Obituaries

Stuart J. DeRousie, age 91, formerly of Blissfield, died Friday, November 15, 2013. A part of the “greatest generation”, he was born on July 15, 1922, in Detroit, lived through the Great Depression, graduated from Britton High School in 1940, served for three years in the U.S. Army Air Corps in India during World War II, and married Helia I. Juntunen DeRousie on April 6, 1946. in Detroit. Together, they raised three sons in Blissfield where he supported the community his entire life. Stuart retired from the Blissfield Volunteer Fire Department in 1980 after 30 years of service, including 16 years as fire chief. After that, he was elected to a term as president of Blissfield in 1981. His whole career was in the auto industry, with the last several years as sales manager with Knapp Motors. Stuart and Helia were married for 67 years until her death on July 27, 2013. Many of their cherished memories were made at their cottage in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Stuart is survived by his three sons, Charles (Patt) of Columbus, Ohio, Roy (Donna) of Washougal, Wash., and Richard (Norma) of Brooklyn, Mich.; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Aaron) Monnig, Jason (Rebecca), Kim, Martine (Justine) Horigan, and Kai; six great-grandchildren and nieces Christine (George) Richmond and Lisa Dieckmann. Preceding him in death were his parents and brother and sister in law (George and Annette DeRousie). In accordance with Stuart’s wishes, cremation has taken place. In remembrance of Stuart, the family will receive family and friends on Sunday, November 24, 2013, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Blissfield Fire Department Community Room at 299 E. Adrian St., Blissfield. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Blissfield Firefighters Association, 299 E. Adrian St., Blissfield, MI 49228 or to Hospice of Lenawee, 1903 Wolf Creek Hwy., Adrian, MI 49221. Envelopes will be available at the fire hall or at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield.

GAYLORD — Ernest L. Kapnick, age 81, died Monday, November 11, 2013 at his home in Gaylord. Mr. Kapnick was born in Adrian on January 3, 1932. He was a member of the Blissfield Kiwanis Club and the Palmyra Masonic Lodge. He loved sports, especially “Michigan” sports. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Bobbie. On December 27, 1985, he married Catherine Ann Carpenter, who survives. Also surviving are his children, Jeff (Ruthe), Carla (Rich) VanDeKerchove, Tom (Claudia) Carpenter, Andy (Karen Blain) Carncross, Clark (Thelma) Carncross and Janet Gordon; grandchildren, Markas, Nickolas, Hunter, Luke, Jessica, Joshua, Joe, Katie, Rob and Dan; great grandchildren, Leila, Ombre, Dillinger A graveside memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, November 22, 2013, at the Palmyra Cemetery in Palmyra Township. In lieu of flowers, those considering an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the American Cancer Society, through the Nelson Funeral Home, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734. Online condolences may be posted at www.nelsonsfuneralhome.com The family has requested that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Mid-Michigan Hospice. Condolences may be offered to the family online at: www.PurseFuneralHome.com

ADRIAN — Doris G. Zinn, age 95 of Adrian, passed away Friday, November 8, 2013, at Lenawee Medical Care Facility. Born August 1, 1918, in Riga, Michigan, she was the daughter of Henry J. and Anna E. (Forsyth) Silberhorn. She graduated from Blissfield High School with the Class of 1936. On September 2, 1939, she married Wilbur Zinn at the Riga Lutheran Church, and they celebrated 65 years of marriage. Doris was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tecumseh. She and Wilbur enjoyed traveling extensively with their camper and knew the best fishing spots in both Michigan and Florida. For several years they lived in Florida and Tennessee and later returned to Michigan to be near family. Doris is survived by her children: Robert (Penny) Zinn of Adrian; and Kathy Zinn of Florida; granddaughter, Stephanie Zinn of Seattle, Washington; two great grandchildren; sisters, Elizabeth Kershner of Adrian and Lois Bailey of Blissfield; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by an infant son, John Zinn; grandson, Anthony Zinn; and brother, Dennis Silberhorn. Memorial services were held Saturday, November 16, 2013. Contributions in memory of Doris may be made to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Arrangements were entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home where online memories and condolences may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Shirley Ann Shusta, age 77 of Blissfield, died Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at ProMedica Bixby Hospital surrounded by her family.

She was born July 17, 1936, in Detroit to Med and Rose (Nault) Isabell. Shirley was a 1954 graduate of Pershing High School. On May 2, 1959, in Detroit she married Bernard Shusta.

She was the apartment manager for six years at Riverview Terrace Apartments, retiring in 2004. She was a member of Light of Christ Parish and very involved in church activities, including the K of C Auxiliary. Shirley was an active member and five-year leader of TOPS 1053 and a 33-year member of Al-Anon. Her family would tell you she perfected the ultimate cheesecake recipe. Shirley will be remembered for her beautiful soul, loving wife, mother and grandmother.

In addition to her husband, Bernard, Shirley is survived by four daughters, Roseanne (Tom) Finley of Yorktown, Va., Suzanne (Greg) Woods of Camarillo, Calif., Carolyn Shusta of Denmark, Wisc., and Rebecca Shusta of Blissfield; one son, David (Eileen) Shusta of Athens, Ohio; one sister Joan Colovos of Sebring, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, Amanda, Marie, Theresa, Vicky, Meghan, Kimberly, Kayla, Bradley, Daniel, Katy and Anna; four great grandchildren, Cate, Tyler, Brooke and “Nugget”; who is due any time. She was preceded in death by her parents and two siblings.

Funeral Liturgy for Shirley was Saturday, November 9, 2013, at Light of Christ Catholic Parish (St. Peter the Apostle) with Fr. Jack Loughran as celebrant. Burial was in Pleasant View Cemetery, Blissfield. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

BLISSFIELD – Brion J. Campbell, 40, formerly of Adrian, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at his home in Blissfield.

He was born September 21, 1973, in Adrian, the son of Margaret Stafford and Garnet Campbell.  Brion graduated from Adrian High School with the Class of 1992 and attended Siena Heights University.  He played soccer in both high school and college as well as with a traveling team which competed in Europe.  He was also an avid golfer.

In addition to his parents, Margaret Stafford of Toledo, and Garnet (Tohni) Campbell of Camden, Mich., he is survived by his treasured sons, Jude and Nicholas; siblings: Robert Campbell of Toledo; Megan (Adam) Bernal of Selma, Texas; Michael (Michelle) Campbell of Lansing; Natasha (Ryan) Welker of Monroe; and Austin Gonzalez of Adrian; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Marian and John Stafford and Lytha and Garnet Campbell.

A gathering of family and friends took place on Friday, November 15, 2013 at Wagley Funeral Home in Adrian.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brion’s sons, Jude and Nicholas Campbell, to establish an educational fund at Lenco Credit Union.  Please share online condolences and memories www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Elmer James Seeburger, 77, of Blissfield, passed away peacefully, on Monday, October 28, 2013, at the Lenawee Hospice Home in Adrian. Born in Riga, on February 18, 1936, to Elmer Fred Seeburger and Florence Fisher Seeburger, Elmer was the oldest of 8 children. He served in the Army as a Special Weapons Technician using what is called an “Honesty Tommy” missile. After he was honorably discharged, Elmer soon started his career with Toledo Concrete Pipe, now known as Independent Pipe Company. He retired after 42 years of service. Elmer’s passions in his life include family, friends, fishing, hunting, gardening and cooking, especially his turkey minestrone soup. He was very mechanically inclined and would help anyone who needed an extra pair of hands. Elmer told of his many adventures up until the time of his passing. Elmer was preceded in death by his father, Elmer Fred Seeburger and his mother, Florence Fisher Seeburger Houttekier; his first wife, Marlo; sister, Mary; brothers, Gary and Albert (Junior) and his first granddaughter, Shay Elizabeth Hannah. Elmer is survived by his wife Nancy, daughters, Cheryl Seeburger Hannah and Nelda Rainey; step son David (Lisa) Bailey; sisters, Irene Kastel and Alice Posten; brothers, Kenneth and John Houttekier; six grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Elmer also leaves extended family and friends to remember him in his best moments. It was very important to him to spend time with everyone before his passing. The care provided by Lenawee Hospice Home’s nurses was outstanding, Elmer kept his dignity until passing to the next life. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service for Elmer was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2013, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel, Blissfield, with Rev. Kristen Parks officiating. Military honors were by the Blissfield American Legion and VFW. Visitation was from 10 to 11:00 a.m. before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com

Travis Ott, 28, of Blissfield was taken home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 24, 2013, with his loving mother and sisters holding his hands. He was surrounded by a room full of family and friends. Travis was an avid motorcycle rider and there was little else he enjoyed more then riding his Harley, which he built. He also enjoyed spending all the time he could with his faithful best friend, MoJo, who he brought home as a puppy on his Harley, tucked into his jacket. Travis enjoyed fishing, spending time with family and friends, working on his Bachelors Degree, and living life to its fullest. He also enjoyed the Detroit Red Wings, and was an avid shopper on eBay. His interests also included drawing, restoring his Corvette, swap meets and flea markets, and he gave generously his time volunteering along side his mother at multiple UAW fundraisers. Travis received his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice in 2013 from ITT and was currently enrolled at Lourdes University working to complete his BA in Criminal Justice. He was an “A” student, and took great pride and honor in his studies. Travis enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews who meant the world to him and he was always there to mentor them and attending their school functions. He was the definition of strength and bravery, and was admittedly a “momma’s boy.” He was a hero to many and a source of strength for his family and friends. Travis loved this time of year, the colors, Halloween, scary movies, and trick-or-treating with his nieces and nephews. Travis is deeply loved and missed by his mother, Kim Ott, Blissfield, who never wavered at dropping all else to be at his side, which he knew the lengths she went to; his father, Dan (Roxanne) Ott, Swanton, Ohio, who worked along side him restoring his Corvette and riding their Harleys; sisters, Renee, (Jim) Wheeler, Danielle Ott, and Bailey Ott; seven nieces and nephews who adored him; his loving aunt, Brenda (Gary Martin) Westfall, and Uncle David (Janni) Smith, who he enjoyed spending time and joking with; cousins who were like brothers to him and he could always count on them to “stir things up”; his maternal grandmother, Naoma (“Gol-Darn-It-Yosh) Kastel, and paternal grandmother, Rosemary Ott; several life-long, solid-as-a-rock friends, who he adored and loved hanging with; and lastly, his beloved MoJo, who he spent every second he could with. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Fritz Smith, and paternal grandfather, Karl Ott. Family and friends visited Friday, Nov. 1 from 2 to 8 p.m .at the Weigel Funeral Home, 413 E. Main St. in Metamora (419.644.3601). The family receiveed family and friends on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, from 10 a.m. till noon in the funeral home with funeral services beginning at noon with the Rev. Donna Stutzman officiating. Interment followed at Ogden Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the family c/o Kim Ott. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.weigelfuneralhomes.com

TIPTON — Carolyn A. Tuckerman, 75, of Tipton, passed away Sunday, November 3, 2013, at Toledo Hospital. Born December 3, 1937, in Blissfield, Michigan, she was the oldest child of the late Norman Buehrer and Nila (Cadoo) Buehrer Swiger. She graduated from Blissfield High School in 1955. On December 10, 1958, Carolyn married Hal Tuckerman in Raisin Center, and he survives. Carolyn was a member of the Tipton Community Congregational Church. She was very active in the community as the Franklin Township Clerk, and later as a Lenawee County Commissioner. For numerous years she served on the board for the Area Agency on Aging and on the Lenawee County Community Mental Health Authority board where she was on the Recipients Rights Advisory Committee. In addition to Hal, her husband of over 54 years, she is survived by their children: Beth (Mark) Jackson of Palmyra; Amy (Robert) Rilley of Zeeland; and Ann (Terry) Lyon of Lancaster, Calif.; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and her siblings: Clifford (Christine) Buehrer of Palmyra; Nedra (David) Seegert of Blissfield; Rev. Mark (Paulette) Swiger of Crossville, Tenn; Nilaine (George) Gordon of Onsted; Joyce Powell of Sylvania; Janice (Richard) Colwell of Brenham, Texas; Patricia Dimond of Charlevoix; and Catherine Stanek of Appleton, Wis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Sara. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2013, at the Tipton Community Congregational Church with Rev. Eric Hickman officiating. Burial will follow at Franklin Township Cemetery. Visitation will take place at Wagley Funeral Home in Adrian on Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Contributions in memory of Carolyn may be made to the Tipton Community Congregational Church or the Sand Lake Fire Department. Online condolences and memories are welcome at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com. name ext

ADRIAN — Douglas Ulo Kruse, 80, of Adrian, passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2013, at Bixby Medical Center. He was born June 26, 1933 in Blissfield, the son of Henry and Idona (Forsyth) Kruse. He graduated from Blissfield High School in 1951. During the Korean Conflict, Doug served in the US Army and was stationed in France. For 18 years Doug worked for Revco in Deerfield. Doug retired in 1993, a 30 year member of the Carpenters’ Union #517 in Ann Arbor. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and a life-time member of the Blissfield American Legion. Doug loved the outdoors and his favorite pastimes were fishing at Lake Erie, gardening, deer hunting in Pennsylvania, and morel mushroom hunting. He is survived by Marilyn (Pate), his wife of 58 years, along with their children; Jeffrey (Deb) Kruse of Jackson; Michael (Dawn) Kruse of Tecumseh; chosen daughter, Mary Kruse of Manitou Beach; grandchildren, Nicholas (Tiffiny) Kruse of Redford, and Sarah Kruse of Denver, Colo.; great grandson, Bryce Kruse; and a sister, Frances Tietz of Blissfield. Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by brothers, Basil and Leslie Kruse; and a sister, Margaret Day. Funeral services for Doug were held at on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at Wagley Funeral Home military honors were conducted by the VFW Annis Fint Post #1584. Burial followed at Lenawee Hills Memorial Park in Adrian. Contributions in memory of Doug may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

RIGA – Henry P. Fisher, 98, of Riga, passed away on October 29,2013 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo.