Cleo Jeanette (Vershum) Upell

Cleo Jeanette (Vershum) Upell, age 91, passed away on October 16, 2016 at the Hospice of Lenawee home in Adrian. She was born on May 11, 1925 in Summerfield Township, Monroe County, Mich., the daughter of the late James and Adeline (Breitner) Vershum. On October 19, 1946 she married Richard M. Upell at the Mary Martha Chapel in Macon, Mich., and he proceeded her in death in 1999.

Cleo attended country schools through the eighth grade and graduated Valedictorian from Deerfield High School in 1943. After high school she worked at the Britton Elevator and the Tecumseh Products as a bookkeeper. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking, sewing and crocheting for her family.

She loved to can, especially tomatoes, peaches and pears. 

Cleo will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Cleo is survived by her six loving children, Kay Smith of Tecumseh, James (Molly) Upell, Sue (Dean) Bailey, both from Manitou Beach, Joan Upell of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, Jana (Eddie) Joseph of Columbus, Ohio, and Margaret Upell, Md., of Eagle Butte, S.D.; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; her two brothers, James (Charlotte) Vershum and Richard (Joyce) Vershum; two sisters, Margie Liedel and Collen (Al) Hoag; her sister-in-law, Louise Vershum and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Richard; brothers, Harvey, Lewis and Russell Vershum; and her sisters, Doris Dipmore, Ruth Abner and Eileen Schwede.

Visitations for Cleo will be held on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes from 4-7 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016 at the funeral home at 1 p.m. with visitation from 12 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Lenawee Home.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com.