Jay M. Diener of Millington passed away Sunday morning April 13, 2014 at his residence, Jay was 87.  Born in Flint, Michigan on September 29, 1929 Jay was the son of the late August & Blanche (Laura) Diener. Jay served our country during WW II in the US Navy. He was employed for many years with General Motors V-8 Plant in Flint, Michigan, retiring in 1989. Jay loved to hunt, fish and spend time with family and friends, he was also a member of the Vassar Fraternal Order of the Eagles Areas 2380.  Jay leaves his family; Pat Radick & (Vince), Dorothy Burnside, Rose Germain, Marion (Pink) Marsh, Karon & husband Speed Close, Wanda &husband  Newt Radick, David & wife Lynn Diener, and Terry & wife Tina Diener, very special person June Diener, many grandchildren, several great & great-great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and other extended family. Besides Jay’s parents Jay is also preceded in death by a son Jerry in 1989, a grandson Torrey Close, a granddaughter Tina Aymer, and several of his siblings.  The family will receive friends at the Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington on Wednesday April 16, 2014 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and also on Thursday morning from 10:00 am until the services begin. Funeral service will be at the Hanlin Funeral Home on Thursday April 17, 2014 beginning at 11:00 am with the burial to follow at the Millington Twp. Cemetery. Pastor Roger Hazen will deliver the funeral message and the prayer of committal at the cemetery. Cemetery services will be concluded with Military Honors being conducted by the Conrad-Wager & Keene American Legion Post #164 of Millington. Hanlin Funeral Home has been assisting the family with the arrangements. Memorial gifts of remembrance can be directed to the charity of one’s choice.  Personal condolences, sharing a memory or lighting a memory candle can be done at hanlinfuneralhome.com

CARO — The Tuscola County Sheriff Department is asking the public for assistance in solving a theft.

Deputies are looking for this person in connection to a theft of a purse from a vehicle that happened Tuesday night at a gas station near Caro.

If you recognize this person please call Detective. Scott Jones at (989) 673-8161 ex 2233.

The sheriff’s department warns everyone not to leave their vehicle unlocked even for a short while.

By Mary Drier
Staff Writer

UNIONVILLE — There are a couple of reasons municipalties have done or are considering consolidation of services — money and state mandiates.

Unionville Village officials have discussed the possibility of sharing police services on and off for several months. There will be a public meeting 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, April 16.

According to village Clerk Carole Gangler, the biggest reason for considering consolidation is finances.

“The revenue just isn’t there and they (the council) doens’t want to raise taxes,” she said.

Currently, the village has two part-time police officers who each work 12 hours a week.

“And, the state keeps pushing for consolidation of services,” said Gangler.

In order to receive state funding, municipalties have to jump through several hoops… one of which is consolidation of services.

Consolidation in rural areas isn’t easy.

“The most logical choice to consolidate police servics is with Sebewaing, but they are in a different county,” she said. “They are dispatched out of Huron (county).”

The village of Sebewaing is about six miles away from Unionville.

The other communties are Gagetown, Akron, and Fairgrove which 12 or more miles away. Gagetown has a part-time police department. The villages of Akron and Fairgrove, and Fairgrove Township share police services.

Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.

By Tom Gilchrist
For The Advertiser

BAY CITY — A federal lawsuit filed here by the mother of a Tuscola County boy alleges a former Mayville Elementary School principal repeatedly assaulted her son and “on each occasion imprisoned him” in a room at the school called the “thinking room.”

The mother claims Martin Blackmer and Mayville Community Schools discriminated against her son — age 7 at the time of the alleged assaults — and seeks a minimum of $75,000 in damages. The lawsuit filed April 1 in U.S. District Court describes the boy as “disabled” and states he was a special-education student before his mother removed him from Mayville schools on Oct. 21, 2011.

The lawsuit claims that, more than once, Blackmer accused the mother of “babying” her son and expressed doubt that the student’s behavior problems stem from his disabilities.

The Advertiser could not reach Blackmer or Mayville Superintendent Rhonda Blackburn for comment. Blackmer is no longer the school principal. No trial date has been set.

The lawsuit states the boy “has suffered from complex partial seizures” most of his life and was diagnosed with epilepsy in March of 2011. “At the onset of these seizures, (the youth) simply says ‘I have a bad feeling,’” according to the lawsuit.

The student also has been diagnosed with health problems including asthma and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, court documents state.

The lawsuit describes the “thinking room” or “stress reduction room” as a 5-by-6-foot “closet-like … small, padded seclusion room” with no furniture and a lone rectangular window at the top of the door but too high for any child to see out of it.  The mother maintains that after Blackmer placed her son in the room on two occasions in April and May of 2011, she told them not to place him there again.

The lawsuit claims that in the May incident, a teacher witnessed Blackmer “dragging” the mother’s son toward the stress-reduction room and that, on Oct. 21, 2011, Blackmer noticed the boy “allegedly misbehaving” in class and carried him to the thinking room. The lawsuit alleges Blackmer “forcibly threw” the student in the room and left him there “for hours.”

The lawsuit claims that after the mother came to school to pick up her son that day, she and one of her neighbors saw Blackmer open the door to the room and noticed the youth stick his foot in the opening in an apparent attempt to exit.

The mother claims she and her neighbor then witnessed Blackmer “forcibly closing the door on her son’s legs, compressing them between the wall and the force of Mr. Blackmer’s weight.” Court documents state that staff at a hospital reported the incident to police because of bruises on the boy’s legs, ankles and arms.

The lawsuit states the student’s mother believes a police investigation is pending, but claims Superintendent Blackburn told the mother that Principal Blackmer “was acting appropriately, as (the student) had been disruptive in the classroom.” The superintendent also wrote in a letter that the boy’s foot was never trapped in the door to the room, according to the lawsuit.

The student is now being home-schooled, and court documents claim that in January of 2011 — before any of the alleged incidents involving the 7-year-old boy — an employee of a federal Head Start program observed a 5-year-old child get locked in the stress-reduction room “unsupervised for an unsubstantiated and lengthy amount of time.” The Head Start worker reported the incident and use of the room to state child-protective services workers, the lawsuit states.

By Tom Gilchrist
For The Advertiser

BAY CITY — A federal grand jury accuses a former executive with a Huron County farmers’ cooperative of causing soy flour containing salmonella bacteria to be introduced into interstate commerce.

If convicted, JoAnn Rutkowski — formerly of the Thumb Oilseed Producers Cooperative in Ubly — could face up to three years in prison. Rutkowski is charged with one felony count of causing the introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce. Rutkowski did so “with the intent to defraud and mislead,” according to the grand-jury indictment.

Rutkowski is free on bond awaiting a July 8 trial in U.S. District Court in Bay City.

Thumb Oilseed Cooperative Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2012, according to The Wall Street Journal website. The corporation’s Ubly cooperative sold soy flour, soy grits and refined soy oil, and had 180 member soybean growers in 10 Michigan counties, according to the newspaper’s website.

Federal prosecutors allege Rutkowski committed a crime between Dec. 6, 2010 and Jan. 12, 2011, when she was chief operating officer for the Thumb Oilseed Producers Cooperative.

Rutkowski declined comment on the charge, but pleaded not guilty at her arraignment March 11 before federal Magistrate Judge Charles E. Binder. If convicted, she could be sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a maximum $10,000 fine.

Salmonella annually causes an estimated 1.2 million illnesses in the U.S., with about 23,000 hospitalizations and 450 deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

An October 2011 press release from the Thumb Oilseed Producers Cooperative states salmonella “can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.” The press release states the cooperative initiated a recall of soybean flour and bulk soy meal. A year earlier in 2010, the cooperative initiated a voluntary recall of its organic low-fat soy flour, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In June of 2010, the FDA sent a “warning letter” to Rutkowski, stating that salmonella was found in 43 areas within the Ubly plant during an inspection earlier that year.

Inspectors allege they found salmonella in the plant’s finished product — organic low-fat soy flour — as well as on a forklift wheel and in a gap in the processing floor, among other locations. The FDA wrote that the plant’s “soy grit and soy flour products were adulterated … in that they were prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.”

By Mary Drier
Staff Writer

CARO — The dam on the Cass River west of Caro failed according to a report from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

“The DEQ contacted me about the dam’s failure Friday,” said Tuscola County Emergency Services Director Steve Anderson. “There is no immediate threat posed from its failure.”

The 108-year old dam has two gates.

“One of the gates failed… or partly failed,” said Anderson, noting it is difficult to tell at this point because of the water level. “One gate is letting the water out. It will flow out until it gets to the bottom of the door.

“With the water leaving Lake Caro, no one is sure at this point what the Caro Lake level will be… It might not be there.”

The dam was built in 1906 to provide water for the Michigan Sugar Company. It was reconstructed in 1928 as a hydroelectric dam to provide power to Caro. It has been out of service for several years, and has been privately owned since about 2003.

“The DEQ told me the owner noticed the failure a week ago, and that he told them he plans to fix it,” said Anderson.

Richard D. (Dick) Kuhne was called to Heaven on April 12, 2014, in Tallahassee, Fl.

He was born in Bach, Michigan, on March 17, 1935 to Mary (Lapak) and Hank Kuhne. He graduated from Sebewaing High School in 1953 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp that same year and served from 1953 to 1956. He is a Korean War Veteran. He married Ollie Halley of Petoskey, in Bach, Michigan in 1956. He worked for At&T and GE in Michigan and moved to Florida in 1964 where he worked for Sprint/Centel until his retirement in 1993.

Dick is survived by his wife Ollie and two sons, Richards D. Kuhne II and his wife Brenda and daughter Breanna of Cairo, Ga. And daughter Rachel Kuhne of Tallahassee and Jeffrey Jon Kuhne and son Jonathon of Panama City, Fl. He is also survived by one sister Rhonda King and husband Earl of Reese, MI. one brother Hank Kuhne of Quanicassee, MI. and brother-in-law Renn Haley and wife Nancy and sister-in-law, Vivian of Petoskey, MI., and many nieces and nephews in Michigan. Dick also served as President of The Independent Pioneer Telephone Association and the Centel Management Club and served on the Properties Committee of Epiphany Lutheran Church. Dick was also a life member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars, member of the 1st Marine Division Association and other organizations.

A Gathering of Friends will be held at MeadowWood Memorial Park, 700 Timberlane Rd. Tallahassee, Fl. Saturday, from 1-3pm. No flowers please, and any memorials can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

James “George” Yax of Caro, age 83, passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at the Tuscola County Medical Care Facility in Caro, following a lingering illness. He was born October 5, 1930 on the family farm near Kinde, the son of the late James N. & Mary S. (Stirret) Yax.  James served with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.  James was united in marriage with the former Hazel Pruitt on February 12, 1955 in Lake Township.  She preceded him in death on November 7, 2013.  James was employed by the Caro Regional Center and later with the State Highway Department, retiring in 1988 after being employed by the state for over thirty years.  During his younger years, James enjoyed doing yard work, mowing the grass, planting trees and flowers, watching television, reading, cooking for the family on holidays, buying lottery tickets and being with his grandchildren.  James is survived by his children, Barbara Yax of Caro, James “Randy” Yax of Mexico, Julie & Nick Checkley of Caro, Betty & Albert Harris of Caro, Peggy Yax of Caro; six grandchildren, James D. Yax of Caro, Pamela Jo Nagy of Caro, Sharon Yax of California, James Randall Yax II of California, Amy Harris of Caro, Ryan Harris of Caro; two great-granddaughters, Alexis and Jayla of Caro; four brothers, Gerald ‘Jerry’ & Marion Yax of Kinde, Richard & Linda Yax of Canton, Larry & Pat Yax of Taylor, Duane Yax of Romulus; three sisters, Jean McGeachy of Dearborn Heights, Anna Belle Stolicker of Caseville, Sandy & Ed Klee of Hoffman Estates, IL and many nieces and nephews.  In addition to his wife, James was preceded in death by four sisters, Agnes Klemmer, Lucy Ruth, Gladys Reilly and Marquerite Herriman.  In keeping with James’ wishes, cremation has taken place.  A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.  Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Family Discretionary Fund, c/o Betty Harris, at 205 W. Sherman St., Caro, MI 48723.  The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro.  Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.RansfordCollon.com.

Harry Bader, 95, of Reese, died early Thursday morning, April 17, 2014 at Select Specialty Hospital in Saginaw. He was born September 14, 1918 in Blumfield Township, Saginaw County, one of fourteen children, to the late Charles and Emma (Oldenberg) Bader. On September 14, 1941 he married the former Delphine Findlay in Reese. She predeceased him September 17, 2011. Harry owned and operated Bader Brothers in Reese, along with his father, and brothers, Henry and Jim Bader, from 1934 until his retirement on April 28, 1984. He was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Reese. He and Delphine were instrumental in donating the building and property for the current Unity District Library in Reese. He enjoyed deer and turkey hunting at his property in Alpena, spending time at his cabin in AuGres and playing cards.

Surviving is his son, Dallas Bader of Maynooth, Ontario Canada; his brother Jim Bader of Frankenmuth; nieces, nephews, and his special care givers, Beth, Rhonda, Shawn and Donna. In addition to his parents and wife, Harry was predeceased by twelve brothers and sisters. Funeral Services for Harry will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 23, 2014 from the Christ Lutheran Church in Reese. Rev. Tom Senge will officiate with committal services at 1:15 p.m. in the Blumfield Township Cemetery. Harry’s family will receive friends at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 9940 Saginaw St. in Reese on Tuesday from 3- 7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Unity District Library in Reese or Reese Fire/Rescue.

Mary Anne Rienstra of Caro, age 64, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at Covenant Health Care – Cooper in Saginaw.

She was born August 25, 1949 in Saginaw, the daughter of the late Milton and Rose Ann (Schack) McIntyre.  Mary Anne was a 1967 graduate of Caro High School, and earned an associate’s degree from Delta College.

She worked as a secretary at Team One Credit Union and PCA.  She attended the Caro United Methodist Church and Colwood United Brethren Church.  Mary enjoyed watching TV, especially wrestling with her grandson, the out-of-doors, shopping, board games, and Bible studies.

Mary Anne is survived by one daughter and her husband, Dana & Gary Fielder of Caro; two grandchildren, Savanna and Drake Fielder at home; a cousin Virginia & Wayne Bleck of Kawkawlin; and her best friend, Karen Simpson of Cass City.  In keeping with Mary Anne’s wishes, cremation has taken place.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to Support for Savanna, c/o Dana Fielder, 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, MI 48723. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro.  Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.RansfordCollon.com.

Alice “Trish” (Kyle) Wilson of Caro, age 55, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at her home.    She was born August 27, 1958 in Goodrich, the daughter of the late Joe and Alice (Mullen) Kyle.  Alice was a 1976 graduate of Goodrich High School, and worked as a clerk at Thumb Meat in Caro for many years.  Alice was “Grandma” to many, and loved all sports, including the Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, Michigan, and enjoyed helping coach girls softball.  Alice is survived by one daughter and her husband, Alison & Jeremy Sprague of Akron; her siblings, Joe & Dona Kyle of Goodrich, Suzan & Richard Dexter of Garner, North Carolina, Cledith Shanahan of Waunakee, Wisconsin, David Kyle of Atlanta, Georgia; many special nieces and nephews, along with her four-legged grand-doggies.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Gary Kyle; and one sister, Donna Kyle.  A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro with Pastor John Flanders officiating.  The family will receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 12:00 p.m.  Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Alice Wilson Family Discretionary Fund, c/o Alison Sprague, 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, MI 48723. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro.  Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.RansfordCollon.com.

By Mary Drier
Staff Writer

and Tom Gilchrist
Correspondent

CARO — Robert “Bob” Worth, who has expressed his concerns about Tuscola County Road Commission operations to its board on and off for several months, took his complaints to the county commissioners this week.

“I can’t see why they have to pay out over $44,000 in ‘longevity bonuses’ when they complain they don’t have enough money to fix roads, do roadside mowing, can’t cut dead trees over the roads while they push trees and limbs into the ditch, and can’t afford to cut brush back from roadways for safety. Instead of spending money on bonuses — for jobs that already pay well — they should be cutting back costs,” said Worth who is a former Millington Township supervisor and a current trustee. “They allow multiple employees to take county vehicles home. Who pays for that gas? And, the pension fund is in arrears over $1.5 million.

“I feel what they are doing is wrong. They are not serving the residents of the county to (the best of) their ability.”

Commissioner Matt Bierlein also had an issue with longevity bonuses and items on the agenda that were skipped when he attended the Dec. 19, 2013 road meeting where a sketchy, one-page, summary of the 2014 budget was presented.

Items skipped at that meeting were “further discussion regarding 2014 wages,” and “further discussion regarding M.E.R.S (Municipal Employees’ Retirement System). (See related sidebar on A3)

“They said there was no wage increase and left it at that. They skipped over two items saying the agenda / meeting was long, and would take it up at the next meeting… I’d say mostly because there were several people there,” surmised Bierlein about the skipped items.

The meeting started at 8 a.m. and ended at 9:20 a.m. with a Christmas lunch at noon.

Although commissioners are concerned about Worth’s complaints as well as other complaints they have received from residents about the road commission, there isn’t much they can do because the road commission is an autonomous (self-governing) board.

“There has been long-standing complaints about the road commission. I share your concerns. If their employees get the private use of a county vehicle than the (Prosecutor) Mark Reene, (health officer) Gretchen (Tenbusch) and others could claim the same. I don’t think their private use of a county vehicle falls under public preview as a necessity. It’s out of step with the economic times,” said Bardwell. “I sense there are check and balance issues there that aren’t working as well as we intended.

“It would seem longevity bonuses are out of step in this time of cuts.”

According to Commissioner Roger Allen, he checked with Bay County’s Road Commission on those issues.

“They pay longevity bonuses also. Some staff use (county) vehicles and their mileage is reported on their W-2. If that’s (reported) done here, I feel better about it,” said Allen, who is a liaison to the road commission.

In checking with the Huron County Road Commission, some get a longevity pay also, and the foremen and superintendent of roads get a road allowance. At the Sanilac County Road Commission, there is no longevity pay is given or vehicle provided, but a gas allowance is.

“In the (road commission) meetings I’ve been able to get to, I don’t seen checks and balances, or much interest for concerns that are brought to them,” said Commissioner Craig Kirkpatrick who has tried unsuccessfully to have the road board address the issue of dead ash trees over roadways.

Because the road commission is a self-governing board, the county commissioners have an “arm’s length relationship” with them, explained Bardwell.

“We are only a fiduciary arm to them. As Craig stated, the lack of checks and balances has been there for many years,” said Bardwell. “There is very little that we can do. If people are unhappy, they can change the people who represent when voting.”

The road commission is a five-member board. Initially, it was a three-member board appointed by the board of commissioners. County commissioners decided two years ago to expand the road board to five members with stagger expiring terms. This six-year the seat of road commission Chair Jack Laurie, expires.

Other road commission structure options include, road commission districts set up the same way that county commission districts are, or eliminating the road commission board and brining its operation under the county commissioners control.

“When we changed to having the (road commission) board  elected rather than appointed by us and expanded to five members, we thought that would resolved some of the issues… In hindsight, we are wishing we hadn’t. There are other options,” said Bardwell. “Maybe it is time we brought the road commission under our control. Others in the state have done this. There should be a cost savings there. We should think about this.”

After hearing numerous complaints, county commissioners decided to ask road commission officials to attend a meeting to discuss concerns, and to also explore taking over road commission operations, which would require a county-wide vote.

Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.

By Bill Petzold
Editor

TUSCOLA COUNTY — It was a sudden, inexplicable act of terror that shocked a country when they saw it on television, but for Fairgrove’s Brenda Clark it was a frigthening scenario unfolding around her.

Just yards from the completion of her third career Boston Marathon, two homemade explosive devices — crafted from pressure cookers — exploded 12 seconds apart on Boylston Street, killing three people and injuring more than 250 people.

“When it happened, I was a block from the first explosion,” said Clark, who works at the Caro Post Office. “By the time the second explosion went off, I had turned and gone the other way. I was closer to the second explosion, but didn’t actually see the second one. The runners kind of congregated and huddled — they thought it was everything from a cannon to a manhole cover blowing off. We didn’t know what had happened, and I know there were some people who crossed the finish line after that. I think I was just too afraid, I didn’t feel a need to put myself any further into danger.”

The immediate problem Clark faced was reuniting with her friends — on the other side of the finish line.

“Once they told us we had to go back, they pushed us right back in with the spectators, and they were pushing us back away from where I needed to go to meet my friends,” Clark said. “So I looped back around because I had been there before and did probably 15 blocks to get back to the other side of the finish line and find my friends. … I had 26.24 miles on my Garmin when I was stopped, so a marathon’s 26.2 — I turned it off at that point, but I would imagine that I did at least another mile, if not two miles, to get back. … I actually went back down beyond the finish line and got my backpack from the bus and found my friend. They were shutting the subways down, and I think it took us two hours to get out of there.”

Clark said that she took the subway and a city bus to get back to their car.

“I was staying about seven miles north of Boston, in Burlington, and the highway was bumper-to-bumper getting out of there,” she said. “It was quite a day. I think I was running purely on adrenaline.

Fortunately, Clark won’t be going it alone this year as she returns to finish the race she was prevented from finishing last year. Laura Dennis of Deford is an experienced runner — with relatives in Boston, to boot — and Clark will travel with Dennis and company.

“Boston is No. 17 for me,” Dennis said. “I ran my first marathon in 2001, it was a small one called West Michigan, I think, up in Muskegon, and it was awful. I went in poorly undertrained. When you think back of your most memorable marathon, you would think Boston would be, but I think back to that one. … I hit the wall so bad, that once I finished I said, ‘I’ll never do another one again.’ That was my very first one … and then I ran Detroit in 2004.”

Even though about 36,000 people will compete in this year’s Boston Marathon, it’s still no small feat to qualify. Dennis qualified with her time at the Traverse City Track Club’s Bayshore Marathon, and also ran a qualifying time at the Detroit Marathon in 2012. She said she’s done the Detroit race every year for the past decade.

Both Clark and Dennis ran Boston in 2011, but the women didn’t really know each other at that time.

“I was tracking her last year, and I was watching her and I was like, ‘She should be done, what’s going on? It’s still showing her running.’” Dennis said. “And then I heard about the bombing, and it was like ‘Wow!’ I had no idea (where she was).”

“We really just have gotten to be really good friends training for this one,” Dennis said.

Dennis and Clark compare notes via text messages to track their progress and meet up for weekend runs, which are longer runs. Both women have been 50 to 60 miles per week in preparation for Boston, and with the brutal weather put in many miles on treadmills — although Dennis said she has done some roadwork with spikes on her shoes, dashing through the snow. Both said they had logged more than 260 miles in March.

Dennis will make her second appearance at the Boston Marathon, which both runners described as an amazing experience — crowds of cheering supporters lining the entire route, several people deep in most areas. Dennis described it as a big party with millions of people.

Clark credited Dennis for encouraging her to return to Boston for her fourth race there and eighth career marathon. She said she is one of about 5,000 runners who were prevented from reaching the finish line.

The two will deal with additional security at this year’s 118th running. According to the Boston Athletic Association’s website, spectators are asked not to bring backpacks, suitcases, coolers, containers with more than 1 liter of liquid, blankets or costumes covering the face. The BAA also notes that spectators can expect to see an increased police presence.

“It will probably be a little bittersweet for me after not having been able to cross the finish line last year.” Clark said. “I was a block away last year (when the explosions occurred). I’m glad that Laura’s going, I don’t know if I would have gone (alone) — I think she did a little bit of arm twisting going on in there. It was pretty frightening.”

By Bill Petzold
Editor

CARO — The stars were up bright and early Thursday morning in Caro for the 12th annual Tuscola County Stars Awards Breakfast at the Tuscola Technological Center, Cleaver Road in Caro.

About 150 people from around the county were on hand to honor those who make Tuscola County a better place to live.

Four awards are handed out: Individual Community Service, Business Community Service, Group Communty Service, and the Above and Beyond Award given to a person who exemplifies going out of their way to serve their community.

The 2014 Individual Community Service Award went to Caro’s Kathy Neuman. Neuman was honored for her help recruiting volunteers to help with community events, as well as her work with the Tuscola County Pumpkin Festival, serving as a board member, parade chairperson and secretary.

Neuman has served on the Caro Community Hospital Endowment Committee for many years, as well as the Exchange Club of Caro and has been a Sunday School teacher, bible school coordinator, youth leader and Board of Education member at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Nominees for the award also included:

Caro’s Al and Connie Bahr for their work with Adopt-A-Highway cleanup projects;

Unionville American Legion Post Commander Ken Curry, for his work with veterans, driving them to doctor’s appointments and helping them deal with the VA, as well as serving as an Emergency Medical Technician;

Mary Findley, a volunteer tutor for the first and second-grade classes at Reese’s St. Elizabeth Area Catholic School who organized a Fall Fun Day event that raised more than $15,000 and provided iPads for every classroom;

Nancy Folk, a retired teacher who still serves Cass City as a mentor, driver, helper and shopper;

Andrew Green, who saved Juniata Baptist Chruch and Christian School $500,000 by donating his time to help with the construction of the church’s new gymnasium;

Jim Heiser, for outstanding leadership as a member of the Tuscola County United Way board since 1999;

Bob and Marlene Hunter of Kingston, honored for their volunteerism for Kingston, Mayville and Clifford autism events, veterans activites, local school projects and township events;

Mandy Knox, honored for more than 30 years of dedication to Caro youth girls basketball, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Caro Gleaner Arbor, Great Start Tuscola Imagination Library, 4-H, the Thumb Octagon Barn, Highland Pines School, Caro 150 snowmobile racing and Diamond Dwellers Baseball;

Steve Ley, Caro wrestling coach and mentor to generations of kids, honored helping kids make career choices, helping start the Kiwanis Club in Caro and organizing the annual Fly-In fundraiser;

Terry Murlick, a mainstay behind the scenes for Reese Rockets athletics and also their basketball announcer, a volunteer with the Reese Blumfield Fire Department, Gilford Conservation Club and Ducks Unlimited who also organizes holiday events for the military and takes wounded warriors on fishing trips;

Donald and Vera Pashby, a Millington couple honored for more than 35 years of dedication to Boy Scouts, they led the effort to build the Scout building in Arbela Township’s Latham Park and have received the Scouting district and council’s highest honors;

Judy Remar, a member of the Unionville American Legion who organizes events for the group, reorganized the Unionville Community Association to put up flag poles and keep things neat to reflect community pride and also volunteers for the farmers market, summer festival and auto show;

and Michael Urban, a Caro resident who for the past 26 years has organized a special dinner for senior citizens who have nowhere to go for Christmas Day, and makes sure each person receives their own wrapped gift.

This year’s Group Community Service Award went to the Kingston United Methodist Church, with Pastor Debi Brown accepting the award on the church’s behalf. The church has been a pillar of the Kingston community, and offers assistance to dozens of families in need. Members of the congregation volunteer to stuff backpacks with school supplies and treats for kids, offer scholarships to summer camp, help with international relief and missions efforts and serve their community in numerous ways.

Nominees for the group award also included:

Caro Roadhouse Museum Committee, honored for rescuing an original Caro building and preserving local history;

Living Word Worship Center, honored for teaching Cass City students how to manage money through the Cass City Financial Peace University, as well as for Pastor Mark Karwowski’s involvement in LEAD Tuscola;

Revive Cass City, a Cass City non-profit that sponsors a food pantry and resale shop for those in need;

and Women’s Life Caro No. 879 for their work with Relay for Life, The Fowler Center, Spoonfulls of Plenty, Gingerbread Village, Tuscola County Fair and Anka Veterans Housing.

The award for Business Community Service went to Caro’s POET Biorefining, for their efforts to instill a sense of community pride by encouraging employees to join civic organizations, donating to support community events including Special Olympics, Caro Snowfest, Boy Scouts, AYSO soccer and Christmas gifts and Coats for Kids for kids in need. The award was accepted by POET Caro plant GM Dave Gloer.

Nominees for the business award included:

Consumers Energy, honored for sponsorship of numerous local events and organizations;

Cook GM Superstore, honored for generous donations to a number of groups and events in Vassar, including Vassar Band Boosters, Riverfest, Rotary Club events, and numerous school events;

Hopp’s Lumber, honored for owner Larry Hopp’s willingness to donate to Juniata Baptist Church’s gymnasium project, Tuscola Technology Center’s construction technology program and being a contributor to events in the village of Mayville;

Millington Pizza and owner Mike Derscha for supporting Millington 4-H, Millington Old-Fashioned Days and the rodeo, Millington Community Center and Thanksgiving Turkey project, as well as numerous school functions and projects;

The Oven owners Ross and Linda Downing of Caro who help families in need and who provide employment to individuals with special needs;

Pizza Hut of Caro, honored for Louise Hodges and her staff’s commitment to the community, including their support of Relay for Life, Operation Graduation, Tuscola County Fair, Veterans Day Activities and numerous school events.

Manager Louise Hodges accepted a plaque in recognition of Pizza Hut’s nomination for the business award, but it wouldn’t be her final trip to the podium as she was named the recipient of this year’s Above and Beyond Award. Hodges has been part of the Caro community for more than 30 years, and is a member of LEAD Tuscola. She was honored for her efforts to promote community events and organizations, particularly through Tip Nights at Pizza Hut, as well as providing job opportunities for young people with special needs and free meals for veterans on Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.

This year’s nominees for the Above and Beyond Award included:

• Lori Calery, Early On coach for the Tuscola ISD;

• Steve Erickson, executive director of the Tuscola County Economic Development Corporation;

• Doug Kramer, for his work organizing a mobile food pantry in Kingston, hosting children with special needs for a three-day event at his farm, and community volunteerism;

LaVern Rutkowski, a Cass City resident and member of the Knichgts of Columbus at St. Pancratious Catholic Church;

• Shirley Snyder, childcare and latchkey aide at St. Paul Lutheran Church

• Lee Starling, head coach of the Caro Tigersharks swim club

• Ronald Weipert, planner of many events for the Kingston community;

and Charles Woods, a disabled veteran and police officer who hosts hunts for people with disabilities.

DISTRICT COURT

John Anthony Willett, 28, Walled Lake, is charged with two counts of home invasion – 2nd degree; larceny in a building. Pretrial is scheduled for April 21 and preliminary exam is set for April 28.

Sabrina Joan Prather, 32, Caro, is charged with controlled substance – delivery/manufacture marijuana – 2nd or subsequent offense notice; conspiracy to commit controlled substance – delivery/manufacture marijuana; controlled substance – possession of marijuana – 2nd or subsequent offense notice. Pretrial was April 14 and preliminary exam is set for April 21.

Bradley Clinton Austin, 55, Columbiaville, controlled substance – delivery/manufacture marijuana – 2nd or subsequent offense notice; conspiracy to commit controlled substance – delivery/manufacture marijuana; controlled substance – possession of marijuana – 2nd or subsequent offense notice. Pretrial was April 14 and preliminary exam is set for April 21.

Tony Ray Wickings, 47, Vassar, is charged with sex offender – failure to comply with registration act. Pretrial is scheduled for April 21 and preliminary exam is set for April 28.

Jason Richard Farnum, 38, Caro, is charged with controlled substance – delivery/manufacture 5-45 kilograms of marijuana – 2nd or subsequent offense notice; controlled substance – delivery/manufacture marijuana – 2nd or subsequent offense notice; controlled substance – possession of marijuana – 2nd or subsequent offense notice; controlled substance – possession of analogues – 2nd or subsequent offense notice. Pretrial is scheduled for April 21 and preliminary exam is set for April 28.

Adrianna Marie Devine, 23, Cass City, is charged with operating while intoxicated – 3rd offense; operating – license suspended, revoked, denied. Pretrial is scheduled for April 21 and preliminary exam is set for April 28.

Aaron Michael Sting, 19, Gagetown, is charged with controlled substance – possession of analogues. In a separate file, Sting was charged with home invasion – 2nd degree; conspiracy to commit home invasion – 2nd degree; larceny $1,000 or more but less than $20,000; conspiracy to commit larceny; larceny in a building; conpiracy to commit larceny in a building. In a separate file, Sting was charged with home invasion – 1st degree; conspiracy to commit weapons – firearms – larceny; larceny in a building; conpiracy to commit larceny in a building; 3 counts weapons – felony firearm. In a separate file, Sting was charged with home invasion – 2nd degree; conspiracy to commit home invasion – 2nd degree; larceny in a building; conspiracy to commit larceny in a building. Pretrial was April 14 and preliminary exam is set for April 21.

CIRCUIT COURT

Jonathan Todd Emery, 32, Tuscola, was sentenced to 25 months – 48 months and 113 days credit with controlled substance – poessession/analogues – habitual offender 3rd offense. He was ordered to pay $898 in costs and fines.

Jerry Otho Johnson, 53, Fairgrove, pleaded guilty to interfering with electronic communications; controlled substance – possession of marijuana; assault and battery. Sentence date to be set.

Amy Diane Murgas, 30, Mount Morris, pleaded guilty to attempted controlled substance – delivery/manufacture marijuana; controlled substance – possession of marijuana. Sentence date to be set.

Ryan David Bohr, 37, Caro, pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated – 3rd offense notice – felony. Sentence date to be set.

Nancy Lou Bone, 45, Clio, pleaded guilty to license document/plates – forgery; motor vehicle – operating without security. Sentence date to be set.

Jason David Proper, 32, Fairgrove, pleaded guilty to controlled substance – delivery/manufacture marijuana; weapons – firearms – possession by felon. Sentence date to be set.

Derrick Scott Becker, 26, Caro, pleaded guilty to larceny in a building; lying to a peace officer – 4 year or more crime investigation, controlled substance – possession of marijuana. Sentence date to be set.

Alice “Trish” (Kyle) Wilson of Caro, age 55, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at her home.  She was born August 27, 1958 in Goodrich, the daughter of the late Joe and Alice (Mullen) Kyle.  Alice was a 1976 graduate of Goodrich High School, and worked as a clerk at Thumb Meat in Caro for many years.  Alice was “Grandma” to many, and loved all sports, including the Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, Michigan, and enjoyed helping coach girls softball.  Alice is survived by one daughter and her husband, Alison & Jeremy Sprague of Akron; her siblings, Joe & Dona Kyle of Goodrich, Suzan & Richard Dexter of Garner, North Carolina, Cledith Shanahan of Waunakee, Wisconsin, David Kyle of Atlanta, Georgia; many special nieces and nephews, along with her four-legged grand-doggies.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Gary Kyle; and one sister, Donna Kyle.  A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro with Pastor John Flanders officiating.  The family will receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 12:00 p.m.  Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Alice Wilson Family Discretionary Fund, c/o Alison Sprague, 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, MI 48723. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro.  Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.RansfordCollon.com.

Cynthia Marie Baxter (Morodan) of Caseville (formally Mayville), age 66, lost her battle to cancer on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at Tendercare Nursing Home in Cass City.  Cynthia was born August 23, 1947 to the late John and Elizabeth Morodan.  She graduated from Mayville High School with the class 1965.  Cynthia is survived by her son, Brian (Melissa) Baxter and daughter, Tammy (Dawn) Baxter; sister, Elizabeth Edds and brother, John (Linda) Morodan; grandchildren, Ryan, Ashley, Noah, and Jaxon; great-grandchild, Zayden and her beloved Shih-poo, Sammie.  A celebration of life will be performed by Sister Riccarbina on April 26, 2014 at 11:00 am. The celebration will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mayville with lunch following. The family welcomes you at 10:00 am until the ceremony.  The attire will be Disney or bright colors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Adopt a Pet, Inc of Fenton in remembrance of Cynthia.

Weston F. Raven of Linden, formerly of Caro, age 91, passed away on Friday, April 18, 2014 at Caretel Inns in Linden, following a lingering illness.  Wes was born November 17, 1922 in Mulliken, the son of the late Emmett L. & Ethel (Peabody) Raven.  He graduated from Bad Axe High School in 1940 and enlisted in the Army, transferred to the Marines and then the Navy where he served as a Naval Officer during WWII.  In 1947, he became the third generation from the Raven family to graduate from Michigan State University, known then as Michigan State College. Following his service in the Navy, Wes was united in marriage with the former Alize “Tommy” Atkins on September 4, 1946 in Bad Axe. For the next three years, Wes was employed at Fairmont Foods in Athens, Ohio, coming to Caro with Detroit Edison in 1950, and retiring in 1988 after more than thirty-seven years of service with most of that time spent in Government & Community Affairs. Wes was awarded the Alex Dow Award in Detroit in 1969.  During his time in Caro, he was a member and Elder of the Caro First Presbyterian Church, past Commander and member of Caro American Legion Post #7, member of the Caro V.F.W. Post #4164, life member of the Caro Masonic Lodge #226 F&AM, and past member of the Caro Jaycees. Wes was active in his community serving on the Caro High School building committee in the 1950s, the Indianfields Township Board for fourteen years, the Caro Village Council, and was Detroit Edison’s representative on the 4-H Foundation Board for seventeen years. He also served as one of the chairmen of the Caro Community Hospital Building Committee and was a member of its board serving as secretary for six years.  After more than sixty-four years of marriage, Wes was preceded in death by his wife, Alize “Tommy” Raven on August 11, 2011.  Surviving are three children and their spouses, Karen Morison of Petoskey, John & Cindy Raven of Greenville, Sally & Paul Trisch of Linden; grandchildren, Angus & Rachel Morison, Cole Morison, Holly & Larry Stone, Emily Raven, Andrew Raven, Jacquelyn Male, Joseph Male, Josh & Mary Male, Alex Trisch, Zach Trisch and Jenna Trisch; one sister, Jan Smith of San Antonio, Texas; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Wes was preceded in death by two brothers, Erwin & Eldridge Raven.  In respect of Wes’ wishes, cremation has taken place.  A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at the Caro First Presbyterian Church with Rev. David Myers officiating. Interment will follow in the veteran’s section of the Indianfelds Township Cemetery in Caro with military honors under the auspices of Caro American Legion Post #7 and the United States Navy.  The family will receive friends at the church on May 17, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m.  Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Caro First Presbyterian Church, Caro Community Hospital or Caro American Legion Post #7.  The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro.  Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.RansfordCollon.com.

Photo courtesy Kozan family | Mark Kozan, far right, owned Riverview Auto and Recycling in Caro and loved flying. Kozan died Saturday after the plane he was flying in with Vassar’s Richard Hayward crashed into a Shiawassee County farm field. The Incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.

By Bill Petzold
Editor

and Megan Decker
Staff Writer

TUSCOLA COUNTY — The families of two Tuscola County men killed in a plane crash Saturday are mourning men who loved flying and living life to the fullest.

Richard Kenneth Hayward, 63 of Vassar, and passenger Mark James Kozan, 49 of Caro, were killed when the single-engine aircraft that Hayward was piloting crashed nose-first into a Shiawassee County farm field near the southwest corner of M-13 and Cronk Road about 2 p.m. Saturday. The crash is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Kozan was the owner of Caro’s Riverview Auto and Recycling, 987 Ellington Street in Caro, and many remember him as a well-respected member of Caro’s business community.

“Mark loved helping people,” Kozen’s mother Nancy Kozan said. “He loved a challenge. His nature was always optimistic that whatever the challenge was, it could be achieved — no matter how difficult. And, he never gave up until the task was completed.”

Mark was born to Nancy and James Kozan in 1965 in Melvindale, Michigan, which is a short distance south of Dearborn in the Detroit metro area. The family moved to Mayville in 1972, and Mark graduated from Mayville High School in 1982. His mother described him as an adventurous person who enjoyed experiencing new things.

“Mark loved and protected his family and friends,” Nancy Kozan said. “He loved the outdoors and animals. He loved flying; he loved the entire community of flying. He loved to travel, especially going to and driving around Traverse City. He truly enjoyed trips anywhere and everywhere, seeing the countryside and new places. Mark loved to try ‘Foodies,’ enjoyed trying new foods, and tasting different cultures’ prepared dishes.”

Nancy Kozan also described Mark as a “driven person, a workaholic,” which likely had to do with the fact that Kozan started Riverview Auto right out of high school at age 19. At age 49, he already was celebrating three decades of serving the Caro community.

Kozan’s cousin Kathy Griffin said that despite Mark’s business savvy, he was a humble and down-to-earth person.

“To know Mark was to like Mark,” Griffin said. “Mark had a very dry, very good sense of humor. (Riverview) was just a junkyard when he got it, piles and piles of junk, and now it’s all computerized. They made it a thriving business that can be respected. His father Jim and Mark, they were just best friends.

“He was a humble person. He was just so down to earth; he never flaunted anything he might have had. He was just his own person — he was a man’s man. We all loved him. Mark was always aboveboard. He was one of the good guys.”

Griffin said while Mark was single and did not have any children of his own, “Uncle Mark” was a hero to his nieces and nephews Madison, London, Ezra, Malachi and Liberty Salmine and Chase and Blaise Kozan.

“He was incredible,” Griffin said. “He was warmhearted and very giving — willing to help anybody. Uncle Mark was everything — he just helped them with whatever they wanted, taught them how to do things that would be very useful in life. When they were 16, he would find a car for them and they would fix it up together so they would know how to work on their car. He taught them alot; he was a good teacher, and he was more than an uncle — he was their friend, someone they could always go to.”

Griffin said that Hayward was taking Mark to pick up Kozan’s helicopter when the plane crashed.

“The yard was open until noon, and then he was going to get a ride,” she said. “Mark called and said ‘I have someone here that’s going to give me a ride.’ His helicopter was in for its annual inspection. He was the passenger. All we really know is what came across the TV all weekend.”

In addition to his nieces, nephews, parents and grandmother Annie Chapek, Mark leaves behind his sister Michelle and husband Donald Salmine and brother Jason and wife Julie Kozan. In keeping with Mark’s wishes, his body will be cremated and no public memorial service will be held. A private service for family will be planned at a later date.

Memorial planned for Hayward

Family and friends will remember Richard Kenneth Hayward, 63, of Vassar during a prayer service at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Richard Hayward

Hayward, who had a passion for flying, served the United States with a decorated military career that spanned more than 25 years. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2004. Hayward also retired from General Motors Steering Gear, was a volunteer firefighter with the Portsmouth Township Fire Department and was also a member of the Vassar Eagles Aerie No. 2380.

Richard was an avid pilot and enjoyed flying, gardening, raising animals and spending time with his family.

“Richard was selfless when it came to helping out at the airport,” said friend Tim Adams of Vassar. “We would often go down there and cut the grass and do anything else that needed to be done.

“He was one of the good guys. We was a friendly guy who never had an unkind word to say about anyone he met.”

Several friends and family expressed condolences and shared stories of Hayward on Penzien-Steele Funeral Home’s memory book.

“Rich was always a pleasure to work with regarding the use of the jail work site crew at the airport. He will be missed,” wrote Tuscola County Sheriff Leland Teschendorf.

“I’’ll always hold our memories close to heart and cherish all the time I have spent with you. You’re my guardian angel now, watch over me from heaven, grandpa. I’ll love you forever and miss you for always. Rest in peace and fly high my beautiful angel,” wrote granddaughter Justine Hayward.

“I will never forget our many talks during lunch and Richard’s sense of humor at the Corner Cafe. Rest in peace my Military brother,” Adams added.

Richard is survived by his wife, Lynn; children, John (fiancée Judy Yaworski) Hayward, Holly (Jed) Thomas, David (Jesse Hages) Hayward and Susan (David  Clement) Doran; step-children, Nicole (Jeff) Sharp, Jamie (Kevin) Raymond and Tom Matako; grandchildren, Alysha (Rusty), Justine, Nicole, Madison, Ashton, Avery, Cole, Caitlyn, Carter, Landen, Hannah, Anthony and Hunter; a great-granddaughter, Mylie (and a granddaughter and a great-grandson on the way soon).  Also surviving are his mother, Rhea Hayward; his brothers and sisters, Bill Hayward, Dianne (Robert) Zuzula, Ken (Donna) Hayward, Maureen (Eric) Spychalski and Mike (Tina) Hayward; many nieces, nephews and special friends Ken Starr and Judy Busha.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Penzien-Steele Funeral Home, 608 N. Madison Ave., in Bay City.  The visitation will conclude at 7 p.m. with a Prayer Service.  The Rev. Michael G. Stahl will officiate.  Cremation will follow the service and private interment will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery.

The Advertiser could not reach the family of Richard Hayword prior to press time.

Robert L. Miller, 75, of Kingston, died unexpectedly Sunday, April 20, 2014 in Gulf Coast Medical Center, Fort Myers, FL.  He was born March 2, 1939 at home in Reese the second of three sons born to Harry Charles and Amber Mae (Gilbert) Miller.  He married Laural Ann Caverly August 18, 1962 in Kingston.  She died March 20, 2008.  Bob then married Roberta Ellen Latshaw July 23, 2010 in Kingston United Methodist Church.  Bob graduated in 1957 from Vassar High School.  He served in the U.S. Army as a mechanic in Korea following the Korean War.  After returning from the military, Bob worked for Mayville Molding for a short time.  He then worked for General Motors at Buick City in Flint retiring on Halloween in 1994 after 30 years of service.  In his retirement, Bob worked part time for Indianfields Township Park and for Barden’s Hardware.  Bob was an active Kingston citizen.  He served for over 20 years on the Kingston Village Council.  He served on the village planning commission and was Chairman of Zoning Appeals for the Village of Kingston and Zoning Administrator.  He served as Fire Chief for the Kingston Fire and Rescue Department for 11 years.  He is a member of Kingston United Methodist Church and served as a lay minister.  Bob is a past member of Mayville Eagles Club.  He was a member of the Kingston Lions Club, the Amvets Post #1072 and Kingston Days Committee.  He was instrumental in starting the MDA dance in Tuscola County.  While in Florida, Bob served on the park patrol and on the pool committee.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, shuffleboard, woodworking, boating and was a voracious reader spending many hours reading his Bible and books by Louis L’amour, Ann Rule and Robert Frost among others.  Bob enjoyed wintering in Florida for many years and he enjoyed spending time at his cabin in Northern Michigan.  He was an avid Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Lions fan.  Bob could fix anything.  If he needed it, he made it.  Bob is survived by his wife, Roberta Miller; children:  William (Beth Finley) Miller of Kingston, Irene (Tom) Holtslander of Greenville, TN, Bobbi (Mark) Osantowski of Ubly, Shirley (Scott Howard) Yax of Snover, Amy (Scott) Fetting of Kingston, Marty (Ben Duby) Miller of Kingston, Sharon (Todd) Houston of Chicopee, MA, Michael Daris of West Springfield, MA, Brian Daris of West Springfield, MA; grandchildren:  Stephanie (Kyle) Darling, Dawn (Cliff Nienow) Miller, Julianna Sword, Jeremy (Sarah Tribble) Brink, Jessica Brink, Holly (Dean Pankey) Holtslander, Tracy (Chris) Dishman, Tommy (Samantha) Holtslander, Jamie (John) Flanagan, Brennen Osantowski, Samantha Osantowski, Kayla (Alan White) Yax, Dalton (Chenese Hodges) Yax, Ashton Fetting, Lucas Fetting, Tayler Miller, Cameron Miller, Shelby Davis, Savanah Houston, Jeremiah Stephens. He is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren with the 11th due in August; his best friend, Archie (Sandy) Clauss and Laural’s brothers and sisters and their families; many nieces and nephews.  Bob is preceded in death by his grandson, Jordan Yax; two brothers: Harry James Miller and Donald Miller.  Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 26, 2014 in Kingston United Methodist Church with Pastor Len Wyatt of Kingston Wesleyan Church officiating.  Interment will be in Kingston Cemetery. Pallbearers for Mr. Miller:  Jeremiah Stephens, Tom Holtslander, Brennen Osantowski, Dalton Yax, Cameron Miller, Corey Clauss, Troy Caverly and Lucas Fetting.  Military Honors are under the direction of U.S. Army and Kingston AMVETS Post #1072.  Memorials may be made to Kingston United Methodist Church or Kingston Fire and Rescue.  Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.  Visitation was held 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2014 and 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 25, 2014 in Kranz Funeral Home – Kingston and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, 2014 in Kingston United Methodist Church