Month: July 2014

Palmyra Cemetery Association turns reins of cemetery over to township

PALMYRA — The Palmyra Cemetery Association held a special meeting Tuesday, July 22, to discuss the current status of its bylaws pertaining to the rules and regulations for the U.S. 223 Cemetery in Palmyra Township.

The association agreed to cease control of the cemetery and allow the Township of Palmyra to claim control.

The special meeting, which was held in the community center of the Palmyra Township Fire Hall, was open to all who wished to voice their opinions of the bylaws used by the association for the cemetery.

For Brad Heineman’s complete story, please see the July 30, 2014, edition of The Advance.

 

Palmyra residents hear of Post Office hours reduction plan

PALMYRA — A recent announcement stated that the Palmyra Post Office location would be transitioning to staying open for four hours a day on a Monday-through-Friday schedule.

Residents of the township were asked to come to the Palmyra Community Hall July 24 to provide input, concerns and ideas for the best options the post office location might take in the near future. Near 30 residents gathered to attend the meeting hosted by Palmyra Postmaster Cathy Clark and Temperance Postmaster Yvonne Bellestri.

Bellestri also manages the Ida and Samaria offices which are now joined together. According to Bellestri, the post office has gone through recent hardships as online shopping and shipping have given a beating to post office sales.

She also said that the decision to reduce the hours at the Palmyra office was not made a local level but instead was issued by postal headquarters as well Congress decisions.

For Brad Heineman’s complete story, please see the July 30, 2014, edition of The Advance … on newsstands now. For home delivery, just call 517-486-2400 – only $32 a year within 50 miles of Blissfield!

Races few in Aug. 5 local primaries

While many candidate names will appear on local ballots next Tuesday very few races are actually taking place. The primary election is the time for parties to choose candidates for the different offices from local, state to federal offices.

In most instances only one candidate appears listed for either party. Only five races will require a decision by voters. Three are for have for candidates vying for the Republican candidacy in the general election will be decided by local voters on Aug. 5. Monroe County Voters will select a nonpartisan district court judge and a nonpartisan probate court judge.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 5.

For the complete rundown of the election including ballot issues at the state and local level, please pick up the July 30, 2014, edition of The Advance. Millage issues were also previewed in the July 23 edition which can be found for just 75 cents at The Advance office, 121 Newspaper Street, Blissfield.

Yvonne Nieman

Yvonne H. Nieman, 78 of Blissfield, passed away Thursday, July 24, 2014, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. She was born March 7, 1936 in Monroe to Harold and Mildred (Zilke) Koster.

She graduated from Dundee High School in 1954 and attended what is now Washtenaw Community College.

Yvonne married Kenneth Nieman in Sylvania, Ohio on June 29, 1956.

She started her career in health care as a nurses’ aide at Herrick Hospital. After becoming a licensed practical nurse, she worked for a number of years at Bixby Medical Center, the Dialysis Center, and Herrick Manor. She was a member of the Deerfield United Methodist Church. Yvonne loved the outdoors and enjoyed bicycling and camping with the Passport of America Club.  She also loved animals.

In addition to Ken, her husband of 58 years, she is survived by their children, Kenneth (Jane) Nieman of California and Beth Nieman of Saline; and grandchildren, Chelsea and Ali Nieman. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Ardon.

Memorial services took place at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2014, at the Deerfield United Methodist Church with Pastor Sam Pooley officiating. Contributions in memory of Yvonne may be made to the Deerfield United Methodist Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Gertrude Wotring

Gertrude ‘Gertie’ H. Wotring, 96 of Blissfield, passed away July 27, 2014 at Lenawee Medical Care Facility. She was born August 1, 1917, in Blissfield, to Grace (Bowman) and Pearl Knapp. Gertie graduated from Blissfield High School in 1935 and later married James Samuel Wotring in Angola, Ind. He preceded her in death in 1969.

Gertie’s love was her family and the farm. She loved raising her flower gardens and golf. Her great grandchildren were her life. Gertie had a special relationship with her step mother, Chloe Knapp, and took care of her until her death; Chloe lived to be over 100.

Survivors include her sister, Margaret Dusha from California; her grandchildren, James Brennan of Blissfield and Janelle (Todd) De Lano of Phoenix, Ariz.; great grandchildren, Zoe Brennan, Danielle, Taylor and Nathaniel De Lano. Besides her parents and husband, Jim, Gertie was preceded in death by a son, James; a daughter, Beverly; a granddaughter, Tammie Brennan and a great grandson, Cody Brennan.

All services for Gertie will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association or to the Make A Wish Foundation. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel where online condolences may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Tom Frayer

PLANO, Texas – Tom Frayer, 68, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday June 27, 2014. A celebration of Tom’s life was held on Wednesday July 2, 2014 at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas.  Tom was born on April 23, 1946 in Adrian, Michigan, grew up on his family’s farm in Deerfield, and received both his Bachelors in Economics and Masters in Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

Tom and his family moved to Texas in 1978, and he was respected by friends and colleagues in the banking industry for many years. Tom was an avid runner and completed several marathons in Texas.

Tom is preceded in death by his beloved parents Russell Frayer and Marie (Frayer) Lichtle and Edward Lichtle, and survived by his wife Nancy; son Russ Frayer along with his wife Karen and grandson Quin; and his daughter Becky Roesch along with her husband Todd and granddaughter Harper. He also leaves behind two sisters Debra Gilson and Nancy Lodge, and many cousins, nieces and nephews in Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina.

A graveside service for Tom will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2014 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Cemetery in Deerfield with Fr. Jack Loughran officiating. Condolences to the family may be given online at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. The family has requested that in lieu of remembrances, donations be made to the American Heart Association.  Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

Rhea Schaedler

Rhea Lucille (Miller) Schaedler passed from this earth to be with God and her beloved Kenny on Wednesday morning July 23, 2014.

Rhea was born on June 2, 1916, the second child of Emmett and Myrtle (Kahle) Miller in Ai, Fulton County, Ohio. She graduated from Metamora High School in the class of 1934.

She married Kenneth Lewis Schaedler on the family farm in Ogden, Michigan on July 4, 1939. Ken and Rhea made their home in Blissfield, Michigan where together they raised nine children in their 68 years of marriage: Arnold Klump (Barbara), Donna (Klump) Billings (Frank), Dr. Dwight Klump (Carolyn), Delight (Klump) Romsek (Tom), Wayne Klump (Jackie), Carol Ann (Schaedler) Miller ( David), Douglas Schaedler (Elaine), Phillip Schaedler (Barbara) and the Hon. Laura Schaedler.

Rhea worked side by side with Ken in the operation of their plumbing and heating business for over 50 years. Ken and Rhea cherished the love and company of their five grandchildren and four great grandchildren: Aaron Miller (Joelle), Nathan Miller, Jeremy Miller (Jennifer), Natalie Schaedler, Kevin Schaedler, Zavier Miller, Stefan Miller, Anita Miller and Hazel Miller.

Ken paved the way to heaven for Rhea on January 24, 2008.

Rhea was a child of the Depression and frequently shared vivid memories of the trials, tribulations and joys shared by those who experienced those trying and turbulent times. In her long and fruitful life Rhea witnessed the horse give way to the automobile; the growth of industry; and, the horror of world war. Rhea heard the radio make room for the television; she saw a man walk on the moon. She witnessed America’s struggle for racial equality; victory over dreaded diseases; the fall of totalitarianism and the ascendance of the communication age. She never really got the hang of a smart phone though she did try.

Rhea was active in Eastern Star, for many years and served in the united Methodist Women’s Society of the First United Methodist Church in Blissfield, Michigan for decades.  She was board chair of Goodwill/LARC and a delegate to the state convention of the United Methodist Church. Rhea was a member of the ladies auxiliary of the Blissfield Rotary Club and American Legion Post 325. She was a band booster, a room mother, a den mother and a blue bird leader. She was cook, butler and chauffeur to her own family and all of the other kids in the neighborhood. Rhea had countless devoted friends. You were a stranger in Rhea’s house only once. Rhea loved unconditionally, gave selflessly, laughed loud and lived a Christian life without regret or fear. She was proud of her family and loyal to her friends. She was feisty and fierce in their defense, all “5 feet, 9 inches” of her. She loved games of all kinds particularly cards and was as happy playing euchre as she was playing bridge. Rhea was competitive and knew the value of a strategic renege (all within the rules, of course) and, though never proved, she was rumored to take liberties at dominos.

Rhea is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Dale Miller (Marie), her sister Mary (Miller) Klump (Nelson), her niece Pam Miller, her niece Donna (Klump) Billings (Frank), her nephew Wayne Klump (Jackie) and her beloved husband and best friend Kenny. We will miss her bright smile, her easy laugh and her loving embrace.

Funeral services for Rhea were held on Sunday, July 27, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Blissfield with Reverend Kristen Parks officiating.  Visitation was held on Saturday, July 26, 2014, from 4 – 8 p.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield. Visitation also took place on Sunday from 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. prior to the funeral service at the church. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Blissfield, the Blissfield Rotary or Hospice of Lenawee. Envelopes are available at Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

 

Summer sweet for corn

Nothing says the summer season in Michigan like corn stalks on both sides of the road during the morning commute. Michigan is known for its delicious home-grown produce and though planting and picking season may be running a hair behind schedule, area farmers and businesses say they believe corn is at great numbers this year.

One popular local producer, Salenbien Farms, located out on Crockett Highway, just off of U.S. 223 has been farming the same land for nearly 60 years. The seasonal stand, which has been open for business since 1972, can be seen on the side of the road each summer and fall seasons. According to Harvey Salenbien, the family-run farm does excellent work during the summer months, especially with sweet corn. Salenbien said this year’s crop of sweet corn is one of the best he can remember.

“It’s later this year than normal, but it’s going to be good,” he said. “It’s always good.”

Another local farming business that is seeing good potential in this year’s sweet corn crop is J and B farms, located out on Weston Road. Sell, agrees with Salenbien, that the crop production, especially sweet corn, will be really good this year.

Reed Farms is expecting to see sweet corn this week, and Dusseau’s Farm Market is already stocking that good ole’ sweet summertime favorite.

Sweet corn is starting to become available locally, but a little later than usual. (Copyright 2014, River Raisin Publications, Inc.)