U.S. 223 was closed Wednesday until at least noon between County Line and Rodesiler highways after a two-vehicle crash took the life of one person, according to the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department.
No further details are available at this time.
Month: January 2017
Dorothy Mullins
Dorothy R. Mullins, age 82, of Carleton, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2017 in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family.
Born on July 24, 1934 in Blissfield, Michigan, she was the daughter of Guy and Edith (Himelrick) Shaffer. On June 19, 1954 she married Roy Mullins in Blissfield, MI.
Dorothy was a 1952 graduate of Blissfield High School
She was employed with Oakwood Hospital Dearborn as a Nursing Aid for 20 years until retiring in 1994.
Dorothy was a member of the Woodhaven Free Will Baptist Church for 52 years and was also a member of the Ladies Circle at church. She had a fondness for dogs and cats, and enjoyed shopping, working in her veggie garden and growing roses all around her house. Dorothy loved to spend time with her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her Parents, husband, brother Charles, 4 sisters, Violet Shaffer, Annabelle Shaffer, Mable Wolford and Mary Lee Powlesland.
Surviving are 3 sons, Steve (Cindy) Mullins of Carleton, David (Debra) Mullins of Woodhaven and Robert (Mary) Mullins of Carleton, brother, Donald Shaffer of Blissfield, MI; 5 grandchildren, James, Marc, Rachel, Megan and Lisa. 4 great-grandchildren, Robin, Preston, Dominic and Lexie. 1 great great-grandchild, Jackson.
Friends may visit in the Arthur Bobcean Funeral Home, Flat Rock Chapel on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held in the Funeral Home on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 10:00 am. Pastor Loyd Locklear will officiate the service. Burial will be in Ogden-Zion Cemetery, Blissfield, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Donald Gigax
Blissfield council moves toward May pool ballot issue
By Melissa Burnor
Blissfield village council approved parameters for a bond issue to be placed on a May special election ballot for voters to approve to construct a new community pool. In a 6-0 vote with councilman Bob Valdez absent the council approved up to a $2.1 million bond at a 20-year payback proposal for May 2 ballot. The action directed village administrator James Wonacott to meet with the bond counsel and prepare the actual language that will appear on the ballot asking village residents to approve the millage request to replace or rebuild the Gail Giles Community Pool that has been closed since the summer of 2015. Wonacott said he will have the formal resolution ready for the Jan. 23 meeting where it will be given official approval to be placed on the May ballot.
Three proposals were presented to the council last year that included repairing the existing Gail Giles Pool in the current location, upgrading and constructing new pool with safeguards in an effort to prevent flood damage and a third option of building a new pool in a new location. According to the information presented at the Monday meeting the third option is the one that appears to be on the table and voters will be asked whether they are willing to pay for it over the next 20 years.
Originally architects had stated a $1.2 to $1.5 million option to pay for the construction of a new pool in a new location. That did not include the cost of property and upgrades to the property needed such as parking and site preparation. The proposal to build a new pool in the existing location in Ellis Park did not include some of the costs associated with tearing out the pool.
For the complete story, please see the Jan. 11, 2017, edition of The Advance. Copyright River Raisin Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
Nite at the Races tickets on sale
Tickets for the annual Blissfield Athletic Booster’s Nite at the Races fundraiser are now on sale for the Jan. 28 event at the Blissfield American Legion Hall, 451 High St. Doors will open for the event at 6 p.m. and the fun kicks off at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the high school’s athletic office or by contacting any of the following athletic booster members: Mike and Pam Alexander, Steve Babbitt, Dawn Chappuies, Stacey Clark, Matt Crane, Dori Degregorio, Deb Dusseau, Amy Hayford, Kristin Horky, Michelle Jackson, Anne Lycans and Tom Lycans, Shawn Milner, Kori Nieman, Billie Patton, Brian Reed and Dawn Reed, Erin Slusher, Jodi Spiker, Brian Weidmayer, Donna Wood and Kim Zemla.
Blissfield grad works for LSU football program
By Brad Heineman
When it finally became a realization to 2015 Blissfield High School graduate Josh Hall that his four-year high school football career would be coming to a close at the conclusion of the fall 2014 season, it was a rough time for the then-honorable mention academic all-state lineman for the Blissfield Football Royals.
“It was tough,” he said. “Man, the thought of never playing football again really stung.”
Like many high school seniors braving the unexamined waters of post-secondary life, Hall was a bit taken by the options available to him, post-high school. Rather than attempting to play collegiate level football, Hall said he realized that he would realistically make it farther after college if he focused on his education, rather than trying to make a college’s football roster.
But football still remained a part of Hall’s being.
Ultimately, in order to get the best of both worlds, he decided to major in the study of sports administration with a focus in commerce. His next task was to figure out which institution he would attend. That’s when former Blissfield varsity football head Coach Adam Schiermeyer helped out with Hall’s decision-making process.
“A lot of where I am at right now, I owe to him,” Hall said of Schiermeyer. “He ended up talking with me about my future and then he pulled some strings for me.”
One of those pulled strings was having Hall enroll at Louisiana State University (LSU) in its sports administration program.
With his background in high school football and the ability to work college football into his studies, Hall jumped at the opportunity to serve as LSU football’s sideline equipment manager once he was accepted by the university. It is a job that requires nearly a full year of continuous service with its busiest time of the season beginning in the annual spring football scrimmage and running through Dec. 31 of bowl week.
For the rest of the story, including his Citrus Bowl experience with LSU, please see the Jan. 11, 2017, edition of The Advance. All right rights reserved.
Copyright River Raisin Publications, Inc.
Margaret Poluka
Margaret Ann Poluka, age 92, of Blissfield, passed away at home under the loving care of her family and Hospice of Lenawee on Friday, January 6, 2017.
She was born on April 1, 1924, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Jacob and Mary (Biletz) Michalko. Margaret was a graduate of Scranton High School. On November 23, 1944, Margaret married Peter Poluka, they enjoyed close to 70 years together before his passing in 2014.
Margaret was a home maker and enjoyed spending time with her family. She was a member of St. Peters Catholic Church in Blissfield. In her younger years, she enjoyed golfing and swimming and was a lifeguard. She also enjoyed painting china and is noted for completing many beautiful pieces.
Margaret is survived by her children, Donna (Virgil) Diver of Blissfield and Peter (Dianna) Poluka of Deerfield; a grandson, Alan Langmeyer of Deerfield; three step-grandchildren, Chris (Leslie) Diver of Cincinnati, Ohio, Kevin (Tracy) Diver of Dawsonville, GA, and Kurt (Gina) Diver of Petersburg; and two great-grandchildren, Lucas and Lexi Diver of Petersburg.
In addition to her parents and husband, Peter, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Steve, Jake, Andy & Joseph.
Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 13, 2017, at Light of Christ Catholic Parish in Blissfield with the Rev. Jeffrey Poll as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. A memorial visitation will take place at the church on Friday, from 10:00 am until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Lenawee or The Light of Christ Parish.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com
Lovina Turner
Lovina Jane Baldwin Turner was born October 11, 1922 in Palmyra, Michigan, the third child of Arthur Tobias Baldwin and Lovina Bessie (Ford) Baldwin. She went to be with the Lord on January 6, 2017, in Winter Haven, Florida.
Her early education years were split between Palmyra, and Eustis, Florida. She graduated from DeLand High School in DeLand, Florida. She received her Registered Nurse degree in 1943 from Orlando General Hospital in Orlando, Florida. She remained an active alumni member until her death. Lovina practiced nursing in Florida and Michigan. She was the Webber College campus nurse for 10 years prior to her retirement in 1985. She retained her R.N. title for 50 years and received a commendation from the Florida State Board of Nursing.
Lovina married Eugene M. (Gene) Turner September 4, 1946, at her parent’s home in Palmyra. Following their honeymoon, they settled in Lake Wales, Fla., where she lived until five months before her death. They had two daughters: Gail and Cindy.
Lovina was an active volunteer and fundraiser for many school and civic organizations. She was a current member of First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales.
Lovina had a great sense of adventure and loved to travel. One of the qualities her daughters most admired about their Mother was her ability to make a friend and stay in touch with them for a lifetime.
Lovina was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Bessie Baldwin, her sister Helen Delight Baldwin and brother Arthur Richard Baldwin and her husband Gene Turner in 2003.
Lovina is survived by daughters Gail Delight Turner Childs (Robert) of Pensacola, Fla., and Cynthia Jane “Cindy” Turner of Lake Wales. She also is survived by one niece and two nephews as well as two grandnieces and one grandnephew.
A memorial celebration of Lovina’s life was at 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales.
For those wishing to honor Lovina with a memorial contribution, consider the Lovina Turner Nursing Scholarship at Polk State College Foundation, 999 Avenue H, N.E., Winter Haven, FL 33881.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com.
Elizabeth Houghtby
Elizabeth Ann Houghtby, age 92 of North Oaks, Minn., previously of Portland, Conn., and Blissfield, passed away on January 5, 2017 after a nearly 60-year battle with MS.
Elizabeth was born in Blissfield to DeArle and Eunice Porter. She grew up on a farm with her younger sister Eleanor, and they maintained a close bond throughout their lives.
She met her husband Bill in high school, and graduated as valedictorian in the same class in which he was salutatorian, the Class of 1942. After his service in World War II, Bill followed her to the University of Michigan.
Elizabeth taught high school English for several years while Bill finished his college degree. After moving to Portland, Conn., in 1950, she and Bill began their family.
Elizabeth is survived by her husband of 68 years, William (Bill); daughters, Carol Houghtby, Anne (Mike) Weaver, White Bear Lake, Minn.; sons, David (Pearl Kilbride) Houghtby, St. Paul, Minn.; and Bruce (Diane) Houghtby, Cheshire Springs, Pa.; grandchildren, Emily Watson, Phillip and Ethan Houghtby; nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
The Memorial Service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 at Waverly Gardens Chapel, 5919 Centerville Road, North Oaks, Minn. Memorials preferred to the National MS Society or Alzheimer’s Assoc. More details at www.holcombhenryboom.com
Olivia Randall
Olivia (Ayres) Randall, age 40, of Blissfield, left us peacefully on December 31, 2016, at the home of her mother after a courageous battle with cancer.
She entered this world on February 7, 1976, in Adrian, Michigan to Raymond and Barbara (Pavlica) Ayres. She attended school in Adrian, MI, Prescott, Arizona, Maumee, Ohio and graduated in 1994 from Blissfield High School. She was employed at Impact Products for 18 years, where she acquired many of her lifelong friends.
On September 27, 1998, she married Timothy Randall and he survives. His devotion to her impressed everyone. Together, they shared her passion for life, laughter and outdoor living. She especially enjoyed hiking, camping, kayaking, tubing, cross country skiing, caving, polar plunges, mud runs, birdwatching, the sound of loons on the lake, exploring lighthouses, winery tours, and nature crafts, just to name a few! She would travel anywhere whenever possible-one of her most memorable vacations was to Dominica, West Indies. She impressed us with her purchase of a 1,000 year lease of a one foot square of land in the Sherwood Forest, England…we trust that she has had the opportunity to finally stand firmly on that hallowed ground!
Olivia was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Ayres; Aunt Suzette (Ayres) Walsh; paternal grandparents, Howard and Theresa Ayres; maternal grandparents, Emil and Frances Pavlica; step-father, Randall Lippens and cousin, Carrie (Miltz) Pfeiffer. In addition to her husband, Tim, she is survived by her beautiful Husky, “Luna”; her mother Barbara Ayres Lippens; brother Collin Ayres; Aunt Annette (Ayres) Van Dan; and Uncle Tony Ayres of Tucson, Arizona; Aunt and Uncle Greg and Pam Pavlica of Palm Harbor, Florida; mother-in-law, Alice Randall and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and devoted friends.
The family wishes to thank the myriad of devoted friends for your loving support, words of encouragement, prayers, food and fun times you have shown Olivia her entire life; especially this last year. She has given us memories we will never forget…to honor her memory, we encourage you to go outside and enjoy what nature has to offer…the forest, the waters, the wildlife-please respect them-keep them clean-preserve them for generations to come! She is now an angel of the earth!
Funeral services for Olivia will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield with Aaron Lowell officiating. Cremation will follow. Visitation will be held on Friday, from 2-8 p.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Olivia’s family at the funeral home with an envelope made available. Arrangements being handled by the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.