February 2013 – Page 5 – Blissfield Advance

Women’s varsity basketball: Jan. 21-Feb. 1

BLISSFIELD ROYALS — With the sting of defeat still fresh in their minds, the Blissfield Lady Royals took to the court Tuesday, Jan. 22, for their first contest following a 49-36 loss to the Onsted Wildcats. The Royals’ response to the loss was going to be a key to the success of the remainder of their season, according to head coach Ryan Gilbert. Blissfield responded with a wrath, and the Erie-Mason Eagles were on the receiving end of a 60-18 thrashing. The Royals’ victory was short-lived, however, as they were defeated by the Ida Bluestreaks 39-33 Friday, Jan. 25.

It was a conflicted Jan. 28-Feb. 1 week on the court for the Blissfield women’s basketball squad. The Lady Royals caged the LCAA rival Hudson Tigers in a lopsided 50-25 win Tuesday, Jan. 29, but were unable to carry over the winning momentum as they were defeated by Dundee 39-27 Friday, Feb. 1. The split brings the Royals’ record to 12-3 overall on the season and 7-3 in the LCAA.

WHITEFORD BOBCATS — The Whiteford Lady Bobcats’ pressure defense was too much for the Morenci Bulldogs as it catapulted them to a 46-25 victory Jan. 22 on the road.

Two underclassmen propelled the Whiteford Bobcats women’s basketball team over Lenawee Christian in a 58-46 victory Jan. 29. Kaleigh Funchion and Janie Bunge each had a huge night on the floor for the Bobcats. Funchion had 19 points, nine rebounds, seven steals and three assists. Bunge scored 19 points had six assists and four steals.

BRITTON DEERFIELD PATRIOTS — The Britton Deerfield Lady Patriots topped Whitmore Lake 52-30 Jan. 22.

The Britton Deerfield Lady Patriots took a commanding lead in the first quarter and kept the pressure up all evening to defeat the Summerfield Lady Bulldogs 50-35 Jan. 25.

BD vs WHITEFORD — Cambria Handy led the BD Patriots as they handily defeated the Lady Bobcats in a solid win Friday evening, Feb. 1, 63-39 in Deerfield.

Steve Nagy

JACKSON — Steve Nagy, 96, of Jackson, formerly of Deerfield, peacefully passed away Friday, February 1, 2013, at his home. He was born August 11, 1916, in Trenton, New Jersey the only son of Steve and Barbara Nagy. Steve married Marjorie Goodrich from Deerfield on August 10, 1940. They celebrated 41 years of marriage prior to her death in 1981. Steve retired from Budd Company in Clinton and previously worked at Revco and farmed for many years. This past August when Steve celebrated his 96th birthday, most of his family members attended the celebration at his home in Jackson. Steve remained in great health for the majority of his life and enjoyed spending time with his family. Steve will be greatly missed by all of his children: Steve Jr. (Cheryl) of Toledo; Charles (Brenda) of Deerfield; David (Charlotte) of Brooklyn; Nancy (Richard) Powell of Henderson, Nev.; Linda Nagy of Hudson; Robert (Sondra) of Riga; Marcia (John) Kennedy of Ludington; and Philip of Jackson; daughter-in-law, Margaret Nagy of St. Petersburg, Fla.; 15 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Frank, and sisters, Barbara, Mary, and Pauline. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February, 5, 2013, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield. Those who wish to make a memorial contribution are asked to consider the American Heart Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home where online condolences are welcome at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Howard Loar

Howard David Loar, 86, of Blissfield, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 26, 2013. He was born on June 17, 1926 to Laurena (Beagle) and Orren Loar in Blissfield. Howard married Lois Mason on August 14, 1947. Together they had six children, Jennifer (Mike) Roth of Blissfield, David (Betty) Loar of Marion, MI, Don (Linda) Loar of Blissfield, Bill (Carolyn) Loar of Palmyra, Jim (Susan Seabright) Loar of Palmyra and Dan (Vickie) Loar of Palmyra. In addition to their children, the family grew to 11 grandsons, 4 granddaughters, and 28 great grandchildren. Lois preceded him in death on January 18, 1988. In 1990, Howard married Marion Butcher, she preceded him in death. Howard married Pearl Johns on November 11, 2000. With the marriages, his family grew with additional step children, step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. Pearl survives. Howard was a life -long farmer and worked at Tecumseh Products. He enjoyed wintering in Florida and spending time in northern Michigan. He proudly served in the Army from 1944 to 1946; he was stationed in the Philippines. He was a member of the First United Brethren Church. He was preceded in death by his wives, Lois, the mother of his children, and Marion, and his brother Harold. Funeral services for Howard were Tuesday, January 29, 2013, at Element Church, Blissfield, with Rev. Keith Smith officiating. Burial followed at Pleasant View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee or Solid Rock Church. On line condolences are welcomed at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com

Direct rail route from Toledo to Adrian discussed

By Melissa Burnor

A direct short-line freight route from Toledo to Adrian could be a possibility. If funding can be secured, a railway linking the two cities could once again be a reality.

Some local government officials are discussing a potential move by the Adrian and Blissfield Railroad company to rebuild about seven miles of railroad track between Riga and Ottawa Lake that had been abandoned since the late 1970s.

Brenda Rice, representative from the rail line spoke at a special meeting of the Riga Township Board Jan. 21. The rail line would essentially tie in the tracks in Riga Township near Silberhorn Highway to Sterns Road in Whiteford Township on what is now an abandoned line of the old Erie & Kalamazoo, the first railroad built in the area and often cited as the first railroad west of the Allegheny Mountains.

It was abandoned nearly three decades ago by Conrail and removed after it stopped running freight from a factory facility that had closed in Lenawee County. It was later purchased from Penn Central by the state of Michigan. This connection would create a more direct freight line for shippers moving their cargo to the east and could save local shippers time and money.

Riga Township Supervisor Gary Kastel said he appreciated the courtesy visit the railroad made to the township.

Whiteford Township Supervisor Walt Ruhl has also been speaking to A & B Railroad officials and expects Rice to be at the Feb. 19 Whiteford Township Board meeting with information about the possibility.

C. Richard “Dick” Trine

PITTSFORD — Charles Richard “Dick” Trine, 79, went to be with the Lord Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in the Pittsford home where he had lived for 55 years.

Mr. Trine was born May 8, 1933, in Hillsdale, to Frank and Verna Grice Trine. He graduated from Pittsford High School in 1951 and Jackson Business University. He also served two years in the U.S. Army.

On Oct. 23, 1954, he married the former Patricia Dennis and they raised two daughters, Marcia (George) Loader, Blissfield, and Melinda Trine, Norwood, Pa. His family grew with the addition of two grandsons, Nick Loader, Etna Green, Ind., and Evan Loader, Royal Oak, and one granddaughter, Ashley Loader, Chicago, Ill. They survive. Pat preceded him in death on April 18, 1998.

His brother, Tommy Trine, preceded him in death as a boy. Surviving are his brothers, Tom (Peggy) Burkhart, Pittsford, and Cecil A. Burkhart, Albion. Their father, Cecil Burkhart, as his mother’s second husband, helped raise him and served as a great example to him as he launched his own business career. He enjoyed telling of working as a welder at Willis Overland, Toledo, Ohio. Cecil Burkhart started him driving truck and working at his grain elevator at a very young age; and Dick loved trucks his entire life. Even after he officially retired from his own businesses in Pittsford, Trine Hardware, Trine LP Gas, Pittsford Feed Mill as well as a trucking and lime/fertilizer business, he drove block truck for his dear friend, Lavern Farrell at Pittsford Block.

On June 17, 2000, he married Carol Cornett. Her children are the late Cathy Cornett Thompson, the late Fred (Tammy) Cornett, Tom (Wendy) Cornett and Michael (Tammy) Cornett. Also surviving are grandchildren Ethan, Randy (Lauren), Heidi, Jacob, Isaac, Gracie, Wyatt, Cody, Austin and Mary Cornett; and great-grandchildren Henry and Jack Cornett.

He was a long-time member and board member of the Pittsford Wesleyan Church where he was very involved in mission work that took him to Mexico, Guatemala, Haiti and the Brainerd Indian School. He was a current member and attended Church of Christ, Adrian, and had been a Gideon.

In 1996, the town he called “a carefully guarded secret,” named him “Pittsford Citizen of the Year.” He had been a 33-year volunteer firefighter for the Pittsford-Jefferson Fire Department.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, in the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home, Hudson, with Pastor Doug Plunkett officiating and Minister Tim Dunn assisting. Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, and from noon until service time Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Leonardson Cemetery, Pittsford.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Hillsdale County, or to the charity or church of the donor’s choice.