Author: Doug Donnelly

Geneva M. Leonard, 84 years, a lifelong resident of Monroe County, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 5, 2014. Born July 11, 1929 in Monroe, Geneva was the daughter of the late Perry R. and Bernice L. (Logan) Luse. Geneva was a 1946 graduate of Blissfield High School and attended Davis Business College in Toledo, Ohio. On August 19, 1955, Geneva married her beloved husband Robert G. Leonard at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Blissfield. Sadly, Robert preceded her in death on August 30, 2008, after 53 years of marriage. Geneva was employed as a secretary for Monroe Auto Equipment Company for 37 years from which she retired in 1991. She also enjoyed being a homemaker. Geneva was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Monroe where she served on various committees and boards. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women and the Nancy DeGraff Toll Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Geneva enjoyed attending high school athletic events. Geneva is survived by her loving son and daughter in law: Daniel E. and Virginia Leonard of Omak, Wash., a cherished grandson: Adam R. (Jennifer) Leonard, two treasured great grandchildren, a brother: Vernon (Nancy) Luse of Riga, a sister: Marilyn (Lyle) Crots of Ottawa Lake, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Geneva was preceded in death by her brother: Merle Luse. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, from 11:00 a.m. until funeral services celebrating her life at 1:00 p.m. in the Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, MI 48161. The Rev. Evans Bentley, pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Paul’s United Methodist Endowment Fund or Scholarship Fund or Gideon’s International. Online condolences, and special memories, may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com.

Emerson L. Bliesner, 84 of Blissfield, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2014, at Winter Haven Hospital, in Winter Haven, Florida, where he and his wife, Barbara had wintered for the last 13 years. Emerson was born to Lawrence and Dorothy (Gaubitz) Bliesner, July 7, 1929 in Blissfield. On December 31, 1952, he married Barbara Billington. They just celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. He worked at Tecumseh Products Co. for 44 years, retiring in 1991. He was a life time member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Riga. Emerson served 8 years in the Adrian National Guards Company B Infantry Division. Survivors include his wife, Barbara, his daughter Diane (Ray) Bihn of Sylvania, Ohio, his son Thomas (Colleen) Bliesner of Kalamazoo; two brothers, Lawrence (Bette) Bliesner of Tecumseh, and James (Lucille) Bliesner of Adrian; four grandchildren, Mackenzie and Sydney Bihn and Kip and Kash Bliesner. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Deborah Bliesner Frederick, brother Robert Bliesner of Bradenton, Fla., and his sister Betty Bliesner McKee of Tecumseh. Services for Emerson will be Friday, January 17, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Evangelical Church, 11949 Wegner Road in Riga, with Pastor James Seelow officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 16, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel, Blissfield. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Evangelical Church, envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. You may send a condolence to the family at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com

PALMYRA — Keith Williams, 57, of Palmyra, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, January 8, 2014, at Toledo Hospital. Keith was born November 3, 1956 in Monroe, MI to Jack and June (Schadewald) Williams. He graduated from Deerfield High School with the class of 1975. Keith worked at Ford Motor Company and Libby Owens Ford. Keith was an exceptional man, always helping others who needed him. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was looking forward to his first grandchild, Thatcher Elliott (Tad), in March. Having a great sense of humor, he loved to joke and razz people. He was a member of the NRA, a big supporter of Relay for Life and also a lifetime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Palmyra. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Surviving Keith is his daughter, Elizabeth (Scott Baumea), son, Ezekiel Williams, all of Palmyra; step granddaughter, Cadence; his mother, June of Deerfield; his very special aunt, who was like a mother to him, Lois Schadewald of Deerfield; siblings, Andrea (Joseph) Repka of Swanton, Ohio, Timothy (Marti) Williams of Tecumseh, Nancy Williams of Adrian and Nathan (Tammy) Williams of Deerfield; and many special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack. Funeral services for Keith were held on Saturday, January 11, 2014, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel with Pastor Gary Leking officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com

Joseph L. Hall, 67, Bradenton, died January 3, 2014. Born in Toledo, Ohio, he moved to Bradenton as a seasonal resident in 1973 and became a permanent resident in 1993 from Blissfield, and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Bradenton. His biggest thrill was selling you a bottle of By-Pas, a cleaning product business his dad helped him set up many years ago, which kept him motivated for most of his adult life. He was named after his two grandfathers, Joseph and Lawrence and remembered them both fondly. His paternal grandfather, Lawrence Hall was the owner of the HOME Canning factory in Blissfield, Michigan, for many years. He was also proud of his maternal grandfather, Detective Joseph Fruchey, for being the chief of detectives of the city of Toledo, Ohio. Survived by mother, Eleanor Hall of Bradenton, Fla.; brother, John (Ann) Hall of Bradenton, Fla.; niece, Lisa Hall (Michael) Katalinich and great-nieces, Lauren Mary and Kendall Joy of Sylvania, Ohio; nephew, James Gregory Hall (Renee Batey and great-nephew, Mathew Batey) and great-nephew, Christian J. Hall of Bradenton, Fla. There will be no services. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel in charge. Memorial donations to United Cerebral Palsy, Tidewell Hospice, Inc. or Trinity Lutheran Church. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. — Nicholas S. Johnson, age 26 of St. Petersburg, Fla, passed away December 29, 2013. Nicholas was born October 5, 1987, in Norfolk, Virginia, to John “Scott” and Mary “Kathy” (Knadler) Johnson. He graduated from Wilmot Union High School in Wisconsin with the Class of 2006 and went on to earn an associate’s degree in auto mechanics. While in high school Nick participated in wrestling and soccer. He enjoyed drawing, paintball and was an avid reader. As a youth Nick was a proud Life Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. Nick joined the United States Coast Guard and was currently serving in St. Petersburg. In addition to his parents, Scott and Kathy Johnson of Campton Hills, Ill., he is survived by his sister, Caitlin Johnson of Burlington, Wis.; paternal grandparents, Ronald and Dorothy Johnson of Terre Haute, Ind.; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Thomas and Mary Knadler and an uncle, Kenneth Knadler. Services for Nicholas were held Saturday, January 4, 2014, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel with burial in Pleasant View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.