The MHSAA Team District Wrestling Tournament for today has been cancelled due to weather related travel issues, according to Steve Babbitt, Blissfield High School athletic director. The Team District will be moved to tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 6).
A snowy U.S. 223 in Blissfield at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday, Feb. 5) as snow continued to fall. Copyright 2014, River Raisin Publications, Inc./Photo by Eric May
The Lenawee County Road Commission is reporting near white-out conditions this morning (Feb. 5) as road crews work on getting the main roads clear. Road crews began plowing roads at 4 a.m. The county is now under a Level B snow condition yellow, which means road conditions are extremely hazardous with heavy snow and drifting conditions. Motorists are urged to curtail driving unless it is an emergency, according to Lenawee County Emergency Management coordinator Curtis Parks, who said the Level B will remain in effect until further notice.
Also, the Michigan State Police is out this morning with several vehicles stuck in the roadway in the area of U.S .223 between Driggs Road and Palmyra Road.
All Lenawee and Monroe county schools are closed for another day, due to the weather.
The Lenawee County Emergency Management coordinator Curtis Parsons and Blissfield Village police chief Dale Greenleaf have issued weather advisories for the next 24 hours.
Parsons reports an accumulation of four to six inches of snow is possible this evening (Tuesday, Feb. 4-Wednesday, Feb. 5). A travelers’ advisory has been set in place beginning at 5 p.m. today and remaining in effect overnight. Drivers are urged to use caution as roadways become snow-covered and slippery.
Greenleaf has issued a snow emergency in the village of Blissfield effective midnight tonight and through midnight Wednesday. Any motor vehicle, trailer or moveable object must be removed from public streets and municipal parking lots. Vehicles in these areas are subject to being towed and ticketed in accordance with Blissfield Village Ordinance, Part 52, Section 52.013, Subsecton 2.5d(f). Owners of any such vehicles will be responsible for all tickets, towing and storage fees.
Property owners are reminded, according to the release, that it is a violation of the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code as adopted by Blissfield Village Ordinance, Part 52, to blow or deposit snow and ice onto public streets, sidewalks or municipal parking lots. Those who do may be ticketed.
Yvonne S. Diedrich, age 57 of Blissfield, passed away unexpectedly at her home Wednesday, January 29, 2014. She was born August 17, 1956, in Toledo, Ohio to Raymond and Barbara (Barker) Hugill Sr. Yvonne graduated from Eastwood High School in Pemberville, Ohio, and attended both the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University.
On July 23, 2002, Yvonne married Alfred Diedrich in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and he survives.
Yvonne retired in 2011 from Toledo Public Schools where she was a sign language interpreter for 23 years, most recently at Waite High School. She enjoyed the students and served as an advisor for several school clubs. Yvonne collected cut glass and was a member of the American Cut Glass Association.
In addition to her mother, Barbara (Leonard) Jones of Canal Fulton, Ohio; she is survived by her husband, Alfred and their children: Angela Conley and James Canfield II, both of Toledo and Leandra Diedrich of Jasper; granddaughter, Savanna Canfield; brother, Raymond (Jeanie) Hugill, Jr. of Fremont, Ohio; and nieces, Christina Waugh and Jessica Kinkaid. Besides her father, she was preceded in death by a sister, Sharon Hugill.
Memorial services will take place Saturday, Feb. 8, at 11AM, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 563 Pinewood Ave., Toledo, OH 43604. Contributions in memory of Yvonne may be made to the Lenawee Humane Society or your local humane society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.
Earl R. Gafner, 76 of Las Vegas, passed away on Wednesday January 29, 2014. Earl was born on December 29, 1937, Britton, Michigan. He was the son of Charles and Florence (Pickford) Gafner.
He is survived by his loving wife Galina Rudko of Las Vegas and former wife Lynne (Jacobs) Gafner of Blissfield and their children; a son Mark (Teresa) Gafner of Delta,Ohio, and daughter Valerie (Mike) Gunn of Ida, five grandchildren; Courtney, Jeff, and Kyle Gunn of Ida and Emily and Elizabeth Gafner of Delta, Ohio. Also surviving is a brother, Elwyn “Buzz” Gafner of Blissfield and a sister, Arlene McVay of Morenci. He was preceded in death by a sister, Madeline Lietzke of Blissfield.
After graduating from Blissfield High School, Earl served his country in the United States Marine Corps at 29 Palms, California and was released from active duty on July 22, 1958. He worked most of his career as a motor carrier officer for the Michigan State Police before retiring in 1992 with 28 years of service. Earl loved to travel and was proud to have taken his family to 48 of the United States.
In retirement, Earl traveled to all continents and was able to visit over 40 countries. Favorite spots include Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world which is located in Siberia, and Machu Picchu in Peru. Wherever he traveled in the world, Earl loved to display the pride of his Michigan heritage by wearing a University of Michigan shirt or displaying a block M on his vehicle.
Cremation will take place at McDermott Funeral Home in Las Vegas. Funeral service will be held at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada on Tuesday, February 18 at 8:40 am.
A cherished mother, grandmother and friend to many, Anna Mae Crots went home to be with her precious Lord on January 30, 2014. She was 89.
Anna Mae was born December 24, 1924 in Blissfield, Michigan to Fred and Hazel (Caswell) Brieschke. She graduated from Blissfield High School and attended Huntington College. She married Edwin Crots on April 6, 1946. They were together 53 years and supported each other as life-long partners, raising five children, before his death in 1999.
Anna Mae loved God with every ounce of her being and lived each day striving to serve him and love her family and friends. She had a sweet spirit and took pride in the accomplishments of each of her four daughters, one son and many grandchildren. Visits to her home always included a few cookies or a bowl full of homemade popcorn, enjoyed while looking through the many photo albums she kept updated with the latest happenings of her family. Games of Scrabble were competitive and full of fun. Always, her Bible was close by. It’s worn pages, full of hand-written thoughts, were an insight into the heart of a woman always quick with encouragement or just the right words of comfort. Anna Mae was unendingly selfless, never complaining and always putting the needs of others first, far before her own. She was a life-long member of Element Church, formerly First United Brethren Church of Blissfield. There, she was involved in the choir for many years, in the children’s ministry, missionary groups, Bible studies and visitation teams. She helped with deliveries for Meals on Wheels. Anna Mae loved music and was happiest singing and playing her guitar to bless those around her. She was a member of the Silvertones, a senior band whose members volunteered their time to play at events, nursing homes and churches. Anna Mae spread her joy even in her final days of sickness. She will be greatly missed.
She is survived by five children, Linda (Bob) Osborn, Loraine (Gerry) Tilker, Coleen (Thom) Gentz, Connie (Tom) Fenton and Lee (Julie) Crots; 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one brother, Elden Brieschke. Services for Anna Mae were held on Monday, February 3, at Elem3nt Church in Blissfield. Burial followed at Pleasant View Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her memory may be given to Hospice of Lenawee, Blissfield Elem3nt Church, or the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Condolences are welcomed at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.
Jack E. Law, 80, passed away Sun. Jan. 26, 2014 at the Ebeid Hospice residence in Sylvania, Ohio.
He was born Dec. 29, 1933 to Chester and Dorothy Law in Fostoria, Ohio.
On August 5, 1952 he joined the Air Force and married Peggy Fox in 1953, she preceded him in death on August 16, 1982. Jack was also preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, one grandson and three greatgrandchildren, one sister and five brothers.
He is survived by his second wife Juliette Slomski whom he married on August 12, 1988, two daughters, Debra (Gary) Hernandez and Judy Law, two sons John (Lee) and Daniel Law, one sister Dorothy (Mick) Veres, two brothers, Chester and Donald Law, 7 step-children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.
A memorial service will take place at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 15 at the Riga Township Fire Hall. There will be no visitation. Arrangements entrusted to J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Adrian. Condolences may be offered to the family online at: www.PurseFuneralHome.com
PALMYRA — Paul C. Griffith, 58, died January 28, 2014, at his home after a valiant three-year battle with multiple myeloma. He found peace surrounded by the love of his family. Paul was an intelligent, creative and talented man who pursued his many interests with a passion.
Whether it was building and playing hammered dulcimers, learning to play golf with modern clubs and attacking the course with his “hickory sticks” or locating and restoring an Oliver of Adrian machine for his “shop,” he thrived on the challenges each endeavor brought.
Paul’s talent really emerged in his success in the world of muzzle loading rifles. He not only was a skilled shooter but also a master gun builder, building approximately 150 guns over the years. Paul holds various national shooting records at the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association matches in Friendship, Ind. Additionally, he won the Alvin York Memorial Chunk Gun Shoot in Pall Mall, Tenn., a record six times; a record, it has been said, that will never be matched.
In recent years, his interest turned from building/shooting guns to building rifle barrels for chunk and bench guns. Paul designed and built a rifling machine that enabled him to create championship gun barrels and took a great deal of pride in watching “his boys” win matches with his creations. In his words, “we took over the chunk gun world.” Born March 29, 1955, Paul was the son of Harlan and Carolyn (Englehart) Griffith.
Raised in Ogden Center, he attended Blissfield Schools, graduating in 1973. He worked for his brother, Neil, as an electrician at Neil’s Electric for 25 years, then “semi-retired” to work in his own shop focusing on gun building and machinist work. In 2007, he found a new passion, working for Oliver of Adrian. He truly loved the time he spent “with the boys at the shop.”
Paul and Cathleen Sweet met in 1970 when her family moved to Ogden Center, became a couple in 1971, and were married October 11, 1980. They were high school sweethearts for 43 years.
Survivors include his wife, Cathleen; brothers Neil (Deborah) Griffith and Thomas (Kristi) Griffith, both of Adrian; sister Julie (David) Goll of Blissfield; brothers-in-law Steven (Randa) Sweet of Toledo, Ohio, and Thomas (Kathy) Sweet of Austin, Texas. Paul is also survived by his nephews, Nicolas (Dawn) Griffith of Plainwell, Mich., and David Sweet of Dallas, Texas; and his nieces, Amanda (Will) Atkins of Chicago, Ill., Lauren Griffith of Ypsilanti, and Elizabeth and Emily Sweet of Austin, Texas. His parents and a sister, Margo, preceded him in death. Special thanks to Hospice of Lenawee for the compassionate and loving care Paul received from everyone, especially Bonnie and Catherine, and to a true angel, Cheryl McGovern, whose support and skill made it possible for Paul’s last days to be at home.
The celebration of Paul’s life was on Sunday, February 2, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield. Visitation hours were on Saturday, February 1, 2014, from 1-8 p.m. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Lenawee. Envelopes are available at Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.
