Battle Creek Enquirer from Battle Creek, Michigan • Page 4

LOCAL 4A Thursday, Sept. 19, 2002 Battle Creek Enquirer OBITUARIES Michael P. Ray Parchment Michael Ray was born April 4, 1954 in Padre Island, TX, the son of Kenneth and Delores Gilmer named administrator of Kalamazoo County school of hard knocks." Commissioner Deb Buch-holtz-Hiemstra said it would be wrong to exclude someone Associated Press KALAMAZOO Kalamazoo County has hired state Budget Director Don Gilmer to be its administrator despite objections that he doesn't have a college degree. County commissioners voted 6-3 Tuesday to hire Gilmer. Gilmer, a Republican from Augusta, said he wanted to take the county to a "new level" and be more involved in the community.

He will start by Dec. 16. The dissenting commissioners said Gilmer wasn't one of the top candidates recommended by a search firm hired by the county. Vice Chairman Eva Ozier also said Gilmer lacked the educational credentials for the position. Gilmer, who attended Michigan State University and Western Michigan University, said his only advanced degree comes from the "Michigan Donna D.

Wait Battle Creek Donna D. Wait, age 96, of Battle Creek, passed away Tuesday, September 17, 2002, at Memorial Healthcare Center in Owosso. She was born February 7, 1906, in Delton, the daughter of Charles and Leda (Norwood) Harrington. Donna married Wayne A. Wait on October 19, 1935 and he preceded her in death on September 22, 1989.

Donna graduated from Kalamazoo High School in 1924. She came back to Battle Creek in 1978 after living in Evart on the Muskegon River for 10 yrs. She enjoyed bike riding, nature and the outdoors. She attended Christ United Methodist Church. Donna worked for the Telephone.

Company in Kalamazoo, the drug store in Del-ton, and worked for the Delton Post Office for 13 years. However, ever since she's been married she was a homemaker. She is survived by her stepdaughter, Mary E. Martin of Owosso; three step grandchildren; four step great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.

There will be no services, cremation has taken place. Burial of cremated remains will be in Yorkville Cemetery. Memorial Tributes may be made to Charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Bachman Hebble Funeral Service, a member by invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes. Michael Lee McCormick Comstock Michael Lee McCormick, of Comstock, MI, died suddenly Monday September 16, 2002.

Mike was born February 1, 1959 in Kalamazoo, the son of George William and Winifred (Wise) McCormick; and has been a lifelong area resident. He was a 1977 graduate of Comstock High School; and has been employed by Rooter since 1977. Mike was an avid sportsman and out-doorsman, who enjoyed working in his yard, golfing, bowling and snowmobiling. He also enjoyed- music (his CD collection); playing pinochle, chess and pool. But most of all he was a very spiritual person, who loved spending time with his family especially at holidays and gatherings.

Surviving are his mother, Winifred "Win" (Carl) Abell of Kalamazoo; his father, George "Bill" (Peggy) McCormick of Sturgis; a very special companion, Sherry Miller and her family of Paw Paw; his brothers and sisters, Jeff (Beverly) McCormick of Kalamazoo, Patricia (Robert) Hubbard of Battle Creek, Rick (Kelly) McCormick of Richland, Ronald McCormick of Kalamazoo, Jane Hubbard of Portage, Jon (Brenda) McCormick of Galesburg; his very special nieces and nephews, Sandi, Linda and Susan Hubbard, Nate and Connor McCormick, Kate and Scott McCormick, John Hubbard, Ryan, Brendan, Rayanne, Audrey, Tyler and James McCormick; his grandmother, Violet Wise of Kalamazoo; uncle and aunts, James (Connie) Wise, Mary Curtis and Bea Myers; several cousins and many friends. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6-8pm and Friday from 10-iiam at the LANGELAND Family Funeral Home, Hoag-Switzer COMSTOCK CHAPEL, 6121 King Highway where Funeral Services will be held Friday with Rev. James Sirks officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Memorials in Mike's memory may be directed to the Salvation Army.

Elizabeth Coblentz, 'the Amish Cook dies Associated Press BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. Elizabeth Coblentz, who wrote a syndicated column called "The Amish Cook" by the light of a kerosene lantern, died Tuesday after collapsing in her hotel room. She was 66. The Independence Examiner reported that Coblentz is believed to have suffered an aortic aneurysm. She was in Blue Springs for a book signing that was to be sponsored by the newspaper.

Her weekly column offered a window into the Amish world for readers of approximately 100 papers across the country, including the Battle Creek Enquirer. Coblentz began writing her Obituary policy The Enquirer publishes death notice and funeral service information free of charge. Additional information, including photographs, may be published for a fee. Contact your funeral director or call the Milestones Coordinator at 966-0683 for more information. The list of funeral services on this page also is published for free.

Bedford Township blaze Thelma M. Henney Battle Creek Thelma M. Henney, 89, of Battle Creek formerly of Hastings, died Wednesday, September 18, 2002, at her home. Arrangements are pending at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home.

Forrest Johnson Hastings Forrest Johnson, 89, of Hastings, died Wednesday, September 18, 2002, at his residence. Visitation will be held Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. Graveside services will be held Saturday, September 21, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. at Yankee Springs Township Cemetery.

Arrangements are by the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. Bonita A. Swick Battle Creek Bonita A. Swick, 88, of Battle Creek, formerly of Nashville, died September 17, 2002. No visitation.

Graveside service will be September 21, 2002 at 2:00 pjn. at Lakeview Cemetery, Nashville, MI. "Arrangements by Maple Valley Chapel, Nashville. Al V.Truman Battle Creek 'Al V. Truman, 76, a retired master carpenter, of Battle Creek, died Wednesday at Battle Creek Health Center.

Arrangements by Farley-Estes Dowdle Funeral Home. Marylee E. (Snoopy) Fisher Albion Marylee E. (Snoopy) Fisher, 64, of Albion, died September 18, 2002. She was born January 23, 1938, in Albion to Albert George Skinner and Minnie E.

(Rowley) Skinner. Marylee married Ronald Fisher on May 3, 1955. She was employed at Felpausch Food Store for 25 years. Over the years, she enjoyed chatting on the CB Radio, she enjoyed many family outdoor activities, oil painting and travel. She was a member of the Marshall Moose The Vivians of Elks Lodge 1798.

Survivors are husband, Ronald of Albion; mother, Minnie Skinner of Albion; sons, Randy (Rosemary) Fisher of Albion and Douglas Fisher of Albion; five grandsons; brother, Roger (Linda) Skinner of Albion; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father; brother, Eugene (Pete) Skinner; and sister, Gail Cypret. Visitation for friends on Friday, September 20, 2002, from 6-8 pjn. and Saturday, September 21, 2002, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service Sunday, September 22, 2002, at 2:00 pjn.

at Albion Chapel of Tidd-Williams Funeral Chapels. Burial Albion Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to St. John's Building Fund. Arrangements by Albion Chapel to Tidd-Williams Funeral Chapels.

www.tidd-williams.com. Donald C. Hess Zephyrhills Donald C. Hess, 74, of Zephyrhills, died Tuesday, September 17, 2002. He was bom in Battle Creek and moved here in 1991.

He retired after 37 years with Kel-loggs Company in Michigan and was a member of Kelloggs 25 Year Club. Locally, he attended First United Methodist Church Zephyrhills. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing and hunting. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Mildred; son, James Dillard of Battle Creek; two brothers, Gilbert Hess of Belle-vue and Delbert Hess of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; two sisters, Patricia Mather of Lakeland, FL and Janice Haddock of Zephyrhills, FL; three grandchildren, George Dillard of Battle Creek, Brian Dillard of San Francisco, CA and Michelle Dillard of Chicago, IL; and a great grandson, Elwin Dillard of Battle Creek.

He was preceded in death by bis parents, Gilbert and Pauline Hess; and a sister, Ruth Briden-stine. Arrangements by Coleman Ferguson Funeral Homes, Richey Chapel, Zephyrhills, FL. (Eash) Ray and died suddenly on Monday, September 16, 2002 in Ann MI. Michael received his BA in Communications and English in 1978 from Siena Heights College and received his MA from Texas in 1991. He was employed by the Kalamazoo Public Schools at Kalamazoo Central High School where he was head of the Drama Department and taught Theater Arts, 11th grade English and Public Speaking.

He also directed play productions and was head coach of Forensics, including Mock Trial. Michael also taught at the Calhoun School in New York City. Here he taught Drama, English 5th 12th grade, Forensics, Educator and Coach. His courses included acting, debate, forensics, technical theater, playwriting and dramatic literature and directing Middle School and Upper School play productions. Michael was also involved as Development AssociateEducation Director at the American Craft Museum, NYC; Membership DirectorProgram Coordinator for the C.

G. Jung Foundation, NYC; Broadway Press Agency Intern, NYC; Community Theater actor, director and stage manager; Board Member of the Village Light Opera Group, NYC and the Harbor Playhouse, Corpus Christi, TX. He was Arts in Education Consultant for the Corpus Christi Municipal Arts Council; was active in the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, Battle Creek Civic Theatre, Paw Paw Village Players, API Theatre and the Barn Theatre. Surviving are his life partner, Larry Ripley of Kalamazoo and Larry's parents Woody and Mary Ripley of Afton, MI; his daughter Tiffany Ray-Belote of Hudson, MI; his granddaughter Chloe Elizabeth Kelley; his father Kenneth D. Ray of Missouri and a sister Debbie and a brother Mark and the many students and friends, whose lives he had touched.

Michael was preceded in death by his mother Delores Ray, a brother David and maternal and paternal grandparents. Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 21 at 3:00 pm at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, Corner of South and S. Park Streets. There will be no procession to the cemetery.

If you should wish to attend the graveside committal, please be at Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery North, on N. Drake Rd. at 5:00 pm. A reception will follow at Kalamazoo Central High School.

Friends may meet the family Thursday from 6-8 pm and Friday from 2-4 6-8 pm at the LANGELAND Family Funeral Homes, MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 622 S. Burdick St. Memorial contributions in Michael's memory may be made to Kalamazoo Central High School Drama Club, attention Mr. Grant Chandler, 2432 N. Drake Kalamazoo, MI 49006.

(337-0300) FUNERALS TODAY, SEPT. 19 Isabelle C. Blankenship: 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at Bachman Hebble Funeral Service.

Donald B. Eberhart 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at Girrbach Funeral Home, Hastings. Gaylord C.

Eldred 10 am Thursday, Sept, 19, in Fort Custer National Cemetery. Eleni Nicolaou-Sparte: 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, in First Congregational Church, Charlotte. Willard A Purchase 11 a.m.

Thursday, Sept. 19, in Metropolitan United Methodist Church, Detroit. Howard J. Whipple 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept.

19, at Farley-Estes Dowdle Funeral Home, Augusta Chapel. FRIDAY, SEPT. 20 Edward Gugala Sk 1 p.m. Friday, Sept 20, in Fort Custer National Cemetery. Lillian M.

Harper 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at Putnam Funeral Home, Union City. Cornelia Harris: Noon Friday, Sept. 20, in Macedonia Baptist Church, Albion.

John M. Knight 10 am Friday, Sept 20, in St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Coldwater. Michael McCormick: 11 am. Friday, of Gilmer's caliber. Gilmer "We're saying, 'We're not going to hold you down because you do not have a she said.

Gilmer has been a Kalamazoo County commissioner, state legislator and lottery director. He will earn $115,000 per year as county administrator. That's less than the $127,500 Gilmer earns as state budget director but more than the $109,144 paid to Randy Terronez, the last county administrator. The commission voted last year not to renew Terronez's contract. column in 1991, often rising before dawn at her farm in northern Indiana to write by hand, by the light of a kerosene lantern.

She wrote about the trips she took by horse-drawn buggy, the clothes she sewed, the corn she canned. And, of course, she shared cooking tips and recipes. Her home had no electricity, no plumbing and no phone. "To readers, she was a calm voice in a chaotic world," said her editor, Kevin Williams, who syndicates the column from his Oasis News-features in Ohio. Coblentz is survived by eight children and numerous grandchildren.

revealing where Jacob was living, said Mason could remain free on a personal-recognizance bond. The maximum sentence is less than a year in jail. Terese and Joseph Mason divorced in 1985. She was given physical custody of Jacob and Joseph Mason was granted limited visitation while authorities investigated his ex-wife's allegations that he abused the boy. Joseph Mason denied his ex-wife's allegations, and they were not proved in court.

After it became likely that his visitation rights would be enforced, Terese Mason fled the state with the boy. Joseph Mason has not filed a civil suit and said he doesn't plan to push for a relationship with his son, who testified he does not want to see his dad. "He has been so poisoned against me, the verdict might be a step in the direction of his awareness," he said. "I'm not going to pressure him into anything. He's had that bis whole life." JOHN GRAPTHE ENQUIRER Firefighters from several departments battle a stubborn blaze Wednesday night at Akers Wood Products, 1124 W.

River Road in Bedford Township. The blaze was concentrated in wood chips the company produces from old pallets. Akers also was hit by a major fire in April 2000. Vanessa Wynne (Brinkman) Schoder Battle Creek Vanessa Wynne (Brinkman) Schoder, 49, of Battle Creek, died Wednesday, September 18, 2002, at her home. She was born May 4, 1953, in Flint, MI to Ron and Monica (Man-ley) Brinkman.

She graduat ed from Marshall High School in 1970, including one year of culinary arts. Vanessa was employed by Arrowood Nursing Center 1979-88, Home Health Aide with Kelly Services in 1989, successful Cleaning business from 1990-95, and vice-president of Schoder Construction, Inc. from 1995 to 2002. Vanessa married Gerald Schoder on September 7, 1993 in Battle Creek. He survives.

Survivors are two sons, Cameron and Keith Marshall, both of Manistee; step-daughter, Jessica Schoder of Battle Creek; brother, Bruce Brinkman of Grand Bay, AL; three sisters, Tracy Taylor of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Mari Snyder of Battle Creek and Lisa Rabie of Freeland, MI; two step brothers, Jim Richardson of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Mark Richardson of Battle Creek; two step sisters, Kathy Harrison of Battle Creek and Sharon Klein of Athens, MI; many nieces and nephews; parents, David and Monica Richardson of Perry. Her father, Ron Brinkman preceded her in death. She was a member of St.

Joseph Catholic Church and enjoyed gardening, fishing, cooking and she had an extensive clown collection. There will be no visitation or service. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Special Needs FundOutpatient Medical Oncology Center through Battle Creek Health System. Arrangements by Richard A.

Henry Funeral Home. 1 Mother convicted of parental kidnapping Sept. 20, at Langeland Family Funeral Home, Hoag-Switzer Comstock Chapel. Seth A. Rainwater 11 a.m.

Friday, Sept. 20, in Climax United Methodist Church. Vernon J. Whitman: 11 a.m. Friday, Sept.

20, in Memorial Park Cemetery. SATURDAY. SEPT. 21 James C. Heil: 11 am.

Saturday, Sept. 21, in Peace Lutheran Church, Holland. Forrest Johnson: 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, in Yankee Springs Township Cemetery.

Michael P. Ray: 3 pm. Saturday, Sept. 21, in the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. Edwina Robnort 11 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 2L in Dexter Lake Church of God. Nancy Rowe Noon Saturday, Sept. 21, at McConnell Funeral Home, Deighton Chapel, Fenton. Robert Sullinger 11:30 am Saturday, Sept.

21, at George White Funeral Home, Quincy. Bonita A. Swick: 2 p.m. Saturday. Sept.

21, in Lakeview Cemetery, Nashville. SUNDAY, SEPT. 22 Marylee Fisher 2 pm. Sunday, Sept. 22, at Tidd-Williams Funeral Chapel, Albion.

Associated Press JACKSON A woman who hid her son from his father for 15 years will be sentenced in October for parental kidnapping. An all-female jury said Tuesday that Terese Mason was not justified in fleeing Michigan in 1987 with her then 3-year-old son. She had said the boy's father, Joseph Mason, had sexually abused the boy. "I should have had my day in court 15 years ago, but this is such a weight off my shoulder, especially with the whole jury being women," Joseph Mason said. "It was truly a jury of her peers." For 15 years Terese and Jacob Mason lived as Sandy and Jacob Owens in seven states.

Terese Mason was supported financially by her parents, Eldon and June Hawkins of Concord. She returned to Jackson County in February, after Jacob turned 18. Circuit Judge Alexander Per-los, who jailed Mason for a month in the sprng for not.