Robert O. “Bob” Knaggs, 86, of Blissfield, passed away Thursday, April 25, 2013, at The Toledo Hospital. He was born July 22, 1926, in Ottawa Lake, to parents Ludy and Lucy (LaPointe) Knaggs, the union produced 17 children. Bob worked for many years as a ceramic tile setter. He served with the United States Navy during W.W. II. He loved being outdoors, especially working in his beautiful garden. Bob will also be remembered as a passionate fisherman. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Geraldene (Greene) Knaggs; daughters Sharon L. Johnson, Kathleen S. Howard, Michelle M. (Ronald) Sulier, and Janet R. (Steven) Clements; 10 grandchildren Heidi, Heather, Melanie, Amy, Rachel, Robert, Susan, Steven, Rebecca, and Sarah; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters Letha Holup and Joan Young; brothers Arnold, Melvin, Roy, and Howard Knaggs. He was preceded in death by his son Bruce Robert Knaggs; sisters Jeanne and Alice Knaggs, Donna Cousino, Mary Scheuer, Anna LaVigne, and Rose Brosamer; and brothers Raphael, Paul, Larry, and Donald Knaggs. Visitation was at the Reeb Funeral Home, 5712 N. Main St. Sylvania, Ohio, on Monday., where funeral services were yesterday (Tuesday) at 11 a.m. Bob will be laid to rest, with military honors, at Whiteford Union Cemetery. Those wishing to give memorials in Bob’s honor are asked to consider the St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be offered to Bob’s family at www.reebfuneralhome.com Bob was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed!
Author: Doug Donnelly
New U.S. 23/223 detours to be implemented
The Michigan Department of Transportation anticipates reopening the southbound entrance ramp from U.S. 23 from U.S. 223 later today. The ramp has been closed for two weeks for reconstruction.
This will reopen but on Friday there will be a major change implemented on U.S. 223/St. Anthony Road. According to a press release from MDOT a stage change involves shifting all traffic on U.S. 223 to the south sid of the roadway, while construction shifts to the north half of the U.S. 23/U.S. 223 interchange. Construction includes building roundabouts along the north half of the interchange at the raps. This stage, including the ramp closures, is anticipated to take approximately 28 calendar days.
Two-way traffic will be maintained on U.S. 223 between Whiteford Center Road and the northbound U.S. 223 exit ramp using temporary signals. Two lanes of traffic also will be maintained on U.S. 223 one lane in each direction from the southbound U.S. 23 entrance ramp west along U.S. 223. One lane of westbound U.S. 223 traffic will be maintained on the bridge over U.S. 23 between the northbound and southbound ramps. And finally one lane of eastbound U.S. 223 traffic will be maintained u pto the southbound U.S. 23 entrance ramp.
After that point, eastbound U.S. 223 traffic will detour along southbound U.S. 23 to Consear Road to northbound U.S. 23 where traffic will be allowed to turn onto U.S. 223/St. Anthony Road.
Closures in affect starting Friday:
Southbound U.S. 23 exit to U.S. 223 closed. Detour: South on U.S. 23 to Consear Road to northbound U.S. 23, back to U.S. 223
Northbound U.S. 23 entrance ramp from U.S. 23 closed. Detour: Motorists must travel west on U.S. 223 to southbound U.S. 23 to Consear Road to northbound U.S. 23
Whiteford Center Road at St. Anthony Road – closed – Detour: Utilizes Erie Road and Whiteford Road
Bacon Road at U.S. 223 closed. Detour: Utilizes U.S. 223, Sylvania-Petersburg Road, and Samaria Road.
Blissfield names varsity football coach
Blissfield High School athletic director Steve Babbitt has announced that Adam Schiermyer is taking the reins of the Blissfield Varsity Football program.
Schiermyer, a high school physical education teacher and head football coach at Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley, Arizona, said he is excited to be returning to Lenawee County to continue his teaching and coaching career, Babbitt said. A graduate of Adrian College, he majored in physical education and played both football and baseball.
After receiving his degree, Schiermyer attended the United States Sports Academy, where he earned his masters of sport science degree in 2003. Before serving as head football coach at Bradshaw Mountain, he had been a teacher and assistant football coach at Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona, for six years, and at Highland High School, also in Gilbert, for two years.
Babbitt said the new coach will move to the area after Memorial Day weekend, once school ends in his current district. He has “plans of being actively visable before our school year ends here in Blissfield,” Babbitt reported on the Blissfield Community Schools website.
He will arrive in Blissfield with big shoes to fill; those of Ron Estes, who stepped down after this past season after racking up an impressive run at the Royals’ helm, including the runner-up spot to the state championship a few years ago when Blissfield emptied out to follow their Royals to Ford Field.
Samuel Tibbs
Samuel J. Tibbs, 50, of Blissfield, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, April 21, 2013.
Sam was born on July 26, 1962, in Adrian, the son of James W. and Evelyn Jeanette (Rigdon) Tibbs. He graduated from St. John’s Academy of Toledo in 1980, attended Western Michigan University, and worked as manager and Vice President of the former Tibb’s IGA store in Blissfield. Sam was a lifelong resident of Blissfield, and was a member of the Blissfield Presbyterian Church. He was a two time Past Master of the Palmyra Masonic Lodge #184 F&AM. He also was a member of the Knight’s Templar Adrian Commandry #4, and the Zenobia Shrine of Toledo. Sam traveled to many Masonic Lodges in Michigan, assisting them with fundraising. He also assisted many other charities with their fund raising efforts as well.
Surviving Sam are his parents, James and Jeanette Tibbs of Blissfield; sister Jeana Tibbs Jordan of Adrian; nephew and niece Christopher Jordan and Kathleen Jordan of Adrian; and three aunts, Jane Clark of Manitou Beach, Chris Tibbs of Manitou Beach, and Jacki (Richard) Hayes of Mariposa, CA. Sam was preceded in death by his brother in law, Mark S. Jordan; uncles Jack Tibbs, Herb Clark, and Truman (Moose) Rigdon; and grandparents, Jack and Theresa Tibbs, Vivian (Robert) Nichols and Truman Bissell.
A memorial service for Sam will be held Saturday, April 27, 2013, at 11:00 a.m.at the Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield with Rev. Bob Bidwell officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield. Visiting hours will be Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. A Masonic Service will be held Friday evening at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Blissfield Presbyterian Church, the Daily Bread of Adrian, Hospice of Lenawee or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences are welcomed to the family at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com
All aboard for Railroad Days!
By Melissa Burnor
It’s been nearly 180 years since the Erie and Kalamazoo railways tracks were laid across southeastern Michigan and still the railroad tradition remains ever present in the greater Blissfield community. To celebrate that long, rich history with the railroad the Blissfield Downtown Development Authority/Main Street Program has extended the second annual Blissfield Railroad Days presented by McDonald’s of Lenawee County to a two-day affair Saturday and Sunday, April 20-21.
One can ride the rails on the “Old Road,” explore static displays of a once busy caboose and an engine at the Adrian and Blissfield Railroad, as well as tour shops, local attractions and homes with the attraction of several different model trains and railroads and buy and sell model railroad items at an indoor swap meet on Sunday.
Organizers have extended the event to two days to accommodate the large number of people they expect to visit the village this Saturday and Sunday. To visit most of the exhibits and to keep track of where to go, a $5 ticket can be purchased at the Blissfield Historic Depot on N. Lane St., The Blissfield American Legion, The A & B Railroad and the Blissfield Model Railroad Club. T he event runs from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday and and Sunday. Tickets can be presented to volunteers at each location and punched just as an old-time train passenger ticket would have been.
“The tickets are good for the whole weekend,” DDA/Main street Manager Patricia Rayl said. Organizers have printed 5,000 tickets in expectation of good-sized crowds over the weekend.
There will be three homes open to the public both days where each resident has an extensive model train collection. Frank Baker on S. Monroe Street will again have his large model display running. Doug Tagsold on Danfield Court will show off his HO scale Denver, Front Range and Webster layouts on display that have been featured in “Model Railroader Magazine” This year Clem Krzeczkowski will also open his East Gorman Road home for viewing of his new O sale layout in an “island” layout with a river, bridges, tunnels and other highlights to the display.
Several downtown as well as other village businesses will host different model trains and railroad-related activities. This year there will also be what organizers are calling a garden train in the downtown minipark on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday Engineer Dan will be located in the minipark for photograph opportunities.
The Adrian and Blissfield Railroad will give rides. Each ticket bearer can ride the train twice, once from the East Depot to the West Depot and then on the return trip as part of the ticket cost. Brenda Rice of the A & B railroad said train rides are from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday and from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday. The A & B Railroad will also have a display of a vintage locomotive ad caboose to tour.
Other attractions both days include the Blissfield Model Railroad Club on East Adrian Street that will have its extensive model railroads on display with trains running from 10-4 p.m. both days. Operation Lifesaver will be at the Lane Street Depot to educate the public on rail safety.
Another new feature this year is the Lenawee County Voiture Locale 9997 40 & 8 Chateau Trolley. Rayl said it will have drop off points at the Pearl and Jefferson street parking lot to the American Legion. It will also shuttle people to the area of Baker and Krzeczkowski’s homes. This year there are two events at the at the Blissfield American Legion. On Saturday there will be displays of four modular railroads, Rayl said. On Sunday there will be a sale and swap event for model railroad items.
Weather causes Whiteford postpones ballgames until April 23
Whiteford Agricultural Schools have postponed varsity baseball and softball games scheduled for Friday, April 19, due to the inclement weather. Both games have been rescheduled for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at Whiteford.
Britton Deerfield athletic events postponed, cancelled due to weather
Athletic events scheduled for BD schools have been postponed and cancelled due to weather. Both the Britton Deerfield varsity baseball and softball games scheduled for Friday afternoon,
April 19, against Summerfield have been postponed until a later date. The junior varsity baseball game at Deerfield on Monday, April 22, against Sand Creek has also been cancelled. The Pittsford Invitational Saturday, April 20, that both the men’s and women’s track teams were scheduled to compete in, has also been cancelled.
Weather impacts April 19-20 BHS sports events
This from Steve Babbitt, Blissfield High School athletic director, regarding BHS sporting events for April 19 and 20:Freshman baseball has been cancelled for Friday at Milan and Saturday at St. Mary’s CC.Varsity track has been cancelled for Saturday at PittsfordVarsity softball vs. Notre Dame Saturday (home) has been delayed until 1 p.m.Varsity baseball Saturday (Homerun Pizza Invitational @ home) has been delayed until noonThere is some activity still going Friday: varsity soccer at Adrian at 5:30 p.m. is on as is varsity golf at Ida, 3 p.m.
Whiteford Schools low-level lockdown lifted
OTTAWA LAKE – A “low-level lockdown” at Whiteford Agricultural Schools was lifted early Friday afternoon, April 19. The school district had been in lockdown mode since earlier that morning. Officials said phone threats against some students had been made by another individual. According to the person who answered the phones at Whiteford Schools after 2 p.m., several school officials were in a debriefing session.
It does not appear that students were in any danger and the lockdown was a precautionary measure.
According to the “Monroe County School Emergency Information Guide”, a lockdown takes place when an internal or external threat id identified. No entry or exit will be allowed from the school until an “all-clear” is announced
Area sports highlights: The Advance April 17, 2013, edition
Blissfield Baseball
The Blissfield varsity baseball team swept its LCAA adversary Hudson Tigers 5-0 and 4-3 in a double-header April 9. The Royals rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh to clinch the sweep and even their record at 3-3 on the season. Blissfield’s LCAA victory also sparked its pursuit of a 20th consecutive league championship.
Blissfield Women’s Track
The Blissfield women’s track team didn’t need the cold temperatures and light rain to help put the visiting Hudson Tigers on ice 85-43 April 10. The Lady Royals dominated nearly every event on their way to the double-digit win to open their season.
Blissfield Men’s Track
The Blissfield men’s track team was more than the Tigers could handle, as it took down the Tigers 85-28 to open its season.
Blissfield Softball
The Blissfield varsity softball team split its league opener in a double-header against the rival Hudson Tigers April 10. The Royals were bested by the Tigers 2-0 in the first game before responding with a 6-0 win in the second.
Blissfield Soccer
The Blissfield varsity women’s soccer team split a pair of games last week to open its season. The Royals downed Stockbridge 1-0 April 9, followed by a loss to Riverview Gabriel Richard 2-1.
Blissfield Golf
The Royals’ varsity golf squad hosted the Blissfield Jamboree April 9. Dundee, Onsted, Erie Mason, Columbia Central, Ida, Hillsdale and Hudson hit the course with the Royals to open up the 2013 season. Blissfield finished in sixth place for the competition with a team score of 192.
Britton Deerfield Women’s Track
The Britton Deerfield varsity women’s track team won every event Tuesday April 9 in a non-league track meet against an extremely small Lenawee Christian Team 111-14.
Britton Deerfield Men’s Track
The Britton Deerfield men’s track team placed first in 14 of 17 events to easily defeat a small Lenawee Christian team 108-24. There were 10 individual winners including three freshmen. The Patriots also won all four relays on a cool but nearly dry afternoon April 9 at home.
Britton Deerfield Baseball
The Britton Deerfield Patriots mercied the Addison Panthers in five innings to open up their baseball season on the road with a score of 13-1.
Whiteford Women’s Track
The Whiteford Lady Bobcats had a solid afternoon as they opened the track season April 9 in a five-way meet at Summerfield. Whiteford had 78 points. Pittsford finished first with 122 points, Addison had 61, Morenci, 60 and Summerfield had 29 points.
Whiteford Men’s Track
The Whiteford men’s varsity track team finished fourth of five team at a five-way meet in Summerfield April 9. Summerfield finished first with 141 points. Pittsford had 81, Addison 63, Whiteford 34 and Morenci 32 points.
Whiteford Women’s Track
The Lady Bobcats were fifth of eight track teams competing at the Trojan Relays Friday afternoon. The team netted 35 points. Chelsea and Macomb Lutheran North tied for first with 102 points apiece.
Whiteford Softball
The Whiteford women’s varsity softball team took a loss in their season opener to Evergreen 6-5.
Whiteford Baseball
Despite leading by three runs early in the game the Whiteford Bobcat varsity baseball team lost their season opener across the board April 9. The final score against Evergreen was 7-3.
For the complete stories, individual results and more photos, please see the April 17, 2013, edition of The Advance.
