52 | AUGUST 20 • 2020
Soul
of blessed memory
was just 8 years old, his father
was murdered by bandits in
Belarus. He, his mother and sis-
ter survived an incredible odys-
sey through Belarus, Russia,
Uzbekistan, back through
Poland, Austria, Italy and final-
ly made it to Israel. It was in
Haifa, Israel, Mordechai met his
wife to be, Leora. He went on to
receive an engineering educa-
tion from the Technion.
Following the birth of their
sons, Roy and Dore, Mordecai
and Leora emigrated to the
United States. After a graduate
education at Penn State in fuel
science, he enjoyed a career at
Ford Motor Company, where he
proudly contributed to dozens
of patents and the develop-
ment of technology that greatly
reduced the risk of carbon
monoxide poisoning. His work
was honored by admission
to the National Academy of
Engineering.
An inveterate reader fluent
in seven languages, Mordechai
translated conversations
between Henry Ford II and
visiting Russian dignitaries. He
also loved playing tennis and
squash and watching European
football. His granddaughter
Honor brought great joy to his
later years.
Dr. Shelef is survived by his
wife of 65 years, Leora Shelef;
children, Roy and Elana Shelef,
and Dore Simon and Yoshie
Masuda; grandchild, Honor
Shelef.
He was the dear brother of
the late Raya Bar Peled.
Interment was at Beth El
Memorial Park. Contributions
may be made to American
Technion Society, 55 E. 59th
St., New York, NY 10022.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.
FAYE STARR, 93,
of Mooresville,
N.C., and West
Bloomfield, passed
away on Aug. 8,
2020.
She was born in Detroit on
Dec. 2, 1926, to Marcus and Ida
Ronis.
Mrs. Starr was the cher-
ished mother of Sylvia (Ron)
Marabate, Janice Starr (Jeff
Lawrence) and Craig Starr;
beloved Nana to Mark
(Christen) Marabate and
Allison (Blake) Rochkind; ador-
ing GiGi to her great-grand-
daughter, Anna Marabate; spe-
cial aunt to niece, Judy Ronis.
She was predeceased by her
beloved husband, Louis Starr;
siblings, Alice (the late Victor)
Ross, Benjamin Ronis and
David (Barbara) Ronis.
A memorial service cele-
brating the life of this amazing
woman will be held in the
future. Contributions may be
made to the West Bloomfield
Township Public Library
or the Holocaust Memorial
Center in Farmington Hills.
Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home
is serving the family. Online
condolences may be made at
KepnerFH.com.
Correction
The obituary for Richard
Menczer (Aug. 6) should have
indicated that he was born Dec.
25, 1934.
continued from page 51