WILLARD O. BREDERNITZ
Ypsilanti
Willard O. Bredernitz, 86, of Ypsilanti, died peacefully Feb. 3, 2008, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. He was born Sept. 29, 1921, in Saline the son of Otto and Elsa (Wiedmayer) Bredernitz.
Mr. Bredernitz was raised in Saline by his dearly beloved grandmother, Christina Wiedmayer, with whom he remained extremely close until her death in 1960. While growing up, he attended St. James Church and only missed one Sunday school class in 12 years.
Mr. Bredernitz graduated from Saline High School in 1939. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy days after Pearl Harbor was bombed during World War II, and received the Navy and Marine Corps medal for heroism, which was awarded in 1944 while he was serving in New Guinea.
On July 13, 1946, he married Norma A. Tonda of Pershing, Iowa, his wife of 48 years. They were lifelong residents of Ypsilanti until she preceded him in death on July 17, 1994.
They had one daughter, Cheryl Lynn Bredernitz of Ann Arbor, who survives.
Since moving into their home in 1951, he took pride in the daily display of the American flag. He was self employed and operated Ypsi Floor Surfacing for 50 years until retiring at age 78. Mr. Bredernitz was a craftsman when working on hardwood floors. Stories of his work and personality will be long remembered.
Mr. Bredernitz enjoyed many pursuits, including traveling with his wife, gardening, love of animals, and visiting friends and family.
In addition, he was an avid sports fan, enjoyed golf and followed the Detroit Tigers with his favorite niece, Pam Tonda.
Mr. Bredernitz was a season ticket holder for University of Michigan football games and he attended both the 1948 and 1998 national championship Rose Bowl games. He was a member of the American Legion, Moose and Eagles.
Mr. Bredernitz will be long remembered for his outgoing personality, contagious smile, and his friendly and generous attitude to everyone who knew him. The love he had for his daughter was unparalleled.
The family would like to acknowledge the support and friendship of Bill Wiedmayer and Tony Thompson over the years. Other survivors include sisters JoAnn (Bob) Roos and Joyce (Stan) Offerman; sister-in-law Geraldine Bredernitz; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Duane and Don Bredernitz; and his surrogate siblings of the Wiedmayer family.
A funeral will be held 11 a.m. Friday at St. James United Church of Christ in Saline Township. The Rev. Orval L.E. Willimann will officiate.
Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. Friday until the time of the service. There will be a gathering immediately after the service at the Roundtree Bar and Grill in Ypsilanti.
Envelopes will be available for memorial contributions to the Humane Society of Huron Valley and the Salvation Army.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home in Saline.
JEAN F. WALK
Saline
Jean Walk, 80, of Saline died Feb. 7, 2008, at her home. She was born Feb. 9, 1927, the daughter of Jefferson and Olive (Garrison) Moore.
On July 21, 1945, in Bowling Green, Ohio, she married Samuel Walk. He preceded her in death on Oct. 10, 1988.
Mrs. Walk retired from Ford Motor Co.
She is survived by her children, a son, Allan (Gerry) Walk of Pinckney, and two daughters, Alyse (Richard) Sliter of Ypsilanti and Sally (Randy) Cooper of Kingwood, Texas.
Other survivors include her grandchildren, Jeffery Knox, Angela Knox, Aaron Walk, Andy (Amanda) Walk, and Lauren, Rachel and Samuel Cooper; great-grandchildren, Travis Knox, Nick Knox and Chloe Walk; and her sisters, Hope Derr, Ina Jones, Faye Langford and Olive Mache.
A funeral was held Saturday at the Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home in Saline. Burial was at Cadillac Memorial Gardens West in Westland.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association of Michigan and to the Washtenaw County Veterans Honor Guard. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
SABLE ROSE MARTIN
Saline
Sable Rose Martin, 18, of Saline died suddenly Feb. 6, 2008. She was born Aug. 8, 1989, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Superior Township the daughter of Charles E. Martin and Rose M. Sanch.
Miss Martin was a senior at Saline High School and worked at the International House of Pancakes in Ypsilanti. She loved people, art, the outdoors, going to the beach, boating and animals, especially her beloved pets, her dog Peanut and her cat Ferose.
She is survived by her father, Charles E. (fiancÈe, Shari Straight) Martin of Saline and her mother, Rose M. (Todd) Albright of Britton.
Other survivors include her two brothers, Charles E. (Jenny) Martin III and Ben A. Albright; grandparents, Hester Sanch of Arizona and Lee and Sheila Reichenberger of Saline; her aunts and uncles, Tamsy (John) Sammis of California, Eric Reichenberger of Florida, Lisa (Craig) Sanch-Moss of Washington, David Crockett of Nevada, Tom (Kim) Reichenberger of Florida, Dan (Jane) Reichenberger of Petersberg and Paul (Becky) Reichenberger of Texas; her great-uncle, Ray G. Martin of Saline; and her niece, Olivia Martin.
Miss Martin was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Roy Sanch Sr. and Charles E. Martin Sr.; an uncle, Roy Sanch Jr.; and great-grandparents, Eugene and Ruth Liedel.
Visitation was held Sunday and Monday at the Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home in Saline, and on Tuesday until the time of the memorial service at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Saline. The Rev. Gordon Reigle officiated. Burial was at Oakwood Cemetery in Saline.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Envelopes are available at the funeral home and the church.
RALPH W. ANDERSON
Saline
Ralph W. Anderson, 71, of Saline died Feb. 4, 2008, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Nov. 29, 1936, in Ann Arbor, to Archie and Irene (LaRoe) Anderson. On March 14, 1964, he married Marilyn J. (Fiegel) Losey in Ann Arbor.
Mr. Anderson was a 1955 graduate of Ann Arbor High School. He attended Cleary College and Washtenaw Community College, and retired from General Motors Corp.'s Willow Run plant in 1993 after 34 years. In retirement, he worked for Glen Macomber Real Estate and Belle Tire on Carpenter Road in Ypsilanti.
Mr. Anderson was a member of Phoenix Lodge 13 F&AM, Ypsilanti and Washtenaw Sportsman's Club, and attended the St. Paul United Church of Christ of Saline.
He enjoyed woodcarving, travel, camping, fishing, golf, computers, making new friends, and especially building stone lighthouses.
Mr. Anderson also loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends. He was a mentor to many.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn, of 43 years; two daughters, Deborah Lou (Ron) Baker of Florida and Debra Ann (Rick) Losey-Peterson of California; a son, James William (Kathy) Anderson of Michigan; grandchildren, Christopher Wanke, Nathan (Alisha) Wanke, Kortney Rainier, Sara (Rob) Griffin and James W. (fiancÈe Katie Baker) Anderson II.
Also surviving are his great-grandchildren, Austin, Makayla and Lailee Wanke, and Audrey Marie Griffin; two sisters, Carol (Bruce) Schauer and Janice (Jim) Fullerton, both of Ann Arbor; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Irene; a brother, George A. Anderson; and a son, Steven Scott Losey.
His loving wife, beloved family, dear friends, neighborhood kids, and dog, Sammy, will miss him.
Visitation was held Fridayand included a Masonic Memorial Service. The funeral was held Saturday, with the Revs. Patricia Kenney and Ron Tipton co-officiating.
Mr. Anderson was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Saline.
Arrangements were handled by the Nie Family Funeral Home in Ann Arbor. Please leave a memory at www.niefuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Greater Midwest Affiliate, Memorials and Tributes Lockbox, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674 or to St. Paul United Church of Christ, 122 W. Michigan Ave, Saline, MI 48176.
JEANETTE PERKINS OVERBEY
Pearl, Miss.
Jeanette Overbey, 59, of Pearl, Miss., died Feb. 8, 2008, at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, Miss.
Mrs. Overbey was a graduate of Milan High School and a member of Pearson Baptist Church in Pearl. She was preceded in death by her parents, Avery and Opal (Waldren) Perkins.
Survivors include her husband, George P. Overbey II of Pearl; son, David Hammond of Pearl; daughter, Stacie (Brannon) Hammond Forrest of Hammond, La; sisters, Nina Fugate of Milan and Robbin Elkins of Cleveland; and grandchildren, Taylor Hammond of Pearl and Madison Forrest of Hammond, La.
A funeral was held Monday at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Burial was at Floral Hills Memory Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hederman Cancer Center, 1227 N State St., Jackson, MS 39202, or the American Cancer Society, 1380 Livingston Lane Suite A., Jackson, MS 39213.
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