Floyd E. Brand

of Manchester, MI, age 95, went to be with his Savior and beloved Irene on Fri., Oct. 30, 2009. Floyd was born on June 17, 1914 in Waterloo Twp. to the late Joseph E. (a German immigrant) and Ida (Stoker) Brand. Floyd was a Military Policeman, Private First Class in the U.S. Army during WWII. He married Irene Curtis on Sept. 20, 1943 and she preceded him to glory in our Lord! After the war, the couple set up a farming business for over five decades, and Floyd was blessed to have lived there up to the time of his passing. Agricultural ventures included various animal husbandries and a variety of crop harvesting. Floyd was a life-time member of St. Jacob Lutheran Church in Grass Lake as well as several years in the Farm Bureau, along with his wife. Floyd and Irene raised three children and they survive: Donna L. (Gary) Wahr of Grass Lake, David Brand of Manchester, and Diane (Jeff) Brunsdon of Camas, WA. They were also blessed with seven grandchildren: Angela (Michael) Williams of Hampton, TN, Jesse (Pam) Brand of Napoleon, Joshua (Lisa) Brand of Vandercook Lake, Brad (Elin) Brunsdon of Norway, Andrea Wahr (Steven) Webb of Clark Lake, Larisa Brunsdon of Portland, OR, and Matthew (Donna J.) Wahr of Jackson. Floyd is also survived by eight great-grandchildren and a step great-grandson, as well as a fetal great-great-granddaughter. He is also survived by one younger sibling, Audrey Brand; brother- and sisters-in-law, Paul and Crystal Curtis and Hilda and Doreen Curtis; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Besides his wife and parents, Floyd was preceded in death by three siblings, Orrie Brand, Nina (Leslie) Housel, and Minor (& Jennie) Brand of OH, as well as one niece, one sister-in-law, Viola Wagner, and two brothers-in-law, Herb and Russell Curtis. During his retirement years, Floyd became an avid reader and a garden and canning expert and and received several ribbon awards at the local fairs for his canning efforts. He had also developed a delightful sense of humor and was especially faithful in his daily devotions and church attendance. It is safe to say that Floyd was greatly admired for his loyalties to faith and family along with his intense sense of duty! Eccl.3:1-8, Psalm 37:3-5. Family and friends may honor Floyd at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea either on Mon. from 5-7 p.m. or Tues. from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will take place on Wed. at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jacob Lutheran Church in Grass Lake with Pastor Scott Schwertfeger officiating. Contributions can be made to the church, Chelsea Community Hospital, or the Waterloo Historical Society.

Elmer J. "Pete" Phelps

of White Oak Township, age 75, passed away at his home on Thursday evening, October 29, 2009. He was born on March 6, 1934 in Stockbridge, Michigan, the son of Elmer and Marie (Guinan) Phelps. Pete graduated from Dansville High School in 1952 and then received his Bachelor's degree from MSU in 1956. He served in the U.S. Army and was a life-long member of Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian Catholic Church in Bunker Hill Township. For nearly 30 years he was a Farm Bureau Insurance agent and he farmed in White Oak Township for 40 years. He was involved in the community as a White Oak Township trustee for 10 years, a chairman of the White Oak Zoning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, and a member of the Genealogical Society of Stockbridge and Mason. On August 24, 1957 he married Mary Ann Campbell in Pinckney and she survives. Also surviving are two sons, Thomas (Roseanne) Phelps and Mark Phelps, both of Pennsylvania; two daughters, Anne (Charles) Schroeder of Belmont, Michigan and Dr. Susan Phelps of Springfield, Ohio; two brothers, Dr. Clark (Marie) Phelps of Traverse City and John Phelps of Chelsea; one sister, Margaret (Richard) Morrison of Stockbridge; four grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Mary Jeanne Phelps. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 2, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Michael Petroski officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the charity of one's choice. The family will receive friends at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with a Vigil service at 7:00 p.m., and also at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service.

Jane Hendron

Jane Colman Hendron, born Jane Ault LeCompte, died Fri., Oct. 23, 2009, at Silver Maples Retirement Community in Chelsea, MI. She was 93, a month to the day shy of her 94th birthday. In a life journey that spanned nearly a century, she observed and acted in a history that spanned from the telegraph and horse-and-buggy to cell phones and space travel. She had an educated appreciation for all the arts, particularly literature and music. She was herself a vigorous and enthusiastic pianist, manifesting her love of music through playing, teaching and listening. An ongoing love-hate relationship with the personal computer, which she viewed with consternation and curiosity, was a hallmark of her later years and a frequent topic of conversation. Jane, of Scottish, Irish and French ancestry, was born in Moberly, MO, on November 23, 1915, to Gus G. LeCompte and Elizabeth Coppedge LeCompte. The family lived in Okemah, OK, during her early years. In 1932, they returned to Missouri and Jane attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, obtaining a B.S. in Education. Spurred by her natural gregariousness, inquisitive mind, and love of learning, she taught 7th grade English at Jefferson City Junior High School from 1936 until the outbreak of World War II. She joined the Episcopal Church in 1937 and was a life-long member. She worked for IBM in St. Louis from 1941-42, then for the Trustee of the Cotton Belt Railroad. She was preparing to go overseas as a volunteer nurse's aide for the war effort when she met Ben Colman, who had traveled from his home in Detroit, MI, to sell loading equipment to the railroad. Their courtship began when Ben, 22 years her senior, came into the file room one day and asked Jane to dinner. They married on Sept. 22, 1943, at Grace Episcopal Church in Jefferson City, MO. Their first son, Ben III, was born on July 31, 1946, in Detroit. The young family often spent weekends in Thornville, MI, where Ben had purchased a farm and fox-hunted with the Metamora Hunt Club. Shortly after their second son, Price, was born on Nov. 7, 1951, the family moved full-time to Colstream Farm in Thornville. There, Jane participated in the full range of country life, from raising her family on the farm to serving as volunteer music teacher at Kingsbury School where her sons attended elementary school. She was socially active with the Metamora Hunt Club and social organizations in the area, including The Tuesday Club, a volunteer group in Lapeer, MI. She was an avid and adept bridge and Scrabble competitor and accomplished needlepoint artist. She continued to play bridge and particularly Scrabble until days before her death and her many competitors will miss her competitive wit, wisdom and above all superior skills at those games. Jane lived at Colstream Farm until the mid-1970s. After her first husband, Ben, died in Nov. 1975, she began spending more time in Port St. Lucie, FL, where she and Ben had purchased a home the year before Ben's death. Jane met the second love of her life, Harry Hendron, a neighbor in Port St. Lucie. They were married on July 15, 1976, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lapeer, MI, to the delight of family, friends and loved ones. Apart from a year-long stay in Evergreen, CO, where she had moved to be closer to her children, Jane resided in Port St. Lucie until Aug. 1998, when she moved to Silver Maples in Chelsea. Jane cared deeply for her family, friends, and the fate of the world. A self-declared pessimist for much of her life, she eased into optimism as she aged. Although she could quickly pierce an inflated ego with a deft wit when she considered it necessary, she was gentle and generous to a fault as her family, friends and the beneficiaries of her largesse with attest. Her goal was to leave the world a better place than she found it and she achieved this through philanthropy, volunteering, the active exchange of ideas and love. Jane was preceded in death by her husbands, Ben Colman and Harry Hendron. She is survived by sons Ben Colman III and Price Colman; daughters-in-law Linda Colman and Janise Colman; two grandsons, Nathaniel Tyson Colman and Zachary Travis Colman; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. There was a memorial service Wed., Oct. 28, 2009, at Silver Maples. The immediate family conducted a private graveside service at the Thornville Cemetery on Thurs., Oct. 29. There will be a memorial service in Denver on Nov. 14. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following: Starr Commonwealth in Albion, MI, (800) 837-5591, www.starr.org; or Faith in Action, Chelsea, MI, (734) 475-3305, www.faithinaction1.org. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Arthur Harold "Art" Schuon

of Stockbridge, Michigan, age 91, passed away Thursday, October 22, 2009 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on March 6, 1918 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Arthur Albert and Florence M. (Roberts) Schuon. On June 29, 1940 he married Mary G. Hapgood in Detroit and she survives. Art had lived in the area since 1997, coming from Milford. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Fowlerville and the Oakland County Sheriff Posse and retired from Ford Motor Company after 35 years of service. He loved fishing and hunting and was a past president of the Wayne County Sportsman Club. In addition to his wife he is survived by two children, Carolyn (Lon) Sexton of Stockbridge and Susan (Garry) Cox of Frederic, Michigan; seven grandchildren, Theresa (Ed) Kull, Tonya (Jim) Anderson, Trina Morse, Trista (Mark) Koehler, Tara (Dave) Robinson, Tasha (Jared) Farmer, and Zachary Cox; 20 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. from St. John Lutheran Church in Fowlerville with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Great Lakes Hospice, 900 Cooper Street, Jackson, MI 49202 or Lighthouse (a Christian residential placement program), P.O. Box 289, Caro, MI 48723. Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.

Elizabeth Ann (Boyce) Worden

January 26, 1922 - October 21, 2009

She was born at home; she died at home. Suitable parentheses for a life grounded at home, one that reached out into the world, yet always came home. On January 26, 1922, she was born to Floyd & Florence (Noah) Boyce in a North Lake cottage, the last of four siblings. Her first job was in the family bakery, baking pies that sold so well she always claimed she never got to taste them. In order to complete high school, she eventually had to live and work away from home, and she held onto that dedication to education: she prided herself on her perfect spelling and skill at Perquackey; her smooth copperplate script filled volumes of riverside journals; she made her living keeping numbers neatly ordered, and saw three of her children graduate from college (and create a lasting Michigan/Michigan State family rivalry). Nevertheless, when her father's death meant that she and her sister couldn't both continue at Michigan State, she left East Lansing and went to work, helping Ruth finish school. It was at work, at a factory making munitions for the war effort, that Betty met her husband, Wilber (Bill) Worden, and began a true life's work: building a marriage, a family, a home. Her training was in bookkeeping, employment she returned to time and again as she moved in and out of the workforce to meet the needs of a growing family. But motherhood her way - fostering both independence and her own deep love of family in her four children - was a full-time pursuit, too. She raised her own kids, knew the neighborhood kids, and cared for her brother's young sons during a difficult year. She was a Girl Scout Troop Leader, repeatedly filling the garage with cookies for distribution, and a Scouting neighborhood chairman, a Cub Scout den mother and a Boy Scout volunteer - sometimes all at once. At Girl Scout Camp, her daughter Diane remembers her sitting with Carrie Eisenbeiser beside their grown-ups' tent, which the Scouts had set up, drinking their coffee, which the Scouts had brewed, watching as the Scouts lashed the table and dug the latrine. All around them, they saw the other leaders doing those chores while their girls watched them! When the other adults came around later to ask how they did it, they replied, "Good training." With three children attending Chelsea High, her alma mater, it was easy to remember the dedication she'd had for that school and the education she'd worked for there (she wasn't in danger of forgetting - she kept in touch with several classmates throughout her life and attended her 69th class reunion). She was an enthusiastic attendee and a very vocal cheerleader at her kids' school athletic events. When one son's teammate turned to him in the midst of a wrestling match to ask who that loud lady was up in the stands, Steve replied: "That's no lady, that's my mother!" - a story Betty loved to tell forever after, always with a big laugh. In 1980, with only one child left at home, Betty retired from her position as office manager for the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research and she and Bill moved up north, to the cottage on the Betsie River that they'd built themselves. She and Bill loved the natural beauty of their up-north home, with a keen eye for flowers, wildlife, and especially morels. They dug the crawlspace into a basement after they'd moved in; their kids helped build the addition, moving over the roof in flannel and overalls and laughter. It was truly a labor of love - and the best view on the river. Despite the change of venue and a change of name - too many Bettys on the river meant that she became Liz, then Lizziebeth, then Queenie - she was still and always herself, making a home, finding adventure. One cottage evening found one of her boys, who'd gotten his first taste of camping with his mother and her troop of Girl Scouts and was now in graduate school, at her door with 27 friends, rained out of a trip to a nearby campground. She didn't bat an eye, just sent the girls upstairs and Ray and the othe boys downstairs, and in the morning cooked breakfast for them all. Finding that full retirement didn't suit her nature, she began a final adventure in work and service as a director of the Cherryland Electric Cooperative. She became the first member of the Board to receive certification as a director, setting a new standard for those who followed. This was the job that gave her real wings; she flew, for the first time in her life, to a conference in Philadelphia in 1985. Afterward, she made up for lost time, traveling around the country and to England, the Panama Canal and Costa Rica with Bill, then visiting New Zealand, Australia, South America, the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, and Europe after his death. She sallied forth alone or with family, but her genuine warmth and curiosity inevitably won her lasting friendships, remembered long after debarking. She was always happy to come home with memories to share. At Silver Maples in Chelsea, where she lived until her final return home, she again reveled in the company of new friends. She endured sorrows: the loss of a child and the pain of outliving her husband. But she also embraced joy: her four children gave her four grandchildren, and she loved being a grandmother, joyfully sharing games, puzzles, food, and activities as her family grew. She was delighted to greet two great-granddaughters, born four days apart this March. When she died, peacefully, on Wednesday, October 21, she did so in a home she shared with her son, grandson, granddaughter-in-law, and great-granddaughter, a home next door to her daughter, in a room modified for her by her family's loving hands. That is her story, but this is her truth: she was always genuine. She welcomed all comers, she made friends easily and firmly, she asked because she really wanted to know and then she remembered. She fed family and friends and whomever they brought to her door, fed them applesauce and grapple jam and blueberry buckle and pot roast and Christmas confetti. She knew a bargain but wasn't afraid to splurge on beauty. She descended the knotty riverbank stairs to wade in the cold brown water with her grandchildren long after it hurt her knees to do it. She had both style and grace. Her laugh and smile stayed with her until the end. She was an astounding woman. She goes to join husband Bill, son Peter Andrew, parents Floyd and Florence, and sisters Dorothy (Stan) LaSovage and Ruth (Erle) Stewart. She is survived by her children Diane Elizabeth (Marcus) Vale, Raymond Floyd Worden, and Steven Foster (Deborah) Worden, her grandchildren Sarah Elizabeth (Jake) Roth, Brady Peter (Amanda) Worden, Aaron Steven Worden & Noah Foster Worden, and her great grandchildren Elizabeth Marie Worden & Nora Leslie-Davi Roth, as well as her brother Ellis (Elaine) Boyce, brothers-in-law RV Worden & Richard (Beverly) Worden, sisters-in-law Betty (Dan) Cowan & Doris (James) Worden, as well as many nieces, nephews & cousins. A few years back she wrote her own life story, titling it with her childhood adage "Happy, but Never Satisfied." We trust that now she is both, and at peace. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. from the North Lake United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to North Lake United Methodist Church or Arbor Hospice. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Brian D. Darwin

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 47, passed away Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Arbor Hospice Residence. He was born on May 29, 1962 in Livonia, Michigan, the son of William Sr. "Bill" and Joanne (Ramsey) Darwin. On November 3, 1984 he married Brenda Hepner in Ann Arbor, and she survives. Brian lived in Ann Arbor until 1978 when he moved to Chelsea, graduating from Chelsea High School in 1980. He enjoyed watching his children play high school and collegiate level sports and never missed a game. Brian liked old cars and was a self-employed contractor, a job he loved because it allowed him to play in the dirt. In addition to his wife he is survived by four children, Brynna, Brogan, Brennan, and Bailey, all of Chelsea; his parents, of Waterloo; six siblings, William Jr. "Bill" (Marsi) Darwin of Waterloo, Becky Darwin of Waterloo, Betsi Darwin of Ann Arbor, Melanie Darwin of Pinckney, Amy Darwin of Munith, and Andrew (Christina) Darwin of Waterloo; his parents-in-law, Garland (Eiline) Hepner of Pittsfield Township; two sisters-in-law, Kathy (Brian) Coles of Pittsfield Township and Kristina Hepner of Ann Arbor; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and friends. He was preceded in death by two infant children, Brendan Lawrence and Bryce Anthony. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. from St. Mary Catholic Church, Chelsea with Chaplain Diane Smith from Arbor Hospice and Rev. Dr. William J. Turner officiating. Visitation will be at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. and Friday from 2-4 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Chelsea Athletic Boosters or to an educational fund for Brian's children.

Helen P. Hannewald

of Stockbridge, Michigan, age 92, passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at her son's home in Waterloo Township. She was born on April 16, 1917 in Waterloo Township, the daughter of Emmanuel and Pauline (Schmidt) Archenbronn. On July 1, 1938 she married Martin C. Hannewald in Ohio and he preceded her in death on January 18, 2000. Helen had lived in the area her entire life and taught school for the Stockbridge School District from 1958 - 1977. She received her teaching degree from Ypsilanti Normal College and her Masters Degree from Eastern Michigan University. She was a lifelong member of St. Jacob Lutheran Church in Waterloo Township where she was a Sunday school teacher and a member of WINGS, formerly known as Ladies Aid. She was a 4H leader for 25 years and a charter member of the Waterloo Historical Society and the director of the Dewey School for over 40 years. She enjoyed gardening, baking, and spending time with her family. She is survived by her children, Carrie (Richard) Ott of Denison, Texas, Robert M. (Carol) Hannewald of Grass Lake, Norm (Penny) Hannewald of Plymouth, Ruth (Del) Mund of Blaine, Minnesota, Don (Malynn) Hannewald of Stockbridge; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Marion Stesney and Eleanor Rolfe, both of Jackson. In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by one infant granddaughter; two infant great-grandchildren; and her sister, Wilma McMullen. Helen's funeral service and burial are private. The family will receive friends at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home on both Thursday and Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Youth Haven Ranch of Rives Junction; the Dewey School in care of the Waterloo Historical Society; Christ the Rock Church of Farmington, New Mexico; St. Luke's Learning Center of Jackson; or Huron Valley Lutheran High School in Westland.

Irmgard Schneider

Age 90, died on Friday, October 9, 2009, at the Chelsea Retirement Community's Towsley Village. She was born on February 7, 1919, in Frankfurt/Oder, Germany. By age 5 she was determined to become a teacher, a goal she reached about 20 years later. She married Gerhard Schneider in 1943. He preceded her in death in 1945. She and her infant daughter, Franziska, fled the bombings of the second World War. Following nearly four years as a refugee in different refugee camps, she was able to start a new life in West Germany and resume teaching. In 1967 she immigrated to the United States and studied at the University of Michigan. She received her PhD in 1973. On the invitation of the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, she relocated and began her career there as professor of German language and literature. In 2002 she moved back to Michigan in order to be closer to family. Eventually dementia robbed her of many memories and abilities, and yet she still kept a book on her lap or under her pillow at night. Her lifelong love of learning and her talents as a teacher/professor inspired many. She is survived by her daughter, Franziska van der Schalie and her son-in-law Eric van der Schalie, granddaughter Beate and her husband Ian Calkins and great-grandson Peter. A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, October 14, at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel of Towsley Village with the Reverend Beth Foster officiating. Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Lucile E. Finkbeiner

Age 95, of Chelsea, Michigan, an elegant and grand lady passed away Friday, October 9, 2009 at Chelsea Community Hospital. She was born on November 29, 1913 in Lima Township, Michigan, the daughter of Charles and Ella (Reno) Finkbeiner. She graduated from Michigan State Normal College (E.M.U.) on June 22, 1936 and received her Master's Degree from the University of Michigan. Lucile taught 5th grade for 43 years in the Plymouth-Canton School District and was a lifelong member of Chelsea First United Methodist Church where she played organ for 10 years. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Rho Chapter (Honorary Teacher's Society) and had traveled extensively both in the U.S. and Europe. She is survived by two nieces, Marilyn (Ralph) Boeker of Tucson, Arizona and Marjorie (Chuck) Davis of Seattle, Washington; six grandnieces and nephews; six great-grandnephews and niece; and her wonderful caregivers for many years, Anna and John Boote and Margaret Bear. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from the Chelsea First United Methodist Church with Rev. Barbara Lewis-Lakin officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Chelsea. Memorial contributions may be made to the Music Program at Chelsea First United Methodist Church.

Ronnie F. Cook

of Gregory, Michigan, age 72, passed away Friday, October 9, 2009 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was born on November 22, 1936 in Ann Arbor, the son of Ronald F. and Lucille (Davis) Cook. On July 14, 1956 he married Ellen J. Maser in Ann Arbor and she survives. Ronnie had owned the Huron Creek Party Store in Dexter for 12 years after retiring from A & L Battery after 28 years of service. He was currently working for O & W Inc. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Mark S. (Debbie) Cook of Jackson; his beloved grandson, Colin; one sister-in-law, Joyce Cook of Ann Arbor; and two nieces and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 12, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea with Rev. Alice Sheffield officiating. Burial will follow at North Lake Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 4-8 p.m.

Ann W. Wood

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 92, peacefully passed away Friday, October 9, 2009 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor surrounded by her family. She was born on December 19, 1916 in Jackson, Michigan, the daughter of Alex and Pauline (Jankowski) Bielecki. On July 1, 1939 she married Wallace Wood and he preceded her in death in 1981. Ann was an active lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church and volunteered at Chelsea Community Hospital, Faith in Action, and the Red Cross. She is survived by two sons, Don D. (Sue) Wood of Grass Lake and Richard T. (Brett) Wood of Ann Arbor; four grandchildren, Penny (David) Trinkle of Chelsea, Kim Wood of Chelsea, Matthew Wood of Chicago, Illinois, and Nick Brown of Madison, Wisconsin; two great-grandchildren, Nicole and Kaitlin Trinkle of Chelsea; and one sister-in-law, Pat Wood of Chelsea. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, and three sisters. Funeral mass will be celebrated Monday, October 12, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Dr. William J. Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church or Faith in Action.

Gerane Siemering (Benamou) Weinreich

Age 79, died peacefully at home October 9th at Silver Maples of Chelsea. Born during a thunderstorm on the afternoon of April 17, 1930 in West Salem, WI, (Hertha) Gerane Siemering (Benamou) Weinreich was the second daughter (and third of four children) of Eveline Rogers Siemering and William Henry Siemering. It was six months after the crash on Wall Street and her father was unemployed. She inherited her unusual first name from a happily married but childless sister of her father who went by the name of "Hattie" rather than "Hertha," who immediately sent $100, saving the family for a short time. Her middle name, Gerane, came from her mother's deceased cousin, and it is the one she used exclusively from the age of six on. With the arrival of the New Deal in 1933, her father, a veteran of World War I, became Veteran's Representative for the State of Wisconsin and the family moved to Milwaukee. The office was later transferred to the State Capitol in Madison where Gerane spent her childhood attending a two-room elementary school, later graduating from West High in 1948. She attended MacMurray College for Women in Jacksonville, IL her freshman year, majoring in French, then transferred to the University of Wisconsin as a sophomore. At 16, she began corresponding with a young Frenchman, Michel Benamou, and fell in love with him when they met in the summer of 1948 during his visit to Madison. He returned to France to continue his studies at the Sorbonne. In 1950, she sailed for France to visit Michel and to meet his family. Five days after her arrival she had an emergency appendectomy at the Hopital Pitie-Salpetriere in Paris, spending most of the remainder of the summer recuperating at Michel's uncle's villa in Antibes, on the Riviera. None of his family spoke English, presuming her proficiency in French, which indeed she quickly acquired and retained until the end of her life. She returned to Madison in the fall, continuing to major in French. In September 1951, interrupting her studies before her senior year, she returned to France to find work and to marry Michel in Paris on December 22, 1951, thus acquiring dual nationality. In spite of her bilingual proficency, finding employment was difficult because the McCarthy era was in full swing and being married to "an alien" she was considered a security risk by the U.S. Embassy as well as the many American agencies in Paris. She finally found work in the Paris bureau of Time Life International where she remained until their first child, Catherine Laure, was born in 1956. In the fall, the family sailed for the U.S. where Michel had accepted a position on the faculty at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Their second child, Marc Laurent, was born the following year. In 1959, Michel accepted a position teaching French at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. After four years during which one year and one summer were spent in Paris, the family returned to Ann Arbor where Michel now accepted a tenured position on the faculty at the University of Michigan. Gerane resumed her studies with help and encouragement from Pat Wulp of the Center for the Continuing Education of Women, but it wasn't until 1970 that she finally received her B.A. degree. Michel was Director of the Michigan-Wisconsin Junior Year Abroad program in Aix-en-Provence 1965-66. Their third child, Natalie Anne, was born in December 1966 after their return to Ann Arbor. The marriage ended in divorce in 1968. Michel Benamou preceded Gerane in death in 1978. In 1971, Gerane received her Master's in Library Science degree from the University of Michigan. She had met her future husband, a widower, Gabriel (Gabi) Weinreich, in April of that year and they were married October 23, 1971, joining her family with three children to his two, Dan and Becky. For several years she worked as a Medical Librarian at the University of Michigan in the Department of Surgery as well as in Postgraduate Medicine. In 1982 she started her own computerized information service, The Answer Box. She discontinued after serveral years as personal computers became more common and companies and individuals obtained their information from the Web. Although Gabi Weinreich was a native of Eastern Europe, Gerane was grateful to continue her French connections through his work as a physicist specializing in musical acoustics and being affiliated with IRCAM, the musical research facility at the Centre Pompidou under the direction of Pierre Boulez. Love and devotion to family were always an important part of her life. She loved and cared for both her husbands, her children and grandchildren, all of whom gave her a great deal of joy. Her mother, Eveline Siemering, moved to Ann Arbor in 1977 to be near her and her family. When her mother became increasingly frail during the last twenty years of her life, Gerane was devoted to providing care until her death at 99 in 1999. Gerane was an active volunteer for a number of organizations: Angell and Huron High School PTOs, the Ecology Center, President of the Ann Arbor Farmers' Market Commission, and Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice where she was very active with the Land, Food and Justice committee trying to preserve family farms by increasing public awareness of their plight through organized farm tours of local farms. At Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church the acting Rector, the Rev. Susan McGarry, became concerned about the increasing number of hungry people knocking on the church door as a result of the recession which began in 1980. Gerane conceived the idea of the breakfast program and was an active volunteer along with her husband, Gabi. Although she'd been a member of Saint Andrew's for almost 20 years, she and her husband transferred to Saint Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church shortly after the arrival of the controversial new Rector, the Rev. James Lewis, in 1981. She continued being active in the life of the church, serving on the Vestry and being the Vestry liaison to Genesis, the governing board of the two congregations, Saint Clare's and Temple Beth Emeth, who co-own the buildings. More recently, as a resident of Silver Maples retirement community, Gerane was an active contributor to a writing group, and began compiling her personal memoirs. Gerane Weinreich is fondly remembered as a loving mother, wife, and grandmother of a multicultural, multilingual, and multifaith family, and as a dedicated and compassionate member of the Ann Arbor and Chelsea communities, an advocate for the environment and empowerment for the less fortunate at home and abroad. She is survived by her husband, Gabriel Weinreich, of Chelsea, MI; her two brothers, Paul Siemering of Boston, MA, and William Siemering, Jr., of Philadelphia, PA; her five children, Catherine Benamou of Irvine, CA, Marc Benamou of Richmond, IN, Dan (and Nancy) Weinreich of Westwood, MA, Rebecca (and Tara Rose) Weinreich of Los Angeles, CA, and Natalie Benamou Scotti (Sergio) of Sleepy Hollow, IL; eight grandchildren; six nieces, and one nephew. A funeral service has been scheduled for Sunday, October 18th, 12:30 p.m., at Saint Paul United Church of Christ, 14600 Old U.S. 12, Chelsea, MI. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Gerane's name to the American Heart Association or to Arbor Hospice Foundation, 2366 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Arrangements are by the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Garland Allen

of Stockbridge, Michigan, age 74, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on December 16, 1934 in Royalton, Kentucky, the son of Randolph and Alma (Houston) Allen. On November 12, 1955 he married Helen Grace Penix in Unadilla and she survives. Garland had lived in the area for most of his life. He loved working on cars and trucks, gardening, blue grass festivals, camping, and raising pigs and chickens. He was a hard worker and most of all he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. In addition to his wife, he is survived by five children, Mitsy (Joe Barker) Allen, Scottie (Patty) Allen, Randy (Sandy) Allen, Schelly (Ronnie) Tatar, and Kevin Allen, all of Stockbridge; 11 grandchildren, Brian, Chad, Scott, Nathan, Keith, Amanda, Crystin, Dylan, Ricky, Ashley, and Lesa; six great-grandchildren, Cassie, Connor, Landon, Isaak, Savannah, and Hailey; one brother, Danny Allen; and one sister, Terry Allen. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Garnie Stapleton, Mike Allen, Ann Fletcher, and Betty Risner. He was also preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Don and Caroline Allen. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 9, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. from the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home with Pastor Jeff Howard and Pastor Dennis Courter co-officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Family Tabernacle Church of God, 15901 M-36, Gregory, MI 48137. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

Ruth Porterfield Prather

of Chelsea, MI, formerly of Bountiful, UT, age 89, died Thursday, October 1, 2009 at the Chelsea Retirement Community. She was born on February 11, 1920 in Hindsboro, IL, the daughter of Arthur and Nellie (Wilson) Porterfield. On September 26, 1943 she married James H. Prather and he preceded her in death in 1968. Ruth had lived in Utah and was a member of the Bountiful Community Church until she moved to Michigan in 2000. She loved gardening, dog training and showing her favorite breed, the Belgian Tervuren. She is survived by five children, Candy Simms of Versailles, KY, Michael (Gary) Herrin of Ann Arbor, MI, Page Anderson of Seaside, CA, Kerry (Jo) Prather of Las Vegas, NV, and Jamie (Robert) Newton of Layton, UT; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Lloyd Porterfield. A memorial service will be held Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the main chapel at the Chelsea Retirement Community with Rev. Beth Foster and Rev. Chris Dowd co-officiating. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Urbana, IL on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 12 noon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Belgian Tervuren Rescue, the Chelsea Retirement Community, or the Arbor Hospice Foundation. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Robert W. "Bob" Burrows, Sr.

of Dexter Twp., Michigan, age 82, died Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at his home. He was born on May 22, 1927 in Dearborn, Michigan, the son of Dr. Howard and Grace (White) Burrows. He had been in the Dexter area since 1937. He met his wife, Wilma Milodean "Dean" Brown in Ann Arbor and married her on June 30, 1956 in Island, Kentucky. She survives along with two sons, Robert Jr. (Mary) Burrows and Howard A. (Dan) Burrows II; two granddaughters, Kristin and Sara ("Catie"). He is also survived by one sister, Beverly Ann Burrows of Montana, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Allen Burrows and Dr. John H. Burrows; and one sister, Mary Hermann. Bob retired from D.H.S. Transportation in October 1989 after 30 years as a driver, supervisor, and mechanic. He was a member of the Dexter Fire Department and the Kiwanis Club of Dexter, and president of the Dexter Chamber of Commerce Organization. He was a member of the North Lake United Methodist Church and was active in various aspects of church life. He enjoyed hunting in his younger days and later in life he enjoyed camping trips, spending time with his grandchildren, gardening, and watching the birds from his sun porch, and various other activities. At his request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from the North Lake United Methodist Church with Pastor Alice Sheffield officiating. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the North Lake U.M.C. or the Arbor Hospice Foundation. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.