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Orville D. Merillat
ADRIAN — The community and the cabinet-making industry have lost a friend and supporter. Orville D. Merillat, 82, a longtime resident of Adrian, Michigan, and founder of Merillat Industries, Inc., died January 15, 1999, at Bixby Medical Center. He is survived by his wife, Ruth (Meller) Merillat, their only son, Richard, their daughter-in-law, Lynette (Jacobs), granddaughters, Wendy (Merillat) Lyon and her husband Craig, of Saline, Michigan, Collette (Merillat) Otwell and her husband Todd of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, and Tricia Merillat of Ann Arbor, Michigan; great grandchildren, Greyson Otwell and Madelyn Lyon. Also surviving are two sisters, Ilva Shaffer and Lavina Hartshorn both of Wauseon, Ohio and one brother, Kenneth Merillat of Adrian, Michigan. Mr. Merillat was preceded in death by Mary Jewell, Alta Rupp, Walter Merillat, Vernon Merillat, Francis Merillat, Waunetta Boyd, Vera Lutton, and Laura Bonnel, all brothers and sisters.
Having learned the skill of carpentry in his early twenties, and being assigned the duty of ship’s carpenter in the Coast Guard during World War II, Mr. Merillat opened the Merillat Woodworking Company for business in 1946 following his discharge from the service. Beginning in a small building in Adrian, Mr. Merillat and his wife Ruth built the business now known as Merillat Industries, Inc., to become the world’s largest manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom cabinets. With innovations such as a drawer guide, a self-closing hinge and the Trust and Share Program, the Merillats built their business on quality, honesty, and integrity. In 1985, Orville sold Merillat Industries to Masco Corporation, a giant in the building-products industry.
Orville Merillat was a member of the Trenton Hills United Brethren Church in Adrian. While a faithful member, his Christianity involved more than just weekly attendance. In fact, Merillat Industries was built on the strong belief that God is faithful to His Word. Malachi 3:10 became Orville’s life verse, giving a portion of everything he made to the Lord’s work. As the Merillats received the blessing of the Lord, other organizations received blessings as well. Lenawee Christian School, the Christian Family Centre, both in Adrian, Michigan, Focus On The Family in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Coral Ridge Ministries of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Bixby Hospital, Adrian College, and Siena Heights University all in Adrian, Michigan, as well as Camp Michindoh in Hillsdale, Michigan, and Huntington College in Huntington, Indiana, are just some of the beneficiaries of that blessing.
Orville received countless recognition for his successful business practice and for his generosity. A partial list includes: president of the National Kitchen Cabinet Association, Outstanding Citizen Award in Adrian, the Salvation Army’s Citizen of the Year, Michigan Small Business Person of the Year, Distinguished Patron Award by Child and Family Services of Michigan, inducted into the National Kitchen and Bath Association Hall of Fame, the International Youth’s Distinguished Service Citation from the International Society of Christian Endeavor, and Layperson of the Year by the National Association of Evangelicals. Most awards were received jointly by both Mr. and Mrs. Merillat.
Funeral Services for Mr. Merillat will take place at the Christian Family Centre on Wednesday at 3 p.m. with retired Bishop C. Ray Miller officiating. Private burial will be held in Oakwood cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday and Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 1:30 until service time at the Christian Family Centre, 1800 W. U.S. 223, Adrian. In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Mr. Merillat may be made to the Lenawee Christian School Scholarship Fund c/o Paul Palpant, Lenawee Christian School, 111 Wolf Creek Highway, Adrian, MI 49221. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Braun Everiss Wagley Funeral Home.
Iva L. Mason
BLISSFIELD — Iva L. Mason, 77, of Blissfield, died Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Blissfield. Burial will be in Pleasant View cemetery in Blissfield.
Friends may call at the Tagsold Funeral Home in Blissfield from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday.
Vern Manwaring
TECUMSEH — Vern Manwaring, age 75, of Tecumseh, died January 15, 1999 at home.
He was born Jan. 22, 1923 in Tecumseh, the son of Ira and Jessie (Stull) Manwaring. On March 14, 1943, he married Joyce Slater in Yuma, Arizona.
Mr. Manwaring was a lifelong resident of Tecumseh and graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1940. He served in the U.S. Marines during WWII as a paratrooper. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church, Tecumseh, and served on their Board of Trustees and Diaconate Board.
Vern was a Realtor, Builder, and Insurance Agent for 30 years. He was a Past Commander of the Underwood-Orr Post 34, American Legion, and a member of the Tecumseh VFW. He was an avid golfer at Tecumseh Country Club, served on the Tecumseh Village Council, Past President of the Tecumseh Community Fund, former member of the Tecumseh Rotary Club and played guitar with the club’s River Raisin Rats.
A loving husband and caring father and grandfather, Vern is survived by his wife, Joyce; two sons, Gene (Janice) Manwaring of Farmington Hills and Guy (Peggy) Manwaring of Tecumseh; one daughter, Emily Manwaring of Tecumseh; five grandchildren, Stephanie (Eric) Bettner, Chris Manwaring, Errett Manwaring, Allison Manwaring and Jesse Manwaring; two great-grandsons, Grantham and Cameron Bettner; and one brother, Aaron (Betty) Manwaring of West Branch.
He was preceded by his parents and a brother, Clair Manwaring.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the First Baptist Church, Tecumseh, with the Rev. Douglas Winters officiating. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh, and from 1 p.m. Sunday until time of services at the church. Interment will be at a later date in Brookside cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee.
Valerie Rutter
CLEAR LAKE SHORES, TX — Valerie Rutter, age 40 of Clear Lake Shores, Texas died Friday at her home of injuries received in a house fire. She is formerly of Dundee-Brittol area. Services are pending at the Cover Funeral Home in Dundee.
Clifford Wolf
ADRIAN — Clifford Wolf age 88 of Adrian, died January 12, 1999. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, at the Purse Funeral Home, Adrian. Burial will be in the Prattville cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday.
John E. Snyder
TECUMSEH — John E. Snyder, 74, of Tecumseh died Saturday, January 16, 1999 at Provincial House in Adrian. A Memorial Service will be held 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 20, at the Couture-Handler Funeral Home in Tecumseh. Friends may call on the family Tuesday, from noon-2 P.M. and 5-8 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Edith K. Vansteenkiste
RIGA — Edith K. VanSteenkiste, 80, of Riga passed away Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999. A memorial service will be held Monday at 2:00pm at the Tagsold Funeral Home in Blissfield. Friends may call at the funeral home from 12 noon until 2pm on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee, or to the Riga Fire Department.
Josephine “Jo” Lonski
BLISSFIELD — Josephine “Jo” Lonski, age 80 of Blissfield, died Friday, Jan. 15, 1999.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11:00am at the Tagsold Funeral Home in Blissfield. Friends may call at the funeral home from 3-5 and 7-9 PM Monday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Blissfield Historical Society.
Roy Francis Snyder
LIBERTY CENTER, Ohio — Roy Francis Snyder, 82 of Liberty Center, passed away Friday, Jan. 15, 1999.
He was born June 21, 1916, in Jerry City, Ohio, the son of Samuel Francis and Effa (Coger) Snyder. On Oct. 28, 1935, he married Maude Irene Whipple. She preceded him in death in January 1991.
Mr. Snyder worked at American Chain and Cable in Michigan and was a foreman for Midland Ross in Liberty Center until retiring in 1978. He later worked part time for the Village of Liberty Center. He was a member of Liberty Center Lodge #518, F.&A.M.
Survivors include a son, Donald (Caroline) Snyder of Douglasville, Ga.; two daughters, Beverly (Maynard) Smiddy of Napoleon, Ohio, and Diane (Roger) Brubaker of Fayette, Ohio; 19 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Patricia Brown and Nancy Snyder; a son, Martin Louis Snyder; and two brothers, Kenneth and Floyd Snyder.
Services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at Wright Funeral Home, Liberty Center, with the Rev. Steve Clymer officiating. Visitation is after 7 p.m. Saturday and after 2 p.m. Sunday, with a Masonic Memorial Service at 7 p.m. Sunday. Burial will be at Weston cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Helen I. Zinsmeister
HILLSDALE — Helen I. Zinsmeister, 76, of Hillsdale, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 1998, at the Hillsdale County Medical Care Facility.
She was born Feb. 11, 1922, in Hudson, the daughter of Ely and Essie (Rhinehart) Kelley. Helen spent most of her life in Hillsdale County and was employed at Wagner Industries in Reading until its closing. She was also a former assistant director at the Hillsdale Senior Center. She was a member of the Hillsdale First Presbyterian Church, the Hillsdale Women of the Moose, where she was a former Senior Regent; and a member of the Auxiliary to Leighr A. Wright Post #53, American Legion, in Hillsdale.
Survivors include three daughters, Kay (John) Belcher of Manitou Beach, Connie (Paul) delaForet and Carol Neville, both of Onondaga; one son, Tom (Stacy) Zinsmeister of Jonesville; a brother, Francis Kelley of St. Louis, Mo.; and a sister-in-law, Pauline Kelley of Hudson. Also surviving are six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Lynn Marie, and three brothers, Delancy, Edward and Robert.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at the First Presbyterian Church in Hillsdale, with the Rev. Steve Artz officiating. Interment will be in Maple Grove cemetery, Hudson. Visitation is Sunday, from 6-8 p.m. at the VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hillsdale Moose Lodge.
Josephine “Jo” Lonski
BLISSFIELD — Josephine “Jo” Lonski, age 80 of Blissfield, died Friday, Jan. 15, 1999 after a long bout with cancer. A beacon to her many friends and the matriarch of a four-generation family, she left an impact on all.
Jo was born in Calumet, MI, July 24, 1918 to William and Jessie (Kmieciak) Guy. Her family moved to Detroit in the 1920’s when her father went to work at the Ford Motor Co. Rouge Plant. On Oct. 29, 1938 she married Chester (Chet) Lonski who preceded her in death in 1971.
Jo and Chet moved to Blissfield in 1950. Jo’s career included many jobs in the Detroit area, and in the 1950s and 1960s, she worked at the Blissfield Advance community newspaper. She retired in 1984 from the Lenawee County District Court where she was a magistrate. At the time of her death, she was Zoning Administrator for the Village of Blissfield, a position she held for many years.
Jo was active in the Blissfield Historical Society and participated for several years in the Historical Home Tours and was a volunteer at the Blissfield Depot Museum. She was also a member of the Blissfield Garden Club.
Surviving are three daughters, Tina (Jim) Gratz of Holt, MI; Pam (Ron) Lonski Dubuc of St. Lazare, Quebec; and Robin Lonski of Blissfield; three grandchildren, Jennifer Jo (Jeff) Darnell of Farmington Hills, MI; Phyllis Jo Meek of Chandler, AZ; and Michael (Shelia) Steger of Holt, MI; one great granddaughter, Allison Jo Darnell, two brothers, Stanley (Aileen) Guy of Hudson, Fla; and Frank (Regina) Guy of Bayonet Pointe, Fla; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Lloyd Betz of Blissfield. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers, John and Ted Guy, and one sister, Peggy Ann Boyd.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Tagsold Funeral Home in Blissfield, with John Reuscher officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant View cemetery, Blissfield. Friends may call at the funeral home from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Monday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Blissfield Historical Society.
Vern Manwaring
TECUMSEH — Vern Manwaring, age 75, of Tecumseh, died January 15, 1999 at home.
He was born Jan. 22, 1923 in Tecumseh, the son of Ira and Jessie (Stull) Manwaring. On March 14, 1943, he married Joyce Slater in Yuma, Arizona.
Mr. Manwaring was a lifelong resident of Tecumseh and graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1940. He served in the U.S. Marines during WWII as a paratrooper. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church, Tecumseh, and served on their Board of Trustees and Diaconate Board.
Vern was a Realtor, Builder, and Insurance Agent for 30 years. He was a Past Commander of the Underwood-Orr Post 34, American Legion, and a member of the Tecumseh VFW. He was an avid golfer at Tecumseh Country Club, served on the Tecumseh Village Council, Past President of the Tecumseh Community Fund, former member of the Tecumseh Rotary Club’s and played guitar with the River Raisin Rats.
A loving husband and caring father and grandfather, Vern is survived by his wife, Joyce; two sons, Gene (Janice) Manwaring of Farmington Hills and Guy (Peggy) Manwaring of Tecumseh; one daughter, Emily Manwaring of Tecumseh; five grandchildren, Stephanie (Eric) Bettner, Chris Manwaring, Errett Manwaring, Allison Manwaring and Jesse Manwaring; two great-grandsons, Grantham and Cameron Bettner; and one brother, Aaron (Betty) Manwaring of West Branch.
He was preceded by his parents and a brother, Clair Manwaring.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the First Baptist Church, Tecumseh, with the Rev. Douglas Winters officiating. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh, and from 1 p.m. Sunday until time of services at the church. Interment will be at a later date in Brookside cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee.
Orville D. Merillat
ADRIAN — Orville D. Merillat, 82, of Adrian passed away Jan. 15, 1999, at Bixby Medical Center. Arrangements are pending from Braun Everiss Wagley Funeral Home.
Florence Deibele
MORENCI — Florence Deibele, 95, formally of Adrian, died Thursday, Jan. 14, in Morenci.
Funeral services for Florence will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, 1999, at the Braun Everiss Wagley Funeral Home, with the Rev. J.V. Moyer officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Florence’s name may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church. Envelopes are available at the Braun Everiss Wagley Funeral Home.
Mayme L. Eklund
ADRIAN: Mayme L. Eklund, 95, of Adrian, passed away Nov. 7, 2001, at Provincial House.
She was born June 12, 1906, in Hurley, Wis., the daughter of Matthew and Wilhemiina (Halvis) Kivi. On June 23, 1931, she married Leonard Eklund in Lake Linden, Mich., and he preceded her in death in 1991. Mayme lived in Jackson until 1979, then moved to Adrian. In her younger years, besides being a homemaker, she worked in Ironwood, Mich., selling hats. She was a member of the American Legion in Ironwood, Mich., and after moving to Adrian she became a member of the Moose and attended the First Church of the Nazarene. She enjoyed playing bingo, sewing and baking. She will greatly be missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by a son, Ellsworth, and his wife, Lillian Eklund, of Adrian; a sister-in-law, Tynne Kivi of Hurley, Wis.; eight grandchildren, Larry, Laura, Ellen, Brian, Julie, Yvonne, Melanie and Amy; 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Besides her husband, Leonard, she was preceded in death by six sisters and four brothers.
Funeral services for Mayme will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2001, at the Braun Everiss Wagley Funeral with the Rev. Larry Betz officiating. Burial will follow at Lenawee Hills Memorial Park in Adrian. Friends may visit the funeral home on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mayme may be given to the First Church of the Nazarene. Envelopes are available at the Braun Everiss Wagley Funeral Home.
Ruth R. Brighton
TECUMSEH: Ruth R. Brighton, age 78, of Tecumseh, died Nov. 8, 2001, at Lynwood Manor.
She was born May 3, 1923, in Tecumseh, the daughter of Otto and Marsha (Harper) Sipe. On Oct. 27, 1945, she married Richard P. Brighton in Adrian.
She was a lifelong resident of Tecumseh and was involved in Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts for many years. She was a loving and dedicated grandmother.
Ruth is survived by two children, Rick (Debbie) Brighton of Tecumseh and Renee (Royd) Buchele of Tecumseh, and two grandsons, Andy and Kyle Brighton. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Richard.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh, with the Rev. David McKinstry officiating. Burial will be in Brookside cemetery, Tecumseh. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee.
