Obituaries

Carolyn Ann Shepherd

of Dexter, Michigan, formerly of Ypsilanti

Age 82, died Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital. She was born February 12, 1942, in Briceville, Tennessee, the daughter of Clay Abner and Mary Helen (White)  Braden.  Carolyn graduated from Willow Run High School in 1960. She then went to cosmetology school and owned her own hair salon for many years before working for IBA Beauty School where she became an instructor and manager. Carolyn's whole life revolved around her daughter and grandchildren.  In earlier years she enjoyed sewing and also loved making porcelain dolls with her sister, Betty.

Glenn Williamson

Age 82, died Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Henry Ford Hospital in Jackson. He was born October 25, 1942 in Stone, Kentucky, the son of Landon and Edna (Case) Williamson.  Glenn worked at Chrysler Proving Grounds for thirty-five years before retiring. He was a member of Maple Grove Baptist Church, and former member and head deacon at North Sharon Baptist Church. Glenn was an ambassador for Christ and a great soul-winner. Glenn collected knives, marbles, and die-cast model cars. He was a very generous person, helping people financially and in other ways.

Albert Frederick Ruhlig

of Dexter, age 104, died Monday, January 13, 2025, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital. He was born September 4, 1920, on the family farm in Dexter, Michigan, the son of Emil A. and Hazel L. (Campbell) Ruhlig.

Albert served in the US Navy Reserve in the South Pacific during World War II, serving in Japan, China, and the Caroline Islands from December 5,1944 to June 7, 1946. He was in Tokyo Bay the day before the signing of the peace treaty, when his ship the U.S.S. Tappehanock fueled the battleship Missouri, where the formal surrender was signed by Emperor Hirohito and General Douglas MacArthur. Albert returned to the family farm and later purchased the adjacent farm in 1946, where he would spend the remainder of his life. He was baptized in 1920, at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Detroit. He was confirmed in 1935, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor, where he was active in many leadership roles, such as Church Elder and Sunday School Teacher, until 1973, when he transferred his membership to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea. He remained active in church leadership until he retired in 1986, but continued to be active in the church until his death.

John Wayne Wilson

of Manchester, Michigan, age 81, passed away Monday, December 30, 2024, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital. He was born February 1, 1943, in Petoskey, Michigan, the son of Wayne and Ida (Martinson) Wilson.

John was a quiet kind man who was loyal and incredibly giving to all of his friends and family. He worked most of his career as a machine repairman at NSK. The same day he retired from NSK, he started working with his wife at her company, Ginger's Cameo. Though he would grumble, he would do anything for his wife of 60+ years, even be her pit crew when she decided she wanted to learn to race cars. Raising three daughters with incredibly different personalities and interests also caused much grumbling, but he loved and cherished each of them the same.