Obituaries

Lambert "Bert" Dexter Davenport

of Dexter, Michigan passed away at Birchwood Retreat in Chelsea, Michigan on June 23, 2019. He was 87 years old.

Bert was born on March 1, 1932 to Dexter and Eleanor (Lambert) Davenport in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Bert graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1949.  Upon graduating, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Korean Conflict Era from 1950 to 1954.  Bert served on the U.S.S. Coates (DE-685), and U.S.S Robert L. Wilson (DDE-847) as a Boiler Technician working in the boiler room, firing the engines.  Bert was very proud of his service in the Navy and remained in contact with his former shipmates for many years.

After he was honorably discharged in the Spring of 1954, Bert began working at the University of Michigan Power Plant as a boiler, fireman and crane operator.  While on the roof of the plant, he saw a lovely red-headed woman walking down the street. He was determined to meet this woman and with the help of a waitress at a neighboring coffee shop, he did. Bert and Betty Mae Elliott were married on July 14, 1956 at Bethlehem U.C.C. Church in Ann Arbor and moved to Dexter.

Juanita Ann Payne

of Gibraltar, age 87, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2019 surrounded by her family at Angela Hospice Home Care in Livonia. She was born April 17, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Orin John and Dorothea Albertina (Berndt) McPherson. 

On March 23, 1956, Juanita married Stanley Alexander Payne. They shared 63 wonderful years together and raised 8 children. She was a kind, loving, giving, and dedicated mother and homemaker, always leading by example and instilling her moral compass in all of her children and grandchildren. Juanita was a quiet, strong, soft spoken woman who loved her family more than anything. She loved all kinds of crafts, especially doing them with her grandchildren. 

Donald E. Schleede

of Ann Arbor, age 88, died Friday, June 21, 2019 at home with his family at his side. He was born January 19, 1931 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Ernest and Marie (Redies) Schleede. On August 16, 1958, he married Marjorie Stolp and she preceded him in death November 3, 1970. On August 7, 1971 he married Jeannette Lamb, and she survives.

Don attended Ann Arbor High School. Don and his identical twin brother, Doug, were top notch athletes, playing four years of American Legion Junior baseball. He was captain of the cross country team in 1947, and he played baseball, track and basketball. Don was affiliated with the Michigami Womens Track team. Don and his brother joined the US Air Force in 1948 and spent 4 years at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas during the Korean conflict. He was a 67-year Life Member of the American Legion Post 46. He was also a Life Member of the Michigan Bow Hunters. Don was an avid hunter, fisherman, trapper, golfer, bowler, and University of Michigan basketball and football fan. Don retired from the American Broach Tool of Ann Arbor as a machinist broach maker. He spent many summers and falls at Black River, Michigan, a special place on Lake Huron.

William Clark Lounsbery

of Jackson, MI, formerly of Chelsea, Michigan Center, and Napoleon, age 68, passed away after a 3 ½ year battle with pulmonary fibrosis on Sunday, June 16, 2019 at his home in Jackson. He was born October 6, 1950 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Elliot Joseph & Alice C. (Lee) Lounsbery.  Bill lived on Waters Road in Chelsea, then he moved to Michigan Center in '77 & Napoleon in 89.  He  spent 12 years as a painter for Delf Painting in Ann Arbor and 4 years with B & C Painting in Ypsilanti.