Obituaries

PALMYRA— Janet Louise Griffes, 63, of Palmyra, passed away Thursday, November 8, 2012, at Bixby Medical Center. She was born July 8, 1949, in Toledo, Ohio, the daughter of Maynard T. and Joan M. (Weldishofer) Herr. Janet graduated from Sand Creek High School with the Class of 1967. Janet worked for Madison Public Schools where she retired with 30 years of service. She was an active member of the Zion United Brethren Church serving as Sunday School Treasurer. Janet enjoyed sewing and quilting and was a member of Quilts of Compassion. She also enjoyed flower gardening and bird watching. She is survived by her sons, Jamie (Connie) Griffes and Timmie Griffes, both of Palmyra; three grandchildren, Leah Ward, Austin and Winter Griffes; three sisters, Anita (Jerold) Craig of Jasper; Patricia (Donald) Warner of Blissfield; and Kathryn Herr of Canton, MI; and a very special friends and neighbors, Penny and Jim Whitt. A memorial celebration of Janet’s life was held Monday, November 12, 2012, at the Zion United Brethren Church with Rev. Aden Porter officiating. Contributions in memory of Janet may be made to Zion United Brethren Church or the Palmyra Fire Department. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel where condolences may be sent to www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

ADRIAN — Willard B. Mason, age 89, of Adrian, passed away peacefully under the loving care at the Hospice of Lenawee Home on Friday, November 2, 2012. He was born to Mildred (Knisel) and Hazen Mason on March 4, 1923 in Berkey, Ohio. Willard married Helvi Muhonen, together they celebrated 60 years of marriage, before her death in 2003. He served his country in the U.S. Army during WW II, in the Pacific. He enjoyed going on trips to the casino with his two buddies, they were known as the “3 Amigos”. He was the dear father of Bill (Sally) Mason and step father of Gene; grandfather of Gene, Doug (Lisa), Duane, Dean, and Valerie; and great-grandfather of seven. Willard has also been a devoted partner to Ilah Ost for the last 9 years, she survives. Willard was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Helvi and his sister Kathleen Ries. His body has been donated to the University of Michigan Hospital Research Program. Memorials in memory of Willard may be made to Hospice of Lenawee, 1903 Wolf Creek Hwy., Adrian, MI 49221. On line condolences may be made to the family at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

William “Bill” Johnston William ‘Bill’ Blair Johnston, 78, passed away Saturday, November 3, 2012, under the loving care of staff at Blissfield Place and of Hospice of Lenawee. Bill was born on January 24, 1934, to Blair Johnston and Thelma Bachmayer. He worked many years for his grandfather, Joseph Bachmayer, at Saxmayer, and went on to run a very successful newspaper recycling business making friends throughout Lenawee County. Bill even received an award from the Lenawee County Solid Waste Department for his efforts in recycling. Bill also enjoyed the time spent at his cousins Dick and Jane Metz farm helping with chores. He was a longtime member of the Elem3nt Church in Blissfield, and helped with fundraising for the youth group. Bill’s favorite place to eat was The Hathaway House and in later years, The Main Street Stable in Blissfield, where he could be seen several times a week. Bill is survived by his cousins, Jane (Dick) Metz of Gladwin; Sally (Larry) Donovan of Scottsville; Susan Williamson of Bayview, Idaho; and David Williamson of Petoskey; and two special friends Janet Clements and Michelle Sulier. Bill is preceded in death by his mother, Thelma Seethaler, step father, John Seethaler, his father, Blair Johnston, and grandparents, Joseph and Clara Bachmayer. Services for Bill took place on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Bill should consider Elem3nt Church, or Hospice of Lenawee. You may leave a condolence at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Aloysius Bernard O’Mara, age 92, of Blissfield, was welcomed into God’s Heavenly Kingdom on Monday, October 29th at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Aloysius Bernard was born at home in Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada on April 8, 1920, the youngest child of John and Margaret (Johnston) O’Mara.
He was the only member of his family to attend college and received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit.
On September 6, 1944, Aloysius married Rita Adeline Schutz in Detroit, Michigan. In 1948 Aloysius was admitted to the Michigan Bar and began his practice of law in downtown Detroit, Michigan before moving to rural Blissfield, Michigan where he developed an extensive legal practice. During his distinguished career Aloysius successfully litigated cases before the United States Supreme Court and Michigan Supreme Court. Aloysius served in the Army Air force as a Sergeant during World War II. He was an active member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church where he served as a proud member of the Knights of Columbus for 25 years. He was a member of the Blissfield Rotary Club for 30 years and a life-long member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Aloysius was preceded in eternal life by Rita, his loving wife of over 65 years. Aloysius is survived by his children: Michael and wife Eva O’Mara of Cleveland, Dr. Kevin O’Mara of Phoenix, Arizona; Mark O’Mara of Blissfield; Patrick and wife Carolyn O’Mara of New York; and Maureen O’Mara of Ann Arbor; and one grandson, Patrick Brendan O’Mara. Aloysius was preceded in death by his siblings: Joseph, James, Patrick, Eileen, Helen and Angela.
The Mass of the Christian Burial for Aloysius will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 1st, 2012 at Light of Christ Catholic Parish, St. Peter the Apostle Church with Fr. Thomas Helfrich officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. Visitation for Aloysius will be held at his home on Pearl Street in Blissfield on Wednesday from 2 to 8 p.m., where a prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Condolences to the family welcome at: www.wagleyfuneralhome.com . Contributions in memory of Aloysius may be made to Light of Christ Catholic Parish.

Lorain A. Bell, age 76 of Chesterton, IN passed away Friday, October 19, 2012 at his home surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. He was born February 23, 1936 in Adrian, MI to John and Norma M. (Pickles) Bell, who preceded him in death.
Lorain was married on February 1, 1964 to Marcia (Kunkle) Bell, who survives of Chesterton, IN. He is also survived by his son, John (Jennifer) Bell of Chesterton; daughters, Audra (Glenn) Peterson of Chesterton and Leslie Bell-Pishkur of Winterpark, FL; brothers, Duane Bell of Stevensville, MT and Sam Bell of Riga, MI; sisters, Agatha (Bob) Lombard of Blissfield, MI and Elaine (Doug) Schaedler of Holland, MI; and grandchildren, Glenn, Jordan and Austin Peterson, Logan, John and Henry Bell and Hailey Pishkur along with many very special friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jane Beck and daughter, Margaret Mary Bell.
Lorain was an area resident since 1968 and was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He was a business owner, opening several businesses including L.A. Bell Motor Lines Inc. in 1966, Westchester Warehouses in 1971 and J&L Bell LLC in 1988. He was a Public Servant to Porter and served on the Porter Planning Commission for 28 years and enjoyed giving back to the Duneland community in many ways. Lorain was a member of the Winamac Old Car Club, the Michigan Fly Wheelers, the State Park Little League Expansion Committee and the Future Farmers of America. His hobbies included antique farm equipment, truck and cars.
He was a devoted Christian, loved the beauty of Hawaii and cherished his time with family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 11:00 am at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2050 W. 1100 N., Chesterton, IN with Rev. Jane Aicher officiating and Thelma Cobbler co-officiating.
Burial will follow at Chesterton Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 23 from 3:00 to 8:00 pm at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton, IN.
Memorials may be made to the State Park Little League Expansion Fund, c/o Porter Bank, 230 Lincoln St., Porter, Ind., 46304. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.EE-FH.com.

Marjory A. Iott, age 84, of Blissfield died Friday, October 19, 2012, at Herrick Manor.
She was born May 27, 1928, in Adrian, to Charles A. and Irene E. (Houser) Thompson. On October 28, 1950, she married Robert F. Iott. Marjory graduated from Siena Heights College (University) with a Bachelors of Philosophy.
Marjory was a member of the Deerfield school board for four years where she served as Secretary.
She also finished two other terms for members who resigned. She was a member of Light of Christ Parish (St. Alphonsus Church) in Deerfield. She was a member of the St. Alphonsus Altar Rosary Society where she served as secretary and president at different times. Marjory worked with her husband at Iott Electric, Inc., Deerfield as bookkeeper.
She enjoyed her brief travels with her husband to Spain and Hawaii and several trips to California, Portland and Georgia.
She is survived by her 14 children: Rose (Wayne) Piotter, Andrew (Barb) Iott, Stephen (Becky) Iott, and Patrick (Chris) Iott all of Deerfield; Dorothy (Bill) Gainsley of Brooklyn, MI; Rita (Eric) Coudron and Martha (Ray) Pate of Adrian; Barbara (Bill) Pohlman of Cooks, MI; Catherine (Dan) Maves of Tecumseh; Dominique (Greg) of Jackson, MI; Paul (Karen) Iott of San Jose, CA; Joseph (Kelly) Iott of Milan; Matthew (Patty) Iott of Rochester, MN; Phillip (Joyce) Iott of Troy, MI; sister, Dorothy Clark of Portland, OR; 34 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 2010; her parents; two brothers, Richard Thompson in infancy and Charles “Larry” Thompson; and two sisters, Betty Jane Thompson and Patricia Opferman.
Services were held Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at Light of Christ Parish, St. Alphonsus Church in Deerfield, with her nephew, Fr. Martin Iott O.P. as celebrant.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Light of Christ Parish or Hospice of Lenawee. Online condolences are welcome at www.WagleyFuneral-Home.com.