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Theodore W. Arens

David C. Kus

Stanley W. Rathbun

Ruth Shultz

Theodore W. Arens

Theodore W. "Ted" Arens, 93, of Westphalia died Oct. 5, 2000. He was born in Westphalia Nov. 18, 1906, the son of Albert and Philomena (Nau) Arens.

Mr. Arens was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Westphalia Council #2890 of the Knights of Columbus, and the St. Joseph Society. He was the oldest male resident living in Westphalia. He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all ages and was known for his quick wit and love of story telling. He had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mr. Arens was a hard working farmer who also enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends.

Surviving are children, Alban (Eugenia) Arens and Mary Jane (Gary) Lucas, both of Westphalia, John Arens of Lansing, Gladys (Lee) Stauffer of DeWitt, Ronald (Kay) Arens of Westphalia, Diane (Bruce) George of Pewamo, Richard Arens of Grand Rapids, and Bruce (Sharon) Arens of Westphalia; 27 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; sisters, Casilda Ruhl of Fowler and Dorothy (Daniel) O'Brien of Westphalia; brother, Donald (Gert) Arens of Fowler; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Hildegard (1991); son, Ronald (1937); grandson, Kevin Lucas; sisters, Leona Thelen, Nettie Platte, Alvina Martin, and Paulina Martin; and brother, Joseph Arens.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Oct. 9 by the Rev. William Ashbaugh at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Westphalia. Rite of Committal followed at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland. Contributions may be made to the Fr. Al Miller Trust Fund.

Ida M. Osborn

Ida M.Osborn, a long time resident of St Johns, passed away Oct. 15, 2000, in Ft Myers, Fla. She was born in Elmira, Mich., Dec. 24, 1908, the daughter of Jacob and Anna [Kauffman] Yoder.

She was a graduate of Ithaca High School, and attended Goshen College in Indiana and nurses training in Lansing. She was employed at Federal Mogul in St Johns prior to retirement.

Ida was a member of the Congregational Church in St. Johns and the First Congregational Church of Ft Myers, Fla. She was well known in St Johns for her art classes.

In 1928, she married Gilbert Osborn. He preceded her in death in 1985.

Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Elinor and Leonard Purdy of Ft Myers, Fla.; a grandson, David Purdy of Atlanta, Ga.; a great-grandson, Matthew Purdy of Atlanta, Ga.; and a niece, Carolyn Greening, of St Joseph.

Ruth Shultz

Ruth Shultz, 84, of DeWitt, passed away Oct. 15, 20000. Born Oct. 13, 1916 in Fenwick.

Mrs. Shultz graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns in 1933 and Clinton County Normal in 1934. She took night classes and summer school and graduated from Central Michigan University after 20 years of study. She taught in rural schools in Clinton County, Sheridian Road School, St. Johns Schools, and Waverly where she was named Teacher of the Year in 1971 and retired in 1972. She was a member of the Michigan Education Association and the Michigan Association of Retired Teachers Association.

Surviving are her husband of 64 years, George, whom she married August 25, 1936; daughter, Beverly (Gerry) Selden of DeWitt; four grandchildren, Scott (Teri) Selden, Tracy Selden, Kerrie (Jim) Kraft, and Kimberly (Michael) Chaffee; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Donald Robinson of Redland, Calif.; two sisters, Doris (Bill) Nichols of Kansas City, Mo., and Priscilla (George) Sarver of St. Petersburg, Fla.; sister-in-law, Dorothy Bullard of St. Johns; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Oct. 19, 2000 at Gorsline-Runciman Company DeWitt Chapel. The Rev. D. Michael Maurer, Pastor of Eagle United Methodist Church, officiated at the service. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 403 Seymour, Lansing Mich., 48933.

Vera A. Rierson 

Vera A. Rierson died October 16, 2000 at the age of 87. She was born in Tennessee on May 23, 1913, the daughter of Euell and Kathryn Cotton and lived in Flushing for 17 years coming from Ovid. She was a homemaker, worked at the Tri-Ami Bowl, and was a former member of the Truth Rebecca Lodge. Vera married Hurley Grinnell in St. Johns in July 1952 and he preceded her in death on October 16, 1975, she then married Rexford L. Rierson in Flint and he preceded her in death in 1994. 

Surviving are one son, Richard (Hazel) Grinnell of Ovid, step son, William (Ina) Rierson of Flint, four grandchildren, Paul Grinnell, John (Missy) Grinnell, Paullett (Ron) VanLake, and Penny Grinnell, five step grandchildren, Phyllis (Ron) Bukovcik, Paul Ackels, Pat Ackels, Walter (Morine) Ackels, and William (Nina) Rierson, twenty great grandchildren, one brother, Vern (Beth) Puegh of Colorado, and former daughter-in-law, Sally Atkins of Ovid. She was preceded in death by one sister, Ruth Burley and one step grandson, Kurt Grinnell. 

Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Thursday, October 19, 2000 at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid with burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Laingsburg. The family will receive friends 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. Tuesday and Wednesday at the funeral home.

David C. Kus

David C. Kus, 53, of Springfield, Oregon, formerly of St. Johns, Passed away October 11, 2000 after a long illness. He was born in Omer, Michigan on December 5, 1946, the son of Emil and Mary (Hornak) Kus. He lived in Oregon for the past 10 years. David was a 1964 graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School, an Army veteran of the VietNam War, an avid fisherman and was a retired construction worker. 

Surviving are his daughter Jennifer, mother, Mary Kus, one sister, Betty (Ted) Halitsky, all of St. Johns, three brothers, Emil Kus of Mecosta, Dan Kus of Perrinton, Jerry (Yvonne) Kus of Corvalis, Montana, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Emil. 

Private services will be held. Arrangements by the Osgood Funeral Home.

Stanley W. Rathbun

Stanley W. Rathbun, 93, of rural St. Johns, passed away October 5, 2000. He was born January 4, 1907 in St. Johns on to D. Roy and Myrtle (Hamer) Rathbun. Stanley was a retired farmer and a life-long member of Pilgrim United Methodist Church. He married Mildred D. Coffman, who survives him, May 12, 1924 at the Bengal E.U.B. parsonage. 

Also surviving are one daughter, Kay (Ed) Barks of DeWitt, one son, Mac Rathbun of St. Johns, three grandchildren, Jon (Trudi) Barks of St. Johns, Joshua and Jillian Lemmer of DeWitt, and one great grandson, Jonothon Barks. 

The family was served by the Osgood Funeral Home. The family requests that rather than cards or flowers, memorials be made to the Pilgrim United Methodist Church Children’s Caravan in St. Johns.