Archive - Aug 2011

We are broken-hearted over the fire loss of the Ten Cate residents at 4020 Allen Road, Tecumseh. My six children and I lived in the upper flat for three years from 1999 to 2002. Bernie, Teri and their children Justin, Camilla, Curtis and Hollieanne joined with us as a family of God sharing their home, lives, faith and burdens. We felt that we had “run into the high tower and were safe.”

The Ten Cates have owned this home for 33 years, raising their children and sharing their home, sheltering countless other people. They have worked hard to improve and beautify their home and property. It was built in the early 1870’s as a single family dwelling and was once a watermelon farm. We were in love with the architecture of the home. The generous size of the rooms and walk-in closets, high ceilings, nearly 8-ft. windows, grand staircase and beautiful woodwork. At the time of the fire Bernie and Teri lived downstairs and Hollianne and her husband Travis Zietlow and their baby lived upstairs. They are all starting over.

This is a devastating loss for all involved but their dearest hope is to be able to restore their historic home to its original condition as best as they can and to replace the period furniture and heirlooms. Any donations to assist in this endeavor would be greatly appreciated, from help in clean-up or other skills in woodworking, etc. The testimony of God’s help and protection in this situation are evident with many people generously stepping up to help.

Cash donations may be brought to United Bank andTrust for the Ten Cate fire fund. Canisters are available at all Perky Pantries for money gifts. Material goods may be brought to the Riverbend Friends Church at 9500 Tecumseh-Clinton Rd.,423.3977. All prayers are gratefully appreciated.

Jeannie Romero
Clinton

John Raymond McKenzie, age 78, of Clark Lake, formerly of Tecumseh, passed away August 22, 2011.

John was born August 22, 1933 in Raisin Twp., MI., the son of Elijah and Pearl (Higgins) McKenzie. On December 27, 1952 he married Catherine LaLonde in Tecumseh. She preceded him in death September 11, 2005.

John is survived by his children, Susan McKenzie, Thomas McKenzie and Scott McKenzie, all of Clark Lake; grandchildren, Christy (Joe) Karbousky, Joshua Maddox, Cassy McKenzie, Mariah McKenzie and Matthew McKenzie; great granddaughter, Annabella Karbousky and a sister Betty McLeod.

In addition to his wife, Catherine, he was preceded in death by his parents.

According to his wishes cremation has taken place. There will be a gathering to celebrate the life of John 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, August 30, 2011, at the Brooklyn Eagles, 9500 Wamplers Lake Road, Brooklyn, MI 49230.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the family to be used according to their wishes. Condolences to the family may be made online at www.pursefuneralhome.com.

Ray Paul Dollison, age 92 of Maryville, passed away Tuesday, August 23, 2011, at Maryville Health Care, Maryville, Tenn. He was a member of Maryville First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He served in the army from November 1941 to November 1945, stationed for 26 months in Panama. He would have been married 65 years on August 31st. He was preceded in death by parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Dollison; brother, Dean L. Dollison; sister Ruby Nelle Rochester; brother, Verle B. Dollison; sister Katy Jo Lightfoot; great granddaughter Audrey J, Wright.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia (Suze) P. Dollison; daughter, Virginia L. Colter of Bellevue, Mich.; son, Lee P. Dollison of Maryville, Tenn.; granddaughters, Bethany A. Murray of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Lisa L. Wright of Bellevue, Mich.; great grandsons, Benjamin K. Deyoe, Mason C. L. Daniels and Isaac L. Murray; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Marge Dollison of Logan, Ohio; several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2-3 p.m. Saturday, August 27, 2011 at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home followed by a 3 p.m. memorial service with Rev. Ronald Longmire officiating.

Memorial contributions can be given to Maryville First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1301 E. Broadway, Maryville, TN. 37804 or the Blount Hospital Hospice program, 1095 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804.

Arrangements were made by McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville, TN (865) 982.6812 www.mccammonammonsclick.com.

Dennis Farley, 73, of Traverse City, died Aug. 10, 2011, at Munson Hospice House, following a year-long battle against multiple myeloma.

Dennis was born on Dec. 11, 1937, in Toledo, Ohio, to the late Harry Mathew and Dorothy Lucille (Bergman) Farley. He grew up on small farms in southern Michigan, raised by loving and hardworking parents. Throughout the rest of his life, he used the gardening skills he learned growing up to enrich our lives with the bounty of his flower and vegetable gardens.

He married his college sweetheart, Kathleen McCollom, in March of 1959.

After graduating from Tecumseh High School in 1955, he attended Mount Union College in Ohio, Adrian College and lastly Eastern Michigan University, where he earned his B.S. and M.A. in special education. He was a member of the Michigan Alpha Chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity for 53 years.

Early on he planned to become a Methodist minister. Following that path, he earned his license, serving as pastor at two churches and finally as an assistant pastor in Detroit. However, his work with children proved to be his calling. He began his teaching career at Boy's Republic, a juvenile detention center in Farmington. Later he was a special education teacher and principal at the Maple School at the Northville State Hospital. Finally, he served as a teacher and then principal at the Arnell Engstrom Children's Center at the Traverse City State Hospital. Dennis retired after 32 years in education, but his love of teaching led him to teach G.E.D. classes to inmates at the Grand Traverse and Leelanau County jails.

In his spare time Dennis loved to be outdoors, especially with a fishing rod in his hand. This passion led him to become the owner and operator of The Reel People Fishing and Rod Repair, which after 15 years of service to fishing enthusiasts, was sold this spring.

Dr. Richard D. Coak, 87, of Indianapolis, passed away unexpectedly following a brief illness Sunday, August 21, 2011. He was born January 26, 1924 in Jackson, Michigan, the son of the late Sam and Lulu (Weber) Coak.

After graduating high school in Jackson, Michigan, Dick entered the U.S. Army during World War II and served in Europe. Following the war, he graduated from the University of Michigan, School of Medicine. He was in general practice in Tecumseh, Michigan. He later was an anesthesiologist in Adrian Michigan, where he also founded the Christian Medical Mission in conjunction with the Adrian Dominican nuns, which provided medical assistance to the poor.

He then moved to New Castle, Ind., where he was anesthesiologist at Henry County Memorial Hospital, and also worked in pulmonary medicine for several years. He was active in the Adrian, Mich., and New Castle, Ind., Medical Societies. After retirement from the medical field, he attended Ball State University in Muncie and studied Graphic Design. He then owned and operated RC Design up until the time of his death.

While in New Castle, he was active in Rotary, tutored reading at the Adult Basic Education School, and was active in the Bible study group at First Presbyterian Church. He also was a past member of St. Anne Catholic Church in New Castle. He was presently a very active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Indianapolis, where he did much volunteering at the school.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Carol A. Coak of Indianapolis; four children, Diane Felts of Pflugerville, Tex, David (wife, Louise) Coak of Manchester, Mich., Julie (husband, Bob) Sinclair of Tecumseh, Mich., and Craig (wife, Michelle) Coak of Edmonds, Wash.; six grandchildren, including Chris Sinclair of New York City, and twins Katie and Kyle Sinclair of Tecumseh, Mich.; a sister, Helen Sabin of Sun City, SC; and several nieces and nephews.

Richard Wayne Fitzsimmons age 61 of Owasso, Okla., formerly of Tecumseh, Mich., an incredible husband, father and friend went home to be with God and his parents on August 19, 2011 after a heroic battle with melanoma. He is survived by his loving and adoring wife Gloria, his three loving children and there spouses Richard Jr. (Krista) Fitzsimmons of Wooster, Ohio, Julianne (Scott) Bushong of Owasso, Okla., and Jeremy (Jessica) Fitzsimmons of Taylor, Mich. He is also survived by his seven precious granddaughters, Brianna, Kaley, Ellie, Morgan, Aiden, Malainah, and Mackenzie. He also has three brothers and two sisters. He retired from DTE Energy in Monroe, Mich., on January 4, 2008 after 39 years of service, he was currently employed at Lowe’s of Owasso, Okla. He was a founding member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Adrian, Mich., and currently attended the 1st Christian Church of Owasso.

Calling hours will be held at Anderson Funeral Home in Adrian, Mich., on Friday, August 26, from 2-4 p.m., and 6-8 p.m. The service will be held at St. Matthews Lutheran Church on Saturday August 27, with a viewing at 10 a.m. service at 11 a.m. with a dinner to immediately follow. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomeadriantecumseh.com.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting a donation be made to Crisp Point Lighthouse Historical Society in memory of Richard Fitzsimmons (checks made payable to Margaret Warren 11030 Brookfield Livonia, MI. 48150 just put Richard Fitzsimmons in memo) for the construction of a new viewing platform, this is the place where he got his strength to battle his cancer over the last four years. Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian.