Author: Doug Donnelly

Linda S. Korth, 69, passed away Friday May 25, 2018 at her home in Toledo, Ohio, after a long battle with diabetes and heart disease.
She was born on December 29, 1948 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the daughter of the late Kenneth and Vivian (Reeves) Korth of Ottawa Lake, Michigan.
Linda attended Whiteford High School, graduating in 1966 and was the salutatorian of her class. After attending airline school in St. Paul, Minn. she moved to Chicago, Ill. and worked for numerous airlines. In 1988 she moved back home, and started her own travel agency “Going Places Travel” in Temperance, and eventually worked for AAA until her retirement. Travel was Linda’s passion, seeing 37 countries, on many cruises. Her other other favorite hobby was reading anything and everything.
She is survived by her siblings, Kathy Preston, Blissfield, and Ken Korth of New Mexico; nephews Troy (Shannon( Anger, Cole (Aryiel) Preston; niece Tracie Mossing; and , great nephews, Steven Marckel and T.J. Anger.
Cremation has taken place at Linda’s request and a private family service will be held in Chicago.

MORENCI – James “Carter” Stevens, age 71, of Morenci, MI passed away on June 7, 2018, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 27, 1946 in Splashdam, Virginia to David Lee and Virgie (Mullins) Stevens.  On May 5, 1967 in Haysi, VA., he married his best friend, the love of his life, and his wife of 51 years, Joyce McCowan Stevens and she survives.
In his early years Carter worked in the coal mines in Virginia and drove a coal truck, He later became a truck driver delivering steal and other industrial items. Carter enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, and camping, but most of all, he loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.  He was a member of the Blissfield Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife Joyce, James “Carter” Stevens is survived by a daughter, Jenifer (Louie) Albright of Defiance, OH; a son, Richard (Michelle) Stevens of Morenci; a brother, Cleveland (Shannon) Stevens of Wauseon, OH; three sisters, Hattie Robinette of Lyons, OH, Minnie (Bob) Kennedy of Lyons, OH, Margie Chapa of Lyons, OH; eight grand-children, Jackilyn (Wesley) Brown of Lyons, OH, Kyle (Summer) Herrin of Lyons, OH, Jenni Herrin (Heather Moore) of Archbold, OH, Louie (Kristine) Albright of Defiance, OH, Tyler Albright of Defiance, OH, James “JT” Thomas, Wyatt, and Zachary Stevens of Morenci; and 9 great-grandchildren, Summer, Aubrey, Addison, Chloe, Ava, Aleigha, Sunnie, Kaylob and Carsyn.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Virgie; grandson, Kailob Herrin; great-grandson, Carter Brown; niece, Michelle Robinette; and a brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Joyce Stevens.
Visitation for James “Carter” Stevens was from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m Sunday, June 10, 2018 at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
Funeral Services wer at 11 a.m. Monday, June 11, 2018, at the Blissfield Baptist Church, 717 N. Monroe Street, Blissfield, MI with Pastor Tom Frantz officiating. Burial will follow at Packard Cemetery.
You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be given to the Stevens family for future designation. Envelopes are available at Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Rose M. Rodriguez, age 93 formerly of Blissfield, passed away Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at Flower Hospital with her family by her side.
She was born January 1, 1925, in Toledo, Ohio, the daughter of Jesse and Frances (Yepes) Montes.
Rose met the love of her life, Henry Rodriguez, and they were married on September 3, 1941, in Toledo, Ohio.  They enjoyed 69 years together before his passing on May 12, 2011.
Rose was happiest spending time raising her children alongside her husband Henry. Once she had grandchildren, she made sure that the family traditions were strong by always bringing everyone together.  Rose religiously spent her nights reading her Bible. She cherished the time she got to spend with her family and was a great mother to her dogs throughout the years.
Rose’s dedication and love for her family will be missed by her children, Henry (Norma) Rodriguez, Sr., Jesse (Peggy) Rodriguez, Arthur (Wiltrud) Rodriguez, Olivia Dowling, Robert Rodriguez, Dolores (Roger) Sandefer, Richard Rodriguez and Frances Pike; 17 grandchildren, plus great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Frances Montes, husband, Henry Rodriguez, sister, Juanita Gonzales, brother, Joseph Montes, son-in-law, Jerry Dowling, grandson, Allan Michael Crum, Jr., and granddaughter, Ashley Rodriguez
Mass of the Christian Burial took place at 11 a.m., Monday, June 11, 2018 at Light of Christ Catholic Parish in Blissfield with Rev. Jeffrey Poll as celebrant.  Burial followed at Pleasant View Cemetery.  Visitation was held at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield on Sunday, June 10, 2018, from 2 to 6 p.m., with a Rosary Service at 5 p.m.; and visitation again on Monday at the church from 10 to 10:45 a.m.
Contributions in memory of Rose are suggested to Light of Christ Catholic Parish in Blissfield.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.wagleyfuneralhomes.com.

Geraldine Naomi Drefke, age 93, passed away on June 8, 2018 in Fort Wayne, IN. Her funeral service was held June 11, 2018 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Blissfield She was laid to rest at Pleasant View Cemetery.
Geraldine was born on December 27, 1924 in Alpena, MI to the Rev. William Weinlander and Amalia Steutzer Weinlander. She received a teaching certificate from Lenawee County Normal in Adrian, MI, a bachelor’s degree in Education from Capital University in Columbus, OH, and a Masters degree in Curriculum and Supervision from Wright State University in Dayton, OH. During her 27 years of teaching, Gerry influenced countless students with her positive, can-do spirit in Riga, Logan, OH, and Dayton, OH. She would start their day with cheer songs and encourage them throughout the day to never, never give up.
On April 15, 1944, Geraldine married Willard Owen Drefke. They shared 56 years together, serving God and raising a family. After Willard became a Lutheran minister, Gerry supported his ministry for 35 years as they served congregations in Arlington, OH, Logan, OH, and Dayton, OH. In addition, Gerry served others by using her natural skills as a salesperson, selling health products and food supplements. Upon her retirement from teaching in 1990, Willard and Gerry moved back to the farm in Blissfield, MI where Willard was raised. They enjoyed being with their family, dancing, playing cards, and traveling.
After the passing of Willard, Gerry met Elwyn Gafner while playing cards, and they were married in 2003. They enjoyed playing cards together and spending their winters in Florida. Gerry’s favorite thing to do was to document every activity and event with pictures and then relive all her memories through those pictures.
Anyone who knew Gerry, knew that she was a positive thinking person with an affirmation for any circumstance! If asked how she was, she would reply, “I feel, healthy, happy, and terrific…and rich!” Over the years, the answer to that question grew to a list over 30 adjectives. She loved God, her family, and life, and was always willing to help anyone in need. She fervently professed her faith in Jesus Christ and shared that faith with her children, grandchildren, and all whom she met.
She is survived by her sons, David (Judy) and John (Theresa) Drefke; daughter, Sally (Ted) Wilson; grandchildren, Richard, Robert, Steven, Michelle, Amy, Karen, Christopher, Kathleen, Austin and Lauren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Geraldine was preceded in death by her husbands, Willard and Elwyn; son, Donald; a daughter in infancy, Kay; great grandson, Zachary; and siblings, Ruth Ingram, Vera Greenwood, William Weinlander and Arlene Eklund.
Memorials in Geraldine’s name may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Blissfield.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.

Dennis Leroy Bangerter, age 77 of Blissfield passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at his home in the presence of his family.  He was born on March 28, 1941, in Blissfield Township, to Raymond and Helen (Haas) Bangerter.   Denny graduated from Blissfield High School in 1960. On April 28, 1962, at Zion United Brethren Church, Denny married Marilyn Bateson, and she survives. He worked in shipping and receiving at GM Powertrain in Toledo until his retirement on June 30, 1992. After retirement, Denny took great pride in attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, caring for his yard and being a farm hand for local farmers in the area, along with driving cars for Knapp Motors.  He was a longtime member of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Denny enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, dirt bike riding, and spending time with his family at their property in Gladwin.
In addition to his wife, Marilyn, Denny is survived by three sons, Curt (Melissa) Bangerter of Whitehouse, OH, Chad (Renee) Bangerter, and Billy (Robyn) Bangerter all of Blissfield; one brother, John (Patricia) Bangerter of Portage; eight grandchildren, Kayli, Zachary, Caleb, Jared, Olivia, Grant, Andrew, and Makenzie; one great grandchild, Eli and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, Cloyce and Ruby Bateson; brother-in-law, Ronald Bateson; and grandson, Chase Bangerter.
Visitation for Denny was from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, June 10, 2018, at Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.  Funeral services were at 11 a.m . Monday, June 11, 2018, at Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield with Pastor Fritz Kruse officiating.  Burial followed in Pleasant View Cemetery, Blissfield. Condolences may be given online at www.andersonfuneralservices.com.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of Lenawee and/or North Rome Baptist Church.  Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.