Obituary for Douglas Wilcox

May 21 1945,  February 19 2020

Douglas L. Wilcox, 73, of The Villages, passed away on February 19, 2020. Douglas was born on May 21, 1946 in Pontiac, Michigan to Arthur and Gurnith (Shippey) Wilcox. Douglas married Loretta Britt and she preceded him death in 2002. He married Mary Wyka on August 31, 2006 and she survives. Douglas was a member of the Village of Faith Church in The Villages. Douglas was teacher for many years in Michigan and retired in 2003. Douglas and his wife founded the Michigan Club South, ran a Euchre Club, and a Table Shuffleboard Club. He was a volunteer in Florida Red Cross bell ringer, the Wildwood Booster Club, and Gleaners Food Bank in Michigan. Douglas is survived by his wife Mary; son Marcus (Stacey) of Michigan, daughter Gail (Craig) Backus of Texas, step-daughters Michele (Dennis) Anscombe of Texas, Laurie Wyka of Arizona, Nisha Wyka of Arizona, grandchildren Jason, Etta, Nate, Curt, step-grandchildren Cody and Nick, and sister Darlene (Jim) Garver of Michigan. There will be a Memorial Service at Village of Faith Church in The Villages on Saturday, February 22, at 11:00 AM with a Visitation 1 hour prior to service. A Memorial Service will be held on March 8th at 2:00 with a Visitation 1 hour prior to service at the Dexter United Methodist Church, 7643 Huron River Dexter, Michigan. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Howell, Michigan. Memorials may be made to Village of Faith Church, 8653 County Road 127, Wildwood, Florida 34785. 

All About Nate Backus

During the first week of school, Nate's English teacher gave the parents' homework to tell her a little about our child in a million words or less. Gail wrote the following essay:

Nate or Nathaniel is one of our miracle boys (Nate via fertility medicine).  He was born in Michigan in metro Detroit the summer of 2004.  He lived there with his family until we moved to Fort Worth for mom’s job in the summer of 2013.  From his birth till 2013 he lived in Redford, MI but attended a Lutheran School in Royal Oak, MI from 4 years old through 3rd grade.  He struggled with reading/writing until we all agreed there was a problem and found an amazing tutor in 2nd grade.  It is our belief that she worked miracles and had some great techniques that clicked with Nate.  Now he enjoys reading and we believe a little ahead of the game.  We are just so proud of all the hard work he’s done to get where he’s at today.  One of his “fun” activities is attending Explore Horizons where he gets enhanced lessons in reading and math.  He chose this over the summer instead of various other activities.  

Nate has a younger brother, Curt/Curtis who is 4 that is a miracle via adoption.  Curt’s from Ethiopia and Nate was able to travel there when we finally became a family of four.  He may not think much of Ethiopia as he didn’t care too much for the food, but did get to see how others live in a third world country.  While we stayed in the capital, Addis Ababa, he did get to travel outside into the country a bit to see the mud and stick huts compared to city living.  While there, he toured museums, saw the replica of Lucy’s bones, visited old churches and went shopping in one of the markets.  

Nate as a person is an emotional, sensitive, smart, obedient, funny and sarcastic kid.  His first day of middle school he described as anarchy as kids were not walking on the right paths and not following the instructions given.  I believe he’s seen this change but it shows his humor and rule following mindset.

Nate’s passion and dream job is video games and architectural design.  He’s already looking into the top universities in the country that offer various gaming and design degrees.  During the summer, he asked if we could visit UT Austin as they have one of the top programs in the US.  Last year he and his buddies started a club, S.W.A.N. (secretly we are nerds) and he worked to promote it online (sites approved and overseen by dad) during the summer.    Art may not be his strong area, but he is very creative and enjoys various crafts and painting secretly with mom.  With dad its movies and comics.      

Nate only has one living grandparent, his papa who lives in Florida with his wife (Grandma Mary) who he sees maybe once or twice a year now.  They are extremely close since Nate was the first grandchild and born into the world during a crazy time bringing much needed joy.  He has an uncle (and family) in Michigan and an aunt (and cousins) in upstate New York.  However there is extended family living here in Texas he’s starting to get to know.  

We were told some of his goals for 6th grade are to be in the top 50 so he can attend a special camp later in the year.  He also was interested in the Whiz Kids group that was discussed at the orientation in early August.  

Ron the Mine Inspector?

Today was my Dad's birthday, and I always like to remember him today than the day he died..... 

One of my favorite stories he told was about going to a mine in New England. We used to go to New Hampshire every summer for a week, and my dad was a rockhound.... He would often wear a work shirt, and dickies to dig through dirt, rocks, etc. He rolled up to a mine with his working gear on, and pulled a hard-hat out of the trunk. (of course he had a hard hat!)

He walked up to the mine and asked a guy for a tour. The guy grabbed the foreman and gave my dad the five-star tour of the operation. It became evident that the foreman thought my dad was some sort of inspector and not just a curious rockhound. My dad never told him a story, but just went along with it and got a tour that no other rockhound got that summer! My dad said thanks for the tour at the end, and the foreman probably breathed a sigh of relief thinking he passed some kind of safety inspection. In the end, everyone was happy.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Fruit Pie Surprise

I was able to enjoy some great cooking on my way from Michigan to Texas this past weekend, and it reminded me of another story......   I was able to enjoy some peach cobbler courtesy of Gail's Aunt Mary.  It, along with the dry-rub ribs that had purchased especially for our visit, were AWESOME!

My father had a blueberry story of his own.  His mother, my grandmother, Reba loved baking.  One time she made a blueberry pie, and my father decided to have a piece as soon as it came out of the oven.  He cut himself a piece, and realized that the area he removed filled in with more blueberries!  He decided that must be part of his piece, so he scooped those up too!  And voila, MORE blueberries filled in afterward, and he filled up his plate and enjoyed them all.

A little while later, his brother Lynn came along and thought he would have a piece of pie.  However, when he cut his, there was little filling left and my Dad was off in another room having a good laugh.  

Bug-Zapper - Ron style.............

I was watching Jimmy Fallon last night, and it reminded me of a story my father told me.........  His stories always had two themes........ One is that people generally underestimated him, and he was always able to get the upper hand.  (I'm guessing the stories that don't fit these categories were edited out.)

My father was quite an outdoorsman.  In his teens, he traveled all over his parents property and would trap various animals and sell the pelts for money.  He also liked to go hunting, and he reloaded his own ammunition to save money.  He would reload shotgun shells and bullets for various types of weapons.

One day a friend came over and they were in the small shed covering the spring that fed water to the house and farm.  He used this as his "reloading shack" and he and his friend were having a friendly conversation when a big horsefly kept flying around bothering them.  Without missing a beat, my father picked up his six-shooter and plastered the fly against the roof of the shed.  His friend yelled out a yelp and didn't know what to think!  Evidently my father used his bullet molds to make wax bullets!  He loaded the shells with gunpowder and had himself quite a bug-zapper!  

Sandra M. Herron - Obituary

Richfield Springs - Columbia

Sandra M. Herron, age 66, of Hayner Rd., Town of Columbia, Richfield Springs, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 13, 2013. 

She was born on August 31, 1946, the daughter of Charles and Reba Backus, and graduated from Mohawk High School in 1965. On June 19, 1971, she was married to Richard T. Herron at St. James Church, Ft. Plain. Sandra was employed at Duofold Co. for many years. Survivors include her husband, Richard T. Herron; her mother-in-law, Genevieve Herron; her son and daughter-in-law, Richard T. Herron, II, and Charissa; three grandchildren, Laina and Richard T. Herron, III, and Kylah Hisert; her brother, Lynn Backus; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Ronald Backus. 

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 16, 2013, at the Blessed Sacrament Church, E. Main St., Mohawk, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Mark Cunningham, Sacramental Minister, assisted by Sister Mary Jo Tallman, Parish Life Director. Calling hours will be Wednesday, May 15, 2013, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Rd., Ilion. 

Anyone wishing to share a memory of Sandra, or add to her online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com on the Internet. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Cedarville Ambulance Corps. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The Herron family has entrusted all funeral arrangements to their family Funeral Director, Don Applegate.

Published in The Observer-Dispatch on May 14, 2013

Lynn E. Backus, Jr. - Obituary

Mohawk

Lynn E. Backus, Jr., 53, of Mohawk, passed away peacefully, Saturday, February 9, 2013, in the Little Falls Hospital, with his loving family by his side. He was born on May 11, 1959, in Ilion, the son of Lynn E. and Elizabeth Robothom Backus, Sr. Lynn was a graduate of Mohawk High School, Class of '78, and SUNY Morrisville with a degree in Agriculture. He continued training and received his CDL. On March 20, 1996, Lynn married the former Majorie Martin in Schuyler. Lynn was currently employed as a truck driver and mechanic with Ron Allen Trucking, Canajoharie. He loved his career and had a great knowledge as a mechanic. Lynn was a true family man, who took pleasure in spending time and having fun with all of his family and friends. During his spare time, he would be in his garage always working on some project. Lynn is surviving by his loving and devoted wife, Marjorie; his father, Lynn E. Backus, Sr., and his wife, Susan (Step-Monster); his mother, Elizabeth Backus; his sons and daughter-in-law, Joe Martin and his wife, Rebecca, of W. Winfield, Derek Martin, of Mohawk, and Lynn E. Backus, III, of Mohawk; his granddaughter, Emily Morgan Martin, of W. Winfield; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Ed Backus and his wife, Lori, of Mohawk, Tom Backus and his wife, Norreen, of Ilion, and Tim Backus and his wife, Chris, of Watertown; his sister, Deb Ellison, of OK; his special friends, Jason and Michele Brewer, of Mohawk; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his maternal and paternal grandparents. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects on Thursday, February 14, 2013, at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Ilion, Town of Frankfort, from 4-7 p.m. Lynn's funeral service will commence at 7 p.m., Thursday, February 14, 2013, with Rev. Robert Wollaber officiating, immediately following the visitation at the funeral home. Online condolences may be given by visiting www.eneafamily.com. The family is being cared for by Scott J. Pizer, funeral director for the Enea Family Funeral Homes.

Published in The Observer-Dispatch on February 12, 2013

Curt's Dedication

"first Christmas"

Wow - it is amazing we have been dreaming and wondering what today would be like officially for 2 years and it finally arrived. In reality I've been dreaming and wondering about today for probably 5 or 6 years! The first Christmas as a family of 4! Well today FINALLY arrived and I have to say - it was perfect. Yeah - we missed our angels in heaven - life will never be the same without our grandparents, however my dad, step mom and step sister were here. And it has been 2 years since I saw my sister Nisha! I was so happy to finally have her back and to also for her to meet and hold Curt. So having Curt FINALLY here - at last was wonderful! Last year we had just gotten back a few weeks before from holding Curt - so this year he was HOME! Wow that boy is full of energy - he's amazing And Sunday we were also blessed to have him dedicated in our church - it was a great weekend. So last night was Christmas eve - and we had a jam packed day - to get home with lots of snow. The first REAL snow fall Curt's seen. wow that little spit fire got out of the van and ran around the whole front yard (it isn't big) but touching and kicking and running through the snow! It was wonderful to watch. Then this morning after Santa arrived - and with Nate! I am truly blessed with these two boys! Nate got his Skylander's Giants (not working as we'd hoped) and a Red Rider BB Gun! Yikes - hope he doesn't shoot his eye out - and Curt well - bath time toys and anything Thomas the train! And other cars! All perfect for him. It was just a perfect day. I'm hoping we can post the video of the dedication here as well. Our day was fun. II hope everyone was able to spend time thinking about the miracle of today's main Birthday - the birth of Jesus! I feel like he's been doing a LOT through our lives. Thanks for following. Merry Christmas, Love Gail

Nate's Dedication Letter

We read the following letter to Nate at Christmas Dinner in 2012.  Nate was dedicated when he was an infant, at the First Baptist Church in Howell, Michigan.  They used a more scripted approach to the dedication, and we thought it would be great to capture our thoughts for Nate when we were writing the letter for Curtis:

December 23, 2012

Dear Nate,

Son, you may not understand this now, but someday you’ll realize how much love and prayer came before your birth.  Your dad and I wanted you so badly and went to the ends of the world to make that happen.  As I say, you are my fertility miracle and we love you just so very much.

You are such an amazing boy and we know you are so smart, loving and kind.  Being so creative with such a warm and loving personality you can go so far in this world.    Be it designing video games or writing comics, we will be proud of you for all you do. 

Just as we committed to teach Curtis about Jesus today, we made that same commitment to you when you were a baby.  We did this at the church that Mommy grew up in, and we’re so happy that you’ve already learned so much about Jesus and how his love for us will allow us to be with Him forever.  We’re really excited for the day that you choose to be baptized in His name making that visible act to confirm what you already believe in your heart that Jesus died for our sins. 

Remember these few things and you will have the life we dreamed for you before we held you in our arms.

1 - No matter what you will always be loved and honored by us and the rest of your family.  You will always have your special angels in heaven guiding you and watching out for you when you are in need.  Never forget the love they have for you, before you were even born, they adored you so much!  All you have to do is look at the sky and find a star shining bright!  They are up there guiding your way.

2 – You should pursue  whatever you want in life.  As long as you follow your heart and being a Christian you can’t go wrong.  Be the BACKUS man we know you already are.  Live your life with integrity and in Christ and you will go far! 

3 – Love like you won’t see tomorrow.  Fall for the person of your dreams.  Love them like they are only here for a day.  Your heart is so big and will only grow bigger allowing more dreams and people to be touched. 

4 – be faithful in your heart.  God will always get you through even the toughest of times.  He will be the ever constant in your life above all.  Become a strong Christian man and maintain this in your life. 

No matter what – remember how much you have been loved and longed for many years before you were born.  As your name says, you ARE a Gift from God!  We love you so much.

Mom and Dad!

Curt's Dedication Letter

We read the following letter to Curt when he was dedicated at Genesis: The Church on December 23, 2013.  It is our hope that he chooses to follow Christ one day, and he will be baptized in His savings waters:

Dearest Curt,

You were born into a life and family that loved you half way across the world.  Your birth family made the greatest sacrifice in May of 2011 by their actions and love just for you.  Not knowing then, we dreamed of you for many months and finally saw your beautiful little face in August 2011.  Soon after, we learned of your smile and personality even as a small baby.  You were a bright spot in many lives in Addis at the Engida Orphanage, loving so many and being loved till we could become a forever family earlier this year.

You have already survived many things in your little life that many of us will never understand.  Yet you are still smiling, laughing, singing and dancing all around.  You have brought such joy to our lives and home.  You have completed us and we are truly a family of 4 at last.  Many say you are lucky for everything that’s happened, but dear son, YOU ARE the blessing to our family.  Thank you for your carefree and happy personality.

It is our hope that you come to follow Christ just as our family does.  We will help to teach you about His love and the sacrifice He made for us.  Ethiopia has had a strong commitment to Jesus Christ from the early days of the Church, and has always remained an independent spirit in Africa. Our dream for you is that you will become the man you want to be and be filled by the Holy Spirit  to show others that they too can overcome anything in life.  And we dream that you will continue to know Christ and always remember your roots as an Ethiopian in this crazy world.  Remember the strong Christian history that you come from and show the world that a smile goes a long way.

Find love and peace in our family and know the joy that you have brought to so many.  Trust in God that you can do anything you want and go where you need.  And no matter what, know how much you are truly loved by so many all over the world.  Many people prayed for you to join our family and we truly are blessed to have you as our son!  You also have so many angels all around you from your beloved grandparents in heaven and your birth parents where ever they may be.  Everyone wants to ensure you have a chance to grow and learn and love as any little boy should.

We love you and your brother more than words can ever express.

Love,

Mommy and daddy.

crazy happy life

Wow - life is just crazy - busy and wonderful at the same time. Not really sure what all has been posted in the last few weeks - but over the last few years we have had 3 prayers - and never really voiced one - well it finally has occurred And it is a blessing. We have decided after many discussions the last few years to close our business and have Craig be a stay at home dad for a while. This allows him to bond with Curt and spend some time with Nate. And honestly the timing couldn't have been more perfect with my crazy work schedule. It's a good crazy, I'm putting a management system in place for Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) - and it just takes a lot of time. So Craig is now cooking dinner, cleaning and spending good quality time with Curt and Nate. The boys are really doing good. And watching Curt flourish the last few weeks is amazing. I swear he's learned more words in the last few weeks and understanding more AS I type this I'm just watching him play with his toys and he's very intent. He is SUCH a boy! He LOVES his cars, trucks and anything that moves. And now he's growling as he sees a Dinosaur on TV. Just so sweet. Nate - well just loving life - he's the best. He's ready for the holidays- sadly we don't have our decorations or anything up. WE're getting there though. Anyhow -just really thinking of how wonderful our life is - ok Curt is dancing up a storm at the moment - we need to take video of him. Anyhow - I'm finding that I"m thinking of his birth family - do they think of him? where are they? Are they alive? Did they have this much energy and wonder? Did they love so much? I just wonder. Ok - this post is ALL over the place - clearly life is busy and I'm just feeling and thinking all over the place. But just know that God takes care of us all! He does answer prayers and things happen in HIS time and the PERFECT time. Happy holidays all

Sami Craig Backus for a year now

Wow - I can't believe that Curt officially became our son 1 year ago today. I remember waiting for the courts and in this really hot room - that kept getting VERY loud. It was fun to see how well respected our agency was - AAI for those keeping track and , saying bad things about them - they are so well respected the employees kept going to THEM to help keep order. And we saw this at the US Embassy too. Anyhow - we were not the first family in but ended up going after an hour or two. So we go in and the judge asks us a few questions about our family, if Nate was OK with it all, if we planned to keep the culture in his life - and that was about it. Ok, she asked if we understood this is forever and non-reversible - and YES we knew that - she then hit her gavel and declared us his parents! Sadly it took a few more months to bring our son home - but it happened. And today I see this awesome little personality watching the Wiggles at the moment, dancing around and fighting with his big brother to have a bite of his Popsicle. We are truly blessed by everything and God's timing in our lives. Right now Craig has been given an opportunity to stay home with Curt for a little bit! What a great opportunity for them? They are both enjoying it very much! Curt's been getting into a routine (one that was not working out well at his former daycare) and really a happy boy! I will cherish so much for many years to come.

One year later

Wow - a year ago today Craig and I met and held Curt (aka Sami) for the very first time. I looked at the pictures that another mom with us too - the VERY first pictures of the caretakers at the orphanage introducing us to our sweet, sweet boy! We got to see that amazing smile first hand - we'd heard how sweet it was - and it truly is! And this last year has had some roller coaster rides trying to bring our beautiful boy home - but now we are watching him turn into the sweet little guy. Learning to talk - today he said Elmo, Happy Day (for Happy Birthday), one, two - and something for "three". WE are blessed. On the 30th it will be a year that he legally became our son! I feel blessed - I love my family so much - both boys are are just sweet! Nate talked all the way home today - he's so sweet. I heard about his Star Wars dreams and how he wants to invent a light saber? the new events in our life - Craig is now officially a stay at home dad for a few days. He's really enjoying this time with Curt and going out and bonding. They are doing fun things and getting a LOT of things done. He's very blessed to have this short time to be home with him before life takes another change! Ok - babbling - I just feel so happy today!. Gail

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is the first Thanksgiving for our little Curt! I feel like we are just so blessed to have him home for the holidays last year. A year ago today I was packing to fly out the day after Thanksgiving to go meet our son! Craig and I just had such an amazing trip meeting our new son. And today I"m so thankful for my boys it isn't even funny! I'm thankful for the selfless act that Curt's birth family did in 2011 - I know they are not celebrating a holiday in Ethiopia - but I just wonder if his family thinks of him, if they are even still alive. Do they know what a beautiful little boy they gave life to and such a spirit? Today we went back to the Detroit Thanksgiving Parade - and would like to start this as a tradition for our family (so anyone want to join - feel free - maybe some of the cousins and their kids can join in the future). But both Nate and Curt were so fun! Nate was lucky a family let him get closer to the front to see. Curt well he made friends with everyone. It is just amazing how so many people, from all over, all different, different stages of lives and totally different lives can all come together, standing in a small area and be nice. People helping one another, giving kids some food and a necklace when they didn't catch one from the clowns. Just such an amazing holiday spirit today. Anyhow - then our TRADITIONAL Thanksgiving with my family - I loved seeing my cousins and their kids that I haven't seen in some time. And for Curt to meet more family members. He was a good boy - and Nate - well he always loves knowing he has more family! Anyhow - today I feel blessed. My family is amazing and I love them all dearly! I'm just thinking ab out the trip of a lifetime we took a year ago and Curt was officially our son- I just love it. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Gail