Obituaries

Albert Frederick Ruhlig

of Dexter, age 104, died Monday, January 13, 2025, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital. He was born September 4, 1920, on the family farm in Dexter, Michigan, the son of Emil A. and Hazel L. (Campbell) Ruhlig.

Albert served in the US Navy Reserve in the South Pacific during World War II, serving in Japan, China, and the Caroline Islands from December 5,1944 to June 7, 1946. He was in Tokyo Bay the day before the signing of the peace treaty, when his ship the U.S.S. Tappehanock fueled the battleship Missouri, where the formal surrender was signed by Emperor Hirohito and General Douglas MacArthur. Albert returned to the family farm and later purchased the adjacent farm in 1946, where he would spend the remainder of his life. He was baptized in 1920, at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Detroit. He was confirmed in 1935, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor, where he was active in many leadership roles, such as Church Elder and Sunday School Teacher, until 1973, when he transferred his membership to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea. He remained active in church leadership until he retired in 1986, but continued to be active in the church until his death.

John Wayne Wilson

of Manchester, Michigan, age 81, passed away Monday, December 30, 2024, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital. He was born February 1, 1943, in Petoskey, Michigan, the son of Wayne and Ida (Martinson) Wilson.

John was a quiet kind man who was loyal and incredibly giving to all of his friends and family. He worked most of his career as a machine repairman at NSK. The same day he retired from NSK, he started working with his wife at her company, Ginger's Cameo. Though he would grumble, he would do anything for his wife of 60+ years, even be her pit crew when she decided she wanted to learn to race cars. Raising three daughters with incredibly different personalities and interests also caused much grumbling, but he loved and cherished each of them the same.

Glenn Williamson

Age 82, died Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Henry Ford Hospital in Jackson. He was born October 25, 1942 in Stone, Kentucky, the son of Landon and Edna (Case) Williamson.  Glenn worked at Chrysler Proving Grounds for thirty-five years before retiring. He was a member of Maple Grove Baptist Church, and former member and head deacon at North Sharon Baptist Church. Glenn was an ambassador for Christ and a great soul-winner. Glenn collected knives, marbles, and die-cast model cars. He was a very generous person, helping people financially and in other ways.

Shelby Jean (Castle) Wolford

of Ypsilanti, Michigan, age 87, went to be with Jesus on Sunday, January 5, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family, who read scriptures, played hymns, and prayed over her until she was peacefully at rest.

She was born March 8, 1937, in Stone, Kentucky, to Arthur and Melvina Mae (Palmer) Castle, and attended Belfry High School and graduated in 1955. On September 23, 1957, she married Gory Gale Wolford in Williamson, West Virginia. They resided in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where they built a beautiful family and life together. She worked as a Telephone Operator for Michigan Bell.

Shelby was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was feisty and would tell you bluntly what she thought you needed to know. As a longtime member of Faith Community Church in Belleville and supporter of Evergreen Church in Ann Arbor, Shelby was a prayer warrior and a great woman of God. She enjoyed thrift shopping, board games, baking with her great-granddaughters, and watching her favorite TV shows. The true loves of Shelby’s life were her grandchildren. She loved spending time with them and was very pivotal in each of their lives. She leaves them with many special memories.