Month: February 2016

Three Blissfield, three Madison wrestlers advance to regionals

A little Blissfield home cookin’ was all Blissfield wrestlers Noah Nieman, Austin Hall and Caleb Bangerter needed Saturday at the Blissfield-hosted Michigan High School Athletic Association Wrestling District 31, division four competition. Both Nieman and Bangerter placed first in their weight class division, while Hall placed in a qualifying third-place spot, ensuring all three Royals another shot to wrestle in the regional rounds.
The top four finishing wrestlers in each weight class move on to the regional rounds of wrestling held this Saturday in Bronson.
For the Madison Trojan varsity wrestlers, they too will send on three Trojans to Bronson this Saturday in second-placed Frankie Najera and fourth-placed finishers Isiah Wyatt-Young and Clarence Burger.

For the complete story and several photos, please see the Feb. 17, 2016, edition of The Advance.

Ruth “Gerry” McGaffigan

Ruth “Gerry” Geraldine McGaffigan, age 88 of Blissfield passed away on Sunday, February 14, 2016 at Lenawee Medical Care Facility, Adrian. Gerry was born on February 25, 1927 in Grayling, Michigan to William and Ruth (Lovely) Golnick.  Gerry was a Cadet Nurse during WWII. In 1952, she married James McGaffigan and they shared 56 years of marriage until his death in 2008. Gerry and Jim were the type of people who were on their honeymoon for 56 years.  Together, they loved and nurtured family and friends.

Gerry worked as a registered nurse for Bixby Hospital, retiring in 1988. She loved being a nurse so much that she maintained her nurses license for over six decades.  She was a member of Light of Christ Catholic Parish, St. Peter the Apostle Church in Blissfield.

Gerry lived for her family, she had a great sense of humor and a quick wit. Gerry loved gardening, she spent many hours nurturing her gardens as she did people.  She loved all creatures, big and small.

Gerry was a mom to all those who knew her, she nurtured everyone whom she came in contact with.  Gerry had a heart of gold and always put others first.  She has been known to persuade many into a nursing career.  She loved all those who cared for her at Lenawee Medical Care Facility.  She was the receiver of many hugs at the change of shift.  If you met Gerry, you loved her instantly.

Gerry lived for her family and surviving are four children, Timothy (Lillian) McGaffigan of Jackson, MI, Dennis (Vicki) McGaffigan of Escanaba, MI, Kevin (Trina) McGaffigan of Albion, MI and Susan McGaffigan of Blissfield, MI, (who were not just mother and daughter, but best friends); 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Robert “Bob” (Jeri) Golnick, Harold “Tike” (Sally) Golnick and Karl (Karen) Golnick, all of Grayling, MI and one sister, Delores “Butch” Feldhauser of Grayling, MI. In addition to her husband, James, she was preceded in death by her parents and 2 brothers, Claude “Buno” Golnick and William “Fritz” Golnick.

The Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2016, at Light of Christ Parish (St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church), Blissfield with Fr. Francis Mossholder presiding.   Burial will take place in Pleasant View Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.      with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian.  Visitation will also be held on Thursday, from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. at church.
You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Lenawee Humane Society.  Envelopes are available at Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian.

Blissfield to survey residents, businesses on wants, needs

By Melissa Burnor

Should the village of Blissfield continue sidewalk snow removal? If village residents have an opinion on the issue along with several others, they might consider completing a survey the village will be sending to them soon. According to Village Administrator James Wonacott, a citizen and a business survey should be sent out within a week.
The two separate surveys, approved by both the planning commission and the village, ask for input as the village works to update its comprehensive plan that expires in November 2017.
Citizens will get a chance to rate village services from street maintenance to curbside recycling and police services. The citizen survey also asks how often residents use  facilities such as parks, picnic shelters, library, swimming pool and the village office
Business owners surveyed will also get an opportunity to rate village services and will be asked about snow removal and some other questions that would identify things the village could do to support business and future business development.

For the complete story, please see the Feb. 17, 2016, edition of The Advance. For at-home weekly delivery, just call 517-486-2400.

Johnson extended as BD superintendent; recall petition possible, says citizen

By Melissa Burnor

The Britton Deerfield board of education made a commitment to extend interim superintendent Stacy Johnson  in that capacity through the end of June 2017 at the Feb. 11 board of education meeting.
Although not on the agenda of he board president called for a motion to add the year onto the interim position as well as hire retired teacher Marie Waterbury to take on a lion’s share of the middle school and Deerfield elementary principal duties. Waterbury came back to the distinct this year and is working as the Deerfield building’s school success coach.
Johnson offered her services to the district through the end of the 2016-17 school year. She was appointed interim superintendent in December for the remainder of the school year after the abrupt retirement of Charles Pelham. She is also still the principal of the Deerfield building that houses the middle school and one of the elementary schools in the district. For the complete story, please see the Feb. 17, 2016, edition of The Advance.

Meanwhile, in a separate story in the Feb. 17, 2016, edition of The Advance

Decisions made at the Feb. 11 Britton Deerfield School board meeting has added to the concerns of at least one community member.
Tom Lopez, who has attended several board meetings in the past few months, said he is concerned about some of what he believes are hasty or possibly predetermined decisions the board has made.
He said that he has more of a problem with the way the board made the decision to  keep Stacy Johnson on as interim superintendent more than the decision itself.
“It seemed predetermined,” Lopez said of at he decision. The item was not on the agenda and there was not enough discussion about it, according to Lopez.
He said he is concerned about the board; concerns that he said are shared by other members of the community that are meeting on Thursday evenings. He sent an email to the members of the board on Friday stating that he intends to file a petition of recall for lack of confidence in their ability to be forthright.
Lopez said Monday he has gone as far as to get the information from the Lenawee County Clerk on the recall process.

The complete story is in the Feb. 17 Advance.

Steven “Steve” Cantrell

MANITOU BEACH—Steven “Steve” D. Cantrell, age 59, of Manitou Beach, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 13, 2016, at home surrounded by his loving family and friends.
He was born on November 13, 1956 in Adrian, MI, the son of Dwayne and Sue (Williams) Cantrell.  He graduated from Adrian High School in 1974, and then the family moved to Blissfield and purchased Norton Equipment, he currently served as president.
On October 20, 2001, he married the love of his life, Linda Tagsold Cantrell and she survives.
Steve was a member and served on the board at Devil’s Lake Yacht Club.  He enjoyed sailing, sand drag racing, boating and spending time enjoying the lake with his many friends and family.
In addition to his wife, Linda of 14 years, he is survived by father, Dwayne of Blissfield; his two sons, Ryan (Lindsey) and Brandon (Stephanie), both of Blissfield; grandchildren, Taylor, Ty, Lucas and Wyatt; Brody and Isabelle; his brother, Scott (Monica) of Blissfield and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Sue.
Visitation is Tuesday, February 16, from noon to 2 pm. and 4 to 8 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel, Blissfield.  Funeral services for Steve will be on Wednesday, February 17, at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Gene Perry officiating.  Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery, Blissfield.
Memorials contributions are suggested to Hospice of Lenawee or the Lenawee County Humane Society.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com

Anna Dettman

BRITTON-Anna M. Dettman, age 104, of Britton, died Sunday, February 14,
2016, at the home of her grandson, David, and his family under the care of
Hospice of Lenawee.  She was born October 8, 1911, in Palmyra to William
Henry and Marie (Schlatherer) Frye.  On September 5, 1931, she married
Albert Dettman in Palmyra.  He preceded her in death on January 11, 2001.
Anna enjoyed doing word search puzzles, knitting, crocheting, baking and
especially loved to wallpaper.  She enjoyed a life of simple country
living and had a heart of gold.  She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran
Church in Blissfield.
Anna is survived by a son, Donald Dettman of Adrian; five grandchildren,
Rick (Penny) Ebright, Leslie Ann Ebright, Penny (Jeremy) Filber, Donald
Dettman Jr., and David (Amy) Dettman; seven great-grandchildren, Melissa
(Dan) Byrne, Brandon Ebright, Caitlin Briggs, Ashtyn Dettman, Connor
Ebright, Dylan Dettman, and Anah Dettman; two great-great-grandsons, Isaac
and Finn; two sisters, Eileen McCollum of Clayton and Virginia (David
Gordon) Hammond of Tecumseh; and several nieces and nephews.  In addition
to her husband, Albert, she was preceded in death by her parents; two
daughters, Joyce Ebright and Susan Ellis; a daughter-in-law, Judy Dettman;
four brothers; and two sisters.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at 1:00
p.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Leking officiating. Burial will follow in the Palmyra Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 16, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the
Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home. You may send condolences to the family at
www.andersonfuneralservices.com.  Memorial contributions may be made to
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Blissfield.  Envelopes are available at the
Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

Mary “Sue” Ford

BLISSFIELD – Mary “Sue” Ford, age 86 of Blissfield, passed away Thursday, February 11, 2016, at Blissfield Place.
She was born August 8, 1929, in Bruceton, Tennessee to Walter “Frank” and Nellie (Hill) Lee, and graduated from Nashville Central High School.
On December 27, 1947, she married Maurice “Maury” Ford and he preceded her in death in 2014, having shared 66 years together.
Sue worked for Blissfield Public Schools in the cafeteria, retiring with 22 years of service. She was a member of the Lenawee County School Retirement Association. Sue was a talented seamstress and a great cook, known to make the best gravy north of the Mason Dixon Line. When her children were younger, she was a leader for Cub Scouts, Blue Birds and Campfire Girls.
She is survived by her children, Robert (Jeanne) Ford and Barbara McHenry of Blissfield, Charles (Connie) Ford of Hudson, Joyce Willett of Adrian and Ronnie (Jane) Ford of Coldwater; siblings, Paul Lee, Ruby Haney, William Lee, Dorothy Brandon and Peggy Foster; 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by siblings, Carl Lee, Juanita Gannon and Walter Lee.
Special thanks to Diane, Mo, and Rusty and the entire staff of Blissfield Place as well as Linda at Hospice of Lenawee.
Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 15, 2016, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield with Pastor Sam Pooley officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.
Contributions in memory of Sue may be made to Hospice of Lenawee. Online condolences and memories are welcomed at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Adaline Veronice Kay Scott

ADRIAN – Adaline Veronice Kay Scott, precious infant daughter of James
and Amanda (Davis) Scott, Jr. of Adrian, passed away Wednesday, February
10, 2016, at ProMedica Toledo Children’s Hospital.  She was born
February 5, 2016, in Toledo, Ohio.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by two brothers, Hunter and
Palmer Scott at home; grandparents, Jim and Kathleen Scott, Sr. of
Onsted, MI and Veronice Davis of Riga; several aunts and uncles,
including, Gloria (Tom) Sell, Dan Davis, Luke (Emily) Davis, Joel Davis,
John Davis, Christine (Ted) Adams, Lynette (Randy) Tatman and Mary
(Sergio) Manarin and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was
preceded in death by her grandfather, George Davis, Jr.; and
great-grandparents, MaMaw and PaPaw Lenwell, Howard and Rose Scott,
Frank Hunter, Carol Mitchell and Ed and Catherine Rayburn.
Funeral services for Adaline will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2016,
at 2:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian with Pastor Rick Diesler
and Reverend Diana Walworth officiating.  Visitation will be held on
Tuesday from 12:00 noon until 1:45 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home,
Adrian.
You may send condolences to the family at
www.andersonfuneralservices.com.   Memorial contributions may be made to
the Toledo Children’s Hospital.  Envelopes are available at Anderson
Funeral Home, Adrian.

Keri Young

Keri A. Young, 31 of Adrian, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at Toledo Hospital.

She was born January 16, 1985 in Adrian to Paul and Beth (Alexander) Young.

Keri was a 2003 graduate of Blissfield High School. She was a former member of the Palmyra Future Leaders 4-H club, loved people, especially her nieces and nephews, camping, loved animals and the Detroit Tigers. But most of all, Keri loved being a mom to her son Carson. She will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, Paul and Beth, and her son, Carson Wellnitz, Keri is survived by her significant other and father of their son, Cory Wellnitz of Adrian; her siblings, Shaun (Caitlin) Young of Blissfield, Erin (Ben) Coutcher of Swanton, Alexander (Hannah) Young of Blissfield, Patrick of Blissfield; grandmother, Ann Alexander of Toledo; aunts and uncles, Cathy (Terry) Horky, David (Jan) Alexander, John Alexander; and nieces and nephews, Bailey, Morgan, Jacob and Zachary.

Keri was preceded in death by her grandparents, Wendell and Pat Young, John Alexander and aunt Cindy Young.

Visitation for Keri will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 12, 2016 and also on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield. A Celebration of Life will be 11 a.m., Saturday, February 13, at the Tagsold Chapel with Michael Sheldon officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family to set up an account for Keri’s son, Carson at the Blissfield State Bank. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories are welcomed at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.