Jacqueline Sliker

Jacqueline Margaret Sliker passed from this world to eternal life with the Lord Jesus Christ on April 27, 2014. She was born to Milton and Evelyn Heise, on April 11, 1932 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Lorne Heise, and sister Donna Holmquist. She is survived by her four children Janis (Bill) Helminiak of Westcliffe, Col., Kevin (Gail) Van Ert of Adrian, Donna (Frank) Glyda of Maumee, Ohio, and Bonnie (Mark) Johnson of Toledo, Ohio. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Jackie married John Van Ert in 1949 in Canada. Following the birth of their first child they move to Toledo, Ohio, where they resided and raised their family. Jackie and John divorced in 1968. She remarried Howard Sliker of Blissfield and began a successful real estate career. They divided their time between Michigan and Pompano Beach, Florida, and after their divorce Jackie remained in Florida until eight years ago. Her family missed her very much and insisted she move back to Toledo. She enjoyed a very full life having traveled extensively to Europe South America and Mexico. Her great passion was ballroom dancing and thanks to the Glass City Singles and all their kindness, Jacqueline was able enjoy dancing until very recently. She devoted most of her life singing in church choirs where she lived, as well as gardening, movies, cooking, and especially spending time with her family. Jackie resided at Parkcliffe assisted-living this past year. The family would like to thank both Parkcliffe and Perrysburg Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their kindness to Jackie . Expressions of sympathy may be directed toward Hospice and their ongoing service to this community. Her family had a life celebration at First Apostolic Church of Sylvania on Sylvania Ave on Tuesday, April 29th at 1:00 p.m.

Keith Diver

DEERFIELD — Keith T. Diver, age 65, of Deerfield passed away April 22, 2014. He was born March 7, 1949 in Tecumseh, the son of Beaumont and Lillian (LaVoy) Diver. He married Joan R. Klippel on June 12, 1970, in Richfield Center, Ohio, and she survives. Keith proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1968 -1972. He owned and operated Meyers – Diver’s Airport in Tecumseh for over 40 years. Keith graduated from Deerfield High School and had worked in skilled trades as a Machine Repairman at Ford Motor Company in Saline for 30 years, retiring in 1997. He was a member of the Deerfield American Legion. Keith loved aircraft and fixing them. He was honored to host the annual fly-in for the Meyer Aircraft Association in July of 2013. In his free time, Keith enjoyed working on his Silver King tractor, maintaining his cars and trucks, and caring for his dogs and cats. In addition to his wife Joan, his sisters Joan Allen of Oregon, Ohio, Marcia Diver of Honolulu, Hawaii; his sister-in- law Rose Diver of Elkhart, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews survive him. His parents and his brother Jack preceded him in death. At his request, cremation has taken place. A memorial visitation was held on Sunday, April 27, 2014, at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes from 2-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.HandlerFuneralHomes.com

Paul Laslo

BRITTON — Paul Peter Laslo, age 97 of Britton, passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 15, 1917, in Canada, to Joseph and Anna Laslo.  Paul served in the US Army and was a WWII veteran. On November 26, 1949, he married Carolyn Martin and she preceded him in death in 1987. On October 10, 1987, he married Mary Pieplow in Adrian.  She also preceded him in death. Paul was a lifetime member of the Blissfield American Legion. He enjoyed going to his cabin in Reed City. Paul is survived by his children, Janet Strong of Adrian, Stephen (Cheryl) Laslo of Whittaker, John Laslo of Morenci and Jeff Laslo of Bellefountaine, Ohio; step-daughter, Janet Blaker of Adrian; one brother, Joseph (Kathryn) Laslo, Jr. of Waters; three sisters, Rose Dumith of Carsonville, MI, Leone (Richard) Chapelene of Zephyrhills, Fla., and Edith Mellondorf of Port Huron; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren and 20 step-great-grandchildren. In addition to his first and second wife, he was preceded in death by two sons, David and Michael Laslo; two daughters, Theresa and Carolyn Laslo in infancy; three brothers, six sisters, one great granddaughter and one great grandson. Funeral services for Paul were held on Monday, April 28, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, Tecumseh. Burial was in Ridgeway Cemetery with full military rites conducted by the Blissfield American Legion Robert Meachen Post #325. Visitation was held on Sunday from 2-8 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, Tecumseh.  You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Charity of the Donor’s Choice.  Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home, Tecumseh.

Arthur Vandenbusche

Arthur Robert Vandenbusche, 81 of Blissfield passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 25, 2014, at home.  He was born on May 12, 1932 in Ogden Township to Robert and Lucille (Lazoen) Vandenbusche. Arthur was united in marriage in 1956 to Rose Marie Loar, in Angola, Indiana. He was a self employed farmer retiring in 1997. Arthur served in the U.S. Army from September 18, 1952, to September 17, 1960.  He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blissfield, Blissfield American Legion, the Gleaners Society.  Arthur was a past member of Ogden IOOF, NFO, Blissfield Kiwanis Club, Wauseon Elks Club, and the Ogden Township Board of Review. Arthur’s many hobbies included softball, bowling, fishing, golf, bike riding, walking, yard/gardening, hunting, car cruises, going to the coffee shop daily, spending many hours in his art studio, social sessions, and dancing. Arthur and his wife wintered in Florida.  Surviving in addition to his wife, Rose Marie of 57 years, three children; Mark (Lynn) Vandenbusche of Blissfield, Connie Jensen of Blissfield, and Robin (Robert) Brooks of Casnovia, Michigan.  Three brothers; Henry (Jean) Vandenbusche of Blissfield, Norman (Patricia) Vandenbusche, and Larry Vandenbusche, both of Metamora, Ohio.  Two sisters, Lillian Loeffler and Jane Gillen, both of Swanton, Ohio.  Seven  grandchildren, Andrew and Amy Jensen, Chelsea (Joshua) Iffland, Luke and Wade Vandenbusche, Sean and Taylor Nelson, and Two great-grandchildren, Alexa Jensen, and Hunter Bruce. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers-in-law, Gail Gillen and Frank Loeffler.   Funeral services for Arthur took place at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blissfield, on Monday, April 28, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Gary Leking and Intern Jeff Goggins officiating. Burial was in the Ogden Cemetery, Ogden Township. Visitation was on Sunday, April 27, 2014, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.  Condolences to the family may be given online at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Blissfield.  Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

TRACK: April 30, 2014, edition

Britton Deerfield and Blissfield had a busy week in track, while Whiteford was on spring break.

BD/Morenci/Clinton Men

The Britton Deerfield Patriot men’s track team split a double-dual meet April 22 at home on a windy chilly afternoon. The Patriots defeated Morenci but fell to Clinton.

BD/Clinton/Morenci Women

The temperatures may have been chilly, but the Britton Deerfield women’s track team heated up the track April 22 sweeping a double-dual meet with Clinton and Morenci. The Patriots were the overall winner in both the sprint relays. Sophomore Jaymz Gibson was a double-winner in the 400 and 200 meter dash events. Cambria Handy won the shot put and Janessa Handy the long jump. Mariah Gotz won the 100 meter dash. “We are doing really well,” BD coach Bob Beckey said, “with a little better weather we should see some peak performances in the next couple of weeks.” BD Women 75 Morenci 58

BD track at the tri-meet with Clinton and Morenci. Copyright 2014, River Raisin Publications, Inc.

The Lady Blissfield Royals were third and the Lady Britton Deerfield Patriots placed seventh at the 36th annual Addison Relays Friday. The Royal men were sixth and the Patriot men placed ninth overall. The rainy overcast day cleared off by race time giving runners calm conditions with moderate temperatures for racing. Both the men’s and women’s Royal sprint medley relay teams took first. The Lady Patriots won the long jump relay.

For the complete stories and individual results, please see the April 30, 2014, edition of The ADVANCE.

SOCCER: April 30, 2014, edition

Another home game for the Lady Royals soccer team and another game with chilly evening temperatures. But the wind and droplets of rain did not appear to faze them as they cruised to a 4-0 shut-out against the Grass Lake Warriors Wednesday at home.

For the complete story, please see the April 30, 2014, edition of The ADVANCE.

BASEBALL: April 30, 2014, edition

BLISSFIELD — The Blissfield varsity bats have been swinging non-stop in this past week of Royal baseball action. On prom day Saturday,April 26, the Royals marched onto their home diamond and let the bats fly against the University Liggett Knights. The Royals were led by sophomore Chase Lievens in the first of two against Liggett. Lievens recorded five RBIs in the first match-up en route to a high-scoring 15-10 victory.

Another victory in the second game eluded the Royals as they fell to Liggett 12-9, unable to perform the double-header sweep.

BRITTON DEERFIELD — A three-run homerun by D.J. Gotz in the double-header with Lenawee Christian April 21 put the Patriots on top of the Cougars 7-1.

The Patriots lost the first game 4-2 but came roaring back in the second game defeating Lenawee Christian 7-1.

The Whiteford Bobcats were on spring break last week. For the rest of the stories on BD and BHS baseball, please see the April 30, 2014, edition of The Advance.

Blissfield Freshman Alex Slomski delivers a good pitch against University Liggett. Copyright 2014, River Raisin Publications, Inc.

SOFTBALL: April 30, 2014 edition

BLISSFIELD

After an impressive 4-0 start to the Lady Royals’ softball season eyes were fixed on the future and how long the impressive season could continue. After dominating victories in previous games the lady Royals were squared up against Tecumseh on Monday the 21st, in a match-up that is always sure to please. The Royals, however, could not continue the early-season win streak and were dropped by the Indians of Tecumseh, 13-3.

BRITTON DEERFIELD

The Britton Deerfield Lady Patriots softball team came up big last week defeating Lenawee Christian in two games. With the two wins, the Patriots have now won three times as many games as they did during the 2013 regular season. After blanking the Cougars 4-0 in the first game, they came back to win the second game 11-10.

Whiteford Bobcats were on spring break last week. For the rest of the stories on the Royals and Patriots, please see the April 30, 2014, edition of The Advance.

Estes named BHS head basketball coach

By Brad Heineman

It was a rather somber moment when varsity football head coach Ron Estes had made it certain that he would be stepping down as head coach following the Royals’ 2012 season.

Estes had turned around a crumbling football program into one of the best and most successful in school history after taking the reins in the 2002 school year. He went on to lead the Royals to a Ford Field championship berth in the 2007 season, where the Royals would be runner-ups to the state champion Saginaw Nouvel Panthers.

A coach with such talents departing from a sport can be hard to replace. Fans, students, teachers and the community grew to appreciate Estes and his desire to get the best out of his young Royals each year.

Now, after a year designated to and focused on teaching in the high school Estes will trade in the headgear, Royal purple polo and Royals ball cap for an outfit possibly consisting of a suit and tie.

The Blissfield Athletic Department press release made his new appointment and quest official, Thursday, April 24: Ron Estes would be at the helm of the 2014-15 Royals varsity basketball team.

For the complete story, please see the Sports section of the April 30, 2014, edition of The Advance.