Obituaries

In Memoriam: Shirley Karber

Shirley L. Karber, 70, of St. Johns, passed away Jan. 22, 2000. She was Aug. 24, 1929, in St. Johns, the daughter of Gerald and Ruth (Purvis) Good. She lived all her life in St. Johns.

She was the former owner/operator of the Aloha Drive-In, was a reporter for the Clinton County News, and was a real estate agent for Furman Realty Company. She authored the "Once Over Lightly" section of the 1980 History of Clinton County.

She married Gerald Karber in St. Johns June 25, 1949, and he survives her.

Also surviving are two daughters, Honey Jane (Ronald) Brown and Angela (Steve) Iocco, both of St. Johns; six grandchildren and one great-grandson; one brother, Ted (Katie) Good of Ludington; and step mother-in-law and aunt, Leona Karber of St. Johns. She was preceded in death by two infant daughters.

Funeral services were Jan. 24 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with the Rev. Hugh Banninga officiating. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Edward "Spud" Heathman

Edward L. "Spud" Heathman, 70, of St. Johns, passed away Jan. 22, 2000. He was born in St. Johns April 13, 1929, the son of Harry and Dorothy (Hall) Heathman. He lived all his life in St. Johns.

He was the owner/operator of Heathman Paint & Wallpaper in St. Johns, and was a courier for Old Kent Bank. He was a 1948 graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School.

He married Betty Cannon in St. Johns April 11, 1952, and she survives him.

Also surviving are one daughter, Sandy (Robert) Rasdale; three sons, Larry (Diane) Heathman of Bessemer, Gary (Dawn) Heathman and Neal (Pam) Heathman, both of St. Johns; 10 grandchildren; four sisters, Evelyn Buck, Vianna Bond, Frances (Otto) Thurston and Doris (Forrest) Swatman, all of St. Johns; one brother, Roger Heathman of Dansville.

There were no services. Memorials may be made to the St. Johns Fire Department. The family was served by the Osgood Funeral Home.

Dick Pratt

Dick L. Pratt, 64, of Fowler, our loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away Jan. 25, 2000. He was born March 20, 1935 in Grand Ledge.

He graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 1953. He retired in December 1995 from Oldsmobile after 42 years of service, and was a member of U.A.W. Local 652.

He married Sally Rose in Lansing April 15, 1956. They moved to Fowler in 1995 from Lansing. He was greatly respected and loved and will be missed by many. He enjoyed square and round dancing, his garden and camping with friends and family.

Family members who will always cherish his memory are his wife, Sally; daughters and sons-in-law, Jan (Ron) Amour of Iron Mountain, Kathy (Ernest) Dennis of Fowler, Diane (Pat) Miller of Bath; son and daughter-in-law, Jerry (Vicki) Pratt of Lansing; grandchildren, Rylan and Meggan Amour, Rose and Ernie Dennis, Max and Lisa Miller, Jesse, and Jennifer and Amanda Pratt. He took great pride in his grandchildren and never tired of their hugs or listening to what was important to them. Dick was a friend to everyone.

Funeral services were Jan. 28 at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns, burial at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery with Pastor Paul Clark officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Hospice of Clinton County.

Gary Priess

Gary N. Priess, 43, of St. Johns, passed away in the line of duty on Jan. 25, 2000. He was born in Newberry Dec. 2, 1956, the son of William and Ida (Kisco) Priess. He lived in St. Johns since 1982.

He was a police officer with the DeWitt Township Police Department since 1982. He was a graduate of Northern Michigan University with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and Balloon Federation of America, and enjoyed flying kites.

He married Gretchen Ewald in Unionville Aug. 30, 1980 and she survives him. Also surviving are one son, Ryan, and one daughter, Meghan, both at home; two brothers, Elwood (Beverly) Priess of Battle Creek and William (Connie) Priess of Towanda, Ill; mother-in-law Alice Hadden of Unionville; and sister-in-law Amber (Terry) Poston of Traverse City. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services were Jan. 29 at the First Baptist Church, St. Johns, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Pastor Jeffrey Heimsoth officiating. Memorials may be made to a trust fund for his children. The family was served by the Osgood Funeral Home.

Wilber Hammond

Wilber Hammond, 65, of Corunna, passed away Jan. 20, 2000. He was a machine repairman at GM in Swartz Creek. Funeral services were Jan. 25 at Smith Funeral Home, Corunna Chapel.

John Doyne Carmack

Mr. Carmack, age 50 years, died January 10, 2000 at his home in Bay City, MI. He was born in St. Johns, MI on October 10, 1949, the son of Orin and Ethel Andersen Carmack. He served in the U. S. Navy during the Vietnam War.

He is survived by 2 sons: Michael Carmack of Lansing, MI and Daniel and Daughter-in-law Tammy Carmack of Everett, WA, 2 grandchildren: Rebecca and A.J. Carmack, his mother Ethel Andersen Carmack of Phoenix, AZ, a sister Christine Baker of Phoenix, AZ and 3 brothers: Richard Carmack of Indianapolis, IN. Tom Carmack of Mt Pleasant, MI and Tony Carmack of Bay City, MI.