112 | MAY 19 • 2022 

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OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY

grandchildren, Maxwell and Gavin 
Barry, and Cameron and Jeremy Kay; 
brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael 
and Cathy Barry, and Gordon Barry. 
Mr. Barry was the devoted son 
of the late Julius and the late Lillian 
Barry. 
Interment was at Beth El Memorial 
Park. Contributions may be made to 
Variety the Children’s Charity, 600 
S. Adams, Suite 230, Birmingham, 
MI 48009, variety-detroit.com; or 
City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, 
Duarte, CA 91010, cityofhope.org. 
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

RICHARD N. DONER, 
72, of Orlando, Fla., died 
May 6, 2022. 
He is survived by his 
daughter and son-in-
law, Jessica Doner and 
Nicholas Smedes; sister and brother-
in-law, Jill Doner Kagle and Steven 
Kagle; sister, Jacqueline Doner 
Moore; grandson, Artemis Grey 
Doner Smedes; many other loving 
relatives and friends.
Mr. Doner was the devoted son of 
the late Milton J. Doner and the late 
Ilsa Haas Doner. 
Interment was at Clover Hill Park 
Cemetery. Contributions may be 
made to an animal shelter of one’s 
choosing. Arrangements by Ira 
Kaufman Chapel.

MELVIN FREEMAN, 79, 
of West Bloomfield, died 
May 10, 2022. 
He is survived by his 
wife of 56 years, Norrine 
Freeman; sons and 
daughters-in-law, Jeffrey and Maria 
Freeman, Joel and Randi Freeman; 
grandchildren, Henry and Jack 
Freeman, Rayna and Peri Freeman; 
brother-in-law, Sheldon Koven; 
many loving cousins. 
Mr. Freeman was the devoted son 
of the late Frank and the late Rae F. 
Freeman. 
Interment was at Beth El 
Memorial Park. Contributions may 

D

r. Arthur Klass, M.D., a resident 
of Sarasota, Fla., and former 
long-time resident of West 
Bloomfield, died peacefully at home on 
May 9, 2022, after bravely battling 
years’ long health issues. 
Arthur was born in Rochester, 
N.Y., in 1929, just as the Great 
Depression descended on the 
nation. While the struggles 
defined the times, Arthur’s 
memories were filled with joyful 
family moments of drinking tea 
at his bubbie and zaydie’s house, 
with a dollop of strawberry jam 
sweetening each cup; going to 
the Empress Theatre on Clinton 
Avenue with his brother, David, 
for 10-cent movies (that included ice 
cream); and looking forward to his 
mom’s incredible chocolate cake each 
birthday. 
After losing his mother when he was 
only 11, Arthur, his father, brother and 
close-knit family supported one anoth-
er; as years went by, he set his sights 
on becoming a physician. He worked 
tirelessly to pay for his education, and 
his determination paid off. Arthur 
received his bachelor of science degree 
at University of Rochester and was then 
admitted to the University of Buffalo 
Medical School, where he proudly earned 
his M.D. credentials in 1956. 
He served as captain in a mash unit in 
South Korea for one year and received 
the Army Commendation Medal in 1961 
for going above and beyond as he com-
mitted himself to helping those in need. 
Once back in the States, Arthur enter-
tained an offer to practice in San Diego, 
Calif., but instead, accepted a position 
in Detroit, where he became head of the 
G.I. Department at Sinai Hospital and 
one of the pioneers of G.I. laser applica-
tions, leading to the hospital’s then-desig-
nation as “the most extensive multi-disci-
plinary laser unit” in the country. 
At his core, Arthur loved being a doc-
tor. In turn, his patients loved him, writ-
ing him letters, poems and heartfelt notes 

when he retired. When he did hang up 
the stethoscope to become a consultant 
with Blue Cross Blue Shield, he had long 
distinguished himself as one of the most 
respected and trusted 
board-certified gastroen-
terologists in the state.
But his career was 
only part of his proud-
est accomplishments. 
In Detroit, Arthur met 
and married his beauti-
ful wife, Judy. Together, 
they raised four chil-
dren he greatly loved; 
and he doted on a bevy 
of adored and lovingly 
spoiled dogs and cats 
(and a robin redbreast named Pretty 
Bird.) 
As an intellect and lifelong education 
advocate, Arthur was a voracious reader 
of medical journals, newspapers, novels 
and biographies; he enjoyed conversa-
tions that challenged and nurtured his 
insatiable curiosity and love of learning. 
He appreciated great art, had a yen for 
travel, basked in the beauty of classical 
music and regularly trounced his young-
est daughter in gin rummy. 
He was the kind of person you could 
always depend on. He had a dry wit and 
subtle sense of humor that could take 
you by surprise in a wonderful way. He 
genuinely made the world a better place. 
Dr. Klass is survived by his wife, Judith 
Ann Klass; children, Susan Klass, Nikki 
(Bruce) Ingber, Michael (Gaia) Klass and 
Melissa Siegler; grandchildren, Amelia 
Klass, Bridget Klass, Matthew Ingber, 
Megan Ingber, Aaron (Jessica) Ingber 
and Joshua Mendelson; great-grand-
daughter, Scarlett Ingber; and his beloved 
dog and granddog, Sasha and Berty.
At his wishes, no service is planned. To 
honor Dr. Klass, the family asks for con-
tributions in lieu of flowers to one of the 
following: St. Jude Children’s Research 
Hospital (st.jude.org); Florida Rescue 
Farm (floridarescuefarm.org); Planned 
Parenthood (plannedparenthood.org). 

Devoted to Helping 
 Those in Need

Dr. Arthur Klass