Late Art Icon Thomas Kinkade Once Visited Wyandotte

The 54-year-old died Friday at his home in Los Gatos, CA, of what appeared to be natural causes.

To many art lovers, internationally renowned artist Thomas Kinkade was the epitome of success. To many entrenched in the art establishment, he was a sellout who gave up his artistic creativity in order to mass-produce anything that would bring in money. To all who studied his business, however, there was little doubt that he was successful and left an impact on the world through his paintings that focused on landscapes, cottages and churches. Kinkade, 54, died Friday at his home in Los Gatos, CA, of what appeared to be natural causes, family spokesman David Satterfield said. The self-described "Painter of Light” claimed to be one of the nation's most collected artists. His work brought in more than $100 million a year in sales and was said…

•  12 Comments
• Photos (1)

Stockbroker Thomas Eugene Krouse Sr. Dies at 71

The 1958 Roosevelt High School graduate went on to earn degrees from the University of Michigan.

Thomas Eugene Krouse Sr., a 1958 Roosevelt High School graduate, died March 20 at his home in Novato, CA, after a long illness. He was 71 years old. Born in Highland Park in 1940, he later earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Michigan, where he was a member of the TKE Fraternity.  Tom went on to become a successful stockbroker and bond trader. He is survived by his wife, Tessa; sons, Eric and Thomas Jr.; granddaughter, Amelia; brother, Dr. Carl Krouse; sister, Judith Krouse-Wells; nieces, Suzanna, Sarah, and Stacie; and three grandnieces. A memorial service will take place at Michigan Memorial Cemetery in Flat Rock on June 16, marking his 72nd birthday.

• Photos (1)

Wyandotte's Jimmy Has Died

Jimmy Wirtel was a Wyandotte fixture often seen pushing himself down Biddle in his wheelchair.

Jimmy Wirtel, known to some by his name and to many others by his smiling personality, died Monday. Jimmy was a Wyandotte fixture who often could be seen pushing himself around town in his wheelchair. A regular at Nanna's Kitchen, Jimmy ate there nearly daily, pushing himself backward through the restaurant, maneuvering his way around, but being careful not to disturb anyone else. Jimmy spent the first 25 years of his life in an institution. He was born disabled and has been wheelchair-bound his entire life. Longtime friend Alice Raupp helped him leave the institution and start living independently. Jimmy moved to Wyandotte in 1975. He left briefly, but had been back for the last two decades. Without any immediate relatives nearby, Jimmy …

•  18 Comments
• Photos (2)
• Videos (1)

Wife of Retired Wyandotte School Superintendent Dies

Mary Josephine Dancsok died Monday in her home from complications of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Mary Josephine Dancsok died Monday in her Ann Arbor home from complications of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She was 82. Born in Detroit on Aug. 21, 1929, she married Richard Dancsok on Aug. 20, 1949. Richard served as principal of Garfield Elementary School and Wilson Junior High School before becoming Wyandotte's school superintendent, which he held from 1978 until his retirement from the district in 1987. Mary loved cooking, quilting and spending time with her family. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Richard, Laura and Lisa; grandchildren, Adrienne Maysey, Stacey Dancsok, Kelly Dancsok and Richard Dancsok; and great grandchildren, Karter Maysey and Avery Maysey. Her daughter, Lynn Uroda, preceded her in death. …

• Photos (1)

U of M Quarterback, Wyandotte Coach John Ghindia Dies at 86

John Ghindia helped the Wolverines secure back-to-back undefeated seasons in 1947-48, winning both the Rose Bowl and the national championship.

John Ghindia, a dedicated professional athlete, educator and coach with ties to several Downriver communities, died Friday. He was 86. Born Oct. 12, 1925, in Niles, Ohio, to Romanian immigrants, John and Mary, he grew up in Ecorse. He went on to the University of Michigan, where he was a starting quarterback on the highly acclaimed 1946-48 teams. The team won Big Ten Championships for all three years. The 1947 and '48 teams went undefeated, winning the 1948 Rose Bowl game and later capturing the national championship title. Once he earned two college degrees and his playing days were over, John returned Downriver and coached tennis and hockey at Ecorse High School and football, basketball and baseball at the former St. Patrick High School …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Longtime Wyandotte Nurse Olive Showalter Dies at 93

Olive Showalter was promoted in 1965 to head operating room nurse at Wyandotte General Hospital, a position she held until she retired in 1981.

Olive Virginia Showalter, a longtime nurse in Wyandotte and dedicated churchgoer, died in her Wyandotte home on Tuesday. She was 93. She was born Oct. 31, 1918, in Ayden, NC, to John Stokes and Lidia Elizabeth (Kittrell) Stokes. She was 6 years old when her mother died. After that, she was raised by neighbors, in the southern style, by the Harper family and later by the family of Thomas Heath. She grew up on tobacco farms and attended the Contentnea High School. Olive loved to read and study. Her desire to become a nurse came true when she attended the Philadelphia General Hospital School of Nursing. Upon graduation in 1940, she and two of her nursing school friends were recruited and hired at the former Wyandotte General Hospital.  At the…

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

mel

9:11 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Thank you, Natalie. And, you are certainly correct about her being one-of-a- kind.   more ›

Downriver's 'First Woman' Bids Farewell with Champagne Toast

Marge Torok, the first woman commodore of the Wyandotte Yacht Club, dies at 89.

Kathleen Edward Inspired People from Around the Nation

Grandmother thanks "everyone for their love and their support” after 9-year-old girl dies from complications of Huntington's disease.

A little girl whose story touched more people in two years than others have in a lifetime, Kathleen Kelly Jade Edward, died in Wyandotte due to complications of Huntington’s disease Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. She was 9 years old. Kathleen’s battle with Huntington’s disease inspired thousands of people who showered her with gifts, good wishes, vacations and prayers. Kathleen spent most of her life fighting the disease, making it difficult for her to be involved in sports. Instead, she enjoyed reading and listening to her iPod. “A friend bought her an iPod and she loved it,” Kathleen’s grandmother Rebecca Rose said. “She would just play songs for hours.” Born on Nov. 5, 2002 in Wyandotte, MI, Kathleen also liked riding her bike, when her …

•  10 Comments
• Photos (2)

Former Wyandotte Resident Julie Shepherd Dies at 46

Julie Shepherd served as a longtime volunteer with public schools in Massachusetts.

Julie J. Shepherd, 46, formerly of Wyandotte, died Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at a Massachusetts hospital following an illness of several months. She was the wife of Brian A. Shepherd. Born July 21,1965 in Wyandotte, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Wilma Wigent. Julie grew up in Taylor and received her bachelor's degree from NC Wesleyan College. She married Brian Shepherd on April 21, 1990 in Dearborn. The couple moved to Massachusetts, where Julie served as a longtime volunteer in the Marlborough school system.  Julie's many passions in life included scrapbooking, tennis, travel, family and friends. In addition to her husband, Julie is survived by two sons, Benjamin and Maxwell. Julie's siblings include Gayle Ingram, Harold Wigent…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)