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Rose Wotta
Bronson – Rose Wotta, age 93, of Bronson, died Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at the Sturgis Hospital.
She was born October 5, 1909 in Bronson, daughter of John and Alma (Smoker) Czajkowski and was a lifelong Bronson area resident.
Rose married Anthony Wotta on October 8, 1928 in St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church. He died in 1950. She was a homemaker all of her life, but had also worked for a time at the former Douglas Manufacturing Company (now Douglas Autotech) and at Bronson Plastics and also Trans-A-Gram in Sturgis.
Rose was also known as a great cook and was called upon to prepare the feast for many weddings, graduations and other parties for many years. She enjoyed cooking, baking, her garden and making quilts and Afghans. She also dearly loved her children and grandchildren.
She was a member of St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church, the Rosary Society and the Sacred Heart Society. She was named Queen of the Bronson Polish festival in 1974.
Surviving are her daughter, Leonette Kemery of Adrian, Michigan; son and daughter-in-law, John and Jean Wotta of Bronson and son Conrad Wotta of Bronson; 10 Grandchildren; 17 Great Grandchildren and a brother Walter Czajkowski of Bronson. She was preceded in death by a sister and three brothers.
The Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Rose Wotta will be held at 11 AM Friday, January 31, 2003 at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church in Bronson.
The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home from 4 – 8 PM Thursday where the Rosary will be recited at 7 PM. Memorial Donations are suggested to St. Mary Catholic Church.
Helen Southworth
June 15, 1917 - March 1, 2009
Location: Eagle Funeral Home-Charles Fink Chapel in Morenci
Service: No Services
Helen Southworth, 91, of Morenci passed away Sunday, March 1, 2009, at home. She was born on June 15, 1917, in Metamora, Ohio, the daughter of William & Mayme (Meeker) Kahle. On June 15, 1954, in Curtis she married Frederick Southworth. He preceded her in death on May 30, 1997.
Helen lived her entire life in the Morenci area, working over 45 years at the Morenci Bank as a bookkeeper, teller and officer, retiring in January of 1983 as Vice President of the Bank of Lenawee. She was a member of the Croswell Opera House, the Lenawee County Museum, the Lucy Wolcott Barnum Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution and the LaPlaisance Bay Chapter Daughters of the American Colonists.
Helen is survived by several cousins. Besides her husband, Fred, Helen was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Harland Kahle.
There will be no visitation, funeral or viewing. Funeral arrangements were through the Eagle Funeral Home-Charles Fink Chapel in Morenci.
Rev. Fr. Donald W. Atchison
Bronson - Rev. Fr. Donald W. Atchison, age 73, a retired Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, died Saturday, January 25, 2003 at his Bronson, Michigan home following a long illness.
Donald Wayne J. Atchison, was born August 19, 1929 in Flint, Michigan, son of Wilfred J. and Clara E. (Marran) Atchison.
He attended St. Agnes Catholic Elementary School in Flint, graduated from St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids, earned a Philosophy Degree at St. Mary of the West in Norwood and received his Theology Degree at St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth.
Father Atchison was ordained June 1, 1957 in Lansing by the Most Reverend Joseph H. Albers, J.C.D. and was assigned as Associate Pastor at St. Paul’s in Owosso from June, 1957 to June 23, 1961. He was then Associate Pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Lansing from 1961 to 1965 and at St. John the Evangelist in Fenton from 1965 to 1967.
His first Assignment as Pastor was at St. Mary in New Buffalo in 1967. In 1974 he became Pastor at St. Anthony in Buchanan. He came to St. Mary of Assumption Parish in Bronson on July 15, 1981. In 1989 he became Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Bangor and in 1992 Pastor of St. Mary’s Visitation in New Salem.
Fr. Don retired to Senior Priest Status on June 25, 1996 when he returned to the "Shack" at Gilead Lake near Bronson and continued to say weekly Mass at St. Mary’s. He celebrated his 45-year Anniversary of Priesthood in June 2002.
He was able to spend three months in Rome, Italy for his 25th Anniversary to the Priesthood and had the unique pleasure of witnessing the election of Pope John Paul I and also Pope John Paul II. Fr. Don was very devoted to his family and was very close to his nieces and nephews and had presided at most of the family Marriages and First Communions and all the Baptisms.
Always a very popular and well-liked Parish Priest, he was awarded many honors including being named Grand Marshall of the Bronson Polish Festival Parade. He was a member of the third and fourth degrees of the Knights of Columbus and was Knights of Columbus Chaplain. He was voted into the Knights of Columbus Hall of Fame in Fenton, Michigan and genuinely enjoyed people.
Fr. Don was an active sportsman, enjoying snowmobiling, fishing, ice fishing, boating & water sports, golf, bowling, trains and playing cards. He was also very handy and enjoyed building and repairing almost anything. He also enjoyed traveling to his favorite destination, Las Vegas.
Known for his knowledge of financial matters, each Parish was in better financial shape because of him. He was also a collector of fine art and sculpture.
He leaves behind his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Steve Lucky of Holly, Michigan; a brother and sister-in-law, James Leo and Nancy Atchison of Kalkaska, MI and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Rita Dorman, a brother Jerry A. Atchison, a niece Juliana and a grandniece Melanee.
Visiting hours will be at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church in Bronson from 6 – 8 PM Monday and from 12 Noon to 8 PM Tuesday. A prayer service will be held at 5 PM Tuesday and the Knights of Columbus will pray the Rosary at 7 PM Tuesday.
The Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Rev. Fr. Donald W. Atchison will be held at 10 AM Wednesday, January 29, 2003 at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church in Bronson with the Msgr. Eugene A. Sears, Vicar General of the Diocese of Kalamazoo officiating.
Fr. Atchison will then be transferred to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide, in Fenton, Michigan for a prayer Service at 4: 30 PM Wednesday with Rev. Fr. David Harvey officiating. Interment will follow at St. John’s cemetery, Fenton.
Memorial Donations are suggested to the Rev. Fr. Donald Atchison Scholarship Fund at St. Mary of Assumption School. Envelopes are available at the Kolcz Funeral Home. Arrangements are by the Kolcz Funeral Home of Bronson.
James Wallo
Palmetto, Florida – James Wallo, age 66 of Palmetto, formerly of Bronson, Michigan, died Saturday, January 18, 2003 at Blake Medical Center in Palmetto following a one month illness.
He was born September 2, 1936 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, son of George and Eunice (Rowe) Wallo and lived most of his life in Branch County.
He married Marie Mills on September 28, 1957 in Milan, Michigan. Marie died January 24, 1987. Jim then married Dorothy "Dottie" (Boothe) Hagaman on April 7, 1990 in Coldwater.
Jim was a farmer and truck driver all of his life. He moved to Palmetto, Florida in 1992 and was truck driver for Dana Sight and Development.
He was a former member of the Bronson Dance Club, and the Bronson Bowling Association. He enjoyed computers, bowling, dancing and fishing.
Surviving are his wife, Dottie, sons and daughters-in-law, James Dean and Bobbi Wallo of Coldwater, Joseph and Gail Wallo and Steve and Austina Wallo all of Bronson and Robert lee and Kathy Wallo of Quincy; step-daughter Jeri Torrey of Coldwater; step-son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Rebecca Hagaman of Quincy; 17 Grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren and his Mother Eunice Wallo of Palmetto, Florida.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church in Bronson with Rev. Fr. Richard Fritz officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary cemetery.
Friends may call at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson from 5 – 8 PM Wednesday.
Helen L. Moore
January 14, 1917 - February 28, 2009
Location: VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale
Visitation: Tuesday, March 3, 2009 from 2-4 p.m. & 6-8 p.m.
Service: Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.
cemetery: Evergreen cemetery in Ransom Twp.
Memorial Contributions: Hospice of Hillsdale County or Charity of Donor's Choice
Helen L. Moore, 92, of Ransom Township, passed away Saturday, February 28, 2009 at Evergreen Manor in Montpelier, Ohio. She was born January 14, 1917 in Montgomery to Harry & Magnolia (Royer) Shaffer. She was married in November of 1936 to Lawrence Moore and he preceded her in death in 1981.
Helen is survived by two daughters, Judy (James) Dunlap of Bryan, Ohio and Carolyn (Robert) Grimm of Alvordton, Ohio; four sons, Robert (Arletta) Moore of Frontier, Harry (Eliese) Moore of Waldron, Bruce Moore of Pittsford, and Gary (Sandra) Moore of Waldron; two sisters, Marcille Carter of Holiday City, Ohio and Lillie Junge of Holgate, Ohio; four brothers, Carl Shaffer of Hillsdale, Roy (Marilyn) Shaffer of Ypsilanti, Paul (Joyce) Shaffer of Waldron and Rich (Carolynn) Shaffer of Hillsdale; twelve grandchildren, four step grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren.
Besides her husband Lawrence, Helen was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, two sisters, a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.
Funeral services for Helen L. Moore will be Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale with Pastor Don Lee officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen cemetery in Ransom Township. The family will receive friends for visitation Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial donation to Hospice of Hillsdale County or the charity of the donor's choice.
Purl O. "Buck" Rice
Bronson – Purl O. "Buck" Rice, age 84, of Bronson, died Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
He was born September 13, 1918 in Homer, Michigan, son of Ervin and Merca (Beeman) Rice. He married Olive Trinkle on March 15, 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Buck was a US Navy veteran of World War 2, a member of the VFW Post 5003 and American Legion Post 259, both in Bronson and the UCT in Coldwater. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Buck retired in 1981 as Foreman after 30 years with Bronson Precision Products. Prior to that he had worked at the former Bronson Reel Company.
Surviving are his wife Olive, a daughter, Bonnie Megenhardt of Indianapolis, Indiana; a son and daughter-in-law, Richard "Bucky" and Esther Rice of Bronson and Four Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother Gerald Rice and a sister Virginia Miller.
Funeral Services celebrating the life of Purl O. "Buck" Rice will be held at 1:30 PM Saturday, January 18, 2003 at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson with Rev. Debra Valentine officiating. Interment will follow in Bronson cemetery with full military honors conferred by the Bronson Posts of the American Legion and VFW.
The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home from 5 – 8 PM Friday where Memorial Donations may be made to the CHC Hospice.
N. Joyce Losinski
Bronson - N. Joyce Losinski, age 75, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, formerly of Bronson and Quincy, Michigan, died Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at her home following an extended illness.
She was born April 20, 1927 in Coldwater, daughter of Leason and Cora (Swan) Himebaugh. She married David Losinski on August 21, 1948 at St. Charles Catholic Church in Coldwater. The couple lived in Bronson and Quincy, Michigan and Butler, Indiana before moving to Fort Wayne in 1998.
Joyce had worked at the former Douglas Manufacturing Co. (now Douglas Autotech) and the L.A.Darling Company, both in Bronson and retired from VACO Products in Jonesville, MI. after working there for 10 years.
Joyce was a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Fort Wayne and the Branch County Mutual Benefit Association. She enjoyed walking her dog, travelling and in later years, television.
Surviving are her husband David, daughter Judy Nichols of Hudson, MI, daughter and son-in-law, Lana and Aaron Phillips of Las Vegas, Nevada; seven Grandchildren; her brother Dayne Himebaugh of Coldwater and her sister, Hilda Cramer of Valerico, Florida.
The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, January 18, 2003 at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church in Bronson. Interment will follow in Snow Prairie cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson from 4 – 8 PM Friday, January 17, 2003. The Rosary will be recited at 7 PM Friday. Donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Services and Hospice of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Envelopes are available at the Kolcz Funeral Home.
Helen Lucille Donihue
August 25, 1921 - March 31, 2008
Location: VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale
Visitation: Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 9-11 a.m.
Service: Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 11:00 am.
cemetery: Bankers cemetery
Memorial Contributions: Bankers Baptist Church
Helen Lucille Donihue, 86, of Hillsdale, passed away Monday, March 31, 2008, at her home. She was born August 25, 1921 in Edgerton, Ohio to William & Nora (Barnes) Rockey. She was married April 12, 1941 to Clare Donihue, he preceded her in death in 2000.
Helen was a retired secretary from McLain's Trucking, a graduate of Hillsdale High School in 1939 and a member of Bankers Baptist Church.
Surviving are daughters, Sharon (Fred) Watson, Hillsdale and Sheila (Mike) Walters, North Adams; sons, Michael Donihue and Shean (Martha) Donihue, both of Hillsdale; a daughter-in-law, Charlene Donihue, Hillsdale; 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy Risedorph, Hillsdale and Muriel McLain, Hillsdale; brothers, William (Jean) Rockey, Pleasant Lake, Michigan and Harold Rockey, Allen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Dennis Donihue, a daughter-in-law Alice Donihue and sister, Donna Blue.
Memorial services for Helen Donihue will be Saturday, April 12, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., at the VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale with Pastor David Hardin officiating. Interment will follow at Bankers cemetery in Hillsdale. The family will receive friends for visitation Saturday, April 12, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. until services at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to Bankers Baptist Church.
Joseph V. Lemanski
Bronson – Joseph V. Lemanski, age 81, of Bronson, died Friday Noon at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He had been in failing health.
Joseph was born April 5, 1921 in Bronson in the same house he lived in at the time of his death. He was the son of Paul and Anastasia (Lawniczak) Lemanski and had lived all of his life in the Bronson area. Joe attended St. Mary of the Assumption school and graduated from Bronson High School in 1938.
He was hired to work as tome keeper at the Douglas Division of Scott & Fetter (now Douglas Autotech) in Bronson. He joined the US Navy during World War 2, serving as Yeoman 2nd Class and was stationed at Pearl Harbor. After the war he returned to his job at Douglas, retiring in 1984 after 43 years of service.
Joe was a member of St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church and the Sacred Heart Society. He was also a member of the VFW Cockle-Lemanski Post 5003 in Bronson. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, mushrooming and picking blueberries.
Surviving are three brothers and sisters-in-law, Albert George and Helen Lemanski of Bronson, Anthony and Sylvia Lemanski of River Grove, Illinois and Paul A. and Ann Lemanksi of Tecumseh, MI; sister, Mary T. Lemanksi of Bronson and Salome (Sally) Lemanksi of Sturgis and sister and brother-in-law, Anna and Harold Sosinski of Bronson and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother Stanley of Battle Creek and a brother Benedict killed in World War 2.
Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Joseph V. Lemanski will be held at 11 AM Monday, January 13, 2003 at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church in Bronson with Rev. Fr. Richard Fritz officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson from 1 – 7 PM Sunday where Deacon Gerald Smoker will lead the Rosary at 4 PM Sunday. Memorial Donations are suggested to St. Mary Catholic Church. Envelopes are available at the Kolcz Funeral Home.
