Month: May 2016

Mabel Knierim

Mabel E Knierim age 96, passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at the Charlotte Stephenson Manor in Adrian, MI. She was born on November 23, 1919 in Palmyra Twp. to Frank E. and Elva R. (King) Wickter. On October 23, 1937 she married Glenis E. Knierim and he preceded her in death on September 14, 1995.

Mabel was a three time Cancer survivor and enjoyed her time volunteering at Bixby Hospital helping other cancer patients and was a member of the Extension Club. Mabel and her husband Glen were inducted into the Michigan Farmers’ Hall of Fame in 1987. She enjoyed working in the Lenawee County 4H building, feeding and chaperoning the 4H members.

Mabel is survived by one son, (G.) Larry and his wife Sandra Knierim of Blissfield, MI.; 3 grandchildren, Tami Knierim, Todd Knierim and Keith Knierim; step grandchildren, Kari Bateson, Jodi Galvan, Ken Lane, Sarah Fritz: 7 great-grandchildren; many step great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, an infant daughter and sister, Ardith Wickter.

Funeral services will be Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 10:00 am. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Adrian, MI. The Rev. Aden Porter will officiate, with the burial following in Ogden Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday,

May 13, 2016 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 pm. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Adrian.

You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com.  Memorial contribution may be made in Mabel’s memory to Hospice of Lenawee. Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian.

Karen Gentz

Karen Jo Gentz, age 69, of Palmyra, MI passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at her home. She was born on August 7, 1946, in Adrian, MI to Gilbert “Jim” and Virginia “Ginny” (Jackson) Seeburger. On July 13, 1968, at St. John’s Church in Riga, MI she married Bruce William Gentz. She was a lifelong member of the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Karen retired in September 2009 from Holy Cross Children’s Services (formerly Boysville), she also worked as the office manager for the former Seeburger Gambles Hardware Store. She enjoyed vacation cruises with her family and friends, as well as RV camping and scrapbooking, but most of all she enjoyed the time she was able to spend with her grandchildren.

Surviving Karen, besides her husband Bruce, are two sons, Jim (Carrie) Gentz of Flint, MI; Garry (Jane) Gentz of Blissfield, MI; a sister Monica (Dale) Wotring of Blissfield, MI; and four grandchildren, Christine, Morgan, Madeleine, and Jaxon.

Funeral services for Karen Gentz will be on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 11:00 am at the

Anderson Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield, MI with Reverend James Seelow officiating. Burial will follow at the Palmyra Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, May 13, 2016 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Anderson Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield.

You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Palmyra Fire Department or St. John’s Lutheran Church or Autism Society of Michigan. Envelopes are available at Anderson Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

Blissfield villagers offered swimming option in wake of closed pool

With the village’s decision to close the Gail Giles Memorial Pool this summer, an agreement with The Centre on the campus of Lenawee Christian Schools in Adrian has been reached to give Blissfield village residents an alternative for swimming this season.

Blissfield village president A. Ray Jones said The Centre will offer a discounted daily rate for village residents at $4 a day. The normal rate is $6 a day.

“This agreement has been reached due to the village pool being out of commission for the coming summer session,” Jones said. The special Blissfield program went into effect May 6 and will run through Sept. 30. The daily fee includes access to the swimming and other facilities.

All quiet at Blissfield Schools after ‘May 5’ post

By Melissa Burnor

A couple of notes posted last Wednesday at Blissfield High School with the date “May 5” on them led to some speculation on their meaning by students which resulted in a police investigation that afternoon to ensure there were no threats against the school.

According to a release from the Blissfield Village Police, some students began speculating that there was going to be a school shooting Thursday, May 5. The notes that were allegedly posted out of the view of any surveillance cameras on the premises had no other markings.

Officers from the Blissfield Police Department, Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department and the Michigan State Police with assistance of the Blissfield School District, conducted interviews on the evening of May 4 and concluded that only rumor was being circulated around the student body and there was no merit for a credible threat. Village police had a presence at the school Thursday in an effort to alleviate any concerns of the school community. Two troopers from the Michigan State Police post also were present Thursday morning as a courtesy.

“Our attendance was down a little last Thursday, but there were other factors as well, “ Blissfield Superintendent Jerry Johnson said. ‘”I think most high school students understood that ‘May 5’ written on two pieces of paper did not necessarily translate to safety issues at school,” he said, ”administratively, however, we look in to everything and believe it is better to err on the side of caution.”

For the complete story, please see the May 11, 2016, edition of The Advance.

A & B, Old Road Dinner Train celebrate 25th year of ownership

By Melissa Burnor

The Adrian and Blissfield Rail Road is marking its 25th anniversary under the same ownership this weekend. The A & B and The Old Road Dinner Train are the latest in the 180-year history train history along the stretch of track between Riga and Adrian. The short-line rail company operates both freight trains on the short rail 20-mile track between Riga and Adrian as well as four other Michigan railroads in southern Michigan.

To celebrate the occasion there will be an anniversary party of sorts from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday. A ribbon cutting ceremony with some of the village dignitaries and others takes place at 9:30 a.m. There will be train rides starting at 10:30 a.m. for $3 per person.

For the complete story, please see the May 11, 2016, edition of  The Advance.

Roger Robinson

Roger Ray Robinson, age 64, of Blissfield, passed away Thursday, May 5, 2016, at ProMedica Flower Hospital. He was born August 25, 1951, in Flint to Dickey R. and Jeanette (Deopker) Robinson. On April 16, 1976, he married Cheryl L. Burt in Flint. Roger had been employed since 1976, with Pioneer Pole Buildings, in Post Frame Construction.  He loved hunting, coaching his kids in sports and being a Grandpa. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother, Jeanette (Dick) Porter; children, Reggie (Brittney) Robinson of Blissfield, Dickey (Cheryl Cleveland) Robinson of Adrian, Roger (Amanda) Robinson of Blissfield, Jeanette (Stephen) Anderson of Pittsford and Charlie (Jessica) Robinson of Adrian; sisters, Brenda (David) Mozafari and Julie (Tom) Cochran; grandchildren, Dariann, Nick, Rylee, Jerzie, Scout, Brooke, Ella, Zachary, Adison, Beau, Cooper, Taylor, Rene, Evan and Levi; great-grandkids, Ryder and Novalee. He was preceded in death by his father and a sister, Kathy Robinson. Cremation has taken place. Memorial services for Roger were held on Monday, May 9, 2016, at 6 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian with the Rev. Aden Porter officiating. Visitation took place Monday from 4 p.m. until time of service at Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com.   Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Envelopes are available at Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian.

Blissfield Schools to have police presence after mysterious poster spurred rumor

By Melissa Burnor
Officials say at this time there is no apparent threat against Blissfield Schools or its students however, police will have a presence at the school for the remainder of the week.  Blissfield Police Chief Dale Greenleaf said a paper was posted on a wall at the school that was discovered early Wednesday with “May 5” written on it.

According to a release from the police department Wednesday evening,  students began speculating that its meaning could be a possible school shooting. Officers from the Blissfield Police Department, along with the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department and the Michigan State Police assisted by school officials conducted several interviews Wednesday evening and determined this to be a rumor only and did not merit a credible threat. 

Police plan to use caution, the release said, and a uniform police presence will be visible at the school for the remainder of the week to help alleviate any fears or concerns of students and parents. Questions can be directed to the Blissfield Police Department.