Archive - Jan 21, 2009

Tecumseh High School Senior Class of 2009 wishes to thank the many Tecumseh businesses and parents that helped us with our Holiday Dance in December. The list is too exhaustive to thank every business and parent, but please know that all your hours of work, talents, abilities, and donations did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Tecumseh businesses have always contributed to our schools and we thank you for all you do. We wish to especially thank Tecumseh Plywood, Martins, Purple Pear Tree, Kelly Inflatables, Busch’s, and Basil Boys. The parent committee including, but not limited to, the Montrief’s, Brown’s, Pizana’s, Wallich’s, Lacelle’s, and Ruch’s contributed a tremendous amount of time and effort. The dance was a wonderful success, and it is because of the support from our community of businesses and parents that our students have such terrific opportunities.
Thank you sincerely.

Senior Class of 2009

Shay L. Rose, 32, of Tecumseh, died unexpectedly January 14, 2009 in Kansas City, MO.   He was born August 26, 1976 in Adrian, MI, the son of Chistopher L. Rose and Lee Ann Yonts.

Shay attended both Tecumseh and Clinton schools.  He was currently employed by Visteon, Saline Plant. Shay enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father and friends. He was deeply loved  and will be sadly missed by all.  

In addition to his parents, Shay is survived by two brothers, TJ Lee Rose of Tecumseh, Cody Rose of Tecumseh; grandparents, Chuck and Betty Clucas of Deerfield; nephew, Hudson Rose of Tecumseh; and  numerous aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, James R. Sr., and Hattie Rose.
Funeral services were held Wednesday January 21, 2009 at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh with the Rev. Ray Hansen officiating.  

Entombment followed at Brookside Cemetery Mausoleum, Tecumseh, MI
Condolences to the family may be made on line at www.pursefuneralhome.com.

Geneva Conley, 84, of Tecumseh, died January 15, 2009 at Tendercare of Adrian.  She was born November 4, 1924, in Huntington, WV, the daughter of Kellie and Maude (Mills) Adkins.  

Geneva attended the Tecumseh Church of God.

Geneva is survived by 3 daughters, Sandra Sizemore of Adrian, Sharon Tiede of The Woodlands, TX, and Debbie Poullion of Lansing; 2 sons,  Dennie (Agnes) Frazier, Jr. of Hudson, and Arnold (Lynn) Frazier of Clinton; 14 grandchildren;  28 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father,  Ephraim Noble; grandson, Billy Sizemore; great-grandson, Dillon Muldary;   brother Kellie Adkins, Jr.  and son-in-law, Elwood Sizemore.

Funeral services were held Monday, January 19, 2009 at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh the Rev. Lloyd Jewett officiating.  
Interment followed at Brookside Cemetery, Tecumseh, MI.
Condolences may be offered to the family at:  www.pursefuneralhome.com.

Lafe E. Arnett, 87, of Tipton, passed away, January 17, 2009, at Herrick Memorial Hospital.  He was born November 21, 1921, in Burkettsville, Ohio, the son of Clarene & Hazel (Reeser) Arnett.  On March 20, 1963 he married Eleanor Treat, she preceded him in death in September of 1989.  

He served his country during World War II in the 145th infantry.

He is survived by his children, Jone Brighton of Adrian and Tim Arnett of Tipton, his grandchildren, Nina Fletcher of Cement City, Robin Gaitan of Rock Hill, South Carolina, Amy Arnett Smith of Adrian, Nickie (Angie) Griffes of Adrian, David Ward of Lyons, OH, Jason (Jennifer) Ward of Manitou Beach, Eddie (Marcie Emerson) Ward of Adrian, Tonya Ward of Blissfield, fifteen great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, two brothers; Hantzel (Charlene) Arnett of Cement City  and Don (Rosemary) Arnett of Adrian, one sister; Mary Warschefsky of Cement City,  four step children; Bruce (Cherie) Gifford of Arlington, TX, Pat (Jackie) Miller of Blissfield, Jimmie (Sally) Gifford and Bob (Liz) Gifford of Adrian, eleven step grandchildren and nine step great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Eleanor, his son; Jon Paul, one daughter, Renetta Gaitan, his parents, Clarence and Hazel, siblings, Paul and Grace and a grandson, Eric Gaitan

The funeral service was held at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home in Adrian, on Wednesday with the Rev. Ned Bernstein officiating.  Burial took place on Thursday in North Adrian Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society of the Disabled Veterans of Adrian.  Condolences may be offered to the family at:  www.pursefuneralhome.com

Ralph E. Snyder, 78, of Tecumseh, passed away January 19, 2009.  Ralph was born April 19, 1930 in Hillsdale Co., MI, the son of  Ross Dudley and Minnie Elizabeth (Hooker) Snyder.  

On March 8, 1951 he married Donna Jones in Angola, Indiana.   She preceded him in death on  October 5, 2001.  

He retired from Tecumseh Products after 38 years of service.  His loves were camping in Northern Michigan,  vacationing in Yuma, Arizona and above all his cat, Tinkerbell.  

Ralph is survived by two sisters, Joyce (Melvin)  Benschoter of Palmyra and Darlene (Bennett) Palmer of Devils Lake, 5 brothers, Laurence (Betty) of Lake Placid, FL, Val (Sandy) of Adrian,  Ted (Brenda) of Manitou Beach, Douglas (Carol VanZant) of Hudson, and and Daryl (Kay Cagle) of Adrian.  

In addition to his his wife, Donna, he was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Donald, Ross, William and Robert.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 23, 2009 at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh, with the Rev. Lloyd Jewett officiating.  Interment will follow at Brookside Cemetery, Tecumseh.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh. Condolences may be offered at: www.pursefuneralhome.com  

James R. Fox, 53 of Tecumseh, was carried home to eternal rest, Tuesday, January 20, 2009,  surrounded by his loving family.  He was born March 2, 1955, in Schenectady, New York the son of Gerald and Ruth (Uehlin) Fox.  He married Janice Heron May 30, 1981, she survives.

James was Vice-President of Operations with American Soy Products for over twenty years and a prior General Manager of Schmidt's Noodle Company ,both divisions of Eden Foods.   He was active with the Gideon Society , serving as treasurer. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Tecumseh where he taught Sunday school for many years.  James was devoted to his family, his church, and his work. He was a lifelong lover of the great outdoors , camping, traveling, and enjoyed pyrotechnics.  As James traveled through life he was always looking for adventure and embraced life.

In addition to his wife Janice, James is survived by three sons, Joshua and Jordan of Bluffton, SC,  Zachary of Toledo, OH, a daughter, Rebekka of Lansing, his parents, Gerald and Ruth Fox of South Port, NC, a brother, Michael of Kingston, WA and a sister, Susan (Daniel) Baynes of Burlington, VT.  

Visitation will be Thursday, January 22 from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes.  Funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, January 23 at First Presbyterian Church, Tecumseh with the Rev. Richard Mortimer officiating.  Visitation will be from noon until time of service.  

 
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Foundation For Cancer Research, Melanoma Research Fund, 4600 East West Highway, Suite 525, Bethesda, MD  20814.  Condolences may be offered to the family at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com