Obituaries

Bertha Santos Holmstrand

of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Cary, North Carolina, New York City, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, age 102, died Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Wellbridge of Pinckney. She was born January 17, 1922, in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Anthony V. and Anna Bertha (Aggot) Santos.

Bertha was a Staff Seargent in the Marines from June,1943 to January,1946. She enlisted in June,1943 after her fiancé, William Thomas Hanna, was killed in Guadalcanal in 1942.  He was awarded the Navy Cross, and then a Destroyer Escort was named in his honor. Bertha was Maid of Honor at the launch. 

Bertha attended the Aerology Course at US Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, N.J., then was assigned to The Aerology Office at the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C. in January,1944. In 1944, Bertha lectured in Portuguese to the Portuguese Educational Society on activities of Women Marines and made 9 radio broadcasts for the Office of War Information and the Office of Inter-American Affairs. She presented them in five languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Italian. In 1945 Bertha was a Portuguese interpreter to classes that included a Brazilian General and Colonels.  She was an interpreter in Spanish and Portuguese to a class of Inter-American Defense Committee members.  For a bond drive in New York, Bertha was a lecturer at an Aerology Exhibit and was awarded a citation for selling over a million dollars in War Bonds. 

John Cecil Hollenbeck

of Dexter, Michigan, age 77 passed away Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Brightside Assisted Living in Jackson. He was born May 18, 1947, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Clifford Myron and Ellen Cecillia (Lobdell) Hollenbeck.  Growing up, John was an Altar Boy for 7 years at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dexter. In 1966, John enlisted in the Marines and served in Vietnam. John worked as a Machinist and Tool Maker at the King-Seeley Plant, which Chrysler bought out, then GT Products, and Eaton Co., when it closed. John then worked for Dapco Industries until he retired in 2009 after 41 years in the industry.

John was a VFW Member. He was a member of the American Legion Post 557 for 54 years and the Sons of the American Legion for 31 years. He sponsored and worked the Make-a-Wish and Child Welfare Charity Golf Outing for 25 years, which helped support the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the American Legion's Child Welfare Foundation. John worked with wonderful friends at the Annual Ann Arbor Salvation Army's Silent Auction and volunteered with the Dexter-Ann Arbor Annual 5k Run for 25 years. He served in the Honor Guard for the American Legion and carried the American Flag during the Memorial Day parades. John enjoyed fishing and golfing and would do so in any weather.

Carolyn Ciupa

Chelsea, MI, formerly of formerly of Detroit, Ypsilanti, Plymouth, Farmington Hills, Novi, Gregory

Age 88, died Friday, January 24, 2025 at Sacred Heart Adult Care Home in Gregory. She was born March 12, 1936 in Dearborn, Michigan, the daughter of Bernard Peter & Christina Marie (Novak) Tykoski.

Carolyn was a trained nurse, homemaker, teacher, paralegal, and was self-employed (running a cleaning and restoration business). She enjoyed traveling, gardening, arts and crafts, sewing, reading and book clubs, and debates. She was a Business Network International member and a member of National Organization of Women.

Elizabeth Rose Weise