Edward Louis Livingston died peacefully in his sleep on January 22nd in hospice care in Clearwater, Florida. He was 71 years old. "Eddie" was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1951. He was the middle of five brothers and was a competitive swimmer, softball player, and student actor with promising talent. Ed was beloved at Frazier’s Pub for his mighty Tarzan call and his enthusiastic support of University of Michigan football. Ed traveled the country with friends and worked at NEM as a promoter of cultural activism. Ed moved to Clearwater Beach in the early 1970s, where he worked at the Bank Restaurant and at Roof Coat Painting. He enjoyed golf and building long-lasting friendships over the barbecue grill. His talent for entertaining audiences propelled him to success as the lead singer for music groups The Ann Arbor Connection and Big Eddie and the Back-Ups. In the 1980s, Eddie appeared on local Tampa Bay television, acting in commercials and on entertainment programming. For over 40 years, Ed loved playing Strat-O-Matic fantasy football and competed in the Ann Arbor Strat-O-Matic League and Florida Suncoast League winning several Super Bowl championships.

Edward L Livingston is preceded in death by his brother, George Martin, and survived by his brothers, James Henry, John Todd, and William Luke; sisters-in-law Jo Anne Livingston, Jan Livingston; nieces, Debbie George, Leanne Sunderland, and Layne Livingston; nephew, George Livingston Jr. and great nephews Ben and Jeremy George

A Celebration of Life for Ed will be held on Saturday, February 4th, from 1:30pm–4pm at Clear Sky on Cleveland, 418 Cleveland St., Clearwater, FL. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to SuncoastHospiceFoundation.org

With much sadness, the family of Rebecca Steele announces her passing on 11/15/2022 at The Vineyard, in Texas Corners, Kalamazoo, MI.  Rebecca was diagnosed with glioblastoma in May 2021, which she fought diligently since.  During this time, she took the opportunity to draft some of her own obituary:

     “How could I pass up the opportunity to have the last word AND have my final say-so published and recorded for all time?

     I stepped away from my body on November 15th, 2022.

     My ascent to find my way home began officially at age five when George Fernham and I climbed the old Hartford water tower behind our house.  We made it to above the treetops-maybe five or six stories up, before Lyle Boothby spotted us and our parents called us down to safety and then blistered our butts.  What followed were decades where I spent time as a daughter, sister, student, park supervisor, educator, wife, mother, grandmother, entrepreneur, philanthropist, tutor, visitor to the sick, and citizen of the Universe.  

     Along the way I loved people, animals, reading, dancing, and things that go fast and high, motorcycles, planes, cars, and rollercoasters.  I believe my purpose has been to serve and to love and to help make the world a better place.  

     Though along the way I’ve felt a sort of longing or homesickness for the place from whence I came prior to my time on earth, my life has been a long and grand adventure.  My hope is to find myself lovingly embraced in the arms of God.”

Rebecca was born in a January snowstorm in 1951, in Watervliet, Michigan to Marion (Kling) Davis and Dr. Roy Davis.  She was blessed with a large loving family, including many cousins, with whom she maintained close relationships throughout her lifetime.  Growing up she attended primary schools in both Hartford, Michigan and Branford, Connecticut, and thereafter graduated from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School in 1969.  Rebecca first attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree in Education from Western Michigan University.  Afterward she pursued a career teaching English at Paw Paw High School beginning in 1973 (before her official college graduation), completed her Masters degree in 1980, and retired in 2005 after thirty-two years of service.  Rebecca married Dale Drake in 1971 and was blessed with her daughter Danielle in 1979.  In 1992, she married Jim Steele, with whom she recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary.  Rebecca had a life-long love for most all genres of music, which she incorporated into her teaching as an effective means to find common ground to connect with her students through rock poetry, to motivate them to write.  As an avid Doors fan, she sought out and was able to attend two different Doors concerts during their reunion tour in 2002 (and following a hunch - introduced herself to an unknown person in the crowd she believed resembled Mrs. Ray Manzarek, and got her program signed by the entire band).  Her favorite past-time was any and all books by her favorite authors (especially Stephen King).  For an encore career, she founded Sinsational Cookie in 2006, where she and her team delighted customers with magnificent cookie gifts around Kalamazoo, across North America, Western Europe, and the Middle East.  Rebecca was a talented chef and shared her love extensively over the decades by welcoming numerous family and friends into her home each holiday season for meals and togetherness.  Rebecca had an immense gift for empowering people and boosting their self-esteem, which she leveraged over many years by helping numerous friends and family to write impactful cover letters to win employment opportunities they strived to obtain!

Most importantly, Rebecca will be remembered for her strength and eternal optimism.  No matter how negative a scenario she had to endure, afterward she would find and take away something positive from the experience.  She was known for joke telling and always willing to laugh at herself if it meant she could bring smiles to those around her!
 
Rebecca was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Deborah Connor and her brother Robert Davis.  She is survived by her daughter Danielle and son-in-law Michael Aschenbrener, grandson Maxwell Aschenbrener, and granddaughter Valentina Aschenbrener of Den

Michael, 69, of Chelsea, MI, passed away at his home on May 7, 2020. He was the son of Herbert C. and Jane (Spiess) Ellison.

On May 1, 1971, he married Polly Lou (Houck) (also a member of our class), and she survives.

Also surviving are four children: Aimee (Ken) Lilley of Virginia, Jenny (Derik) Bollinger of Chelsea, Brian (Alisha) Ellison of Chelsea, and Jimmy (Megan) Ellison of Grass Lake; nine grandchildren: Andrew, Jacob, Marissa, Brendon, Cora, Vincent, Hudson, Delaney, and Ainsley; his mother, Jane Ellison, of Chelsea, one brother, Keith Ellison, of Chelsea, and nephew, Jaime (Ambi) Dudash, and their children, Luke and Lauren, all of Dexter, as well as many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, and one sister, Patricia Baum.

Michael was a devoted husband who loved his wife more than anything. He often would refer to her as “Love.” He was a proud father who loved his children and all of their spouses. He was a dedicated farmer and was passionate about working his land. He grew beautiful gardens and loved the country life. A carpenter and builder by trade, he could build anything you could dream up. He thrived while teaching his carpentry and life skills, first to his children and then to his grandchildren. He would jump at the opportunity to teach all who were in his life, and his children and grandchildren are who they are today because of his love.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith in Action.

Coghlin, Diane 7/26/1951 - 4/13/2022 Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor Age 70, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2022. Diane delighted in spending time with her family and close friends, and expressed that she felt truly blessed by their presence during her hospitalization. She approached her cancer diagnosis, and subsequent 7 year journey with strength, dignity, and grace. Diane was born July 26, 1951 in Ann Arbor to Gail D. and Jean (Larmee) Thomas. She graduated from Pioneer High School in 1969 and earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from WMU in Industrial Arts & Residential Home Design in 1975. Diane was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law Mark Wagner. She is survived by her sisters: Linda Wagner and Karen (Greg) Giltrow; her beloved nephews: Thomas (Molly) Giltrow and their son Charlie, Scott Wagner and Patrick Giltrow, who called her "Di Di". She is also survived by her former husband: John Coghlin, who was by her side every step of her journey, seeking out and securing the best treatment options for Diane, and helping to give her 7 precious years to spend with her family and friends. Also surviving are an uncle, an aunt, and 8 cousins. Diane was a talented artist with a flair for design, including painting, gardening, designing their vacation home, and especially quilting. Her family cherishes the quilts she created for them. Diane had a lifelong passion for, and love of, nature and animals. She was always ready to rescue and rehabilitate a wild animal when the need arose. Her love of animals and dream of raising horses led to her starting Briarfield Farm Paint Horses with John. She especially treasured her time with the newborn foals. Diane and John also founded Briarfield Farm Sanctuary, a no-kill animal sanctuary. Diane was a kind and generous friend and was blessed with many close friends who helped her so generously throughout her illness. Her gratitude and love for her friends was boundless. The family would like to thank Michigan Medicine's Rogel Cancer center, and oncologists Dr. Norah Henry and Dr. Erin Cobain for their extraordinary care and compassion for Diane. The family would also like to thank Bronson Hospital, and Dr. Paul Lin and the Comfort Care team for their wonderful care of Diane and help to her family during her hospitalization. In keeping with Diane's wishes, there will be no service: however family and friends are invited to a luncheon to celebrate her life on May 14, 2022 at noon in Ann Arbor at the home of Linda Wagner. Forever in our hearts, soar high our beloved Diane. Visit Diane's webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign her guestbook. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, Kalamazoo, (269) 375-2900.

Claudia Masters (nee) Stoll June 16, 1951-January 30, 2021 Passed away peacefully January 30, 2021 at Pikes Peak Hospice after a long battle with cancer with her husband Bob at her side. Claudia was born June 16, 1951 in Ann Arbor, Mi. to the late Claude and Reda Stoll. Claudia graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1969. She developed an early love of horses as a child and this love stayed with her for her entire life. Moving to Colorado Springs in 1976, which is the perfect place for horse lovers, she would meet her husband and best friend Bob. They were married in August 1981. Bob served in the Air Force which provided them the opportunity to live in several locations around the world. Their time in England was especially enjoyable for Claudia when her Mother would come for long visits, which she did on more than one occasion. The 3 of them would take side trips to a few other European countries on occasion. After moving around the USA, they eventually settled back to Colorado Springs and purchased their home near the Black Forest in 1995 where they had their horses and ever-present kitty's. Claudia was a quiet soul who loved animals of all species. She and Bob would load up their camper and with the horses behind travel into the hills to spend countless hours riding the trails. They also entered trail rally's which would make her Mother very nervous. Besides her horseback riding, hiking in the mountains was another one of Claudia's loves. A caring person Claudia enjoyed spending her time with horse recues and cat shelters around the Springs. Her current kitty Honey was her most recent adoption. Always by her side these last few months gave Claudia great comfort. She and Bob had a love of Bluegrass music. They again would load up their camper to travel to concerts that would be held in Colorado. Many days in decent weather Claudia could be found outdoors working in the flower beds. She would say that it gave her a calming feeling to be digging up weeds and planting things. It took her mind off her illness. Each morning would find her in the barn tending to their horses and barn cats. She was the only one that could get near the cats. They stayed hidden until she showed up and would promptly hide at the presence of another person. Her animals knew her and how gentle she was. They seemed to all be on the same wavelength. Preceded in death by her parents Claude and Reda. She is survived by her loving husband Bob, brother Brian Stoll (Judie) nephew Hamilton Stoll (Lori) and nieces Morgan and Madison, sisters in-law Margaret Middleton, Linda Hummel, nieces Sara and Tamara. many cousins and her precious kitty Honey. Per her wishes she will be cremated and buried alongside her beloved Mother and Father in Washtenong Cemetery in Ann Arbor, Mi. Memorials may be made to Ruby Ranch Horse Rescue (RRHR) or Wildblue, a refuge for cats and kittens, both located in Colorado, Springs, Co. 80908

Barrie, Robert Malcolm 8/12/1951 - Lansing, MI Robert Malcolm (Bob) Barrie, age 70 of Lansing MI passed away October 15, 2021 from a massive stroke. Robert Malcolm Barrie, Jr. August 12, 1951 – October 15, 2021 Except for brief stints elsewhere, Bob was a lifelong Michigander. He was born in Ann Arbor, where he went to Burns Park Elementary School, Tappan Junior High, and Pioneer High School, graduating class of '69. He was proud to play the tuba in the Pioneer High symphony orchestra and its marching band, and he continued playing tuba in various bands much later into life. Bob's parents, Bob Sr and Nancy, were also lifelong Michiganders who grew up in Grand Rapids, moved to Ann Arbor and raised their family there. Holly Barrie the oldest sibling, and to Bob's great sorrow, passed away in 1992; she was married to John Harris of Plymouth Michigan. Bob was next oldest, followed by John (JB), who is married to Karen Connor and lives in Ann Arbor (children: Ben, Andrew, and Colleen). Tucker, the youngest, lives in Ottawa, Canada (children: Hannah and Richard). Bob remained very close to his family throughout the years, and was very fond of his many aunts, uncles and cousins with whom there were yearly reunions ("Trout Bouts") in Beulah, MI. After high school, Bob moved to Connecticut where he attended the University of Hartford, and was very close to the Kegeles family, especially Jane and Steve Kegeles, second parents to him. He participated in Vietnam war protests when living in CT. He transferred to and graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he loved rock and mountain climbing. He briefly lived in Crested Butte, CO where he enjoyed skiing. Growing up in Ann Arbor, he loved the University of Michigan, especially football and the marching band, and was very proud to obtain a master's degree in public health from UM. He then lived in Seattle, continued mountain climbing and working in public health, and then moved to Washington DC briefly. When a job became available at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in HIV/AIDS prevention, he jumped at the opportunity to return to Michigan and be near his parents and JB. Bob lived the rest of his life in Lansing and loved his work and colleagues. He worked in quality control, which involved traveling around his beloved state regardless of the weather. He also focused efforts on syringe exchange programs in Detroit to bolster HIV prevention. Bob had a wonderful, irreverent sense of humor and was very outgoing and friendly. He enjoyed both motorcycling and bicycling and was proud to have bicycled across the Mackinac Bridge several times as part of the annual Lansing to Mackinaw DALMAC bicycle tour. He loved trains, rode cross-country on them and for years, gathered weekly with friends in Lansing to watch the trains go by. His biggest love was cartooning, which he did at cafes in Paris, Seattle, Berkeley, and San Francisco and focused on in retirement. He sent out seasonal cards of his cartoons to friends and family (especially of Halloween and Christmas), which were cherished, he had several shows of his cartoons, and they were often featured on the Michigan Health Department newsletter. He made larger, framed cartoons that friends continue to deeply value. He loved dinosaurs and they often featured humorously in his cartoons. He and his first girlfriend Suzi Kegeles remained lifelong friends, and he often visited her and her family in California. A very sentimental man, he maintained friendships with many people from high school and college. He was married to Wendy Beth Scheu whom he cared for deeply. Bob died from a massive stroke. A celebration of Bob's life will be held at Casa Dominick's in Ann Arbor in the spring. Those interested in attending should send an e-mail rememberingbobbarrie@gmail.com to be notified when it will be held.

Banfield, Tom 11/28/1950 - 3/25/2022 Tom passed in the early morning of 2/25/22. He was born 11/28/50 in Hastings, Michigan to Joan And Naval Commander Ralph Banfield (Both deceased). Tom graduated from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School in 1969. In 1982, he married Gail and they had two sons. The heartbreak at the loss of their son Ryne was unbearable. Ryne's brother Jordon was Tom's pride and joy as they shared a love for BASEBALL. Tom coached Jordon from little league to his current position as the Head Coach at Oakland University. Even in poor health, he willed himself to attend games and encourage the team, making it through opening day this spring. Most of their lives were spent watching Michigan football, basketball and any other game that happened to be on. Tom, his mother Joan, brother Will and wife Gail opened Banfield's Bar and Grill on Packard in Ann Arbor in 1982. Then, in 1995, Tom and Gail opened their own location, Banfield's Westside, which became a very successful sports bar on Jackson rd. Known by many as "Tuck," his customers and friends would always come by for his "Westside burger," a cold beer, a pat on the back and his hilarious sense of humor. He was one of a kind, beloved by all and had as many friends as anyone in town. He handled his illness with dignity and grace. Barbara, Jordon and Valerie (his longtime companion) gave their best efforts in providing loving care. We say farewell with much sadness and much joy that Tom enriched our lives and brought so much laughter and fun. Immediate family includes: Jordon, Barb (Russ), Molly, Haley, Rebecca (Bruce), Beth, William, Meghan, Wesley. Valerie Stone and her children have been also been a constant. Gail (his ex-wife and best friend) shared many happy years together raising their family. A memorial will be announced at a later date. Gifts in his honor may be made to The Oakland U Baseball Program, Tom Banfield Memorial Fund, 569 Pioneer Dr, Rochester, MI 48309.