Author: Doug Donnelly

Robert James Locklear passed away November 13, 2016, at the age of 45.

Rob was a longtime employee of Auto Rail, serving as a manager and union representative at several locations across the country.  He loved all sports, excelling as a youth in hockey, baseball and golf. He also enjoyed coaching his son’s hockey team and especially fishing with his kids.

Rob was an artist, an animal lover, as well as a competitive weight lifter and body builder.

Rob is the beloved son of Cathy Newsted, Blissfield, and Brother Michael Newsted, Allen Park, who was a 1997 graduate of Blissfield High School.  Son Jordan, daughter Miranda, and wife Andrea Locklear all of Howell, MI.  He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters in law, nephews Cole and Luke and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father David Newsted, grandparents Stanley and Lois Newsted and Grandmother Verna Dwyer.

Cremation has taken place.  Visitation for Rob was Friday, November 18, 2016, from 4 – 8  p.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield. A memorial Liturgy was offered on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Light of Christ Church St. Peters Chapel at 11 a.m. with Fr. Jeff Poll presiding.  Visitation was also be held at the church from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Condolences may be made online at www.andersonfuneralservices.com Memorial contributions may be made to the Lenawee Humane Society.  Envelopes will be available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

Shirley Jean (Iott) Keller, 67 of Blissfield, passed away Sunday, November 20, 2016 at UP Health Systems in Marquette, Michigan.

She was born January 13, 1949, in Toledo, Ohio, the oldest child of Phillip and Bernice (Trombly) Iott. After graduating from St. Joseph Academy, Siena Heights High School, she went on to Monroe Community College where she met her future husband. On May 14, 1971, Shirley married Keith Keller at St. Anthony Parish in Temperance, Michigan, and they were blessed with 45 years together.

Shirley worked for Toledo Hospital for 33 years, retiring in 2011. She loved to help others and thoroughly enjoyed activities with her grandchildren, including fishing, gardening, reading, and going on adventures. Shirley was devout in her faith. She grew up in the Saint Anthony Parish and was a member at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Toledo. Wherever she was, Shirley always made time to attend Mass.

In addition to her husband, Keith, she is survived by their sons: Keith (Tiffany) of Brush Prairie, Washington, Kris (Heidi) and Kurt (Chanell), both of Ann Arbor; five grandchildren, Erika, Ethan, Margaret Ann, Elisabetta and Sebastian; and her siblings: Marilyn (Roger) Phebus of Morenci, Marsha (Allan) Consear and Phillip (Tamara) Iott, both of Ottawa Lake, Michigan.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Requiem Mass will take place at 2 p.m., Saturday, November 26, 2016, at St. Anthony Parish in Temperance with Fr. Brian Hurley as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery. A rosary service will be held at 4 p.m., Friday at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield with visitation following until 8 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Shirley are suggested to St. Anthony Parish. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Arthur Walter Brenke, age 72, of Blissfield passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at his home under the loving care of his family and Hospice of Lenawee.

He was born on July 4, 1944 at home in Blissfield, Michigan to Arthur W. and Irma E. (Papenhagen) Brenke.  Art was a 1962 graduate of Blissfield High School and on January 29, 1965, he married Diana Jean Rittner in Ottawa Lake, Michigan.  She survives.

Art was a self-employed farmer and also worked as a factory laborer for many years.  Along with farming and factory work, he worked in the insurance industry, ending his working years being self-employed and owning Brenke Crop Insurance.  Art was a lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Riga.  He enjoyed traveling, woodworking, camping and wintering in Mission, Texas.  Most of all, he enjoyed being in the presence of his dear family.
In addition to his wife, Diana, he is survived by his two daughters, Holly (Gregory) Butts of Blissfield and Heather (Mark) Raschke of Westland, MI; three grandchildren, Aaron and Emily Butts and Andrew Raschke; two sisters, Sharon (Jim) Wilkes of Blissfield and Brenda (Michael) Andrix of Riga and numerous nieces and nephews.  Art was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Christina Marie Brenke.
A memorial service to celebrate Art’s life was held at 11 a.m. November 7, 2016 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Riga with Pastor James Seelow officiating.  Visitation was from 1 – 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at the Anderson Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield and also on Monday from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. at the church in Riga.  A private family burial of Art’s ashes will take place at a later date.
You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com.  Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee.  Envelopes are available at Anderson Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.