Memorials
This page is dedicated to honoring the memories of our classmates who have passed away.
If you know of a classmate who has passed who is not listed here, you can add a new memorial with a photo by clicking the Add Memorial button.
You can also write a tribute or leave your comments about those already listed on the page. (Approval may be required prior to publishing)
Class of 1971
George Albergo
Albert Allen
Gary Allen
Farrel Briggs
Rich Brown
Thomas "Buzz" Buzzell
David Burnett
Daryl Campion
George Farris
Ron Garrett
Wendy Gates
Gary Green
Doug Henson
Ronald Howarth
Cathy Hulea
Robert Lamerson
Don Lee
Diane Lipinski
Janice Mason
Brian Maston
Maureen McMahon
Howard "Skip" Mordue
Cathy Murdock
Bob Nasser
Don Olson
Michael Osowski
Brian Paul
Diana Pownall
Pamela Raden Piper
Mike Reed
John Smith
Becky Smith Blurton
James Sokolowski
Ward Squires
Thelma Vingsness Herman
Jerry Wendland
Class of 1972
Mike Appicelli
Gary Aschim
Sherman Beach
Jean Bremner
Judy Brendemihl
Todd Brieschke
Toni Davis
Rocco DeFlorio
Tony DiPirro
Debbie Dunn Fritz
Sandra Dunn Miller
Larry Garneau
Brian Gooding
Katharine Hahn
Tim Hirami
Keith Hurley
Sharon Johnson
Debbie Lenhardt
Tom Lloyd
Myron Love
Mike McCarthy
Mike Miller
Pat Murphy
Rick Parent
Tom Piluras
Sally Quarles Piluras
Belinda Ramse Spurlock
Susan Rothermal
Richard (Dick) Saranen
Ron Sheldrake
Bob Shields
Cheryl Thauvette
Penelope "Penny" Thomas Bax
Catherine Wallot Long
Mary Lou Whitesock-Bentley
Dave Yelonek
Melissa Zick
Class of 1973
Robin Anderson
Greg Bateman
John Belpasso
Joe Creedon
DeeAnn Dawson
Fred "Fritz" Dixon
Karen Dodds Kolstad
Doug Ebersole
Debbie Ferguson
Rita Garcia
Marcie Hilden Paisley
Donald Holman
Jill Krause
Bob Law
Michael McNally
Ron Miller
Jerry Meldrum
Rod Mosely
Tom Peasant
Michael Sapelak
Jim Stoner
Dawn Talbot
Mark Winkler
Ronald Wlodarczyk
Class of 1974
Cynde Barker Collins
Craig Bodene
Douglas Brownell
Beth DeSouza
Donna Devlin
Sue Doftert
David Earles
Martha Epskamp
Jerry Gavin
John Goldie Misserelli
Mark Gotshall
John Hannah
Barb Hayes
Karen Hoing
Carolyn Kovacs
Duane LaPrairie
Mike Leisen
Jim McAffrey
Cathy Morris
Patricia Morris
Maria Passalaqua
Ian Pert
Ronald Purdy
Renee Roberts
Paul Rossow
Nancy Schwartz O’Donnell
Thomas Secorski
Don Shaw
Bryan Smith
Fred Snowdon
Richard Sperry
Christopher Stager
Bob Stowers
Nick Stroyan
Steve Toth
Ralph Wallot
Marvin Weeks
Diane Wenz
Jimmy White
Mirium Winarsky

Gary Allen
1953-04-26 2011-11-30
Gary Dean Allen passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 30, 2011. Lovingly remembered by his wife Sharon, remarkable father of Laurie Ann (Alex), Casey Dean, Goldie Lynn, Dear son of Glen and Mary Allen. Gary proudly worked for the railroad his entire career. He enjoyed family and was famous for his storytelling. He will be missed by all.
https://www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com/obituary/Gary-Allen

Gary Aschim
1954-09-05 2018-04-17https://www.google.com/search?q=Gary+Aschim&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
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Craig Bodene
1990-09-01Curchill Class of 74. Craig was killed in a motercycle accident. Craig lived north of Grand Rapids. Was single. He was a PA at Butterworth Hospital in GR
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Tony DiPirro
1954-10-02 2017-03-07
Anthony Fiore DiPirro, 62 of Livonia, MI passed away March 7th 2017 in St. Petersburg FL after complications related to heart surgery. He was surrounded by his family.
Tony was born October 2, 1954 in Detroit, MI to the late Fiore and Olga (Piccini) DiPirro. A Master Electrician and skilled tradesman, he enjoyed life on the lake, good food, and spending time with family and friends. He was also an avid sports fan. Tony was known for his kindness, sense of humor, bright blue eyes and charming smile.
He is survived by his daughter Rachel DiPirro (Chris Anderson) and granddaughter Lucia of Milwaukee, WI, sisters Pamela (Don Hensley) of St. Petersburg FL, Patricia Baskerville of...

George Farris
1953-01-29 2022-04-24
George Edward Farris
( January 29, 1953 - April 24, 2022 )
George Edward Farris
Age 69, of Northville, passed away on April 24, 2022, after fighting as hard as he could and never giving up. In October of 2020 George was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and lost his battle after a year and a half. He was born January 29, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan; son of Robert and Ellen (nee Main) Farris. George was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Jill M. Foreman on July 27, 1974; they were lovingly devoted to one another for over 47 years.
He was the first graduating class from Livonia Churchill High School, class of 1971. Afte...

Thomas Gebhard
I found our from Tom's brother- Mark Gebhard, that Tom had passed away several years ago while working for the government near Washington DC. I believe he may have been in Maryland at the time. Tom was one of my best friends who lived just down Howell Street near 5 Mile Road & Newburg. We went to Webster Elementary, Holmes Jr. High, & Churchill class of 1973. I'll miss him.
Carl Francis
St. Cloud, FL

Mark Grech
1954-06-29 2022-11-23
He helped organize the 50th reuion for the Class of 1972.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/canoga-park-ca/mark-grech-11039105

Katharine Hahn
1954-08-18 2013-12-19Katharine Hahn was born on August 18, 1954 in Livonia, Michigan to William and Elvira Hahn. She grew up with one sister and four brothers. Kath passed away peacefully at Arbor Hospice on December 19, 2013. Katharine attended Livonia public schools. After graduating from Winston Churchill High School in 1972, she earned a BA and BFA in Art History and Art Design from The University of Michigan in 1976 and 1978 respectively. Having traveled throughout the country to national parks by car with her parents and siblings at an early age, she developed a sense of adventure and loved to travel. She later traveled to Hawaii, Colorado, Vancouver and Victoria on Vancouver Island in British Columbia as...
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Vicki Ruiz (Haller)
1956-10-14 2020-10-25Vicki was married to Joe Ruiz. She retired from ESPN as the Senior Director of Learning and Development. She also worked at Delta Airlines for many years. Vicki lost her battle against cancer.
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David Jodway
1956-08-20 2014-03-04https://www.pursefuneralhome.com/files/jgp/obits/jodway_david_obit.pdf
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Howard "Skip" Mordue
1952-07-14 2015-06-21
Howard W. Mordue III "Skip", age 62 of Big Rapids, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, June 21, 2015 at Spectrum Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids. He was born July 14, 1952 in Royal Oak, the son of Howard W. Mordue II and Barbara Mello Zimnicki. Skip is survived by his daughters, Jenny McClarren and her daughter, Rylee of Cokeburg, PA and Heather (Korey) Schrieber and their children, Lexie and Ally of Indian Trail, NC; a brother, Marc (Peggy Levis) Mordue of Fairfax, VA. He was preceded in death by his mother and father. Skip was loved by all who knew him and he will be forever remembered.
https://www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com/obituary/5261111

Michael Osowski
1953-01-28 2022-04-27
First graduating class of Churchill High School.
Oldest of 6 children.
Mike was passionate about music. He was an outstanding keyboard player.
Michael worked at Ford Motor Company as a designer for many years, and was very good at what he did.
Childhood sweethearts at age 13, many years later, he married Robin Loewe.
He had 4 stepsons, and a labrador retriever named Moriah. Moriah was a gift from his family, and one of his best gifts EVER!
Michael passed after an 18 month battle with lung cancer. He will be forever missed by all who knew him.

Thomas Piluras
2010-01-21
Class of '72 Senior Class President
PILURAS THOMAS E. Age 55, of Snohomish, WA, formerly of Westland, MI passed away at his home January 21st, 2010 with his family by his side. Loving husband to Sally. Beloved and devoted father to Virginia, his pride and joy. Tom also leaves behind two sisters, Lynn A. Taylor, Dru Ann Lovelly, two brothers, Michael D. Piluras and Alex Piluras, and a dear friend, Dave Yelonek. Dearest cousin to Ernie Kosmakos, and many more family and friends. He will be missed by many to those whos lives he touched. Tom graduated from Churchill High School class of 1972 of which he was Senior Class President. Preceded in death by his mother, Norene, and father, Alex....

Paul Rossow
1956-05-13 2014-01-08
Churchill Graduate of 1974.
Paul J. Rossow, age 57.
Loving son of Joan and the late Richard Rossow. Caring brother of Lawrence (Carol) and Glenn (Ginger). Uncle of David (Amanda), Michael (Molly) and Michelle. Nephew of Mike (Jackie) and Howard (the late Dorothy).
He is laid to rest at Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia near his mother and father.

Susan Rothermal
2015-11-08Susan Patricia Rothermel, a resident of Westland, passed away on November 8, 2015 at the age of 61. Susan was the loving sister of Robert (Polly), Greg (Sherry), and Gary, and the dear aunt of Christine, Robert, Tauri, and Kelsey. Susan will be resting at the L.J. Griffin Funeral Home in Westland (7707 Middlebelt Road at Ann Arbor Trail) on Tuesday, November 10, from 1-9 p.m. Her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, in the Chapel of the Funeral Home. Susan's final resting place will be St. Hedwig Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Cancer Society would be appreciated. https://www.griffinfuneralhome.com/obituary/6203395
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Barb Sutherland (Sutherland)
2014-03-24
SUTHERLAND BARBARA LYNN Age 59 of Royal Oak, died March 24, 2014. Beloved mother of Ian and Alex. Loving sister of Kathy Noel. Dear aunt to Matt and Shannon Noel and dear great aunt to Kaden St. Onge and Korbyn Visnaw. Former wife of J. Winthrop Walker. For information on the memorial service planned for June 28th, please contact Connie at conniejay1974@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Barb's memory may be made to the Futures Foundation of MORC, 16200 19 Mile Road, Clinton Township, MI, 48038.
Published by The Detroit News on Jun. 22, 2014.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/detroitnews/name/barbara-sutherland-obituary?pid=18103...

Cheryl Thauvette
1954-05-23 2018-04-15
Thauvette, Cheryl age 63 of Huntington Woods. Beloved sister of Charles and Jerry. Loving aunt of Chris, Jennifer, Kaytlin and Charles Jr. Dear friend of Doug Osborn. Also survived by many other loving family and friends.
April, 15th is an approximate date, as I couldn’t find the actual date. MG

Penelope Bax (Thomas)
1954-08-30 2022-06-18
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/penelope-bax-obituary?pid=202245120

Thelma (Jo) Herman (Vingsness)
1953-03-11 2018-04-04
Thelma "Jo" Elaine Herman, 65, of Suttons Bay, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital with her loving family by her side.
Jo was born March 11, 1953 in Dearborn the daughter of Milton and Patricia (Wilcox) Vingsness. She married Mark John Herman on March 31, 2001 at the Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City.
With family spread out across the country, Jo kept family connections close. From regular phone calls, to always sending cards for special occasions, she kept her finger on the pulse of family happenings. She loved spending time with her grandchildren in outdoor adventures and cheering at their hockey games.
Jo was...

Steve Williams
2015-05-06
Class of 74
Steve died of a heart attack. Owned a successful trucking company in Torrance, CA. Is survived by wife and four daughters. Brother John is CHS class of 76

David Yelonek
1954-06-04 2019-04-20
David S. Yelonek
David S. Yelonek, age 64 of Plymouth, passed away April 20, 2019.
David is survived by his son Christopher, his brother Stanley (Carmen), his sister Lynn (John) Horton, his sister-in-law Barb (the late Kenneth), his step-daughter Megan and his nieces and nephews Nolan, Kelly, Jeffrey,Grace and Edward.
David belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles and The Moose Lodge in Northville.

Melissa Zick
1954-04-02
t the age of 65, Melissa K. Zick of Gregory, MI passed away at McLaren-Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, MI on December 20, 2019. She was born the daughter of Milan and Lillian Rosebud (Price) Zick on April 2, 1954 in Dearborn, MI. In 1994, she married Jack and he survives.
She was the first woman electrical apprentice at Ford Motor Company. Melissa also worked with Hospice of Michigan for eight years. She was a very impactful person who touched many lives, and she always helped others before herself.
In addition to her husband, Jack, she is survived by her sister, Jennifer (Del Morris) Zick, and her step-children Kimberly (Dennis), Michele (Mike), and Mark, along...