The Blissfield Athletic Department announced Sunday that Kilee Goetz is steeping down as head volleyball coach to take a full-time position with the Oakland Elite Volleyball Club in a director role for the 10-14 year old division, joining Eric Lazowki, director for the 15-18 division and Roly Roldan, chief operating officer.
For the rest of the story, please see the May 7, 2014, edition of The Advance.
BLISSFIELD
The Blissfield Royals varsity baseball team made it a sweep on the home diamond in Saturday’s Schwyn Invitational, defeating Wyandotte and Adrian. The Royals took game one of the tournament, 5-4 over Wyandotte. They then defeated Adrian 9-8 in an exciting finish.
On Tuesday, April 29, the Royals hosted a double-header against Hillsdale. The Royals swept both games 10-1 and 12-1.
BRITTON DEERFIELD
The Britton Deerfield Patriot baseball team improved their record to 5-5 overall with a 7-3 win over Whitmore Lake early last week.
BLISSFIELD
On Tuesday, April 29, the Lady Royals hosted a double-header against the Hornets of Hillsdale. In game one of the double-header the Royals took the game in five innings shutting out Hillsdale 10-0. The second game saw the Lady Royals steamrolling Hillsdale, 19-0. This time around the game ended in a mercy at four innings rather than five innings of play.
The Lady Royals did not slow down from there as the schedule featured them at home for their Saturday Blissfield Invitational. Blissfield welcomed Adrian, Pickney and Beal City to the invite. The Royals started off the day of round-robin play against the Adrian Maples. The final score resulted in a 14-4 Blissfield win. In the second match-up of three on the day, the Royals came out on top, winning a close contest 4-2. In the third and final game of the invitational, the home team got back to powerhouse game play and annhilated Beal City 13-3, for the home sweep.
WHITEFORD
On Wednesday, April 30, the Lady ’Cats traveled to Summerfield to take on the Lady Bulldogs. With a large roster and upperclassmen providing leadership on the field and in the dugout, the visiting Bobcats dominated the match-up, shutting out Summerfield 9-0.
The victorious Bobcats hoped to ride on the momentum of the shut-out Summerfield win and take that into a Monday match-up against league opponent Morenci. Facing off against another Bulldog team, the Lady Bobcats could not pull out the home diamond win, as they fell to the Lady Morenci Bulldogs 7-6 in extra innings.
The Britton Deerfield Lady Patriots slugged their way to three victories this past week. The ball club defeated Whitmore Lake in both games of a double-header April 30 and split a double-header contest Saturday in Hudson.
The Patriots trounced the Trojans in the first game 14-4. The second game was considered a non-league game. The Patriots won 9-3.
BE defeated Hudson 8-4 in the first game, but fell to Hudson 5-3 in the second.
For the details on these games and stats for each, please pick up a copy of The Advance’s May 7, 2014, edition.
By Melissa Burnor
Ottawa Lake Fire Chief Brad Beck said he knew the situation was dire before he even left his house Sunday morning. He could see the flames shooting up a half-mile away where a neighbor’s house was on fire on Head-0-Lake Road.
“I knew we were up against the wall,” Beck said.
A series of unfortunate events that day led to the family home of Randy and Lisa Kunkel and their two children going up in flames, destroying most of their personal possessions in mere hours. A family cat perished in the blaze.
Peter Poluka, age 93 of Blissfield, passed away at his home Saturday, May 3, 2014. He was born June 22, 1920, in Bell Valley, Ohio, to Steven and Theresa Poluka. While working in a defense plant in New Jersey, Peter met Margaret Michalko whom he married on November 23, 1944 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and she survives. Peter retired in 1982 from Johnson Controls where he had worked as an engineer for many years. In his younger years, he enjoyed bowling and pitching for softball teams. Peter was a member of Light of Christ Catholic Parish in Blissfield. In addition to Margaret, his wife of almost 70 years, he is survived by their children, Donna (Virgil) Diver of Blissfield and Peter (Dianna) Poluka of Deerfield; and a grandson, Alan Langmeyer. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Helen, Rosie, Eva, John, Ann, Mary and Steve. The Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at Light of Christ Catholic Parish in Blissfield with Rev. Jack Loughran as celebrant. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. Friends may visit the family at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Contributions in memory of Peter may be made to the Blissfield Fire Department or the Light of Christ Catholic Parish. The Poluka family would like to thank Dr. William Gray and his staff for their kind and professional care. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.
A Blissfield man was airlifted from the scene of a Saturday early afternoon crash between a sports utility vehicle and a semi-truck in Ottawa Lake.
According to a press release from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Lupe J. Rosas, 29, Blissfield, was eastbound on U.S. 223 at approximately 12:20 p.m. Saturday when his 2002 Ford Explorer allegedly crossed the center-line and struck a westbound 2000 Freightliner semi-tractor trailer driven by Adam Wright, 38, Adrian. Rosas, the lone occupant in the SUV, was airlifted by ProMedica Air to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Jacqueline Margaret Sliker passed from this world to eternal life with the Lord Jesus Christ on April 27, 2014. She was born to Milton and Evelyn Heise, on April 11, 1932 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Lorne Heise, and sister Donna Holmquist. She is survived by her four children Janis (Bill) Helminiak of Westcliffe, Col., Kevin (Gail) Van Ert of Adrian, Donna (Frank) Glyda of Maumee, Ohio, and Bonnie (Mark) Johnson of Toledo, Ohio. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Jackie married John Van Ert in 1949 in Canada. Following the birth of their first child they move to Toledo, Ohio, where they resided and raised their family. Jackie and John divorced in 1968. She remarried Howard Sliker of Blissfield and began a successful real estate career. They divided their time between Michigan and Pompano Beach, Florida, and after their divorce Jackie remained in Florida until eight years ago. Her family missed her very much and insisted she move back to Toledo. She enjoyed a very full life having traveled extensively to Europe South America and Mexico. Her great passion was ballroom dancing and thanks to the Glass City Singles and all their kindness, Jacqueline was able enjoy dancing until very recently. She devoted most of her life singing in church choirs where she lived, as well as gardening, movies, cooking, and especially spending time with her family. Jackie resided at Parkcliffe assisted-living this past year. The family would like to thank both Parkcliffe and Perrysburg Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their kindness to Jackie . Expressions of sympathy may be directed toward Hospice and their ongoing service to this community. Her family had a life celebration at First Apostolic Church of Sylvania on Sylvania Ave on Tuesday, April 29th at 1:00 p.m.
DEERFIELD — Keith T. Diver, age 65, of Deerfield passed away April 22, 2014. He was born March 7, 1949 in Tecumseh, the son of Beaumont and Lillian (LaVoy) Diver. He married Joan R. Klippel on June 12, 1970, in Richfield Center, Ohio, and she survives. Keith proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1968 -1972. He owned and operated Meyers – Diver’s Airport in Tecumseh for over 40 years. Keith graduated from Deerfield High School and had worked in skilled trades as a Machine Repairman at Ford Motor Company in Saline for 30 years, retiring in 1997. He was a member of the Deerfield American Legion. Keith loved aircraft and fixing them. He was honored to host the annual fly-in for the Meyer Aircraft Association in July of 2013. In his free time, Keith enjoyed working on his Silver King tractor, maintaining his cars and trucks, and caring for his dogs and cats. In addition to his wife Joan, his sisters Joan Allen of Oregon, Ohio, Marcia Diver of Honolulu, Hawaii; his sister-in- law Rose Diver of Elkhart, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews survive him. His parents and his brother Jack preceded him in death. At his request, cremation has taken place. A memorial visitation was held on Sunday, April 27, 2014, at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes from 2-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.HandlerFuneralHomes.com
BRITTON — Paul Peter Laslo, age 97 of Britton, passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 15, 1917, in Canada, to Joseph and Anna Laslo. Paul served in the US Army and was a WWII veteran. On November 26, 1949, he married Carolyn Martin and she preceded him in death in 1987. On October 10, 1987, he married Mary Pieplow in Adrian. She also preceded him in death. Paul was a lifetime member of the Blissfield American Legion. He enjoyed going to his cabin in Reed City. Paul is survived by his children, Janet Strong of Adrian, Stephen (Cheryl) Laslo of Whittaker, John Laslo of Morenci and Jeff Laslo of Bellefountaine, Ohio; step-daughter, Janet Blaker of Adrian; one brother, Joseph (Kathryn) Laslo, Jr. of Waters; three sisters, Rose Dumith of Carsonville, MI, Leone (Richard) Chapelene of Zephyrhills, Fla., and Edith Mellondorf of Port Huron; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren and 20 step-great-grandchildren. In addition to his first and second wife, he was preceded in death by two sons, David and Michael Laslo; two daughters, Theresa and Carolyn Laslo in infancy; three brothers, six sisters, one great granddaughter and one great grandson. Funeral services for Paul were held on Monday, April 28, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, Tecumseh. Burial was in Ridgeway Cemetery with full military rites conducted by the Blissfield American Legion Robert Meachen Post #325. Visitation was held on Sunday from 2-8 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, Tecumseh. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Charity of the Donor’s Choice. Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home, Tecumseh.
Arthur Robert Vandenbusche, 81 of Blissfield passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 25, 2014, at home. He was born on May 12, 1932 in Ogden Township to Robert and Lucille (Lazoen) Vandenbusche. Arthur was united in marriage in 1956 to Rose Marie Loar, in Angola, Indiana. He was a self employed farmer retiring in 1997. Arthur served in the U.S. Army from September 18, 1952, to September 17, 1960. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blissfield, Blissfield American Legion, the Gleaners Society. Arthur was a past member of Ogden IOOF, NFO, Blissfield Kiwanis Club, Wauseon Elks Club, and the Ogden Township Board of Review. Arthur’s many hobbies included softball, bowling, fishing, golf, bike riding, walking, yard/gardening, hunting, car cruises, going to the coffee shop daily, spending many hours in his art studio, social sessions, and dancing. Arthur and his wife wintered in Florida. Surviving in addition to his wife, Rose Marie of 57 years, three children; Mark (Lynn) Vandenbusche of Blissfield, Connie Jensen of Blissfield, and Robin (Robert) Brooks of Casnovia, Michigan. Three brothers; Henry (Jean) Vandenbusche of Blissfield, Norman (Patricia) Vandenbusche, and Larry Vandenbusche, both of Metamora, Ohio. Two sisters, Lillian Loeffler and Jane Gillen, both of Swanton, Ohio. Seven grandchildren, Andrew and Amy Jensen, Chelsea (Joshua) Iffland, Luke and Wade Vandenbusche, Sean and Taylor Nelson, and Two great-grandchildren, Alexa Jensen, and Hunter Bruce. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers-in-law, Gail Gillen and Frank Loeffler. Funeral services for Arthur took place at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blissfield, on Monday, April 28, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Gary Leking and Intern Jeff Goggins officiating. Burial was in the Ogden Cemetery, Ogden Township. Visitation was on Sunday, April 27, 2014, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield. Condolences to the family may be given online at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Blissfield. Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.
