Michigan
David Feldman, 65
Died January 14, 2021.
Marian High School, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Athletic Director
David Anthony Feldman, age 65 died Thursday, January 14, 2021, at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak Michigan following a long valiant battle against COVID-19.
David was born May 13, 1955, in Detroit Michigan the son of the late Davey Feldman and the late Rosemary “Patty” (nee: Armaly) Feldman. David was raised on the Northwest side of Detroit where he attended St. Gerard Catholic grade school and later graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School. While in high school he was a standout athlete, matriculating onto Notre Dame University where he was a member of the basketball team, and later graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree.
David cherished his Catholic education and continued his learning attending the University of Detroit where he achieved his teaching certification. Following his education, David owned and operated a convenience and party store near the Pontiac Silverdome and later became the partner of the Boat Works Restaurant and Bar in St. Clair Shores for over 10 years.
David eventually retired from the restaurant business and returned to his love of sports and mentoring youths. He taught and coached at St. Alphonsus in Dearborn, and later at St. Agatha in Redford where he coached and became the Athletic Director, then onto St. Clement in Center Line, and currently serving as the Athletic Director for Marian Catholic High School since 2004.
David was cherished, revered, and beloved by all the student-athletes he came to mentor over his many years. He was a guy who could never say “no” to helping a kid when it involved sports or giving a young coach an opportunity to enhance their professional coaching career. His love for his wife and family extended to others he considered his second family along with his devotion to sports exuding from every conversation David had with others. David held many accolades over the years including being a member to the Catholic League Hall of Fame and his many other memberships in Michigan high school sports. However mentoring youths was his proudest achievement… David’s catchphrase to the kids and others was always, “Be Awesome”.
Whenever David had time for himself it usually involved attending his own children’s sporting events with his wife or bowling and golfing. He couldn’t have been more proud of his kid’s achievements and how they have matured into fine young adults. David left us far too soon, but his legacy will live on forever, remember “Be Awesome”.
David was the beloved husband of Jackie (nee: Wouters) Feldman and was the cherished father of Davis Feldman, Nathan Feldman, and Jacqui Rose Feldman. He is further survived by his brother Neal (Tricia) Feldman and was the son-in-law of Bernie (Carole) Wouters and Jackie Stieber. David was the brother-in-law to Kim (Jim) Broski, Bernie (Lisa) Wouters, and Brian (Chris) Wouters. He is also survived by many loving family members, friends, and the entire Marian and Brother Rice Catholic community.
David will lie in state Tuesday, January 19th, 10 am, at St. Mary Our Lady Queen of Families St. Clement Campus in Center Line, Michigan, until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11 am. Celebrating the Funeral Liturgy will be Reverend Fr. Ron Victor.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, if you are unable to attend the Funeral Mass, a livestream of the service can be found on the Catholic High School League website.
Dale Wiersum, 69
Died December 6, 2020.
Cheboygan Area Schools, Cheboygan, MI
Bus Driver
Karen Wiersum recently lost her husband Dale due to COVID-19 complications.
They met each other 29 years ago and the two soon fell in love. “I had a wonderful husband,” she said. “He loved everybody and he had so many friends in Cheboygan. He was so good to me, took care of me and everything. When I’d go to bed at night, he’d always tuck me in. Every night.”
Dale Wiersum started working for Cheboygan Schools as a bus driver seven years ago.
Karen was in for a surprise on Tuesday when 23 Cheboygan school buses started passing by her house, honking and waiving.
hey also presented her with a folded Navy flag to honor Dale, a Navy veteran.
Once Karen saw all of the buses heading her way, she became emotional. “I’m shocked. It was wonderful to have all those buses come through. That was really nice,” she said.
Karen said her husband was always someone who could improve anyone’s day. “Music would come on the TV and we’d be in the kitchen and he’d get me up and dance with me in the kitchen. We both loved dancing,” she said.
Student Transportation Director with Cheboygan Schools, Tammy Cage says Dale was just a joy to work with. “All of the drivers go along with him wonderfully,” she said. He has a lot of friends and, well family, our bus garage family.”
One of Dale’s coworkers, Demi Posh said he was more than just someone she worked with. “He was a friend first,” she said. “Always giving, thoughtful, generous, sincere. There’s not enough words to describe what kind of man Dale was. Everybody went before him. Always.”
His friends and family said his only flaw was that he didn’t enjoy condiments on his meals, and that’s all.
Connie Williams, 63
Died October 22, 2020.
Montcalm Area Intermediate School District, Stanton, MI
Special Education
Connie Sue Williams, age 63, of Stanton, passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.
Connie enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. It didn’t matter if she was at the lake, riding her motorcycle in the summer, or snowmobile in the winter, if her family and friends were around, Connie was enjoying life. She absolutely loved watching her granddaughters in whatever they were doing. Connie worked at the Montcalm County ISD for close to 30 years and not only loved working with the kids, but also all of her co-workers.
Surviving Connie is her husband, Chuck; sons, Jeremy (Christy) Williams and Josh (Stacey) Williams both of Stanton; granddaughters, Katelynn and Danielle; her sister, Karen (Mark) Kamradt of Stanton; many nieces and nephews, lots of great friends and many “adopted” kids.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Donald & Marleen (Hall) Keeler and her daughter, Mellissa Williams.
Don Lucas, 64
Died November 8, 2020.
Plymouth High School, Canton, MI
Security Guard
Age 64, of Canton, passed away on November 8, 2020. Beloved husband of Lauren for 26 wonderful years. Loving father of Diane (Jim) Neal, Nicole (Ken) Mango, Cherie Lucas, and the late Christopher Anthony Lucas. Cherished pappa of Cearra and Kanin Neal, Garrett and Corey Mango. Dear brother of Dennis (the late Valerie) Lucas. Don leaves behind many other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Lucas Family Medical Fund GoFundMe account.
Please click on the following link to donate: Lucas Family Medical Fund GoFundMe Account
Michelle McCrackin, 53
Died September 25, 2020.
Carson City Schools, Carson City, MI
Paraprofessional
Age 53, of Carson City, passed away Friday, September 25, 2020 at the Sparrow Carson Hospital.
Michelle was born May 18, 1967 in Saginaw the daughter of Dennis and Rebecca (Walls) Dietrich. She graduated from Vassar High School with the class of 1985. After graduating, she attended Grand Valley State University and earned her Bachelor’s Degree. Michelle married Perry McCrackin on December 7, 1991 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Carson City. She worked for the Carson City Schools as a Parapro/Title 1 teacher and was the Union President. Michelle was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Carson City American Legion Auxiliary and the Carson City Lions Club. She enjoyed socializing with friends, relaxing by the pool and loved spending time with her family and never missed a family event.
She is survived by her husband Perry, children Kaitlynn (fiancee Brann Schmitt), Ellen, Michael, Elizabeth and Sarah McCrackin, mother Rebecca (Michael) Loucks, father Dennis Dietrich, brother Dennis Dietrich, sisters Kerensa (Craig) Hecht, Miranda (Neil) Bierman, special dog Josie, and many nieces, nephews and close friends.
Michelle was preceded in death by her brother Kenneth Dietrich.