Nie Family Funeral Home

Phyllis passed away peacefully on October 6, 2025, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her five children, Julie Zawisza, Kris Zawisza, Kathy (John) Hall, Steve (Jan) Zawisza, Philip (Cecile) Zawisza; six grandchildren, Andrew (Nancy) Zawisza, Maria (Tim) Samsa, Kara (Michael) Fields, Christian, Sophie and Alice Zawisza; four great-grandchildren, Leo, Ada, and Isla Fields and Zelda Field-Zawisza; and brother David Gring. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hilary; brother, Glenn (Mary Frances) Gring, Jr.; and sister, Miriam (David) Jackson. Our beloved Phyllis was born on June 29, 1929, in LaPorte, Indiana, to Glenn M. and Pauline (Schultz) Gring and spent most of her youth...

Douglas E. Strickland, age 61, died September 9, 2023 after a fierce battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme. He was surrounded by his loving family, who cared for him at home during his time in hospice. Doug was a dedicated husband and loving father. He enjoyed spending time with his family, including yearly trips to Melbourne Beach, his home away from home, by the sea. Doug met his wife, Cathy, in high school, married in 1984 and would have celebrated 40 years of marriage February 29. Doug spent time in the U.S. Navy. He attended Mott Community College in Flint. Doug had a long career, 38 years working for Flint Coatings/Metokote/PPG Industries. For 30 years Doug enjoyed playing Fantasy...

Chase, Linda 11/16/1947 - 7/23/2023 Adrian, Michigan Linda (Bates) Chase fought a courageous battle with cancer and departed this earth physically July 23, 2023, but her spirit will live on forever. Linda was born to Russell "Bud" Bates, who preceded her in death, and Patricia Elaine (Smoke) Bates on November 16, 1947. Linda attended Sand Creek High School where she played clarinet and was an active member of 4H. Following graduation she went into the Army where she met and married Julius Vernon Chase. She had two daughters, Erin (Chase) Pickett and Amy Elaine (Chase) Kennedy. She was very protective of her girls and was involved in all of their activities and sports. She encouraged...

Sharon Jean (Lakies) Erickson, born March 6, 1941, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2022, after years of weathering the challenges of Parkinson's Disease. Sharon is survived by her sons, Andrew, Ted, William, and Max Erickson; daughters-in-love Carmen and Anne Erickson; grandchildren, Ava, Drew, Everett, Pearl, and Frances Erickson; sisters-in-love Sandra Ide, Karen Carlson and Tara Erickson; brothers-in-love Leif Erickson and Harland Carlson; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Erickson, and her parents, Evart and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Lakies. A celebration of Sharon's life will take place on Saturday, July 2, at 2 p.m. at the Sherman...

Jane Hewitt passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loving family, on Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, one month shy of her 97th birthday. Jane, born April 5, 1925 in Plymouth Township, Michigan, was the daughter of Jesse and Ruth Bryan. She grew up with loving family, four sisters and one brother. She is survived by her children Virginia (Scott) Yost, Charles (Denise) Hewitt, Thomas Hewitt, Emily (Patty Griffin) Hewitt, William (Andrea) Hewitt, along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and her sister-in-law Judy Bryan. Jane was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Charles, and siblings Jessie (James) Murdoch, Marcia (John)...

David passed away, at the age of 89, on November 1, 2021. David John Drake was born on September 25, 1932, in Oakland, California to Don "Dobbie" and Ellen Fitzgerald Drake. He moved to Michigan shortly after and spent his childhood in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, and Battle Creek. He had three older siblings - Jack, Don, Martha Jane - and a younger brother Dick Drake. David graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1951. Sports were an integral part of David's family life - his father, Dobbie Drake, coached both his football and swim teams in high school. David enrolled at the University of Michigan for a first semester, before he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was based in San Diego and...

Lois Jeanine "Jean" Ellis (n?e Dykstra) died on September 6 in Ann Arbor, MI at the age of 93 surrounded by family and caregivers. She was born on July 1, 1928 in Hammond, Indiana to Howard F. Dykstra and Louise Lois Letson Dykstra. She grew up in South Haven, Michigan and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Western Michigan University in 1950. She then moved to New York City and eventually worked on the Guide Staff at NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center where she met her future husband, Donald Edward Ellis (1928-2019) and continued to work in a variety of positions at NBC. She and Don married in 1952 and made a life together in Pearl River, NY with two sons, James Edward...

Joyce Ann Sodergren, passed away on March 24, 2021 in Huron Twp, Michigan. She was born in Ashtabula, Ohio to parents, Paul and Ethel, on November 19, 1936. Her family shortly moved to Buffalo, New York, where Joyce resided for several years. Moving to Ann Arbor and after obtaining her Master's Degree, Joyce found employment as Chief of Education for the staff at the Veteran Affairs Hospital for 22 years. She also was able to teach a Nursing class at the University of Michigan for 6 years. She is preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Ethel. Joyce will be greatly missed by those who surrounded her. Private burial will take place at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York.

Charles "Chuck" Scott of Petoskey died peacefully in Ann Arbor on October 20, 2020 at the age of 68. The second son of Agnes and Julian Scott, Chuck was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan with his three siblings. As a teenager, he developed his lifelong interest in amateur radio and electronics, earning his ham radio license in 1966. He built the WBLD radio station at West Bloomfield High School, where he also raced with the ski team. His sister calls Chuck a mensch and he called himself "Mr. Mom." He had a radar for detecting when others needed a helping hand and responded generously. Chuck's active role in raising his daughters was as playful as his other pursuits. He spoiled those...

<u>Kenneth </u> <u>B.C.</u> <u>Jensen</u> , 88 May 14, 1931 - Oct 8, 2019 Kenneth B.C. Jensen passed away peacefully in his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan on October 8, 2019. He was 88 years old and lived a full and vibrant life. Ken was born on May 14, 1931, in Hagerstown, Maryland to Bruno and Alice (Marker) Jensen. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland and moved to Michigan in the 1950s, eventually making Ann Arbor his home. In the early 60s, Ken married Erika Miroschnitschenko and the following year, had their only child, Eric. In the late 50s and 60s, Ken worked for Ford and Bendix while investing in real estate near the University of...