Eileen Marie Hartsell Gioia

Eileen Marie Hartsell Gioia, loving wife, mother and doting grandmother, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Sunday, February 14th, at the age of 72.

Eileen was born on Oct 9, 1948 in Detroit, MI to Bud and Amy (Dickson) Hartsell. After graduating from Cody High School in 1966, she married Lee Lipiec in 1971. They settled in Fowlerville, MI where they raised two sons, Brian and Mathew, and a daughter, Jennifer. While their marriage wouldn’t last forever as they’d hoped, Eileen and Lee remained close friends. In 1992, Eileen married Jim Gioia, who became a devoted husband and step-father, dedicating the past several years to her care.

Eileen held a distinguished career in IT for the State of Michigan. She served the Michigan State Senate, Office of the Secretary of the Senate, at the Lansing Capitol for 24 years. As System Administrator for the Senate Information Services, Eileen played a major role in guiding the Senate computer system through major infrastructure changes, including the implementation of the Senate’s first e-mail system. She was also a founding member and past President of the State of Michigan Novell Users Group. She retired in 2008, delighted to devote more time to her true passion, quilting.

Eileen enthusiastically participated in several local quilt groups: Capitol City Quilt Guild (past President), Rainbow Quilters and Quilters Anonymous. She volunteered thousands of hours to veteran charities including the Patriotic Pillow Project, sewing quilted pillowcases for wounded veterans to honor their sacrifice; Blue Star Moms, sending care packages and letters to troops overseas; and the No Soldiers Left Behind Project, for which she embroidered dozens of memorial plaques honoring Michigan’s fallen heroes.

Eileen also sewed countless memorial quilts for military families, as well as her own family members. Quilting was so integral to her life, and her skill so highly esteemed, that the family will hold a quilt show at the memorial service, so friends may observe Eileen’s incredible works of art.

With a deep connection to home and family, Eileen’s grandchildren were the light of her life and she cared for them with absolute adoration. She appeared most content sitting in her backyard gazebo with her husband Jim, observing their grandkids playing in the pool. After retirement, Eileen and Jim loved to travel together, planning special trips every few years.Their highlight was a visit to Monte Cassino, Italy, the town where Jim’s mother was born. She also delighted in adventures with her Red Hat Ladies Group and holding “milk can stew” parties in the backyard for her many friends.

Eileen was well-known for her quick wit, generosity, sincerity and warm smile. But it was her legendary never-give-in spirit for which she was most famous, as it guided every moment of her life. These exact words have been used to describe Eileen countless times over the past few years, by friends and strangers alike, and we all agree: “She is an amazing woman.”

Eileen is predeceased by her mother Amy Hartsell, father Bud Hartsell and grand-daughter Julia Kionis. Eileen is survived by her husband Jim Gioia and her three children, Brian Lipiec (Marya) of Webberville, Matt Lipiec (Jessica) of Howell and Jenny Hudak (Eric) of Sheboygan, WI; four step-children, Jill Gioia of Milford, Andrea Kionis of Milford, Jim Gioia Jr. of Livonia, and Kathryn Katzman (Dave) of Commerce; and seven grandchildren, Nycole Gioia, Jessica Kionis, Jack, Lilah and Lucy Hudak, Adeline and Milo Lipiec.

Extended family include two sisters, Teddie Hartsell of North Carolina and Margaret Foote (Charles) of Florida; many wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as former spouse, Lee Lipiec (Terry) of Georgia. Close family friends include Joanne Esper, Terry Kreeger (Rick), Pat Adams (Mike), Jean Kaufmann, Cathy Stewart, Bev Fear, and the entire Kreeger extended family.

Eileen’s family is forever grateful to these women and innumerable visiting friends for their overwhelming support, as well as the loving caregivers at Haven of Rest in Williamston and Nightingale Retreat in Howell.

A memorial service will be held at the Fowlerville Church of the Nazarene on 8040 Country Corner Dr. in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please donate to ALS of Michigan at www.alsofmichigan.org, a charity close to the family’s heart. Condolences may be written in care of the Herrmann Funeral Home of Fowlerville. Memorial specifics will be posted on their website once a date is determined.www.pjherrmannfuneralhome.com

 Francis Hamilton

Francis Hamilton (Pete) passed away on February 17, 2021. He liked hunting & fishing and riding his snowmobile when he had the chance.

He is survived by his 2 daughters: Vera (Ronald) Schultz and Jessica Hamilton; 2 sons: Troy (Debra) Hamilton and Joshua Hamilton; 3 brothers: Herb Hamilton, Russell (Janet) Hamilton, and Jerry Hamilton, 2 sisters Paula (Kevin) Darnell and Norma (Mike) Anderson. He is also survived by 6 grandkids: Troy Hamilton Jr., Logan Still, Ronald Schultz III, Tanya Schultz, James Schultz, and Tyler Hamilton. He is survived as well by all of the great nieces and newphews.

He was preceded in death by his mother Pearl Irene Hamilton, his father Herbert Roland Hamilton, 2 brothers Art Bush and Bob Bush, 3 sisters Edith Brown, Sherry Hamilton, and Barb Pierson.

If you guys knew Francis, he was known as the King (Elvis Presley). Francis also worked for the Fowlerville Lumber Company until they closed up.

Visitation was held on Monday, February 22, 2021 from 3:00-6:00p.m. with a funeral service following. Arrangements entrusted to Herrmann Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at pjherrmannfuneralhome.com

 Thomas Albert Schamehorn

Thomas Albert Schamehorn, age 78, of Fowlerville, died February 17, 2021. Born April 15, 1942 in Detroit, MI and raised in Mt. Clemens, MI. Son of Philip O. Schamehorn and Julia I. (Rector) Schamehorn.

Tom was a member of the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam Era and stationed in the Netherlands where he met his wife, Ineke. He was employed for many years at Chrysler Corporation.

Thomas was preceded in death by his wife, Ineke and daughter, Joyce. He is survived by daughter, Robin; brother, Philip (Martha); two cousins; and several nieces and nephews. Tom was an active member of The Heart of the Shepherd Lutheran Church in Howell where memorial contributions may be made. Please visit Tom's guestbook at www.macdonaldsfuneralhome.com

 Webberville Elementary hosting Kindergarten & Preschool Round-up

Webberville Elementary School is hosting Kindergarten and Preschool Round-Up on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Round-up will occur from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the elementary school building located at 202 North Main Street, Webberville.

Children turning age 5 on or before September 1stmay begin kindergarten. Please call the elementary office at 521-3071, extension 7935 to pre-register your child. We look forward to meeting our newest Webberville STARS!

Preschool registration will be held at the same date/time. Online registration is required, with applications available atinghampreschool.org

 New Secretary of State online, self-service options coming soon

The Michigan Department of State will provide new online services for customers and expand the capability of self-service stations to include driver’s license and state ID transactions next month.

The new customer conveniences will be available when a massive upgrade of the department’s driver records system is launched on March 16, following two years of preparation. Branch appointments, online and self-service station transactions will be unavailable from 5 p.m. Thursday, March 11 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 16 while the system is brought online.

“Customers will now be able to renew or replace their driver’s licenses and IDs at any of our more than 130 new self-service stations across the state, and renew or replace their enhanced licenses and IDs online,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “We have continuously expanded and improved customer options and service, even during the pandemic, and this upgrade will truly make our operations better than ever.”

The project securely combines tens of millions of driver and vehicle records into one integrated customer record system and moves the department from a decades-old legacy system to greatly improved customer service technology. The department’s vehicle records system was modernized in February 2019, and work to upgrade the driver records systems began shortly thereafter.

In addition to the many services already offered online, new online services at Michigan.gov/SOS will include:

· Renew or replace an enhanced driver’s license or state ID if no new photo required

· View the status of the requested driver’s license or state ID

· Request and obtain a driving record

· Add a motorcycle endorsement to an eligible driver’s license

· Access streamlined business services

In addition to the vehicle services already offered at self-service stations, new self-service station transactions will include:

· Renew a standard or enhanced driver’s license or state ID if no new photo required

· Request a replacement and print out a temporary license or ID

· Add a motorcycle endorsement to an eligible driver’s license

· Sign up on the state’s organ donor registry The department has 135 self-service stations, and more planned, in branch offices and other locations statewide, including select Meijer and Kroger grocery stores. Transactions on the machines are currently offered in English, Spanish, Arabic and Vietnamese. All accept credit cards and some accept cash.

In coordination with the new technology launch, the department will also implement the following improvements for customer service:

An electronic lien and title program will begin, making lien and title information available online for lienholders in lieu of a paper certificate of title if their financial institution participates in the program.

The graduated driver licensing process will be simplified to reduce customer visits to branch offices. Student drivers will be issued a photo license hard card for a GDL Level 1 license, instead of a paper license. They won’t need to return to the branch office for their Level 2 or Level 3 licenses and their operator’s license will be mailed to them upon turning 18.

Learn more about Secretary of State services at Michigan.gov/SOS.

 Howell Recreation Department

hosting Dino Egg Hunt

Saturday, March 20th (sign up for your time slot in advance)

11:00am-2:00pm

 Oceola Soccer Complex, 1661 N. Latson Rd.

We're going back in time for this spring's Dinosaur Egg Hunt! Join us as we explore archaeological digs, play dino-tastic games, wear super cool explorer hats, hunt for dino eggs, and more. We will have a walking life-size dinosaur on site plus a cute baby dinosaur with explorer guides to help the kids learn about dinosaurs and let them get an up close look (and photo opp!). Participants will sign up in a 'flight' format so that there is a limited number of people on site at once. We will utilize our trail system to keep things safe and spread out. Masks will be required and parents are expected closely supervise children.

Registration is now open. View more information online at: www.howellrecreation.org/events/dinoegghunt

 Fowlerville District Library News

Special Announcements

The library is opening to 30% capacity. Appointments will no longer be required and we will continue to offer curbside service.

Face masks are still required for all library patrons and staff, as well as maintaining the social distancing of 6 feet.

Monday-Thursday

9:30am – 7pm

Friday

9:30am – 5pm

Saturday

10am – 2pm

How to Use Curbside Service

Step 1: You can make requests: by calling the Library directly, emailing us or make your holds through the FDL’s card catalog (Max 10 items) –Not sure what you would like to read? Use our reader’s advisory at the desk, they can help! All you need is to give them a subject, author, or genre, and they will do the rest.

Step 2: One hour after your request has been made, please come to the Library and park in the curbside pickup designated parking located in front of the side yard.

Step 3: From your car, call the Library and someone will come out with your requested materials.

Step 4: Please present your library card or driver's license and your materials will be given to you.

* * *

Upcoming Programs

All programs are intended for Fowlerville School District residents. Call (517) 223-9089 for more information, or checkout our Facebook Page.

All programs will be held virtually via Zoom, Facebook Live or YouTube unless otherwise indicated. Program descriptions, locations, and details on how to register for each program are below.

All programs require registration and is done by sending a Facebook Personal Message to the Library or by emailing to info@fowlervillelibrary.org, unless otherwise indicated. Zoom invitations will be sent out the day before the program date.

* * *

Virtual Community Mosaic Board: ongoing

The mosaic project is available through Letsticktogether.com so there is no need to leave the house on a cold winter’s night to participate because it is all online. You may visit every day and can place up to 75 pieces per visit. There is a total of 3996 digital stickers in this project and everyone helps on the same board. With the help of the community the final picture will be revealed when it is done. The project link is:  https://letstick.to/session/17ca1579 and the link can also be found on our Facebook as well as on our website.

* * *

Phone a Story and First Chapter Fridays: Available 24/7

Preschool - 12th Graders -Call 517-858-2700 anytime to hear a full children's story, or a sample of a J Fiction/Chapter book or YA/Teen novel. Recordings are changed every two weeks.

* * *

Beer Brewing Program -Two Part Series

FDL welcomes Travis Fitts from Old Nation Brewery Company in Williamston to present this two part series on beer.

Friday, March 12, 2021 at 2 PM via Zoom: History of Beer

Friday, March 26, 2021 at 2 PM Via Zoom: Brewing 101

* * *

For more information regarding any of our programs or services please call us at (517) 223-9089 or checkout our Facebook Page.

* * *

Follow us on Facebook: @fowlervillelibrary or visit our website at www.fowlervillelibrary.org. Email any questions to:info@fowlervillelibrary.org