William “Bill” Johnston William ‘Bill’ Blair Johnston, 78, passed away Saturday, November 3, 2012, under the loving care of staff at Blissfield Place and of Hospice of Lenawee. Bill was born on January 24, 1934, to Blair Johnston and Thelma Bachmayer. He worked many years for his grandfather, Joseph Bachmayer, at Saxmayer, and went on to run a very successful newspaper recycling business making friends throughout Lenawee County. Bill even received an award from the Lenawee County Solid Waste Department for his efforts in recycling. Bill also enjoyed the time spent at his cousins Dick and Jane Metz farm helping with chores. He was a longtime member of the Elem3nt Church in Blissfield, and helped with fundraising for the youth group. Bill’s favorite place to eat was The Hathaway House and in later years, The Main Street Stable in Blissfield, where he could be seen several times a week. Bill is survived by his cousins, Jane (Dick) Metz of Gladwin; Sally (Larry) Donovan of Scottsville; Susan Williamson of Bayview, Idaho; and David Williamson of Petoskey; and two special friends Janet Clements and Michelle Sulier. Bill is preceded in death by his mother, Thelma Seethaler, step father, John Seethaler, his father, Blair Johnston, and grandparents, Joseph and Clara Bachmayer. Services for Bill took place on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Bill should consider Elem3nt Church, or Hospice of Lenawee. You may leave a condolence at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.
Author: Marcia Loader
BD Patriots fall in Division Seven regional
The Britton Deerfield Patriots, coming off a 32-2 District football win against Dansville last week, charged onto the Bishop Foley High School field in Madison Heights with a busload of enthusiasm and heart, but were unable to overtake the number-one Detroit Loyola football team in Division Seven Saturday afternoon.
The Loyola Bull Dogs, 11-0 on the season, prevented the Patriots, 8-3, from getting on the scoreboard, and won the regional title 32-0.
Only three teams of the 12 Loyola has met, however, have held the Bull Dogs to 32 points or fewer this season and BD was one of those teams. Eight of the teams Loyola defeated lost by more than 32 points.
Pick up the Nov. 14, 2012, edition of The Advance, and read Melissa Burnor’s full game story – complete with game photos. To subscribe for home delivery of the number-one sports section among weekly newspapers its size – as well as all the news of the area – please call 517-486-2400.
Farmer finds body south of Palmyra
PALMYRA – A farmer spreading lime in a Palmyra Township field Friday afternoon made the gruesome discovery of a partially decomposed body behind a dilapidated wooden barn.
Lenawee County Sheriff’s detectives were on the scene before 2 p.m. According to Lenawee County under sheriff James Anderson, a partially decomposed body of what they believed to be a woman was found near the back corner of barn in the 6000 block of Scott Highway.
The barn is about 50 yards off the road on the east side about 100 yards north of Station Road. Anderson could not positively say the body was that of a female or what age or race the person was. Police could not confirm foul play Friday evening due to the condition of the body. But they believe it has been there for some time.
Six very large spools of yellow field tile sat in front of the barn near the road that had been dropped off possibly a week ago, Anderson said. Another trailer with some tile material was on the south side of the barn.
The body was discovered near the north end on the back side. In the field next to the barn, a tiling machine also stood. There were no homes close to the vicinity where the body had been dumped. There was a field drive back to the barn, but the property in front of it was overgrown with grass and weeds. There was also another aging wooden structure to the south of the barn.Approximately seven members of the Lenawee County Sheriff’s personnel were on the scene as well as a trooper from the Michigan State Police.
Anderson said there would likely not be much information to tell until after the autopsy reports came back and if and when the person was identified.
The Michigan State Police mobile crime lab from Lansing arrived on the scene just before 5:30 p.m. to assist with the investigation.
Sheriff Jack Welsh said detectives were looking into the possibility the body could be of a woman reported missing from Sylvania Township in mid-September. Sylvania Township detectives were dispatched to the scene and local officials were waiting for their arrival at 6:30 p.m.
The missing woman had reportedly been visiting relatives in Sylvania Township, but hasn’t been seen or heard from since she allegedly left to go home on Sept. 18. Her vehicle was found abandoned days later in a Sylvania Township park just south of Monroe Street near the Starlite Shopping Plaza.
– By Melissa Burnor, The Advance. Please see the Nov. 14 edition of The Advance for this story and more. Copyright 2012, River Raisin Publications.
Local voters go to the polls Nov. 6
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Lenawee and Monroe County residents will join the rest of the United States in the democratic process by electing representatives next Tuesday, Nov. 6, from the grassroots level right up to the U.S. president. In today’s Advance, please find a Voting Guide to provide information on candidates and issues at the state and national level. Here, we have information on local elections. Candidates were provided with a questionnaire. Their answers follow:)
Blissfield Twp.
Blissfield Township residents will elect a new supervisor and will also choose a candidate for township clerk and two trustees in the General Election. Only treasurer Karen Baldwin is unopposed after winning the Republican primary election in August.
After winning the Republican primary against two other candidates including incumbent supervisor Lew Bowman, Adolio “Al” Navarro faces off against Democrat Mark Burgermeister for the supervisor position. Both men currently serve as trustees on the Blissfield Village Council. Navarro’s term expires in November, while Burgermeister’s would expire in 2014.
Four candidates are running for two trustee positions on the board. Incumbent Reed Mapstone did not run for reelection after serving nearly four decades on the township board.
Orrin Gregg, who was appointed in March to fill out the remainder of Jason Fischer’s term on the board is running as an independent candidate. Also running are Pat Laberdee, also an independent, and two Republican candidates, Devon Gilson-Pitts and Kris Ruhl.
Pickup an Advance today to read more…
Aloysius Bernard O’Mara
Aloysius Bernard O’Mara, age 92, of Blissfield, was welcomed into God’s Heavenly Kingdom on Monday, October 29th at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Aloysius Bernard was born at home in Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada on April 8, 1920, the youngest child of John and Margaret (Johnston) O’Mara.
He was the only member of his family to attend college and received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit.
On September 6, 1944, Aloysius married Rita Adeline Schutz in Detroit, Michigan. In 1948 Aloysius was admitted to the Michigan Bar and began his practice of law in downtown Detroit, Michigan before moving to rural Blissfield, Michigan where he developed an extensive legal practice. During his distinguished career Aloysius successfully litigated cases before the United States Supreme Court and Michigan Supreme Court. Aloysius served in the Army Air force as a Sergeant during World War II. He was an active member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church where he served as a proud member of the Knights of Columbus for 25 years. He was a member of the Blissfield Rotary Club for 30 years and a life-long member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Aloysius was preceded in eternal life by Rita, his loving wife of over 65 years. Aloysius is survived by his children: Michael and wife Eva O’Mara of Cleveland, Dr. Kevin O’Mara of Phoenix, Arizona; Mark O’Mara of Blissfield; Patrick and wife Carolyn O’Mara of New York; and Maureen O’Mara of Ann Arbor; and one grandson, Patrick Brendan O’Mara. Aloysius was preceded in death by his siblings: Joseph, James, Patrick, Eileen, Helen and Angela.
The Mass of the Christian Burial for Aloysius will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 1st, 2012 at Light of Christ Catholic Parish, St. Peter the Apostle Church with Fr. Thomas Helfrich officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. Visitation for Aloysius will be held at his home on Pearl Street in Blissfield on Wednesday from 2 to 8 p.m., where a prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Condolences to the family welcome at: www.wagleyfuneralhome.com . Contributions in memory of Aloysius may be made to Light of Christ Catholic Parish.
Lorain A. Bell
Lorain A. Bell, age 76 of Chesterton, IN passed away Friday, October 19, 2012 at his home surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. He was born February 23, 1936 in Adrian, MI to John and Norma M. (Pickles) Bell, who preceded him in death.
Lorain was married on February 1, 1964 to Marcia (Kunkle) Bell, who survives of Chesterton, IN. He is also survived by his son, John (Jennifer) Bell of Chesterton; daughters, Audra (Glenn) Peterson of Chesterton and Leslie Bell-Pishkur of Winterpark, FL; brothers, Duane Bell of Stevensville, MT and Sam Bell of Riga, MI; sisters, Agatha (Bob) Lombard of Blissfield, MI and Elaine (Doug) Schaedler of Holland, MI; and grandchildren, Glenn, Jordan and Austin Peterson, Logan, John and Henry Bell and Hailey Pishkur along with many very special friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jane Beck and daughter, Margaret Mary Bell.
Lorain was an area resident since 1968 and was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He was a business owner, opening several businesses including L.A. Bell Motor Lines Inc. in 1966, Westchester Warehouses in 1971 and J&L Bell LLC in 1988. He was a Public Servant to Porter and served on the Porter Planning Commission for 28 years and enjoyed giving back to the Duneland community in many ways. Lorain was a member of the Winamac Old Car Club, the Michigan Fly Wheelers, the State Park Little League Expansion Committee and the Future Farmers of America. His hobbies included antique farm equipment, truck and cars.
He was a devoted Christian, loved the beauty of Hawaii and cherished his time with family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 11:00 am at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2050 W. 1100 N., Chesterton, IN with Rev. Jane Aicher officiating and Thelma Cobbler co-officiating.
Burial will follow at Chesterton Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 23 from 3:00 to 8:00 pm at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton, IN.
Memorials may be made to the State Park Little League Expansion Fund, c/o Porter Bank, 230 Lincoln St., Porter, Ind., 46304. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.EE-FH.com.
Marjory A. Iott
Marjory A. Iott, age 84, of Blissfield died Friday, October 19, 2012, at Herrick Manor.
She was born May 27, 1928, in Adrian, to Charles A. and Irene E. (Houser) Thompson. On October 28, 1950, she married Robert F. Iott. Marjory graduated from Siena Heights College (University) with a Bachelors of Philosophy.
Marjory was a member of the Deerfield school board for four years where she served as Secretary.
She also finished two other terms for members who resigned. She was a member of Light of Christ Parish (St. Alphonsus Church) in Deerfield. She was a member of the St. Alphonsus Altar Rosary Society where she served as secretary and president at different times. Marjory worked with her husband at Iott Electric, Inc., Deerfield as bookkeeper.
She enjoyed her brief travels with her husband to Spain and Hawaii and several trips to California, Portland and Georgia.
She is survived by her 14 children: Rose (Wayne) Piotter, Andrew (Barb) Iott, Stephen (Becky) Iott, and Patrick (Chris) Iott all of Deerfield; Dorothy (Bill) Gainsley of Brooklyn, MI; Rita (Eric) Coudron and Martha (Ray) Pate of Adrian; Barbara (Bill) Pohlman of Cooks, MI; Catherine (Dan) Maves of Tecumseh; Dominique (Greg) of Jackson, MI; Paul (Karen) Iott of San Jose, CA; Joseph (Kelly) Iott of Milan; Matthew (Patty) Iott of Rochester, MN; Phillip (Joyce) Iott of Troy, MI; sister, Dorothy Clark of Portland, OR; 34 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 2010; her parents; two brothers, Richard Thompson in infancy and Charles “Larry” Thompson; and two sisters, Betty Jane Thompson and Patricia Opferman.
Services were held Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at Light of Christ Parish, St. Alphonsus Church in Deerfield, with her nephew, Fr. Martin Iott O.P. as celebrant.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Light of Christ Parish or Hospice of Lenawee. Online condolences are welcome at www.WagleyFuneral-Home.com.
Main Street candidate list shaved to three
A slate of 15 candidates for the Blissfield DDA/Main Street manager position has been narrowed down to three finalists who will face public interviews this evening (Wednesday) at the Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library. The DDA/Main Street board may have two additional members take part in the interview process as well.
Blissfield Village Administrator Jim Wonacott said it is likely the DDA/Main Street board will interview two men and one woman for the position now open due to the resignation of former manager Michael Sessions.
Village president Michael Gunter who is also part of the board was not quite certain at the village council’s Monday night meeting whether or not all three candidates had been notified yet that they were in the final running for the position.
The village council approved…
Robertson series presents Baker on ‘green building’
The Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library in Blissfield, will present homebuilder, engineer, and environmental advocate Frank Baker, founder of Riverbend Timber Framing and Insulspan, Inc., as part of its Phyllis Robertson Program Series at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Baker will speak on “Green Building,” a construction practice which seeks to minimize the environmental impact of both the process and the finished structure.
All library programs are free and open to the public.
Through Baker’s career as an engineer at General Motors, founder/owner of Riverbend Timber Framing and Insulspan and currently as he is representing PFB Corporation on a number of national and international trade associations and non-profits, there has been a common thread, concern for the environment. Frank was building “Green” before the term “Green Building” came into common use to describe homes built to minimize the impact on our environment. He has also worked at the community level in Blissfield to encourage Green practices in many local endeavors. Frank and his wife, Brenda, recently completed a Certified Green Cottage in Lakeside, Ohio and built a very green home in Blissfield nearly 20 years ago, as well as a previous green home 32 years ago before there were Green Certification programs. Riverbend and Insulspan have produced thousands of green homes over the last 33 years and continue to do so today.
The library’s Phyllis Robertson Lecture Series was made possible by a gift from the estate of Phyllis Robertson, a local writer and photographer, as well as a long-time benefactor to and advocate of the library. Programs this fall will include a mediation workshop and a holiday card making workshop.