Onalee Detwiler

Onalee Detwiler, age 81 years, of Mason, formerly of Caro, passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2006 at Timber Ridge Assisted Living Facility in East Lansing. She was born on June 21, 1925 in Caro and lived most of her life here until moving to Mason. Onalee was a Caro High School graduate and then attended and received her BS from Michigan State University. The former Onalee Adams was working in Detroit as a social worker when she met and married Tom Detwiler in January of 1955. He preceded her in death on October 7, 1991. She returned to Caro in 1962 when they purchased the Western Auto store and within a couple of years she returned to work for the State of Michigan as a social worker. Onalee continued that career until her retirement as the Director of the Tuscola County Department of Social Services. At the time that she took her post as Director, she was one of only two women to have held that position in the State of Michigan. In addition to her numerous community activities, she was a member of the Caro Business and Professional Women, the Wixom Club and the First Presbyterian Church of Caro. She is survived by three children, Jeff (Susan) Detwiler of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Mary Detwiler of Mason, Ann Breidenbach of Columbia, Missouri and Klaus Schmidt of Normal, Illinois; eight grandchildren, Sarah Detwiler (Chris) of Olathe, Kansas, Jonathan (Jessica) Detwiler of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Joshua Detwiler of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Bethany Detwiler of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Jacob Detwiler of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Kiefer P. Hernandez of Mason, Thomas D. Hernandez of Mason, Matt Toaz of Port Huron; four great-grandchildren, Jordan, Bekah, Christian, Taylor; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Adams of Freeland; a brother-in-law, Phillip B. Detwiler of Seattle, Washington; several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Al Breidenbach, and a brother, Donald Adams. The memorial service will be held at the Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Sunday, December 10, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Stephen Ezop, officiating. Burial will follow at Indianfields Township Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Collon Funeral Home on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice