Blissfield Advance

Todd Zimmerman

Marcia Loader — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:35:30 +0000

RIGA: Todd A. Zimmerman, age 41 of Riga, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, OH. He was born August 4, 1971, in Toledo, Ohio to Donald H. and Nancy S. (Goll) Zimmerman. On October 7, 1995, he married Kimberly “Kim” Renee Hollenbaugh in Blissfield and she survives. Todd attended Baker College in Owosso. He had been employed as a Pro Sales Consultant at Home Depot in Toledo. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Riga. Todd supported his children through their many activities with sports and was known to his children’s friends as their biggest fan. He enjoyed hunting with his father and farming part time, as well. He adored his family and loved to travel with them.

In addition to his wife, Kim, he is survived by his children, Brayden and Karter Zimmerman at home; his parents, Don Zimmerman of Riga and Nancy (John) Heckathorne of Riga; two sisters, Amy (Roger) Chrisman of Adrian and Kathy (Derek) DeCatur of Palmyra; his brother-in-law, Bryan (Joyce) Hollenbaugh of Washington; his sister-in-law, Tami (Christopher) Magda of Jonesville, Michigan; his mother and father-in-laws, Jan (Rick) Kimling of Clayton and Dan (Carol) Hollenbaugh of Jonesville, Michigan; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Albert and Margaret Goll, and Alvin and Mabel Zimmerman; and an uncle, David Zimmerman in infancy.

Funeral services for Todd will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 20, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Riga with Dianna Raine officiating. Burial will be in Riga Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Riga. Flowers may be delivered to Trinity Lutheran Church on Monday, after 8:00 a.m. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. A Memorial Fund has been set up at Blissfield State Bank; the Zimmerman Fund for Brayden Zimmerman and Karter Zimmerman. Checks may be made out to the Zimmerman Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of the Adrian Anderson Funeral Home.

BD Schools to join county health care consortium

Marcia Loader — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:11:49 +0000

By Melissa Burnor

The Britton Deerfield School board agreed to become part of the Lenawee County Health Care Consortium at their May 9 meeting. The consortium allows employees to obtain health insurance at a less expensive rate.

“It is a good savings for our employees,” BD superintendent Charles Pelham said.

According to Pelham, Lenawee County is the only one in Michigan that has a consortium of local school district to offer health care at a lower cost to employees. While Pelham said it wouldn’t make any difference for the district as BD has a hard cap on their insurance.

Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc. For the full story and many more stories and photos, please pick up the May 15, 2013, edition of The Advance, or call 517-486-2400 for home delivery each week.

Whiteford School millage passes

Marcia Loader — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:06:17 +0000

Residents of the Whiteford School district approved the renewal of the nonhomestead property tax millage by a wide margin in the May 7 election.

The four-year millage passed 168-38. The millage allows the local school district to asses 18 mills on nonhomestead property in the district.

For Melissa Burnor’s complete story, please see the May 15, 2013, edition of The ADVANCE.

Rebecca Wolfe

Marcia Loader — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:04:13 +0000

PALMYRA — Rebecca Wolfe, 62, of Palmyra, passed away Monday, May 13, 2013, at Toledo Hospital. Arrangements are pending with Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel. Please check at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com for details. A full obituary will run in next week’s Advance.

Mike Kerentoff

Marcia Loader — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:02:30 +0000

ADRIAN – Mike Kerentoff of Adrian, Mich. passed away May 10, 2013. He was 89 years old. Born May 27, 1923, Mike was the youngest son of Emma and Julius Kerentoff of Riga Township. Mike graduated Blissfield High School in 1941. As the youngest son of a farm family, Mike had a deferment from fighting in World War II as he helped keep the family farm going. Eventually, Mike went on to own a farm of his own, totaling about 200 acres in Riga. He married Beulah Ahleman on March 2, 1946. In addition to farming wheat, oats, soybeans and/or field corn, Mike raised milk cows, pigs, and chickens. He also worked at the Agricultural Services Extension Office in Lenawee County, spot-checking land for crop set-asides, and he worked for a few years at Blissfield Manufacturing Company. In 1974, Mike and Beulah moved to Winter Haven, Florida, where they lived for 37 years. He worked on golf courses in and around Winter Haven on green maintenance and course irrigation systems. Regardless of where he called home, he was never too far away from the farm, at least in spirit. He maintained a very large garden and planted numerous varieties of orange and grapefruit trees at his home in Winter Haven. Pineapples were his garden’s specialty. He was a long-time fan of the Detroit Tigers. Mike’s wife Beulah preceded him in death. He is survived by two daughters, Jill (Dennis) Hartley of Adrian, Mich., and Luann (Richard) Sharp of Sylvania, Ohio. He also leaves five grandchildren, Michael (Breanne) Hartley of McCordsville, Ind., Michelle Hartley of Comstock Park, Mich., Mark Hartley of Adrian, Mich., Laura Sharp of Toledo, Ohio, and Jessica Sharp of Sylvania, Ohio. Mike had one great-grandson, Cameron, of McCordsville, Ind. The family also wants to extend a special thank you to friend, Leon Denecker of Posey Lake, Michigan, for his help and support throughout Mike’s life, but especially in the last two years. A special thank you to the staff at Cambrian Assisted Living and to all the Hospice of Lenawee Staff, especially Gloria Brooks and Carmen Carpenter. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 13, 2013, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon at the Adrian Anderson Funeral Home. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. The family requests tributes to Hospice of Lenawee. Envelopes are available at the Adrian Anderson Funeral Home.

Mary Mraz

Marcia Loader — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:00:11 +0000

Mary E. Mraz, 93, of Blissfield passed away peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2013, at Ebeid Hospice in Sylvania, Ohio. She was born on September 8, 1919, in Toledo, Ohio, the daughter of George and Julia Dombi. On July 13, 1946, Mary was united in marriage to Tony Mraz in Blissfield, Michigan. They celebrated 50 years of marriage together before Tony preceded her in death in 1997. In earlier years, Mary worked for Wegner’s Laundrama Laundromat in town. She later went to work for Maxitrol in Blissfield, from which she eventually retired. Mary was an all-around homemaker for her family. She sewed and repaired many of her family’s clothing and spent many hours canning various vegetables, including 200 quarts of tomatoes every year up until a few years ago. Mary was a lifetime member of the Light of Christ Catholic Parish, St. Peter the Apostle Campus in Blissfield, where she was active in the Altar Rosary Society, the Ladies Sodality and was very much involved in the planning of many funeral luncheons. Mary is survived by her children, John Mraz of Blissfield and Anne (Jim) Tench of Charlotte, North Carolina; her grandson, Tony and a great-granddaughter, Bella. Also surviving are her two brothers, Emery Dombi of Toledo, Ohio, and Mike (Katherine) Dombi of Oregon, Ohio. In addition to her husband, Tony, she was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers, Frank, Bill and Tut Dombi and 2 sisters, Velma Magno and Julia Duras. A Funeral Mass for Mary will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Light of Christ Catholic Parish, St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Campus in Blissfield with Fr. Jack Loughran officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield. Visitation for Mary will be also be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Light of Christ Catholic Parish. Envelopes will be available at the church.

Alleged drug trafficker in custody

Marcia Loader — Tue, 07 May 2013 18:43:31 +0000

Branden Lounsbury

An Ohio man federal authorities were searching for near Crockett Highway and Beamer Roday Monday afternoon and evening has been arrested.

Branden Lounsbury, 28, was apprehended in Toledo, Ohio, and is lodged at the Lucas County Jail, according to First Lt. Tony Cuevas, commander of the Michigan State Police-Monroe Post.

Lounsbury was arrested by members of the U.S. Marshal’s North Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at approximately 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7. He was wanted on several felony charges in Fulton County Ohio for manufacturing and trafficking methamphetamines.

Agents had located him near a residence on Crockett Highway Monday afternoon and a short car chase occurred before Lounsbury fled on foot. Federal and local authorities were unable to find him in a wooded area Monday evening.

Cinco de Mayo 5K Sunday in Blissfield

Marcia Loader — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:35:32 +0000

After the success of and large turnout for the Wassail Festival 5K Run, the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program committee realized one thing: to have a successful run, you need a good theme with some added fun.

The third annual spring run will this year be The Cinco de Mayo 5K Run as it is scheduled for Sunday, May 5. A special Cinco de Mayo treat will be included in runners’ bags from Mexibilly’s in Blissfield, which is co-sponsoring the event with pageant sponsor Borchardt Brothers Market.

There will be prizes for best costume and best team costumes.

The event is a 5K run/walk to benefit the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program.

The race will this year begin beside the scenic Arch Bridge in Blissfield’s Ellis Park.

“We have created a scenic early May run to take runners from near and far around some of what we consider high points of our village at a beautiful time of year as the trees are budding, grass is greening and flowers are blooming,” said Marcia Loader, executive director of the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program. “We chose to begin at the river and end at the river in our beautiful park system. We want to encourage people to not only enjoy our parks and the entire community with its many unique dining experiences, but also visit our downtown where we have seen some exciting new developments over the winter. In other words, come for the race, but make a day of it, too.”

Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and the 5K starts at 1 p.m. The 5K is open to all ages 6 and over, and winds throughout the village. Fees are $25 for the 5K Run/Walk; $12 for kids 6-15; or $60 for a family (limit two adults per family; additional adults $25; children must be with parents). The deadline for shirts has passed and no shirts will be available for those registering this week or on race day.

An awards ceremony will follow the race with medals to the overall male and female and top 2 finishers in each male and female age division: 6-12 13-15, 16-20, 21-35, 36-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+. Presenting the awards will be Miss River Raisin Festival Charlotte Squires of Britton. Many of the contestants for the July 12 Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant will work at the event.

To download a PDF of the race form, please visit the Blissfield River Raisin Festival website, www.blissfield.net and go to the Cinco de Mayo Race section, or email advance@cass.net for one to be sent via email reply.

Local sports results – April 22-27

Marcia Loader — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:28:24 +0000

Following are local sports results from the May 1, 2013, edition of The Advance. For the full stories and individual stats, please see the May 1 Sports pages. Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc.

By Melissa Burnor and Chad Hutchinson

Local women’s track competitors shone at the Addison Relays last Friday. The Whiteford women’s team placed third overall. Blissfield was fourth and Britton Deerfield placed seventh out of 11 teams.

BLISSFIELD

The Blissfield varsity golf squad shot its best team total of the year at the LCAA Jamboree at Deme Acres on April 22. The Royals took 7th place with a team score of 172. Dundee took the top spot with 160, followed by Erie Mason with 163 and Ida with 165.

The Blissfield varsity softball team went 2-1 last week. The Lady Royals dropped the first game of a double-header at home against Columbia Central 3-2 before heavy rains canceled the second game. Blissfield bounced back Friday by sweeping Addison at home 10-1 and 4-3 in a double-header.

The Blissfield women’s track team stormed over the visiting Columbia Central Golden Eagles April 23 before high winds and heavy rains brought the meet to an early close. The Lady Royals clipped the Golden Eagles 66-7 in the contest.

The Blissfield varsity baseball team had an up-and-down week, as the Royals triumphed over Columbia Central 2-1 April 23 before dropping a double-header 6-5 and 10-0 to Riverview Friday night.

The Blissfield varsity women’s soccer team split a pair of games last week, blasting Onsted 7-2 before falling to Manchester on a duet of late goals 5-3. The Lady Royals were led by two hat tricks from Corrine Domschot and Emily Loar. Domschot found the opposing net for three goals against Onsted while Loar had the golden foot with three goals against Manchester.

BRITTON DEERFIELD

The Britton Deerfield men’s track team placed fourth at the Addison Relays Friday afternoon. The Patriots scored 73 points in a field of 11 teams. Only nine points separated them from the second-place team.

The Lady Patriots softball team came up short in three games last week, losing to Webberville 9-5, Dansville 11-1 and Madison 15-3.

WHITEFORD

Whiteford women’s track came up short against two of the Tri-County Conference mainstays. The Bobcats lost to Sand Creek 107-30 and Madison 93-43 in a double-dual meet April 23.

The Whiteford Bobcat men’s track team competed against the two TCC power houses on a rainy, gloomy Tuesday last week where their sprinters stood out. Whiteford as a team lost to both Madison and Sand Creek with identical scores of 118-18.

Autumn Garfield prepares for a race in a tri-meet with Whitmore Lake and Summerfield that was eventually called off due to weather. Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc., Melissa Burnor Photo

: Corrine Domschot sets up for a shot during the Royals’ home game against Manchester April 25. Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc. Photo by Chad Hutchinson

Some solid Bobcats bats propelled the Whiteford varsity softball team to an impressive 10-1 win over Sand Creek on Friday. The Whiteford varsity softball team split a double-header with Madison April 22 Whiteford took the first game 6-4. Madison won the second game 8-6 in what was considered a non-league contest.

Blissfield Visitor’s Guide in this week’s Advance

Marcia Loader — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:59:00 +0000

In the May 1, 2013, edition of The Advance, find the spring and summer guide to Blissfield Village and its activities. The guide will also be available in several Michigan Welcome Centers and area businesses.

Find a spring and summer calendar; get the first peek at plans for the 30th anniversary of the Blissfield River Raisin Festival July 10-13; learn of things to see and local resources, too.