Obituaries

Cora Jean Goetz-Schultz, 78, of Sylvania, OH, passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at her home surrounded by her family.

Cora was the proud farmers daughter of Alfred and Bernice Goetz of Blissfield, MI. She attended Blissfield HS and was a member of the Class of 1956. She married Lloyd J. Schultz, Jr. in Riga, MI on December 5, 1959 and the couple resided together for 53 years in Sylvania, OH.

She was a very proud, 25-year employee of the Sylvania School District as a para professional, in the beginning, working the playgrounds, lunch rooms and offices at Highland, Stranahan and Central Elementary Schools. The vast majority of her career was spent working directly with kids with special needs which she truly enjoyed. In retirement she was a proud ticket taker at many Sylvania Northview Athletic Events.

Cora is survived by her son Michael Schultz; daughter, Michele “Shelly” (Chris) Irwin; grandchildren, Caden, Claire and Izzy; her sister Donna Tiede; English Bulldogs Bella, Nala and Reggie. She was preceded in death by her father Alfred Goetz; mother Bernice Goetz and her brother Laverne “Stub” Goetz.

Friends may call at the Reeb Funeral Home, 5712 N. Main St., Sylvania, OH, Friday, November 25, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Funeral Ceremony will be conducted on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Olivet Lutheran Church, Sylvania. Interment will follow at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.

Those wishing to give memorials, in lieu of flowers, are asked to consider tributes to Heelers 4 Heroes/Heelers 4 Hope or the Sylvania Schools Athletic Foundation.

Online condolences may be offered to Cora’s family at www.reebfuneralhome.com

Robert James Locklear passed away November 13, 2016, at the age of 45.

Rob was a longtime employee of Auto Rail, serving as a manager and union representative at several locations across the country.  He loved all sports, excelling as a youth in hockey, baseball and golf. He also enjoyed coaching his son’s hockey team and especially fishing with his kids.

Rob was an artist, an animal lover, as well as a competitive weight lifter and body builder.

Rob is the beloved son of Cathy Newsted, Blissfield, and Brother Michael Newsted, Allen Park, who was a 1997 graduate of Blissfield High School.  Son Jordan, daughter Miranda, and wife Andrea Locklear all of Howell, MI.  He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters in law, nephews Cole and Luke and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father David Newsted, grandparents Stanley and Lois Newsted and Grandmother Verna Dwyer.

Cremation has taken place.  Visitation for Rob was Friday, November 18, 2016, from 4 – 8  p.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield. A memorial Liturgy was offered on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Light of Christ Church St. Peters Chapel at 11 a.m. with Fr. Jeff Poll presiding.  Visitation was also be held at the church from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Condolences may be made online at www.andersonfuneralservices.com Memorial contributions may be made to the Lenawee Humane Society.  Envelopes will be available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

Shirley Jean (Iott) Keller, 67 of Blissfield, passed away Sunday, November 20, 2016 at UP Health Systems in Marquette, Michigan.

She was born January 13, 1949, in Toledo, Ohio, the oldest child of Phillip and Bernice (Trombly) Iott. After graduating from St. Joseph Academy, Siena Heights High School, she went on to Monroe Community College where she met her future husband. On May 14, 1971, Shirley married Keith Keller at St. Anthony Parish in Temperance, Michigan, and they were blessed with 45 years together.

Shirley worked for Toledo Hospital for 33 years, retiring in 2011. She loved to help others and thoroughly enjoyed activities with her grandchildren, including fishing, gardening, reading, and going on adventures. Shirley was devout in her faith. She grew up in the Saint Anthony Parish and was a member at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Toledo. Wherever she was, Shirley always made time to attend Mass.

In addition to her husband, Keith, she is survived by their sons: Keith (Tiffany) of Brush Prairie, Washington, Kris (Heidi) and Kurt (Chanell), both of Ann Arbor; five grandchildren, Erika, Ethan, Margaret Ann, Elisabetta and Sebastian; and her siblings: Marilyn (Roger) Phebus of Morenci, Marsha (Allan) Consear and Phillip (Tamara) Iott, both of Ottawa Lake, Michigan.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Requiem Mass will take place at 2 p.m., Saturday, November 26, 2016, at St. Anthony Parish in Temperance with Fr. Brian Hurley as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery. A rosary service will be held at 4 p.m., Friday at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield with visitation following until 8 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Shirley are suggested to St. Anthony Parish. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Arthur Walter Brenke, age 72, of Blissfield passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at his home under the loving care of his family and Hospice of Lenawee.

He was born on July 4, 1944 at home in Blissfield, Michigan to Arthur W. and Irma E. (Papenhagen) Brenke.  Art was a 1962 graduate of Blissfield High School and on January 29, 1965, he married Diana Jean Rittner in Ottawa Lake, Michigan.  She survives.

Art was a self-employed farmer and also worked as a factory laborer for many years.  Along with farming and factory work, he worked in the insurance industry, ending his working years being self-employed and owning Brenke Crop Insurance.  Art was a lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Riga.  He enjoyed traveling, woodworking, camping and wintering in Mission, Texas.  Most of all, he enjoyed being in the presence of his dear family.
In addition to his wife, Diana, he is survived by his two daughters, Holly (Gregory) Butts of Blissfield and Heather (Mark) Raschke of Westland, MI; three grandchildren, Aaron and Emily Butts and Andrew Raschke; two sisters, Sharon (Jim) Wilkes of Blissfield and Brenda (Michael) Andrix of Riga and numerous nieces and nephews.  Art was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Christina Marie Brenke.
A memorial service to celebrate Art’s life was held at 11 a.m. November 7, 2016 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Riga with Pastor James Seelow officiating.  Visitation was from 1 – 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at the Anderson Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield and also on Monday from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. at the church in Riga.  A private family burial of Art’s ashes will take place at a later date.
You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com.  Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee.  Envelopes are available at Anderson Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

Travis Pierce passed away unexpectedly at his home in Blissfield on October 29, 2016.
Travis was born on June 9, 1990. He was 26 years old.
He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Services for Travis were privately held.
Condolences can be sent to his mother Lori and family at 214 S. Lane St., Blissfield, Michigan.
Arrangements were made through Anderson Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.

Barbara Anne (Goble) Hueter, age 84, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and her family, on October 22, 2016.      She was born in Adrian, Michigan on October 12, 1932, to Clayton and Helen (Pries) Goble.
She graduated from Blissfield High School in 1950 as class salutatorian, and attended Siena Heights.
She married Mark J. (Jim) Hueter in Blissfield on December 17, 1950.              She was employed as a bookkeeper and office administrator at the University of Michigan and for several Blissfield businesses.
Barbara was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and Blessed Savior Lutheran Church in Blissfield. Her steadfast faith in God’s redeeming love, mercy and grace never wavered.
She was a talented and expert seamstress, quilter and knitter who loved music and art. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with members of her quilt club, her regular get-together lunches with her high school friends, and the ladies in the sewing group at Blissfield’s First Presbyterian Church.  She also loved to garden and was a member of the Blissfield Garden Club for many years.
She enjoyed her winters in Jensen Beach, Fla.  She had many friends, old and new, and she treasured each one of them.          In her last days, her lifetime of happy memories of fun times at the family cottage at Devils’ Lake, family Sunday chili suppers, family holiday celebrations, and her childhood gave her great comfort. She loved her family and her friends unconditionally, and her last big smile came at the news of the birth of her second great-grandson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter who died at birth, her brother, David Goble and her granddaughter, Lisa Taylor.
She leaves her husband, Jim, her son Mark (Judi) Hueter of Ft. Pierce, Fla., and her daughter Pam (Hueter) Taylor of Onsted. Also, grandsons, David (Elizabeth) Hueter of Haslett; Danny (Erica) Hueter and Nicholas Hueter, both of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; and great-grandsons Tommy and Marc Hueter of Haslett.  Also, sister Mary (Goble) Case, sister-in-law Margaret Goble, both of Blissfield, and many nieces and a nephew.
Memorial services for Barbara were held on Saturday, October 29, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Anderson Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield with Pastor Daryl Etheridge officiating.  Interment of cremains will be held in Pleasant View Cemetery.  Visitation was held on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and also from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at Anderson Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.
You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee.  Envelopes are available at Anderson Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.
The family wishes to thank Kristy and Sarah and all the staff at Hospice of Lenawee; Drs. Mowat and Jin and the staff at Bixby’s Hickman Cancer Center; Danielle and Shonda at Great Lakes Caring; Pastor Daryl Etheridge; Mary, Margaret and Don for their love, help, and support; and  each of her wonderful friends who stopped by with food, sent a card or flowers, and all who surrounded us with prayers and good thoughts.

DEERFIELD – Danny T. MacBeth, age 54 of Deerfield, passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2016, at University of Toledo Medical Center.
He was born November 28, 1961, in Adrian, Michigan to Thomas and Joyce (Anthony) MacBeth.
On November 8, 1986, Danny married Tanya Hickman and she preceded him in death in 2013, having enjoyed 26 years together.
Danny was a Jack of all trades who enjoyed working on his ’66 Chevelle, growing and preserving his own food, and loud music.
He was currently working for the Lenawee County Road Commission.
Danny will be greatly missed by his family including his mother, Joyce; children, Tommy of Clarkston, RaeLynne and Matthew of Deerfield; his siblings, Debra (Rick) Nearhood of Blissfield, Diane Kastel of Riga, Douglas MacBeth of Adrian, Darlene (Chad) Winchel and Darcie (Mike) Uckele, both of Blissfield and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Tanya, he was preceded in death by his father, Thomas.
Funeral services were held Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel with burial at Riga Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Danny are suggested to his family for his children’s education.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

TECUMSEH — Elwyn “Buzz” Charles Gafner, age 91, passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2016, in Adrian.
He was born in Britton, Michigan on July 24, 1925, the son of the late Charles and Florence (Pickford) Gafner. Elwyn was married to the love of his life, Betty (Jacobs) Gafner for 52 years until her death in 2000.
Elwyn graduated in 1943 from Blissfield High School and was a lifelong member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palmyra, He worked for Tecumseh Products for 40 years and was a lifelong farmer. He was a  member of the Palmyra Masonic Lodge. He will be truly missed by his family and friends.
Elwyn is survived by his wife, Geraldine (Weinlander) Drefke, his loving children; Cathy (David) Taylor of Lapeer, Keith (Grace) Gafner of Eldoret, Kenya, and Barbara (Daniel) Hacker of Tecumseh, his grandchildren; Michael (Lucy) Taylor of Durham, NC, Leslie Taylor of Lansing, John Hacker of Saline, and Kristen and Ruth Gafner of Eldoret, Kenya, and his sister; Arlene McVay of Morenci.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty, his infant son, Michael Gafner, a sister, Madeline Lietzke and his brother, Earl Gafner.
Visitation for Elwyn was held on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes from 4-8 p.m. A private graveside was held at Pleasant View Cemetery, Blissfield. Memorial contributions may be made to Lenawee County Humane Society or the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be offered for the family at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com