Ethel M. Schloff

Ethel Marie Schloff was born in Wyandotte, Michigan on March 15, 1920 to Margaret (Lechner) and Marcus Aldrich. She died on December 18, 2007 at Sunrise Senior Living of Ann Arbor with her daughter Marj and partner Ruth at her side. The Sunrise staff provided Ethel with excellent and loving care and companionship for the last ten months of her life. She was the star karaoke singer at the Thanksgiving celebration and had her own special nickname for the staff members.

Ethel was proud to be a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II. She retired from Fisher Body General Motors and was one of the first committee women in UAW Local 174-94. The 1976 Life Magazine Special Edition on Remarkable American Women included her picture as a member of the Labor Union Coalition.

Ethel was very proud of her volunteer service to veterans and others. She had many stories about making them coffee, helping them select Christmas presents for their families, and sending cards for them for Mother’s Day. The Veterans Administration recognized her for over 12,500 hours of volunteer service. She was a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 409, La Boutique Des Huit Chapeaux Et Quarante Femmes Salon 270 and La Societe de Femme Cabane 1002. She was also a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Ethel married Alfred “Joe” Schloff in 1945, and he preceded her in death in 2004. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Marcus and Gerald Aldrich for whom she cared since their teenage years. She leaves behind her children Ronald (Allyson Ryba) Szabo, Alfred (Katherine) Schloff, and Marjorie (Ruth Addis) Schloff who was her advocate and champion every day of the last year of her life. She is also survived by grandchildren Wendy (Darryl Duboski ) Szabo, Denise (Gary) Vestman , Sheri Ann (Tony) Knapp, Lisa (Matt) Findlay , Bret (Cindy) Szabo, Robert (Lynn), Brian, Kevin (Jessica) Schloff, Anlyn (fiancé Brian Conaway) Addis, 18 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Ethel had a strong spirit, knew her own mind, and spoke her opinion without hesitation.

Visitation on Friday, December 21, 2007 from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Weise Funeral Home, Allen Park. The funeral service will be held at Weise Funeral Home on Saturday at 10:00 am.

Donations to Salon Nurses Scholarship and Child Welfare Project or Wayne County Meals on Wheels. Envelopes and information at the funeral home