MAY 28 • 2020 | 95

M

ark David Mitshkun, 
71, of Dexter, died on 
May 8, 2020. 
He grew up in Detroit 
and then moved to Flint. He 
graduated in the first class of 
the Residential College at the 
University of Michigan. Mark 
and Diane Rosenblum fell in 
love in 1971 and they remained 
together. 
Mark decid-
ed to attend law 
school at Wayne 
State University. 
He became a law-
yer because he 
was committed to 
fighting for justice 
and the civil rights 
of people who did not have 
a voice. He moved to Seattle, 
Washington, in 1974 and 
became a public defender. 
Mark and Diane were mar-
ried in 1978. They moved 
from Seattle to Boston, where 
Mark taught in the Legal Aid 
program at Boston University. 
In 1989, they moved back to 
Michigan to be closer to family. 
Mark taught at the University 
of Michigan Law School in the 
Legal Aid Clinic for seven years. 
He then made the decision to 
work in the family business 
managing three mobile home 
parks. He retired when the 
business was sold in 2016. Mark 
was on the Fair Housing Center 
of Southeast & Mid-Michigan 
for many years. He was very 
committed to the mission of 
the center to end illegal housing 
discrimination.
Mark loved life and enjoyed 
every minute of it. He sparkled 
with joy at so many things. He 
appreciated everything. His zest 

for life was infectious; his sense 
of humor was wonderful.
He was an avid fly fisherman 
and master fly tier, who tied 
thousands of flies, many of his 
own design. He loved the rivers 
and mountains out west as well 
as the ocean flats and had many 
wonderful times with his broth-
er-in-law, Stephen Rosenblum, 
fishing the waters from 
Venezuela to Montana. 
Mark also loved golf, 
music, reading, writing, 
birding and nature in 
general. He loved the 
tall trees at the Villa 
Tranquilla (his beautiful 
home in Dexter, which 
he shared with Diane).
Mark was a brilliant writer. 
When he was diagnosed with 
cancer in October 2019, he 
wrote health updates to friends 
and family. In his third “official 
health update,
” Mark wrote the 
following on Nov. 27, 2019:
“What has happened to me 
is the result of bad luck. OK, 
REALLY bad luck, but it is 
not the stuff of tragedy by any 
means. If I died today, I would 
be the first to tell you that I have 
had an amazingly wonderful 
and truly lucky life. I have lived 
like a king. I have lived in beau-
tiful and vibrant cities on the 
West and East Coasts and the 
places I grew up. I have worked 
in dream jobs that were always 
focused on helping others. If I 
was not completely perfect in 
my work, it was not for lack of 
trying; and I always felt honored 
to be doing the work. I have 
been so lucky to have found 
outside activities that have sus-
tained me and brought me into 
contact with the natural world 

and its amazing wonders. I have 
seen things in nature that have 
seared themselves into my brain 
and made me truly appreciate 
the beauty and power of our 
planet.
”
Mark and Diane had a very 
special relationship which lasted 
almost 50 years. They were very 
lucky in so many ways. Their 
love was profound.
Mark passed away peaceful-
ly with his loving wife by his 
side. He was a truly wonderful 
human being, beloved by all 
who were lucky to know him.
He is survived by his beloved 
wife, Diane Rosenblum. He 
was the cherished brother-in-
law of Stephen Rosenblum 
(Rosalyn Sarver), Susan 
Rosenblum, Bill Lawrence; lov-
ing uncle of Aaron Rosenblum; 
Daniel Rosenblum (Jill), Sara 
Rosenblum (David Hernandez), 
Danica McAdam (Jeff), Joshua 
Lawrence (Molly); great-uncle 
of Theo and Emery Rosenblum, 
and Landon McAdam. He is 
also survived by many loving 
cousins and dozens of friends.
Mr. Mitshkun was preceded 
in death by his sister, Beverley 
Lawrence; parents, Mary and 
Damor Mitshkun; in-laws, Ida 
and Albert Rosenblum. 
Contributions may be 
made to Fair Housing Center 
of Southeast and Mid-
Michigan, P
.O. Box 7825, Ann 
Arbor, MI 48107, fhc-
michigan.org; American 
Civil Liberties Union, 2966 
Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 
48201,aclumich.org; Colorado 
Trout Unlimited, 1536 
Wynkoop St., #320, Denver, 
CO 80202, coloradotu.org. 
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman 
Chapel. 

RUTH APPEL, 97, 
of Novi, died May 
15, 2020. 
She loved swim-
ming, dancing 
and visiting parks, 
zoos and museums.
Mrs. Appel is survived by 
her sons and daughters-in-
law, Gary and Mimi Appel, 
Jeffrey and Judge Michelle 
Appel; daughter and son-
in-law, Judy and Michael 
Applesmith; grandchildren, 
Andrew and Lauren Appel, 
Gabriel Appel, Samuel Appel, 
Raffi and Emmy Appel, Micah 
Appel, Matthew Applesmith 
and fiancee, Emma, Jacob 
Applesmith, Elliot Applesmith; 
great-grandson, Rowan Appel.
She was the beloved wife of 
the late Dr. Max Appel; loving 
daughter of the late Jenny and 
the late Abraham Davis; dear 
sister and sister-in-law of the 
late Nate Davis and the late 
Miriam Davis. 
Contributions may be 
made to Yad Ezra, 2850 W. 
11 Mile Road, Berkley, MI 
48072; Jewish Hospice and 
Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W. 
Maple Road, West Bloomfield, 
MI 48322. Graveside service 
was held at Clover Hill Park in 
Birmingham. Arrangements 
by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

GEORGE 
COOPER, 92, of 
West Bloomfield, 
died May 19, 
2020. 
He was a 
plumbing contractor by 
trade, a pilot for fun and an 
all-around great guy. He was 
happy in the air or in the 
water but, most of all, on solid 
ground with Rose. His laugh 
will be missed by all.
Mr. Cooper is survived by 

continued on page 96

Soul
of blessed memory

He Had A Love Of Life