Month: March 2015

Palmyra teen found in Georgia

A 15-year-old Palmyra girl, reported missing by her mother Saturday morning, has been found in Georgia. Makayla Rose McLaughlin was reported missing shortly after noon on Saturday and was last seen about 9:30 a.m. that day at home.
According to the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department, they had identified a possible person of interest in the case who was possibly driving a silver Ford Focus.
Authorities say the girl was located in Georgia and a person of interest in the case was located in Georgia.
The girl is in the custody of law enforcement. The Michigan State Police and Georgia authorities assisted with the investigation that is still ongoing.

Richard Schaedler

Richard John Schaedler, 94, of Palmyra, Michigan, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2015. He was born May 22, 1920 in Riga, Michigan to John and Neva (Lewis) Schaedler. He married Lenore Lathrop May 31, 1942, in Berkey, Ohio. Together they had many wonderful years raising their family. He worked for many years as a farmer and a carpenter. He enjoyed raising blueberries on his farm and selling the produce at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market with his longtime friend Carol Brooks.
He is survived by his children Karen Ashman, Robert (Christine), Kathryn (John) Doerfler; grandchildren Christopher, Matthew, Kerry, and Nathaniel; great-grandchildren John, Brian, Jacob, Jessica, Seth, Evan, Kathryn, Arthur and Julia. He is predeceased by his loving wife, Lenore, son-in-law Don Ashman, brothers Kenneth and Lewis and his parents.
A graveside service will be held at Association Cemetery, 6805 Convent Boulevard, Sylvania, Ohio on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 1 pm.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Hospice of Lenawee. Online condolences may be left at www.reebfuneralhome.com

Patricia Johns

Patricia Ann Johns, age 80, of Marcellus, Michigan passed away Saturday, March 14, 2015, at Borges Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born December 9, 1934, the daughter of Donald and Evelyn (Jackson) O’ Bryan in Isabella County, Michigan.
Pat was a lifetime resident of Blissfield until moving to Marcellus a few years ago. She was a graduate of Blissfield High School class of 1953. Pat was united in marriage to Floyd Johns on July 17, 1954 in Blissfield, and he preceded her in death in 1984. She was a member of the Blissfield United Methodist Church.
Pat was an office manager for the local pharmacy, working with five different pharmacists and name changes over a span of 50 years. She served the Blissfield Chamber of Commerce for many years. Pat was a loving grandmother and enjoyed watching all her grandchildren play sports. She also had a special bond with Donald Duck because they shared the same birthday. Pat was an avid bowler, U of M, Tiger, Pistons, and Red Wings fan.
Pat is survived by two daughters, Deborah (Kevin) Wilson, of Manitou
Beach, and Winona (Roger) Nighswander of Pahrump, Nev.; one sister, Theresa “Kathy” Martinez of Monroe, Michigan; nine grandchildren, Tim Viers (Brittany Taylor), Marc (April) Viers, Steve (Amy) Viers, Heather Anderson (Mike Cory), Ben (Holly) Wilson, Shelby (Bryce) Baney, Jared Wilson (Colleen Robinson), Julie (Tom) Carella, and Gabe (Michelle) Nighswander; and 25 great-grandchildren and another coming in July of this year. She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband Floyd.
Memorial services for Pat will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2015, at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield at 2 p.m. with the Rev Kristen Parks officiating. Burial of cremains will be in Pleasant View Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, March 19, 2015 from noon to 1:45 at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield followed by her memorial service at 2 p.m.
Condolences to the family may be made online at
www.andersonfuneralservices.com.
Memorial contributions in Pat’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association. Envelopes will be available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

David Schwisow

DUNDEE — David L. Schwisow, age 67, of Dundee passed away Monday, March 9, 2015, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor.
He was born June 11, 1947, at Monroe the son of Emil and Carol (Brockman) Schwisow. He  graduated from Dundee High School in 1965. He also graduated from Davis Business College in Toledo and attended Monroe Community College.
He married Debra M. Johnson September 27, 1980, at the First Presbyterian Church in Dundee.
He proudly served his country in the US Army from 1969-1971 being stationed in Germany. He retired from the Dundee Castings Company in 2011 after 23 years of employment there. Dave loved sports, especially the Red Wings, U-M football and basketball; NASCAR; gardening and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife Debra; daughter Krista Schwisow of Dundee; sisters Donna (Dwight) Steiner and Kay Schrader (the late Chuck); brother Larry (Daphne) Schwisow all of Dundee; also many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Emil (Pancho)  and his mother and step-father Carol (Ralph Collins)
Friends called Saturday, March 14, 2015 from 2-5 p.m. at the Cover Funeral Home in Dundee . A service was held at 5 p.m. Military services were conducted by the Dundee Veterans Military Group.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Dundee Veterans.
Condolences at www.coverfuneralhome.com

Lowell Eisenmann

Lowell Ira Eisenmann, 90, Blissfield, transitioned to his Heavenly home on Monday, March 9, 2015. He was the son of Ira and Margaret (Luse) Eisenmann, born June 17, 1924 in Riga, Michigan.  After graduating from Blissfield High in 1942, he worked on the Daniels brothers’ farm, Gerity in Adrian and the Packard Motor Plant in Toledo before being called up by the Army.  Lowell, as part of the infantry, was on his way to the Philippines, when he got “stuck” in Hawaii until his discharge in November 1946. As part of the US Army of the Pacific, achieving T4 status, he was awarded a Meritorious Service Badge.
When he returned home, Lowell married his high school sweetheart, Eileen J. Hazard, on December 11, 1946. Together they began their life legacy. Lowell again began farming, this time with his father-in-law Earl Hazard, working closely with the County Extension Agency learning the best farming skills. He began with dairy and cash crops, switching to beef cattle building the first slotted floor barn in the area, feeding 500 cattle in that barn with an additional 300 in the original barn. Lowell was quick to try new cash crops: sugar beets, tomatoes and carrots besides the typical crops. In his early farming years, he worked at Tecumseh Products, and later sold seed corn and Knapp shoes. He continued farming with two of his sons Keith and Zell until his retirement.
Even as a busy farmer, Lowell delighted in serving his church and community. He was a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church where he served as usher, trustee, youth leader with Eileen, Sunday School and Wednesday night teacher, S.S. Superintendent and member of the active KUMJOYNUS class. He was an avid member of the church bowling league and softball league for many years. During the mid-fifties, Lowell served on the Bradley school board. He was president of the PTA and was one of the original Citizens Committee members when the one-room country school houses were consolidated and talks began of a new high school. He was elected to the newly consolidated school board district in 1962. He also served on the Lenawee Co-op board, County and State Farm Bureau Board as district director, Jipson Carter State Bank Board, Red Cross Board, appointment by Governor Milliken to the State Beef Commission, and as his final service to his community, was elected to the Lenawee County Board of Commissioners, serving 6 years as the Chairman.
Through all his service to church and community, family remained a priority to Lowell. He and Eileen together lovingly raised their children instilling strong Christian beliefs and hard work ethics, incorporated with love, and laughter. In the summer, Lowell was frequently found giving a “ski” or teaching anyone who wanted to learn; preparing a “corn roast” to whoever would eat it; and following it with a pontoon ride. Winter time he might have been found ice skating on the ditches with the family or sledding at the “filtration plant.”  Family camping vacations were a must, taking  the family to many sites in the US or renting a local cottage until the growing family needed a cottage of their own.
Lowell is survived and will be missed by his  6 children: Wonet (Richard Ryan),  Keith (Barb), Dawn (Sam Rupp), Rose (Adrian Ninaber),  Zell (Rita), and Noel (Dori); 19 grandchildren, and 20 plus great-grandchildren. Also surviving, sister Florence Mary (Elmer) Anderson of Milan, sister-in -law Eula Eisenmann, sister-in law Lorna Hazard and numerous Eisenmann and Luse cousins, nieces and nephews. 
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Eileen of nearly 68 years on July 16, 2014, his parents, brothers, Virgil and Oscar Eisenmann, sister, Fern Kruse, In-laws, Daryl and Florence Faust, Lavern Hazard,  and James and Imogene Fischer.
Celebration of Lowell’s life was Sunday, March 22, 2015 at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Blissfield with family greeting guests at 2 p.m. and Celebration Service at 4 p.m., followed by supper in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of Lenawee or Emmanuel United Methodist Church. As his final gift, Lowell has donated his body to University of Toledo Medical Center.

Donald Reed

Donald Reed
Donald Berl Reed, 86, of Blissfield, entered into the presence of his Lord on March 21, 2015.
Don is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Fay, and his children Mike (Candace) Reed of Blissfield, Candace (Kent) Walters of Jenison, Mich., Judy (John) Newlin of Blissfield, William Reed of Blissfield, and Donald’s grandchildren Andrew Reed, Heidi Lee, Heather Crysler, Scott Walters, Evan Walters, Jonathan Walters, Nathan Newlin, Jessica Newlin, Brittany Reed, William Reed, and ten great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Berl and Grace Cook Reed, and his siblings, Helen (Herb) Tait, Margaret (Leland) Porter, Mildred (Maurice) Warner and Virginia Reed.
He was born April 4, 1928 on the family farm on Robb Highway.
Upon graduation from Blissfield High School in 1946, Don farmed his whole life; even into his retirement.
For many years he served at Ogden Community Bible Church at Ogden Station as a member of the board and Sunday school teacher. He also helped construct the new sanctuary and care for the church grounds.
Growing up, Don enjoyed roller skating at the Hilltop Skating Rink, and he rode his bicycle until he was 80.
He served the community on the Blissfield Co-op Board for a number of years. Don and Fay spent numerous winters in Floral City and Lake Placid, Florida, where he loved to fish every day, weather permitting, keeping the freezer well stocked.
Visitation will be held from 5:30-8 p.m., Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at Anderson-Rudd Funeral home, Blissfield. Family will also be greeting guests at 11 a.m. and the memorial service at noon Thursday, March 26, 2015, at Blissfield Baptist Church, Pastor Thomas Frantz officiating.
Burial will be private in Palmyra cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Toledo Gospel Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army, Adrian, or Hospice of Lenawee. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com.

Ruhl resigns from Blissfield Township Board

By Melissa Burnor

The Blissfield Township Board is one short after trustee Kris Ruhl submitted his letter of resignation Monday, March 23. Ruhl, who was elected to his first term in 2012, sent the letter to township Supervisor Al Navarro Monday. Ruhl cited several personal and professional changes in his life as the drive behind the decision.

Ruhl said he was thankful and proud of the efforts of the board during his tenure.

“While on the board, I feel that great (strides) forward were made and I am very thankful and honored for the opportunity to serve the Blissfield community,” the letter said.

Ruhl also addressed an issue that had been brought up in at least one township meeting about his residency in the township. Ruhl’s home in the village of Blissfield is for sale and records in Lucas County, Ohio, show he had purchased a home in Holland, Ohio, in 2014. Further, according to Lucas County Probate Court records, on his Lucas County, Ohio, marriage license application dated Oct. 1, 2014, Ruhl had listed that Holland, Ohio, address as his residence.

“Reportedly, there have been some questions as to my current address etc.,” he said. “I will say that as of today, Monday, March 23rd, 2015, I am a resident, homeowner and taxpayer within the Village of Blissfield.

If the township appoints a replacement within 30 days of the resignation, that person will serve until the end of the vacant term that will be up for election in the November 2016.

The next township meeting is Thursday. According to Michigan statute, as soon as an elected official moves from the governmental unit served, the seat becomes vacant.

Ypsi Ann Arbor Prep puts cap on Lady Royals’ state run

The Lady Royals of Blissfield blazed through their women’s basketball district, but saw their fiery season snuffed out in the state tournament Tuesday, March 10, at the hands of Ypsilanti Ann Arbor Preperatory Gators which claimed a 58-38 victory in regional action.
For the complete story, please see the March 18 edition of The Advance.

Rotary Charity Auction March 21

The 27th annual Blissfield Rotary Auction on March 21 ushers in the spring season with a host of great items to buy that will help the club with both its local and international philanthropic endeavors.
“All the funds raised that night go directly back into the community and international efforts of Rotary,” event co-chair Andy Borchardt said.
Last year, the organization raised $70,000 in one night at the Blissfield event.

Borchardt said many donations along with sponsors such as the Adrian and Blissfield Rail Road Old Road Dinner Train, B-Town and TLC Credit Union have set up the framework for the event.
This year some of the larger items to be auctioned off by celebrity charity auctioneer and Toledo broadcaster Jerry Anderson include a Spartan Foods shopping spree, a 55-inch Vizio television, front row tickets to see Jason Aldean, Hot Passes to the August NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway and an original Bob Billington water color depicting an historical look at the main four corners of Blissfield’s downtown as well as a Michael Kors package.
There are 250 tickets sold to the event and there are a few left. They are available at Blissfield Insurance Agency. Individually they are $50 apiece and include dinner. Doors open at the Blissfield American Legion at 5:30 p.m. for registration, silent auction and a social hour followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the live auction with Anderson at 8 p.m.
For the complete story, please see the March 11, 2015, edition of The Advance.