HOWARD PIKSTEIN, 66, of 
Northville, died March 14, 
2022. 
He was raised in Oak 
Park. He helped develop 
the baggage conveyor sys-
tem at Hartsfield-Jackson 
International Airport in 
Atlanta. Professionally, Howie 
worked in IT program man-
agement. He was employed by 
the Ford Motor Company for 
many years. 
Howie played Beaver 
Softball for more than 40 
years and his number will be 
retired. He enjoyed ski trips 
and vacations to Oscoda with 
the family. 
He was a Michigan graduate 
and an ardent U-M sports fan. 
Howie leaves Drew, his 
beloved wife of 26 years. He 

was the devoted father of 
Casey (Natalie) Jentzen; proud 
zaydie of Cameron and Noah. 
Howie’s father, Herman, died 
at a young age. It was then his 
mother Helen’s determina-
tion and values that nurtured 
the lifelong bond between 
Howie and his two siblings: 
sister, Rochelle (Ron) Siegel, 
and brother, Marty (Laura). 
He will be missed by nieces, 
nephews, cousins and many 
friends. 
A memorial service will 
be held this summer when 
Marty and Laura can return 
from China. Donations can be 
made to the American Heart 
Association. 

BELLA RUBEN, 94, 
of West Bloomfield, 
died March 16, 
2022. 
She graduated 
from Central High 
School in Detroit and advanced 
two years at Wayne State 
University, pursuing a teach-
ing degree. Bella met Charles 
Ruben in McKenzie Hall in her 
second year and life changed. 
They were married for more 
than 60 years. 
After briefly working for the 
federal government, she was the 
consummate homemaker and 
highly active in the community 
as well as a bridge player afi-
cionado. A lifelong member of 
Congregation B’nai Moshe, Mrs. 
Ruben was president of the sis-
terhood, president of the local 
Morgenthau Women’s Chapter 
and state-wide president of 
Michigan B’nai B’rith Women. 
She inspired development 
and implementation of Hillel 

houses across Michigan college 
campuses. She also coordinated 
and spearheaded endless officer 
installations, Jewish programs 
and charities. 
Mrs. Ruben was exception-
ally astute at selling cosmetics 
in local malls for more than 
10 years. Her unabated energy 
and youthfulness made her 
a paragon of hope, optimism 
and resilience. But it was her 
contagious smile that melted 
the hearts of her grandchildren 
and great-grandchildren, earn-
ing her the reverent nickname 
“Maimie.
” 
She was her husband Charles’ 
sunshine and respected matri-
arch of the Ruben family. 
Together, Bella and Chuck 
enjoyed winters for 20 years in 
their Boca Raton condo. Bella 
found similar solace in her 
apartment at Meer. 
The family is thankful for her 
infinite wisdom on happiness 
and values on a good marriage 

continued from page 59

OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY

60 | MARCH 24 • 2022 

