Obituaries

Donald Albert Geiger, age 80, passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. He was born November 4, 1931 in Detroit, Mich., the son of Albert and Agnes (nee Van Deusen) Geiger. He played football briefly for Adrian College, and was an active athlete and coach in many sports, and an ardent fan of high school athletics throughout his life. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force with the military police during the Korean Conflict. After his service he graduated from Michigan Normal College and earned a Masters’ degree from Eastern Michigan University, along with doctoral work. On December 25, 1953, he married Margaret “Peg” Gleason in Saline and she preceded him in death July 11, 1998.

Throughout his life, Don was an active proponent of civil rights and social change on an individual and societal level. He was first and foremost, an educator, and felt that everyone should be treated with understanding and given an opportunity, which he demonstrated as principal of Adrian High School, Deerfield High School and Drager Middle School, along with his service on the board of directors for Musical Youth International/People to People and the Board of Education in Clinton. He was a long time member of the Clinton United Church of Christ, Tecumseh V.F.W. Post No. 4187, the Clinton American Legion, and the 40 & 8. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, and a Shriner.

Survivors include: one son, Rex (Sheri) Geiger of Tecumseh; one daughter, Cynthia Geiger of Ann Arbor; six grandchildren, Margaret, Elspeth, Kylista, Jordyn, Ryan and Grace; two great grandchildren, Wanderlei and Wyatt; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Joyce.

Dwight Cullen Drake, age 91, passed away peacefully at his home, May 5, 2012, in Columbus, N.Y.

He was born July 9, 1920, in Fostoria, Ohio, the son of Ernest and Cora (Cullen) Drake. He is survived by his wife, Lucille R. Drake, whom he married on July 17, 1948. Dwight graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1938. He later joined and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. He was employed as a machinist at Tecumseh Products Co. in Tecumseh, Mich.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Jonathon (Peggy) Drake of Owen, Wis., Steve Drake, and former wife Sharlene Drake, of Adrian, Mich., and Suzanne (Richard) Drake-Andrews of Columbus, N.Y.; four grandchildren Dwan Pettit “Pookie” of Oneonta, N.Y., Ashley (Travis) Welch of New Berlin, N.Y., Jonathan (Chastity) Drake of Augusta, Wis., and Jason (Amanda) Drake, of the U.S. Army, proudly serving in Afghanistan. Dwight was very fond of all of his great-grandchildren. Some of his greatest joys were to laugh, read books, and play his harmonica with great-grandsons, Isiah Pettit and Zack Welch. Enjoyed, from afar, were great-granddaughters, Emily and Abigail Drake, and great-grandson Braedin Drake. Unfortunately, his excitement to meet his sixth great-grandchild was cut short.

Gary R. Condon, age 61 of Britton, died peacefully on Friday, May 18, 2012 with his loving family at his side and under the gentle care of Hospice of Lenawee.

Visitation was scheduled for Sunday, May 20, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and Monday, May 21, from 3-6 p.m. at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 11 a.m. in Ridgeway Cemetery in Tecumseh with full Military Honors under the auspices of the Tecumseh American Legion Post No. 34 and the Tecumseh VFW Post No. 4187.

Contributions may be made to the family and condolences may be offered to them at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com.

James Russell Stuart, age 81, of Tecumseh died Friday, May 11, 2012 in St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor surrounded by his family. He was born May 11, 1931 in Hudson to William and Ruth Stuart Tremaine. On June 6, 1970 in Adrian he married Gert (Bordine) Barron, she survives. Jim served as a Medic in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He retired in 1991 from Tecumseh Products Company as a shipping supervisor. Jim attended the Faith Baptist Church with his wife, Gert. Jim loved to ride his motorcycle with trips to the casino and the U.P. on Labor Day to walk the bridge. He also rode his motorcycle on different Poker Runs, winning several trophies for the oldest rider. Jim was a charter member of Chapter W Gold Wing. He enjoyed golfing and bowling with family and friends. Jim was an avid Tiger fan and last year he enjoyed going to one of the playoff games at Comerica Park. Jim’s greatest love was spending time with his grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Gert, Jim is survived by three sons; Duane (Debra) Stuart of S.D., Bruce (Sue) Stuart of Adrian, Don (Tracey) Barron of Adrian; four daughters, Diane (Jim) Carter of Ariz., Brenda (Rick) VanAkin of Manitou Beach, Kathy (Jeff) Anderson of Onsted, and Beth Webb of Tecumseh; one brother, Raymond (Kathy) Stuart of Arkansas; three sisters, Ruth (Frank) Prichard of Fla., June (Charles) Armstrong of Tex., and Joyce Miller of Rose City, Mich; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-granchildren; and his special grand dog, Riley. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Stuart and Ruth Stuart Tremaine; brothers, Richard and Bill; sisters, Dorothy Long and Marguerite Smith; daughter Becky (Barron) Allen and a son, Doug Barron.

Linda L. Borton, age 70, of Tecumseh passed away, Monday, May 14, 2012, at the University of Michigan Medical Center. She was born February 23, 1942, in Hudson, Mich., to Roy and Myrle (Rozelle) Farrell. Linda was a Foster Grandparent with the Lenawee Intermediate School District. She was an auxiliary member of the Hudson American Legion for 39 years, and a member of the V.F.W. auxiliary in Tecumseh.

Linda is survived by two sons, Gregory (Teresa) Borton of Manitou Beach, Mich., and Christopher (Shannon) Borton of St. Petersburg, Fla; two daughters, Jodie (Jeffrey) Greene of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Kimberly (James) Hibbard of Tecumseh; one sister, Nancy (Mark) Sholty of Remus, Mich.; and grandchildren, Travis and Tyler Greene, Carley (Justin) Nine, Brent (Sarah) Duffey, Collin Duffey, Evan and Emily Borton and Loren Hayes. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-father, Claude Walton.

Funeral services for Linda will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at 1 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, Tecumseh with Reverend Mark Miller of the First United Methodist Church, of Tecumseh officiating. Burial will be in Brookside Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. and Friday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, Tecumseh.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Comfort Care (Oncology Department) at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home, Tecumseh.

Karen Holdridge, age 65 of Tecumseh, Michigan, devoted wife of Pat; beloved mom of Wendy (Bill) Beardsley; Julie (Tom) Wright; Stacy (Danielle) Vallad; Troy (Beth) Vallad and Jenny (Russ) Eskew; went to Heaven early Sunday morning, May 13, 2012 where she celebrated Mothers Day that reunited her with her dear mother Jeannette Hansen.

In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her father, Jens "Walt" Hansen.

Karen fought ALS — Lou Gehrig's Disease for one and a half years. Through it all, she remained the loving mom and wife she had always been.

In addition to her immediate family listed above, Karen is survived by her sisters: Janet Glair; Judy (Bob) Greene; and brother, John Hansen. Several neices and nephews as well as fourteen grandchildren who were the apple of her eye, survive Karen as well.

Following a life long career in health services, Karen retired after twelve years of service working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Maria Health Care Center in the Siena Heights complex.

Karen and Pat enjoyed their retirement years in the warmer climates of Florida where they had a winter home and in Arizona where their daughter and family live.

Many good memories were created with family and friends throughout the years. She enjoyed card games, bowling, crocheting, reading and camping.

The family greeted relatives and friends on Tuesday May 15, 2012, from 12-2 p.m. at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home in Tecumseh where the service began at 2 p.m. with Pastor Doug Adams officiating. Interment followed at Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens, Tecumseh, Mich.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: ALS Guardian Angels Foundation 33761 Limerick Lane, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Envelopes available at the funeral home.

Condolences may be offered online at www.pursefuneralhome.com.