Two former longtime Eastern Michigan University employees
recently passed away.
Cathy Kemling, a secretary in the College of Education
at EMU from 1965-1991, died March 3. She was 67.
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Kemling |
Kemling began working at Eastern Michigan University in
1965. She was a secretary in the College of Education in
the dean's office. She worked under deans Myers, Minzey,
Mulhern and Westerman. Kemling retired in 1991 after 26
years of service.
"She was upbeat. She had a sense of humor," said Carole
Zakrzewski, a secretary in the dean's office of the College
of Education. "She was friendly. I just enjoyed working
with her. She was very, very helpful to students. She could
calm down situations with people."
Kemling was appointed to the Women's Commission and also
was an active member of Local 1975's clerical bargaining/grievance
committee.
Survivors include two brothers, Albert and Eugene; a sister,
Dolly; many nieces and nephews; and her longtime caregiver,
Diane Schick.
A funeral took place March 7 at St. James Catholic Church
in Ferndale. Donations may be made to the family for distribution
to all of Kemling's favorite charities.
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O'Banner |
John O'Banner, who worked in Eastern
Michigan University's Physical Plant from 1976-2001, died
Feb. 20. He was 67.
O'Banner retired from EMU in 2001 after 25 years of service.
When he retired, he was a zone manager over custodial services on
the midnight shift.
"When I first started working at the physical plant in
1993, he was a blessing in disguise. I never would have
learned as much as I did without him. John was always positive
and was liked and respected by everyone campuswide," said
Diane Lynn-Veals, zone manager of custodial and grounds
at EMU.
Survivors included his wife, Christine; three sons,
Melvin, of Greenwood, Miss.; and Gary, of Moorpark, Calif.;
and Dwayne, of Ypsilanti; three daughters, Brenda, of Ypsilanti;
Amelia, of Chicago, Ill.; and and Angela, of Ypsilanti;
and nine siblings.
A home service took place Feb. 28 at God's City of Refuge
in Romulus.
