They Don't Make Them Like They Used To

Retired General Motors president and former CEO died June 13, 2010, at the age of 87. Reading his obituary provided a lesson in how much Detroit CEO culture and corporate careerism in general have changed since the post-war auto boom of the 1950s.

Bo Schembechler Stayed and Was Champion

Legendary Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler died five years ago today. We look at great moments in the career of one of the greatest to ever coach on the gridiron.

Following Her Dream

Seventy years ago, women majoring in chemistry at Michigan State were told to seek jobs as secretaries or librarians. Marjorie Lesher Hunt did no such thing.

Mom to Everyone

As Mother's Day approaches, we're remembering one mom who did it all.

Ain’t No Man Like Levi Stubbs

Levi Stubbs was a singer and a gentleman.

The Search for Jimmy Hoffa

On July 30, 1975, Jimmy Hoffa utterly disappeared from the face of the earth.

10 Facts About Gerald Ford

How well do you know former president (1913–2006)? Here are 10 facts about the 38th president of the United States.

The One and Only Betty Carter

Jazz great Carmen McRae once remarked, "There's really only one jazz singer – only one: Betty Carter" ...

Remembering Wayne Static

Static-X frontman Wayne Static had a big impact on hard rock.

Kalamazoo Shooting Victims

Six people were killed in a shooting spree in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Tony Burton (1937 - 2016), Rocky actor

Tony Burton, who was a boxer before he turned to acting, most notably as the trainer in six "Rocky" films, has died. He was 77. Burton died Feb. 25 in California after a long illness, according to multiple news sources. The actor played the character Tony "Duke" Evers, Apollo Creed's trainer in the first two films in the "Rocky" series that starred Sylvester Stallone. Before that, Burton was a Golden Gloves heavyweight boxing champion during the 1950s in Michigan.

David Gilkey (1966–2016), NPR photojournalist

David Gilkey, an American photojournalist for NPR, died June 5 along with his Afghan translator after the Taliban ambushed them in southern Afghanistan, according to multiple news sources, including NPR. He was 50.

Michigan Bicycle Accident Victims

Five adults died June 7, 2016, after a pickup truck hit a group of bicyclists north of Kalamazoo, Michigan, according to multiple news sources. A suspect was in the custody of police in connection with the deaths, according to authorities. Jeff Getting, the Kalamazoo County prosecutor, said during a televised news conference Tuesday evening that four other bicyclists were hospitalized with serious injuries. The nine bicyclists were struck by a blue Chevrolet pickup truck as the riders ascended a hill on North Westnedge Avenue near G Avenue in Cooper Township, Michigan. First responders arrived within two minutes, he said. The truck, which was disabled as a result of the damage from the impact, was found near the accident scene. Getting said a police investigation of the accident is underway. All of the victims were adult riders.

Mack Rice (1933 - 2016), Mustang Sally songwriter

Mack Rice, the singer-songwriter who penned “Mustang Sally” and other hits made famous by Wilson Pickett and other big-name artists, died June 27 of Alzheimer’s disease complications at his home in Detroit, Michigan, according to multiple news sources. He was 82.

James Westmoreland (1935 - 2016), soap opera actor

James Westmoreland, an actor who starred on soap operas during the 1970s and ‘80s, has died at the age of 80.

Norma Bauerschmidt (1925 - 2016), Driving Miss Norma social media star

Norma Bauerschmidt, a Michigan resident who chose to travel the United States instead of undergoing treatment for cancer, died Sept. 30, 2016, in her motor home on San Juan Island, Washington. She was 91.

The Man Who Threw His Own Funeral

First, he published a "nobituary" while he was still around to see it.

Geri Allen (1957–2017), jazz pianist and composer

Influential jazz pianist and composer.

Carrie DeKlyen (2017), chose to give birth to baby over her own cancer treatment

Carrie DeKlyen died Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, just days after giving birth to her daughter, surrounded by family, according to MLive.com and the Detroit Free Press. She was 37.

Bruce Halle (1930–2018), founder of Discount Tire retailer

Bruce T. Halle founded Discount Tire in Michigan with an inventory of only six tires in 1960 and grew the company into the largest independent tire dealer in North America.

Zeke Upshaw (1991–2018), played with Grand Rapids in the NBA G League

Zeke Upshaw, a forward with the Grand Rapids Drive in the NBA G League, has died at the age of 26, according to multiple news sources.

John Dingell (1926–2019), longest-serving Congressman in U.S. history

John Dingell, the former U.S. Representative from Michigan who became the longest-serving member of Congress in U.S. history, died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019 in Dearborn, Mich. of complications from prostate cancer, according to multiple news sources. He was 92.

Damon Keith (1922–2019), federal judge promoted equality

Damon Keith was a federal judge with a long and prolific career, serving on the U.S. Court of the Appeals for the Sixth Circuit for more than 40 years. Presiding over courts in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee, Keith never retired, serving until his death at 96. His most notable decision was in a 1971 case regarding the Nixon Administration. Nixon's Justice Department was wiretapping people suspected of conspiring to bomb a CIA office, and they were doing it without court orders. Keith ordered them to cease wiretapping without warrants. The Justice Department appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld Keith's decision 8-0. Keith was also known for a 1971 order to desegregate schools in Pontiac, Michigan via bussing, as well as for upholding the affirmative action policy in the Detroit Police Department.

Sherman Poppen (1930–2019), inventor of the Snurfer, an early snowboard

Sherman Poppen was one of the earliest originators of thesnowboard, designing a product he called the Snurfer in the late 1960s.

Wally Chambers (1951–2019), former Bears defensive star

Wally Chambers was a star defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears. He was the NFL defensive rookie of the year in 1973 and was a 3-time Pro Bowl selection. Chambers was drafted by the Bears in the first round of the 1973 draft out of Eastern Kentucky University. He recorded an unofficial 14 sacks during the 1976 season. He injured his knee before the 1977 season which greatly affected his abilities. Chambers finished his career with the Tampa Bay Bucaneers in 1979. He became a coach for various college football teams and the New York Jets.

John Conyers (1929–2019), longest-serving African American member of Congress in U.S. history

John Conyers was the longest-serving African American member of Congress in U.S. history. The former Democratic U.S. Representative from Michigan was a member of Congress from 1965 to 2017. During that time, he gained a reputation as a champion of civil rights and was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. He sponsored a bill to establish as a federal holiday.

Charles Rogers (1981–2019), former Michigan State football player

Charles Rogers was a record-breaking wide receiver for the Michigan State Spartans. The Saginaw, Michigan native was an All-American at MSU and still holds the school record for most touchdown receptions even though he left before his senior season. He won the Biletnikoff Award for the best college football receiver in 2002 and was drafted second overall in the 2003 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. Rogers had difficulties away from the field in his personal life and he was out of pro football after the 2005 season.

Jack Van Impe (1931–2020), popular televangelist who preached about the rapture

Jack Van Impe was a televangelist known for his weekly program “Jack Van Impe Presents,” appearing on the Trinity Broadcasting Network for more than 20 years. An evangelical Christian, he commonly spoke about a coming apocalypse that he believed would happen soon. Van Impe co-hosted the program alongside his wife, Rexella, who read recent news while Van Impe interpreted the stories to bolster his vision of the impending end times. Van Impe was active until his recent illness, with his final broadcast coming earlier in January.

James Lipton (1926–2020), host of “Inside the Actors Studio”

James Lipton was the longtime host of Bravo's popular interview program, “Inside the Actors Studio.” Lipton was also an actor with a recurring role on “Arrested Development” as well as other projects including voicing the Director in Disney’s animated film “Bolt.”

Mike Huckaby (2020), legendary Detroit house music DJ

Mike Huckaby was a Detroit house music DJwho was influential in the house and techno scene.

Vicki Wood (1919–2020), record-setting woman NASCAR driver

Vicki Wood was a NASCAR driver who broke gender barriers in the sport during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1960 she set a speed record of 150.375 mph on a one-way drive down the sand at Daytona Beach. She also set speed records for women at the Daytona International Speedway and Atlanta International Speedway. During her career she claimed to have collected 48 racing trophies. She competed with male drivers until 1963 when some men made it clear they would rather strike than face teasing when they lost to a woman. She retired rather than return to racing exclusively against other women drivers.

Rance Allen (1948–2020), gospel music legend

Rance Allen was the lead singer of the popular gospel band the Rance Allen Group.

Carl Levin (1934–2021), former longtime Michigan senator

Carl Levin was a prominent Democratic U.S. senator from Michigan who served in the Senate for 36 years.

Fred Dakota (1937–2021), Native American casino pioneer

Fred Dakota was a businessman who founded the first full-scale Native American casino in the United States.

Barbara-Rose Collins (1939–2021), Michigan’s first Black U.S. Congresswoman

Barbara-Rose Collins was the first Black woman from Michigan elected to the U.S. Congress, serving as a Democrat in the House of Representatives from 1991 to 1997.

Oxford High School Shooting Victims (2021)

Four people were killed, and another seven were injured, in a shooting at Oxford High School in Oxford, Michigan, on Tuesday, November 30.

Trevor Strnad (1981–2022), lead singer for the Black Dahlia Murder

Trevor Strnad was the lead singer for the death metal band the Black Dahlia Murder.

Robert Vlasic (1926–2022), instrumental in the success of Vlasic Pickles  

Robert Vlasic helped grow his family’s Vlasic Pickles business into one of the most popular brands in the United States.  

Trudy Haynes (1926–2022), first Black TV weather reporter in the U.S.

Trudy Haynes was an Emmy Award-winning journalist who became the first Black TV weather reporter in the U.S. and the first Black TV reporter in Philadelphia.

Robert E. Simanek (1930–2022), Korean War Medal of Honor recipient

Robert E. Simanek was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War who was presented with the Medal of Honor for his valor in battle.

Janice Bluestein Longone (1933–2022), America's foremost cookbook expert

Janice Bluestein Longone was an antiquarian bookseller whose collection of tens of thousands of American cookbooks provided an archive of the nation’s culinary history.

Johnny Powers (1938–2023), early rock and roller

Johnny Powers was an early Detroit rock and roll musician known for songs including “Long Blond Hair.”

Michigan State University Shooting (2023)

Three students at Michigan State University were killed, and five more were injured, in a shooting that occurred on campus Monday, February 13.

Mike Batayeh (1970–2023), Breaking Bad actor 

Mike Batayeh was an actor and stand-up comedian who played the manager of a laundromat with a secret meth lab in “Breaking Bad.” 

Dorothy Zehnder (1921–2023), matriarch of Michigan’s Bavarian Inn 

Dorothy Zehnder was a legend of the popular Bavarian Inn in the tourist town of Frankenmuth, Michigan, where she worked for more than 80 years.

Carol Duvall (1926–2023), HGTV crafting show host 

Carol Duvall was the host of “The Carol Duvall Show,” a popular arts and crafts show that ran on HGTV and the DIY Network.

Sixto Rodriguez (1942–2023), 'Searching for Sugar Man' musician

Sixto Rodriguez was an internationally recognized Detroit musician best known in the United States for being featured in the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man.” 

Katherine Anderson Schaffner (1944–2023), Marvelettes co-founder

Katherine Anderson Schaffner was a singer with the Marvelettes, known for such hits as “Please Mr. Postman.” 

Ellsworth Johnson (1923-2023), 100-year-old WWII special-ops veteran

Ellsworth Johnson was a WWII veteran and the last known surviving member of a secret U.S. military unit that operated in enemy-occupied territory in France and China.