Elaine Blakely Schendel

SCHENDEL, ELAINE BLAKELY ("LANI"), age 85. Daughter of Fred Parsons and Hazel Munro Blakely. Sister of the late Fay E. Steelman and Barbara Blakely Krusell. A graduate of Trenton High School and Michigan State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts and was affiliated with Chi Omega. Following graduation Elaine worked as a advertising layout and display artist for the News Herald Newspapers, and later owned and operated Adsketch, Ltd., which handled advertising for several local businesses, most notably McLaughlin's Home Furnishing Designs. She was active in the Seaway (Southshore) Hospital Auxiliary, City Chairman for United Fund and the Leukemia Foundation, a hostess and reservations coordinator for Downriver Town Hall, and an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where she created and edited the "Churchmouse" newsletter. After retiring Elaine spent winters with her husband Richard at Beachwood Villas on Hutchinson Island, Florida, where she leaves many friends. She enjoyed many years of tennis and golf at Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club and Downriver Racquet Club. She is survived by beloved husband Richard, and daughters Lisa (Gary) Steele of Roswell GA, Lynne (Brian) Herman of Gibraltar, Kristen (Tim) Harrington of Champaign, IL, and son David (Veronica) Schendel of Canton MI. Also grandchildren Blakely and Richard Harrington, Evan, Aaron and Maggie Herman, and Eric and Allison Schendel; and nieces Kathryn Christine Steelman (John Barnett) of Sydney, Australia; Sharon (Ian) Porter of Birmingham; and nephew Tom (Kathy) Steelman of Novi. Visitation, Friday, October 30, 2015, 2:00 PM-7:30 PM at The Trenton Chapel of The Martenson Family of Funeral Homes, 3200 West Rd., Trenton, Michigan. In State, Saturday, October 31, 2015, 10:30-11:00 AM until service, St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2250 Edsel, Trenton, Michigan. Memorial Service, October 31, 2015, 11:00 AM at at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2250 Edsel, Trenton, Michigan. Luncheon to follow. Contributions in memory of Elaine's life may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church (Benevolence Fund), 2550 Edsel Dr, Trenton, MI 48183 Click on the multimedia link to view Elaine's video tribute.