Archive - Dec 10, 2008

Dorothy Mary (Drewyor) Blanchard went to be with the Lord surrounded by her loving family and companion December 5, 2008 at Good Samaritan Hospice House.  She was 84.  

Mrs. Blanchard was born March 3, 1924 in Tecumseh, MI to Clyde and Mary Drewyor.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne. She majored in Business at Adrian College in MI and was a member of Delta, Delta, Delta sorority and the women's basketball team.  She married her childhood neighbor in 1948 and moved to Macon, MI where they established a hog farming operation called Macon Bacon. In addition to working as office manager for 25 years for Dr. George Burkhardt, she also was the co-owner of Teddy Bear Express and was a longtime member of The First Baptist Church of Tecumseh, The Legion Auxiliary, Business and Professional Women's Group, and The Tecumseh Hospital Auxiliary.  In 1996 she and her husband moved to Zelienople, PA where she continued to enjoy entertaining, volunteering, and bible studies.  In 2006, she received The President's Volunteer Service Award for her many hours at Vincentian Regency and Passavant Retirement  Center. She assisted her daughter with The Gathering Place until her illness in 2006 and was a member of Park United Presbyterian Church in Zelienople.  Dorothy will be affectionately remembered for her love of family and friends, care giving, and generous spirit.  An avid lover of all sports, she was also talented as a china painter, pianist, and cook.  She was blessed to be a 13 year breast cancer survivor and courageously endured kidney dialysis until choosing to discontinue in October.  Her unending generosity and fun loving spirit will be cherished by all who knew her.  

Henry F. Mastie, 86, of Tecumseh, formerly of Britton and Ann Arbor,  passed away peacefully December 9, 2008,  at the Saline Evangelical home  surrounded by his loving family.  Henry was born December 28, 1921 in Stambaugh, Michigan the son of Michael and Sophie (Philipkowski) Mastie.  On September 8, 1945  he married Kathryn Olds in Ann Arbor and she survives.  At the age of 18 after spending one year with the CCC's he enlisted in the United States Army serving from 1940 to 1944.  He was in the European Theater of Operations and was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. Henry was employed by the Chrysler Corporation for 19 years, retiring in 1971.   Henry enjoyed 28 happy, wonderful winters in Englewood, FL, especially playing shuffleboard and cards He was a former mayor of Britton and belonged to the American Legion Glen H. Daykin Post #155, the Tecumseh VFW and was a life member of the Adrian DAV.

Besides his wife Kathryn, Henry is survived by his children, Ronald H. (Judy) Mastie of North Port, FL,  Dennis Mastie of Alexandria, VA and Barbara (Tony) Nykodym of Monroe, MI; grandchildren, Michelle (Nelson) Glowacki, Mark (Katie) Mastie, Angela (Joe'l) Marshall; Zachary Nykodym,  Dennis Jr. and Daniel Mastie; great grandchildren, Molly and Madolyn Glowacki and Jarell Marshall;  siblings, Helen (Frank) Shurtliff, Bernice Brunelli, Della (Marvin) Bemis, Frank Mastie; Stan (Jan) Mastie and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Joe and John (Pug).

Richard E. Ford, 82, of Somerset, passed away peacefully at his home on December 1, 2008.  He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Nellie Marie.  
He is survived by his son Roger Ruff of Texas, granddaughters Crystal Casaceli of New York and Wendy Ruff of Texas, great grandchildren, Jackie, Malissa and Derek Citron of New York, Michelle and Amy Zamora of Texas.  Richard was a hard-working man, and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.  His son and granddaughters take comfort in knowing that he has been reunited with his wife, and is surely enjoying his finest cup of coffee.  

He will be buried next to Nell at Lenawee Hills Memorial Park.  Arrangements were entrusted to Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Hudson.  View this obituary and send condolences and remembrances at www.brownvanhemert.com

Lilas M. Williams, 91, of Tecumseh, passed away December 7, 2008.
Lilas was born May 28, 1917 in Tecumseh, MI the daughter of Floyd and Hazel (Raymond) Welsh.  On April 9. 1939 she married Joseph Williams in Adrian.  Lilas retired from the Tecumseh Products after many years of service.

 
Lilas is survived by her children, David (Becky) Williams of FL, Doris A. (James) Bell of FL and Jerry Williams of Jackson, MI; sister Rea Edgar of Morenci; five grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews
Besides her husband, Joseph, Lilas was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.

A memorial service will be held  1 p.m.. Monday, December 15, 2008, at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh with the Rev. Lloyd Jewett officiating.  Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Monday.  

Condolences to the family may be made on line at www.pursefuneralhome.com.