OBITUARY

Clifford Lee Root, age 73, of Albion died Monday, September 8, 2008 at his home in Sheridan Township. He was born on August 8, 1935 in Charlotte, Michigan to Cleon and Dorothy (Lowe) Root. He has lived in the Albion and Marshall area the majority of his life. He had been employed as a welder at the old Union Steel Products Company in Albion for over 30 years. Prior employment included Maeward Coupling in Olivet and Johnson Lumber Co in Charlotte. He also engaged in farming his entire life. On August 17, 1980, he married the former Barbara Joan Krick. He was a former member of the Albion Eagles Club. Clifford loved to ride motorcycles. He and his wife, enjoyed many long trips on his Harley Davidson; on one trip they traveled across the United States to California crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and came back to Michigan traveling through Canada.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Clifford “Buster” Root of Charlotte and Julee (Bill) Emenhiser of Sunfield, Michigan; four grandchildren and one great grandson; step-children, Veronica Keson of Albion, Elizabeth Wood of Battle Creek, Mary Little of Albion and Bob Winter of Jackson; sisters, Mary Ellen Walt of Flint, Katherine Blanchard of Plainwell, Madeline Weber of Otsego, Marilyn Coffield of North Caroline and Marlene Rose of Otsego; and step-mother, Janet Root of Plainwell, MI.

According to his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service to celebrate the gift of his life will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, September 15 at the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home, 103 E. Mansion St., Marshall. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the start of the service.

Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the American Lung Association. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.

Arrangements made by the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home. For more information, call (269) 781-9858, or toll fee 1-877-583-7893. Also see the website at:  www.kempffuneralhome.com

OBITUARIES

Dwight R. “Duke” Norton, age 89, of Albion, formerly of Litchfield,
passed away Thursday, July 24, 2008 at Foote Health Systems in
Jackson. He
was born February 23, 1919 in Albion, Michigan to Marion and Minnie
(Garrett) Norton. On November 7, 1942 he was married to June M.
Shaffer
in Albion, Michigan, she preceded him in death on September 20, 1975.

He was a 1938 graduate of Washington Gardner High School, He had worked
at Union Steel in Albion for 29 years, and then at Albion College in
the Maintenance Department for 10 years, retiring in 1982.He moved
back
to Albion from Litchfield in March 2007, after living there for 30
years. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, yard work, gardening, and
visiting
the coffee shop every morning.

He is survived by one daughter, Sue (Donald) Yorkey of Concord; one
son, Robert (Bobbie) Norton of Albion; nine grandchildren; five great
grandchildren; and a Very Special Friend Marjorie Harris of
Litchfield.
Besides his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by one
sister
and six brothers.

Visitation for family and friends will be Monday, July 28 from 10:30
– 12:30 p.m.. at the J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home, Inc. 208 W. Erie
Street, Albion.

Graveside funeral services will be held on Monday July 28 at 1 p.m. at
Riverside Cemetery, Albion with Rev. Clyde Wonders officiating.

Assistance with memorials Contributions to: American Heart Association
or Donor’s choice can be made at the Erie Street Chapel of J. Kevin
Tidd Funeral Home.

Arrangements by the J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Homes. For more information,
call (517) 629-9155. Also see the website at:
www.jktiddfuneralhome.com

Rolland R. Rutz, 78, of Bergland, formerly of Marshall, passed away on
Monday, July 21, 2008, at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette,
Michigan. He was born October 16, 1929 in Albion to Robert and Nellie
(Hartung) Rutz. On November 6, 1948 he married Ardith Wing who
survives.

Rolland was a dairy farmer for 55 years. They moved to the Upper
Peninsula after his retirement to be near his hunting grounds. He
enjoyed
gardening and spending time at his hunting cabin.

He is survived by his wife, Ardith Rutz of Marshall; sister, Leona
Kissinger of Albion; two sons, David (Sandy) Rutz of Wasilla, Alaska,
and
Darwin (Rose) Rutz of Oxford, Florida; two daughters, Donna (Bob)
Whitcomb and Deb Rutz, all of Union City; seven grandchildren and 15
great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one son, Danny, and one grandson, Matthew.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on. Monday, July 28, at the
J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home, 811 Finley Drive, Albion. There will be no
visitation.

Arrangements made by the J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home. For more
information, call (517) 629-7050. Also see the website at:
www.kevintiddfuneralhome.com