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Richard W. Alexander
of Milan, Michigan, passed away after a long illness at Arbor Hospice August 23, 2004, at age 84. He was born in Edgerton, Ohio.
During WW II, he served as a B-24 bomber pilot in the Pacific Theater with the Jolly Rogers - 5th Air Force, 90th Bomb Group, 320th Bomb Squadron. He had a strong camaraderie with his crew, and he continued to stay in touch with them. During the Vietnam era, he was called back to serve his country for 18 months with the 305th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron from Selfridge Air Force Base in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. As a Command Pilot, he flew over areas in the South Pacific where he had bombed during WW II and which had been rebuilt. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1972.
His civilian flying career began at a small airfield near Bryan, Ohio, in 1938. He flew for commercial airlines transporting cargo, race horses and people. One of his most memorable flights was in 1978 piloting the Triple Crown winner Affirmed back to Lexington, Kentucky, to be met by world-wide news media and a crowd that included the governor of the state.
He owned Cessna 172's, his favorite airplane, and he leased them to operators at Monroe Custer and Ann Arbor, Michigan, airports. During his career, he taught many people to be pilots and was very proud of those who went on to fly commercially. During his career, he earned multiple ratings - from piston to jet engine aircraft.
Golf was his favorite sport. He played courses worldwide and spent many happy hours at Tecumseh Country Club with special friends during his later years.
His is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Marilyn Beerbower from Bryan, Ohio; his daughter Carol and Kevin Carbary; his sister Mrs. Norma Giffey; and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by parents Guy and Susanna, six brothers and a sister.
Plans are being made for his cremains to be placed in Arlington National cemetery, Washington, D.C., with his fellow Jolly Rogers.
Memorials may be made to the Milan Public Library Expansion Project Building Fund. Visit www.libraryyes.com for information.
Betty Hammel Blake
An internationally-known alpine gardener, died at the age of 87 on Monday August 23 at her home near Onsted, Michigan. She is survived by her children Martha Blake Jacobson of California, David Blake of Virginia, Judith Stempien of Livonia, and five grandchildren.
Betty Blake was born Betty Hammel in Topeka, Kansas, where she earned a B.A. degree in botany from Washburn University. She married David Blake in 1939 and settled with him in Detroit. Betty began gardening in the early 1940's, growing irises and prize-winning roses in her small back yard. In 1960 her interests turned to alpine gardens, and she began her long love affair with tiny alpine plants. In 1975 she moved to Onsted, where she and her husband built a three-acre rock garden. Betty and her garden have been the focus of numerous newspaper articles and books, including Earth on Her Hands, a coffee-table book on prominent women gardeners. She also wrote several articles and book chapters about growing alpine plants in the Midwest.
Betty was a member of numerous gardening societies including the Detroit Rose Society, the Scottish Rock Garden Society, the Alpine Garden Society, and the Bonsai Society and was a charter member of the Great Lakes Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society. She was a volunteer at Hidden Lakes Garden in Tipton and the Mathaei Botanical Gardens.
Her willingness to share advice and seeds from rare horticultural plants earned her the admiration and respect of fellow gardeners. Two horticultural plant varieties have been named after her: Anemonella thalictroides 'Betty Blake' and Phlox bifida 'Betty Blake'.
A memorial gathering will be held at Purse Funeral Home, 210 W. Pottawatamie, Tecumseh, Michigan, from 3 to 6 pm Saturday, August 28, 2004.
Betty Blake looked beyond her garden and contributed funds to save wild lands for the enjoyment of future generations. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of: Betty H. Blake, Memorial # 10629288, Nature Conservancy, 4545 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203.
Shirley F. Whelan
Age 72, of Tipton, passed awaySeptember 2, 2004, at University of Michigan Health Center. She was born March 19, 1932 the daughter of Darroll & Helen (Flint) Bibbins in Brooklyn, MI. On September 18, 1952, she married Wesley Whelan in the Brooklyn Baptist Church in Brooklyn, Michigan.
She graduated from Brooklyn High School and Cleary Business College. She faithfully attended Grace Bible Church. She enjoyed being a Tipton Jets 4 -H Club Community leader for several years.
Shirley was a proud grandma who faithfully supported all her grandchildren's activities and endeavors. She was a kind, loving mom and grandma, who will be deeply missed by her family and many friends. She is survived by two sons, David (Shanon) Whelan and Gordon (Laurie) Whelan, a daughter Darlene (Dave) Penterics, nine grandchildren: Brandi (Jason) Hess, Breena (Steven) Cutter, Chad, Tori, Joel and Kyle Whelan, Ryan, Katelyn and Davey Penterics, one great grandson, Alec Cutter; one brother, Carleton (Carolyn) Bibbins; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband,Wesley Whelan and her parents, Darroll and Helen Bibbins
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM Sunday, in the Purse Funeral Home, Adrian with Pastor David Holly and Pastor Robert Farison both officiating. Interment will follow in Franklin cemetery, Tipton. Visitation will be from 6 - 8 PM Friday and from 4 - 8 PM Saturday in the Purse Funeral Home, Adrian. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the David B. Guild Neurological Rehabilitation Unit in Herrick Hospital or Grace Bible Church.
Dortheda Beach
Age 82, of Morenci, MI, passed away September 2, 2004, at home under the care of Hospice ofLenawee. She was born July 6, 1922, in Palmyra, MI, the daughter of Leonard R. & Bertha J. (Simpson) Bice. On December 22, 1939 she married William Beach. Hepreceded her in death.
Dortheda was member of Jasper Bible Church. Shebelonged to Adrian Post 275 Ladies Auxiliary and was a life member of the Adrian DAV Chapter 20. She workedat Stubnitz Greene for over twenty years.
Dortheda is survived by her children Patricia (Roger) Emmons, Jerry (Loraine) Beach, Diane (Charles) Schmucker, Danny (Dorothy) Beach, Linda (Mike) Peters, and Nicholas (Rebekah) Beach, 19 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild, three brothers Lloyd (Donna) Bice, John (Angel) Bice, and Jerry (Lillian) Bice, one sister Eleanor Fedder, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband William, her parents, five brothers, three sisters
Funeral Services will be held 4:00 PM Monday in Purse Funeral Home, Adrian with Rev. Bruce Jewett officiating. Interment will follow in Ridgeville cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4 PM & 6-8 PM both Saturday and Sunday in the Purse Funeral Home Adrian. Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee or the Jasper Bible Church.
Don J. Miller, Sr.
Age 91, of Adrian, died September 14, 2004 at Bixby Medical Center. He was born August 19, 1913, in Deerfield, MI the son of Elmer & Ethel (VanZandt) Miller. In the year 1950, he married Imogene Ritchie, she survives.
He worked at Auburndale Trucking for over thirty years. Don was owner & operator of City Cartage Company in Adrian for thirty years.
He is survived by his wife Imogene, three children, Sue Farkas of Adrian, Don Miller, Jr. of Adrian, and Arlene "Bunny" Walden, of Adrian, his grandchildren, James Farkas of Jackson, Matthew Farkas of Tecumseh, Jason Miller of Brooklyn, Josh Miller of Onsted, Angela Miller of Onsted, Gerald Walden of Adrian, and Veronica Walden of Adrian, and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Services will be held 3:00 PM Friday in the Purse Funeral Home, Adrian with Rev. Ron Sparks officiating. Interment will follow in Lenawee Hills Memorial Park, Adrian. Visitation will be from 11 AM to 2 PM and from 4 to 8 PM Thursday at the funeral home.
Gladys F. Danley
Age 88, of Deerfield, died September 20, 2004, at Tecumseh Place - Residence One. She was born May 26, 1916 in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Samuel and Matilda (Trostel) Finn. On August 4, 1939 she married R. C. Danley, Jr. He preceded her in death in 1996.
Gladys graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1938 and taught in the Deerfield Public Schools for twenty eight years. In 2002 she was inducted into the Deerfield School "Wall of Fame." She was also an active member of the Deerfield Methodist Church.
Gladys is survived by one daughter Jeanne (Bill) Rouppas of Toledo and two sons Clark (Linda) Danley of Jackson and Bill (JoAnn) Danley of Tecumseh, grandchildren Jeff, Marc, Jake, and Joe Danley, Michelle Hovinen (Danley), Dawn Wisniewski (Danley), Ryan Danley, and Lisa, Renee and Rochelle Rouppas. and ten great grandchildren.
Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Alfred Finn.
At Gladys's request cremation has taken place and private graveside services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to the Hickman Cancer Center or Hospice of Lenawee. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh.
Clifford M. Deaner
Age 86, of Tecumseh, died September 17, 2004.
Clifford was born December 17, 1917, in Benton Harbor, MI, the son of Frederick and Marguerite (Farnum) Deaner. He married Marie Willard on May 12, 1939 in New Buffalo, MI. She preceded him in death on July 14, 1993.
Clifford and Marie lived in the Tecumseh area since 1941. He worked for Tecumseh Products and retired January 1, 1983. He was a member of both the Tecumseh United Methodist Church and Macon Golf Club. He was an avid sportsman, and enjoyed playing softball, golf, and bowling.
He is survived by 3 sons; Fred and his wife Nancy Deaner of Akron, Ohio, Michael Deaner of Tecumseh, and Clifford, Jr. and his wife Susan Deaner of Hessel, MI, one daughter Mary Beth Jean and her husband Rick of Jerome, eight grandchildren, Kimberli, Amy, Jeffrey, Julie, Laura, Mark David, Paul Kenneth, and Ryan, five great grandchildren, Chelsea Marie, Hannah Nicole, Claire, Holden, and Andrew Christopher, and one sister, Betty Crossman of St. Joseph, MI.
In addition to his wife Marie, he was preceded in death by his parents, brother Fred, and sister Donna.
Funeral services will be held 5 p.m., Sunday, September 19, 2004, in the Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh with the Rev. David McKinstry officiating.
Visitation will be at 1 p.m. until time of funeral services in the funeral home on Sunday. A private family burial service will take place at Brookside cemetery at a later date.
Kenneth “Ken” Heroy
Age 57 of Adrian, passed away September 29, 2004, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 4, 1947, in Ft. Wayne, IN, the son of Wilbur & Bertha (Stagerwald) Heroy. On June of 1980, he married Dianna Davis in Adrian, she survives. Ken was an avid motorcycle lover. He was loved by everyone.
Ken is survived by his wife Dianna, his children, Casie (Brad) Maggard, Tracie Black, Roscoe Heroy, Kenneth Heroy, Jr., Kevin Heroy, Kristina (Jason) Wagner, and Craig Davis, nine grandchildren, his sisters, Shirley, Vickey (Larry) Flood, and Ruthann (John) Henry, one brother, Jim (Linda) Heroy, and a special friend Hugh Fedd, Jr.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM Monday with the Rev. Larry Betz officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Adrian VFW Post 1584 Annis Fint. Visitation will be from 2 - 4 PM & 6 - 8PM both Saturday & Sunday in the Purse Funeral Home, Adrian.
Raymond F. Howard
Age 88, of Palmyra, passed away September 22, 2004, at Lynwood Manor. He was born June 18, 1916, the son of Francis & Ruth (Richardson) Howard in Rome Twp., MI.
On May 21, 1950, he married Elinor Carlton in Onsted, Michigan, she survives. Raymond was retired from Bohn Aluminum.
He is survived by his wife Elinor, one daughter, Teri Seegert of Adrian, one son, Alfred Howard of Onsted, his grandchildren, Tyler Howard, Jay Howard, Timothy Seegert, Jennifer Howard, and Raymond Howard, six great grandchildren, Gage Howard, Austin Howard, Jordan Howard, Heather Seegert, Nicole Seegert, and Jaylynn Hicks, two brothers, Dennison (Lucille) Howard and Frank Howard, three sisters, Shirley Chatfield, Marian Pawson, and Ruth Nickloy, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis & Ruth Howard.
Funeral Services will be held 1:00 PM Saturday in the Purse Funeral Home, Adrian, with the Rev. Lloyd Jewett officiating. Interment will follow in Lenawee Hills Memorial Park, Adrian with Military Honors conducted by the Adrian VFW Post 1584 Annis Fint. Visitation will be from 2 - 4 PM & 6 - 8 PM Friday in the Purse Funeral Home, Adrian.
Ronald P. Tiede
Age 60, of Tecumseh, passed away peacefully October 31, 2004 at home under the care of Hospice of Lenawee. He was born August 1, 1944 in Inkster, MI, the son of Albert and Hazel (Wingerd) Tiede. On April 31, 1996, he married Karen Gray. She survives.
Ronald retired General Motors in 1997. Ronald served his country in the U.S. Army from 1963 - 1965. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #97, Adrian. He was a volunteer with the Tecumseh Parks & Recreation Little League Baseball Program.
In addition to his wife Karen, he is survived by two sons, Robert and Russell both of Tecumseh; stepson Michael Gray of Tecumseh; grandson, Tyler Tiede; granddaughter, Lea Marie Tiede; three brothers, Ed (Lois) Schmidt of Tecumseh, Fred (Charlotte) Tiede of Adrian, Ted (Bonnie) Tiede of Tecumseh; and two sisters Martha (Melbourne) Partridge of Homer, Grace (Steve) Roup of Tecumseh.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Edward; and sisters, Sandy and Catherine.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 3, 2004 in the Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh, with Sue Wilhelm officiating. Military Honors and flag presentation will be conducted immediately following the funeral service by Chaplain Mel Wegner, Tecumseh American Legion Post #34 & Tecumseh VFW Post #4187. Visitation will be from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Tuesday in the Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh.
Lawrence Jonah Adkins
Age 62, of Adrian Twp., passed away September 25, 2004, at his home. He was born May 23, 1942, in Hanging Rock, OH, the son of George & Fanny (Spillman) Adkins. On August 20, 1973, he married Julia Wingfield, she survives.
In addition to his wife Julia, Lawrence is survived by his children; Kimberly (Michael) Rynicki of Livonia, Robert (Linda) Adkins of Goshen, IN, Larry (Beth) Adkins of Adrian, Clayton Adkins and his fiancee Barb of Adrian, and Derek (Heather) Adkins of Adrian, his grandchildren; Mallory Tonero, Sean Tonero, Michael Rynicki, Haydn Adkins, Mia Adkins, Andy Adkins, and Bryce Adkins, his brothers & sisters; Maryjane McGuire, Phyllis (Raymond) Ramey, Mildred (Jesse) Case Jr., Joann Homer Haynes, Geraldine Thacker, Rona (Charles) Davis, Gary (Vicki) Adkins, Genevieve (Danny) Sherman, Karen (Rick) Shaffer, Timothy Adkins, all of Ohio, and Fanny (Donald) Campbell of Kentucky.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM Tuesday in the PURSE FUNERAL HOME, Adrian, with Pastor Gloria Roy and Pastor Edward Spreeman of Word and Worship in Tecumseh officiating. Interment will follow in Raisin Valley cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Adrian VFW Post 1584 Annis Fint. Visitation will be from 2 - 5 PM & 6 - 9 PM Monday in the Purse Funeral Home, Adrian.
Elizabeth A. "Betty" Raper
Age 62, of Adrian, went to her Heavenly Home on September 27, 2004, at Lynwood Manor under the loving care of Hospice of Lenawee. Elizabeth was born August 25,1942 in Ridgeway, Michigan, the daughter of Leroy & Alice (Kitchen) Bowers. She married Elmer Raper on August 11, 1967, in Angola, IN. He preceded her in death.
She is survived by her daughter, Katie Raper of Adrian; her brother, Gary Bowers of Lakeland, FL, two sisters, Beverly McGown and Alice Karr both of Adrian; sister-in-law, Eva Bowers of Palmyra; two step brothers, Ernest Lee of Saginaw and Walter Lee of Bay City, and her stepsister, Pat Lehman of Bay City. She was a loving aunt and second mom to numerous nieces and nephews. She will be lovingly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents Leroy Bowers & Alice Lee, her stepfather Charlie B. Lee, three brothers, Harvey Bowers, Ray Lee, and David Lee, one sister, Joyce Kotts, and a stepbrother Richard Lee.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday in the Purse Funeral Home, Adrian with the Rev. Michael Vickers officiating. Interment will follow in Brookside cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 - 8 PM Wednesday in the Purse Funeral Home, Adrian. Free of pain at last, I've gone home to sit by God at his throne. .
Douglas Dale Waterbury
Age 54, of Adrian, passed away October 1, 2004, at his home under the loving care of Hospice of Lenawee while surrounded by his family. He was born June 23, 1950, the son of Bernard & Joyce (Gripton) Waterbury. On September 8, 1979 he married Sharon Horner, she survives. Doug was a very talented auto technician and an avid Bill Elliott racing fan.
In addition to his loving wife Sharon, he is survived by his children, Kirk Waterbury, Kyle (Lisa) Waterbury, Melissa (John) Blair, Rex Waterbury, Sheila (Rob) Runyon, Steven (Jenna) Waterbury, and Marc Waterbury, seventeen grandchildren, two brothers, Darryl (Margaret) Waterbury and Jeff (Terri) Waterbury, and one sister, Karen (Larry) Haselhun.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Cheryl Waterbury.
Funeral Services will be held 4:00 PM Monday in the Purse Funeral Home, Adrian, with Pastor Doug Rodgers of Berean Baptist Church in Adrian officiating. Interment will follow in Ridgeway cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4 PM & 6-8 PM both Saturday & Sunday in the Purse Funeral Home, Adrian.
