Author: Doug Donnelly

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 (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.

Mery Melba Wittbrodt

3/15/1924 – 12/24/2016

Mery was born on March 15, 1924. She is survived by her sister, Vilma Spies, husband Donald Arthur Wittbrodt, two children: Deborah (Gary) Nystrom, of Ann Arbor, Michigan and Donald Wittbrodt Jr., of Winchester, KY, and three grandchildren: Janelle Nystrom, Ian Nystrom, and Donald (Donnie) Wittbrodt III and niece Lilian Spies of Morón, Buenos Aires, Argentina. She was the eldest daughter of pastors José and America Diciancia Quiñones, of Buenos Aires.

Mery received a teaching degree from Normal Teachers’ School in her teens. Under the tutelage of her father, her first sermon was preached at the age of 16. Mery completed studies at Medical Science University in Rosario, Argentina with a specialization in Biochemistry and Pharmacy. She took a break to tour Europe for a year as a delegate to the World Congress of the Student Christian Movement (SCM). She spoke multiple languages including French, which she used visiting refugee homes in France. In Switzerland, due to a SCM scholarship to the Ecumenical Institute, she studied the Bible, the world, and the Church, with a specialization in youth movements.

In 1952 Mery received a scholarship to Asbury Theological Seminary. While sailing to North America, Norwegians helped Mery learn English. She completed a Bachelor’s of Divinity degree in 1955. She then married Donald Arthur Wittbrodt, also a seminary student, in 1956. They had two children: Deborah (Gary) Nystrom, of Ann Arbor, Michigan and Donald Wittbrodt Jr., of Winchester, KY.

Mery taught in Chemistry and science in the public schools as husband Rev. Donald Wittbrodt served churches mostly in Michigan. Mery continued her Christian work focusing on international missions and also Michigan migrant families. In the late 1960s, she also received a MA degree in teaching and science from the University of Michigan. She retired from many years of loving service as a Chemistry and science teacher, including 20 years at Madison Public Schools, near Adrian, Michigan. Her students reported great success in science at the university level due to her teaching work.

Mery was a positive, endearing soul who loved the Lord and brightened the lives of all those around her. Most recently at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, she participated in the prayer chain ministry and shared her passion for missions over many years.

We look forward to a Celebration of Mery’s Life on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at Emmanuel Church in Blissfield, Michigan at 11 a.m. with Pastor Devin Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Riga Cemetery. A visitation for Mery will be on Friday, December 30, 2016 from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield, Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Church or to the Alzheimer’s Association; envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. Expressions of sympathy can be made to www.WagleyFuneralHome.com

DEERFIELD – Donna B. Sieler, age 80 of Deerfield, Michigan passed away December 11, 2016 at her home. She was born November 5, 1936 in Deerfield, Michigan to Darcy M. and Mildred (Janson) Hoffman. On June 9, 1956 she married Walter R. Sieler at the Zion Lutheran Church in Ottawa Lake, MI. Donna and Walter owned and operated Deerfield Home Builders, where she was the bookkeeper for 55 years. She attended the Family of Peace Lutheran Church in Ottawa Lake. She served as a foster grand-parent at Whiteford Schools. Donna and Walt enjoyed many years of wintering in Palmetto, Florida, where she enjoyed playing cards with the many friends they made. She enjoyed cooking, baking and watching her beloved Detroit Tigers while enjoying her root beer floats.

Donna has three daughters, Cynthia Sieler (deceased), Kim (Jeff) Powers of Swanton, OH, Rebecca Havens of Adrian, MI; a sister Ruth Hoffman of Deerfield, MI; six grandchildren, Haley, Darcy, Dakota, Tess, Shyanne, Jace and two Great-grandchildren, Gemma and Tatum.

In addition to her daughter, Cynthia, she was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Robert and Dale Hoffman and a sister Betty Kodelman.

Funeral services for Donna will be on Friday, December 16, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Anderson Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield, MI with Pastor Tim Pilot officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, December 15, 2016 from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Anderson Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield, MI.

You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to The Family of Peace Lutheran Church or to the Deerfield Firefighters Association. Envelopes are available at Anderson Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

4/5/23 – 12/06/16

William Samuel McCalla, 93, passed away on December 6, 2016. He was a life-long farmer who raised purebred livestock and crops on the south side of Ann Arbor. His family established Broadview Farms, which has been an iconic landmark.

On Jan. 21, 1949, Bill married Jean A. Guy in Ann Arbor. They were married for 51 years before her death on Nov. 30, 2000.

Bill was active in many agricultural groups. He was a member of the Michigan Pork Producers Association, the Washtenaw County Farm Council, Farm Bureau, and the Michigan Swine Breeders Association, among others. In 2004, he was recognized by the Michigan State Block and Bridle Club for his outstanding contributions to Michigan’s agricultural industry. He felt strongly about helping people who were unfamiliar with farming gain a better understanding and appreciation of agriculture by hosting school and youth groups and offering hayrides. He also was a member of West Side United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor and more recently attended Element Church in Blissfield, Mich.

Bill enjoyed exhibiting pigs at numerous county, state and national livestock shows. He was honored as Michigan Premier Breeder many times and received special recognition for exhibiting at the Michigan State Fair for 50 consecutive years. In addition, he loved horses, especially draft horses. Attending auctions was a favorite pastime, as was watching the Lions and Tigers play ball. He had a soft spot for a menagerie of animals, a trait he passed on to his children. He had a playful sense of humor and a smile for everyone.

Most of all, Bill loved spending time with his family and cherished the time he had with them. He is survived by his son George (Bethany); his daughters, Judy Rosenberg; JoAnn (Lyle) Alumbaugh; Laurie (James) Isley; and Louise (Howard) Keinath; in addition to 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Anna McCalla; his sister and his five brothers.

Bill was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was greatly loved and will be deeply missed. Visitation was held at Element Church, Blissfield, Mich., on Thursday, Dec. 8 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 9. A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 9, at the Element Church, 220 E. Jefferson, Blissfield, Mich., followed by a lunch.

Memorials may be made to the American Farm Museum and Education Center, or Element Church in Blissfield.

Elizabeth Stutzman, 94, passed away on November 29, 2016 under the kind care of Hospice of Michigan and caregivers of the Hume Home of Muskegon.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband Paul E. Stutzman and she is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Stewart of Sargent, Texas, son Richard Stutzman of Muskegon, Michigan and two sister-in-laws, a number of special nephews, nieces, cousins, grandchildren, great and great great grandchildren.
Elizabeth was always very active with a positive and humerous attitude toward living life.  She was active in United Methodist Womens Group, MSU Crane Womens Extension Club and 4-H Mothers Group. Her humor and grateful outlook will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
A “Celebration of Life” has been planned for December 17, 2016  (one day before her 95th birthday) at the First Methodist Church of Blissfield, 201 West Adrian Street,  Blissfield, Michigan 49228 in the lower Fellowship Hall from 1:00 – 3:00 PM. Please come and share with us some of the joys that she brought to all of us.
Please visit Elizabeths online ‘Guest Book’ at www.sytsemafh.com and share memories and condolences with our family.
Contributions in memory of Elizabeth may be made to The Hume Home of Muskegon, 1244 West Southern Ave, Muskegon, Michigan 49441

Nicholas C. Hensley, age 20 of Blissfield, passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2016.

He was born February 14,1996, in Toledo, Ohio, to Jeffrey and Nancy (Robison) Hensley.

Nick was kind man with a good heart. He enjoyed music, playing his guitar and skateboarding.

In addition to his father, Jeffrey, he is survived by his grandmother, Judy Hensley of Blissfield, his precious son, Malachi, the love of his life and mother of his son, Erin Barron and her children, Liam and Stormie, brothers, Paul (Kayla) of Blissfield, Philip of Mason and Jacob of Blissfield, great uncle, John Yoder, aunts and uncles, Jeannie Hensley, Diana (Charles Coleman) Wickerham, Clarence Robison and Brian Mintner and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Hensley, grandparents, Philip Hensley and Clarence and Josephine Robison, and an uncle, Jonathan Hensley.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to an account established for Malachi Craig Hensley. Arrangements were entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.

A. Elsie Gentz, age 89 of Blissfield, passed away Saturday, December 3, 2016, at Blissfield Place.

She was born May 29, 1927, in Ogden Township, Michigan, to Arthur and Elizabeth (Rehs) Walper, and graduated from Blissfield High School with the Class of 1944.

On June 17, 1944, she married Albert Gentz, and they have been blessed with 72 years together.

Elsie enjoyed polka dancing, traveling, sewing, reading and trips to Frankenmuth. Most precious to her, however was being with her family.

In addition to her husband, Albert, she is survived by their children: Ron (Dianne) Gentz and Linda (Don) Loar, both of Blissfield; grandchildren: Julie (Lloyd) Conway, Lori (Danny) Jones, Amy (Pat) Collins, Kurt (Kellie) Loar, Mari (Ron) Vargo and Luke (Karly) Loar; great grandchildren: Olivia and Abby Conway, Connor Jones, Devin Moore, Seth and Liam Loar, Tyler and Natalie Vargo and Jonathan and Alayna Loar; and her sisters, Luella Goetz and Ruth Presley.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Walper Sr.

Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m., Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Gary Leking officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the service.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Hospice of Lenawee. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.

Cora Jean Goetz-Schultz, 78, of Sylvania, OH, passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at her home surrounded by her family.

Cora was the proud farmers daughter of Alfred and Bernice Goetz of Blissfield, MI. She attended Blissfield HS and was a member of the Class of 1956. She married Lloyd J. Schultz, Jr. in Riga, MI on December 5, 1959 and the couple resided together for 53 years in Sylvania, OH.

She was a very proud, 25-year employee of the Sylvania School District as a para professional, in the beginning, working the playgrounds, lunch rooms and offices at Highland, Stranahan and Central Elementary Schools. The vast majority of her career was spent working directly with kids with special needs which she truly enjoyed. In retirement she was a proud ticket taker at many Sylvania Northview Athletic Events.

Cora is survived by her son Michael Schultz; daughter, Michele “Shelly” (Chris) Irwin; grandchildren, Caden, Claire and Izzy; her sister Donna Tiede; English Bulldogs Bella, Nala and Reggie. She was preceded in death by her father Alfred Goetz; mother Bernice Goetz and her brother Laverne “Stub” Goetz.

Friends may call at the Reeb Funeral Home, 5712 N. Main St., Sylvania, OH, Friday, November 25, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Funeral Ceremony will be conducted on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Olivet Lutheran Church, Sylvania. Interment will follow at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.

Those wishing to give memorials, in lieu of flowers, are asked to consider tributes to Heelers 4 Heroes/Heelers 4 Hope or the Sylvania Schools Athletic Foundation.

Online condolences may be offered to Cora’s family at www.reebfuneralhome.com