obituaries Obituaries from page 50 Living Large For 88 Years Ronelle Grier Contributing Writer W it Viviano lived his life with gusto and joy. In addition to being a successful wine importer, he enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, Roberta, building things by hand and spending time with his family and many close friends. Mr. Viviano, of Bingham Farms, died Jan. 22, 2012, at age 88. Wil, the eldest son of Gaetano and Bernice Viviano was born in Detroit in 1923. After attending the Staunton Military Academy in Virginia and spend- ing time in California, he returned home to join his brother, Norman, in their father's business, Viviano Wine Importers. After a first marriage that ended in divorce, Wil met and married Roberta, a native New Yorker who shared his life for the past 38 years. The couple enjoyed traveling throughout the world; they often took language classes before going to a foreign country. They loved the theater, the symphony and dining out with their extensive circle of friends. "Most of all, Wil loved my mother:' said stepson Eric Scher, who spoke at the funeral service. "The two of them had a IRVING ELLMAN, 99, Ellman of West Bloomfield, died Jan. 28, 2012. He was the owner of Michigan Hide Company and Weco Company, prominent companies in the hide processing business. He was also a life member of Temple Israel. Mr. Ellman is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Harry Ellman and Peggy Barris of Bloomfield Hills; daughters and sons-in-law, Carol and Robert Grumet of West Bloomfield, Donna and Harris Faberman of Colorado; grandchildren, Erica and Tal Izraeli, Jeffrey and Elyse Ellman, Danielle Grumet, Dr. Joshua and Jamie Grumet, Monica Faberman and Max Faberman; great-grandchildren, Zachary and Brooke Izraeli, Ellie and Molly Grumet; brother, Jack Ellman of Battle Creek: He was the beloved husband for 65 years of the late Bluma Schreiber Ellman; the dear brother of the late Seymour Ellman. Interment was held at Clover Hill Park 52 February 2 • 2012 great time together." Though the couple did not have chil- dren together, they embraced each other's children as their own, creating and nur- turing a blended family that included seven children and 13 grandchildren. The Vivianos were longtime members of Temple Beth El, dating back to his confirmation at the syna- gogue's Detroit location. Mr. Viviano was known for his sense of humor and his familiar reper- toire of jokes, which drew laughter even from those who had heard them before. He enjoyed work- ing in the yard, planting an abundance of trees and shrubs, and tooling Wil Viviano around the grounds in his trailer-tractor combine. He loved grown-up toys and gadgets, being among the first to own a VCR and a microwave oven. He appreciated every aspect of the wine business: tasting it, selling it and admiring its packaging. "When I think about Wil, I think about a man on the move, a man in motion at all times:' said Scher. When he was not working or spending time with his family, Mr. Viviano liked to retreat to his workshop, honing his impressive woodworking skills on various creations that included everything from cabinetry to birdhouses. His retirement in the early 2000s allowed him to spend more time using his tal- ent to help others within the community. "He had a talent for building things:' said Roberta. "He fixed hous- es for JARC and worked at the Wing Lake Developmental Center (a Bloomfield Hills Schools special educa- tion facility) building decks or whatever they needed for the children." He also worked as a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program sponsored by the city of Royal Oak and generously supported Yad Ezra, public radio and the performing arts. Despite Roberta's aversion to rough- ing it and her assertion that "Jews don't camp:' Mr. Viviano bought a large RV and took the family on a cross-country adventure. "He and my mother did everything Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Temple Israel, Rabbi Robert and Sonia Syme Fund, 5725 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323, www.temple-israel. org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. Jonnah Glassman, Stacy Carls-Trager and Jason Carls, Dr. Joseph and Stacy Trager; great-grandson, Matthew Pierce Trager; sister, Dorothy Rothman; many other lov- ing family members and friends. Mr. Glassman was the beloved hus- band for 55 years of the late Margaret Glassman; he was predeceased by seven other siblings. Contributions may be made to a char- ity of one's choice. Interment was held at Workmen's Circle Cemetery in Clinton Township. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. HARRY R. GLASSMAN, 94, of Oak Park, died Jan. 26, 2012. Mr. Glassman was a World War II Army veteran, serving from 1943 to 1946. He participated in the Battle of Normandy with the 79th Infantry. He received the Purple Heart in 1946 and in 2004; he also received the Bronze Star for his services. Mr. Glassman was interviewed for the Veterans Oral History Project in 2007. He was also a past president of the Downtown Fox Lodge of B'nai B'rith. A member of Oak Park Seniors, he also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and participated with Walking Volleyball and Baseball and the Senior Olympics. Mr. Glassman is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Alexander Glassman and Diane Morrison of Denver, Colo., Edward and M.J. Glassman, also of Denver; daughter, Lea Trager of West Bloomfield; grandchildren, Katie Glassman-Salzburg and Yaniv Salzburg, Obituaries MARY P. KING, 66, of Farmington Hills, died Jan. 23, 2012. She is survived by her beloved hus- band, Dennis H. King of Farmington Hills; daughter, Rachel Hana King of Farmington Hills; sister and brother- in-law, Rose and Agim Karagjozi; broth- ers and sister-in-law, Hektor and Judy Peshkopia, Albert Peshkopia; many lov- ing nieces and nephews, other family members and friends. Contributions may be made to the Hepatitis C Association. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. together; all he cared about was her hap- piness and well-being, and she always knew that:' said Eric's brother, Adam Scher. He referred to his stepfather as a "real world version of Facebook," a man who connected to his family, colleagues, and friends in a way that was genuine and personal. Wil Viviano is survived by his beloved wife, Roberta; children, Cynthia Viviano, Pamela Viviano, David Viviano, Eric (Katherine) Scher, Adam (Mary) Scher, Mark (Ashley) Scher, and Matthew (Kathy) Scher; grandchildren, Elana and Daniel Metz, Jacob and Michael Viviano, Sarah, Michael, Dylan, Maxwell, Zoe, Riley, Sydney, Ethan, and Samantha Scher; devoted caregivers, Charles and Tonya Spivey; and many loving friends. He was the brother of the late Norman Viviano and the son of the late Gaetano and Bernice Viviano. Contributions may be made to Yad Ezra, 2850 W. 11 Mile Road, Berkley, MI 48072, www.yadezra.org ; Chamber Music Society of Detroit, 31731 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 259W, Farmington Hills, MI 48334, www.comehearcmsd.org; or Henry Ford Hospice, 1 Ford Place, #5A, Detroit, MI 48202, www.henryford.com/hospice . Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ❑ EDITH KIRSCHNER, 94, of Southfield, died Jan. 25, 2012. She is survived by her daughter and son- in-law, Phyllis and Paul Schneider; grandchil- dren, Janet Schneider Kirschner and Andrew Kahn, Steven and Michelle Schneider, Marci and Andrew Klein; great-grandchildren, Lucy and Aaron Kahn, Melissa and Erica Schneider, Sofia and Julia Klein; many loving nieces and nephews. Mrs. Kirschner was the beloved wife of the late Louis Kirschner; the lov- ing mother of the late Susan Barbara Kirschner. Interment was held at Star of David in Florida. Contributions may be made to Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 531313, Henderson, NV 89053, www. eyesight.org; American Cancer Society, 20450 Civic Center Drive, Southfield, MI 48076, www.cancer.org ; or a char- ity of one's choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. Obituaries on page 54