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. 

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