JANUARY 11 • 2024 | 61

F

red Kamienny, 82, of 
Birmingham, peace-
fully passed away after 
sunset on Dec. 25, 2023, 
after a long struggle with 
Parkinson’s Disease. 
Fred was born on June 
11, 1941, to Edward 
and Helen (Erlich) 
Kamienny in Oak 
Park. After graduating 
from Oak Park High 
School, he continued 
his education at Wayne 
State University where 
he received his B.S. 
in Applied Health 
Sciences and his M.S. in 
Pharmaceutical Sciences. He 
later became an instructor in 
pharmaceutics at Wayne.
Fred was working part 
time for Sentry Drugstores 
in the early 1970s, when he 
and his cousin Fred Erlich 
began PRN Services, sup-
plying nursing homes with 
wholesale pharmaceuticals. 
The business soon came to 
focus on oncology needs, and 
the cousins spent their time 
traveling across the country 
from one medical office to 
another, building their clien-
tele. What began as a family 
company (with Fred’s mom 
Helen in charge of accounts 
receivable) developed into a 
leading national distributor of 
oncology supplies and phar-
maceuticals, which was sold 
to Cardinal Health in 1993.
A charming, generous and 
yet strong-willed man, Fred 
was known for his big heart. 
His friends often described 
him as being like their own 
family. He delighted in verbal 
banter, logical strategy games 
and all kinds of calculations. 

He and his first wife, Elaine 
Kamienny, were active mem-
bers of the Birmingham 
Temple for many years. In his 
retirement, he enjoyed trav-
elling with his second wife, 
Ricki Becker, and their com-
bined family, collecting 
whimsical artwork and 
relaxing at the pool or 
on the beach. 
In recent years, 
his generous heart 
caught the attention of 
Lorraine Applebaum, 
and their infectious 
delight in one another’s 
company was a joy to both 
families. Fred’s family is also 
grateful to his aide Stephanie 
Shelton, whose playful ban-
ter and constant energy kept 
Fred highly engaged and con-
nected to those he loved, even 
as his health declined.
Fred was predeceased by 
his son, Howard Andrew. 
Fred’s memory will be cher-
ished by his children, Shari 
Kamienny Cohen (Harry) 
and Laura Kamienny; his 
stepchildren, Adam Becker 
(Jodi) and Nancy Bennett; 
his grandchildren, Hannah 
and Maya Cohen; Eric, Ryan 
and Ellory Becker, and Sloane 
and Shoshana Bennett. Fred 
is also survived by his sister, 
Janice Kelman (Barry); and 
many cousins, nieces, neph-
ews and close friends.
Interment was at Clover 
Hill Park Cemetery. 
Contributions may be made 
to American Cancer Society, 
20450 Civic Center Drive, 
Southfield, MI 48076, cancer.
org; or to a charity of one’s 
choice. Arrangements by Ira 
Kaufman Chapel. 

A Delightful, 
Generous Man

Fred 
Kamienny

Scott and Stephanie Sills, 
Joe, Sarah and Brian Crotty; 
great-grandchildren, 
Sebastian and Oliver Siegel, 
and Rowan McCarthy. 
Beverly was the beloved 
wife of the late Lewis “Skip” 
Siegel; mother of the late 
Jeff Siegel. 
Interment was held 
at the Clover Hill Park 
Cemetery in Birmingham. 
Contributions may be 
made to the Congregation 
for Humanistic Judaism 
or to the Penrickton 
Center for Blind Children. 
Arrangements by Dorfman 
Chapel.

MOLLIE STEIN, 99, of 
West Bloomfield, died Jan. 
1, 2024. 
She was a member of 
Congregation Shaarey 
Zedek, life member of 
Hadassah and National 
Council of Jewish Women. 
Mrs. Stein is survived by 
her son and daughter-in-
law, Wayne and Barbara 
Stein; daughter and son-
in-law, Shelley and Ruvi 
Singal of Southfield; 
grandchildren, Mayla and 
Adam Donoff, Dovi Singal 
and Naama Schostak, Mayer 
and Leah Stein, Rachel 
Stein, Conner Stein; great-
grandchildren, Aliana 
Singal, Maayan Singal, Ariel 
Singal, Noam Singal. 
Mollie was the beloved 
wife of the late Meyer Stein. 
Contributions may be 
made to Hadassah, 5030 
Orchard Lake Road, West 
Bloomfield, MI 48323; 
National Council of Jewish 
Women, 26400 Lahser 
Road, Suite 100, Southfield, 
MI 48034; Young Israel of 
Oak Park, 15140 W. 10 Mile 
Road, Oak Park, MI 48237; 

Congregation Shaarey 
Zedek, 27375 Bell Road, 
Southfield, MI 48034; or to 
a charity of one’s choice. A 
graveside service was held 
at Machpelah Cemetery in 
Ferndale. Arrangements by 
Hebrew Memorial Chapel. 
 

GERALD 
TAUBER, 87, of 
Commerce 
Township, died 
Dec. 19, 2023. 
Mr. Tauber 
is survived by his wife of 
60 years, Joyce Tauber; 
daughters and son-in-
law, Susan Tauber, Lisa 
Tauber and Kevin Wynne; 
daughter-in-law, Jodi 
Tauber; grandchildren, 
Rebecca Tauber, Ashley 
Tauber, Mackenzie Wynn, 
and Bella Wynne; sister, 
Bernice Garon; brother 
and sister-in-law, Mark 
and Anita Tauber; sister-
in-law, Rosalie Rosen; 
loving nieces, nephews and 
cousins. 
Mr. Tauber was the 
cherished father of the late 
Michael Tauber; the dear 
brother-in-law of the late 
Bruce Rosen; the devoted 
son of the late Beatrice and 
the late Max Tauber. 
Interment was at Adat 
Shalom Memorial Park. 
Contributions may be 
made to Parkinson’s 
Foundation, 200 SE 1st 
St., Suite 800, Miami, FL 
33131, parkinson.org; or 
Alzheimer’s Association-
National Chapter, P.O. 
Box 96011, Washington, 
D.C., 20090-6011, alz.
org. Arrangements by Ira 
Kaufman Chapel.