Darrell Harper, 69, of Highland, died Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008, at Huron Valley Hospital of complications related to a recently diagnosed heart condition and cancer. He was born June 18, 1938, in Albia, Iowa, to Lloyd Milton and Delta (Douglas) Harper. Mr. Harper was a 1956 graduate of Dondero High School who excelled in football and earned a full ride to the University of Michigan. He had a brief career with the Buffalo Bills and Houston Oilers, and then began his life's work as a teacher and coach. Surviving are his wife of 37 years, Mary Harper; children, Wendy (Andrew) Wittenberg, Darren Harper and Heidi (Ron) Bohn; grandchildren, Harper, Kendall, Brogan and Brenna; brothers, Lloyd (Karen) Harper and Lynn Harper; sister, Debbie (Zack) Schindler; and nephew, Evin Schindler. Visitation, 4-8 p.m. today and 2-8 p.m. Thursday at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty, Milford; a service to celebrate his life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home; cremation will follow; memorials may be made to the Darrell Harper Memorial Fund for Harper and Kendall Wittenberg; for further information call (248) 684-6645; www.lynchfuneraldirector.com.

Published in The Daily Tribune on January 23, 2008.

Marilyn F. Solomon, 77, a resident of Hazel Park for over 53 years, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2008, at St. John Oakland Hospital, Madison Heights. She was born Aug. 11, 1930, in South Bend, Ind. Mrs. Solomon was an awesome cook and enjoyed doing a lot of different crafts. She retired from Oakland General Hospital after more than 17 years of working there. She was predeceased by her husband, Cleo J.Solomon, on June 7, 1995. The couple wed June 9, 1951, in Port Huron. She was also predeceased by two brothers. She is survived by children, Gary Solomon, Richard (LeeAnn) Solomon, Lori (Randy) Helton, and Charles Solomon; grandchildren, Gary "Johnny" (Shelby), Christina, and Cameron; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Olivia; siblings, Rose Marie Fields, Wendell Collver and Janice Augsbury. Visitation, 3-9 p.m. Thursday at Hoperoft Funeral Home, 23919 John R, Hazel Park; services, noon Friday at the funeral home; burial, Oakview Cemetery, Royal Oak; memorial donations, American Diabetes Association; online register book at www.hopcroftfuneraldirectors.com.

Published in The Daily Tribune on January 23, 2008.

Barbara Jean Williams, 68, of Royal Oak, died Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008, at William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. She was born July 7, 1939, in Louisville, Ky., to Willard and Doris Meredith. She was a pension plan administrator and part-time cashier at the Kroger grocery store in Rochester. Surviving are her son, David Williams of Royal Oak; former husband and good friend, Bernie Williams of Royal Oak; brother, Tom (Debbie) Meredith of Nashville, Tenn.; and many friend and extended family. Visitation, 2-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Kinsey-Garrett Funeral Home, 420 S. Lafayette, Royal Oak; memorials, American Cancer Society; www.kinsey-garrett. com.

Published in The Daily Tribune on January 23, 2008.

Richard R. Copron, 62, of Madison Heights, and formerly of Berkley, died Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008. He was born June 22, 1945, in Detroit. Mr. Copron was a Vietnam veteran and a member of the Royal Oak American Legion. He was an avid golfer, a very skilled tradesman and collected and enjoyed old movies. Mr. Copron was predeceased by his parents, Glenn and Leora Copron; and a sister, Karen Lee Wilson. Surviving are his wife, Shirley Copron, whom he wed Sept 20,1980, in Royal Oak; children, Sally (Dan) Mulvey of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Stephen (Jennifer) Prince of Warren; sister, Pamela (Dennis) Gilbert; brothers-in-law, David and Michael Bernier; and gandchildren, Amber, Ashley, Sara and James. Visitation, 4-9 p.m. Thursday at William Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W.11 Mile, Royal Oak; services, noon Friday at the funeral home; memorials, Odyssey Hospice; www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.

Published in The Daily Tribune on January 23, 2008.