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Penny Lynn Sturgis

Helen L. Loomis

Marie Rickard Blink

Kathryn Durner

Paul Harold Hengesbach

Avelino "Pee Wee" Pena

Avelino "Pee Wee" Pena died July 8, 2008, at the age of 84. Born in Laredo, Texas on August 26, 1923, the son of Eduardo and Manuela (Charles) Pena and lived in St. Johns since 1952. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he served as an usher. He was also a member of the St. Johns Knights of Columbus and volunteered for St. Johns Senior Center and Hazel Findlay Country Manor. Pee Wee retired in 1990 as a janitor from St. Johns Public Schools after 20 years. Following his retirement, he fullfilled his lifelong dream of graduating from high school at the age of 73.

He is survived by one brother, Eddie Pena of Bellflower, California, two stepsisters, Antonia Sosa of Laredo, Texas and Alicia Gonzalez of Austin, Texas, many nieces and nephews. Pee Wee was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Guadalupe Pena, one brother, Rauel Pena, two sisters, Manuela Brulloths, twin sister, Maria Robles, stepbrother, Amado Pena and stepsister, Maria Pena.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 11, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Ken McDonald officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Thursday at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns with a vigil service at 7 P.M. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Education Trust Fund.

Janet Mae Esch

Janet Mae Esch, of Dayville, CT and formerly of St. Johns, died on June 10, 2008. She was born on August 15, 1930, in Rangeley, ME, the daughter of Payson and Emma (Haskell) Haley and lived in Massachusetts until 1954 when she married Maynard Weston Esch and moved to St. Johns, MI. Janet worked as a Clerical Assistant for the Northeast District Department of Health. She was a member of the Danielson United Methodist Church. She was an avid bowler, enjoyed time out with friends, but her passion was mini-golf; so much so that she even had her own putter.

Janet is survived by her daughter Sheri Esch of Dayville, CT, twin sons Stacey Esch of Dayville, CT and Tracey Esch of Lansing, grandchildren, Erin Racine, Mackenzie Racine and Scott Esch, brother, Robert and Florence Haley of MA, sisters Judy Elkins of MA and Jeanne Haley of FL, brother-in-law Philip Esch of Haslett, sisters-in-law Christine Baker of St. Johns, and Maribeth Traer of Jamestown, RI and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Maynard in 1972.

A memorial service will be held at 12 Noon, on Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns, MI. The family will receive friends for an hour before the service. Sympathies may be expressed in the form of memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society.

Kathryn Durner

Kathryn Taffee Durner died July 6, 2008, at the age of 86. She was born in Lansing on November 10, 1921, the daughter of Ray and Ethel (Greene) Taffee. She was a retired school teacher, a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns as well as St. Joseph, The Worker in Beal City. Kathryn enjoyed golf and was a member of both the Clinton County Country Club and the Pines Golf Course. She was an M.S.U. alumnus. Kathryn married James Durner in Lansing on August 23, 1947 and he preceded her in death on April 5, 1989.

Surviving are her children, Susan Durner of Seattle, Washington, Patrick (Nanette) Durner of Lansing, Timothy Durner of Port Townsend, Washington, Mary Jo (Vladimir) Bacony of Sparta, MI, Sally (Doug) Hayne of Rochester, MI and Nancy Durner of St. Johns; grandchildren, Shawn (Dan) Brow, Brian Bacony, Betsy Bacony, Ian Durner, Ethan Durner and Mary Kate Moinet. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Jean Taffee and Barbara Taffee and grandson, Gabriel Patrick Durner.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. Thursday, July 10, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 Linden Ave., St. Johns. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Wednesday at the Osgood Funeral Home with a rosary prayed at 7 P.M. Wednesday. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorials to Moore Living Connections, 401 W. Jolly Rd., Lansing, MI 48910 in memory of Barb Taffee/Kathryn Durner or Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Sparrow Foundation, 1110 E. Michigan Ave., P.O. Box 30480, Lansing, MI 48909.

Penny Lynn Sturgis

On September 17, 2007, Penny Lynn Sturgis returned to her Heavenly Father and was reunited with her Mother and Grandparents.

She was born January 19, 1947 in St. Johns, Michigan. She had been an active member of the Cashion Chapter of Eastern Stars and the OKC Hope Group. Her children and grandchildren were the focus of her life.

She is survived by her father, Les (Tim) Sturgis of Tucson, Az.; her sister, Linda Ferrari and family of Italy; her daughters, Kimberly Emo-Floyd of OKC; Lynn Junkin and family of Broomfield, CO.; Cheryl Usrey and family of Gilbert, AZ.; her son, Michael Nicholas of OKC; and her much adored and thoroughly spoiled grandchildren, Brandon Hancock, Cheyenne Emo, Nicholas and Isabel Junkin, and Dyson Usrey. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends.

A brief Memorial Service will be held in Elsie, Michigan on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. at the Elsie United Methodist Church, Elsie, Michigan. Penn also requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.

Helen L. Loomis

Helen L. Loomis died Friday, July 4, 2008 at the age of 88.  She was born in Isabella County on September 7, 1919 the daughter of William and Daisy (Willis) McQueen. She married  Gerald C. Loomis September 18, 1938 in Angola, IN and he preceded her in death in 2001.  Helen was a homemaker which she considered her vocation in life. 

She is survived by her son Gary (Loretta) Loomis of St. Johns, two grandsons, Scott (Jerikay) Loomis of DeWitt and Marc (Jami Morse) Loomis of St. Johns, great-grandchildren Jessica Loomis, Victoria Castillo, Jessica (Justin) Haun, Amanda Castillo, Adam Castillo, Alyssa Morse and Jordan Morse, great-great grandson, Adrien Castillo-Kasgorgis, brothers William (Donna) McQueen and Royal (Delores) McQueen and many nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by two brothers Lyle and Ron McQueen and her sister Zepha Delo.

Funeral services will be held  at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns with Rev. David Hudgens officiating.  The family will receive friends on Monday 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.  Sympathies may be expressed in the form of memorial contributions to Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Paul Harold Hengesbach

Paul Harold Hengesbach, age 65, passed away July 3, 2008, with his family at his side. He was born on July 3, 1943 in Westphalia to Anthony and Marcella (Fedewa) Hengesbach.  Paul lived his life to the fullest with family and friends. He was co-owner and operator of Westphalia Builders & Supply Co. for 50 years along with farming. Prior to his retirement he was past chair of the Associate Builders and Contractors, was a member of the Knights of Columbus #788 Richard Council, Catholic Order of Foresters and St. Patrick Church in Portland. Paul was a also in the National Guard. He will join in heaven his parents; sister, Evelyn Smith; brother, Charles Hengesbach; mother and father-in-law, Walter and Lorraine Pohl; and brothers-in-law, Clarence Schafer and Ken Pohl.

Surviving are his wife of 44 years, Kathy; children, Paul Jr. (Connie), Patrick (Kris), Pam (Ted) Goodman, Phil (Lisa), and Pete (Janet); his pride and joy were his grandchildren, Matt, Daryl, Andy, Taylor, Charley, Sam, Emma, Josie, and William and soon-to-be great-grandson; brothers, Albin (Ruth), Donald (Kathy), Anthony (Sharon), Jimmy (Patty), Mark; sister, Marie Schafer; sisters-in-law, Janet Hengesbach, Patti Pohl, and Diane Pung; brother-in-law, Mike Pohl; and many nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial will held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 7, 2008 at St. Patrick Catholic Church with the Rev.. Larry King presiding. Inurnment will take place in North Eagle Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive friends 7-9 p.m., Saturday and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Sunday at the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, 210 E. Bridge St. Portland. The Rosaries will be prayed at 8 p.m., Saturday and 3 p.m., Sunday. A Scriptural Wake Service will be prayed at 8 p.m., Sunday. For those wishing, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Patrick Boiler Fund in memory of Paul.

Marie Rickard Blink

Marie Rickard Blink died July 1, 2008, at the age of 91. Born March 20, 1917 in Kalamazoo, Michigan the daughter of Walter C. and Lena M. (Senne) Rickard. She formerly lived in Kalamazoo and Jackson. Marie was a sales clerk for L.H. Field Department Store in Jackson and worked at Jackson County Abstract Company. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Sebring, Florida having lived in Florida for 25 years before moving back to St. Johns in April 1997. Marie married Fred Blink September 11, 1937 in Kalamazoo and he survives her.

Also surviving are two sons, Donald (Janice) Blink of Indianapolis, Indiana and Richard (Barbara) Blink of St. Johns, five granddaughters, Donell (Larry) Elsner, Deanne Campbell, Debra Blink, all of Indiana, Gretchen (Chris) Mensing of Lansing and Karen Blink of St. Johns, six great grandchildren. Marie was preceded in death by her brother, Ralph Arthur Rickard and sister-in-law, Laoma Rickard of Kalamazoo.

There will be no visitation as Marie will be cremated. Her cremains will be interred at Roseland Memorial Gardens in Jackson. Memorials may be made to a charity of donor’s choice. Arrangements by Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns.