St. Susanna pastor dies after long illness
By Denise Callahan

Staff Writer

Friday, November 14, 2008

MASON — Father Dan Schuh, the head of the St. Susanna Catholic Church, died Friday morning, Nov. 14, church officials confirmed.

Schuh, a widower who had two children and six grandchildren, was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, in April 2007.

Despite the terminal diagnosis, Schuh continued to lead the church, attended masses and was an inspiration to the parishioners.

Mason Councilwoman Christine Shimrock, who is writing Dan's autobiography, met with him on Thursday and she said she knew it would be her last meeting.

"When his brother got there from Florida, I said Dan we're going to visit with your family," she said. "He didn't want to end the interview. He had things he wanted me to know before he would let the interview stop. It was the only time he was audible and I could understand him. The last 10 minutes of the interview I was standing next to his wheel chair, crying like a 2-year-old. I knew he was telling us good-bye, he didn't say good-bye, but they were these final thoughts he was giving me, to wrap up what we've been talking about for months.

In an interview with the Pulse-Journal in October, Schuh got a twinkle in his eye when asked about the book and said "I think Christine needs to re-think that idea, who would want to read about me."

In November 1992, Schuh's wife, Gail, died from complications of Hodgkin's Disease. After entering the seminary in August 1997, Schuh was ordained May 23, 2003.

David E. Hoffee

52-year-old Noble resident, David E. Hoffee died at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9, at his home. He was a police officer for the city of Olney.

Survivors include his wife, Christina Hoffee of Noble; his father, Charles Hoffee of West Salem; his mother, Nonnie Hoffee of Olney; two sons, Thomas Hoffee and Gage Tucker, both of Bridgeport; a daughter, Kalee Tucker of Bridgeport; and, two sisters, Jean Atteberry of Cisne and Lisa Hoffee of Allen, TX.

Services for David E. Hoffee will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney with burial in Brown Cemetery at Mount Erie. Visitation will be from 6 - 8 Wednesday evening, Nov. 12, at the Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney.

Memorials may be made to the ALS Foundation and will be accepted at the Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney

..............................................

My husand is FREE..................

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David Hoffee, my wonderful husband lost his battle with ALS this last Sunday eve. He fought so hard but is now free.

Free...............

I love him so, and miss him dearly.

Christy
__________________
Christy
http://www.olneydailymail.com/news/x1751716162

Services scheduled for Father Schuh
November 18, 2008

MASON -- Funeral arrangements for a popular Mason pastor are scheduled for today and Wednesday at St. Susanna Church, 616 Reading Road.

The Rev. Dan Schuh, 57, a widower, father of two and grandfather to six, died Friday of ALS, the muscle-robbing condition also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Ordained into the priesthood in 2003, he was St. Susanna's pastor for three years. A service for Reception of the Body and visitation begins at 4 p.m. and continues until 9 p.m.

Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk will preside at a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. Hodapp Funeral Homes, West Chester, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial donations are suggested to St. Susanna Tuition Assistance, c/o the church; or to the ALS Association, 1170 Old Henderson Road, Suite 221, Columbus, OH 43220.

Local musician James Herbison died Monday
By David Nicholson | 757-247-4794
3:53 PM EST, November 18, 2008

James Herbison, a talented Hampton Roads cellist and conductor who touched many lives through his performing and teaching, died Monday at age 61 of complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Since 2006, Herbison had conducted the York River Symphony Orchestra, which performed regularly at the Yoder Barn Theatre. He performed cello concertos with that group, including one composed by his wife, Jeraldine. During his long career, Herbison also played cello with the Virginia Symphony and the Williamsburg Symphonia.

"He worked very well with the orchestra, and he knew how to bring out the best in the players," said Barbara Morgan, who plays flute and other instruments in the York River ensemble. "We all loved him, and we will very much miss him."

In 1970, Herbison joined the music faculty at Hampton University and served for more than 30 years, where he taught music theory, coached chamber music students and conducted the college-community orchestra. He later taught at Norfolk State University and, most recently, at Elizabeth City State Teachers College in North Carolina. He also directed orchestras in the Newport News schools and taught at the Governor's School for the Arts, Christopher Newport University and College of William and Mary.



Born in Kingfisher, Okla., Herbison earned a bachelor of music education degree from the University of Oklahoma, master of music degree from the University of Michigan and doctor of musical arts degree from Catholic University of America.

He was also a prolific chamber music musician who played for many years in the Nova Trio. Most recently he was a member of the Arte Musicale String Ensemble.

"When my quartet would play for weddings, someone would always know Jim," said Jena Chenkin, the ensemble's violist. "He would bump into former HU or NSU students, or even just choir members from various churches who would remember him performing at their church. Everyone loved him."

Jean Willer
The Dickinson Press
Published Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Jean Willer, 65, of Bismarck, died peacefully with her family by her side on Nov. 14, 2008 at Medcenter One from complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

Mass of the Christian burial will be held on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008 at 10 a.m. CST at the Church of the Ascension with Rev. Tom Richter and Rev. Marvin Klemmer officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008 from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a rosary service will be held at 7:30 p.m.


Jean was born on Sept. 12, 1943 in Dickinson, the daughter of Vincent and Sophie (Faiman) Semerad. She was raised and educated in Dickinson. She worked in the lab at the Dickinson Clinic. On July 5, 1965 she was united in marriage to Gerald (Jerry) Willer at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson. They moved to Bismarck in 1975. Jean worked part time at the Medcenter One, Q and R Clinic for a number of years.

Jean loved her family and her many, many friends and they loved her. She always had a quick smile and a kind word for those around her. Her ability to make anyone feel welcome was known by all and will be missed.

Golfing with her friends or playing Bunco with them, were among her favorite pastimes. She also loved socializing at the family condo in Spearfish and traveling with her husband to conventions and seminars where she would be able to meet with old friends and find a few new ones. Decorating for holidays and planning meals were always a priority done well in advance with a lot of thought, time and effort.

Her courage and attitude upon being diagnosed with ALS will never be forgotten. The lives she touched forever are many. Jean still spent time concerning herself with the welfare of others, even after she entered Medcenter One, where the love and care she received will always be remembered.

Grateful for having shared in her life include her husband, Jerry; her children, daughter, Lonna Willer-Smith and son, Chad (Stacy) Willer both of Bismarck; her pride and joy, her grandchildren, Jordan Smith, Sydney Smith, Caden Willer and step grandsons, Cory and Chris; her sisters, Delores Wanner, Geraldine Badinger, Arlys (Joe) Boespflug, Diane Binstock, all of Dickinson, and June (Jim) Kobriger of Tucson, Ariz.; and a special friend, Andy Smith. Jean is survived by many other relatives and friends as well.

She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant grandson, Camden Willer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Jean’s name to the ALS Association, Minnesota Chapter or the Medcenter One Foundation.

Go to www.parkwayfuneral.com to share memories of Jean and to sign the online guestbook.

Bethlehem fixture felled by ALS
Parker Mathusa known for lending a hand and cheering on grandchildren

By SHARON HONG, Staff writer
First published in print: Tuesday, November 18, 2008

BETHLEHEM — Parker D. Mathusa, who served his town, state and nation, died at home Sunday after a long battle with ALS. He was 70.

Born in the town's Cedar Hills area, he graduated from Ravena-Coeyman-Selkirk High School and what was then Albany State Teachers College (now the University at Albany) and earned a master's in engineering management from Northeastern University.

Mathusa helped build the first nuclear-powered aircraft, the USS Enterprise, and the propulsion system for the first Mars space orbiter. He also traveled around the nation building nuclear power plants.

On his return to New York in 1970, he began a 38-year career in state government with the Public Service Commission and went on to serve as program director and board member of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Mathusa also devoted his time and talent to his hometown.

"He had a real sense of ownership for the town and there were things he was very protective of," said Bethlehem Supervisor Jack Cunningham, who frequently called upon Mathusa to recount town history.

In October, the town dedicated a bench and plaque to Mathusa for his work with the Quadricentennial Committee.

A "true gentleman" and "all-around great guy," Mathusa was respectful of everyone and nothing was below him, said Cunningham.

"He didn't brag about his experience or boast about himself," Cunningham recalled. "He just always was around wanting to help."

Sheila Fuller, town supervisor from 1994 to 2003, remembers "What can I do for you?" as a phrase she often heard from Mathusa, who attended every Town Board, planning and zoning meeting.

This week's planning board meeting will be the first without him in years, said Cunningham.

Jim Flynn, who married the eldest of Mathusa's four daughters, said family always came first for the man they called Pop. He and his wife, Polly, were married for 45 years.

A stellar athlete who was offered a chance to play major league baseball with the Dodgers, Mathusa would show up at Little League, football and wrestling contests to see his 10 grandchildren play, and he often went out of his way to show support for them.

"He would get in the car and travel 200 miles, regardless of time or day,'' said Flynn, "to see a soccer game."

Calling hours will be from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave. The funeral Mass will be at 9:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Thomas the Apostle Church.

In lieu of flowers, his family asked that contributions be made to the ALS Regional Center, 19 Warehouse Road, Albany, NY 12205.

Sharon Hong can be reached at 454-5414 or by e-mail at shong@timesunion.com.

Beloved Hawaii artist died the way she lived — with courage


Artist Peggy Chun died today surrounded by family. She leaves behind a legacy of familiar and dear watercolor scenes of the islands and inspiring memories of how she lived her life. She is shown here in her Nu'uanu studio June 25, 2002, shortly after she was diagnosed with a rare familial form of Lou Gehrig's disease.



By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i's most prolific and beloved watercolor artist, Peggy Chun, succumbed today to ALS, known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

She was diagnosed with the disease in 2002.
As the disease took its toll, she did not allow it to stop her creativity. Always seeing the best in life, she said she was "living with, not dying of, ALS." She continued to paint.

In 2003, when she lost the use of her right hand, she painted with her left. In 2004 a weakened left hand sent the brush to her teeth. When she was fully paralyzed, a computer allowed her to paint with her eyes. "After all," she said, "you don't paint with your hands, you paint with your heart."

Born in Lawton, Okla., Peggy moved to Hawai'i in 1968. She taught school and owned a successful Christmas ornament company. When her twin sister and noted artist, Bobbie Segler, died of ALS, Peggy was inspired to paint. Her work is featured in fine art galleries in Hawai'i and in private and corporate collections across the globe.

Her husband, Elroy Chun, son Eric and a large, loving family have supported her through the years of building her career as an artist and the years of continuing her success against all odds. For six years Peggy was encouraged and assisted in her artistic endeavors by a now nationally famous group of friends and volunteers called the Peg's Legs.

Celebrating an early Thanksgiving with hundreds of friends, Peggy's husband Elroy, said, "Peggy, if we have become more tolerant and forgiving, we owe much of that change in ourselves to you. May Akua prepare your heavenly journey with blessings richly deserved upon taking residence in your new abode. We love and will dearly miss you."

Mary Margaret "Peggy" Richard Chun is survived by:

Husband: Elroy Chun;

Son: Eric Keala Chun, daughter-in-law Jessica Kimi Chun, granddaughter Indiana Anuhea, grandson Sawyer Kumula'au;

Daughter: Leslie, son-in-law Stuart Streuli, granddaughter Hanalei of Newport, R.I.;

Step-son: Bruce Akoni Yong, wife Briar, step-granddaughter Makena of Santa Barbara, Calif.;

Nephew: (son of Peggy's twin sister) Jason Segler, wife Jennifer, grandnieces Jade and Cian, Honolulu;

Nephew: Damon Segler, wife Desiree, grand nephew Dillon;

Niece: (daughter of Peggy's twin sister) Tina Segler, grandniece Molly;

Father: Joseph Richard, stepmother Sara of Lawton, Okla.;

Brothers: Joseph Perry "J P" Richard, John Richard, Peter Richard of Oklahoma; Matthew "Matt" Richard of Tacoma, Wash.; Michael Richard of Colorado Springs, Colo.;

Sister: Camille Richard Fox, husband Joseph, son Silas of Lake City, Colo.;

Peggy is also survived by the famed Peg's Legs 'Ohana of caregivers who served for six years as Peggy's arms, legs and best friends.

Reach Lee Cataluna at lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar...localnewsfront

Local writer dies at age 44

By MARTA HEPLER DRAHOS
mdrahos@record-eagle.com



TRAVERSE CITY -- A local writer whose struggles with a paralyzing neurological condition and subsequent inability to work launched a fund-raising campaign to help save her home has died at the age of 44.

Lori Hall Steele died Wednesday in Howell, after a mystifying illness that was diagnosed as either Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, or Lyme disease.

A self-employed single mother and prolific writer whose nearly 3,000 features, essays and news stories have appeared in print and online publications nationwide, Hall Steele lost feeling in her feet in 2007 and eventually became completely paralyzed. She had been unable to work since mid-March, prompting friends to mobilize to help pay her mortgage and medical bills, which topped $100,000.

Her plight and the chance to help resonated with writers, artists, musicians and other self-employed creative people both in the region and beyond, who raised about $70,000 through grants, a silent auction and an online campaign called savelorishouse.com.

Contributors included online writers groups, the American Society of Journalists and Authors and pop star Ben Lee.

A graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism, Hall Steele came to the area as a young reporter from the Albion Recorder. From 1989 through 1993 she was a reporter, columnist and editor at the Record-Eagle, where she covered the cherry industry among other beats.

Early in her career she contributed to a Record-Eagle series on poverty in the region that earned the paper a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award citation for distinguished reporting, alongside such news organizations as The Boston Globe, ABC News and National Public Radio. She also received awards from the Inland Daily Press and the Associated Press.

Former Record-Eagle City Editor Loraine Anderson recalls Hall Steele as a gifted and versatile writer who always searched for creative ways to get and tell a story, and whose sense of humor often showed up in her work.

"She was a great writer, a great researcher and also a really fine editor, and she always worked to tell the story through people," Anderson said. "She had that tenacity you have to have to be a hard news reporter and was very much concerned about First Amendment rights.

"She loved to write, and she loved this work," Anderson added.

Longtime friend Kristen Hains said Hall Steele was curious and passionate about her wide-ranging interests, from gardening to film to the area's history. She was instrumental in helping get the Traverse City Film Festival off the ground as a member of the festival's founding committee, and became a champion of the Grand Traverse Commons redevelopment project after co-writing "The Beauty of Therapy" with Earle Steele, grounds keeper at the former Traverse City State Hospital.

"She had a passion for everything she did, whether it was her writing, her son, her friends or a cause she got behind," Hains said. "If she put herself behind something she put herself behind it 100 percent. I think what made her so special as a writer also made her special as a person, and that is that Lori never stopped asking questions. And she was always looking forward, even when she was struck with this. She never stopped believing that if she acted independently and asked enough questions she could change the outcome."

Hall Steele was instrumental in calling attention to the historic Traverse City State Hospital and the efforts to preserve it as The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, said Mini Minervini of the preservation and redevelopment Minervini Group. And she involved others in writing about the project too.

"Lori has always been a passionate advocate for the preservation and renovation of Building 50 and the whole complex," Minervini said. "She paid attention to the details. And anything she wrote was always stellar."

After leaving the Record-Eagle, Hall Steele moved on to staff positions with Traverse Magazine and Northern Home and, farther afield, with the Prague Post. Most recently she was a freelance writer and editor who shepherded publications from conception to printing press, edited stories and books including Michael Moore's "Dude, Where's My Country?" and designed newspapers, magazines and books. She was the author of "Sweet and Snappy Cherry Drinks," a small-press selection of the Publishers Marketing Association.

As a freelance writer, she specialized in stories about the home, food, parenting, travel and the environment for publications ranging from the Detroit Free Press, the Chicago Tribune and the Washington Post to Brides, SmartMoney and Woman's Day. Shortly before she died, she learned that the national magazine Parenting was interested in buying one of her essays.

"It was such a sweet moment," said Hains, also a freelance writer. "I thought, 'You can take away her voice, you can take away her ability to walk, but you can't take away her ability to affect people with her thoughts.'"

Those thoughts reached a discriminating audience in June, when the prestigious Washington Post published one of Hall Steele's essays in which she explored her responsibility to her son, Jackson, 7. Although it was written before she became ill, it proved to be prophetic.

"I tell him I'll always be here for him, one way or another," she wrote. "Always always always. Just like my mother is here for me ... It is an impossible promise, a gamble with his trust. I secretly pray I don't let him down, not on this."

Funeral arrangements are pending.

http://www.record-eagle.com/local/lo...325105009.html

Michael Gene Wilkinson

Michael Gene Wilkinson was born November 14, 1950 in Oklahoma City, OK and died November 16, 2008 in Austin, TX after a lengthy battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease. Mike was a devoted father and husband, and an advocate for children, working as a school teacher before founding the Kids Exchange, an Austin non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating visitation for children of divorced parents. Later in life, he worked at Dell Computers in Round Rock, TX. Wilkinson loved the outdoors and vacationing in Alaska. He was an avid bicycler, fisherman and kayaker, and he shared these passions with his oldest daughter Rachel. A proud graduate of the University of Oklahoma and a huge football and basketball fan, he traveled throughout the country to watch his beloved Oklahoma Sooners, and he made sure his son could sing the OU fight song before he could talk. Wilkinson was preceded in death by his parents, Russell Harrell Wilkinson and Eugene Andrews Wilkinson, and two brothers, Larry Kevin Wilkinson and Gordon Wilkinson. He is survived by his wife, Michele Morgan, and their three children - Rachel Joy (10), Emily Grace (7) and Zachary Michael Bud (4) - all of Austin; three sisters, Lanola "Sissy" Borin of Dallas, TX, Billie Sue McEntire of Sedona, AZ and Beverly Thrasher of Phoenix, AZ; and a brother, Russell Harrell "Rusty" Wilkinson, Jr. of Princeton, LA., and; many extended family members and friends. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 23 at St. Matthew's Episcopal, 8134 Mesa Dr., Austin, TX with military honors being rendered by the US Army. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the University of Oklahoma Foundation, 100 Timberdell Rd., Norman, Oklahoma 73019, ALS Association of Central Texas, 6800 Park Ten Blvd., Suite 220N, San Antonio, Texas 78213 or Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78759. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com

Passing of PDG Jay Kapner
November 24th, 2008 in Rotary Shares


Jay Kapner, a lover of family, music, and community and world service, died peacefully at his home on Saturday in Atlanta, Georgia. He was 59.
Jay was a loving and devoted husband and father. When Jay was 21 he married wife Lee, his college sweetheart, and in their 38 years of marriage they lived in Wilmington, Boston, Connecticut, and Atlanta, spent 5 months traveling across America in a Dodge van, attended almost 250 concerts, visited three continents, and built a life based on love, commitment, and respect. Jay adored his children, daughter Tamar and son Daniel, and was a deeply committed and caring father. Jay had many wonderful memories in life, and some of his favorite were spending a month with Lee in Italy, taking a road trip with his daughter to see Arlo Guthrie in concert, traveling through Japan with his son and going together on a jazz quest to Charleston, backpacking nearly the entire Appalachian trail, seeing the Beatles’ childhood homes in Liverpool, and watching his children and grandchildren grow.

Jay dedicated his life to service above self – to his local and world communities. Through his involvement with Rotary International, including serving as District Governor of Eastern North Carolina, Jay traveled to India to give children polio vaccinations and bring a village clean drinking water; traveled to Mexico to build houses for the homeless; and promoted AIDS awareness, disaster relief, and the importance of public service. Jay regularly volunteered with homeless and domestic violence shelters, served as a youth adviser with the B’nai Brith Youth Organization, built houses with Habitat for Humanity, volunteered to help preserve Masonboro Island, and worked as a youth counselor in prisons and counselor for drug addicts. Jay was a dynamic and inspirational leader - he lived to serve others and was guided by a duty to help heal the world.

Jay was born in 1949 in Brooklyn and raised in Massapequa, NY. He received a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and master’s degree from Springfield College. Jay was in the hotel and nightclub business for 24 years, and with Lee was former owner of the Greentree Inn, Yellow Rose Saloon, and Rockits Rhythm & Sports.

Jay is survived by wife Lee, son Daniel, daughter Tamar, son-in-law Frank, grandchildren Jacob and Esther, sister Wendy, brother-in-law Richie, nephews Josh and Avi, and parents Rabbi Nathan and Pearl Kapner. His life will be celebrated and missed.

Funeral services will be conducted on Monday at 2:30PM at Dressler’s Funeral Home in Atlanta, GA. A memorial service will be conducted in Wilmington at a date TBA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Association of Georgia.
http://www.alsaga.org/