Author: Doug Donnelly

Daniel Boone Hacker, Jr., aged 83, passed away on Monday, December 16, 2013 at Lynwood Manor in Adrian after a long bout with esophageal cancer. He was born August 30, 1930 in Oneida, Kentucky to school teacher and mountaineer Daniel B. and Alabama (Davidson) Hacker. His mother passed away shortly after giving birth and his father was advanced in his years, so he was raised by his half-brother Roy and Oda (Britton) Hacker in the Hamilton, Ohio, area. Dan attended Reily High school where he played basketball and baseball. He planned on playing basketball for Xavier University but was drafted shortly after enrollment and served in Korea as a member of the United States Army. Upon returning to civilian life he moved to the Monroe, Michigan area to find work in the auto industry. At the urging of his brother-in-law, Monroe jeweler Dan Weiss, he entered Bowman Technical Institute in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and became a master watchmaker. He established Hacker Jewelers in Blissfield in 1956. The business expanded twice in Blissfield and eventually moved to Adrian where he continued to operate it until early 2013. In October of 1958 he married Barbara Ann Dressel. She preceded him in death in 1982. They had two children, both of whom followed in their father’s footsteps in the jewelry industry. Daniel G. Hacker operates Hacker Jewelers, Designers & Goldsmiths, Inc. of Tecumseh with his wife Barbara (Gafner). Monica McKeown is an accomplished jewelry designer and V.P. of the Corporate Division of renowned Chicago jeweler Lester Lampert. She and her husband Thomas live in Whiting, Indiana. Dan was preceded in death by many siblings and is survived by just four sisters: Sylvia Lewis of Sale Creek, Tennessee; Susan Wilson of Hamilton, Ohio; Opal Wissinger of Belleview, Washington; and Blanche (George) Jackson of Oxford, Ohio. He is also survived by three grandchildren: John Hacker and special friend Elisabeth Dion of Livonia; Alexander Lilak of Whiting, Indiana; and Vanessa Lilak of Chicago. He beamed with pride at the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Over the years, Dan was involved in many civic and business groups. He served as a Blissfield village councilman for several years, was a former Kiwanian, and was a member of the American Legion. He coached Little League baseball and peewee football, and was the stadium announcer for Blissfield High School football for many years. Dan also formerly served on the board of directors of TLC Community Credit Union. You were a stranger in Dan’s jewelry store but once. He had an engaging personality and made friends quickly. He dreamed big and always had a restoration project or second business on the side. He loved bluegrass, classic country, and easy listening pop music, conservative politics, and University of Michigan sports (where both his children and a grandson earned degrees). He was generous to a fault, and will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and everyone who knew him. Arrangements are entrusted to the Wagley Funeral Home Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield with visitation on Wednesday,, December 18 from 4 to 8 p.m. with a walk-through at 7 p.m. by the Blissfield American Legion Post 325. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday .December 19, with the Rev. Jack Loughran officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield. Military honors will be conducted by the Blissfield American Legion Post 325 and VFW Post 10912. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Blissfield American Legion Robert Meachen Post 325 or the American Cancer Society. Online condolences are welcomed at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com

Maxine A. Eastman, age 85 of Blissfield, formerly of Westland, Michigan, passed away Saturday, November 30, 2013, at Blissfield Place where she happily lived the past six years surrounded by wonderful care givers and residents she considered dear friends. She was born at home in Palmyra, Michigan on May 17, 1928, to Charles and Mary (Humphrey) Bartholomew, and graduated from Adrian High School. Maxine worked as a dental assistant for several dentists and was also an assistant professor at Ferris State University. While teaching at Ferris State she met her husband, Donald Eastman whom she married August 30, 1969. They celebrated 39 years together prior to his death in 2008. Maxine attended Blissfield Baptist Church. In her younger years she played the musical saw with her sister traveling to play for veteran’s groups during the war. She was a fabulous cook and a fan of the Detroit Tigers. Most of all she enjoyed spoiling her family. Maxine is survived by her treasured nieces, Mary Ann (John) Polhemus of Houston, Texas; Dee Crane and Darlene (Lynn) Southward, both of Blissfield; and her great nieces and nephew who were more like grandchildren, Maria Crane of Blissfield; Benjamin Crane of Palmyra; and Sarah Jane Holmes of Pearland, Texas. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert and Lawrence Bartholomew and a sister, Jean Isley. A Time of Remembrance for Maxine’s family and close friends took place at the Blissfield Baptist Church at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2013, with Pastor Thomas Frantz presiding. In lieu of flowers, her family has suggested making a donation to your favorite charity in Max’s memory. Arrangements were entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel.

Helen Ruth Vergote, age 94, of Blissfield, died Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at her home.  She was born April 3, 1919, in Sturgis, Michigan to Fred H. and Lillian (Betz) Iffland.  On February 19, 1942, she married Paul Vergote in Plaqueman, LA.  He preceded her in death on October 23, 2008.  Helen had been employed by the Blissfield Telephone Company.  She enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Belgium and Europe.  She also enjoyed making baby quilts and ceramics and was involved in Busy Beaver of North Blissfield 4-H Club.  Helen was also involved in funeral dinners and many committees at church.  She was a member of Farm Bureau. Helen is survived by two sons, Paul (Diane) Vergote of Blissfield and Bruce (Vicki) Vergote of Stanwood, MI; grandchildren, Lori (Leo) Goll of Blissfield, Tim (Tabitha) Vergote of Blissfield, and Aaron Vergote of Stanwood, Michigan; a step-granddaughter, Dunne`; a great-grandson, Ethan Vergote of Blissfield; step-great-grandchildren, Andrea Ellison, Michael Ellison, and Jacob Ellison of Blissfield; a step-great-great-grandson, Mason Jones of Adrian; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her husband, Paul, she was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Kaye Vergote; and two brothers, Myron Iffland and Floyd Terry. Helen also wishes to acknowledge her close friends Mary and Orrin Gregg, Pat and the late Bob Nesbit and her adoptive family from England Gill and David Payne. A special thank you to the staff of the Hospice of Northwest Ohio and especially nurse, Andrea Miller for her care and compassion. At Helen’s request, cremation has taken place. A memorial mass was held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 6, 2013, at Light of Christ Parish  (St. Peter’s) in Blissfield with Fr. Jack Loughran officiating. Private burial of cremains will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Blissfield. Visitation was held Thursday, December 5, 2013 from 2-8 p.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield where there was a Vigil Prayer service held at 7 p.m. with Fr. Vincent VanDoan officiating. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Schultz-Homes Memorial Library of Blissfield, Lenawee Humane Society or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

Frederick Brieschke Jr., age 83 of Blissfield, passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at Flower Hospital.

Born December 24, 1929 in Blissfield, Michigan, he was the youngest child of Frederick and Hazel (Caswell) Brieschke Sr.  Fred graduated from Blissfield High School in 1947 and attended Michigan State University.  During the Korean Conflict Fred served in the United States Navy.

On August 28, 1954 he was married to Loraine Vanneste, and she survives.

Fred lived all his life in Blissfield.  He worked at Teledyn in Toledo, retiring in 1988 with 32 years of service.  He was a member of the American Legion.

In addition to Loraine, his wife of 59 years, he is survived by their children: Donald (Bonnie) of Sylvania; Gary (Linda) of Temperance; Thomas of Blissfield; and Karen (Sanford) Wexler of Novi; eight grandchildren: Andrew, Anthony, Blake, Kyle, and Cody Brieschke and Brendan, Ryan and Rachael Wexler; a brother, Elden Brieschke of Lambertville; and a sister, Anna Mae Crots of Blissfield.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet Brieschke; and siblings, Myrna Murdock; Treva French; and Glen Brieschke.

Services were held Monday, December 9, 2013 at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Lenawee or to the donor’s charity of choice.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.