In Memoriam
The following represents those members of the State Bar of Michigan whose death has been communicated to us. To notify us of the passing of a loved one or colleague, please email barjournal@michbar.org.
September 2025
HON. MAGGIE W. DRAKE, P35240, of Orrville, Ala., died September 19, 2025. She was born in 1944, graduated from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1983.
TERRY J. KLAASEN, P16024, of Jackson, died September 12, 2025. He was born in 1943, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1968.
HON. KARL E. KRAUS, P16224, of Bad Axe, died September 12, 2025. He was born in 1945, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1972.
HON. JOHN E. MACDONALD, P16914, of Holland, died September 28, 2025. He was born in 1934, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1961.
SANDI ODISHO, P77386, of Dearborn Heights, died September 27, 2025. She was born in 1985, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 2013.
JAMES ALBERT SMITH, P20667, of Clinton Township, died September 18, 2025. He was born in 1942, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1968.
JAMES S. TRECIAK, P21551, of Jackson, died September 14, 2025. He was born in 1940, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1964.
August 2025
MARTIN C. BASCH, P24461, of Portage, died August 29, 2025. He was born in 1945 and was admitted to the Bar in 1971.
WILLIAM DIETRICH, P12769, of Naples, Fla., died August 21, 2025. He was born in 1936, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1961.
SUSAN A. HOFFELDER, P40668, of Niles, died August 25, 2025. She was born in 1947 and was admitted to the Bar in 1987.
KENNETH B. PEIRCE, JR., P18752, of Grand Rapids, died August 30, 2025. He was born in 1943 and was admitted to the Bar in 1973.
JOHN D. SILLS, P20462, of Orlando, Fla., died August 13, 2025. He was born in 1934, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1960.
REX A. ZIEBARTH, P39940, of Lapeer, died August 26, 2025. He was born in 1957, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1987.
July 2025
RICHARD M. AMSBAUGH, P34244, of Plymouth, died July 8, 2025. He was born in 1957, graduated from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1982.
LLOYD C. FELL, P13359, of Cheboygan, died July 17, 2025. He was born in 1938, graduated from and was admitted to the Bar in 1964.
J. MICHAEL KINNEY, P32054, of St. Joseph, died July 12, 2025. He was born in 1944, graduated from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1980.
May 2025
DANIEL J. BIERSDORF, P67452, of Minneapolis, Minn., died May 2, 2025. He was born in 1950 and was admitted to the Bar in 2004.
GARY R. PETERSON, P31139, of Portage, died May 21, 2025. He was born in 1953, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1980.
W. RICHARD SMITH, P20716, of Harbor Springs, died May 4, 2025. He was born in 1934, graduated from the University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1960.
April 2025
HON. JANET M. ALLEN, P30817, of Gaylord, died April 14, 2025. She was born in 1951, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1979.
KEITH D. CERMAK, P11756, of Sterling Heights, died April 17, 2025. He was born in 1947, and was admitted to the Bar in 1972.
ALPHONSE B. DALIMONTE, P25969, of Grand Ledge, died April 1, 2025. He was born in 1933, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1976.
WILLIAM S. FARR, P13306, of Grand Rapids, died April 25, 2025. He was born in 1935, graduated from the University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1961.
ROBERT HENRY GOLDEN, P14108, of Southfield, died April 9, 2025. He was born in 1938, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1961.
J. RONALD KAPLANSKY, P15700, of East Lansing, died April 7, 2025. He was born in 1940, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1965.
RANDALL W. KRAKER, P27776, of Grand Rapids, died April 17, 2025. He was born in 1950, and was admitted to the Bar in 1977.
ROBERT R. LOHRMANN, P16770, of Kalamazoo, died April 2, 2025. He was born in 1946, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1971.
CHRIS E. ROSSMAN, P25611, of Detroit, died April 12, 2025. He was born in 1950, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1975.
WEBB A. SMITH, P20718, of Lansing, died April 2, 2025. He was born in 1938, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1963.
JOHN W. UJLAKY, P27660, of Lansing, died April 13, 2025. He was born in 1949, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1977.
March 2025
ROBERT N. BROWN, P25159, of Grosse Pointe Farms, died March 25, 2025. He was born in 1944, graduated from the University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1969.
AMY B. HARTMANN, P39217, of Grosse Pointe Farms, died March 27, 2025. She was born in 1960, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1986.
HON. ARCHIE L. HAYMAN, P37516, of Flint, died March 14, 2025. He was born in 1956, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1985.
MICHAEL R. KRAMER, P16207, of Troy, died March 28, 2025. He was born in 1943, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1969.
JOSEPH M. LA BELLA, P37987, of Detroit, died March 5, 2025. He was born in 1955, graduated from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1985.
HON. JAMES E. LACEY, P16327, of Northville, died March 21, 2025. He was born in 1934, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1962.
ANN L. NICKEL, P37005, of Monroe, died March 21, 2025. She was born in 1957, and was admitted to the Bar in 1984.
MATTHEW L. POSNER, P33287, of Suttons Bay, died March 20, 2025. He was born in 1947, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1981.
CHARLES A. ROEHL, P19553, of Grosse Pointe Farms, died March 27, 2025. He was born in 1936, and was admitted to the Bar in 1968.
JAMES F. SCALES, P40639, of Grand Rapids, died March 26, 2025. He was born in 1961, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1987.
LAWRENCE E. SCHULTZ, P20097, of Ocala, Fla., died March 20, 2025. He was born in 1944, graduated from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1971.
RICHARD G. SWANEY, P21188, of Holland, died March 1, 2025. He was born in 1947, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1973.
LARRY P. WEINBERG, P22101, of Mc Lean, Va., died March 6, 2025. He was born in 1945, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1972.
February 2025
JOHN W. BISSELL, P25865, of East Lansing, died February 18, 2025. He was born in 1947 and was admitted to the Bar in 1976.
DENIS W. BUDDS, P11352, of Flat Rock, died Feb. 6, 2025. He was born in 1945, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1971.
PAUL B. COFFEY, P12008, of Bingham Farms, died February 24, 2025. He was born in 1936, and was admitted to the Bar in 1968.
HON. PAT M. DONOFRIO, P12880, of Naples, Fla., died February 11, 2025. He was born in 1944, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1970.
DYNAH NAOMI JULIETTE DUNCAN-WHITE, P74200, of Dearborn, died February 28, 2025. She was born in 1964, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 2010.
JONATHAN D. LOWE, P27128, of Bloomfield Hills, died February 2, 2025. He was born in 1954, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1977.
BRIAN K. MILLINGTON, P17793, of Henderson, Nev., died February 15, 2025. He was born in 1932, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1958.
ANNETTE R. O’CONNER, P52735, of Grove City, Pa., died February 7, 2025. She was born in 1966, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1995.
ALLEN W. VENABLE, P66149, of Southfield, died February 25, 2025. He was born in 1974 and was admitted to the Bar in 2003.
STUART L. YOUNG, P22654, of Fort Myers, Fla., died February 27, 2025. He was born in 1942, graduated from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1968.
January 2025
FRANK J. BUJOLD, P11369, of Bloomfield Hills, died January 3, 2025. He was born in 1931, graduated from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1954.
WILLIAM S. DOBREFF, P35263, of Sterling Heights, died Jan. 2, 2025. He was born in 1957, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1983.
JOHN C. EVANS, P13244, of Orchard Lake, died Jan. 7, 2025. He was born in 1933, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1962.
RONALD F. GEE, P26395, of Rochester Hills, died January 13, 2025. He was born in 1947, graduated from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1976.
MICHAEL M. GLUSAC, P14064, of Chicago, Ill., died January 27, 2025. He was born in 1930, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1956.
BRIAN J. HOFFMAN, P60149, of Cadillac, died Jan. 9, 2025. He was born in 1970, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1999.
THOMAS G. KAVANAGH JR., P31168, of Beverly Hills, died Jan. 20, 2025. He was born in 1946, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1980.
JAMES J. KENT, P29031, of East Lansing, died Jan. 21, 2025. He was born in 1951, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1978.
DAVID P. LEONARDSON, P44417, of Gaylord, died Jan. 29, 2025. He was born in 1942, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1990.
EVELYNE YUEN-KEI LO, P73978, of Newton, Massachusetts, died Jan. 11, 2025. She was born in 1975 and was admitted to the Bar in 2010.
KENNETH EARLE LONG, P16783, of Kalamazoo, died January 15, 2025. He was born in 1929, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1957.
THOMAS P. McKENNEY, P28535, of Holly, died Jan. 14, 2025. He was born in 1952, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1978.
NANCY L. MULLETT, P44713, of Grand Rapids, died January 25, 2025. She was born in 1957, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1990.
PAUL L. NINE, P18307, of Bloomfield Hills, died Jan. 14, 2025. He was born in 1940, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1967.
RICHARD B. OOLE, P26176, of Grand Rapids, died January 30, 2025. He was born in 1949 and was admitted to the Bar in 1975.
WILLIAM C. PANZER, P18620, of West Bloomfield, died Jan. 28, 2025. He was born in 1941, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1967.
JOHN MICHAEL PETIT, P68502, of Canton, Ohio, died Jan. 20, 2025. He was born in 1967 and was admitted to the Bar in 2005.
BARBARA L. QUENNEVILLE, P28996, of Farmington Hills, died January 9, 2025. She was born in 1940, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1978.
GEORGE T. ROUMELL, JR., P19700, of Grosse Pointe Farms, died January 17, 2025. He was born in 1928 and was admitted to the Bar in 1955.
CHARLES R. ROUSSEAU, P19706, of Saginaw, died Jan. 19, 2025. He was born in 1944, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1973.
GLENN T. SARKA, P54397, of Marquette, died Jan. 23, 2025. He was born in 1965 and was admitted to the Bar in 1996.
RONALD P. SCHIGUR, P19983, of San Antonio, Florida, died Jan. 10, 2025. He was born in 1939, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1971.
ROBERT A. SEDLER, P31003, of Detroit, died Jan. 4, 2025. He was born in 1935 and was admitted to the Bar in 1959.
CHRISTOPHER L. TERRY, P21339, of Saint Clair Shores, died Jan. 8, 2025. He was born in 1947, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1972.
OLIVER E. TODD, JR., P62539, of Charlevoix, died January 15, 2025. He was born in 1940, and was admitted to the Bar in 2001.
SAMUEL C. URSU, P37593, of Beverly Hills, died January 15, 2025. He was born in 1932, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1985.
DAVID J. WATTS, P44261, of Caseville, died Jan. 11, 2025. He was born in 1965 and was admitted to the Bar in 1990.
ERIC J. WELLS, P54292, of Bloomfield Hills, died Jan. 31, 2025. He was born in 1970, graduated from Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University, and was admitted to the Bar in 1999.
JOHN P. WILLIAMS, P22355, of Novi, died Jan. 22, 2025. He was born in 1939, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1965.
RONALD C. WILSON, P22419, of Harrison, died Jan. 12, 2025. He was born in 1935, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1966.
WALLACE C. WINTERS JR., P26384, of Taylor, died Jan. 21, 2025. He was born in 1949, graduated from University of Detroit School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1976.
December 2024
THOMAS D. ANDERSON, JR., P10187, of Pierson, died December 11, 2024. He was born in 1934, graduated from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1961.
KARL A. H. BOHNHOFF, P10957, of Mancelona, died Dec. 9, 2024. He was born in 1940 and was admitted to the Bar in 1968.
LAWRENCE G. CAMPBELL, P11553, of Franklin, died Dec. 19, 2024. He was born in 1939, graduated from University of Detroit School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1969.
CARL S. CHRISTOPH, P41377, of Farmington, died Dec. 3, 2024. He was born in 1944, graduated from University of Detroit School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1988.
CANDICE JANINE COSBY, P83403, of Lake Orion, died Dec. 8, 2024. She was born in 1990, graduated from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 2019.
LOLANDA R. JOHNSON, P35060, of Flint, died December 30, 2024. She was born in 1953, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1983.
FRANKLIN H. KASLE, P25379, of Flint, died December 9, 2024. He was born in 1941, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1975.
WILLIAM C. KEMPER, P15863, of East Lansing, died December 14, 2024. He was born in 1930, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1960.
KAREN E. LIVINGSTON-WILSON, P36585, of Madison, Miss., died December 25, 2024. She was born in 1957, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1984.
CHARLES S. OWEN, P30978, of Southfield, died December 27, 2024. He was born in 1949 and was admitted to the Bar in 1975.
BRUCE E. PETRICK, P52485, of Saginaw, died December 21, 2024. He was born in 1963, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1998.
STANLEY A. PROKOP, P19114, of Detroit, died Dec. 18, 2024. He was born in 1942, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1969.
CHARLES A. SOBERMAN, P23572, of West Bloomfield, died December 8, 2024. He was born in 1948 and was admitted to the Bar in 1974.
ANGELO C. TESTA, P77604, of Farmington Hills, died Dec. 24, 2024. He was born in 1987, graduated from Michigan State University College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 2013.
STEVEN S. VERNIER, P29547, of Eastpointe, died Dec. 30, 2024. He was born in 1953, graduated from University of Detroit School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1978.
GEORGE E. WARD, P21970, of Canton, died Dec. 28, 2024. He was born in 1941, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1967.
EDWARD E. WASIURA, P30555, of Muskegon, died Dec. 24, 2024. He was born in 1950 and was admitted to the Bar in 1979.
HON. JOHN R. WEBER, P22070, of Marquette, died December 11, 2024. He was born in 1936, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1962.
DANIEL ZOLKOWER, P22754, of Lathrup Village, died Dec. 25, 2024. He was born in 1933, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1962.
November 2024
JEFFREY BRIAN BERSHAD, P66277, of Farmington, died Nov. 22, 2024. He was born in 1978, graduated from Michigan State University College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 2003.
WINSTON T. CHURCHILL II, P31125, of Clearwater, Florida, died Nov. 22, 2024. He was born in 1953, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1980.
JEFFREY J. FLEURY, P53884, of Rochester Hills, died November 6, 2024. He was born in 1970, graduated from Detroit Mercy School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1995.
LAWRENCE L. HAYES JR., P14771, of Hillsdale, died Nov. 29, 2024. He was born in 1937, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1964.
MICHAEL J. HODGE, P25146, of Lansing, died Nov. 14, 2024. He was born in 1948, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1975.
PAUL S. JANCHA, P23738, of Saint Joseph, died Nov. 17, 2024. He was born in 1949 and was admitted to the Bar in 1974.
JAMES K. JESSE, P15498, of Buchanan, died Nov. 3, 2024. He was born in 1944 and was admitted to the Bar in 1970.
MARTIN K. MAGID, P23183, of Watkinsville, Ga., died November 15, 2024. He was born in 1933, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1973.
ALLEN F. PEASE, P23987, of Royal Oak, died Nov. 22, 2024. He was born in 1944, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1974.
BERNARD D. TALON, P21251, of West Bloomfield, died Nov. 18, 2024. He was born in 1925, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1949.
EDWARD W. TENHOUTEN, P21327, of Cadillac, died November 10, 2024. He was born in 1931, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1956.
LESTER N. TURNER, P21632, of Harbor Springs, died Nov. 7, 2024. He was born in 1933, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1960.
JOHN A. WISE, P22466, of Royal Oak, died November 20, 2024. He was born in 1938, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1963.
DAMON L. WHITE, P55918, of Detroit, died November 9, 2024. He was born in 1967 and was admitted to the Bar in 1996.
JAMES A. WHITE, P22252, of Lansing, died Nov. 17, 2024. He was born in 1939, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1964.
ROBERT H. WOODY, P37338, of Omaha, Neb., died November 11, 2024. He was born in 1936 and was admitted to the Bar in 1985.