Obituaries

Clarence J. Eisenmann, age 66, of Blissfield, died June 19, 2018, at ProMedica Toledo Hospital. He was born May 2, 1952, in Adrian to Oscar and Eula (Gerber) Eisenmann. On January 20, 1973 he married Darlene Tabbert, in Blissfield and she survives.  He had been employed by Zink-Covell Excavating company for 25 years and then by Smith Trucking.  He also farmed part-time.  He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Darlene, he is survived by his mother, Eula Eisenmann of Riga; his children, Jason Eisenmann of Sylvania, Ohio, Melissa (Dan) Mirelez of Hoagland, Indiana, and Justin Eisenmann of Deerfield; grandchildren, Matthew, Alexis, Andrew and Max Mirelez, and Noah, Samantha, and Ethan Eisenmann; a brother, Bill (Connie) Eisenmann of Riga; and a sister, Judy (Harold) Swords of Riga.  Clarence is preceded in death by his father. Visitation was from noon-3 p..m. and 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 22, 2018 and from 10 a.m. until the service Saturday. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield. with Reverend Richard Deisler officiating. Burial was in Deerfield Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Whiteford Wesleyan Church or to the family.  Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.  

Erven John Brieschke, age 93, of Adrian, formerly of Riga, passed away Thursday, June 14, 2018, at Bixby Medical Center with family by his side.
He was born August 10, 1924, to Edward and Janira (Kastel) Brieschke in Riga Township.  Erven graduated from Blissfield High School in 1942 and went on to attend Michigan State University.  With WWII going on, Erven had to leave college and return home to oversee the family farm as his father went to work in a war plant.
On September 7, 1969, Erven married Marcella Dauel Filter and they celebrated over 48 years together.
Erven helped run the family farm for many years and also worked at the Michigan Elevator Exchange for 24 years.  He was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Riga, where he served on the Church Board, sang in the choir and had the role of Sexton and Groundskeeper.  Erven volunteered his time as a Boy Scouts leader in the 1940’s, and was the manager of the Babe Ruth League in the 1950’s.  Erven and his wife, Marcella, helped organize and direct the “Silvertones Band” for 17 years.  Everyone knew that Erven was an avid sports fan and could often be found watching a baseball game on the television with the sound muted and the radio turned up, as he preferred to listen to the radio commentators calling the game.
He is survived by his wife, Marcella; sister, Ruth (Wayne) Walters; and many beloved nieces and nephews.  Erven was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, David Brieschke and Mary Ann Nichols.
Funeral services for Erven were held on Monday, June 18, 2018, at 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Riga, with Dianna Raine officiating.  Burial followed at Riga Cemetery.  Visitation took place from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.  Arrangements were entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel, Blissfield.
Contributions in memory of Erven may be made to Hospice of Lenawee or Trinity Lutheran Church.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.wagleyfuneralhomes.com.

Loretta “June” Norwood Brown passed away May 9, 2018. She was born September 17, 1937 to C.J. “Shorty” and Idella Norwood in Bethel, Okla.
June leaves behind daughters Carol Rowell and Meegan Brown; sons Danni Kastel and B.J. Brown; granddaughters, Leah Houchin and Jamie Magee; grandson, Daniel MaKenzie; seven great-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Franke Johnston; brother, Keith Norwood and loving cousins, Patsy Hall, Pat Hodge and Mary Lou Baker.
A private service for friends and family was planned in mid-June.

TECUMSEH — Carolyn L. Baker, age 83, of Tecumseh, died April 1, 2018, at Lenawee Medical Care Facility.
She was born June 4, 1934, in Pittsford to Donald and Esther (Behymer) Harbaugh. For many years she lived with her grandfather, Jim Behymer.
On May 6, 1955, she married Arden Baker. He preceded her in death on Aug. 16, 2009.
Carolyn had been employed by Hillsdale State Savings Bank. She enjoyed crafts and decorating cakes. She attended the Osseo Baptist Church.
Carolyn is survived by three daughters, Debra Royal (Jae Guetschow) of Brooklyn, Mich., Laurie (Larry) Zehr of Caledonia, Mich., and Cynthia (Robert) Valdez of Tecumseh; a son, Brian (Denise) Baker of Aurora, Colo.; nine grandchildren, Courtney, Eric, Daniel, Adam, James, Bobby II, Joey, Jason and Deanna; 12 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Gilbert (Sharon) Harbaugh of Waterville, Ohio, and Richard (Shallah) Harbaugh of South Lyons. In addition to her husband, Arden, she was preceded in death by her parents, and her grandfather.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 5, 2018, from 5-8 p.m. at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 6, 2018, at 11 a.m. with visitation from 10-11 a.m. at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian, with Pastor Jack Mosley officiating. Burial will be in Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens, Tecumseh.
You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee or to Life Challenge. Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home Adrian.

William Knisel
SAND CREEK — William G. Knisel, age 68 of Sand Creek, passed away at his home, Monday, March 26, 2018, surrounded by his treasured family.
Born November 20, 1949, in Adrian, Michigan, he was the only son of Jarvis and Betty (Bexten) Knisel. He graduated from Blissfield High School with the Class of 1967, and attended Michigan State University.
On December 13, 1980, he married Ann Hinsdale in Sand Creek, and they have celebrated 37 years of marriage.
After working for Bailey’s Tree Service, Bill purchased the business in 1974, renaming it Knisel’s Tree Service, serving Lenawee County and the surrounding area. In 1985 he established Tree Top Belgians, combining his passion for breeding, raising, and showing Belgian horses with his tree service. He was a member of the Belgian Draft Horse Association, where he served as a judge at horse shows. Through his work with horses, Bill enjoyed building relationships within the Amish community.
In addition to his wife Ann, he is survived by his children: Jason of Riga, and Jenna of Adrian; grandchildren, Cloé and Seth; sisters, Karla (Bill) Kasefang of Adrian and Kris (Mark) Hubbard of Temperance; and his father-in-law, Robert Hinsdale of Sand Creek.
He was preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, Ardyth Hinsdale.
The family appreciates and thanks Dr. Mowat and his staff, University of Michigan Doctors and students, as well as family, the local community and Amish friends for all the love and support.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 29, 2018, at Wagley Funeral Home in Adrian.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bill are suggested to Sand Creek Community Church or Hospice of Lenawee. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.

DEERFIELD — Barbara Jean (Steger) Hadden, age 80, completed her journey on March 5, 2018, at ProMedica Ebeid Hospice, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Barb was born on March 30, 1937, in Deerfield, at the home of her grandparents. She was one of three children born to Eva (Lucille) Reau and Lawrence Steger.
She attended her early schooling in Toledo, Ohio, and completed high school in Deerfield, graduating in 1955.
Barb was united in marriage to her soul mate, Richard “Dick” Hadden on May 7, 1960, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Deerfield.
She started working at Revco during her senior year of high school as a private secretary. Barb also worked at The Blissfield Advance, the bank in Deerfield, as an office manager at Applewood Orchards and later at United Bank & Trust in Blissfield.
During her spare time, Barb volunteered at St. Alphonsus (Light of Christ) Church as a greeter and Eucharistic minister, at Bixby Hospital and also for Meals on Wheels. She was a long-time member of the Adrian Arbor of the Gleaner Life Insurance Society, the Deerfield American Legion Auxiliary and of the Alter Rosary Society.
Barb enjoyed attending her grandkids’ many sporting events, bowling, knitting, golf, cards, Sudoku, traveling, camping, bus trips, casinos, spending summers at Evans Lake and also time at the Hadden cabin in Traverse City. She and Dick loved cruises to the Caribbean Islands, Mexico and Alaska.
Barb is survived by her husband of 57 years, Dick; four children, Dawn (Jeff) Stefanelli, Beth (Rick) Johnston, Darlene (Jim) Mueller and Bret (Tyra) Hadden; nine grandchildren, Brandi, Rachel, Hanna, Trent, Matt, Mallory, Mason, Kaya and Zoe; two step-grandchildren; one great-granddaughter and one brother, Doug Steger.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Matthew Todd Hadden and one brother, Larry Steger.
The Funeral Liturgy will be offered at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 10, 2018, at Light of Christ Parish (St. Alphonsus), Deerfield with Fr. Jeff Poll presiding. Interment will follow in St. Alphonsus Catholic Cemetery, Deerfield. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, and again on Friday, March 9, from 1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield. Visitation will also take place on Saturday prior to Mass at church from 10 -10:45 a.m.
You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ProMedica Ebeid Hospice or Light of Christ Parish (St. Alphonsus), Deerfield. Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

Dot L. Cory, age 96 of Blissfield, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, March 17, 2018, at her home.
She was born October 17, 1921, in Blissfield to George and Stella (Wilson) Doyle, and graduated from Blissfield High School where she was a member of the tennis team.
In 1941, Dot married Charles Cory in Angola, Indiana, and they celebrated 50 years of marriage before his death in 1991
Dot was a member of the Blissfield Presbyterian Church.
She was known for her extensive vegetable gardens.
Dot and her family enjoyed many wonderful summers at Sand Point, on Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron.
She is survived by her children: Sherrie Cory of Centerville, Ohio; Jack Cory of Toledo, Ohio, Victoria (Brian) Papenhagen of Sand Point, Mich.; and Charles (Regina) Cory of Blissfield; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Jack, and her sister, Betty.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Betty Gehring for her time shared with Mom.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m., Friday, March 23, 2018, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield, with the Rev. Douglas E. Holmes officiating. Burial will be private. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m. Contributions in memory of Dot are suggested to Blissfield Presbyterian Church. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.

Patricia J. “Pat” Riley, age 89, of Blissfield died on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, under the loving care of Ohio Living Hospice at Swan Creek in Toledo, Ohio.
Pat was born December 6, 1928, to Charles and Alice (Mullane) Williamson in Bay City. She spent her early life in Chicago, Ill., returning to Michigan for high school. Pat graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1946.  While in high school she worked as a bookkeeper for Wald Dairy and sold chicks in the summer.  She also worked as a clerk at H.G. Wendland & Sons department store.
In the fall of 1946, she enrolled in the County Normal Teaching Program in Bay City and upon graduation taught at the Hampton Township School #2.
In the fall of 1948, Pat enrolled at the University of Michigan and graduated in June of 1951 with a BA in English and Speech. While at the University of Michigan Pat, belonged to the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, was an orientation leader and the corresponding secretary for her sorority, Delta Zeta. It was at the University of Michigan that she met her husband, John F. “Jack” Riley. They were married on August 25, 1951, in Bay City and enjoyed 59 years of marriage until his death on February 26, 2011.
Following their marriage, they moved to Detroit where Pat then taught English and served as a school counselor at Thomas Edison Junior High School in Dearborn, Mich. They moved to Blissfield in 1957, or as she always said “we came home to Blissfield.”
Pat served as a member and President of the Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library Board, a member of Light of Christ Catholic Parish (St. Peter’s) belonging to the Sodality and the Alter and Rosary Society. She also sang in the church choir and taught religious education for twenty-two years, made rosaries for the missions and drove for the Meals on Wheels Program. Following a rigorous pageant season, Pat was crowned The Lucas County Fair “My Fair Lady Pageant” Queen, representing Lutheran Village at Wolf Creek in 2011… See the crown, Wear the Crown, Be the Crown.
Pat was very involved in her children’s lives, including serving as a Homeroom Mother, hosted float building for Homecoming, attended sporting events, plays and musicals and dragging her children to swim lessons religiously. She enjoyed knitting, doing cross stitch, quilting, gardening, canning, was a prolific letter writer and played bridge poorly.
In recent years, Pat’s greatest joy has been her grandchildren, Alex, Blaine and Brie. When talking with anyone she could corner, Pat would ask a question in which she had no real interest but which opened the door for her to unabashedly brag about her grandchildren. She would then produce several purse-sized photo albums to share with those who showed the slightest interest and to many who showed none. Pat loved attending the annual Michigan vs. Michigan State (Jack’s alma mater) football games, dinner together every night as a family (school activities permitting), holiday gatherings, family vacations, trips to Higgins Lake in Michigan and sitting out under the stars at night, and winter evenings sitting in the family room with a fire in the fireplace, backyard lights on/inside lights off, watching it snow and just talking and wallowing in one another.
Above all, Pat had a wonderful sense of humor and joy for life. She always found the good in everyone and was quick with a joke, an Irish Blessing or a poem about martinis. Pat was the baby at every christening, bride at every wedding and corpse at every funeral.
Pat is survived by her children, Frank (Donna) of Blissfield and Kathy (favorite child) of Sylvania, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Pam of Grosse Ile; grandchildren, Alexandra (Kory) Petterle, Blaine (Marianne Vu) and Brianna; step-grandchildren, Derek Baugh and Rene Baugh.  Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, her parents and a son, John W. Riley.
The family of Pat wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staffs of Lutheran Village at Wolf Creek and Ohio Living Hospice at Swan Creek for their loving care and friendship that was shown to our mother.
The Funeral Liturgy was offered at 11 a.m., Monday, March 19, 2018, at Light of Christ Parish (St. Peter’s), Blissfield with Fr. Jeff Poll presiding.  Interment followed in Pleasant View Cemetery, Blissfield. Visitation was from 2-7 p.m. on Sunday, March 18, with a Rosary Service at 6 p.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield. Visitation also took place on Monday prior to Mass at church from 10-10:45 a.m. at the church.
You may send online condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions are encouraged to be made to Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library, the Village of Blissfield Pool Fund, Ohio Living Hospice at Swan Creek or to a charity of the donor’s choice.  Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Brenda Sue Archambeau, age 64, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away March 23, 2018, with her family by her side. She was born August 28, 1953, in Adrian to Carl and Lois (Jacobs) Seeburger.
Brenda was a graduate of Blissfield High School and attended Patricia Stevens in Toledo, Ohio. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Riga. She worked at Dillard’s Department store in Toledo. Her favorite things to do were shopping, baking and she loved traveling to see different lighthouses.
Surviving Brenda is her mother, Lois Seeburger of Riga; a brother, Brian (Vickie) Seeburger of Riga; a sister Diann K. (Gilbert) Seeburger Bills of Greensboro, GA; two nephews, Trevor (Erin) Seeburger, Gregory H. Bills; a niece, Amie (Jesse) Brown; one great nephew and three great-nieces.
Brenda is preceded in death by her father, Carl Seeburger and her husband, Scott Archambeau.
Funeral services for Brenda Archambeau will be private. There was a public visitation on Monday, March 26, 2018, from 4-5 p.m. at the Anderson- Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield.
Condolences may be given online at www.andersonfuneralservices.com.  Memorial contributions are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Riga.  Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

ADRIAN — Ira C. Cooper, age 87, of Adrian, formerly of Blissfield, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018, at the Hospice of Lenawee Home.
He was born October 5, 1930, in Petersburg, the only son of George and Grace (Uebele) Cooper.
On April 20, 1964, he married Alwine Kisser, in Germany, and she survives.
Ira served in the United States Navy for two years, and the United States Army for 20 years. He was stationed in Germany, the Philippine Islands, Korea and Vietnam. Ira’s last years were spent as a recruiter in Detroit, Monroe County and Lenawee County. He retired from the military as a Sergeant First Class in 1973.
Ira also drove truck for WA Trucking, L & M Trucking and Jones Transfer.
He was a member of the Blissfield American Legion and the Adrian Moose Lodge.
In addition to Alwine, his wife of almost 54 years, he is survived by their children: Kurt Cooper of Adrian, Michael (Sue) Cooper of Maybee, and Tina (Marty) Nine of Blissfield; his sister, Bernice Baker of Monroe; grandchildren: Jessica (Allen) Hall, Brittney Cooper, Kayla (Jake) Graf, Jarred Cooper, Courtney (Cole) Kimerer, and Katie Nine; and great grandchildren: Olivia, Avery, Cooper, Ryan and Quincy.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Thank you to Hospice of Lenawee for the excellent care and comfort they provided for Ira and his family.
Funeral services took place at 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian, with the Rev. Larry Betz officiating and military honors conducted by VFW Annis Fint Post #1584 and American Legion Post #97. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 1 p.m. until the service.Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.