Obituaries

Andrew M. Growden, 48, of Holland, Ohio, passed away on January 17, 2013, at his residence. Andy graduated from Delta High School in 1982 and then Adrian College in 1986.  He was employed as a certified public accountant working in the corporate community. Andy is survived by his loving wife Melissa (Durbin) Growden; brother, Michael (Donna) Growden; brother and sister-in-law Tom & Dori Durbin; nieces and nephews, Willem, Silas, Laurel, Benjamin, Tyler, Jesse, Kaylee Growden, and Isaac and Olivia Durbin; mother and father-in-law Jan & Pete Durbin; many close friends, and faithful feline companion, Stella.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Barry and Keith Growden. Funeral services were held January 22. Those wishing to give memorials, in lieu of flowers, are asked to consider The Andrew M. Growden Fund for Student Success C/O Siena Heights University Advancement Office, 1247 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI 49221.

Kevin P. Klump, 23, of Blissfield, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 in Kalamazoo, MI. Kevin was born on Aug. 12, 1989 in Toledo, the son of Norris and Robin (Kirby) Klump. He graduated from Blissfield High School in 2008, where he was a member of the 2007 State Runner-Up football team. Kevin was currently attending classes at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. Kevin was a very active person, enjoying skateboarding and snowboarding, playing music, video games, reading, going to movies, and spending time with his nieces and nephews. His most recent interest was sky diving. Kevin had a very close relationship with his grandparents, with whom he is now spending time in heaven. Surviving Kevin are his parents, Norris and Robin Klump; brother Ryan (Jenna) Klump of Blissfield, sister Erin Klump of Blissfield; grandmother Jean Kirby of Albion, NY; and nieces and nephews Joslyn, Jayson, Beckett, Jett, and Harper. He was preceded in death by grandparents Ralph and Ruby Klump, and Robert Kirby. Private funeral services were held Monday at the Elem3nt Church in Blissfield. Burial followed in Ogden Zion Cemetery. Arrangements were made with Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield. Memorial contributions in memory of Kevin may be made to the Elem3nt Church in Blissfield. Online condolences may be made at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Ruby (Studer) Klump died on Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at the age of 97. She was born June 23, 1915, in Whitehouse, Ohio to Samuel and Arvadel (Fry) Studer Sr. After graduating from high school in 1933 at Whitehouse, Ohio she enrolled in the Toledo Hospital School of Nursing and graduated as a registered nurse in 1939. She worked at Bixby Hospital in Adrian until her retirement in 1978. On October 18, 1940, Ruby married Ralph C. Klump at her home in Whitehouse, Ohio. They celebrated over 63 years of marriage prior to his death in 2004. Ruby served her local churches, the former Ogden Evangelical United Brethren Church which became the former Ogden United Methodist Church, in many leadership roles. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Blissfield First United Methodist Church. Ruby devoted much of her time serving her church at the district and conference levels. She was the President of the Michigan Women’s Society of World Service (now known as United Methodist Women); was a member of the Board of Connectional Outreach (Town and Country Section); a member of the Conference United Methodist Women with Family Farm Concerns Committee; an alternate delegate to the General Conference at the time of the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren and Methodist Churches; and was chairperson of the Ann Arbor District Board of Global Missions. Ruby and her husband, Ralph Klump, were both charter members of the Detroit Chapter of the United Methodist Town and Rural Fellowship and were instrumental in the formation of the Detroit Conference Chapter in 1977. On June 8, 1989, Ruby and Ralph were awarded the United Methodist Rural Fellowship Citation of Merit for their outstanding service to the Town and Country Ministries. Ruby is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Dennis) Kolaski of Yorkville, IL; and two sons, Virgil (Bernie) Klump of Adrian, and Norris (Robin) Klump of Blissfield; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; a sister, Lynette Sell, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, and husband she was preceded in death by her brothers, Roy, Melvin, Samuel Jr., Floyd, Charles, and Burton Studer; and sisters, Letta Brown, Pearl Kinsey and Evelyn Klump. The funeral was held Saturday, February 9, 2013, at the Blissfield First United Methodist Church with her nephew, Dr. Dean Klump officiating Memorial contributions may be made to Blissfield First United Methodist Church or Hospice of Lenawee. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel where online condolences are welcome at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Stanley Brooks, 69, of Blissfield passed away on Friday, February 8th at Hospice of Lenawee. Stanley was born on Aug. 6, 1943 in Ypsilanti, MI, the son of Raymond and Phyllis (Smith) Brooks. He served in the US Army in Vietnam from 1966-69, and worked as a truck driver, retiring in 2012 from Kenan Advantage Tank Lines. Stanley was married on Nov. 5, 1988 in Blissfield to Cynthia Bassett. Besides driving truck, Stanley was a handyman, tinkering with engines and other mechanical devices. He also was known as the “grillmaster”, as he enjoyed grilling food. Stanley also enjoyed spending time with his nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and grand nephews. His strong faith and love for God showed in his love of family and friends. Surviving is Stanley’s wife, Cynthia Brooks of Blissfield; three sisters, Shirley Jackson of Blissfield, Peggy (Wayne) Wright of Jasper, and Susan (Phil) Popham of Grand Blanc, MI; brother Roland (Joan) Brooks of Rothbury, MI, and several nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and grand nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Phyllis Brooks, brother Raymond Brooks; and sister Nancy Jacques. Funeral services for Stanley were held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Tagsold Chapel, Wagley Funeral Home in Blissfield, with Fr. Ignatius Warren officiating, assisted by Fr. Joseph Abud, and Dn. Michael Bassett. Military honors were provided by the Blissfield VFW and the Blissfield American Legion. Burial followed at Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield. Visiting hours were Sunday from 2-5 pm, followed by a short prayer service at 5 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of Lenawee, or to St. Elias Orthodox Church of Sylvania. You may send a condolence to the family at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

JACKSON — Steve Nagy, 96, of Jackson, formerly of Deerfield, peacefully passed away Friday, February 1, 2013, at his home. He was born August 11, 1916, in Trenton, New Jersey the only son of Steve and Barbara Nagy. Steve married Marjorie Goodrich from Deerfield on August 10, 1940. They celebrated 41 years of marriage prior to her death in 1981. Steve retired from Budd Company in Clinton and previously worked at Revco and farmed for many years. This past August when Steve celebrated his 96th birthday, most of his family members attended the celebration at his home in Jackson. Steve remained in great health for the majority of his life and enjoyed spending time with his family. Steve will be greatly missed by all of his children: Steve Jr. (Cheryl) of Toledo; Charles (Brenda) of Deerfield; David (Charlotte) of Brooklyn; Nancy (Richard) Powell of Henderson, Nev.; Linda Nagy of Hudson; Robert (Sondra) of Riga; Marcia (John) Kennedy of Ludington; and Philip of Jackson; daughter-in-law, Margaret Nagy of St. Petersburg, Fla.; 15 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Frank, and sisters, Barbara, Mary, and Pauline. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February, 5, 2013, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield. Those who wish to make a memorial contribution are asked to consider the American Heart Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home where online condolences are welcome at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Howard David Loar, 86, of Blissfield, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 26, 2013. He was born on June 17, 1926 to Laurena (Beagle) and Orren Loar in Blissfield. Howard married Lois Mason on August 14, 1947. Together they had six children, Jennifer (Mike) Roth of Blissfield, David (Betty) Loar of Marion, MI, Don (Linda) Loar of Blissfield, Bill (Carolyn) Loar of Palmyra, Jim (Susan Seabright) Loar of Palmyra and Dan (Vickie) Loar of Palmyra. In addition to their children, the family grew to 11 grandsons, 4 granddaughters, and 28 great grandchildren. Lois preceded him in death on January 18, 1988. In 1990, Howard married Marion Butcher, she preceded him in death. Howard married Pearl Johns on November 11, 2000. With the marriages, his family grew with additional step children, step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. Pearl survives. Howard was a life -long farmer and worked at Tecumseh Products. He enjoyed wintering in Florida and spending time in northern Michigan. He proudly served in the Army from 1944 to 1946; he was stationed in the Philippines. He was a member of the First United Brethren Church. He was preceded in death by his wives, Lois, the mother of his children, and Marion, and his brother Harold. Funeral services for Howard were Tuesday, January 29, 2013, at Element Church, Blissfield, with Rev. Keith Smith officiating. Burial followed at Pleasant View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee or Solid Rock Church. On line condolences are welcomed at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com

C. Richard “Dick” Trine

PITTSFORD — Charles Richard “Dick” Trine, 79, went to be with the Lord Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in the Pittsford home where he had lived for 55 years.

Mr. Trine was born May 8, 1933, in Hillsdale, to Frank and Verna Grice Trine. He graduated from Pittsford High School in 1951 and Jackson Business University. He also served two years in the U.S. Army.

On Oct. 23, 1954, he married the former Patricia Dennis and they raised two daughters, Marcia (George) Loader, Blissfield, and Melinda Trine, Norwood, Pa. His family grew with the addition of two grandsons, Nick Loader, Etna Green, Ind., and Evan Loader, Royal Oak, and one granddaughter, Ashley Loader, Chicago, Ill. They survive. Pat preceded him in death on April 18, 1998.

His brother, Tommy Trine, preceded him in death as a boy. Surviving are his brothers, Tom (Peggy) Burkhart, Pittsford, and Cecil A. Burkhart, Albion. Their father, Cecil Burkhart, as his mother’s second husband, helped raise him and served as a great example to him as he launched his own business career. He enjoyed telling of working as a welder at Willis Overland, Toledo, Ohio. Cecil Burkhart started him driving truck and working at his grain elevator at a very young age; and Dick loved trucks his entire life. Even after he officially retired from his own businesses in Pittsford, Trine Hardware, Trine LP Gas, Pittsford Feed Mill as well as a trucking and lime/fertilizer business, he drove block truck for his dear friend, Lavern Farrell at Pittsford Block.

On June 17, 2000, he married Carol Cornett. Her children are the late Cathy Cornett Thompson, the late Fred (Tammy) Cornett, Tom (Wendy) Cornett and Michael (Tammy) Cornett. Also surviving are grandchildren Ethan, Randy (Lauren), Heidi, Jacob, Isaac, Gracie, Wyatt, Cody, Austin and Mary Cornett; and great-grandchildren Henry and Jack Cornett.

He was a long-time member and board member of the Pittsford Wesleyan Church where he was very involved in mission work that took him to Mexico, Guatemala, Haiti and the Brainerd Indian School. He was a current member and attended Church of Christ, Adrian, and had been a Gideon.

In 1996, the town he called “a carefully guarded secret,” named him “Pittsford Citizen of the Year.” He had been a 33-year volunteer firefighter for the Pittsford-Jefferson Fire Department.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, in the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home, Hudson, with Pastor Doug Plunkett officiating and Minister Tim Dunn assisting. Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, and from noon until service time Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Leonardson Cemetery, Pittsford.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Hillsdale County, or to the charity or church of the donor’s choice.

RIGA — Harlan H. “Sonny” Behm, 93, of Riga, passed away Saturday, January 19, 2013, at the Hospice of Lenawee Residence, Adrian. He was born June 19, 1919, in Deerfield, the son of Robert and Lydia (Jasmund) Behm. Sonny was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Riga. He was a farmer who loved to attend auctions and go antiquing. He enjoyed collecting and working on cars and refinishing furniture. He is survived by a sister, Margaret Russell of Riga; nephews and nieces, Paul Russell of Blissfield; Gary Behm of Adrian; Shayna Behm and Shelly Behm; and his dear friend, Bonnie Armbruster of Saline. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Nelson and Willard Behm. Visitation was from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield, with a memorial service beginning at 5 p.m. Contributions in memory of Sonny may be made to Hospice of Lenawee. Online condolences are welcome at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

ST. LOUIS, Mich. — Christine James, 98, formerly of Blissfield passed away Friday, January, 18, 2013, at Pine River Health Care Center. Born July 15, 1914, in Poland she is the daughter of John and Anna Pypiak. On June 15, 1938, she married Price Glenn James, who preceded her in death on June, 2, 1960. Christine worked for Blissfield Schools as a Janitor where she retired from in 1976. Christine is survived by her two sons James (Norma) of Mt. Morris, and David (Susan) of Spartanburg, SC. In addition to her husband and parents she is preceded in death by a grandson Jeff, and a granddaughter Barbara Sue. The funeral service for Christine is Thursday, January 24, 2013, beginning at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel United Methodist in Blissfield. Christine’s family will receive friends prior to the service from 9-11 a.m. at the church, with burial to follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Christine can be made to Emmanuel United Methodist. Online condolences or messages to the family can be made at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com

ADRIAN – Esther Anna Billington, 104, of Blissfield passed away on Monday, January 7^th in Adrian.

Esther was born in Palmyra on March 11, 1908 to Pliney and Mary Jones. She married Harold Billington in June of 1934, Harold preceded her in death in 1983. Esther was a teacher in Palmyra and Madison Schools for a number of years, teaching 2^nd grade. She enjoyed solving crossword puzzles and playing board games with her grandchildren.

Esther is survived by her children Barbara (Emerson) Bliesner and Robert (Karen) Billington both of Blissfield; grandchildren Danielle (Shane) Waigle, David Billington, Scott Billington, Dawn (Jeff) Lyle, Diane (Ray) Bihn, and Tom (Colleen) Bliesner; great grandchildren Anna, Alexzandria, and Thomas Waigle, Adam and Jennifer Lyle, Mackenzie and Sydney Bihn, Kip and Kash Bliesner, and one great great grandchild Coleson Lyle.

Esther is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Paul Jones, Webb Jones, and Alice Tidswell, and granddaughter Debbie Frederick.

Services for Esther will be on Friday, January 11^th, at 11:00 a.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield, with Rev. Aden Porter officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 10^th, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Hospice or Zion United Bretheren Church. You may send a condolence to the family at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.