PALMYRA — Rebecca Wolfe, 62, of Palmyra, passed away Monday, May 13, 2013, at Toledo Hospital. Arrangements are pending with Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel. Please check at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com for details. A full obituary will run in next week’s Advance.
Author: Doug Donnelly
Mike Kerentoff
ADRIAN – Mike Kerentoff of Adrian, Mich. passed away May 10, 2013. He was 89 years old. Born May 27, 1923, Mike was the youngest son of Emma and Julius Kerentoff of Riga Township. Mike graduated Blissfield High School in 1941. As the youngest son of a farm family, Mike had a deferment from fighting in World War II as he helped keep the family farm going. Eventually, Mike went on to own a farm of his own, totaling about 200 acres in Riga. He married Beulah Ahleman on March 2, 1946. In addition to farming wheat, oats, soybeans and/or field corn, Mike raised milk cows, pigs, and chickens. He also worked at the Agricultural Services Extension Office in Lenawee County, spot-checking land for crop set-asides, and he worked for a few years at Blissfield Manufacturing Company. In 1974, Mike and Beulah moved to Winter Haven, Florida, where they lived for 37 years. He worked on golf courses in and around Winter Haven on green maintenance and course irrigation systems. Regardless of where he called home, he was never too far away from the farm, at least in spirit. He maintained a very large garden and planted numerous varieties of orange and grapefruit trees at his home in Winter Haven. Pineapples were his garden’s specialty. He was a long-time fan of the Detroit Tigers. Mike’s wife Beulah preceded him in death. He is survived by two daughters, Jill (Dennis) Hartley of Adrian, Mich., and Luann (Richard) Sharp of Sylvania, Ohio. He also leaves five grandchildren, Michael (Breanne) Hartley of McCordsville, Ind., Michelle Hartley of Comstock Park, Mich., Mark Hartley of Adrian, Mich., Laura Sharp of Toledo, Ohio, and Jessica Sharp of Sylvania, Ohio. Mike had one great-grandson, Cameron, of McCordsville, Ind. The family also wants to extend a special thank you to friend, Leon Denecker of Posey Lake, Michigan, for his help and support throughout Mike’s life, but especially in the last two years. A special thank you to the staff at Cambrian Assisted Living and to all the Hospice of Lenawee Staff, especially Gloria Brooks and Carmen Carpenter. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 13, 2013, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon at the Adrian Anderson Funeral Home. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. The family requests tributes to Hospice of Lenawee. Envelopes are available at the Adrian Anderson Funeral Home.
Mary Mraz
Mary E. Mraz, 93, of Blissfield passed away peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2013, at Ebeid Hospice in Sylvania, Ohio. She was born on September 8, 1919, in Toledo, Ohio, the daughter of George and Julia Dombi. On July 13, 1946, Mary was united in marriage to Tony Mraz in Blissfield, Michigan. They celebrated 50 years of marriage together before Tony preceded her in death in 1997. In earlier years, Mary worked for Wegner’s Laundrama Laundromat in town. She later went to work for Maxitrol in Blissfield, from which she eventually retired. Mary was an all-around homemaker for her family. She sewed and repaired many of her family’s clothing and spent many hours canning various vegetables, including 200 quarts of tomatoes every year up until a few years ago. Mary was a lifetime member of the Light of Christ Catholic Parish, St. Peter the Apostle Campus in Blissfield, where she was active in the Altar Rosary Society, the Ladies Sodality and was very much involved in the planning of many funeral luncheons. Mary is survived by her children, John Mraz of Blissfield and Anne (Jim) Tench of Charlotte, North Carolina; her grandson, Tony and a great-granddaughter, Bella. Also surviving are her two brothers, Emery Dombi of Toledo, Ohio, and Mike (Katherine) Dombi of Oregon, Ohio. In addition to her husband, Tony, she was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers, Frank, Bill and Tut Dombi and 2 sisters, Velma Magno and Julia Duras. A Funeral Mass for Mary will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Light of Christ Catholic Parish, St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Campus in Blissfield with Fr. Jack Loughran officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield. Visitation for Mary will be also be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Light of Christ Catholic Parish. Envelopes will be available at the church.
Alleged drug trafficker in custody
An Ohio man federal authorities were searching for near Crockett Highway and Beamer Roday Monday afternoon and evening has been arrested.
Branden Lounsbury, 28, was apprehended in Toledo, Ohio, and is lodged at the Lucas County Jail, according to First Lt. Tony Cuevas, commander of the Michigan State Police-Monroe Post.
Lounsbury was arrested by members of the U.S. Marshal’s North Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at approximately 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7. He was wanted on several felony charges in Fulton County Ohio for manufacturing and trafficking methamphetamines.
Agents had located him near a residence on Crockett Highway Monday afternoon and a short car chase occurred before Lounsbury fled on foot. Federal and local authorities were unable to find him in a wooded area Monday evening.
Cinco de Mayo 5K Sunday in Blissfield
After the success of and large turnout for the Wassail Festival 5K Run, the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program committee realized one thing: to have a successful run, you need a good theme with some added fun.
The third annual spring run will this year be The Cinco de Mayo 5K Run as it is scheduled for Sunday, May 5. A special Cinco de Mayo treat will be included in runners’ bags from Mexibilly’s in Blissfield, which is co-sponsoring the event with pageant sponsor Borchardt Brothers Market.
There will be prizes for best costume and best team costumes.
The event is a 5K run/walk to benefit the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program.
The race will this year begin beside the scenic Arch Bridge in Blissfield’s Ellis Park.
“We have created a scenic early May run to take runners from near and far around some of what we consider high points of our village at a beautiful time of year as the trees are budding, grass is greening and flowers are blooming,” said Marcia Loader, executive director of the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program. “We chose to begin at the river and end at the river in our beautiful park system. We want to encourage people to not only enjoy our parks and the entire community with its many unique dining experiences, but also visit our downtown where we have seen some exciting new developments over the winter. In other words, come for the race, but make a day of it, too.”
Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and the 5K starts at 1 p.m. The 5K is open to all ages 6 and over, and winds throughout the village. Fees are $25 for the 5K Run/Walk; $12 for kids 6-15; or $60 for a family (limit two adults per family; additional adults $25; children must be with parents). The deadline for shirts has passed and no shirts will be available for those registering this week or on race day.
An awards ceremony will follow the race with medals to the overall male and female and top 2 finishers in each male and female age division: 6-12 13-15, 16-20, 21-35, 36-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+. Presenting the awards will be Miss River Raisin Festival Charlotte Squires of Britton. Many of the contestants for the July 12 Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant will work at the event.
To download a PDF of the race form, please visit the Blissfield River Raisin Festival website, www.blissfield.net and go to the Cinco de Mayo Race section, or email advance@cass.net for one to be sent via email reply.
Local sports results – April 22-27
Following are local sports results from the May 1, 2013, edition of The Advance. For the full stories and individual stats, please see the May 1 Sports pages. Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc.
By Melissa Burnor and Chad Hutchinson
Local women’s track competitors shone at the Addison Relays last Friday. The Whiteford women’s team placed third overall. Blissfield was fourth and Britton Deerfield placed seventh out of 11 teams.
BLISSFIELD
The Blissfield varsity golf squad shot its best team total of the year at the LCAA Jamboree at Deme Acres on April 22. The Royals took 7th place with a team score of 172. Dundee took the top spot with 160, followed by Erie Mason with 163 and Ida with 165.
The Blissfield varsity softball team went 2-1 last week. The Lady Royals dropped the first game of a double-header at home against Columbia Central 3-2 before heavy rains canceled the second game. Blissfield bounced back Friday by sweeping Addison at home 10-1 and 4-3 in a double-header.
The Blissfield women’s track team stormed over the visiting Columbia Central Golden Eagles April 23 before high winds and heavy rains brought the meet to an early close. The Lady Royals clipped the Golden Eagles 66-7 in the contest.
The Blissfield varsity baseball team had an up-and-down week, as the Royals triumphed over Columbia Central 2-1 April 23 before dropping a double-header 6-5 and 10-0 to Riverview Friday night.
The Blissfield varsity women’s soccer team split a pair of games last week, blasting Onsted 7-2 before falling to Manchester on a duet of late goals 5-3. The Lady Royals were led by two hat tricks from Corrine Domschot and Emily Loar. Domschot found the opposing net for three goals against Onsted while Loar had the golden foot with three goals against Manchester.
BRITTON DEERFIELD
The Britton Deerfield men’s track team placed fourth at the Addison Relays Friday afternoon. The Patriots scored 73 points in a field of 11 teams. Only nine points separated them from the second-place team.
The Lady Patriots softball team came up short in three games last week, losing to Webberville 9-5, Dansville 11-1 and Madison 15-3.
WHITEFORD
Whiteford women’s track came up short against two of the Tri-County Conference mainstays. The Bobcats lost to Sand Creek 107-30 and Madison 93-43 in a double-dual meet April 23.
The Whiteford Bobcat men’s track team competed against the two TCC power houses on a rainy, gloomy Tuesday last week where their sprinters stood out. Whiteford as a team lost to both Madison and Sand Creek with identical scores of 118-18.
- Corrine Domschot sets up for a shot during the Royals’ home game against Manchester April 25. Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc. Photo by Chad Hutchinson
Some solid Bobcats bats propelled the Whiteford varsity softball team to an impressive 10-1 win over Sand Creek on Friday. The Whiteford varsity softball team split a double-header with Madison April 22 Whiteford took the first game 6-4. Madison won the second game 8-6 in what was considered a non-league contest.
Blissfield Visitor’s Guide in this week’s Advance
In the May 1, 2013, edition of The Advance, find the spring and summer guide to Blissfield Village and its activities. The guide will also be available in several Michigan Welcome Centers and area businesses.
Find a spring and summer calendar; get the first peek at plans for the 30th anniversary of the Blissfield River Raisin Festival July 10-13; learn of things to see and local resources, too.
Open house honors Koppelman
The Blissfield Elementary School is hosting an open house from 2-5 p.m. Saturday to honor fifth grade teacher Gary Koppelman who was recently awarded the Shell National Science Teaching Award. Koppelman recently returned from Texas where he received the award. He will also be honored yet again by Shell with a thank you to him on the Shell car at the Brickyard 400 Koppelman’s award-winning video will be on display at the open house. There will be refreshments and an opportunity to speak with Koppelman
Schiermyer returns to Lenawee County as Blissfield varsity football coach
By Chad Hutchinson
After much anticipation, Blissfield High School has announced Adam Schiermyer as the next head coach to captain the Blissfield varsity football program. Schiermyer is no stranger to the area as he is a graduate and former football and baseball standout at Morenci High School and Adrian College.
Schiermyer will bring his experience and knowledge from years of playing along with more than nine years of coaching experience to the program. Schiermyer is leaving his post as a high school physical education teacher and head football coach at division-two Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley, Ariz.
After only one season at the helm as varsity head coach, Schiermyer said his move to Blissfield was a pleasant surprise.
“I’ve always had a goal to get back to Lenawee County. It’s always been the area I wanted to go to, I just didn’t know it was going to happen so fast,” he said. Along with taking the position as head coach, Schiermyer will also be a full-time physical education teacher at the high school.
Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc. For the complete story, please see the May 1, 2013, edition of The Advance.
Whiteford School voters go to polls May 7
Voters in the Whiteford Agricultural School district will go to the polls Tuesday, May 7, to vote on the renewal of the current no-homestead tax levy.
This levy is for operating funds and applies to vacant land, commercial and industrial properties, rental properties and vacation homes within the school district.
This renewal does not increase taxes on any primary residences or qualified agricultural or forest property. The renewal would generate approximately $821,047 for educational funding in 2014.
According to an information sheet provided by the Whiteford School District, the proposal will allow the district to levy 18 ills on all property except principal residences and other exempt property required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance. It renews the current millage that expires with the 2013 tax levy. The district is asking for a five year renewal for the years 2013-2018. All properties are subject to the six mills levied state-wide but the non-homestead property is also subject to the local 18-mill levy as written into Proposal A of 1994. With the adoption of Proposal A in 1994 all Michigan school districts receive a foundation grant for operations revenue from the state. If districts do not pass the 18 mills on non-homestead properties they do not receive the full foundation grant. The levy represents approximately 14 percent of the district’s total operating revenue according to the district’s website.
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are located at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 5790 W. Temperance Road, Ottawa Lake. Absentee ballots can be obtained by contacting the township clerk’s office at 734-856-5383.