Saunders.
Spencer attended Detroit Catholic Central his freshman year of high school and also ran cross country there. He was a senior at Dexter High School, where he attended the vocational program for cosmetology.
Spencer enjoyed basketball and running cross country. He was coaching a youth basketball team at the YMCA in Ann Arbor, where he enjoyed working out.
Spencer also was employed part time at the Whitmore Lake Market and worked at a local alpaca farm.
Spencer is survived by his parents; brother, Brandon; and sister, Alexis.
He is also survived by his grandparents, Art and Doris Saunders of Troy and Clayton "Bud" and Thelma "Polly" Venier of Monroe; uncles and aunts, Doug and Flo Saunders of Troy, David and Liza Saunders of Clawson, Tim Saunders of Clawson, Howard and Vicky Venier of Monroe, Fiana and Bill West of Monroe, and Paula and Ed Mylek of Maumee, Ohio; and several cousins.
Visitation was held Sunday at the Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel in Dexter and at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dexter. Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Rev. Brendan Walsh officiated.
Burial was at St. Joseph cemetery in Dexter.
Memorial contributions may be to an educational fund for his brother and sister. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
HERMAN L. KOENN
Chelsea
Herman L. Koenn, 88, of Chelsea died Sept. 29, 2005, in his home with his family by his side He was born July 15, 1917, in Ypsilanti, the son of Herman J. and Helena (McGuire) Koenn.
Mr. Koenn was a University of Michigan business school graduate. During World War II, he was a foreman at the Willow Run Bomber Plant. He moved to Chelsea in 1951.
Mr. Koenn was always a leader and served on many local boards. He was a member of the Pittsfield Union Grange for more than 60 years, serving in many capacities at the local, state and national levels.
Mr. Koenn was a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, serving as an officer in local and state committees. In addition, he was president of the American Dairy Board, and served as national secretary for three years. He was also a charter member of the United Dairy Industry Association, serving on the national board for 49 years.
Mr. Koenn was a member and past president of the Chelsea Kiwanis Club and served as Chelsea Fair Board president. He was a member of the Chelsea school board, the Washenaw County Parks and Recreation board and State Farm Bureau. He also was a member of the MSU Extension advisory board at both the county and state levels.
For several years, he served on the Washtenaw County Road Commission and was chairman.
Mr. Koenn was a licensed real estate broker for Charles Reinhart Co. in Chelsea, working until just weeks ago. He was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea, and a strong supporter of the St. Louis Center.
He always had a good word about everyone and was respected for his integrity and fairness, his family said.
On June 20, 1942, he married
Mildred Louise (Rykert) Koenn in Ypsilanti, and she preceded him in death July 31, 2003.
Survivors include one son, Charles H. (Judy) Koenn of Chelsea; four grandchildren, Charles T. (Ann Marie), Matt (Kim) Koenn, Debra Koenn O'Neil and Steven Koenn; two step-grandchildren, David and Julie Tobias; and five great-grandchildren, Ryan, Tracy, Jack, Kevin and Natalie Koenn.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by one sister, Catherine Curtis, and one brother, Theodore during infancy.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Monday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea. The Revs. William Turner and Joseph Rinaldo officiated. Burial was at Mount Olivet cemetery in Chelsea.
The family received friends Saturday at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea and a vigil service was held Sunday evening.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Louis Center of Chelsea or St. Mary Catholic Church.
DONALD W. WILLIAMS
Ann Arbor
Donald W. Williams, 66, of Ann Arbor died Sept. 22, 2005, at the Chelsea Retirement Community following a seven-month battle with cancer.
Mr. Williams is survived by his father, Joel Williams, 97, of Marietta, Ga. He was preceded in death by his brother, Joel Williams, Jr., and by his mother, Opal.
Mr. Williams earned a bachelor's degree in 1961 and master's degree in 1962 in music from Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn., where he studied with Scott Withrow. In 1979, he received the doctorate in musical arts organ performance from the University of Michigan, where he studied with Marilyn Mason.
At U of M, he was given the prestigious Palmer Christian Award by the Organ Department at the School of Music in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in teaching, performing and choral conducting.
Mr. Williams was a dedicated and lifelong church musician. He was organist-choirmaster at Zion Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor from 1963 to 1995, when he became organist-choirmaster at Chelsea First United Methodist Church, a position he held until his death.
He also was founder and conductor of the American Chorale of Sacred Music, a group formed in 1995 to sing and promote sacred repertoire.
An active recitalist, Mr. Williams performed at churches and cathedrals in the United States and abroad, including the National Cathedral and the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., St. Thomas Episcopal Church in New York City, St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal and various European venues.
From 1981 to 1985, he performed as a member of Principal VI, a group of professional organists from the greater Ann Arbor area. In 1986, he was given the honor of performing the world premiere of composer Vincent Persichetti's last composition, "Give Peace, O God."
Mr. Williams was a mentor to many students and considered teaching to be a highly important part of his professional life. He was a member of the organ faculty of the National Music Camp in Interlochen from 1966 to 1970. He was adjunct lecturer in organ at U of M in the early 1970s.
His principal college-level teaching association, over many years, was with Concordia University in Ann Arbor, where he taught organ performance and church music from 1976 to 1995, and then 1999 until his death. He also was co-founder of the Ann Arbor Youth Chorale, which he directed with Richard Ingram and Ruth Datz from 1987 to 2001.
Mr. Williams' many professional affiliations included various positions held in the Ann Arbor chapter of the American Guild of Organists. He was chairman of the Alumni Board of the School of Music at U of M from 1975 to 1978. He was chairman of Worship Standards and Repertoire of the American Choral Directors' Association from 1995 to 2001, and a member of the board of the Boy Choir of Ann Arbor from 2000 until his death. In addition, he was a lifelong member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Mr. Williams touched many lives, both with his music and with his outgoing and generous personality. His stated personal and professional goal was "to grow spiritually and musically, and always to strive for excellence."
He was a vital member of the music community in Ann Arbor and Chelsea, and enjoyed national standing as an organist and choral conductor.
Mr. Williams will be greatly missed by his many friends and colleagues, and by the hundreds of students and young people he taught.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea.
Visitation was Sunday at Chelsea First United Methodist Church in Chelsea and the funeral was held Monday at First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor and was preceded by organ preludes. Officiating clergy for the service were the Revs. Joy Barrett, Richard Dake, Fred Harms, Anne-Marie Kidder, Barbara Lewis-Lakin and Eugene Nissen.
Interment will be in Anniston, Ala.
Memorial contributions may be made to Chelsea First United Methodist Church, the Organ Department at Concordia University and the Organ Department in the School of Music at U of M.
On Mr. Williams' behalf, his friends wish to acknowledge the attentive and sensitive care he received from the staff and health aides of Chelsea Retirement Center and from the staff of Hospice of Michigan.
GLENN A. BARNARD
Redlands, Calif.
Glenn A. Barnard, 72, of Redlands, Calif., died Sept. 15, 2005, in Yucaipa, Calif. He was born in Ann Arbor to Lynn and Sally (Davis) Barnard.
Mr. Barnard attended and graduated from University schools in Ann Arbor prior to military service in Germany. He was known for racing Car 123 at Rockwood Speedway and for running Barnard's Service Station in Brighton. He moved to Brighton after marrying Shirley Kornexl of Ann Arbor.
After moving to California, he became service manager of Tate Cadillac in San Bernadino, and remained in the county through retirement.
Mr. Barnard was preceded in death by his parents; two older half-brothers; a sister, Katherine; a brother, Raymond; and a former wife, Shirley Barnard Driver of Dexter.
Survivors include two daughters, Jeri Lynn Barnard Harris of Texas and Lisa of California; a son, James; four grandchildren, James, Joseph, April and Christina Barnard of Florida; and a brother, Edward "Byron" (Tina) Barnard of Arkansas.
Other survivors include nephews and in-laws who live in Michigan.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
JOSEPH BELSKI
Chelsea
Joseph Belski, 91, of Chelsea died Sept. 25, 2005, at the Chelsea Retirement Community. He was born Dec. 26, 1913, in Mount Union, Pa., the son of Dydah "David" and Llisawela "Elizabeth" (Grymerwich) Belski.
Mr. Belski married
Jean Buck May 1, 1943, in North Branch, and she preceded him in death June 2, 2000.
Survivors include one son, William (June) Belski of Bloomfield; two daughters, Catherine Belski of Ypsilanti and Mary Jo Colvin of Colorado; three grandchildren, Jeremy Joseph Colvin, Kelly Jo Colvin and Alice Jean (Jon Baker) Colvin Baker; and three great-grandchildren, Cody Lane, Haily Jean and Colby Dean Baker.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Pete and William; and his sister, Ann.
In his early 20s, Mr. Belski won a Golden Glove Boxing Championship.
He was proud to have worked as a tool engineer for General Motors Corp. in Flint for 40 years.
Mr. Belski was an active member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Flint, and was a member of the Knight of Columbus. He loved to visit his family and friends.
Mr. Belski moved to Chelsea in 2001. He appreciated the loving care he received at Chelsea Retirement Community, his family said.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Flint Institute of Art or the University of Michigan.
Arrangements were by Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.
EVELYN LIPPHART
Chelsea
Evelyn Lipphart, 94, of Chelsea died Sept. 13, 2005, at her daughter's home in Miami.
Born to Samuel and Lydia Bohnet in Lima Township, she lived in Chelsea until 1976, when she and her husband moved to Ann Arbor. She returned to Chelsea in 2000 to join the Chelsea Retirement Community.
Mrs. Lipphart graduated from Chelsea High School in 1928 and from the University of Michigan School of Nursing in 1931.
She married
Alfred Lipphart in 1934.
Mrs. Lipphart was a lifelong member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Chelsea. She also was a member of the Eastern Star and for decades was very active with the Daughters of Mokanna and the Zal Gaz Grotto in Ann Arbor.
After moving to the Chelsea Retirement Community, she acted as a volunteer, driving residents to and from medical appointments. An excellent seamstress and skilled handywoman, she was well known at the Chelsea Retirement Community for being able to make or fix almost anything.
Mrs. Lipphart was predeceased by her husband.
She is survived by her daughter, Lynn (Toby) Berk; five first cousins; two nieces; eight grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and many dear friends.
All who knew her will remember her warmth, her extraordinary competence and, above all, her wonderfully positive world view, her family said.
Her wish was to be cremated with no funeral service. Those who would like to honor her memory may do so by making a donation in her name to the charity of their choice.
HILDA M. LINDEMANN
Saline
Formerly of Dexter
Hilda M. Lindemann, 94, of Saline, formerly of Dexter, died Sept. 19, 2005, at Saline hospital. She was born May 11, 1911, in Dexter Township to Gerhardt and Martha (Messner) Lesser.
She married
Reuben Lindemann Oct. 8, 1932. He preceded her in death in 1991.
Mrs. Lindemann was a lifelong member of St. Andrew's United Church of Christ in Dexter and a member of the church's Women's Fellowship. She was a 4-H club leader, and a member of the Washtenaw County Women's Extension and the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau.
Mrs. Lindemann is survived by her daughter, Joann (Eugene) Luckhardt of Saline; grandchildren, Jean, Wanda, Dean, Lucy and Gary; eight great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Dale; granddaughter, Carol; sister, Cora Beach; and a brother, Alton Lesser.
Visitation was yesterday at the Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel in Dexter.
A funeral will be held 1 p.m. today at St. Andrew's United Church of Christ in Dexter, with visitation from noon until the time of service.
Burial will follow at St. Andrew's cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew's church.
