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.
March 2026
JOHN L. KANARAS, P42264, of Rochester Hills, died March 9, 2025. He was born in 1952, graduated from Detroit College of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1989.
February 2026
MICHAEL S. ADELMAN, P36071, of Hattiesburg, Miss., died February 10, 2026. He was born in 1940, graduated from University of Michigan Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1968.
J. MICHAEL BERNARD, P38048, of Detroit, died February 8, 2026. He was born in 1960 and was admitted to the Bar in 1985.
STEVEN EDWARD JOHNSON, P69692, of Okemos, died February 24, 2025. He was born in 1980, graduated from Michigan State University College of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 2006.
January 2026
STEPHEN G. ANDREWS, P24975, of Waxhaw, N.C., died January 20, 2026. He was born in 1949, graduated from Detroit College of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1975.
LORI A. BARKER, P39198, of Lake Orion, died January 3, 2026. She was born in 1961, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1986.
LORI A. BARKER, P39198, of Lake Orion, died January 3, 2026. She was born in 1961, graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1986.
HEATHER VALYNN BURNASH, P72303, of Flint, died January 5, 2026. She was born in 1975, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 2008.
ALAN JEROME BUTLER, P83432, of Saginaw, died January 29, 2026. He was born in 1982, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 2019.
LAWRENCE S. CHARFOOS, P11799, of Clinton Township, died January 24, 2026. He was born in 1935, graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1959.
HON. MARVIN F. FRANKEL, P13640, of Fenton, died January 15, 2026. He was born in 1932, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1958.
ANTHONY A. HAISCH, P14528, of Naples, Fla., died January 30, 2026. He was born in 1939, graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1972.
MICHAEL E. McINERNEY, P35746, of Clarkston, died January 1, 2026. He was born in 1957, graduated from Detroit College of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1983.
HON. H. GAIL McKNIGHT, P27420, of Northville, died January 31, 2026. She was born in 1945, graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1977.
ELVIRA D. MEZA-DOMBKOWSKI, P33311, of Springfield, Va., died February 3, 2026. She was born in 1952, graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1981.
WILLIAM MITCHELL, III, P31031, of Marietta, Ga., died January 19, 2026. He was born in 1955 and was admitted to the Bar in 1980.
WILLARD F. RAPPLEYE, P19235, of Jackson, died January 10, 2026. He was born in 1926, graduated from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1952.
BRIAN ASHLEY ROOKARD, P69836, of Royal Oak, died January 20, 2026. He was born in 1967, graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 2006.
LELAND R. ROSIER, P33827, of Grand Ledge, died January 26, 2026. He was born in 1956, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1982.
HON. DONALD L. SANDERSON, P24179, of Hillsdale, died January 15, 2026. He was born in 1945, graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1974.
December 2025
EDWARD J. CASTELLANI, P30943, of Lansing, died December 24, 2025. He was born in 1952, graduated from Detroit College of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1980.
MARY E. CIROCCO, P41088, of Grosse Pointe Farms, died December 7, 2025. She was born in 1957, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1987.
JAMES S. GOULDING, P14233, of Saint Clair Shores, died December 8, 2025. He was born in 1931, graduated from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1966.
ROBERTA M. GUBBINS, P39998, of Mason, died December 13, 2025. She was born in 1936, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1987.
CHESTER C. LAWRENCE, P16461, of Dearborn, died December 10, 2025. He was born in 1935, graduated from University of Michigan Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1960.
PAUL G. LOWE, P58492, of Royal Oak, died December 17, 2025. He was born in 1967, graduated from Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University and was admitted to the Bar in 1998.
MICHAEL T. MADDALONI, P46733, of Laingsburg, died December 10, 2025. He was born in 1961, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1997.
ROBERT D. MEER, P28955, of Oak Park, died December 8, 2025. He was born in 1949, graduated from Detroit College of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1978.
THOMAS H. OEHMKE, P22963, of Key West, Fla., died October 8, 2025. He was born in 1947, graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1973.
THOMAS M. O’LEARY, P18466, of Bonita Springs, Fla., died December 30, 2025. He was born in 1944, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1970.
PHILIP J. OLSON, II, P26746, of Grand Blanc, died December 12, 2025. He was born in 1949, graduated from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1976.
JAMES R. PRINCE, P33063, of Hart, died December 11, 2025. He was born in 1955, graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1981.
ELAINE ROSATI, P40528, of Novi, died December 9, 2025. She was born in 1927, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1987.
SUSANNE DYE ROSE, P40797, of Suttons Bay, died December 26, 2025. She was born in 1956 and was admitted to the Bar in 1987.
PAUL CHRISTOPHER SHAILOR, P78259, of Mount Clemens, died December 29, 2025. He was born in 1988, graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 2014.
HENRY R. SMITTER, P20723, of Grand Rapids, died December 31, 2025. He was born in 1929, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1955.
RON R. SUMNER, P21162, of Rochester Hills, died December 13, 2025. He was born in 1934, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1962.
KEITH S. WATSON, P56463, of Lansing, died December 23, 2025. He was born in 1964, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1997.
HARRY WEBB, P34240, of East Lansing, died December 30, 2025. He was born in 1933 and was admitted to the Bar in 1982.
MARK E. WEBB, P44688, of Ludington, died December 24, 2025. He was born in 1958, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1991.
November 2025
FREDERICK W. BLEAKLEY, P38860, of Muskegon, died November 9, 2025. He was born in 1960, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1986.
JEREMY AICETE-INYANKA BRAVE-HEART, P75630, of Riverview, died November 14, 2025. He was born in 1980, graduated from University of Michigan Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 2011.
CATHERINE BARNES ELLIS, P28665, of Grand Rapids, died November 29, 2025. She was born in 1947, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1978.
JENNIFER K. ESSARY, P61758, of Harper Woods, died November 16, 2025. She was born in 1966 and was admitted to the Bar in 2000.
STEVEN J. FISHMAN, P13478, of Vero Beach, Fla., died November 12, 2025. He was born in 1940 and was admitted to the Bar in 1972.
HON. LAWRENCE M. GLAZER, P14041, of Okemos, died November 28, 2025. He was born in 1943, graduated from University of Michigan Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1968.
JEROME B. GREENBAUM, P14325, of Southfield, died November 13, 2025. He was born in 1937, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1961.
HAYIM I. GROSS, P14419, of Woodmere, N.Y., died November 18, 2025. He was born in 1947, graduated from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1971.
BRIAN H. LONNERSTATER, P40505, of Novi, died November 14, 2025. He was born in 1962, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1987.
JOHN P. SHERIDAN, P20356, of Dearborn, died November 10, 2025. He was born in 1947, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1973.
PETER A. TAUCHER, P21287, of Troy, died November 10, 2025. He was born in 1932 and was admitted to the Bar in 1966.
ROSEMARY KOZIELSKI WOLOCK, P24988, of Huntington Woods, died November 16, 2025. She was born in 1946, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1975.
October 2025
STEVEN O. ASHTON, P40475, of Detroit, died October 10, 2025. He was born in 1962 and was admitted to the Bar in 1987.
HON. MICHAEL H. CHERRY, P25111, of Coldwater, died October 18, 2025. He was born in 1943 and was admitted to the Bar in 1975.
DAVID J. CLARK, P34659, of Traverse City, died October 5, 2025. He was born in 1954, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1982.
NANCY L. DILLEY, P34481, of Grand Rapids, died October 31, 2025. She was born in 1956, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1982.
ALVIS PHILLIP EASTER, P27168, of El Granada, Calif., died October 9, 2025. He was born in 1949, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1977.
HON. WILLIAM T. ERVIN, P30654, of Mount Pleasant, died October 12, 2025. He was born in 1947, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1979.
GEORGE FEDYNSKY, P28690, of Ferndale, died October 24, 2025. He was born in 1941 and was admitted to the Bar in 1978.
GARRY W. GODDARD, P35142, of Lansing, died October 3, 2025. He was born in 1943, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1983.
DAVID I. KAUFMAN, P15759, of Kalamazoo, died October 25, 2025. He was born in 1932, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1964.
GLEN N. LENHOFF, P32610, of Grand Blanc, died October 30, 2025. He was born in 1949, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1981.
MICHALE D. LIEBERMAN, P38529, of Farmington Hills, died October 20, 2025. He was born in 1960, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1985.
LANCE E. MERMELL, P17636, of Bingham Farms, died October 25, 2025. He was born in 1943, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1970.
JAMES H. NOVIS, P30679, of Saginaw, died October 20, 2025. He was born in 1954, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1979.
MICHAEL J. PENDRACKI, P37748, of Southgate, died October 24, 2025. He was born in 1958, graduated from Detroit College of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1985.
JOHN A. SMIETANKA, P20610, of Grandville, died October 25, 2025. He was born in 1941 and was admitted to the Bar in 1969.
PETER J. VELLENGA, P21804, of Boyne City, died October 26, 2025. They were born in 1941 and were admitted to the Bar in 1971.
TOMMIE WAUGH, P32531, of White Lake, died October 5, 2025. He was born in 1950, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1981.
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.
TODD W. GRANT, P45531, of Ann Arbor, died September 21, 2025. He was born in 1951, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1991.
JOANNE C. HARTNETT, P32459, of Harbor Springs, died September 18, 2025. She was born in 1934, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1981.
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.
HOWARD W. PATCH, P18688, of Jackson, died September 28, 2025. He was born in 1938, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1964.
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.
NICHOLAS L. BOZEN, P11091, of Lansing, died August 18, 2025. He was born in 1947, graduated from University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1973.
MELINDA S. CAMERON, P36048, of Livonia, died August 8, 2025. She was born in 1957, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1983.
FRANCISCO CARREIRA-PITTI, P34971, of Panama City, died August 29, 2025. He was born in 1949 and was admitted to the Bar in 1983.
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.
KAREN A. BEIKERT, P58917, of Midland, died July 14, 2025. She was born in 1954, graduated from University of Michigan Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1998.
DAVID W. CROOKS, P28232, of Naples, Fla., died July 22, 2025. He was born in 1948 and was admitted to the Bar in 1977.
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.
GARY J. GANCZARSKI, P32695, of Dallas, Texas, died July 5, 2025. He was born in 1952 and was admitted to the Bar in 1981.
PHILIP A. GRASHOFF, JR., P14279, of Bloomfield Hills, died July 12, 2025. He was born in 1944, graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1972.
HON. THEODORE O. JOHNSON, P23445, of Alpena, died July 7, 2025. He was born in 1943, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1974.
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.
JOHN A. SINCLAIR, P28173, of Farmington Hills, died July 27, 2025. He was born in 1951, graduated from University of Michigan Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1977.
June 2025
CHRISTINE P. DEWAN, P67097, of Bloomfield Hills, died June 18, 2025. She was born in 1960, graduated from Detroit Mercy School of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 2004.
MARK E. GALLAGHER, P69377, of New Baltimore, died June 15, 2025. He was born in 1956, graduated from Detroit Mercy School of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 2006.
JONATHAN E. MAIRE, P16999, of Lansing, died June 12, 2025. He was born in 1936 and was admitted to the Bar in 1964.
HON. DONNA R. MILHOUSE, P36958, of Detroit, died June 23, 2025. She was born in 1959, graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1984.
GREGORY J. MLYNAREK, P29267, of Macomb, died June 4, 2025. He was born in 1949, graduated from Detroit College of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1978.
RICHARD G. SCHREUR, P20067, of South Haven, died June 17, 2025. He was born in 1943, graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1971.
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.
EDWARD DRAUGELIS, P12947, of Dearborn, died May 17, 2025. He was born in 1928, graduated from Detroit College of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1959.
SCOTT M. GRAMMER, P72713, of Lansing, died May 4, 2025. He was born in 1967, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 2009.
PETER K. GRANTZ, P49798, of Detroit, died May 28, 2025. He was born in 1958, graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1994.
CLIFTON E. HALEY, P14537, of Drummond Island, died May 23, 2025. He was born in 1931, graduated from Detroit College of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1962.
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.
MATTHEW P. SMITH, P38147, of Ada, died May 18, 2025. He was born in 1954, graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1985.
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.
MAYNARD L. TIMM, P28177, of Bingham Farms, died May 31, 2025. He was born in 1952 and was admitted to the Bar in 1977.