July 2013 – Page 2 – Blissfield Advance

Carl Gubbe

DEERFIELD — Carl Earnest Gubbe, 89, of Deerfield, formerly of Britton, died Sunday, July 21, 2013, at Lenawee Medical Care Facility. He was born April 28, 1924, to Paul and Clara (Nash) Gubbe in Blissfield Township. Carl graduated from Blissfield High School in 1941 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1944-46. Last year he was privileged to participate in the Honor Flight of Northwest Ohio to Washington, DC with other World War II veterans.

On August 29, 1953, he was married to Ruth Stewlow at Immanuel Lutheran Church by the Rev. William Weinlander.

Carl retired from Tecumseh Products and was engaged in farming throughout his life. After retirement he and Ruth traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada and spent the past 23 winters at their Florida residence in Leesburg. Carl was a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where he enjoyed playing on the dartball team and served on the church council. He also enjoyed gardening, playing cards and horse shoes.

Surviving are his wife, Ruth, to whom he would’ve marked 60 years of marriage next month, daughters Linda Gubbe of Toledo and Terri (John) Becktell of Ypsilanti; grandsons Jason and Paul Becktell of Ypsilanti; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Tom Gubbe, and brothers Elmer and Dale Gubbe.

Visitation wasWednesday, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield. The funeral took place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2013, at Immanuel Lutheran Church with The Rev. Gary Leking officiating. Burial followed at Pleasant View Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Carl may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church. Online condolences and memories are welcome at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Nicole Miller crowned Miss River Raisin Festival 2103

Nicole Miller of Palmyra was crowned Miss River Raisin Festival 2013 Friday night at the 30th annual Blissfield River Raisin Festival.

She performed a jazz dance to “Sweet Georgia Brown” to win the title, which qualifies her to compete at the 2014 Miss Michigan Pageant next June. She won a $2500 scholarship as well as the $100 Entrepreneur Award and several scholarships to assist her in her preparation for Miss Michigan. Her platform is “Building Blocks: Incentives for Preschool.” She will attend Lansing Community College in the fall and is an Adrian High School graduate.

First runner-up was Mikayla Humphries, a 2013 Sand Creek High School graduate who will attend Eastern Michigan University in the fall. She won a $1ooo scholarship. Second runner-up was Jocelyn Near, a 2012 Sand Creek High School graduate who will attend Siena Heights University. Near also won the Jennifer Dalton M.D. Summit Award, which is an additional $700 scholarship. Third runner-up is Danielle Johnson, an Adrian High School graduate who attends the University of Michigan. She won an $800 scholarship. A $600 scholarship was awarded to fourth runner-up Grace Demerath of Clinton, who attends Ithaca College.

Ten contestants competed with each winning at least a $300 scholarship. A total of $8000 in college scholarships was awarded. The Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program is part of the Miss America Organization.

Memorial Poker Run raises funds for domestic violence program

By Melissa Burnor

Domestic violence is something that affects many people each year. Bill and Lisa Gritzmaker certainly had the effects hit very close to home last year. Just over a year ago, their daughter-in-law also named Lisa Gritzmaker and their unborn granddaughter, Abigail, were murdered along with the younger Lisa Gritzmaker’s sister, Amy Merrill, by Merrill’s estranged boyfriend.

Gritzmaker, along with his son, Jake who was married to the younger Lisa, belong to the 180th Fighter Wing of the Ohio Air national Guard. The group rallied around the family in the days and weeks that followed the death of Lisa, Abigail and her sister Amy Merrill.

But their deaths would not be the only domestic violence-related deaths that would affect the unit.

Bill Gritzmaker also had had a coworker at the 180th Fighter Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard who was murdered by her husband in their on-base housing at Fort Knox, Ky., earlier this year. Her husband also took his own life. Bill said another very close family member of his was also a previous victim of domestic violence.

Bill and his wife Lisa began thinking about the lack of awareness of domestic in the public and the need for support groups that help people who find themselves in situations like that.

So, after much conversation with each other, friends and family , “buddies at work” Bill said he idea of the Inaugural All-Wheel Poker Run In Loving Memory of Amy Merrill, Lisa Gritzmaker and Abigail Gritzmaker began to take shape. All proceeds to the benefit will go to the Catherine Cobb Domestic Violence Center in Adrian.

Poker runs are usually an activity that motorcycle enthusiasts participate in, but the Gritzmakers wanted anyone who wanted to support their cause to take part if they choose. So while they anticipate a lot of motorcycle riders anyone whether they have a car, truck or a bike, can participate, Lisa said.

Participants can play as many hands as they want,” Bill said. The cost is $20 per hand.

Registration also includes a T-shirt and wrist band. Registration will take place from 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday behind Blissfield Coney Island. It will be a rain or shine event. For more information about the event email gritz@cass.net

Memorial race attracts 118 entrants

By Melissa Burnor

It was warm and sunny morning Sunday for the first annual Amy, Lisa and Abigail memorial 5K run walk. There were 118 people who signed up to complete the course in the village and Greg Scharer was the first person to cross the finish line

“I was really happy to see so many people,” Robin McCowan, mother of Amy Merrill and Lisa Gritzmaker. The two women along with Gritzmaker’s unborn child were shot and killed in Merrill’s home last year by her estranged boyfriend. McCowan was also seriously injured.

Two of Merrill’s sons, Cameron, 11 and Brendan, 13, took part in the opening ceremony. With Cameron giving an insightful prayer and Brendan a warm welcome to all of he participants. Brendan said how thankful the two were to the community that reached out to their families. “They reached out to our family in ways we couldn’t have even imagined was possible,” Brendan Merrill said.

Many came because they knew the sisters or family. Others came because they had read something in the paper or had heard by word of mouth. Scharer, a native of Sand Creek, now residing in Houston, Tex. was in town for a couple of weeks. He routinely runs races in both Texas and Michigan.

Matt Dorr, of Clinton, placed second. Local resident, Trisa Iffland was the first woman to cross the finish line in 26:02. She was third overall.

Blissfield Big League squad wins state crown

By Chad Hutchinson

The Blissfield Legion Post 325 Big League squad rolled over the competition last week to go 3-0 and be crowned Big League state champs for the second consecutive year.

Blissfield defeated Taylor 4-0 in the first round before thumping Macomb 17-1 and Muskegon 12-0 in the championship. All together, Blissfield pummeled its opponents for a combined score of 33-1.

Hosting the state tournament this year, Blissfield had plenty of support from the home crowd. Blissfield’s opening round battle against Taylor also saw both teams fight their way through gusting winds as thunderstorms began to cruise in overhead. Fortunately Blissfield posted four runs in five innings of work before storms arrived, which allowed the game to be counted as an official win before being called due to weather.

The 4-0 victory was Blissfield’s closest call of the tournament.

Frances Zilke

        DEERFIELD — Frances Zilke, age 90, of Deerfield, passed away Sunday,
July 14, 2013, at Fieldstone AFL, in Tecumseh. She was born May 6,
1923, in Jasper, to Joseph and Mary (Valasek) Ricica. She married
Rollin R. (Pete) Zilke on March 2, 1946 and he preceded her in death
on October 3, 1980.
        She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law: Joseph (Judy)
Zilke of Brooklyn, Mich., Peter (Denise) Zilke of Riga, and Richard
(Robin) Zilke of Adrian. Also surviving are grandchildren Michael
Zilke and fiancée Melissa Preston, Matthew (Jessica) Zilke, Christina
(Matthew) Karpinski, Jeffrey (Christi) Zilke, Nicholas (Melissa)
Zilke, Jonathon (Kristin) Zilke, Justin (Maggie) Zilke, and Bradley
Zilke and fiancee Shae Biers, and Christopher Matthias. Also
surviving are great-grandchildren Paige and Madison Zilke, Tyler and
Trevor Karpinski, Brody and Kendall Zilke, Adam and Hadley Zilke,
step-great-grandchildren Julia, Roger and Brian Preston and Kara and
Kaitlin Burns. Also surviving is her sister Vi Hutchinson of Dearborn
Hts., MI.
        Besides her husband Pete, she was preceded in death by her parents,
and sisters Rose Repka, Helen Repka, Martha Kinsley, and Anna Fust.
        Funeral services for Frances will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July
18, 2013, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel, Blissfield, with
Deacon Joseph Repka presiding. Burial will follow at Deerfield
Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 2 to 8 p.m. at the
funeral home.
        Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be given to Hospice of
Lenawee, Department on Aging or the American Diabetes Foundation.
Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences
to the family are welcomed at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com

Russell Spalding

        TECUMSEH — Russell Spalding, of Britton, age 89, passed away
Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at The Fieldstone, Tecumseh Place, Tecumseh.
        He was born Nov. 12, 1923, the son of Claude Eugene Spalding and
Goldie Grace (Elkins) Spalding in Cass County, Michigan. On June 10,
1950, he married Johanna M. Warner in East Lansing, Mich.
        He served in the Army during World War II, in which he was an active
member of the 10th mountain division. During 1968, he served in
Vietnam as a civilian military advisor. He was a life time member of
the Masons, Shriners, NEA and MEA, as well as a member of DAV #20,
American Legion #155, V.F.W. #1584 and served as past state commander
of DAV, national executive committee of DAV, a past veteran service
officer, volunteering his time transporting veterans from Lenawee
County to the VA hospital in Ann Arbor and back home, and a member of
40 et 8.
        He worked as a teacher and administrator for Reading, Britton, Mio,
where he also served as superintendent, and Dundee school systems.
He along with his wife taught one year in Hawaii. Russell was
instrumental in the formation of the Retired School Personnel of
Lenawee County Association.
        He is survived by his sister in laws, Wanita Spalding of Buchanan,
Mich., and Rose Spalding of South Bend, Ind.; nieces and nephews, Bob
Diedrich of Portland, Ore., Patricia Massey of St. Cloud, Fla., Diane
Spalding of South Bend, Ind. and Sue Spalding of Buchanan, Mich.,
Karen Spalding-Mayer of Plymouth, Ind., and Donald Spalding of South
Bend, Ind., Jan Spalding of Mishawaka Ind.; and many other nieces and
nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Johanna;
brothers Max, Lowell, Bob and Donald Spalding; sisters, Mable Wilds,
Mildred Weed, and Marguerite Bonjarno; and niece Sandra Diedrich.
        The funeral service for Russ was held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday,
July 14, 2013, at Wagley Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Bruce
officiating. Burial was private at Fort Custer National Cemetery
in Augusta, MI. Friends visited the family on Saturday, July 13,
from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home where the
various Veterans groups held a service at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of
flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Housing Help of
Lenawee for the Veterans’ Dire Needs Fund. Envelopes will be
available at Wagley Funeral Home. Online condolences are welcomed at
www.WagleyFuneralHome.com

Sidney Cousino

PETERSBURG – Sidney Lee Cousino, age 71, of Petersburg passed away
Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at the home of his son in Toledo. He was
born August 7, 1941, in Stockbridge, to Arnold and Elizabeth Ann
(Baum) Cousino.
        He married Viola Mae Reinhardt in Adrian, and she precedes him in
death. Sidney loved fishing, hunting, farming and especially
spending time with his eight very special grandchildren, Amber and
Alex Lippert, Jordan McKinna, Makayla, Christian, Daniel and Arabella
Cunningham and Aiden Salinas.
        Sidney is survived by one son, Josh (Carrie) Cousino of Toledo,
Ohio; extended family, Michael (Jennifer) Cunningham, Samuel
Espinoza, Pete and Daisy Salinas and Raymond Bair ; four brothers,
Delbert (Bethal) Cousino of Saylersville, Ky., Carlton (Rita) Cousino
of Adrian, Keith (Diane) Cousino of Petersburg, and Thomas Cousino of
Rollin; and one sister, Beulah Whitman of Stockbridge.
        In addition to his loving wife, Viola, he was preceded in death by
his parents; brothers, Joe, John, Ernie, Elton and Donald Cousino and
a sister, Ellen.
        Funeral services for Sidney were held on Monday, July 15, 2013,
at 3 p.m. at the Adrian Anderson Funeral Home. Interment was in
Deerfield Cemetery. Visitation was held on Monday from 1-3 p.m. at
the Adrian Anderson Funeral Home.
        You may send condolences to the family at
www.andersonfuneralservices.com.
        Memorial contributions may be made to the Anderson Funeral Home to�
help Sidney’s family with his funeral expenses. Envelopes are�
available at the Adrian Anderson Funeral Home.

Victim of bicycle crash LifeFlighted from Raisin Center Hwy.

By Melissa Burnor

A woman was airlifted from an unknown situation on Raisin Center Highway in Palmyra Township Sunday afternoon.

A passerby called in a report of a possible crash involving a woman on a bicycle on Raisin Center Highway south of Demlow Road shortly before 2 p.m., according to police.

Michigan State Police troopers at the scene said they were still trying to determine what happened . At the time, troopers said, there were no witnesses who had come forward and no visible signs of a crash such as skid marks or debris. LifeFlight landed on the road and later transported the woman to an unknown hospital.

No additional information was available.

WEB palmyra bicycle crash or accident — Palmyra Township fire and rescue workers prepare to transport the victim of a bicycle crash to LifeFlight which landed on Raisin Center Highway Sunday afternoon. Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc. Photo by Melissa Burnor

Suspect charged after downtown assault

Chopper at BSB 7-13-12 — The victim of Saturday morning’s alleged downtown Blissfield assault is prepared for air transport to the hospital in the Blissfield State Bank parking lot, where the chopper had landed. The victim was initially transported to the bank lot by ground ambulance. Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc. Photo/Marcia Loader

By Melissa Burnor

A 57-year old Tipton man was arraigned Monday on charges of felonious assault after allegedly cutting a man’s neck with a knife on the sidewalk in the 100 block of South Lane Street early Saturday morning.

Police and rescue crews responded to the west side of the street at 1:43 a.m. Saturday to a report of an assault. According to witnesses on the scene, a 31-year-old Blissfield man later identified as John Burtle, allegedly had his throat slashed by suspect Bradley Bences. Blissfield Fire Department responded to the scene quickly and took the Burtle to the parking lot of the Blissfield State Bank on Jefferson Street where he was airlifted to a Toledo hospital.

Blissfield Fire Chief Gary Crist said Burtle was talking and conscious when ambulance crews loaded him into the chopper.

Blissfield Police Sergeant Jacob Wagner said the altercation allegedly occurred after the two men may have had contact earlier in the evening.

A woman across the street from the crime scene allegedly witnessed a stockily-built, possibly bald man with a goatee wearing a flannel shirt, run through the mini park and into the area between The Advance and Bill’s Service on Newspaper Street.

A large pool of blood covered the curb and part of the sidewalk on the west side of the street. While several people had gathered on the sidewalk, a woman dumped a large pail of water on it to wash it away. A trail of blood droplets could be seen on the pavement and sidewalk through the minipark and on parts of Newspaper Street.

Police checked out the area but did not find the suspect there.