obituaries

'Just A Good Person'

Ronelle Grier
Contributing Writer

the men's club and other committees
and started a weekly Kiddush Club,
where he welcomed newcomers, vet-
erans and old friends.
cott Allen Cranis found his
greatest joy in his family and
Scott's career was founded on
his Jewish community. He
his love of Jewish education. He
was a devoted husband and father,
worked for the United Synagogue
with a passion for Jewish education
of Conservative Judaism and served
and synagogue life. Scott, who lived
as executive director of Hillel Day
in West Bloomfield, died unexpect-
School of Metropolitan Detroit in
Farmington Hills and
edly on April 30, 2015, at
Akiva Hebrew Day
age 51.
Scott grew up in Oak
School in Southfield.
Park, the only child of
"That's where he was
Jack and Sarah Cranis.
happiest, working with
He attended Berkley High
kids!' said Jodi. At
Hillel, he'd go into the
School where he was edi-
kindergarten room and
tor of the yearbook, a
position that spawned
read to the children!'
an ongoing love of pho-
He took an active
role at Frankel Jewish
tography. He graduated
from the University of
Academy (FJA) in West
Scott Cran is
Michigan as a political
Bloomfield, where his
science major and, while
daughters were students.
"We will miss the warmhearted
he subsequently earned a master's in
business administration from Wayne
affection that Scott exuded in every
State University, Scott remained a
interaction that brought happiness to
fervent U-M devotee. One of the hap- those around him," said Rabbi Eric
piest days of his life was when his
Grossman of FJA. "He was a deeply
oldest daughter, Mara, received her
good man, parent, husband and
acceptance from his beloved alma
friend — a role model to us all:'
mater.
Scott Cranis is survived by his
"He bled blue," said his wife, Jodi.
wife, Jodi Cranis; daughters, Mara
"He was crazy about U-M sports,
Cranis and Jordyn Cranis; sisters and
anything from football to softball to
brother-in-law, Teresa and Bryan
gymnastics:"
Beckerman, and Cheryl Rope; father-
Scott met Jodi in 1991 through
in-law and mother-in-law, Stephen
an ad in the Jewish News People
and Jeri Rope; nieces, Eden and
Connector, a section of the paper
Brooke Beckerman. He is also sur-
where singles placed personal ads.
vived by the extended Halprin family
The two were married in 1993, on
of 35 cousins, their children and a
June 13, a date Scott chose in honor
world of friends.
of the 613 mitzvot (commandments)
He was the devoted son of the late
in the Torah.
Jack and the late Sarah Cranis.
"He was just a good person from
Family friend Larry Kohlenberg
head to toe," said Jodi. "He was funny established a fund to help the
and smart. He didn't say that much,
Cranis children continue their edu-
but what he said had quality."
cations. Donations may be made
When daughters Mara and Jordyn
to Cranis Children's Fund, c/o
were born, Scott's happiness was
Lawrence Kohlenberg, CPA, 31313
complete. He took great pride in their Northwestern Hwy., Suite #101,
accomplishments, never missing a
Farmington Hills, MI 48334, www.
soccer game, dance recital or school
gofundme.com/tk9s72j.
theater performance.
Other contributions may be made
"I played soccer since kindergar-
to Congregation Beth Ahm, 5075 W.
ten, and he never missed a single
Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322,
solitary game," said Jordyn.
www.cbahm.org; Frankel Jewish
He embraced Jodi's large extended
Academy, 6600 W. Maple Road, West
family and enjoyed hosting large
Bloomfield, MI 48322, www.frankelja.
family gatherings. He created a spe-
org; Northwest Child Rescue Women,
cial Haggadah for Passover, one of
6910 Pebble Creek Woods Drive, c/o
his favorite holidays; and the annual
Sarah Deitch, West Bloomfield, MI
Cranis Sukkot parties were legendary. 48322; or a charity of one's choice.
Congregation Beth Ahm in West
Interment was at Beth Abraham
Bloomfield was a second home to
Cemetery. Arrangements were by Ira
Scott. He led services, was active in
Kaufman Chapel.

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62

May 7 • 2015

JN

Obituaries

PAULA BARNETT, 71, of Birmingham,
died April 29, 2015.
She is survived by her beloved hus-
band, Dr. William Barnett; son and
daughter-in-law, David and Shana
Barnett of Ann Arbor; grandchildren,
Olivia and Nathan Barnett; many other
loving family members and friends.
Contributions may be made to a char-
ity of one's choice. Arrangements by
Dorfman Chapel.

LILLIAN BENKOFF,
97, of Southfield, died
April 30, 2015.
She is survived by her
son and daughter-in-
law, David and Arletta
Benkoff of Bloomfield
Hills; daughter, Sema
Benkoff
Lazar of Southfield;
sister, Estelle Fink;
grandchildren, Howard
(Wendy) Lazar, Marlana (Howard)
Weiner, Jeffrey (Sue) Lazar, Marc (Sarah)
Benkoff, Patricia (Justin) Klein, Alan
(Kelly) Simon; great-grandchildren, Alex,
Abigail, Eli, Madeline, Allison, Avery,
Jonah, Roman; many loving nieces, neph-
ews other family members and friends.
Mrs. Benkoff was the beloved wife
of the late Alfred Benkoff; the mother
of the late Renee Simon; the sister of
the late Jack Katler and the late Regina
Goldhirsch; the mother-in-law of the late
Alton Lazar; the sister-in-law of the late
Sanford Fink.
Contributions may be made to Jewish
Hospice or to the Juvenile Diabetes
Association. Interment took place at
Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale.
Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

HERBERT CHAD, 84,
of Farmington Hills,
died April 29, 2015.
Mr. Chad is survived
by his wife, Mildred
Chad; daughter and
son-in-law, Cheri
and Charles Cohen of
Chad
Farmington Hills; sons
and daughters-in-law,
Richard and Nancy
Chad of Tampa, Fla., Daniel and Debbie
Chad of Commerce Township; grand-
children, Andy and Marni Cohen, Haley
Cohen, Elizabeth Chad, Joshua Chad
and Jonah Chad; great-grandson, Parker
Jacob Cohen; many loving nieces and
nephews.
Mr. Chad was the dear brother of
the late Mindella and the late Morton
Shapiro, the late Anna and the late
Leonard Brand, the late Vera and the late
Joseph Dresner.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made
to the American Cancer Society, 20450
Civic Center Drive, Southfield, MI

48076, www.cancer.org; Congregation
Beth Ahm, 5075 W. Maple Road, West
Bloomfield, MI 48322, www.cbahm.
org; or a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

DR. S. LEONARD COHN, 84, of
Bloomfield Hills, died May 1, 2015.
Dr. Cohn was an OB/GYN, who gradu-
ated from the University of Michigan
Medical School in 1957. He practiced
in Detroit-area hospitals and at William
Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak and
Troy.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years,
Phyllis Levy Cohn; sons and daughter-in-
law, Mark and Lori Cohn, and Dr. Steven
Cohn; grandchildren, Ryan Cohn and
Taylor Cohn; sister and brother-in-law,
Barbara and Lincoln Racey; brother-in-
law and sister-in-law, Edwin and Chris
Levy.
Interment was at Beth El Memorial
Park. Contributions may be made
to Michigan Humane Society, 30300
Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham
Farms, MI 48025, michiganhumane.
org; or a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

JEANETTE COOK, 95,
of Southfield, died May
3, 2015.
She was known for
her ever-present smile,
positive outlook, devo-
tion to family, inner
strength, intelligence,
Cook
ability to make friends
with people of all ages
and dedication to Louis
Marshall Chapter of B'nai B'rith Women/
Jewish Women International.
She is survived by loving children,
sons and daughters-in-law, Gerald and
Barbara Cook, Marty and Carol Cook;
daughter and son-in-law, Francie Cook
and David Wiener; beloved grand-
children, Cheryl Cook and Devin
Cohen, Matthew Cook and Michelle
Rowe, Elizabeth and Jeremy Kahn,
Stacey Cook and Ken Hoxie, Adam
Cook, Brad Manhoff, Jyll and Andrew
Bender, Rebecca Katz and Sara Wiener;
adored great-grandchildren, Cameron
Cook, Isaac Cohen, Max Cohen, Jordan
Manhoff, Abby Manhoff, Luca Bender
and Cobin Katz; dear sister-in-law,
Sandra Teitel; many admiring cousins,
nieces, nephews and friends.
Mrs. Cook was the cherished wife for
61 years of the late Oscar Cook. She was
also predeceased by many loving rela-
tives, including her parents, Bessie and
Morris Teitel; parents-in-law, Fannie and
Meyer Cook; brothers and sister-in-law,
Ben and Harriett Teitel, and Herman
Teitel; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-
law, Jack and Rose Cook, Daisy and Sam
Friedman, Al and Pearl Cook, Charlie