JAMES C. BEAL
Saline
James C. "Jim" Beal, 87, of Saline died April 30, 2008, at Arbor Hospice. He was born Jan. 10, 1921, in Addison to John and Clara (Foote) Beal.
After graduating from Grass Lake High School in 1939, he began his long career in construction as a laborer at the Willow Run Bomber Plant, ultimately retiring in 1988 as owner and president of J.C. Beal Construction Inc. of Ann Arbor.
Mr. Beal served 39 months with the 594th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment in New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan during World War II.
On Aug. 31, 1946, he married Carolyn Kalmbach in Chelsea. They made Saline their permanent home in 1949. Mr. Beal became an active member of the Saline community as a member of the Jaycees and Saline Kiwanis, acting as Cub Scoutmaster, Washtenaw County Sheriff's Auxiliary Deputy and Washtenaw Contractors Association Board member and president.
He participated actively in the Saline United Methodist Church, serving on numerous local and regional committees and performing service trips with Carolyn and the United Methodist NOMAD's program for 13 years after their retirements.
Mr. Beal enjoyed traveling, woodworking, golf, fishing, hiking, reading, playing cards with friends, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, survivors include four children, Margaret (Paul) Steiskal of Lewis Center, Ohio, George (Sharon) Beal and Fred (Nora Wright) Beal of Ann Arbor, and Mary (Gary) Motz of Delaware, Ohio.
Also surviving are sisters Esther Osborne of Grass Lake and Iris Dowling of Jackson; sister-in-law Marilyn Beal of Ossian, Ind., and brother-in-law Don Rapp of Britton.
Mr. Beal will be missed by 11 grandchildren, Andy Steiskal, Megan (Mike) Powell, Jennifer, John, Stewart, Eliza, Patrick and Scott Beal, David and Robert Meyer, and Lydia Motz.
A funeral was held Friday at Saline United Methodist Church and burial was at Oakwood Cemetery in Saline.
Arrangements were by Robison Bahnmiller Funeral Home in Saline. Memorial contributions may be made to the Saline United Methodist Church.
EVERELL DONALD STEVENS
Ann Arbor
Everell Donald Stevens, a longtime resident of the Ann Arbor area, died April 30, 2008, at the age of 93. He was born Feb. 9, 1915, to Fred and Amy (Graves) Stevens in Riga.
Mr. Stevens grew up on the family farm, spurring his lifelong love of farming and gardening. His family moved to Ann Arbor during the Great Depression when he was 14 years old. He graduated from Ann Arbor High School, while also working to support his family after the death of his father.
Mr. Stevens joined the Michigan National Guard prior to service in the U.S. Army during World War II in New Guinea and the Philippines. Upon his return, he worked for Kaiser Frazer and then Ford Motor Co. for 30 years prior to his retirement.
Mr. Stevens was an avid reader, receiving three daily newspapers. He enjoyed learning and read widely in the areas of history, technology and the latest news in physics. He passed on his love of learning and education to his children.
Mr. Stevens was also an avid follower of politics and watched many weekend and daily news commentary programs to stay current. He enjoyed traveling, especially to the open spaces of the western United States.
In addition, Mr. Stevens was a member of the Pittsfield Senior Center, and a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor.
He married Naomi C. Graese July 23, 1949, in Ann Arbor and they had three children.
He was survived by his wife, Naomi, of 58 years; children, James E. (Anne) Stevens of Albuquerque, N.M., Margaret G. Stevens of Ann Arbor and Michael G. (Pam) Stevens of Saline; eight grandchildren, Katie, Jenny and Mary Stevens of Albuquerque, N.M., Matthew and Amy Stevens of Ann Arbor, and Michael, Haley and Laura Stevens of Saline.
He was also survived by a brother, Vincent Stevens of Chelsea, and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
His sisters, Kathryn Nelson and Betty Stevens, preceded him in death.
Mr. Stevens was a devoted husband and father who always took an active and encouraging role in raising his children and grandchildren. He was always there for his family and his community, and he will be missed greatly.
A celebration of his life was held Monday at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation or the Trinity Lutheran Church building fund.
Arrangements were completed by the Nie Family Funeral Homes.
PATRICIA RUTH KING
Adrian
Patricia Ruth King, 83, of Adrian died April 30, 2008, at Lynwood Manor. She was born March 17, 1925, in Hudson to Joseph and Gretchen (Blackman) Morton.
Mrs. King graduated from Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti.
She married Earl W. VanDeCar in 1958. He preceded her in death in October 1966.
On August 11, 1967, she married Burton King Jr. in Hell, Mich. He preceded her in death in January 2002.
Mrs. King had been employed by the Grinnel Brothers stores in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. She was a member of the Moose Ladies Auxiliary.
Mrs. King was survived by two sons, Larry W. (Cookie) Weed of Scottsville and David R. Weed; two stepsons, William S. King and Burton R.J. (Lori) King of Taunton, Mass.; two daughters, Connie (Ronald) Taylor of Flint and Earlene Whipple of Adrian; a sister, Virginia Imhoff of Novato, Calif.; 22 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Lonnie Weed.
At Mrs. King's request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. Graveside burial of cremains was May 5 at Oakwood Cemetery in Saline.
Send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomeadriantecumseh.com.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Anderson Funeral Home in Adrian.
JOHN C. HAUS JR.
Saline
Formerly of Lancaster, Pa.
John C. Haus Jr., 75, of Saline died May 3, 2008, at the Saline Evangelical Home. He was born Feb. 17, 1933, in Lancaster, Pa., the son of John C. and Catherine (Clark) Haus Sr.
On July 28, 1951, he married Joan A. Feehrer, and she preceded him in death Feb. 22, 2006.
Mr. Haus had been self-employed, owning and operating the U.S. Truck Cranes Co. until his retirement. He was a member of the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Saline.
Survivors include three daughters, Jody (Kenneth) Glatz of Saline, Lisa (George) Sheraw of Indianapolis, Ind. and Nicole (Scott) Howard of Middletown, Del.
Other survivors include grandchildren Kristen Glatz, Dana Kohler, Adam Glatz, Amanda Howard, Danielle Howard and Paige Sheraw, and one sister, Alice Boulton.
He was preceded in death in addition to his wife, Joan, and his parents.
Friends may begin calling 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Saline until the Memorial Mass of the Resurrection at 11a.m. The Rev. Gordon P. Reigle will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Saline Evangelical Home. Envelopes will be available at the service.
Arrangements were by the Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home in Saline.
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