Obituaries

Ruth A. Rudd, age 96, formerly of Tecumseh, died Saturday, January 28, 2012 in Florida. She was born on September 23, 1915 in Rankin, Pa., the daughter of George and Frances (Polinski) Full. She married Paul Rudd on October 31, 1936 and he preceded her in death on April 27, 1977.

Ruth had been a very active member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Tecumseh and the Altar Society until moving to Livonia in 2003 and then to Florida in 2011. She was also a very active member and volunteer of the Herrick Medical Center Auxiliary, the Tecumseh American Legion Post #34 and VFW Post #4187 Auxiliaries, “Goldstar Mothers” and past member of “Mothers of Twins Club.” She was a loving person who was always doing for others. Her greatest joy in life was her family. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Ruth is survived by her son Thomas (Margo) Rudd of Calumet, Mich; her daughters, Donna (Norman) Stein of Dade City, Fla., Helen Rudd of Land O’Lakes, Fla., and Ruth (James) Mitchell of Farmington Hills, Mich; her sister Arlene Skinner of Ebensburg, Pa; seventeen grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her beloved sons Donald and Richard.

Visitation for Ruth was held on Wednesday, February 1, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Tecumseh with a Vigil Prayer Service at 7 p.m. The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday, February 2 at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Fr. Daniel Wheeler as Celebrant. Rite of Committal was private in Brookside Cemetery. Visitation was held at the church Thursday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the mass. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church or to the Sanctuary at Mercy Villa Marie in Livonia, Mich. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com.

Wanda L. Reel, age 67 of Clinton, died peacefully at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Dave Halsey, under the care of Hospice of Lenawee. She was born March 4, 1944 in Upper Sandusky, the daughter of Henry “Hank” and Ruby (Miller) Hensel. She married John “Dick” Reel on May 15, 1964 and he preceded her in death on June 6, 2007.

Wanda was an active member of Macon United Methodist Church. She worked at Herrick Memorial Hospital as an x-ray technician and then at Universal Die and Cast, and Libby Owens Ford in Clinton; this was all while helping her husband with their hay business. Wanda liked to visit garage sales, bird watch, play the Wii with her grandchildren, going to horseshows to watch her daughter show; later she was able to watch her grandchildren show horses, lambs, and beef cattle. She was known for her Texas sheet cake and her no bake cookies. Her greatest joy was her time spent with her family, especially her grandkids, and many friends. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Survivors include one daughter Paula (David) Halsey of Adrian; three grandchildren, Jacob, Lucas, and Callie. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, a son Ryan, a daughter Cathy Jo, three brothers, and a sister.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 1 at the funeral home at 11 a.m. with Pastor Lance Ness of Macon United Methodist Church officiating. A graveside service was held 4 p.m. at McKendree Cemetery, Goshen Twp., Oh. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee or to the Macon United Methodist Church. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com.

Kirk Carswell, age 46, of Tecumseh and Adrian, passed away January 25, 2012. Funeral Services will be 12:00 P.M. (noon) Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home Tecumseh. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 and one hour preceding the service at the funeral home on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Condolences to the family may be made
online at www.pursefuneralhome.com.

Theodore Emil “Ted” Schmidt, age 90, of Tecumseh, passed away at Veterans Hospital, Tampa, Fla., Jan. 25, 2012.

Ted was born Oct. 20, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan the son of Emil and Marie (Attra) Schmidt. On July 12, 1947 he married Helen Kempf at Emmanuel Lutheran Church on the Ridge, Britton and she survives. Ted served honorably in the United States Army during World War II. After 44 years of service he retired from Tecumseh Products. Ted had a love of farming and for many years ran a dairy operation. After retirement, Ted was an avid gardener both in Tecumseh and Florida. In the last few years he worked in his garden saying, "I'll have a smaller garden next year." But it only got bigger. He also enjoyed fishing with his son, Gary, and son in law, Charles and a good friend, Bob.

He was a life long member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Britton, life member of the Tecumseh V.F.W. and American Legion and was member of the Moose Lodge in Florida where he enjoyed playing cards.

In addition to his wife, Helen, Ted is survived by his daughter, Phyllis (Charles) Williams; son, Gary (Catherine) Schmidt, both of Tecumseh; grandchildren, Jerry Williams and Megan Schmidt; great grandchildren, Nicole, Kendra, and Kaylie Williams; his garden friend, Todd Klanke and many loving family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Lucas and 10 brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Britton with Pastor Douglas Adams officiating. Burial will follow in Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens, Tecumseh with full military honors conducted by the Tecumseh American Legion Post #34 and Tecumseh VFW Post #4187, in which he was a lifetime member of both.

Maxine B. Eggleston, age 97 of Adrian, formerly of Tecumseh, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012. She was born Nov. 9, 1914 in Ransom, Mich., the daughter of Alfred and Lena (Hibbard) Hoover. On March 1, 1947 she married Richard Eggleston. Sadly, he preceded her in death Nov. 21, 1969.

Maxine came to Tecumseh in 1934 with her first husband, Clarence Bumpus. She was a very active member of the Tecumseh
United Methodist Church and was involved in many community services. She had a passion for card games, especially Euchre and Pepper. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Renfro Valley. She loved time spent with family and friends.

Maxine is survived by her daughters Wilma (Paul) Vanderdonck of Rapid River, Mich., and Beverly (Tom) McCarley of Adrian; nine grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; and ten great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons, and one great grandson, six brothers and three sisters.

Visitation for Maxine was at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler
Funeral Home on Thursday and Friday, Jan. 26-27. The funeral service was held at the funeral home at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, with the Rev. Mark Miller of the Tecumseh United Methodist Church officiating. Interment followed at Brookside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tecumseh United Methodist Church or Lenawee Medical Care Facility. Condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.HandlerFuneralHomes.com.

Margaret J. Burnor, age 92, of Britton, passed away January 20, 2012.

Margaret was born November 20, 1919 in Raisin Township, Mich., the daughter of Garland and Geraldine (Orr) Osburn. On August 16, 1947 she married Edsel Burnor in Deerfield and he preceded her in death May 22, 2009. She was a graduate of Tecumseh High School. Her passions were painting, sewing, flower gardening, traveling to Mackinaw City and Ft. Myers, Fla., and most of all, her family.

Margaret is survived by her sons, Richard Burnor and Larry (Amy) Burnor; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Erika) Burnor and Sarah Burnor; great granddaughters, Isobelle and Quinn Alexandra Burnor; brothers, Bill, Jo e, and Bob Osburn: sisters, Alice Lewis and Joyce Gentry and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded death by her parents; son, Johnny; brothers, Bruce and Larry Osburn and her sister Elizabeth Gould.

Funeral Services were at 1 p.m., Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh with Rev. Lloyd Jewett officiating.

Burial followed in Deerfield Cemetery, Deerfield.
Visitation was from 4-8 p.m., Tuesday, January 24, 2012 and one hour before the service.

Condolences to the family may be made at www.pursefuneralhome.com.