Month: December 2018

Blissfield Fire Dept. gets much support after station fire

The outpouring of community support of the Blissfield Township Fire Department has been tremendous.
“We have had so many offers for help, it’s overwhelming,” Chief Dale Fruchey said at the Dec. 11 Blissfield Township Board meeting.
That night was the first monthly meeting and training session for firefighters since the Saturday fire.
“Tonight we are meeting at Coach Light Estates,” he said. Both Riga and Palmyra fire departments have offered their facilities for training and meeting purposes if need be.
“It will be a week-by-week situation until we can get back in our own station,” he said.
Contractors and insurance claim adjustors have been combing over the Blissfield station and looking at equipment and vehicles this week.
It has been a very tough and busy week, Clerk Nancy Cranor said. She has watched Fruchey deal with it.
“He has been so calm I am very proud of him as chief,” she said.
The fire department has moved all of the drivable vehicles to Blissfield Manufacturing. They now have a pumper truck from Morenci and an ambulance from Addison in service. Hoses and ladders were to be tested on Saturday at Adrian Fire Department.

For Melissa Burnor’s complete story, please see the Dec. 19, 2018, edition of The Advance. For three stories and many photos from the actual fire, please see the Dec. 12, 2018, edition.

Robert Ogden

ADRIAN – Robert D. Ogden, age 70, of Adrian, passed away on December 16, 2018. He was born on September 8, 1948, in Adrian to Richard and Jeanette (Brown) Ogden. He married Cindy Liechty and she preceded him in death on October 16, 2017. He worked for Kuhlman’s Concrete Company as a truck driver for over 30 years retiring in 2013. Robert enjoyed anything farm related and watching cowboy shows. He especially enjoyed socializing with friends over a cup of coffee.
Robert is survived by his sister, Deborah (Robert) Pooley of Blissfield; step children, Mike (Tracy) Erchler of Tenn. and Margo Miller of Adrian; half-brother, James (Laura) Marsh of Toledo, Ohio; and half-sister, Jacqueline O’Neill of Sarasota, Fla. In addition to his wife, Cindy, he was preceded in death by his parents.
Cremation has taken place and there will be no public services. Condolences may ben sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be given to D.A.V. Adrian Chapter, 141 E. Albert St., Adrian, MI 49221. Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Fern McMunn

JASPER- Fern Louise McMunn , age 90, of Jasper, passed away on Sunday, December 16, 2018, at the Hospice of Lenawee Home with her family by her side.
Fern was born on September 4, 1928, to William and Dorothy (O’Haver) Thompson at the family home in Riga Township.   She graduated from Blissfield High School and beauty school.   On February 22, 1947, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blissfield, Fern married Vernon McMunn. Over the next 69 years they created many memories by working on the family farm and raising a family.
Fern was a lifelong member of St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blissfield, and was involved with the Deborah Circle.  Vern and Fern spent many years volunteering with Meals on Wheels and the Red Cross along with donating blood.  Family was a priority to Fern and it showed in all that she did in life. One to appreciate nature, Fern took great pleasure in the changing of the seasons through the trees, watching the beautiful sunsets or cultivating the fields. Once the weather started to get cold, Fern and Vern would head south to Florida where they were snowbirds.  Whether in Michigan or Florida, Fern enjoyed playing cards with family and friends.  Dancing was a big part of Fern and Vern’s life whether they were the last couple dancing at a wedding reception or just dancing around in the kitchen, their love for each other was always shining through.
Fern is survived by her daughters, Eugenie (Gregory) Hillard, Debra (Kevin) Keller and Cheryl (Troy) Brown, all of Jasper; grandchildren, Jeff, Marci, Shelly, Kristie, Matt, Mark, David, Amy, Amanda, Andrea, Erin, Andrew, Abbey and Alex; 23 great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild; and siblings, Gladys (Don) Dickerson, Doris (Bill) Vollmar, Nick (Millie) Thompson; brother-in-law, Darrel Pifer and daughter-in-law, Margaret Hukill.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vernon, sons Gary and David; and sisters, Opal (Elmer) Kunkle and Eleanor Pifer.
Memorial Service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, December 21, 2018, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blissfield.  Burial will be private.  Wagley Funeral Home Tagsold Chapel, Blissfield, has been entrusted with arrangements.   In lieu of flowers,  memorial contributions in Fern’s honor may be made to Hospice of Lenawee or St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blissfield.  Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wagleyfuneralhome.com.

Earl Kelley

ADRIAN – Earl Dean Kelley, age 93 of Adrian, died Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Brookdale of Adrian under the care of Hospice. He was born on November 24, 1925, in Waldron, Michigan to Leland and Emily (Ford) Kelley. Earl was a graduate of Adrian High School in 1943. On March 28, 1948, Earl married Virginia Kodelman in Riga, Michigan. Earl was owner of Twin Curves Dairy Farm for 60 years. Earl was also an auctioneer for many years with Mitchell and Kelley. He enjoyed pulling tractors and operated “My Last Excuse” super farm tractor. He was past member of the National Tractor Pulling Association and Wolverine Pullers Association. He served on the Agricultural Society of Lenawee County for 47 years and President for 10 years. He exhibited livestock at the Lenawee County Fair for 80 years and served on many fair committees throughout the years. Earl also served on the Lenawee County Holstein Dairymen’s board for 45 years. He judged dairy animals at numerous county fairs and was past 4-H dairy leader. Earl was an active member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church.
Surviving Earl are three daughters, Cherryl Jackson of Tecumseh, Karyl (John) Diersen of Caledonia, MN and Shanon (David) Whelan of Tipton; seven grandchildren, Jamie (Bart) Hoover, Jayson (Natalie) Diersen, Joshua (Alissa) Diersen, Chad (Kelly) Whelan, Tori (David) Racine, Joel (Stacia) Whelan, and Kyle (Becky) Whelan; 18 great grandchildren; two sisters, Mariam (Gerald) Ganun of Minnesota and Nancy Eardly of Ohio; and many nieces, nephews, family, and friends. In addition to his wife, Virginia, of 55 years, he was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Venona Wegner, Ileen Abling, and Carolyn Gentz; brothers-in-law, Herb Kodelman, Don Gentz, Don Abling, Ed Wegner, and Mike Eardly; son-in-law, Rick Jackson, and a great grandson.
Visitation for Earl will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, from 2-8 p.m. at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian. The committal service and burial will be on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. at Riga Cemetery. Earl’s memorial service will be held on Wednesday, following the burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Adrian with Pastor Brian Keller officiating to be followed by a luncheon at the church. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Lenawee County Agricultural Society, Lenawee Dairyman’s Association (Frosty Cow), or Hospice of Lenawee. Envelopes are available at Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Mildred Tipton

Mildred ‘Millie’ Tipton, 81 of Blissfield, passed away Saturday , December 15, 2018, at her home under the loving care of her family.

Millie was born on May 26, 1937, in Toledo, OH to John and Ruth (Cahow) Carl.   On June 26, 1976, she married James Tipton at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Toledo, OH, he survives.

Millie graduated from Maumee High School in 1955.   She attended the University of Toledo, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. She had several secretarial jobs but retired from the University of Toledo where she was the assistant to the Dean of College of Arts and Sciences. Millie was named outstanding Woman of the Year Clerical / Secretarial in 1989 at University of Toledo by the University Women’s Commission. She was a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church, where she served as secretary and pianist. Millie also enjoyed reading; she was involved in several book clubs, singing, music, and traveling. Jim and Millie traveled extensively over seas to Europe and Iceland and also North America and Canada.

In addition to her husband, Jim of 42 years, Millie is survived by her children, Roxann (Rev. Michael) Ingersoll of Colorado, Terry (Vicki) Tipton of Blissfield, Rev. Susan (Duke) Woodall of Rootstown, OH, Kyle (Mary Ann) Doyle of Swanton, Amy (Bill) Renwand, Blissfield, and Carrie Wood, Blissfield; 11 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren; sister in law, Sandy Carl; niece and nephew, Keith and Colette, all of Cincinnati.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jack.

Funeral services for Mildred will be 11 a.m., Friday, December 21, 2018 at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Blissfield, with Pastor Devin Smith officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, December 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel, Blissfield and on Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.   Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery, Blissfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel United Methodist Church. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.