December 15, 1940 – February 26, 2022

Marilyn Melody Rodak.  Age 81 of Wyandotte.

Family Tribute

Marilyn Melody Rodak was born on December 15, 1940, and went home to our Heavenly Father on February 26, 2022, at 5:22 PM.

Marilyn was the second daughter born to Ray Edwin Mix and Cecilia Melody Mix. Ray was a local attorney and a founding member of the Wayne County Community College Citizens Advisory Committee that petitioned the State of Michigan and founded the college. The Ray Edwin Mix room was dedicated at the downriver campus in his memory. Cecilia started Cecilia Melody’s as a hosiery business during the depression at only 19 years old with only one year of college. Marilyn later joined her mother in the business as a partner and was the owner of the store for 60 years at the time of her death.

Marilyn married Robert Michael Rodak on July 22, 1961, and they were married for 60 wonderful Years and 7 Months. They had three children. Besides her loving husband, Marilyn is survived by their son, Michael Robert (Stephanie) Rodak of Chelsea, and their daughters Anne Marie Rodak of Wyandotte and Lisa Cecilia (Denny) Stoller of Fort Wayne Indiana. She is also survived by her brother Charles (Janet) Mix and by sisters Janet Bobby and Julie Mix Thibault. Her sisters Mary Louise Lowrey and Linda Mix Wood predeceased her.

Marilyn and Robert were blessed with, and she is survived by 12 grandchildren: Raychel Melody-Anne Saadatjoo, Ryan Robert Rodak and Joshua Robert Pilon; Sophie and Emma Davis-Rodak, Kasie Anne Rushing, Elizabeth Melody Winneroski, Luke Daniel, Evan Robert, and Aaron Russell Stoller; and Skyler and Joshua Canizales. Her surviving great-grandchildren are Briana Marie and Amelia Madelyn Saadatjoo and Everett Alan Rushing. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Marilyn was the past president of the Wyandotte Merchants Association. She was a member of the AX Omega House Corporation Board at the University of Michigan for over a decade as the recording secretary. She was also a member of St. Patrick’s Church of St. Vincent Pallotti Parish for 81 years, a past member of the parish finance committee, and a member of the parish choir for 50 years.

She will be sorely missed by family and friends for her welcoming smile, caring manner, and loving presence.
Memorial contributions are appreciated to St. Vincent Pallotti Parish – St. Patrick Church.

Williamson, Clifford L. of Wyandotte. January 16, 2022. Age 90. Clifford was preceded in death by his parents as well as his siblings, Bob Williamson, Norman Williamson, Bobby Williamson, Jim Williamson, Patricia Ranes, and Shirley Ranes. Cherished uncle of Linda Bartok, Tammy (William) Fox, William (Kim) Williamson, and the late Bob Williamson. Dearest uncle of many great nieces and nephews as well as many great-great nieces and nephews.

Clifford loved being by the water so it should come as no surprise that he served in the United States Navy. He was also a tour guide at a lighthouse. Clifford enjoyed talking about family history and showing pictures, carving wood, and was a faithful Catholic.

April 28, 1949 – February 6, 2022

Edward J. Ronco III.  Age 72 of Wyandotte.

Beloved husband of Anne Ronco.  Loving father of Edward J. (David Dodman) Ronco IV.  Dear brother of Douglas (Delores) Ronco, Michael (Jona Castelli) Ronco and the late Dorothy Maynard.  Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions are appreciated to Wyandotte Public Schools Scholarship Foundation.

Family Tribute ~

Edward James Ronco III, age 72, died Feb. 6, 2022, at home in Wyandotte, Michigan. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Anne (Crowley) Ronco, and their son, Edward James Ronco IV and partner David Dodman, of Seattle, Washington.

Ed was born April 28, 1949, in Plainwell, Mich., but grew up in Wayne where he graduated in 1967 from Wayne Memorial High School, before earning a bachelor’s from Eastern Michigan University and two subsequent master’s degrees. For 31 years, he was a beloved educator in the Southgate Community Schools, retiring in 2003 as principal of North Pointe Elementary School. At various times, he was also a coach of basketball, track, softball, football, and swimming, including the Wyandotte Wildcats Swim Club.

Ed was an avid golfer who in recent years restored vintage hickory golf clubs and formed the Wyandotte Hickory Association. He was also on the board of the Wyandotte Public Schools Scholarship Foundation, and served on the Wyandotte Recreation Commission.

In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by his brothers, Douglas (Delores) Ronco, of New Boston, Mich., and Michael (Jona Castelli) Ronco of Palm Bay, Florida, niece Dawn (Mark) Olson, nephew Robert (Cindy) Riedel, and loving in-laws: Thomas (Mary Lynn) Crowley of Carefree, Ariz., Ellen Crowley of Birmingham, Mich., Margaret Kundahl of West Hartford, Conn., and Mary (Walter) Gutowski of Lusby, Md. He also leaves several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother, Ruth (Warner) Riedel, stepfather Michael Riedel, his father Edward James Ronco II, sister Dorothy, and brother-in-law Fredric Kundahl. He deeply loved them all.

July 8, 1940 – February 1, 2022

Carol Ann Philips. Age 81 of Wyandotte.

Beloved wife of Nick Philips.  Loving mother of Kevin (Michelle) Philips and Ann (Ernie) Hernandez.  Dearest grandmother of Andrew Hernandez, Nicholas Hernandez, Nichole Philips and Elizabeth Frances Fascza. Great grandmother of Dimas and Cheyenne.

Memorial contributions are appreciated to Capuchin Soup Kitchen.