Archive - Feb 2011

Hugh Thomas “Tom” Ford Sr., 75 passed away Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.  He was born Aug. 4, 1935, in McCracken County, Ky., the son of Milous and Perna Mary (Collier) Ford.  On Oct. 12, 1957, he married Eloise Holmes and she survives.

Tom and Eloise had recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.  He worked for Consumers Power Company in Adrian, retiring after 35 years of service.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. Tom had many hobbies and interests. He enjoyed piloting his own airplane, bowling, golfing, riding motorcycles, fishing at his Vineyard Lake home, and spending time with his family and friends at his northern Michigan cottage.  He especially cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren.

In addition to his wife Eloise, he is survived by his sons, Hugh Thomas Ford, Jr., and Terry G. (Barb) Ford of Tecumseh, Timothy H. (Robin) Ford of Hebron, Conn. and Troy E. Ford of Brooklyn; one daughter, Tammy (Bob) Hoffman of Clinton; a sister, Mattye Jo Duncan of Paducah, Ky.; and his in-laws, Dale Holmes and Elaine Heath of Marshall, and Tracey Miller of Norvell, Mich.; 14  grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services were held at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Home on Saturday, Jan. 29,  with the Rev. Gary Leking of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Palmyra officiating.  Interment took place at Lenawee Hills Memorial Park in Tecumseh.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor, Hospice of Lenawee, or the charity of the donor’s choice.  Condolences may be offered at www.handlerfuneralhome.com 

Hazel L. Dawdy, 90, of Tecumseh passed away on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011, at Magnum Health Care in Adrian.  She was born Dec. 15, 1920, in Detroit, the daughter of Leon and Ethel M. (Montieth) Auckland. 

Hazel was employed as a beautician at the Clinton Beauty Shop for many years. She also worked at DST Industries in Clinton. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Tecumseh.

Hazel is survived by one son, Gary (Donna) Keehl of Onsted, Mich.; one daughter, Linda (Dan) Betzoldt of Tecumseh; one sister Wynona (Harold) Walenski of Adrian; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Donald Clark; and son, James. Hazel was a loving mother and will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.

At her request, services will be private with interment later in Riverside Cemetery in Clinton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com.

Thomas W. McCarty, 48, of Clinton passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, in Herrick Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 9, 1962, in Tecumseh, the son of Luther H. and Nerissa (Strand) McCarty.

Tommy attended Porter Center in Adrian. He enjoyed Elvis Presley, Country  Western, and Rock and Roll music. He loved swimming, professional wrestling, and was involved in Special Olympics. Tommy attended the First Baptist Church in Tecumseh.

Tommy is survived by his mother, Nerissa Brown; brother, Gary M. McCarty of Adrian; half-brother, Luther McCarty of Jackson, Ohio; five sisters, Roxie A. (Bill) Osburn, Jr., of Tecumseh, Jeane (Rod) Sears of Tecumseh, Vickie (Mark) Jedele of Clinton, Susan McCarty of Adrian, Nancy Spencer of Adrian; and half-sister, Caroline (Paul) Clark of Columbus, Ohio; several nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his father, Luke; step-father, Merrill Brown; and brother, Gerald “Boo.” Tommy will be deeply missed by all who loved him and his many friends.

The funeral service was held at the  Clinton Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011, with the Rev. Gary Miller of Tecumseh Church of the Nazarene officiating.   Interment followed at Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens in Tecumseh.

Memorial contributions may be made in Tommy's memory to Special Olympics or American Heart Association.  Condolences may be offered to the family at www.handler funeralhomes.com.

Arnold DeWitt Wilson, 80, of Clinton, passed away Jan. 27, 2011, at Herrick Medical Center in Tecumseh with his loving family by his side.  He was born in Adrian, March 7, 1930, the son of Charles and Hazel Cutler and was later adopted by Amos and Delia Wilson.  On Dec. 29, 1949, he married Phyllis D. Cameron.  Sadly, she preceded him in death Feb. 14, 2007.

 Arnold was a lifelong resident of the area.  He was a Meter Reader for Consumers Power Company for over 25 years, retiring in 1974.  He enjoyed attending his Clinton High School Reunions and the Consumers Power Retirement breakfasts.  He had many interests including woodworking, spending time with his fowl, riding on his tractor, and working in his yard.  He was a member of the Tecumseh Friends church.  His wife, Phyllis who suffered from MS since she was young, was the love and joy of his life as were his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

 Arnold is survived by his daughters Judy (Allen) Hartwig of Clinton, and Patrice (Leslie) Redman of Tecumseh; two brothers, Lynn Wilson of Tucson, Ariz. and Paul Wilson of Houston, Texas; his grandchildren, Sarah Covington, Bill Redman, Andy Hartwig, and Sam Redman; seven great-grandchildren; and his special companion, “Tiger.”

 He was preceded in death by his parents, birth and adoptive; his beloved wife; 11 brothers; and sisters.

 Funeral services were held at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Home with David Green, a close family friend, officiating.  Interment followed at Brookside Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Lenawee.  Condolences may be offered at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com.

To the Editor,

So let me get this straight, William Van Tuyle, my mortgage loan officer, believes that we should be assessed extra to pay for his child’s extracurricular activites? This is all because we have recently invested in a second piece of property that happens to be in the Tecumseh School District. We looked at properties in several counties, even other states, but decided to reinvest in one of the many properties that were on the market in downtown Tecumseh.

There are many people like ourselves in the private sector that work hard, scrimp, save and sacrifice for many years in order to afford to purchase private or commercial properties as an investment for our future. We are not gifted with golden parachute pensions provided by the taxpayers like our local teachers. We are accountable and responsible citizens who work diligently not to live beyond our means which includes cutting back on expenditures during tough times like these.

This is the same school system that has wasted money defying the will of the people in regards to the football field. They have spent thousands of dollars to run a commercial telling everyone that they are great. It doesn’t count if you have to pay someone to say it. You have to earn greatness on merit, otherwise it is only fantasy. This school system should make the necessary cuts in salary and pensions to reflect the existing economy.

Of course this millage will pass. It’s the majority against the few. The community organizers are rallying the troops. This millage would go down in flames if everyone had to share the burden. It’s the oldest Marxist trick in the book. Pit one citizen against another. At a time when Tecumseh should be encouraging local investment, you are doing your best to drive it away.

Tecumseh’s varsity girls bowling team strung another win to its undefeated season after shutting out Ypsilanti 30-0 on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

The Indians won both Baker games with scores of 192 and 232 for a 424 total to Ypsilanti’s 227.

Tecumseh's team games were 1,005 and 1,105 to Ypsi's 660 and 723.

Haley Richard led Tecumseh with a high game of 248 while her sister Jordan Richard turned in scores of 246 and 217. Tecumsehs’ Tawni Vollmer had a high game of 233 while Lauren McKowen had a 214. Stephanie Oldeck rolled a 202.

Tecumseh’s varsity boys team defeated Ypsilanti 27-3.

The Indians had baker games of 190 and 187 for a 377 total to Ypsilanti’s 348.

Tecumseh's team games were 1,014 and 1,022 to Ypsilanti’s 847 and 860.

Taylor Jardine led the Tribe with game highs of 265 and 224 while teammate Tom Craig rolled game highs of 222 and 217.

The Indians’ JV teams also picked up victories. Both teams won 25-5.

The Indians girls were led by Caitie Behnke (191), Brianna Johnson (190) and Alexis Furrow (188).