Michael Betz

PALMYRA – Michael A. Betz, 48 of Palmyra, passed away Friday, January 23, 2015, at Flower Hospital.
He was born October 10, 1966, in Adrian, Michigan to Melvin and Diana ‘Dini’ (Richard) Betz. Michael graduated from Blissfield High School in 1984.
On April 6, 1991, Michael married Karen Hauser in Metamora, Ohio, and she survives.
Michael worked for Blissfield Manufacturing and was currently working for Chrysler in Perrysburg.
He was a member of an archery league at Blissfield Sportsmen’s Club and had a love of the outdoors and all things hunting. This passion was shared with his daughters, each of whom has taken a deer with their dad. Other pastimes included spending time at the family cabin up north, playing golf, and having fun with a great group of friends.
Michael was a loving husband, father and son who will be greatly missed. In addition to his parents and Karen, his wife of over 23 years, he is survived by their three daughters, Victoria ‘Tori’, Elizabeth ‘Elli, and Camille ‘Cami’, who are still at home; brothers, Steven (Michelle) Betz of Swanton and Brian (Christine) Betz of Onsted; and extended family members, friends and co-workers.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield with Pastor Tyler Kleeberger officiating. Burial will follow at Ogden Township Cemetery. Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Monday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. and again Tuesday from 10:00 until the service.
Contributions in memory of Michael may be made to his wife, to establish an education fund for their daughters. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Step taken toward possible gas pipeline

A prefiling application has been made and approved by the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission in regards to the potential construction of the Nexus Pipeline that could traverse eastern Lenawee County.
A prefiling application filed with the federal agency Dec. 30 was approved Jan. 9.
Arthur Diestel, spokesperson for the Nexus Pipeline said this is not the official application but it does open the door to allow landowners, government officials and other stakeholders to voice concerns before the final application is made later this year.
The natural gas pipeline would begin in Kensington, Ohio, and span 250 miles across Ohio and Michigan and connect into the DTE Energy system, he said.
A separate pipeline preapplication filing was made earlier in December by the Rover Pipeline that could also connect the Marcellus shale region to Michigan and Canada.
Now with the pre-application in place, Diestel said the company is in the process of establishing more public open houses. During this phase the pipeline company will also be able to survey ground.
For the complete story, please see the Jan. 14, 2015, edition of The Advance, copyright River Raisin Publications, Inc., 2015.

Jerry Marks

BRITTON — Jerry I. Marks, 64, of Britton, passed away suddenly January 8, 2015.
Jerry was born on November 26, 1950 to Kenneth and Olive (Johns) Marks in Adrian. He graduated from Blissfield High School.
On April 20, 1974, Jerry was married to Deborah A. Goetz.
Jerry was a life-long farmer. He was also employed by Crop Production Services for 35 years, where he was a custom applicator.
Jerry was a member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Riga, and the American and Michigan Beefalo Associations.  He served as a 4-H swine leader for many years.
Besides his wife, Jerry is survived by children Michael (Shelley) Marks of Britton, Paul (Jami) Marks of Monroe, Jennifer (Dustin) Reckner of Morenci, Benjamin Marks of Britton, and Sarah (Travis) Taylor of Britton; grandchildren Keaton and Kiah Marks, Hannah, Collin, and Emma Reckner, Ava and Evan Marks, and Olivia and Zachary Taylor, to whom he was a proud “Poppy” and “Papa”. He is also survived by a sister, Carol (Wilbur) Steih of Riga, sister in law Patricia Marks, and brother in law Larry (Barb) Piotter, along with many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gary Marks, and sister Judy Piotter.
Funeral services for Jerry were Monday at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Riga, with the Rev. James Seelow officiating. Burial followed at Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield.  Visiting hours were Sunday from1-7 p.m. at the Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield. 
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to St.John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. Condolences are welcomed at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Blissfield, Whiteford reschedule games

Cold temperatures coupled along with local snow flurries last Thursday and Friday caused both the Thursday Blissfield varsity women’s basketball/Columbia Central game to be cancelled as well as Friday’s Whiteford men and women’s varsity basketball contest against Whitmore Lake to be cancelled.
The Blissfield Athletic Department announced the Columbia Central game will be scheduled Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. with junior varsity beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The Whiteford vs. Whitmore Lake varsity men’s and women’s basketball game originally scheduled for Jan. 9 will now be played on Jan. 19 Men at 5:30 p.m. and women at approximately 7 p.m.

Patricia Sell

Patricia Ann Sell, 63, of Blissfield, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at her home.

Pat was born on Feb. 22, 1951 in Trenton, MI, the daughter of Leo Anthony and Marjorie Rose (Smock) Beaubien. She was married on Nov. 9, 1974 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockwood, MI to Byron Clarence Sell.

Pat enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. Besides helping on the family farm, Pat helped her husband Byron selling produce at the Blissfield and Madison farmer’s markets, the Walker’s Tavern Farmer’s Market in the Irish Hills, and the Detroit Eastern Farmer’s Market. She also enjoyed spending time doing puzzles, and caring for her pet dog “Bailey”.

Surviving is her husband, Byron Sell of Blissfield; seven children, Holly (Todd) James of Paw Paw, MI, Jeremy (Crystal) Sell of Palmyra, Julie (Doug) Devine of Jackson, Jenny (Justin) DeVries of Maumee, OH, Emily (Jason) Gafford of Adrian, MI, Jason Sell of Swanton, OH, and Heidi Sell of Blissfield; ten grandchildren, Mikayla, Dylan, and Carter James, Aubrey, Cameron, Nolan, and Autumn Devine, Ivy DeVries, and Ethan and Emma Gafford; and four sisters, Janice Hurley of Siler City, NC, Beverly Sell of Fremont, IN, Elaine Jones of Angola, IN, and Shirley Pageau of Jackson, MI. Pat was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral Services are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blissfield, with the Rev. Gary Leking officiating. Burial will follow at Palmyra Cemetery. Visiting hours were Thursday, Jan. 8, from 6-8pm, and Friday, Jan. 9, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield.

Companies file to construct pipeline through Lenawee County townships

DTE and Spectra Energy filed a request with the Federal Energy Regulation Commission on Dec. 30, 2014, to use the Pre-Filing Process to potentially construct a new natural gas pipleline from the Marcellus natural gas region to Michigan and Canada.
The pipeline would potentially enter Michigan in southern Ogden Township and traverse through Blissfield, Deerfield and Palmyra Townships. Officials stated in the pre-filing application that if the project is complete it could be put in service in November 2017.
Officials of the competing Rover Pipeline filed paperwork with FERC earlier in December. That pipeline would connect the two regions but that one would take a proposed route a little more westerly, entering Michigan beginning in Seneca Township near of Morenci.
More details regarding the filing will be in the Jan. 14 edition of The Advance.

Earle Miller

Earle R. Miller, 95, formerly of Blissfield, passed away Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, at Lynwood Manor in Adrian.
Earle was born March 6, 1919, in Deerfield, the son of Edward and Myrtle (Myers) Miller. He graduated from Blissfield High school in 1937, and served in the US Army during WWII.
Earle retired as plant manager at Blissfield Manufacturing Co., and was a life member of the Blissfield American Legion Post #325 in Blissfield. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing.
Surviving is his daughter Shirley (Cletus) LaFollette of Atlanta, Mich., son Richard (Sherry) Miller of Science Hill, Ky.; sister Mildred Miller of Spring Arbor; grandchildren Cheri LaFollette, Nancy (Robert) Hejl, Bret (Peggy) LaFollette, Kim (Link) Geren, Stephanie (Jim) Shoemaker, and Amy (Rob) Henning; and great grandchildren Tyler, Jesse, and Bailey Hejl, Landon Geren, and Brook, Lauren and Kyle Henning.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brothers Orville, Roy, and Floyd Miller.
Funeral Services were held Tuesday, January 6, at 11 a.m. at the Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield, with the Rev. Linda Farley officiating.  Military honors were conducted by the Blissfield American Legion and Blissfield VFW. Burial followed at Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield.
Visiting hours were Monday, January 5, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., and Tuesday after 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Blissfield American Legion, or to Hospice of Lenawee.
Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences are welcomed at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com

Yvonne Bancroft

  Yvonne Bancroft passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on January 5, 2015, at Blissfield Place in Blissfield, Michigan. 
Yvonne was born July 29, 1935, in Jackson, Michigan, the daughter of Sigmund and Margaret (Wagner) Wasielewski.
Yvonne graduated from St. John’s High School in 1954,
She attended Jackson Community College and graduated as a registered nurse from Borgess Hospital-Kalamazoo and Nazareth College, Division of Nursing in 1957.
She was employed at Bixby Hospital from 1957-1966 and was head nurse in Pediatrics 1960-1966.
She then worked in the medical offices of Dr. Eddy and Feeney until 1979. She then returned to Bixby Hospital continuing to work in Pediatrics until she retired in 1997.
Yvonne was very proud that she passed the National Certification Board Exam for Pediatrics.
She married Phil Bancroft at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on May 9, 1987.
Yvonne enjoyed reading, completing many crafts and her grandchildren’s extracurricular activities.
She leaves behind six children: Dr. Ella Noel (Allan Evans) of Adrian, Karen Jarrett of Mason, Robert Noel of Sand Creek, Susan Noel (Ray Shepard) of Palmyra, Nancy Rupp (Daniel) of Palmyra, and Michael Noel (Dana) of Tecumseh; 11 grandchildren: Matthew Evans,  Andrew Jarrett, Ryan, Noel, Taylor Lulham, Rachel Snyder, Kaitlyn Gallant, Elizabeth Swope, Isaiah Rupp, Josiah Rupp, Kelsey Noel and Kylee Noel;  three great-grandchildren: Makenzie, Brooklyn and Cameron; and siblings: Walter Wasielewski and Mary Huff of Jackson, Margie (Michael) Vogt of Spring Arbor, and Jerry Wasielewski of Kissimmee, Florida.
Yvonne was preceded in death by a brother, Larry in infancy, her parents, granddaughter, Jennifer Noel and her husband, Phil in 2011.
Funeral Liturgy for Yvonne will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 9, 2015, at St. Mary of Good Counsel Parish, Adrian, Michigan, with Father Shaun Lowery as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm, Thursday, January 8, 2015, where a Vigil Prayer service will be held at 7 pm. at Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian, Michigan.
Visitation will also be at St. Mary of Good Counsel Parish on Friday from 9:30-10:15 a.m.
Online condolences may be given at www.andersonfuneralservices.com .
Memorial contributions may be made in Yvonne’s name to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or food pantry of your choice.
Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian, Michigan. 

Michael Marine

ADRIAN — Michael Lawrence Gage Marine, age 23 of Adrian died Tuesday, December 23, 2014, in California.
He was born September 18, 1991, in Toledo to Lawrence Albert and Elizabeth Ann (Valdez) Marine.  Michael graduated from Blissfield High School in 2011.
He was a member of Jesus is Lord Ministries.
Michael loved to skateboard, read, do art projects, was an avid video game player and a talented musician who enjoyed playing the guitar and drums. Michael loved to make people laugh.
He enjoyed going boating and fishing with his dad.
Michael is survived by his parents, Lawrence and Elizabeth of Adrian; grandparents, Charles and Becky Marine of Blissfield; sister, Sierra (Clifton) Monhollen, Jr. of Adrian; three nieces, Alissa, Abigail and Aspen; a nephew, Clifton III and numerous aunts, uncle, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by grandparents, Pedro and Hope Valdez, an aunt “Little Hopey”, and grandmother, Elaine Marine.
Funeral services for Michael were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2015, at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian with Pastor Pete Valdez officiating.  Burial will be in Riga Cemetery. Visitation was on Friday from 2-8 p.m. with a special time to share stories and prayers for Michael from 6-8 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian.
You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family to be used to give them a healing farewell for Michael. Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian.

Steven Sweet

Steven E. Sweet, 56, died suddenly in his home December 27, 2014, of a heart attack.
He was born on July 2, 1958, in Kalamazoo, to Edward and Janet Sweet. 
Steve graduated from Blissfield High School in 1976 and Northern Michigan University in 1980.
He joined the Peace Corps serving two years in Ghana.
Steve was a manager for Marcos Pizza for over 20 years. An avid reader, he also loved theatre, opera, bicycling, baseball, and cats. Steve was a good friend of Bill W. for 24 years.
Steve married the love of his life, Randa Shallal, on May 6, 2007. He was a wonderful husband and will be missed beyond what words can express.
Steve is survived by his wife Randa Sweet, sister Cathy Griffith, brother Thomas (Kathy )Sweet , sister-in-law Debbie McCrandall, brother-in-law Jeff Witte, and his nieces and nephews.  His parents preceded him in death.
Visitation was 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Friday, January 2, at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo, Ohio, where the funeral ceremony began at 6 p.m. that evening. Interment was to be private.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Toledo Humane Society. Please view on online registry at CoyleFuneralHome.com.Michael Marine