GREGORY J. COWGILL
Formerly of Ann Arbor
Gregory J. Cowgill, 56, formerly of Ann Arbor and Traverse City, died March 12, 2008, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz., following an 11-day illness. He was born Nov. 25, 1951, in Bay City, the son of Reginald and Mable Cowgill.
Mr. Cowgill grew up in Pinconning and graduated from Pinconning High School in 1969. He continued his education at Delta College and Central Michigan University, earning a bachelor's degree in education from CMU in 1974. He added a master's degree in school administration in 1977 from CMU.
Mr. Cowgill spent his career at Milan Area Schools and served the district well as a geography teacher, assistant principal and finally as principal of the middle school. His career in education spanned 25 years until his retirement in 1999.
In 1982, he married his best friend, Beverly Salstrom. They worked side by side at Milan Middle School for those 25 years and then lived their dream of travel throughout the United States and parts of Canada in a motorcoach for three years following retirement. Old Mission Peninsula north of Traverse City was their next home. However, after another three years, the love of travel beckoned once again and, at the time of his death, he and his wife were traveling full time and enjoying new adventures, living the belief that life is a special occasion every day.
Mr. Cowgill enjoyed cooking, traveling, sports, music, finance and reading Western novels. He also had a special talent for teasing his grandsons whenever possible. He will be missed more than words can express and remembered most for his intellect, insight, gift of conversation, warm smile, quick wit and sense of humor.
Survivors include his loving and devoted wife, Beverly; mother, Mable Cowgill, of Edinburg, Texas; two stepdaughters, Kimberly (Jeff) Ineich of Wixom and Kirsten (Eric) Butler of Ypsilanti; wonderful grandsons, Andrew, Matthew, Cameron, Jacob and Richard; and sister, Jennifer Alexander of Keller, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his father, Reginald Cowgill.
Cremation has taken place. Arrangements were handled by the National Cremation Society in Phoenix.
In accordance with Mr. Cowgill's wishes, there will be no service. His family, however, hopes you will consider a memorial contribution to the Barrow Neurological Institute, c/o Dr. Russell Walker, 350 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013 for their continuing research efforts. They worked valiantly to save his life.
JULIA BETTY BILLAU
Ann Arbor
Julia Betty Billau, 83, of Ann Arbor died April 3, 2008, at the Saline Evangelical Home. She was born in 1924 to Audrey and Matthew Williams in Royal Oak.
Mrs. Billau married Ernest Billau in 1944, and he survives. Her hobbies were her family, home and her granddaughters, and she loved music.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Susan (Larry) Paul and Sherry (David) Gebhardt of Ann Arbor; one son, Rick (Teri) Billau of Ann Arbor; two granddaughters, Tricia Lynn Stehle and Lisa Julia Gebhardt; one niece; and two nephews.
Mrs. Billau was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Ruth Weber.
The family received friends Sunday at the Nie Family Funeral Home in Ann Arbor. A memorial service was held Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev Judy Jahnke officiating. Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Washtenaw County Community Mental Health. To sign her guestbook or to leave a memory, please visit her personal page at www.niefuneralhomes.com.
SUSAN M. WALKER
Ann Arbor
Susan M. (Rutledge) Walker, 47, of Ann Arbor died at her home April 3, 2008, after a courageous seven-year battle with colon cancer. She was born in 1961 in Monroe the daughter of James and June (Klein) Rutledge.
Mrs. Walker grew up in Saginaw and graduated from Ferris State University. She moved to Ann Arbor and earned a master's degree in health and hospital administration from Central Michigan University. She was employed with the St. Joseph Mercy Health System for 20 years.
She married Rob Walker Feb. 6, 1988, in Ann Arbor. Mrs. Walker was passionate about her career, scrapbooking, traveling and camping with her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Rob; her daughter, Olivia; her parents; and her sisters, Sally (Joe Pia) Rutledge and Kathie (Doug) Cropsey.
Mrs. Walker's family received friends Saturday and Sunday at the Nie Family Funeral Home Liberty Road Chapel in Ann Arbor. A service of remembrance was held Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. William Stevenson officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Drive, in Ann Arbor, MI 48103, or to the Community Supported Anthroposophical Medicine, Retreat Fund, 1825 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
Please visit Mrs. Walker's personal Web page at www.niefuneralhomes.com to leave a memory.
CHARLES L. RANKIN Sr.
Tecumseh
Formerly of Milan
Charles L. Rankin Sr. of Tecumseh, 80, died April 5, 2008. He was born Jan. 6, 1928, in Ann Arbor the son of Delbert and Lyrna (Goldsmith) Rankin of Ann Arbor.
Mr. Rankin lived most of his life in Milan and, after retiring from 40 years as a Teamster truck driver, moved to Tecumseh. He was a lifetime member of Milan Masonic Lodge 323.
Mr. Rankin will be deeply missed by his dear companion, Faye Summer; one son, Charlie (MaryAnn) Rankin of Saline; two grandchildren, Tim (Shelley) Rankin and Malissa (Duane) Guenther; and four great-grandchildren, Codie, Hannah, William and Zachary, all of Saline.
Mr. Rankin was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert O'Brien and Richard O'Brien.
Cremation has taken place. Family and friends may participate in a celebration of life memorial gathering from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Tecumseh American Legion Post, 101 Pottawatamie St., in Tecumseh.
Mr. Rankin loved the outdoors and fishing, so memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. To sign his guestbook or to leave a memory, please visit the Web site www.janowiakfuneralhome.com.
SHUMLA BASSITT
Milan
Shumla Bassitt, 87, of Milan died peacefully April 5, 2008, at University Living in Ann Arbor. She was born Nov. 11, 1920, in Lebanon to Hania and Sol Steffan.
She came to the United States as a young girl and on Jan. 5, 1941, married Eli Bassitt. They were together 56 years until the love of her life died March 29, 1997.
Mrs. Bassitt, along with her husband, owned and operated Bassitt's store in Milan for more than 40 years. They were among the founders of Greater Milan Inc., members of the Marble Memorial United Methodist Church, the Milan Downtown Development Authhority and the Washtenaw Country Club.
Mrs. Bassit was also founder and charter member of the Milan Investment Club, a member of the Milan Woman's Club, Order of Eastern Star, the American Legion Auxiliary Post 268 of Milan and served as the first lady of Milan in 1978, when her husband was elected mayor.
Mrs. Bassitt had a passion for studying stocks, playing bridge and golfing. She was a vital part of Milan. She was a very vibrant and educated woman who was dedicated to her community and will be sorely missed.
Survivors include her son, David (Randy) Bassitt of Stillwater, Minn; her daughter, Stephanie (Gerald) Stanton of Frankenmuth; grandchildren, Lisa (Jon) DeLange, Jeffrey (Trisha) Stanton, Jennifer (Christopher) Burdette, great-grandchildren, Isabel and Eli Stanton, Joshua DeLange and Abigail Burdette; and a sister, Vivian (Marshall) Woods of Bethesda, Md.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson David Bassitt.
A funeral will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at Marble Memorial United Methodist Church in Milan. The Rev. Thomas Hart will officiate. Burial will follow at Marble Park Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Marble Memorial United Methodist Church, 8 Park St., Milan, MI 48160. Envelopes are also available at Ochalek-Stark Funeral Home in Milan.
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