Doug Donnelly – Page 107 – Blissfield Advance

Blissfield varsity bowling: Jan. 21-Feb.1

It was the tale of two lanes for the Blissfield men’s and women’s bowling teams Thursday, Jan. 24 as they hosted the Hudson Tigers. The men’s team notched their first win of the season 23-7, while the women were edged by the Lady Tigers 16-14.

The Blissfield women’s bowling team split a pair of contests against Columbia Central and Clinton last week. The Lady Royal rollers defeated the Golden Eagles 25-5 Jan. 29, but were defeated by the Big Reds 29.5-.5 Jan. 31.

The Blissfield men’s squad took to the lanes against some talented competition last week, according to Southwell. The Royals fell to Columbia Central 23-7 Jan. 29 and Clinton 24-6 Jan. 31.

Blissfield wrestling: Jan. 21-Feb.2

The Blissfield Royals hit the home mat for the final time of the 2012-13 regular season Wednesday, Jan. 23. Blissfield split the meet with Hillsdale and Clinton. The Royals swatted the Hillsdale Hornets 45-30, but were topped by the Big Reds 54-28.

The Blissfield varsity wrestling squad withstood the winter weather Saturday, Feb. 2 as members traveled in snowy conditions to compete in the LCAA tournament at Onsted. The Royals took sixth place in the tournament, with Dundee taking the top spot, followed by Hudson in second. Dundee and Hudson combined for 13 of the 14 total tournament champions.

Men’s varsity basketball: Jan. 21-Feb. 1

WHITEFORD — The three-point shot appeared to put the Bobcats over the top as Whiteford’s men’s basketball team defeated the Morenci Bulldogs 69-62 on the road Jan. 22.

The Whiteford Bobcats men’s basketball team defeated the Britton Deerfield Patriots 69-57 from the freethrow line Friday evening.

BRITTON DEERFIELD — The Britton Deerfield Patriots once again saw a potential victory disappear in the first quarter as Whitmore Lake came from behind to defeat them 51-40 in the waning minutes Jan. 22.

The Britton Deerfield Patriots easily defeated Webberville Wednesday, Jan. 30, in a non-league contest on the road with a score of 48-27.

A sharp-shooting team with an accurate three-point shot defeated the Britton Deerfield Patriots 65-48 Jan. 25.

BLISSFIELD — The Blissfield men’s varsity basketball record stands at 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the LCAA following a pair of losses to Erie Mason and Ida last week. The Royals came up short at Erie Mason 52-41 Tuesday, Jan. 22, and 71-53 Friday, Jan. 25 at Ida.

The Blissfield men’s basketball team has continued to go punch-for-punch with the competition this season. Unable to deliver that knockout blow, however, the Royals have lost pace with their opponents, resulting in a 3-11 record on the season and 2-8 in the LCAA. The Royals fell to rival Hudson 59-46 Jan. 29, despite having a halftime lead, followed by a 55-39 Feb. 1 loss to Dundee after trailing by just four points heading into the fourth quarter.

For the complete stories and photos, please see the Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, 2013.

Women’s varsity basketball: Jan. 21-Feb. 1

BLISSFIELD ROYALS — With the sting of defeat still fresh in their minds, the Blissfield Lady Royals took to the court Tuesday, Jan. 22, for their first contest following a 49-36 loss to the Onsted Wildcats. The Royals’ response to the loss was going to be a key to the success of the remainder of their season, according to head coach Ryan Gilbert. Blissfield responded with a wrath, and the Erie-Mason Eagles were on the receiving end of a 60-18 thrashing. The Royals’ victory was short-lived, however, as they were defeated by the Ida Bluestreaks 39-33 Friday, Jan. 25.

It was a conflicted Jan. 28-Feb. 1 week on the court for the Blissfield women’s basketball squad. The Lady Royals caged the LCAA rival Hudson Tigers in a lopsided 50-25 win Tuesday, Jan. 29, but were unable to carry over the winning momentum as they were defeated by Dundee 39-27 Friday, Feb. 1. The split brings the Royals’ record to 12-3 overall on the season and 7-3 in the LCAA.

WHITEFORD BOBCATS — The Whiteford Lady Bobcats’ pressure defense was too much for the Morenci Bulldogs as it catapulted them to a 46-25 victory Jan. 22 on the road.

Two underclassmen propelled the Whiteford Bobcats women’s basketball team over Lenawee Christian in a 58-46 victory Jan. 29. Kaleigh Funchion and Janie Bunge each had a huge night on the floor for the Bobcats. Funchion had 19 points, nine rebounds, seven steals and three assists. Bunge scored 19 points had six assists and four steals.

BRITTON DEERFIELD PATRIOTS — The Britton Deerfield Lady Patriots topped Whitmore Lake 52-30 Jan. 22.

The Britton Deerfield Lady Patriots took a commanding lead in the first quarter and kept the pressure up all evening to defeat the Summerfield Lady Bulldogs 50-35 Jan. 25.

BD vs WHITEFORD — Cambria Handy led the BD Patriots as they handily defeated the Lady Bobcats in a solid win Friday evening, Feb. 1, 63-39 in Deerfield.

Steve Nagy

JACKSON — Steve Nagy, 96, of Jackson, formerly of Deerfield, peacefully passed away Friday, February 1, 2013, at his home. He was born August 11, 1916, in Trenton, New Jersey the only son of Steve and Barbara Nagy. Steve married Marjorie Goodrich from Deerfield on August 10, 1940. They celebrated 41 years of marriage prior to her death in 1981. Steve retired from Budd Company in Clinton and previously worked at Revco and farmed for many years. This past August when Steve celebrated his 96th birthday, most of his family members attended the celebration at his home in Jackson. Steve remained in great health for the majority of his life and enjoyed spending time with his family. Steve will be greatly missed by all of his children: Steve Jr. (Cheryl) of Toledo; Charles (Brenda) of Deerfield; David (Charlotte) of Brooklyn; Nancy (Richard) Powell of Henderson, Nev.; Linda Nagy of Hudson; Robert (Sondra) of Riga; Marcia (John) Kennedy of Ludington; and Philip of Jackson; daughter-in-law, Margaret Nagy of St. Petersburg, Fla.; 15 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Frank, and sisters, Barbara, Mary, and Pauline. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February, 5, 2013, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield. Those who wish to make a memorial contribution are asked to consider the American Heart Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home where online condolences are welcome at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Howard Loar

Howard David Loar, 86, of Blissfield, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 26, 2013. He was born on June 17, 1926 to Laurena (Beagle) and Orren Loar in Blissfield. Howard married Lois Mason on August 14, 1947. Together they had six children, Jennifer (Mike) Roth of Blissfield, David (Betty) Loar of Marion, MI, Don (Linda) Loar of Blissfield, Bill (Carolyn) Loar of Palmyra, Jim (Susan Seabright) Loar of Palmyra and Dan (Vickie) Loar of Palmyra. In addition to their children, the family grew to 11 grandsons, 4 granddaughters, and 28 great grandchildren. Lois preceded him in death on January 18, 1988. In 1990, Howard married Marion Butcher, she preceded him in death. Howard married Pearl Johns on November 11, 2000. With the marriages, his family grew with additional step children, step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. Pearl survives. Howard was a life -long farmer and worked at Tecumseh Products. He enjoyed wintering in Florida and spending time in northern Michigan. He proudly served in the Army from 1944 to 1946; he was stationed in the Philippines. He was a member of the First United Brethren Church. He was preceded in death by his wives, Lois, the mother of his children, and Marion, and his brother Harold. Funeral services for Howard were Tuesday, January 29, 2013, at Element Church, Blissfield, with Rev. Keith Smith officiating. Burial followed at Pleasant View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee or Solid Rock Church. On line condolences are welcomed at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com

Direct rail route from Toledo to Adrian discussed

By Melissa Burnor

A direct short-line freight route from Toledo to Adrian could be a possibility. If funding can be secured, a railway linking the two cities could once again be a reality.

Some local government officials are discussing a potential move by the Adrian and Blissfield Railroad company to rebuild about seven miles of railroad track between Riga and Ottawa Lake that had been abandoned since the late 1970s.

Brenda Rice, representative from the rail line spoke at a special meeting of the Riga Township Board Jan. 21. The rail line would essentially tie in the tracks in Riga Township near Silberhorn Highway to Sterns Road in Whiteford Township on what is now an abandoned line of the old Erie & Kalamazoo, the first railroad built in the area and often cited as the first railroad west of the Allegheny Mountains.

It was abandoned nearly three decades ago by Conrail and removed after it stopped running freight from a factory facility that had closed in Lenawee County. It was later purchased from Penn Central by the state of Michigan. This connection would create a more direct freight line for shippers moving their cargo to the east and could save local shippers time and money.

Riga Township Supervisor Gary Kastel said he appreciated the courtesy visit the railroad made to the township.

Whiteford Township Supervisor Walt Ruhl has also been speaking to A & B Railroad officials and expects Rice to be at the Feb. 19 Whiteford Township Board meeting with information about the possibility.

C. Richard “Dick” Trine

PITTSFORD — Charles Richard “Dick” Trine, 79, went to be with the Lord Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in the Pittsford home where he had lived for 55 years.

Mr. Trine was born May 8, 1933, in Hillsdale, to Frank and Verna Grice Trine. He graduated from Pittsford High School in 1951 and Jackson Business University. He also served two years in the U.S. Army.

On Oct. 23, 1954, he married the former Patricia Dennis and they raised two daughters, Marcia (George) Loader, Blissfield, and Melinda Trine, Norwood, Pa. His family grew with the addition of two grandsons, Nick Loader, Etna Green, Ind., and Evan Loader, Royal Oak, and one granddaughter, Ashley Loader, Chicago, Ill. They survive. Pat preceded him in death on April 18, 1998.

His brother, Tommy Trine, preceded him in death as a boy. Surviving are his brothers, Tom (Peggy) Burkhart, Pittsford, and Cecil A. Burkhart, Albion. Their father, Cecil Burkhart, as his mother’s second husband, helped raise him and served as a great example to him as he launched his own business career. He enjoyed telling of working as a welder at Willis Overland, Toledo, Ohio. Cecil Burkhart started him driving truck and working at his grain elevator at a very young age; and Dick loved trucks his entire life. Even after he officially retired from his own businesses in Pittsford, Trine Hardware, Trine LP Gas, Pittsford Feed Mill as well as a trucking and lime/fertilizer business, he drove block truck for his dear friend, Lavern Farrell at Pittsford Block.

On June 17, 2000, he married Carol Cornett. Her children are the late Cathy Cornett Thompson, the late Fred (Tammy) Cornett, Tom (Wendy) Cornett and Michael (Tammy) Cornett. Also surviving are grandchildren Ethan, Randy (Lauren), Heidi, Jacob, Isaac, Gracie, Wyatt, Cody, Austin and Mary Cornett; and great-grandchildren Henry and Jack Cornett.

He was a long-time member and board member of the Pittsford Wesleyan Church where he was very involved in mission work that took him to Mexico, Guatemala, Haiti and the Brainerd Indian School. He was a current member and attended Church of Christ, Adrian, and had been a Gideon.

In 1996, the town he called “a carefully guarded secret,” named him “Pittsford Citizen of the Year.” He had been a 33-year volunteer firefighter for the Pittsford-Jefferson Fire Department.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, in the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home, Hudson, with Pastor Doug Plunkett officiating and Minister Tim Dunn assisting. Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, and from noon until service time Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Leonardson Cemetery, Pittsford.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Hillsdale County, or to the charity or church of the donor’s choice.

Women’s varsity basketball: Jan. 14-19

The Blissfield women’s varsity basketball squad finally met a foe that burst their perfect-season bubble after the Lady Royals completed a nail-biting fourth quarter comeback against the Britton Deerfield Patriots Tuesday, Jan. 15 to seal the 44-42 victory, their excitement was short-lived, as the Royals suffered their first loss of the season to the LCAA rival Onsted Wildcats Friday 49-36.

The Britton Deerfield women’s basketball team got back into the win column Friday evening with an easy victory over Morenci 39-9.

The Whiteford women’s basketball team went 1-1 last week, trampling Erie-Mason 51-28 Tuesday, Jan. 15, before going on the road and coming up short of a fourth-quarter comeback against Sand Creek 59-50 Friday. The split on the week brings the Lady Bobcats’ record to 7-5 on the season and 4-4 in the TCC.

Sara Goetz drives down the court as Janessa Handy defends — Sara Goetz drives down the court for Blissfield as Janessa Handy defends for Britton Deerfield. Photo by Chad Hutchinson/Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc.

Harlan Behm

RIGA — Harlan H. “Sonny” Behm, 93, of Riga, passed away Saturday, January 19, 2013, at the Hospice of Lenawee Residence, Adrian. He was born June 19, 1919, in Deerfield, the son of Robert and Lydia (Jasmund) Behm. Sonny was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Riga. He was a farmer who loved to attend auctions and go antiquing. He enjoyed collecting and working on cars and refinishing furniture. He is survived by a sister, Margaret Russell of Riga; nephews and nieces, Paul Russell of Blissfield; Gary Behm of Adrian; Shayna Behm and Shelly Behm; and his dear friend, Bonnie Armbruster of Saline. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Nelson and Willard Behm. Visitation was from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield, with a memorial service beginning at 5 p.m. Contributions in memory of Sonny may be made to Hospice of Lenawee. Online condolences are welcome at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.