Past Funerals that happened November 2022 – October 2023

Cara Renee Fitzpatrick | April 30, 1970 – February 25, 2023

Fitzpatrick, Cara Renee, age 52 of Dearborn Heights, Michigan passed away on Saturday February 25, 2023. Loving wife of Gerard “Gerry” Fitzpatrick Jr. Beloved step mother of Jack and Madison Fitzpatrick. Cara was proceeded in death by her parents, Fred and Linda Onkalo. Cara enjoyed road trips and loved going to northern Michigan, camping and sitting in front of a bon fire with a glass of wine. She loved shopping, especially thrift stores. Cara and Gerry married on September 10, 2016, reconnecting after 30 years. They were very happy in their 6 1/2 years of marriage.

 

 

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

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Darlene Joan Thomas | July 17, 1949 – February 26, 2023

Age 73 of Riverview.

Beloved wife of 52 years to Ralph.  Loving mother of Ralph (Cheryl) and Tiffany.  Dearest grandmother of Grace and Noah.  Dear sister-in-law of Robert (Nancy), Richard, Roger, Ross (Karen), Jennifer (Mike) and Keith (Anne).  Aunt of Tayler, Richie and Adam.  Great Aunt of Max.  Preceded in death by her parents, John and Dorothy Recoskie.

Darlene was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother who was always there when we needed her.  She also had many friends and was a well-loved member of the community.  Darlene was a long-term member of the Father Solanus Guild and Christian Mothers.

Memorial Contributions are appreciated to the Solanus Casey Center.

 

Thursday, March 2, 2023

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Mavis Patricia Galazka | December 29, 1929 – February 15, 2023

Galazka, Mavis Patricia, age 93 of Wyandotte, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Beloved wife of the late John Galazka. Loving mother of Lauren (Joe) Slachta and David (Kelly) Galazka. Dearest grandmother to Alysia (Jason) Bridges and great grandmother to Logan and Jackson Bridges. Mavis is survived by her sister Janna (Ron) Chelland and the late David (Mary) Bilokury. Mavis is survived by many nieces and nephews. Mavis rode her bike well into her 70’s and worked until she was 80. Mavis had a very sweet soul and would do for others before herself. She never met a stranger and was very charismatic with a big heart. Mavis was a loving mother and absolutely loved kids. She enjoyed visiting her sister in Muskegon, loved Lake Michigan and traveling the west side of Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for memorial donations be made to the Karmanos Cancer Institute or the Wyandotte Animal Adoption Center (Links Below).

Karmanos Cancer Institute Donations Page:

https://support.conquer.org/page/57038/donate/1?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NonBrandSL&cmpid=PPC&s_src=TN&s_subsrc=Google&skid=NonBrandSL&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzd2F49Kf_QIVCMqUCR0pqwtsEAAYASABEgLEg_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Wyandotte Animal Adoption Center Donation Page:

https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=lraeAKtbts7nWLs7hgorDCgllEzGf28IfEyN6KWU29csDyTY3d0SGK9aWhoxIOkGvVwrlSG76Ntsso1U

 

Monday, February 20, 2023

  • Instate
    9:30-10:00 am
  • Funeral Mass of the Resurrection
    10:00 am
  • St. Vincent Pallotti Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church
    135 Superior Blvd, Wyandotte, MI 48192
    Get Directions
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Georgetta Bulley | October 25, 1937 – February 13, 2023

Age 85 of Wyandotte.

Loving mother of Carrie (Matthew) Hall. Dearest grandmother of Kaitlyn Truxall and Brendon Truxall. Proud aunt of Avis (Mitch) King.  Also survived by many cousins and friends. Preceded in death by her husband, the late Russell Bulley, siblings, Vincent Baumia, Burnetta Baumia, and her parents, Linus and Elsie. Memorial Contributions are appreciated to St. Vincent Pallotti.

~Family Tribute~

Georgetta was a secretary for the Downriver Community Conference and Wyandotte Chemicals. She had many hobbies outside of work. They included camping all over the state of Michigan, painting, especially outdoor landscapes and the Great Lakes, and reading. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting afghans and throw blankets. Perhaps most of all, Georgetta enjoyed spending time with her family.

 

Friday, February 17, 2023

  • Instate
    9:30-10:00 am
  • Funeral Mass of the Resurrection
    10:00 am
  • St. Vincent Pallotti Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church
    135 Superior Blvd, Wyandotte, MI 48192
    Get Directions
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Beverly Jean Muzzin | APRIL 18 , 1935 – FEBRUARY 10 , 2023

Age 97 of Wyandotte.

MUZZIN, Beverly J., age 87, of W. Bloomfield, February 10, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Dante Muzzin.  Loving mother of Mark (Lisa-Marie) Muzzin, Diane Gallagher, Kathaleen (James) Combs, Cynthia (Thomas) Callahan, Debora (Brian) Maniko and David (Deborah) Muzzin.  Dearest grandmother of Anthony (Autumn), Zachary (Colleen), Nolan (Lisa), Kale (Mikayla), Meghan, Shannon (Steve), Sean, Courtney (Mark), Jill (Steve), Erika (Dave), Ronnie (Kevin), Suzanne, Tara (Eric), Aaron (Laura), Dr. Jeffrey, Brian (Kelly), Michelle (Sean), Thomas (Robyn), Vincent (Amy), Dante (Mekenzie), Joey and great-grandmother of 29 and great-great-grandmother of 3. She is also survived by her siblings Robert (Rose-Marie) Phillips, Janet (Ray) Greene and her sister-in-law Sherrie Phillips. She is preceded in death by her parents Audrey and Lyle Phillips, her brother John Phillips and her sister Jane (George) Eldred, her son-in-law Daniel Gallagher, her grandson Jamie Combs, and her great-grandson Carson Muzzin.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Angela Hospice

 

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

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Paola Hillebrand | June 19, 1952 – February 8, 2023

Age 70 of Wyandotte.

Loving mother of Jennifer (Jeff) Maloney. Dearest grandmother of Carson, James (Aurore), Hailey (Scott), and Tyler. Great grandmother of Alba and Winnie. Dear sister of Rose Boileau, Geraldine Boileau, Jack Randazzo, and Gaetano Randazzo. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Preceded in death by her parents, Salvatore “Sam” and Frances, as well as a son, Joel Hillebrand.

Memorial donations are appreciated to Salvation Army or St. Vincent Pallotti Church.

~ Family Tribute~

Paola was a member of the Downriver Italian American Club, She enjoyed Pilates, gardening, but her favorite thing to do was spend time with family and her dog, Maverick.

 

Monday, February 13, 2023

  • Funeral Mass of the Resurrection
    10:00 am
  • St. Vincent Pallotti Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church
    135 Superior Blvd, Wyandotte, MI 48192
    Get Directions
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Thomas James O’Meara Sr. | October 30, 1945 – February 4, 2023

O’Meara Sr., Thomas “Tom” James age 77 of Wyandotte, Michigan passed away on Saturday February 4, 2023. Beloved husband of Louise. Loving father of Lisa (Dale) Ave-Lallemant and the late Thomas O’Meara Jr. Survived by daughter in law Deena Shearer. Dearest grandfather Aaron (Erica), Shane (Kimberly), Emily, Caleb, Elizabeth and Drew. Tom was a proud Marine and served in the Vietnam War. He worked for Detroit Edison (DTE) and retired after 35 years as a journeyman pipefitter. Tom enjoyed playing pool at the VFW and playing cards. Tom also enjoyed road trips and was the “master” of dad jokes.

 

Saturday, February 11, 2023

  • Instate
    9:30-10:00 am
  • Funeral Mass of the Resurrection
    10:00 am
  • St. Vincent Pallotti Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church
    135 Superior Blvd, Wyandotte, MI 48192
    Get Directions
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Walter A. Rutkowski | August 2, 1925 – February 3, 2023

Age 97 of Wyandotte.

Beloved husband of the late Ethel. Loving father of Daniel (Teri) Rutkowski, Sister Sandra Rutkowski (Franciscan), Susan (Gary) Ainsworth and Anthony (Elise) Rutkowski. Dearest grandfather of Steve (Brandy) Rutkowski, David (Katy) Rutkowski, Shelly (Randy) Anderson, the late Amber Hamrick, David Plyler and Steven Plyler. Great grandfather of Odas, Macy, Dillon, Dustin, Myla, Jillian, Jacob, and Carl.

 

Family Tribute ~

Walter Rutkowski was a Wyandotte man.  He attended St. Stanislaus school through the 8th grade, and then attended Wyandotte Roosevelt High School.  At 17, he enlisted in the Army, but they made him wait until his 18th birthday to put him on a train to boot camp.  He served in WWII, stationed in the Pacific, New Guinea.

When he returned home, he met and married his wife, Ethel.  They were married for 69 years.  Together they had 4 children, 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.  Walt drove a cab for a bit, but had a long career with the Wyandotte Police Department.  He retired in 1983.

Walt enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, and listening to polka and big band music.  His love of fishing was a family affair.  Everyone enjoyed fishing with Walt, either here in Michigan or in Canada.  His personality and sense of humor was contagious.  He did not have one enemy.  He always had a friend or would make one in no time.  He was truly an officer and a gentleman; he treated everyone with dignity, respect and love, and everyone loved and respected him.  He “drove his own boat” to the end.  Nothing ever riled him.  He took everything that came his way like a wave that rolls in the lake until his peaceful passing.

 

 

 

 

Thursday, February 9, 2023

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Mary Magdalen Lipko | August 22, 1929 – January 28, 2023

Age 93 of Trenton.

Beloved wife of John S. Lipko.  Loving mother of Phyllis (Anthony) Romero, Anna (Brian) Brehmer, the late John R. Lipko and the late Patricia (the late Jerome) Barton.  Dearest grandmother of Amanda Lipko, Katelyn (Korey Smith) Brehmer, Gina (Shawn) Foster and the late David Barton.  Great grandmother of Kooper Smith.

Memorial contributions are appreciated to First Step.

 

 

Friday, February 3, 2023

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James “Jim” Candela | March 27, 1943 – January 26, 2023

Age 79 of Grand Haven, formerly of Wyandotte.

Beloved husband of Sylvia for 58 years.  Loving father of Molly (Jim) Culhane, Eric (Laura) Candela, Kenneth (Georgieanne) Candela, Nora (Max) McKee and Nicholas (Angela) Candela.  Dearest grandpa of Caitlin, Ryan, Chandler, Olivia (Vaughn), Regina, Vincent, Maria and Caroline; and great grandpa of Quinton.  Dear brother of John (Janet) Candela and Michael (Sang) Candela.  Preceded in death by parents, Michael and Mary Candela; and brother, Edward Candela.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are greatly appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Alzheimer’s Association or Wyandotte Public School Foundation.

 

FAMILY TRIBUTE

Jim Candela was called-in to pitch in the big softball game in the sky on January 26, 2023. Born James Joseph Candela on March 27, 1943 to parents Michael and Mary Candela, Jim personified the down-to-earth, working class values of his family and the Wyandotte community where he was born, raised and lived most of his life. Memories of his early years were of countless hours spent playing baseball and football with many friends from his neighborhood, delivering papers with his brother Mike and gardening with his Dad.

Jim graduated from Wyandotte Roosevelt High School in 1960 and enrolled at Eastern Michigan University. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education in 1964 and 1966, respectively. He began his teaching career in the Riverview school district before joining the Southgate district in 1968. He became the principal of North Pointe Elementary School in 1977 and retired in 1999, but not before also serving stints as principal at Allen and Davidson schools and developing a TV curriculum, complete with the construction of a TV production studio. Jim’s career was marked by his ability and willingness to find innovative ways to reach his students as both a teacher and administrator and challenge them to fulfill their potential.

In the same way, Jim’s life was forever enriched when he and Sylvia, married in 1964 and began their 58-year journey together. Together, they raised five children Molly (Jim) Culhane, Eric (Laura) Candela, Ken (Georgieanne) Candela, Nora (Max) McKee and Nick (Angela) Candela. He was the proud grandpa to eight grandchildren: Caitlin, Ryan, Chandler, Olivia, Regina, Maria, Caroline and Vincent and one great-grandson, Quinton. Hard work and persistence were values Jim counseled in his children and grandchildren and evidenced in his own life through commitment to his career, keeping the yard neat-and-trim and through his involvement in Wyandotte’s civic affairs.

There is so much more that can be shared than there is space to share it. Jim had a great, and at times, self-deprecating, sense of humor. And, while he was fond of saying “I was okay for a little while” the fact of the matter is that he was a devoted and loving husband, an equally loving and consistent father, an accomplished professional, a passionate softball player and a good friend and colleague to many. He touched the lives of countless people in positive ways and left a compelling example of a life lived with conviction and integrity. He will forever be lovingly remembered and deeply missed.

 

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

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