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| H. Josephine Brayton | Wilbur Vanzee |
| GUTHRIE, MARILYN GEAN (SMIT) Formerly of St. Johns Born July 11, 1930. Went to be with the Lord May 8, 2000 at home with her family. Retired Office Manager. Survived by her husband, Donald (Ret. Captain of Lansing Fire Department, "The Mayor", "Guss"; children, Jack (Barbara) Guthrie, Jill (Bill) Held, Jann (Dan) Delker; mother, Ruth Smit; sister, Jacquelin (Dr. James) Lawrence; 7 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; many nieces and nephews. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower, Phoenix, AZ 85016. Messages of sympathy may be sent to: Donald Guthrie, Brentwood Southern Mobile Home Park, #321, Mesa, AZ 85208 Frank A. SwagartFrank A. Swagart died June 15, 2000 at the age of 90. Born in Greenbush Township on August 20, 1909, the son of Frank E. and Emma (Huber) Swagart. Frank retired from Federal Mogul, was the first vice president of F.F.A. for the state of Michigan, was a member of Central Michigan Lapidary and Mineral Society and enjoyed wintering in Texas. Frank married Frances M. Roat on June 24, 1934 and she survives him. Also surviving are two daughters, Linda (Bruce) Carmon and Cheryl (Thomas) Moubray, both of St. Johns, three sons, Allan (Nina) Swagart of Gulf Breeze, FL, Richard (Neva) Swagart of St. Johns, and Gary (Clara) Swagart of Tallahassee, FL, 16 Grandchildren, 8 Great Grandchildren, and one sister, Donnah McMaster of Alma. He was preceded in death by four sisters, Jane Fiedler, Katie Woodruff, Marguerite Swagart, and Marie Phelps Reason, and two brothers, Elmer and George Swagart. Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M., Monday June 19, 2000 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Pastor Jim Dibbet officiating. The family will receive friends 6-9 P.M. Saturday and 1-4 and 6-9 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Clinton County Hospice. Ralph F. BancroftRalph F. Bancroft died June 14, 2000 at the age of 44. He was born in St. Johns on August 8, 1955, the son of Orson and Doris (Thomas) Bancroft and lived in Elsie and Owosso most of his life. He was employed at the Lear Corporation in Elsie and was a member of Fenmore Baptist Church in Elsie. Ralph married Geraldine Spencer in Las Vegas on July 23, 1990 and she survives him. Also surviving are his mother and step father, Doris and Robert Flanner of Laingsburg, one son, Jeremiah Bancroft of Bar Harbour, Maine, two step sons, Steve (Brenda) Lighthill and Rod Lighthill, all of Owosso, two step granddaughters, Ashley and MacKenzie Lighthill, one step grandson, Thomas Lighthill, two brothers, Gene Bancroft of Holt and Steve Bancroft of Ovid, and one sister, Linda (Bill) Cook of Potterville. He was preceded in death by his father and one sister, Terry Bancroft. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, June 17, 2000 at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid, burial at Maple Grove Cemetery with Pastor Bill Stites officiating. The family will receive friends 6-8 P.M. Thursday and 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Foundation. Gladys AndersonGladys Anderson, 106, died June 14, 2000. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 17, 2000 at the First United Methodist Church. Edward A. MotzEdward A. Motz died June 14, 2000 at the age of 87. He was born in Bengal Township on July 2, 1912, the son of John and Christine (Kramer) Motz and lived all his life on the family farm. He was a farmer and carpenter, a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Ushers Club, the Farm Bureau, and was a former 4-H leader. Ed married Genevieve Thurston in St. Johns on May 16, 1946 and she survives him. Also surviving are four daughters, Sharon (Stu) Fitzpatrick, Betty (Barry) Bauer, both of St. Johns, Barb (Mark) Parbs of Spokane, WA, and Deb (Jeff) Wilcox of Jackson, one son, David (Jane) Motz of St. Johns, fourteen grandchildren, six great grandchildren, sister-in-law, Dorothy Bradley of Roscommon, and brother-in-law, Harold Tolles of St. Johns. He was preceded in death by one son, one great grandson, two sisters, and one brother. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 A.M. Friday, June 16, 2000 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Jose Mundadan officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Thursday at the Osgood Funeral Home with a K of C Rosary at 7 P.M. and a Vigil Service at 7:30 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice for Clinton County or the American Cancer Society. Murel M. HavensMurel M. Havens died June 8, 2000 at the age of 96. She was born in Petoskey on July 20, 1903, the daughter of George and Hallie A. (Conklin) Wilton and lived most of her life in St. Johns. She was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, was active in the Aide Society and Missionary Group, and was a member of the Royal Neighbors for 76 years. Murel married William Havens in Lansing on December 22, 1926 and he preceded her in death on March 29, 1959. Murel and William were the owners/operators of a grocery store. Surviving are daughter, Paddy (Jeter) Keener of St. Johns, two granddaughters, Michelle (Wayne) Cox of Grand Ledge and Melody (Joe) Marek of St. Johns, two grandsons, Michael Keener and Mark Keener, both of St. Johns, two great granddaughters, Tami (Chad) Huntoon of Ashley and Heidi Jo Marek of St. Johns, four great grandsons, Tommy (Shannon) Cox of Lansing, Kenny Cox of Grand Ledge, Robert Marek, and Douglas Marek, both of St. Johns, three great great grandchildren, Natasha Cox, Cody Cox, and Brooklyn Huntoon, two step daughters, Lualta McBryde of Laingsburg and Dorothy Kesler of Dimondale, six step granddaughters, three step grandsons, sixteen step great granddaughters, nineteen step great grandsons, many great great and great great great step grandchildren, two sisters, Rozella Blink of St. Johns and Betty Gemmill of Grand Rapids, one brother, Wilbur Wilton of Petosky, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one grandson, six sisters, four brothers, one step son, and one step grandson. Graveside services were held Sunday, June 11, 2000 at Oaklawn Cemetery in Stockbridge with Rev. Steve Weinberger officiating. Memorials may be made to Ovid Healthcare Center. Arrangements by the Osgood Funeral Home. H. Josephine Brayton, 87, of Hubbardston, passed away June 10, 2000. She was born January 19, 1913, the daughter of Fred and Mary (Kemp) Brayton. She was a school teacher and taught school for more than 45 years at Carson City and Pewamo-Westphalia. She was an exceptional business teacher and belonged to several teacher organizations. She loved to travel and had visited numerous countries on six continents. She loved to knit and entered many exhibits at the Ionia Free Fair, winning many awards. She was a member of the Carson City United Methodist Church and was a volunteer at the Carson City Hospital for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Evangeline (Jim) Fox; and a brother, William (Irene) Brayton. She is survived by seven nieces and nephews, William Brayton of Haslett, Larry (Ruth) Brayton of Plano, Texas, John (Marilyn) Fox of Lansing, Priscilla (Eugene) Schafer of Hubbardston, Janet (Leo) Rademacher of Grand Ledge, Sharon Pung of Fowler, and Michael (Janice) Fox of St. Joseph. She had 26 grand-nieces and nephews and 53 great-grand-nieces and nephews. They all referred to her affectionately as their "Aunt Jo." Cremation took place and a memorial service was held June 17 at the Carson City United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Improvement Fund of the United Methodist Church in Carson City. The family was served by the Lux and Schnepps Funeral Home in Carson City.
Mrs. Ruth H. Pettit, 94, of Grand Rapids, formerly of the St. Johns area, passed away June 9, 2000. She was born in Chicago, Ill., June 24, 1905, the daughter of Ambrose and Minnie (nee Mattheson) McDiarmid. Her favorite leisure activities, in addition to watching television, were to crochet and to do seamstress work. In addition, she was a very good cook. She married Leon W. Pettit April 4, 1925, at a Baptist Church in St. Johns. He preceded her in death Jan. 25, 1990. She is survived by her children, Max (Marian) Pettit, Shirley (Richard) Foster, all of Grand Rapids, Robert (Marlene) Pettit of Kentwood; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Neal and Edith McDiarmmid and Einor Gallent, all of St. Johns, and Bruce and Edna McDiarmid of Ovid; sisters-in-law, Susie McDiarmid of Higgins Lake and Dorothy McDiarmid of Owosso; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sons, Edward and Lyle; daughter-in-law Gloria Pettit; a grandson, James Pettit; and a great-granddaughter, Heather Sue Foster. Funeral services were June 12 at Pederson Funeral Home with Pastor Doug Crawford of West Cannon Baptist Church officiating. Interment took place in Fairplains Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider West Cannon Baptist Church for The Brazil 2000 Trip. The family was served by the Pederson Funeral Home in Rockford.
Leona (Irving) Schaffer O'Brien Leona (Irving) Schaffer O'Brien, 78, of Owosso, went home to be with the Lord June 12, 2000. She was born in St. Johns July 10, 1921, the daughter of William and Rachel (Crosby) Irving. She graduated from St. Johns High School and lived most of her life in the Owosso area. She spent her teen years in St. Johns and her married life on the farm in Owosso with her husband Max Schaffer. She continued to help farm the same farm with Martin O'Brien until his retirement in 1995. They were mint farmers. She was a homemaker and a partner in the farming with both husbands. She was also a beautician in her earlier years. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She worked as a volunteer for the Red Cross. She married Max Schaffer Oct. 30, 1939. He passed away at an early age of 45 years March 12, 1966. She then married Martin D. O'Brien May 22, 1971 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Oakley. Survivors include her husband, Martin O'Brien of Owosso; two sons, Roy (Mary Ann) Schaffer of Missouri, Dennis (Vicki) Schaffer of Owosso; four stepchildren, Martin, Cheryl, Sheila and Pauline; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elouise Harris of St. Johns, and Lucille Worrall of McMillian. She was preceded in death by two infant sons and two sisters. Funeral services were June 14 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Oakley, burial at South Bingham Cemetery in St. Johns with the Rev. Fr. Peter Nickels officiating. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Shiawassee County. The family was served by the Smith Funeral Home, Elsie Chapel. Wilbur P. Vanzee, 82, of DeWitt Township, went to be with his Lord and Savior June 11, 2000. He was born Dec. 18, 1917 in Kalamazoo, the son of William and Nellie (Flipse) VanZee. He was given the charge to be a caretaker of God's creation. A lifelong farmer, he has farmed in the DeWitt Township area since 1957. He had served as president of the American Dairy Association and Independent Cooperative Milk Producers Association (ICMPA). He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Vera Ackley and Helen Carnes; and son-in-law Steve Weir. Survivors are his wife, Margene; three daughters, Marilyn (Douglas) Stolk of Richardson, Tex., Barbara (David) Stipcak of Camarillo, Calif., Donna Wier of Lansing; six sons, David (Karen) of Camarillo, Calif., William (Mary Lou) of Lansing, Ronald (Maria) of Eagle, Tom (Connie) of DeWitt, Terry of Lansing and John (Jacque Lee) of DeWitt; 33 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; one brother, Carl (Rena); sister Marian (Wim) Dykshoorn. Funeral services were June 15 at Calvary Baptist Church, Lansing with the Rev. Tad Jameson, Pastor officiating. Interment was at Gunnisonville Cemetery, DeWitt Township. Those desiring may make contributions to the Church Building Fund in memory of Mr. VanZee. The family was served by the Gorsline-Runciman Co., DeWitt Chapel.
William (Bill) Workman, 81, of Gaylord, passed away March 13, 2000. He retired from General Motors, Oldsmobile division after 37 years. Memorial graveside services are being held Saturday, June 24 at Fairview Cemetery in Gaylord. The family was served by the Nelson Funeral Home.
Clare D. Vail, 92, of Bath, passed away June 11, 2000. He was employed as a farmer and with Diamond Rio for 23 years. He was a lifelong resident of Bath and was united in marriage to Josephine Cushman Aug. 10, 1932. He was preceded in death by two sisters and two grandsons. Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Josephine; five daughters, Betty (Leonard) Stull of Lansing, Joyce (Glenn) Svendsen, Nancy Miller, Judy (John) Blankenship, Martha (Dan) Sherman; two sons, Claude (Shirley) and Hewitt (Barbara) Vail, all of Bath; 19 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren; and two nephews, Leonard and Donald Hiatt, both of Bath. Funeral services were June 15 at the Gorsline-Runciman Co. East Chapel with Leonard Hiatt serving as Eulogist. Interment was at Reed Cemetery, Laingsburg. |
