April 2016 – Blissfield Advance

Blissfield bass fishermen part of Adrian College team

ADRIAN — Adrian College, with an enrollment of over 1,500 students is considered one of the Midwest’s top up-and-coming baccalaureate colleges, as per reports by U.S. News and World Report. The college has even been dubbed “The Cinderella College.”
While that may be true, another facet of the institution that continues to ride the “Cinderella” train is the college’s two-year-old varsity bass fishing program, which has earned national acclaim in the past six months.
The program includes Blissfield High School graduates Jacob Bayer and Ben Barrus, who officially signed on to the fishing program last summer where both he and Bayer continue to push this young program higher.
“It’s been a huge boost to have the momentum and the success behind us as we’ve been able to come out of the gate as a program,” said bass fishing head Coach Seth Borton. “Our success has helped us solidify AC as making the right move of creating this program. It’s helped in propelling us into the correct level.”

For the complete story and photos, please see the April 27, 2016 edition of The Advance.

Riga approves joint road project with Ogden

OGDEN — A joint road project on Thompson Highway with Riga Township was approved by the Ogden Township board in an April 19 special meeting held for the purpose of considering road projects. The hot patching project on Thompson Highway from Weston Road to the Ohio State Line would cost a total of $16,858.15 per numbers from the Lenawee County Road Commission. Being a joint project, the cost of the project would be split in half, with an estimated $8,429.08 to Ogden Township and the same to be paid by Riga.

For the complete story, please see the April 27, 2016, edition of The Advance.

Ronald Fischer Sr.

Ronald John Fischer, Sr., age 82, of Blissfield, passed away, April 28, 2016.

He was born August 31, 1933, in Adrian, MI, the son of John & Minnie (Barnhart) Fischer.

On October 29, 1955, he married Joyce Mann at the Blissfield First United Methodist Church. She survives.

Ronald attended the Adrian First Church of the Nazarene. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Ronald was an avid Michigan Wolverines and Detroit Tigers fan.

In addition to his wife Joyce, he is survived by his children; Jennifer Fischer Mitchell, Ronald John Jr. (Gennie) Fischer, Timothy Scott Fischer and Marc (Shannon) Fischer, seven grandchildren, Joshua, Justin, Shane, Jill, Jessica, Kyle and Nathan, eight great-grandchildren, Zaccary, Alayna, Benjamin, Emma Claire, Addyson, Sarah and Lydia, his brother, David (Mary) Fischer, his sister in law, Stacy Fischer and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Joyce Grinage; three brothers, James Fischer, Frank Fischer and Gary Fischer and son-in-law Bobby Mitchell.

Funeral Services will be held 2 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2016, at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, 2959 N. Adrian Hwy, Adrian, MI, with Dr. David Fulks, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield, MI. Visitation will be on Sunday, May 1, 2016 from 4-8 p.m. and also on Monday from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Adrian First Church of the Nazarene. www.PurseFuneralHome.com

Lenawee votes on 911 surcharge Tuesday; Monroe on ISD renewal

Voters in Monroe and Lenawee counties will each have a separate ballot proposal to vote on May 3. Lenawee County residents will be asked to approve a measure that will raise the 911 surcharge on phone lines from $1.18 per line to $3 per phone line. Monroe County voters have a regional enhancement millage renewal for the Monroe Intermediate School District of .9866 mills.

For the complete story, please see the April 27, 2016, edition of The Advance.

Michael Knisel

Michael G. Knisel, 70, of Hernando Beach, Fla., formerly of Ogden Township, passed away on Sunday, April 24, 2016, at his home.

Mike grew up and spent the first 58 years of his life in Ogden Township, first as a farmer and then as the owner of The Un-Cable, a satellite dish company. He was devoted to Sharon, his wife of 36 years. They spent the last 12 years enjoying retirement Florida. In his later years, Mike became a dedicated woodworker. He loved playing softball, playing competitively until turning 50. He loved spending time with his kids and playing with his grandkids.

Mike is survived by his wife, Sharon of Hernando Beach, Fla.; two daughters, Kandy (David) Houser of Glenview, Ill., and Tammy Knisel of Addison; two sisters, Pat (Norm) Hinshaw of Temperance, and Karen (Lynn) Koester of Riga; seven grandchildren, Chelsea and Andrew Billington, Abbi Bjorling, Will, Elizabeth, Gretchen and Lucas Houser; and one great granddaughter, Lillyanna Rouster.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Lehra Knisel.

Private services were held and burial has taken place at Ogden Zion Cemetery.

Donations can be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6193 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, Fla., 34606. Arrangements were entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.

Larry Sayler

ADRIAN — Larry K. Sayler, age 64 of Adrian, Michigan passed away Monday, April 18, 2016 with his family by his side. He was born May 27, 1951 to Clyde W. and Louise M. (Gentz) Sayler. On June 5, 1971 he married Judi A. Hunt in Blissfield, Michigan. Larry served in the Army/National Guard from 1970-1976. He retired in 2002 from GM Powertrain of Toledo, OH. He was a member of the A.M.A. Academy of Model Aeronautics, a member of the Classic Car Association and the Antique Tractor Association. Larry’s hobbies included traveling and his annual trip to Shipshewana each year with his wife and three grand-daughters. He was a very loving husband, father and grandfather, who adored and loved them all so much.
Surviving Larry is his wife Judi of 45 years, a son, Greg (Amy) Sayler of Blissfield; a daughter, Kalene (Todd) Goldmeyer of Adrian; two sisters, Marian (Tom) Isley of Wisconsin, Pat (Gary) Heinz of Dayton, Md.; a brother, David (Connie) Sayler of Blissfield. and five grandchildren, Jared Sayler, Matthew Sayler, Abby Sayler, Madaline Goldmeyer and Morgan Goldmeyer.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Louise Sayler.
Funeral services for Larry will be held on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 11:30 am at the Anderson Funeral Home in Adrian, with Deacon Tom Isley officiating. Burial will be at Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 21, 2016 from 2-4 and 6-8 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Adrian.
You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made in Larry’s honor to the University of Michigan Transplant Center or the Lenawee Humane Society. Checks should be made payable to “University of Michigan Transplant Center” or online at http://victors.us/larrykeithsayler and an accompanying note indicating that it’s a gift in memory of Larry Sayler. Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home in Adrian.

Pearl Goll

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Pearl C. Goll, age 89, formerly of Blissfield, passed away Monday, April 18, 2016 at Estella’s House under the care of Hospice of Marion Co. She was born June 26, 1926 in Sylvania, Ohio, the daughter of George C. and Selma J. (Fink) Goll.

Pearl was a housekeeper for over 30 years, living in the Blissfield area until 2001, when she moved to Florida.

She is survived her brother Lloyd (Sharon) Goll of Summerfield, FL; a sister, Ivadell McCarty of Belleview, FL; and a special cousin, Eleanora Lindsey of Swanton, OH.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Matilda Minster, a brother in law, Richard McCarty and her niece, Karilyn Niemen.

A graveside service for Pearl will be at noon, Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at Pleasant View Cemetery with the Rev. Gary Leking officiating. Visitation will be from 11 AM until 11:45 AM at Tagsold Chapel. Arrangements were entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel where online condolences may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Patricia “Patti” Emmons

Patricia “Patti” E. (Hickok) Emmons, age 77 of Deerfield passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at her home. She was born on April 2, 1939 in Sparta, Michigan to James F. and Frances Mary (Edgerton) Hickok. Patti co-owned and operated the Deerfield Tavern for many years. She was instrumental in using the tavern to commercialize the well-known event in Deerfield known as the “Testicle Festival” which is still going strong today. She enjoyed racing snowmobiles and motorcycles in earlier years. Patti enjoyed traveling, visiting butterfly gardens and her family. Those who knew Patti would often see her sipping her favorite beverage of Pabst Blue Ribbon in social situations.

Surviving is the love of her life, Wave Berry of Deerfield; her 3 children, Tonya Roan of Allegan, MI, Bob Nocis of Las Vegas, NV and Bill (Tracy) Zay of Toledo, OH and 4 children, she helped raise, Jeff, Pete and Lenny Stratton and Kathy Wright; 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Kay Hickok of San Antonio, TX and Eileen (Philip) Schlueter of Manitou Beach, MI; her mother-in-law, Lila Berry of Deerfield and special friends, Tammy and Teresa Schneider and Pat Cannon, all of Deerfield. She was preceded in death by her parents, her step-father, Otis McNicol, a daughter Terri Zay, one sister, Mary Lou Farley and one brother, James Hickok.

Funeral services for Patti will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at the Anderson Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield with Pastor Paul Clark officiating. Cremation will follow. Visitation will take place prior to the service on Saturday from 12:00 – 2:45 p.m. at the funeral home.

Vickie “Susie” Sue Knoblauch

RIGA: Vickie (Susie) Sue Knoblauch, 62 years old, of Riga, Michigan passed away

Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio.

She was born to John and Joyce Todd in Toledo, OH on April 24, 1953. She

was married to Leroy (Rocky) Knoblauch, November 27, 1976.

She is survived by her husband, Leroy, and kids: Cory (Brian) Hall of

Sylvania, OH; and Cullen (Elizabeth) Knoblauch of Parma, MI, her 5 reasons

for living, her grandchildren: Brandyn, Kaylee, McKenna, Ian, and Quinn;

and her siblings: Chris (Ronnie) VanSteenkiste, Holly (Bob Harwood) Todd,

Skip (Sandy) Todd, Tracy Todd, Jake (Tim) Jensen, Molly (Jamie) Schmidt.

She was proceeded in death by her father, John and mother, Joyce and

brother Johnny.

She worked many years at Dave Knapp Motors and Borchardt Brothers Market

where she interacted with so many in the community. Susie enjoyed

getting her nails done, shopping, traveling and scratch off lottery

tickets.

At Susie’s request, cremation has taken place. Her family will receive

visitors on Thursday, April 14, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at Anderson-Rudd

Funeral Home in Blissfield, Michigan at 9205 East US Highway 223,

Blissfield MI 49228. A memorial service to celebrate Susie’s life will be

held on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Anderson Rudd Funeral

Home, Blissfield with Pastor Keith Hinton officiating. Condolences may be

made online at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may

be made to the family. Envelopes are available at the Anderson Rudd

Funeral Home, Blissfield.

Robert “Bob” Diver

DEERFIELD – Robert “Bob” Lee Diver, age 78 of Deerfield, passed away on Friday, April 7, 2016, at ProMedica Bixby Hospital, Adrian.

He was born on July 21, 1937, in Deerfield, the son of Wilson and Audrey (Stark) Diver.

On April 28, 1959, Bob married the former Charlotte Mae Kuhlman at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Deerfield. She preceded him in death on April 29, 2015.

Bob was employed by General Motors at Hydromatic in Toledo, Ohio, as a fork lift operator for 35 years before retiring. He then obtained his builder’s license in 1979 and began working alongside his son for Dan Diver Builder’s, eventually becoming a partner. Bob was a member of the Sons of the American Legion. He loved to play golf and, in earlier years, softball. He was undoubtedly the Detroit Lions biggest fan, paying tribute to his favorite Lion Barry Sanders by having a tree carved into Barry in his front yard. Bob’s absolute favorite pastime was taking long drives through Amish country in his ’68 Plymouth convertible, which he was looking very forward to doing when the weather got better.

Surviving are his children, Dan (Annette) Diver, Kim (Julie) Diver and Michelle (Dave) Keller all of Deerfield; nine grandchildren, Morgan, Wesley, Bryan (Shayna), Erin, Jake, Adam, Brandon (Tahneshia), Kaine, Paige (Kray); three great-grandchildren, Emerald Judy Jane, Benson Lee and Owen Michael; siblings, Judy (Charles) Fischer of Blissfield, Kay Siering of Blissfield, Dean (Lou) Diver of Florida, Terry (Marilyn) Diver of Petersburg and Allen (Paula) Diver of Gross Pointe, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his wife, Charlotte, he was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Janice Clark and his loyal canine companion, Muffy.

A Mass of the Resurrection for Bob will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2016, at Light of Christ Catholic Parish (St. Alphonsus), Deerfield with Fr. Jeff Poll presiding. Interment of both Bob’s cremains and Charlotte’s cremains will take place at St. Alphonsus cemetery following the mass. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, from 4-8 p.m. at the Anderson Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield, and also on Thursday at the church from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Condolences may be made online at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions in memory of Bob are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Hospice of Lenawee, Deerfield American Legion Post #392 or to the Deerfield Firefighters Association. Envelopes are available at the church or at the Anderson Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.