Obituaries

John Francis Blaznek

of Jackson, formerly of Ann Arbor and Hanover, age 85, passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2018 in Jackson, Michigan. He was born August 24, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of John Michael & Eleanor Helen (Kozlowski) Blaznek.

John graduated from Chelsea High School in 1951. He worked numerous jobs including Boeing Aircraft of Seattle, Washington, he flew a Piper single engine plane from Washington to Michigan, and was a pilot for Zantop International Airlines and Universal Airlines in Willow Run Airport. John spent 5 years as a police officer for Ann Arbor Police and 2 years as a Washtenaw County Deputy. His last job was hauling steel for Capital Cartage in Detroit. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Kostkas in Jackson. John enjoyed camping with his daughter at D.H. Day Campground in Glen Arbor.

Marilyn Joyce Mark

of Chelsea, MI, age 81, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at  her home. She was born July 12, 1936 in Cameron, Illinois, the daughter of William Albert and Anna Linnea (Johnson) Hawkins Sr. Marilyn has resided in Washtenaw County since 1957.  She was the owner and operator of Marilyn Mark's Hair Stylists in Ann Arbor from 1958 up until her death. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Muskegon.

Robert Ralph Merck

of Livonia, MI, age 82, died Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at University of Michigan Hospital. He was born December 23, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Rolf Nils & Evelyn Louise (Neibert) Merck. Robert attended high school at Cass Technical in Detroit and then worked for Chrysler as an electrician for over 45 years.  Robert also served in the US Army from 1962 to 1964, earning the rank of Sergeant.

On September 7, 1967, he married Helen Marozi in Detroit, and she preceded him in death on Feb. 24, 2001. Robert is survived by a daughter, Doreen Herrin, a grandchild, John Edward Gilbert, and 2 great-grandchildren Matthew and Gracie. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marilyn Brown.

Richard Kenneth Hartman

of Jackson, age 90, took his last breath Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice in Jackson. He was born January 14, 1927 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the son of Cornelius Clifton & Marian Emily (Wakefield) Sr.. Richard served in the Army in Japan during World War II. He retired from the Ann Arbor Fire Department in 1983 after 25 years of service. Richard was an avid square dancer and danced for Disney in Florida. He was a member of the Kissimmee Square Dancing Club, and a field director for the National Camping and Hiking Association. Richard was a member of Brookside Methodist Church in Jackson where he served as a Trustee. He enjoyed woodworking and built his own grandfather clock. Richard loved playing cards and didn’t know how to pass when it came to euchre.