Richard Edward Drew
Dearborn
On Monday, June 16, Richard E. Drew left this world to join his beloved wife of 62 years, Jean (Dodge), who preceded him in death on June 6, 2004.
Dick was born in Detroit on April 2, 1918 to Maude Mary (Wilhelm) Drew, a professional musician, and Percy Edward Drew, a Detroit high school mathematics teacher. Six years later Dick was joined by a sister, Mary Maude (Drew) Arnett, who survives him.
Dick leaves three children who mourn the loss of an outstanding father: Wendy J. Wallace (Richard) of Chelsea, Richard R. Drew (Michele) of Rochester Hills, and Sharon L. Smith (Erik) of Brighton. Dick and Jean were very proud of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Sara L. (Smith) Jones (Steve) of West Bloomfield, Kristian Smith (Michele) of Brighton, Carey J. Wallace of Brooklyn, N.Y., Mark C. Wallace of Detroit, Richard J. Drew of Shelby Township, Kirsten Smith, and Lauren Smith of Brighton.
Dick attended Michigan Agricultural College, now MSU, where he played football his freshman year, participated in ROTC, was active in his fraternity, Kappa Sigma, and met Jean. He graduated in l941 and was immediately commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. He and Jean were married on Jan. 31, 1942.
Dick served as a field artillery instructor before rising to the rank of Major and being sent to Germany to command a field artillery battalion in Germany in 1944-45. He was wounded in battle and received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for valor when he put himself in danger to save one of his men.
After the war, Dick enjoyed working as an engineer for Ford Motor Company until his retirement in l973. A lifelong sailing enthusiast, Dick co-founded the Ford Yacht Club and once served as its Commodore. He was later a member of Crescent Sail Yacht Club for over 50 years and still sailed his Lightning Class sailboat in the summer and his ice boat in the winter into his 70s.
Dick and Jean often spent time with his sister Mary, her husband, Larry Arnett, and their children, Roger, Charlie, and Margaret. They shared a love of sailing and spent many good times at the summer cottage of their parents near Lake Orion.
Never one to be idle, when he retired Dick joined the Dearborn Outer Drive Kiwanis Club and through that organization volunteered many hours a week in the community.
He was especially dedicated to World Medical Relief in Detroit and spent several days a week gathering medical supplies from local doctors' offices and hospitals and packing them to be shipped overseas. He and Jean were honored by World Medical as volunteers of the year in l999.
Also together with Jean, Dick spent many hours working with the Dearborn Players Guild, building sets, helping with lights and sound, serving on the Board of Directors, and fixing anything that needed to be fixed. They were honored by the Guild with a special award for over 50 years of service.
Dick had a great sense of humor and a generous spirit. He was always looking for ways to help others. Dick loved his family above all and included many friends and neighbors as family.
Funeral arrangements are pending at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. A private family burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Ann Arbor. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Dick and Jean's favorite charity: World Medical Relief, 11745 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit, MI 48206.
Carol Van Aken
Dexter
Carol Van Aken, age 52, passed away Sunday, June 15 after a courageous nine-year battle with cancer.
She leaves behind her son Justin; daughter Jessica; son-in-law Tylor; granddaughter Raiden; longtime boyfriend John Wilde; father Kenneth Chard; sisters Nanette, Jan, and Mary; brothers Kenneth, Douglas, and Brian; and numerous nieces and nephews. Carol was preceded in death by her mother, Jenee Chard.
Carol worked at the University of Michigan for over 20 years. She is known throughout the Dexter and Ann Arbor areas as the foster mom for the Humane Society and Waggin' Tails.
Visitation will be held at the Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel in Dexter today, June 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dexter on Friday at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, Carol requested that guests bring a stuffed animal for donation to Mott Children's Hospital, or offer a monetary donation to the Huron Valley Humane Society, P.O. Box 7026, Liberty Station, Ann Arbor, MI, 48107; or the Waggin' Tails Rescue Group, P.O. Box 438, Northville, MI, 48167.
James Richard Coleman, Jr.
Chelsea
James Richard Coleman, Jr., age 60, passed away at the Chelsea Community Hospital on June 16, 2008 after his courageous battle with renal cell cancer.
He was born the son of James Richard Sr. and Myrtie (Pullen) Coleman on April 15, 1948 in Watertown, N.Y. He is survived by Julie Ann (Umlor), whom he married on Sept. 27, 1987.
Jim liked the outdoors and enjoyed deer hunting, bird hunting with friends and boating. He also enjoyed building RC airplanes and being a Scout Leader for his boys. But most of all, Jim cherished time with his wife and three children.
In addition to his wife and mother he is survived by his two sons, Zackary and James R. Coleman III; and his daughter, Danielle Coleman; all of Chelsea. Also surviving are his sisters Alice C. (John Beekon) Paine of Seattle, WA and Anne (Ted) Kielts of New Port Richey, FL; as well as Julie's parents Gene and Dorie Umlor of Port Huron, along with several other family members.
Funeral services will be today, June 19, at 11 a.m. at Chelsea First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Joy Barrett officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family.
William Ray Porter
Manchester
William Ray Porter of Manchester passed away at his home surrounded by his family on June 10, 2008. He was 87.
Ray Porter was born July 2, 1920 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada the son of William and Mary (Hannah) Porter. Ray served during World War II in the U.S. Army and the Canadian Air Force. He married Shirley Marsh on Nov. 27, 1942 in Ann Arbor.
He worked as an Operating Engineer for 30 years. He was a very active member of Webster United Church of Christ in Dexter for over 50 years. Ray loved fishing, hunting and trailering with his friends and family.
Ray is survived by his wife, Shirley, of 65 years, and his two children, Jacqueline (Ronald) Lee of Vassar, and Wm. John (Holly) Porter of Manchester. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Laura, (Daniel) Stone of Frankenmuth, Matthew (Brooke) Lee of Fenton, Justin (Kate) Porter of Manchester, Jessica (Matthew) Doletzky of Grass Lake, and Julie Porter (Bill McCullough) of Lima, Ohio, as well as eight great-grandchildren, Danny, Nathan, Jon, Stephanie, Anna, Zachary, Jacob and Jordyn.
Also surviving are his two sisters, Gertrude Eisele of Ann Arbor, Connie (Ed) Wright of Pinckney, and one brother Tom Porter of Gregory, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by five sisters and one brother.
Funeral services took place June 14, 2008 at the Webster United Church of Christ in Dexter, with the Rev. LaVerne M. Gill and Bill Stuart officiating. In lieu of flowers the family has requested those planning on expressions of sympathy may wish to consider Webster Church or St. Joseph Hospice of Ann Arbor.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea.
Frederick M. "Fred" Covert
Formerly of Dexter
Frederick M. "Fred" Covert passed away on June 10, 2008 in Hudson, Fla. He was 86.
Fred was born April 14, 1922 in Dexter, MI to Frederick M. and Mae Emma Covert (Bolt). He was married to Verna Naylor on December 26, 1941. Fred was a former member of St. Vincent dePaul Church in Holiday for 32 years before moving to Hudson and joining St. Joan of Arc Church.
Fred is survived by his wife of 66 years and two daughters, Kitty Adkins (Larry) of Saline, MI and Cathi Hillman (Paul) of Hudson, FL., five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two sisters Mary Richards and Doris Radtke.
Fred was a life member and past commander of DAV #78 in New Port Richey and past commander of the 5th District. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Fr. Farrell Council #6476, the American Legion in Hudson, FL. and served eight years as President of Buena Vista Manor Civic Association.
Visitation was Friday, June 13, 2008 at Dobies Funeral Home, Holiday Chapel. The Rosary was Friday evening. The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on Saturday, June 14 at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hernando-Pasco Hospice.
Thomas Killelea
Chelsea
Thomas Killelea of Chelsea died Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital from complications of leukemia. He was 75.
He was born Feb. 3, 1933 in Chicago, IL, the son of Vincent & Leah (Egan) Killelea.
Tom had lived in Chelsea since 1974. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Tom was the youngest of eight children, the first in his family to graduate from college. He was an engineer who worked for Argonne National Laboratory, Chrysler, and Bechtel. He was also a professional handwriting analyst.
Tom was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. He was a passionate golfer who passed on his love of golf to his grandchildren.
On Aug. 5, 1961 he married Diane S. Mallace in Chicago, and she survives.
Other survivors include two sons, Michael (Susan) Killelea of Houston, Patrick (Leah) Killelea of Menlo Park, CA; two daughters, JoAnne (Paul) Brennan of Northville and Karen (Glenn) Vanneste of Chelsea; a sister, Rosemarie Murany; a brother, James; nine grandchildren, Paige and Jack Killelea, Jacob and Genevieve Killelea, Stephanie and Patrick Brennan, Erica, Benjamin, and Anna Vanneste; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Francis, Raymond, and John, and two sisters, Connie Killelea and Imelda DeEspinosa.
Funeral services were held Friday, June 13, 2008 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Chelsea. Burial followed at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Chelsea.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Louis Center. Arrangements by Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea.
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