He is survived by his beloved wife Nancy of Utica, daughter Trina (Brent) Davidson of Southlake, Texas, and son Jason Kaiser of Royal Oak.  He is also survived by his mom Yvette Swain of New Port Richey, Florida and sister Yvonne (Dick) Andrus of Shelby Twp.  He is preceded in death by his father Arno and infant son Jacob.

Visitation will be held from 3:00-9:00pm on Sunday, April 28, 2013 with the Rosary at 7:00pm at the Funeral Home.  The Funeral Mass will be said at 10:00am Monday, April 29, 2013 at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church (343 S. Main – Romeo) with Father John Ortman officiating.   Burial will be made at Romeo Cemetery.  Memorial donations can be made to NBS Animal Rescue (1457E. 12 Mile Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071) or to Providing for Paws(P. O. Box 432, Garden City, MI 48135.)  Arrangements by Roth-Muir Funeral Home (296 South Main – Romeo, MI 48065.)  Guestbook at www.RothMuirFuneralHome.com

He is survived by his loving wife Chris of Leonard, 3 children; Scott (Pam) Murdock of Sterling Heights, James (Amanda) Owens of Sterling Heights and Kurtis Owens of Rochester. Ollie is also survived by 2 grandchildren; Stephanie Murdock and Jacob Murdock, 2 sisters; Juanita Roselle of Florida and Lou Jane Murdock of Rochester. He is predeceased by his brother Robert his sister Joyce and his parents.

Visitation will be on Monday, January 21, 2013, from 3 until 8pm with a Funeral Service to be held at 6:30pm with Pastor Scott Payne officiating. Donations can be made in Ollie’s name to the Wilson Cancer Institute. Arrangements by Roth-Muir Funeral Home (296 South Main – Romeo, MI 48065.) Guestbook at www.RothMuirFuneralHome.com.

She is survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Norma & Frank Faulds, Howell, MI.  Cousins Margaret Farley, Ruth Farley, and James  Allison Farley, Almont and Eugene Bailey, Romeo; and  her many nieces and nephews: Robert Proper, Linda (Proper) Russ, JoHelen Hipp, Romeo; David Proper, Auburn Hills; Julie (Hipp) Wanamaker, Wilton, CT; Thomas Hipp, Palm Desert, CA; John Gould, Camarillo, CA; Jim Gould, Hawaii; Carol (Faulds) Wright, Port Charlotte, FL; Cheryl (Faulds) Sorg and Marcia (Faulds) Anderson. Howell; William Faulds, Big Springs, TX; F. Robert Faulds, Grenada, Spain.  She is predeceased by her husband Bill Faulds, sister Kathryn (Hipp) Gould and brother Howard Hipp.

Services are being held on February 2^nd – Visitation at 11:00 am, Memorial Service at 12:00 Officiated by Pastor Larry Kluck Noon at the Roth-Muir Funeral Home in Romeo.

LANSING – The Agricultural Leaders of Michigan applauded Governor Rick Snyder for pledging to invest in Michigan’s infrastructure and develop a talented and skilled workforce in his “State of the State” address today.

Gov. Snyder detailed his plan to raise money to repair and maintain the state’s aging roads and stressed that transportation also includes bridges, rail and harbors.

“Michigan’s agricultural industry is a major force in our economy, and a strong infrastructure is needed for the industry to continue expanding, creating jobs and growing Michigan’s economy,” said Gail Frahm, executive director of the Michigan Soybean Association. “Michigan needs a comprehensive transportation and infrastructure plan that will position us to compete in the global economy and the Governor’s announcement today is a critical piece of that.”

The governor also discussed the need for skilled-trades training to help develop the talented and skilled workforce that Michigan needs to fill the job openings of the future.

“One of the biggest challenges for Michigan’s growing agriculture industry is finding the right people with the right skills to do the kinds of jobs we need done,” said Ken Nobis, president of the Michigan Milk Producers Association. “Technology is revolutionizing the agriculture industry and creating the need for a variety of new and high-tech skills. We look forward to working with the Governor to find the best ways to address the job skills and training needs of Michigan’s agriculture sector.”

You can catch a LIVE broadcast of the Romeo Boys Varsity Basketball game on Tuesday, January 15th, 2013 at 7pm at http://live.theromeotimes.com. Catch all the play-by-play action as Zach Clark calls this home game vs. Chippewa Valley on TheRomeoTimes.com.

The Romeo Varsity Hockey team started their Christmas vacation from school on Friday, December 21^st but continued to play great hockey and increase their record to 8-2 over the school break.  The Bulldogs hosted the Port Huron Big Reds on Saturday, December 22^nd at Suburban Ice Macomb.  The period opened and the Bulldogs seemed to be a step ahead of the Big Reds as they tried to score the opening goal.  Halfway through the period, Jacob Hoxsey scored the first goal against the Big Reds assisted by Jake Rutkoske.  The Bulldogs soon found themselves in penalty trouble when the Big Reds were on a 5 on 3 power play.  That didn’t stop the Bulldogs as Mitch Pacitti scored a short-handed unassisted goal.  The period ended with the Bulldogs leading 2-0.

The second period began and soon the Bulldogs found themselves on a power play as the Big Reds received a boarding penalty.  The Bulldogs capitalized on the opportunity and Pacitti scored a power play goal assisted by Mitch Bidus and Hoxsey.  The Bulldogs continued their strong hockey play as Trevor Tessmar scored again for the Bulldogs assisted by Matteo Mazur making the score 4-0.  But the Big Reds weren’t done yet as they responded seconds later with a goal making the score 4-1.  With just over a minute left in the period, new Bulldog Billy Sklag scored his first goal assisted by Pacitti.  The period ended with the Bulldogs leading 5-1.

In the third period, the Bulldogs continued the scoring action as Kyle Nedball scored a shorthanded unassisted goal.  Two minutes later, Hoxsey increased the score to 7-1 assisted by Bidus and Ganfield.  The Bulldogs continued to dominate the game and Cam Gillem scored assisted by Hunter Jenuwine.  The game ended with a Bulldog victory and a score 8-1. 

Trevor Tessmar scores against Midland ~ Photos courtesy of Kevin McCracken

Matt McCracken had a stellar performance for his first game in net for the Bulldogs.  “I had a good time”, McCracken said.  “It felt good to be back.  A great team win.”  Sophomore Noah Ganfield had his first assist for the Bulldogs.  When asked about his new team, Ganfield said, “I think we’re great.  We need to move our feet more but we have the talent to win every game.”

The Bulldogs were back on the ice at Macomb on Friday, January 4^th as they hosted the Midland Dow Chargers.  It didn’t take long for the scoring action to begin as Pacitti scored for the Bulldogs assisted by Hoxsey.  The Bulldogs found themselves shorthanded twice in the period but were able to waive off the Chargers.  The period ended with the Bulldogs leading 1-0.

Midland opened the second period with new quickness in their play.  Halfway through the period the Chargers scored tying the game 1-1.  The Bulldogs worked to take back their lead and with less than four minutes remaining in the period, Dustin Fleming scored assisted by Pacitti.  The period closed with the Bulldogs leading 2-1.

In the third period, the Bulldogs increased their intensity as they were aware that a one goal lead might not be enough against this highly ranked team.  Halfway through the period, Dakota Danescu scored for the Bulldogs assisted by Tessmar and Mazur.   Late in the third, the Chargers were penalized for holding and Tessmar scored a power play goal assisted by Fleming.  The Bulldogs had another victory with a score of 4-1.

The next night, the Bulldogs traveled to the Lindell Arena to face the Royal Oak Ravens.  Jenuwine started the scoring action on his first shift with a nice pass by Gillem and also assisted by Kyle Hansen.  The Bulldogs continued on their scoring mission as Tessmar swatted his own rebound shot out of the air and into the net.  Danescu and Fleming assisted on the goal.  The Bulldogs had to contend with the frustration of the Ravens as the physical play of the game increased.  Jenuwine put in a loose puck shot by Nedbal.  The Ravens found themselves in penalty trouble and the period ended with the Bulldogs leading 3-0.

During the second period, the Bulldogs had many scoring chances but the Ravens had the first goal of the period making the score 3-1.  The Bulldogs continued their quest and Mazur scored an unassisted goal increasing the lead 4-1.  Jenuwine again scored for the Bulldogs assisted by Gillem and Bidus earning him his first hat trick of the season.  The Bulldogs still weren’t finished as Gillem scored assisted by Jenuwine and Bidus making the lead 6-1.  With less than a minute left in the third, Adam Soboleski finished the scoring for the Bulldogs with an unassisted goal.  The Bulldogs won 7-1.

When asked about his hat trick for the night, Jenuwine said “It was very exciting.  I’m happy that I could contribute to the scoring and keep our winning streak going.”  The Bulldogs hope to keep their winning streak alive as they continue with a full schedule including two games that are very special to them in the near future.  On January 18^th, the Bulldogs will host their 3^rd Annual Charity Cancer game at Macomb.  All proceeds from the game will be donated to Summer Earl, a third grader at Hevel Elementary who is fighting cancer.  On January 26^th, the Bulldogs will play in their first-ever outdoor hockey game at Clark Park in Detroit.  Next, the Bulldogs host the Chippewa Valley Big Reds on Saturday, January 12^th at 8:30 p.m. at Suburban Ice Macomb.

The perfect way to spend St. Patrick’s Day would be to hear two of the finest American-Celtic music performers in concert – and that is exactly what will happen at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts.

Cherish the Ladies, the nation’s foremost all-female Celtic music group, and native Detroiter Cathie Ryan, regarded as the best Irish female singer in America, will perform together at the MCPA on Sunday, March 17, starting at 3 p.m.

Tickets are on sale for $55 (pit), $45 (gold circle) and $40 (house) through the MCPA box office (586-286-2222).

Cherish the Ladies has been touring to celebrate its 25th anniversary as a collaboration and the Macomb concert reunites the women with one of its most popular former lead singers in Cathie Ryan. In fact, the group has produced some of the biggest names in American Irish music, such as fiddlers Eileen Ivers and Liz Carroll, accordionist Patty Furlong and singer Aoife Clancy.

Led by co-founder Joanie Madden, Cherish the Ladies originated in 1985 as the brainchild of Dr. Mick Moloney. Two years later, as the first all-women traditional music and dance ensemble, they became a touring group and have played before hundreds of thousands of fans all over the world.

Among the people with whom the group has collaborated on various recording includes Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, the Clancy Brothers, Tom Chapin and Eric Weissberg.

The current CTL lineup is Madden on flute and tin whistle, guitarist Mary Coogan (also playing mandolin and banjo), fiddler Grianne Murphy, Mirella Murray on accordion and pianist Kathleen Boyle.

What will make this particular concert special is the inclusion of Ryan, born and raised in Dearborn. She is one of the best-received Irish singers, regardless of gender, and will be performing a few songs from her brand new album, “Through Wind and Rain.”

After gaining international recognition with Cherish the Ladies, Ryan launched a highly successful solo career and plays to packed venues and large crowds as a myriad of festivals in the U.S, Europe and Canada. She just completed a Christmas concert tour of Austria with the trad group FullSet this past December.

Native New Yorker Madden is the daughter of Irish parents and was raised in a musical household. As a young woman, she won the world Championship on the concert flute and whistle, and also became the first American to win the coveted Senior All-Ireland Championship on the whistle.

Madden was the youngest member to be inducted into the Irish-American Musicians Hall of Fame and the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Hall of Fame. She was the recipient of the Wild Geese Award, voted twice as one of the Top 100 Irish-Americans in the United States and named Traditional Musician of the Year (for her contributions to promoting and preserving Irish culture in America).

In 2010, Madden was immortalized on the streets of her native Bronx when a street named after her on the Grand Concourse – “Joanie Madden and Cherish the Ladies.” In 2011, she received one of the nation’s highest awards – the Ellis Island Medal of Honor – joining an illustrious list of distinguished American citizens including six U.S. Presidents, Ambassadors, Senators, Congressman and Supreme Court judges noted for their exemplary service to the United States.

She is the top selling whistle player in history having sold more than 500,000 solo albums and was also a featured soloist on the final “Lord of the Rings” movie soundtrack.

The Macomb Center for the Performing Arts is located in Clinton Township, 44575 Garfield Road.

For more information, go to macombcenter.com.

Michael was born January 25, 1912 in PA, the son Michael Sr. and Mary (Soley) Martin. Michael attended many schools, including the Conservatory of Music and Lacawanna Business College. He holds degrees from Westchester University, Bucknell University, and Syracuse University.

After graduation, he worked in New Milford, PA as a teacher and coach. He retired from the Susquehanna Community Schools as its Principle in 1975. Michael had a full and interesting life. He was gifted musically and played with his own orchestra called “Mikey Martin’s Orchestra” during the 1930’s.

He then met the love of his life and married the former Eileen Fernane on July 12, 1941 at St. John Catholic Church in New Milford, PA. Michael proudly served his country proud during WW II in the Army and served many service groups during his lifetime, including the Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club, local VFW and the Lions Club, all while living in Pennsylvania. During his college days, he was a gifted gymnast. After retirement, he was an avid oil painter.

Michael is survived by his wife of 71 years Eileen, children: Kathleen (Don) Edwards of Romeo and Michael (Diane) Martin of Rhode Island. Also survived by grandchildren Alycia & Robert Starr, Amy (Stephen) Dressler, Michael Christopher Martin, Lisa ( Mark) Schirmer, and Bryan and Donald Edwards. His sister Marian Marshall of Florida survives along with 14 great grandchildren. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, along with siblings George, Helen Pagano, and Anna Mae Guinane.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, January 5 at 10 AM at St Clement Catholic Church of Romeo with Fr. John (Fr. Doc) Ortmann officiating with burial to follow in the Romeo Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 1-7 PM with a 7 PM Rosary by the Knights of Columbus, Council #7018 in Romeo. Arrangements by the Henry M. Malburg Funeral Home, Romeo Michigan.

There are three true purposes for playing in a post-season bowl game – to reward your players for an outstanding season (anyone want to believe that held true for the likes of Purdue); to play for the national title (only relevant for two schools) and to be used as a barometer for the next collegiate season.

For Michigan, the latter proved to be the most important factor. In order to move towards the collegiate football elite (which rests in the Southeastern Conference by almost unanimous agreement), you have to play one of that conference’s better team to use as a measuring stick.

Michigan did just that on New Year’s Day, coming up five points and 11 seconds short, falling 33-28 in the Outback Bowl (bloomin’ onions for everyone!). The Wolverines end the season at 8-5, losing all five games away from Michigan Stadium, in what could (but shouldn’t) be labeled as a sophomore jinx for Head Coach Brady Hoke.

It took a last-second touchdown strike by SC, when UM was caught with the wrong (slower) personnel (Jordan Kovacs) on one of the faster Gamecock receivers (Bruce Ellington) for the winning 32-yard play with 11 seconds left.

But that actually was the game in a nutshell; South Carolina won via the big play, utilizing its overwhelming speed advantage, to literally run away from the Wolverine defenders five different times. Michigan surrendered eight plays of more than 31 yards on the afternoon, including an early back-breaking 66-yard touchdown punt return by the appropriately named Ace Sanders (can you say NFL first-rounder?).

The clearest advantage (other than an amazing height differential between Michigan’s offensive line and SC’s defensive front) was the quickness and flat-out drag-racing speed possessed by the Carolina receivers and secondary personnel. In fact, that remains the biggest single advantage that almost EVERY SEC schools has over Big Ten squads – the SEC is often a track meet on a football field and the Big Ten still plays plodding scrum ball in the center of the field.

For the Big Ten Conference, its lack of respect against other gridiron powerhouses (mainly the SEC) is still being well-earned. Only Northwestern (beating a second-tier SEC team in Mississippi State) and Michigan State (on a last-second field goal over TCU) earned victories. Georgia throttled Nebraska and Wisconsin seemed unable to handle Stanford.

Actually, Michigan played a much better game against a much better team in South Carolina (yes, Virginia, the Gamecocks WERE the better team with the better personnel, especially on defense where the Wolverines might never play a harder-hitting squad than that).

First, before we get to real pertinent stuff, can we ALL agree on one future absolute: stop SCREWING with the Wolverines’ uniforms! No one watching in television, or in the one-third empty stands at Raymond James Stadium, could see any of the Michigan players’ numbers. All these “special event” uniforms are NOT to commemorate playing in the game; it’s all about merchandizing and it’s bordering on ridiculous (or looking like a drag queen with multiple costume changes).

Credit must go to the Wolverine offense for clawing its way back into the game and snatching the lead twice in the second half (both times coming on Devin Gardner passes to Jeremy Gallon, UM’s best player on the field). It was a shame when the defense, obviously tired from chasing the much quicker Gamecocks, simply couldn’t stop the final SC scoring drive. It was a great effort, but it came up short.

But why? Again, the deficiency in the Michigan running game was made even more stark than ever; Michigan’s leading ground gainer was senior Denard Robinson, playing in this final UM game, with 23 carries for 100 yards. Although UM did not win the game, Robinson went out a “winner,” proving once and for all his unbelievable value that must be replaced (and which will take 3-4 players to do so).

He actually spent more time as a halfback than under center, which is NOT what was needed for Michigan’s future. Between Robinson and Gardner (who is NOT a runner and must improve as a scrambler), they consumed 35 of the 45 Michigan carries (not counting the two fake field goal runs for first downs).

Senior Vincent Smith, playing his final time as a Wolverine (thank God!) and freshman Justice Hayes had all of 8 rushes for 6 yards. Thomas Rawls, Stephen Hopkins or anyone else listed in the Michigan backfield were MIA. Coach Hoke will enter the 2013 season totally dependent on whoever shines in spring practice, wondering if an incoming freshman will step up to the challenge or just how quickly soon-to-be Fitzgerald Toussaint can rehab from his broken leg. It should keep him up for several nights … worrying.

Second, while South Carolina practiced the kind of thunder-and-lightning attack Head Coach Steve Spurrier is famous for, Michigan moved more like a tortoise against the hare. The Wolverines attempted more passes (by one) but averaged less on every statistical comparison – less yards per rushing attempt, less per passing attempt and less per completion (not to mention less yardage per attempt in the return game). The long-distance “vertical” game was simply non-existent for Michigan because … for most of the season, the longest gains were mainly Robinson’s scampers through opposing defenses.

On the plus side, Hoke got to see future Wolverine stars on defense who had populated much of the second-and third-string positions of the weekly depth chart. Names such as James Ross III, Brennen Beyer, Ondre Pipkins and Joe Bolden (all freshmen except for Beyer) were in the thick of the action more often than some of the outgoing seniors they were replacing. Out of the eight leading tacklers for UM, seven were non-seniors (and tackle Will Campbell, in his last game, never made the stat sheet).

Running back by committee in 2013 will not work; Michigan needs someone with the speed to reach the corner before the opposition and blow past them for long runs. UM also needs a speed burner to stretch defending secondary past the point of breakage; as well as secondary personnel who can run step-for-step with the kind of speed coaches like Urban Meyer at Ohio State will be attempting to recruit from his old stomping grounds in Florida.

The lesson learned for a fine game in Tampa was simple: speed kills and it’s time for Michigan to acquire some of that for itself.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Macomb County law enforcement officials are seeking the public’s help in their attempt to solve the mysterious hit-and-run death of Sandra Lee Loepp two weeks ago.

Loepp, 37, was killed on Sunday, Dec. 16, after being struck by an unknown assailant while walking northbound on Van Dyke Road, near Campground Road, in the early morning hours.

According to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department, Loepp had departed Santino’s Bar (59259 Van Dyke Road in Washington) around 1 a.m. following an evening dinner excursion into Detroit with friends and her husband, Vernon. The group returned to Santino’s later that evening aboard the establishment’s “party bus.”

As she walked on Van Dyke, she was struck by a vehicle (of unknown description) one-half mile from the business, near Campground, and was subsequently dragged some 600 feet (the length of two football fields) before the vehicle stopped. Apparently, the driver then extricated Loepp’s body from underneath the frame and left her in the parking lot of a mobile home park until being discovered later that morning (at 8:30 a.m.).

As a Dec. 28 press conference to try to solicit the public’s help, Crimes Stoppers of Michigan announced the offer of a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of person(s) involved in the crime. Anyone with information regarding the crime was asked to immediately call Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK-UP or 1-800-773-2587. All calls and cash rewards would be treated as totally anonymous.

“At some point, we are hoping that their conscience may get to them and tell somebody, or somebody knows of a vehicle that may have some damage to the driver’s front side – that’s information and any little bit helps,” said Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham at the press conference. “Hopefully with Crime Stoppers assistance, someone will come forward with information that will identify the individual(s) involved.”

The department stated that people should be seeking a vehicle with that kind of front-end damage or notice that a vehicle is no longer in use when it was previously operated on a daily basis. The public should also take note of people “acting stranger than normal, possibly reclusive.”

Labeling the incident as “murder,” John Broad, president of Crime Stoppers of Michigan, said no one knows why Loepp was on foot at such a late hour.

“Friends believed she had a ride home and did not know she was walking home,” he added.

At the press conference, family members made emotional pleas for the public’s help and for the person responsible to come forward.

“You owe it to God, to me, to our family and her kids,” said a grieving husband, Vernon Loepp. “You have to come forward; we have to have closure. I know God will make this right.”

Also addressing the public were her mother, Sandy Crowe, and two sisters, Kelly Smalley and Kristy Bottle.

Loepp was a mother of five children and was taking time off from work to raise her family. She had been in management for 15 years and owned “The Party Supply Company.” Because of the recent weak economy, the business did not survive but she dreamed of owning her own event planning and decorating company.

“Sandra always wanted to make other people happy; she always added a special touch to any event/party and every detail had to be just right,” Broad said. “She would stop at nothing to make sure her vision was carried out.”

She is survived by her husband, children, large extended family and friends.

A Facebook page has been created by her family to help communicate with people interested in helping at https://www.facebook.com/JusticeForSandraLoepp.

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Crime Stoppers is the largest crime fighting organization in the world – operating in 22 countries. Crime Stoppers of Michigan represents Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Livingston, Washtenaw and Monroe Counties.

The organization’s mission is to empower people to make neighborhoods, schools and businesses safer through the anonymous reporting of crimes. The Crime Stoppers tip line – 1-800-SPEAK-UP – was created for citizens to report information about a crime anonymously.

As an incentive, anonymous tipsters can receive a cash reward if that piece of information to Crime Stoppers leads to an arrest. A cash reward of up to $2,500 is paid for an unsolved homicide; a cash reward of up to $1,000 is paid for all other felony crimes. In 2009, 4,000 tips were given to law enforcement, leading to 700 arrests.