Obituaries

  • David Grow
    David B. Grow, age 65, of Blissfield, died at Hospice of Lenawee Oct. 17, 2013, after a short battle with cancer. He was born Feb. 9, 1948, to Aubrey and Delores Grow of Dayton, Ohio. He was the second of six children. He served two tours with the U.S. Marine Corps in Force Recon. He was an electronics technician for J.C. Penney, A&D Electronics and ServMart. He enjoyed golfing, playing guitar and spending time with family. David is survived by his children, Amanda (Daniel Jr.) Griesinger and Matthew Grow; his grandchildren Chelsey Grow, age 11, and Connor Grow, age two; and his beloved fiance and significant other, Mary Woodward. A memorial took place Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Riga. A private interment will be held later. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family at Blissfield State Bank c/o Mary Woodward, to cover funeral expenses, or make donations to Hospice of Lenawee.
  • William “Bill” Curry

    RIGA – William “Bill” B. Curry, 82 of Riga passed away on Monday, October 14, 2013 at Promedica Bixby Hospital in Adrian, Michigan. He was born on November 22, 1930 in Webster Springs, West Virginia to James D. and Garnet I. (Pugh) Curry. On December 13, 1958, Bill was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Goodnoe in Novi, Michigan. She survives.

    Bill served in the United States Army during the Korean War Conflict from 1951 until 1954. He went to work for General Motors as a painter, retiring after 30 years of service. Bill was a faithful member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Riga, the Lansing V.F.W. Post 701, the Military Order Of The Cootie Of The United States Supreme Pup Tent, and in earlier years the Order of the Moose Lodge, where he enjoyed trap shooting. Bill later discovered he had an artistic talent that included woodworking, drawing and painting.

    In addition to his wife, Barbara, he is survived by his children Patricia (James) Miesse of Rancho Cordova, Calif., and Scott (Linda) Curry of Starke, Fla.; one granddaughter, Amanda Butson and nine great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Corintha Curry and his brother, Delbert Curry.

    Cremation has taken place. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Bill Curry took place at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2013, at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield with Pastor Joan Christoffers officiating. Military Rites were conducted by the Blissfield V.F.W. Post 10912 following the service at the funeral home. Bill’s ashes will be laid to rest in Washtenong Memorial Park in Ann Arbor. Condolences to the family, may be made at www.andersonfuneralservices.com In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of Riga or to the American Lung Association. Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

  • Carolyn Saxton

    Carolyn A. Saxton, 75, of Blissfield, was called home to be with her Lord and Saviour on Tuesday evening, October 15, 2013, at ProMedica Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on March 5, 1938, in Bowling Green, Ohio to Ward and Mary (Spalt) Bettis. On July 16, 1966, Carolyn married John R. Saxton at the Presbyterian Church in Blissfield.

    Carolyn was a devoted wife and mother. She offered daycare in her home for approximately 20 years, during which time she nurtured nearly 80 children. Carolyn was a faithful member of the Blissfield Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder, sang in the choir and participated in the women’s ministries, most recently sewing prayer shawls and quilts for local cancer support groups. She loved to quilt and share her gift of knitting. Carolyn donated her time and gifts by making individual blankets for those in need for the Lenawee Emergency and Affordable Housing Corporation and the Catherine Cobb Domestic Violence Shelter in Adrian.

    She is survived by her husband, John “Dick” Saxton of Blissfield; her three children, Michael (Karen) Saxton of Blissfield, Kristen Saxton of Portland, Ore., and Rebecca (Peter) Erdman of Alexandria, Va.; five grandchildren, a brother, R. Kirk (Carolyn) Bettis of Adrian, and a sister, Suzanne (Jerald) Saxton of Blissfield. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers.

    A memorial service to celebrate Carolyn’s life took place Oct. 19, 2013, at the First Presbyterian Church in Blissfield with Rev. Robert Bidwell officiating. Online condolences to the family, may be left at www.andersonfuneralservices.com . In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Blissfield Presbyterian Church. Envelopes are available at the church and also at the Anderson Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

  • Beatrice Thompson

    Beatrice A. Thompson, 84, of Blissfield, passed away peacefully, Monday, October 14, 2013, at the Hospice of Lenawee Home. Born November 27, 1928, in Riga Township, she was the youngest child of John and Maida (Koester) Stevens.

    Bea graduated with the Class of 1946 from Metamora High School. Bea worked as a receptionist for Dr. Burns in Blissfield and retired from Blissfield State Bank where she was also a receptionist for several years. She was an active member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church. Bea also enjoyed dancing with the Maple City Square Dance Club.

    She is survived by her children: Larry (Peggy) Thompson of Adrian; Dennis (Linda) Thompson of Blissfield; Connie (Gary) Durance of Grand Blanc; and Beverly (Greg) Sauter of Palmyra; 10 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren; and a sister, Rachel Gunn of Archbold, Ohio. Also surviving are Tim (Sue) Allshouse and Bart (Trudy) Bartels, both of Adrian, who were like family to Bea. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Rollin and Delmar Stevens, sister, Olive Gibbons, infant granddaughter, Lisa Lynn Thompson; and close friend and companion for many years, Lee Allshouse.

    Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2013, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church with Rev. Gary Leking officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. Visitation will take place at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel on Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Contributions in memory of Bea may be made to Hospice of Lenawee, the National Kidney Foundation or St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

  • Madelyn Fogg

    BATTLE CREEK — Madelyn M. Fogg, age 89, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, at her home. She was born June 29, 1924 in Deerfield, Michigan, to Leland and Hulda Tennant. Madelyn was a homemaker and a self employed secretary for their local business. She was a long time member of the Battle Creek Tabernacle and strong supporter of the Battle Creek Academy. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, reading, and sewing. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family. Madelyn is survived by son, Ronald (Linda) Fogg of Battle Creek; daughters, Phyllis (Phillip) Essex of Battle Creek, Joyce Fogg of Hailey, Idaho; brothers, Mac (Marion) Tennant, Suttons Bay, and John (Shirley) Tennant, Harrisville; grandchildren, Todd Essex, Tricia Harris, Ron Fogg, Jr., Christine Fogg; great-grandchildren, Blake and Branden Essex. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Fogg in 2012 and her infant twin sister, Margaret. A memorial service took place at Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 2:00pm. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Battle Creek Academy.

  • Analin Sorensen

    Analin Dorthe Sorensen, beautiful daughter of Kristoffer and Carrie (Cole) Sorensen, was stillborn at 37 weeks, 6 days on October 6, 2013.

    In addition to her parents she is survived by her big brothers, Joshua Martin and Sebastian Rasmus Sorensen; maternal grandparents, Cheri and Greg Leu of Blissfield; paternal grandparents, Dorthe Moller and Leif Sorensen of Copenhagen, Denmark; maternal great grandparents, Roger and Sue Gritzmaker of Adrian and Dorothy Leu of Sylvania; and many other family members.

    Private memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Tiny Purpose. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel where online condolences are welcome at www.Wagley FuneralHome.com.

  • Joyce Grinage

    Joyce E. Grinage, 85, of Blissfield, passed away Sunday, October 6, 2013, at Blissfield Place. Born January 22, 1928, in Adrian, she was the oldest child of John and Minnie (Barnhart) Fischer. Joyce graduated from Blissfield High School with the Class of 1945. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from Alma College and a Master’s Degree in reading from Eastern Michigan University. On June 11, 1949, Joyce married James Grinage in Blissfield and they celebrated 62 years of marriage prior to his death in 2011.

    Joyce taught elementary, middle, and high school for Blissfield Community Schools for 30 years, retiring in 1988. She was a faithful member of the Blissfield First United Methodist Church where she directed the choir for 40 years. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women, the Lenawee County Retired Teachers and the Michigan Retired Teachers organizations.

    Joyce is survived by her children, Janet Flores, Joann Kerekgyarto, Jayne Gorski, all of Blissfield, Judee (Michael) Williams of Buchanan, MI and a foster daughter, Janis Kane of Clinton, MI; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and brothers, Ronald (Joyce) Fischer and David (Mary) Fischer, both of Blissfield. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Grinage; son-in-law, John Gorski; and three brothers, James, Frank and Gary Fischer.

    A memorial Celebration of Life service will take place on Friday, October 11, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church in Blissfield with the Rev. Kristen Parks officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. Contributions in memory of Joyce may be made to the First United Methodist Church or Hospice of Lenawee. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

  • Robert Creger

    Robert Edward Creger, of Fort Myers, Florida, formerly of Adrian and Blissfield, passed away on Monday, September 30, 2013, at Shell Point Hospice after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 79.

    Robert was born on May 1, 1934 in Deerfield, Michigan to John H. Creger and Marguerite (Bucholtz) Creger. He was married to Eleanor D. Creger (Tasnadi) on February 9, 1963, who predeceased him in 2005. He is survived by three children, Catherine M. Creger-Chambers, R. Bradley Creger, and Eleanor Joanne “EJ” Creger. He is also survived by his sister, Jean Burns (Creger), a brother, Charles C. Creger, Grandchildren, Wyatt and Rachael Creger. In addition to his seven nieces and nephews.

    Dr. Creger graduated from Adrian High School in 1952 and was its class president. He attended Michigan State University and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. During his business career, he earned a Master’s Degree and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Indiana Northern University. He was a dedicated Spartan fan and a member of the MSU Alumni Association. He served his country with honor as a member of the 11th Airborne Division and received an Honorable Discharge from the Army in 1956. Most recently, he continued to dedicate himself to veteran’s causes as Commissioner of Veterans Affairs for the State of Florida. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Florida Veterans Foundation. While living in Blissfield, he served on the Blissfield Fire Department and attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

    Through his career in the automotive industry, Creger held executive positions at General Motors, Jeep Corporation and American Motors. In the 1960s, he was instrumental in the evolution of the Jeep from a military vehicle to a recreational passenger vehicle. At the time, he was the youngest General Sales Manager of any of Detroit’s “Big 3” at the age of 38. He purchased his first of many auto dealerships in 1976. Over the next 20 years, he owned dealerships in Colorado, Wyoming and the United States Virgin Islands. Dr. Creger was an adjunct professor at Edison State College at the time of his death. He served on numerous corporate and civic boards. Creger was a member of the Forest County Club and served on its Board of Directors until his health restricted his golf game. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

    Services were held on Saturday, October 5, 2013, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield, with the Rev. Gary Leking officiating. He was placed into eternal rest next to his beloved wife Eleanor at Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield, with military honors by the Blissfield VFW Post# 10912 and the American Legion Post #325.

  • Patrick “Joe” McMahon II

    RIGA — Patrick “Joe” McMahon II, age 91, of Riga, passed away Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, at Foundation Park Care Center in Toledo where he had been living the past 3 years. He was born May 11, 1922, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, the son of Patrick and Grace (Hower) McMahon Sr. After graduating from high school he joined the Marines and served his country during World War II. Joe was married to Arlene Brubaker. She preceded him in death in 2009. Joe worked as a mechanic in the Toledo area. He later drove truck for Dundee Cement and many area farmers. He was a member of the American Legion and the VFW. Surviving are his children: James (Bonnie) McMahon of Allen, TX; Dan (Cyndi) McMahon and Jean (William) Goodrow, both of Tecumseh; Cathryn (Joseph) Saylor of Temperance; Martha (John) Tucker of Estes Park, CO; Kimberly (Don) Raper of Adrian; and Patrick McMahon III of Riga; step children: Sandy (John) LaVoy, Charles (Connie) Barnhart, Stephen Barnhart and John (Michelle) Barnhart; siblings Nancy Newell of Parkersburg, W. VA; and Phillip ‘Red’ (Juanita) McMahon of Deerfield; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition to his wife and several siblings, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Iffland and two step daughters, Sheryl Dobrosky and Sheila Barnhart. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013, at Riga Cemetery with Rev. Linda Farley officiating and military honors conducted by Post #10912 of the VFW. Visitation will take place at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Joe may be made to the Blissfield Post of the American Legion or the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences and memories are welcome at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

  • Ardith Pooley

    Ardith O. Pooley, 88, of Adrian, passed away, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, at her son’s home surrounded by her loving family and under the care of Hospice of Lenawee. She was born June 12, 1925, in Ohio, to Rachal LaVerne (Dunlap) and Elmer ‘Red’ Rice. She graduated from Chesterfield High School, Ohio. On September 30, 1945, she married Jaye Pooley in California. He preceded her in death in August 1978. Ardith farmed with her husband as well as being a school bus driver. She was an avid card player, especially euchre, and also enjoyed knitting and sewing. Her favorite hobby was her grandchildren; she will be greatly missed by her family. After becoming a widow, Ardith loved traveling with her widowed friends in the ‘widow wagon’ and going on bus tours. She was a member of the Wellsville United Methodist Church of Blissfield. Survivors include her children, Perry (Wendy) Pooley of Palmyra, Sam (Julie) Pooley of Blissfield and Dawn (Greg) Hanes of Reno, NV; 10 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a step-brother, Hal Rice and son in law, Jack Belair. Funeral services for Ardith will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, 2013, at the Wellsville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Wm. Michael Clemmer officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel, Blissfield and on Friday before the service from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wellsville United Methodist Church or Hospice of Lenawee. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com