Former education leader Arthur Ellis dies at 80

— Arthur Ellis, who had a long career in Michigan state government and higher education, has died at age 80.

Longtime Coney Island waiter Jerry Abuelhawa was everyone’s friend, dies at 65

Detroit — If you've ever been to American Coney Island on Lafayette Boulevard then you'll remember the larger-than-life personality of longtime waiter Jerry Abuelhawa.

Arab-American scholar, former Detroiter Alixa Naff dies at 93

Alixa Naff, who died last week leaving a legacy of chronicling the lives of Arab-American immigrants, has become the gold standard for historians, a Middle Eastern professor said.

Newspaper advertising director led sales growth in Detroit

As an advertising sales director with the Detroit Media Partnership and later, at a Traverse City newspaper, LeRoy “Lee” Mazurek was dedicated to improving the newspapers’ bottom line.

Longtime Michigan newspaper editor Reed dies at 83

Jackson — Harry Reed, who was an editor at newspapers in Jackson, Pontiac and Grand Rapids, has died. He was 83.

New Jersey Sen. Lautenberg dead at age 89

Washington — The next time a flight attendant reminds you there's no smoking on the plane or you witness a teenager getting carded at a liquor store, think of Frank Lautenberg.

Memorial today for late Michigan first lady Helen Milliken

Traverse City — A memorial service is planned for former Michigan first lady Helen Milliken Traverse City.

U-M professor, busy physician had ‘special connection’ with patients

As a physician and professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, Dr. Steven Gradwohl was gifted and highly praised for his caring personality, patients and colleagues said.

Authorities await more tests on late GVSU QB Cullen Finnerty

There's no firm timetable on the release of additional test results that might help determine the cause of death of a former national championship-winning quarterback, Lake County Sheriff Robert Hilts said Thursday.

Outspoken, best-selling author Rev. Greeley dies

Chicago — The Rev. Andrew Greeley, an outspoken Roman Catholic priest, best-selling author and longtime Chicago newspaper columnist who even criticized the hierarchy of his own church over the child sex abuse scandal, has died. He was 85.

Teacher freely shared her passion for music

Music was more than just a compilation of notes on page to Mildred Juanita Hankins Dobey — it was a way of life.

Retired Ford engineer was Navy vet, pilot

James D. Wilkinson, a Navy veteran, former pilot and longtime engineer at the Ford Motor Co. axle plant in Sterling Heights, died Sunday, May 12, 2013, at Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas. He was 76.

Journalist and author Haynes Johnson dies at 81

Washington — Haynes Johnson, a pioneering Washington journalist who won a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the civil rights movement and migrated from newspapers to television, books and teaching, died Friday. He was 81.

Mack Emerman, founder of studio where James Brown, Eric Clapton recorded, dies

Miami — Mack Emerman, the founder of Criteria Recording Studios where acts including Eric Clapton, James Brown and the Bee Gees made some of their most famous records, has died after a long illness, according to his daughter. He was 89.

Bernard Waber, 'Lyle, Lyle Crocodile' author, dies at age 91

Bernard Waber, author of such children's favorites as 'The House on East 88th Street' and 'Lyle, Lyle Crocodile,' has died.

Betty Bauerle, first in family to go to college, stressed value of education to 6 children

As a teacher and a mother of six, Betty Bauerle always emphasized the importance of aneducation, both for her students and her children.