Archive - Mar 2009

By CRISTINA TRAPANI-SCOTT

Tecumseh's varsity girls bowling team pulled off a three-peat at Trenton in the regional competition on Feb. 27, winning three regional titles in the last three years.

Six baker and three regular game scores combined to give the Indians a 3,888 pin-fall count. The Indians' score was the highest recorded during the day, even topping the boys division where St. Clair Shores South Lake totaled 3,844 for the title. Trenton placed second with 3,175 while St. Clair Shores South Lake was third with 3,075.

Sophomore Tawni Vollmer led the Indians' girls to the team title with high games of 256 and 248 and a 713 series. Senior Shannon McKowen added games of 221 and 227 for a 651 series. Other team members include Kara Richard, Stephanie Oldeck, Alexis Furrow, Brandi Scheuerman and Jaime Brazee.

Just days later at Parkway Lanes, Tecumseh had three girls earn the right to advance to the individual state finals with Vollmer placing first to defend her regional title. Richard was the runner-up while McKowen finished fifth.

Team competition for the state finals is at Sunnybrook Lanes in Sterling Heights on Friday, March 6, while the individual finals are Saturday, March 7.

Tecumseh's boys just missed qualifying for the state finals. The Indians placed fifth with a final score of 3599, missing the cut by only 54 pins. The top three teams were St. Clair Shores South Lake (3,844), Dearborn Heights Annapolis (3,723) and St. Clair Shores Lakeshore (3,654). Milan was fourth with 3,639.

The Indians had one boys bowler, Brett Flynn, qualify for the individual state finals with a six game total of 1,155 for fifth place overall. Tecumseh's Keith Austin had a 1,100 total and missed the cut by 27 pins while teammate Ryan Albig totaled 1,091, missing the cut by 36 pins.

Clinton's varsity wrestling team had six qualify for the state finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills while Tecumseh had three extend their seasons.

Tecumseh's Collin Lesko placed second at the Division 2 regional final at Charlotte High School on Saturday, Feb. 28, while Drew Simpson (171) and Kyle Connors (heavyweight) each finished third.

The Indians finished their season with a 37-29 loss against Eaton Rapids in regional action at Fowlerville on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

The Redskins' top placer at the Division 4 individual tournament at Manchester was Jesse Sexton, finishing second at 152-pounds. It was only the third loss of the Season for Sexton, who's tallied 50 wins heading into the Palace.

Stephen Cooley (33-9) placed third at 215-pounds while teammate Aaron Tice (47-10) placed fourth in the weight class.

Conner Koester (43-11) also placed third for the Redskins at 135-pounds while teammate Rob Statmas (31-14) was fourth at 171-pounds. Andrew Tice (42-14) placed fourth at 119-pounds for Clinton.

“There was some very tough competition with Addison, Hudson and Manchester there, said Clinton coach Kevin Beazley. “I felt we wrestled well, just came up short on a few matches.”

The Redskins finished their season with the most wins ever in the program with a record of 41-7.

On a sunny June day, Betty Eloise was born June 11, 1921, to her parents, Lawrence and Dorothy Bliesner in their farm home in Blissfield, MI area.  She graduated from the Blissfield Schools.

In 1947, Betty was married to Gordon McKee of Tecumseh, MI where they bought a home and farm.  They were blessed with the birth of their three daughters, Nancy of Saline, MI, Susan of Naples, FL and Patti who is deceased. Two grandchildren, Carla and Kristin were her pride and joy.

Betty's interests were gardening, stamp collecting and writing to her many pen pals.  Betty's favorite Bible verse was John 3:16- For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting Life.

Preceding her in death was her husband Gordon of fifty-years, a loving daughter Patti and her husband Michael, brother Robert, nieces Laraine and Debbie, nephew Larry, her pen pal friend and Maid of Honor, Lindis and a dear friend, Jean.

Survivors include three brothers, Lawrence Bliesner, Jr. and his wife Bette, James Bliesner and wife Lucille, and Emerson Bliesner and wife Barbara and many nieces and nephews.

For many months Betty was lovingly cared for in the home of her daughter Susan and Jim Lierman of Naples, FL and AVOW Hospice.  On February 22, 2009, Betty departed this life to be with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  According to Betty's wishes, cremation has taken place.  A memorial service will be held at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes on June 11, 2009, at 11 a.m. with Pastor LaFollette of Grace Bible Church, Tecumseh, officiating.  Burial of her cremated remains will be in Brookside Cemetery, Tecumseh.  

Robert T. Kollar, 72, of Macon, passed away March 3, 2009.
Robert was born January 2, 1937 in Delray, Michigan the son of Paul and Rose (Chickie) Kollar.  On June 17, 1961 he married Shirley Mueller in Macon.  She survives.  After working for many years in the automotive industry he retired from Pilkington in Clinton.  In his his earlier years he was a Macon farmer.  Robert was a veteran of the U. S. Army serving during the Korean conflict.  Hunting, fishing, cutting firewood and his property in Tawas were his loves.  Above all, he was devoted to his family, especially his children and grandchildren.  

Besides his wife, Shirley,  Robert is survived by his children, Edmund (Sandra) of Alabama, Deborah of Adrian and Daniel (Debora) of Tecumseh; grandchildren, Michael, Matthew, Damian, and Daniel,Jr.,; brother, Earnie of Germany;  sister in laws, Helga  and Judy; brother in laws, Ron, Tom and Larry and numerous nieces, nephews, a cousin, Helen  and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents,  brother, Paul and grandson, Jack.  
According to his wishes cremation has taken place.  A memorial service will be at 1 p.m.  Friday, March 6, 2009, at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh with the Rev. Lance Ness officiating.  Burial of cremains will take place in Macon Cemetery at a later date.  

Visitation will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 6, until the time of service at 1 p.m.  Condolences to the family may be made on line at www.pursefuneralhome.com.

Claron “Skip” Rex of the Swan Creek Retirement Village in Toledo, passed away March 2, 2009, at the UTMC Hospital, Toledo.  After service in WW2, he married Ruth Steele of Toledo.  

Skip and Ruth owned and operated a Western Auto Associate Store at 115 E. Chicago Blvd. from 1955-1962.  They then moved back to Toledo, where Skip began a long career in retail and commercial paint sales.  

He was preceded in passing by his wife, Ruth in March of 2006, as well as his parents, brothers and sister.  

He is survived by sons, Thomas of Toledo and David (Andrea) of Perrysburg, Ohio; grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.  

Visitation is on Friday, March 6 from 2-8 p.m. at the Walter Funeral Home in Toledo.  Services will be held on Saturday, March 7 at Epwoth United Methodist Church, Toledo.

Memorials may be made to the church or to Swan Creek Retirement Village.