Obituaries
William "Bill" Bernard Blaha
Kewadin resident, William “Bill” Bernard Blaha, 90, passed away July 8, 2021.
William was born in Chicago on February 14, 1931, graduated from Morton High School in Cicero, Illinois, attended Morton Junior College and graduated from the Curtiss-Wright Aeronautical University in Chicago in 1952. Bill served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954. In 1953 he took part in Operation Upshot-Knothole, a series of 11 nuclear test shots conducted at Frenchman Flat, Nevada. After his military service, he began his lifelong career with TWA, beginning as a crew bus driver and ending as an international 747 pilot. During this time, he met and married Neoma Joan Raine, in 1955. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and William Blaha Sr.; and his wife, Neoma. He is survived by his children, Sandra (Gene) Barker and William L. Blaha; grandson, Jeremy (Kristi) Blaha; step-grandchildren, Chad, Angie and Chris; great-granddaughter, Malin; brothers, Donald (Rena) and James (Rose Marie) Blaha; nephew, Russell; and nieces, Cheryl and Janet, to whom he became a surrogate father. Bill was also loved and admired by many more nieces; nephews; caring neighbors; church family; and his cherished dog, Sheena. He loved to share stories reflecting his chutzpah and life experiences. At the age of 16 his family gave him money to buy a car and instead without permission, he purchased an airplane. Needless to say, the family was not pleased but eventually gave their approval. Maintenance expenses for the airplane were obtained by charging his friends a fee for flying with him. Other stories related to many passengers on his flights. For example, a man who was boarding the plane asked Bill if he predicted good flying conditions. That man was Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the NMC Aviation Program in honor of William Blaha, www.NMC.edu/give. |
Susan Grace Lyons
Susan Grace Lyons, 81, passed away on Thursday, June 10, 2021 while taking a “water walk” in her beloved Mullet Lake.
Susan was born on May 8, 1940, in Lansing, Michigan to Barrett and Janet Lyons. She graduated from Lansing High School and attended Hillsdale College where she earned a degree in Education. After her second child (Ginger) was born with multiple impairments, she dedicated her career to those with special needs, obtaining three master’s degrees in Special Education, Visual and Hearing Impairment. She then worked as a visual consultant for TBA and CHAREM intermediate school districts. She married James David Miller and had four children, Lance, Ginger, Brooks, and Kyle. Later in life she reunited with a childhood sweetheart, Robert Powers, and they married in 1992. Susan loved to sit on the dock of her home on Mullet Lake with a glass of wine and a good book, often accompanied by a canine friend. Taking occasional walks through the water to visit with friends and neighbors on their docks was one of her favorite activities. When she was not there you could usually find her at her equestrian center in Walloon, Michigan surrounded by, and caring for the animals she loved so much. She was a proud grandmother, and seldom missed an opportunity to tell others of the grandchildren’s accomplishments. Susan was a devoted mother, wife, grandmother, and second “Mom” to all her sons’ friends. She is survived by her husband, Rob Powers; son, Lance Miller, and granddaughter, Shae, of Williamsburg, Michigan; son, Brooks Millar, and his wife, Lori, granddaughter Kilee, and grandson Larsen, of Traverse City, Michigan; son, Kyle, and grandson, Kaleb, of Traverse City, Michigan. Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Barrett and Janet Lyons; brother, Larry Lyons; daughter, Ginger Miller; and first husband, James Miller. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Michigan Humane Society or Hillsdale College. |