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| Raymond A. Slavik | Violet Meta |
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Raymond was a farmer and logger, and worked part time as a mail carrier for the Ashley Post Office. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 3, 2001 at 11:00 A.m. at Smith Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Pastor Jana Jirak and Mr. Thomas Bradley will officiate. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery, Gratiot County, Michigan. Visitation at the Funeral home will be Friday from 2-9, with the family present from 2-4 and 7-9 P.m. He was born in Ashley, Michigan on July 14, 1933, the son of Anthony & Rose (Grigar) Slavik. He graduated from Ashley High School with the Class of 1951. On August 8, 1954 he married Frances Bielik in Ashley, Michigan. He was a member of ZCBJ #221 in Bannister, Ashley Lions Club, Gratiot County Soil Conservation, and a former member of Ashley School Board and a bus driver. He was also a former Gratiot County Road Commissioner. When he was younger he played for the Gratiot County Baseball Teams and had a tryout with the Detroit Tigers. He attended Ashley United Methodist Church in Ashley, Michigan, and resided all his life on the family farm. Survivors include his wife, Frances Slavik of Ashley, MI, one daughter Tammy Kent of Grayling, MI, two sons, Michael Slavik of Ashley, MI, and Roger (Cheri) Slavik of Ashley, MI, five grandchildren, Katie, Natalie, Jessie, Brandon and Devin, one sister, Rowena (Keith) Chisholm of Florida, and two sisters in law, Wava Slavik of Ashley, MI, and Mary Bielik of Ashley, MI. He was predeceased by his parents, one granddaughter Kalie, and one brother, David. Memorials may be made to Clinton Memorial Hospital or Ashley United Methodist Church. The family is being served by Smith Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Jean M. (Abbott) Gavenda
Surviving are husband, Joseph Gavenda Sr. of Maple Rapids, children, Jean and Larry Baker of Perrinton, Joe and Mary (Lowe) Gavenda of Ashley, Joann and Dale Walton of St. Johns, Jim and Linda (Bauer) Gavenda of Maple Rapids, Jerry and Sue (Luttig) Gavenda of Maple Rapids, 16 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, brother, George and Pat Abbott Jr., and many Nieces and Nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Doris Abbott Sr., and two sisters, Ruth Kekel and Margaret Wakeman. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 A.M. Monday, February 5, 2001 at Most Holy
Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler with burial at Sowle Cemetery. The family will receive
friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Saturday and Sunday at the Abbott Chapel of the Osgood Funeral
Homes, Maple Rapids with a rosary prayed 8 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Violet MetaViolet Meta died January 29, 2001 at the age of 73. She was born in Ovid on July 22, 1927, the daughter of Joseph and Lena (Fabins) Meta and lived in Ovid most of her life. She was a 1945 graduate of Ovid High School and was a confection store employee. Surviving are one sister, Frances Meta of Ovid and two brothers, Anthony Meta of Ovid and John Meta of Flint. Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 31, 2001 at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid, burial at Maple Grove Cemetery with Rev. Kay Pratt officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Scott A. Allen
Survivors include wife Robin, step-daughter Amanda Kanaski and step-son Sean Kanaski both of Perrinton., his father, J. D. & Remona Allen of Huntingdon, Tennessee, mother Billie Sue & Melvin Brady of Harrison, MI, two brothers, Jim & Cindy Cole and John & Sharon Cole of Burton, MI, step-sister Ms. Leeann Brady, Mesick, MI, and two step-brothers Jim Brady of Texas and Bob Brady of MI. Funeral services will be held at Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns on Thursday, February 1, 2001 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Doug Jones officiating. Cremation will follow. The family will receive friends 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. Tuesday and Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the family. Frank J. ProchazkaFrank J. Prochazka died January 27, 2001 at the age of 80. Born September 12, 1920 the son of James and Marie (Jiranek) Prochazka. He was a lifelong farmer. Frank is survived by two daughters, Marsha (Dale) Schalk of Lansing and Lou Ann (Kenneth) Kornblum of Austin, Texas, one son, Frank (Ann) Prochazka of Charleston, S.C., seven grandchildren, Richard Snyder, Jr. of Philadelphia, PA, Sherry Spooner of Eureka, Michael (Tracy) Snyder of Holt, Shannon, Joey, and Meredith Prochazka of Charleston, S.C. and Samantha Kornblum of Austin, TX and three great grandchildren, Brandy and Casey Spooner and Michael A. Snyder. Frank also has four sisters, Vivian Hornak of Chesaning, Frances Saddak of Capac, Lillian Chaprinka of Flushing, and Helen Kapral of Wisconsin, and one brother, Robert (Georgia) Prochazka of Houghton Lake. In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by a brother, James Prochazka. Funeral Services will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, January 29, 2001 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Steve Weinberger officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels for Clinton or Eaton County, the Alzheimers Association, or the American Diabetes Association. George L. Weber
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Therese (Wieber) Weber whom he married August 18, 1948 in Fowler. Also surviving are ten children and their spouses, Cheryl and Ken Arens of Westphalia, Marilyn and Rich Vitek of St. Johns, Ann Marie and Jerome Pohl of Fowler, Joy and Hilary Stump of Fowler, Chris and Lori (Benjamin) Weber of Fowler, Curt and Sharon (Witgen) Weber of Westphalia, Therese and Dale Koenigsknecht of Fowler, Betsy and Tim Salisbury of Elsie, Steve and Kim (Simon) Weber of Westphalia, and Julie and Glenn Jandernoa of St. Johns, 15 grandsons, 11 granddaughters, brothers, Charles and Eve Weber of St. Johns and Alan and Pat Weber of Fowler. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother and sister-in-law, Bernard and Donna Weber. He is also survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Rosalyn Brown, Mary Ann Wieber, Carl and Rita Wieber, John Omahen, Leon and Gerry Wieber, Charles Simon and Jesse and Judy Castillo, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 30, 2001 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, burial at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Phil Gallagher officiating. The family will receive friends 2:00-9:00 Sunday at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns with prayer services at 3:00 and 8:00 P.M. and on Monday 2:00-9:00 at the Goerge Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, Fowler with prayer services at 3:00 and 8:00 P.M. George was a humble man who taught his children the meaning of hard work, good morals
and values. In his past time, his passion was the outdoors while enjoying fishing,
hunting and playing with dogs. He always loved the many talks with his kids and
grandkids and enjoyed keeping track of the stock market. Dad, go to that big stock
exchange in the sky and on your breaks throw out a line! Kathleen J. “Kay” Ebert
Surviving are one son, Robert A. (Leslie) Ebert of Santa Ana, CA, one daughter, Celia A. Ebert of Woodstock, GA, and two grandchildren, Shannon K. Ebert of Santa Ana, CA and Chad M. Ebert, of Redmond, WA. A memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 16, 2001 at the First Congregational Church, St. Johns, MI. A luncheon will be held immediately afterwards at the Oakland Place Bed and Breakfast, 506 S. Oakland St., St. Johns, MI to celebrate her life and memory. Interment will be at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, February 17, 2001. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Neely Ray Hospice House, 13639 E. Ray Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85234 or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns, MI.
Sr. Romayne had a long teaching career in schools of the Congregation including St. Joseph, St. Johns from 1966 - 1980. She retired to Fontbonne Manor north of Kalamazoo in 1982, but she continued to participate in many activities. At the end of her career she tutored in the Reading Center at Nazareth College. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Holy Family Chapel on Friday, January 26, 2001 at 10:30 a.m. Janet Sipkovsky and Carol Keyes of St. Johns served as honorary pall bearers.
Ruth worked for Hazel Findlay Nursing Home in St. Johns retiring in 1996. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 1, 2001 at 11:00 A.m. at Smith Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Pastor Randy Stehouwer will officiate. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery, Gratiot County, Michigan. Visitation at the funeral home will be Tuesday 6-8 and Wednesday 2-8 with the family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.m. She was born in Virginia on May 9, 1933, the daughter of Leo and Hazel (Stafford) Lyle. On July 26, 1953 she married Rev. Harold McGuire in Birmingham, Alabama. She was of Baptist Faith and served a number of Churches where her husband was the Pastor. She was a member of D.A.V. Auxiliary, and resided most of her life in the Elsie area before moving to Grand Haven in 1996. Survivors include her husband, Rev. Harold McGuire of Grand Haven, MI, four daughters, Sharon Miller of Lansing, MI, Cathleen (John) Bylsma of Grand Haven, MI, Harriet (Art) Grice of Bath, MI, and Carolyn (Richard) Ferrall of Bannister, MI, four sons, Rick McGuire of Muskegon, MI, James McGuire of Lansing, MI, and Stanley (Jenni) McGuire of Texas, eighteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren, her mother, Hazel Anderson of Grand Haven, MI, sister Carol Barton of California, and four brothers, Gerald (Genie) Lyle of Richland, MI, Gordon (Joy) Lyle of Raymond, MS, Jon (Brit) Lyle of Norway, and David (Vada) Lyle of Schererville, IN. She was predeceased by her father Leo, stepfather Gus Anderson, and one daughter. Memorials may be made to American Heart Association. The family is being served by Smith Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Ira J. "Bud" Pratt of Bath passed away Jan. 28, 2001, at home with his family by his side and made his final journey home to be with his Lord. He was born July 8, 1919 to Mervin and Hazel Pratt of Holt. He loved his family, woodworking, camping, hunting, fishing, and was one of the first troop leaders of Boy Scout Troop #205. He retired from Oldsmobile in 1980 after 37-1/2 years of service. He was one of the original members of the Oldsmobile Outdoor Club, serving on the board of directors and as Wagon Master of the camping unit for a number of years. He was also an active member of Good Sam Club. He was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister. Surviving are his loving wife of 58-1/2 years, Ethel; two sons, Richard F. (Nancy Jo) of Lansing and Edward D. (Sandy) of Holt; one sister, Kitty (Jim) Peck of Saugatuck; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and special friend, Ralph Wilinkinson. Funeral services were Jan. 30 at the Gorsline-Runciman Co. DeWitt Chapel with the Rev. Mary V. Groty, associate pastor and the Rev. Kelly Sprinkle, campus minister of Peoples Church officiating. Interment followed in Rose Cemetery, Bath. Memorials may be to the American Cancer Society, 1755 Abbey Road, East Lansing, MI, 48823, or Hospice of Lansing, 6035 Executive Dr. Suite 103, Lansing, MI, 48911-5338. Kenneth D. Pontius Sr., of DeWitt, went home to be with the Lord Jan. 28, 2001. He was born Oct. 10, 1928 in Clinton County, the son of Mark and Ruth Pontius. He retired in 1988 after 38 years as a skilled trade tinsmith for Oldsmobile. He was a lifelong farmer and also enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf. His true joy was the love he shared with his children and grandchildren. He was always there with a smile and a helping hand. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly, in November 2000. Surviving are four children, Kenneth (Karen) of DeWitt, Constance (Stewart) Kowalk of Williamston, Vicki Richards of DeWitt, and Cindy Pontius of DeWitt; 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Virgilene (Lewis) Zell of DeWitt, Donna (George) Sargent of DeWitt and Linda (Dick) Lyons of St. Johns; three brothers, Duward (Madge) of Coral, Gerald (Diane) of Perrinton and Linn (Gayle) of DeWitt. Funeral services were Feb. 1 at the Gorsline-Runciman Co. DeWitt Chapel with the Rev. Wesley Farrier and the Rev. Edward Holsworth, pastor of South Riley Bible Church, officiating. Interment was at DeWitt Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the South Riley Bible Church, 6517 W. Chadwick Road, DeWitt, Mich., 48820. Maurice Faught, 83 of DeWitt passed away Jan. 30, 2001. He was born Jan. 18, 1918 in Webberville, the son of Chan and Maude (Alford) Faught. Mr. Faught was a veteran of World War II having served in the U.S. Army Air Force. He was employed with General Motors for 37 years retiring in 1974. He was a Post Commander with the American Legion Post #412, Bath, and a member of American Legion Post #129, Portland. He was an avid bowler and gardener and also worked the Farmer's Market in Meridian Township for many years. Mr. Faught was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jerry Faught. Surviving are Margaret, his wife of 35 years; three sons, Jack (Karen) Faught of Charlotte, Warren (Alice) Stephens of Roseville, and Roger Stephens of Roseville; one daughter, Gwen Case of Okemos; 19 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren; one brother, Kennth (Joyce) Faught of St. Johns; and one sister, Clarice Hoyt of Lansing. Funeral services were held Fri. Feb. 2 at the Gorsline-Runciman Co. DeWitt Chapel. Interment was at DeWitt Cemetery. Ava T. Nelson, 87, of Bath, died Jan. 30, 2001, at the home of her daughter in Holiday, Fla. She was born Oct. 31, 1913 in Bath, the daughter of Willard and Minnie Sweet. Along with her late husband, Abbot, Ava operated Nelson's Variety and Grocery Store in Bath for many years. She traveled extensively with him throughout the United States. She was a member of the Bath United Methodist Church for over 75 years, since joining in 1926. She was a former Rebekah, Girl Scout leader, and a survivor of the Bath School Disaster in 1927. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Abbot W. Nelson in 1988; five brothers and three sisters. Surviving are three daughters, Alice Jean (Wayne) Loomis and Alva May Nelson, all of Bath, and Arlene Sue (Ron) Davis of Holiday, Fla.; five grandchildren, Steven (Kathy) Loomis, Mark (Sarah) Loomis, and Roger (Marsha), Debra, and Randy Pannabecker; six great-grandchildren, Kimberly (Mark) Stayton, Jamie Loomis, Chad (Allison), Kevin, and Adam Loomis, Alyssa Jane Pannabecker; and one brother, Dean (Geraldine) Sweet Sr., of Bath. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Feb. 5, at Bath United Methodist Church with the Rev. Nancy L. Besemer officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Bath. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 4, at Gorsline-Runciman Co., DeWitt Chapel. Memorials may be made to Bath United Methodist Church. If you've seen the lady that hung out at the car wash in St. Johns, her name was Mabel Decker. People in town called her many different names, but I called her Grandma. She loved animals, and was always picking up dead animals up off the roadways. She couldn't stand to see any animal hurt. She liked to hang out in St. Johns and sit in her car most of the day with her little dog at various businesses in town. She collected pop bottles to buy food for all the animals. She fed several stray cats. She has taken care of several baby animals whose mothers have been killed over the years. That includes skunks, deer, etc. She grew up in the St. Louis area, and later moved to Shepherd. She once owned the Rocking Chair Gift Shop in Shepherd and Houghton Lake. She lived in the Ashley/Perrinton area for the last 30 years. She was a mother of three daughters, having 12 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren. She died Jan. 31, 2001 at the age of 81 at home. Funeral services will be at the Dodge Funeral Home in Middleton Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. The family requests no flowers. Contributions may be made to Critter Alley in Grand Ledge. She will greatly be missed by her family, friends and many needy animals. |
Age 67 of Ashley,
Michigan passed away Wednesday January 31, 2001 at Clinton Memorial Hospital in St. Johns.
Jean M. Gavenda, age 75, of Maple Rapids, died Thursday, February 1, 2001 at
Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI. She was the daughter of George & Doris (Taylor) Abbott
of Maple Rapids. She was born December 8, 1925 in Clinton County and resided most of her
life in the Maple Rapids area. Jean married Joseph Gavenda in St. Johns on November 20,
1943. She was a retired employee of the Clinton County Courthouse, a member of Most Holy
Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler, and a former member of the Maple Rapids Village
Council. 
Scott
A. Allen, 33 died Saturday Jan. 27, 2001 resulting from a snowmobile accident. Scott
was born February 13, 1967 in Flint, MI the son of J.D. Allen and Billie Sue Greer.
Scott worked at Electrolux in Greenville. On October 24, 1998 he married Robin Rupright in
Perrinton. 
George L. Weber passed away peacefully on Friday, January 26, 2001, after a
long and courageous battle with emphysema at the age of 73. He was born March 25,
1927 in Flint, Michigan the son of Albert “Spike” and Bertha (Pohl) Weber.
George graduated from Fowler High School in 1945 and attended Ferris State
University. He retired after 24 years of service as a Tailor/Salesman for
Rehmann’s Menswear in St. Johns; and 17 years as a Dispatcher/Correctional Officer
and Jail Administrator at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department. He was a
Corpsman in the US Navy; Charter member of Fowler Conservation Club; Knights of Columbus;
usher at Most Holy Trinity; Fowler Athletic Booster member; and was a 4-H softball coach
when his children were younger. 
Kathleen J. “Kay” Ebert died January 26, 2001 at
the age of 79. She was born in Detroit on July 28, 1921. 
Sr. Romayne Pajot, SSJ entered into eternal life on
January 23, 2001 at the age of 89. She was born Bernice Pajot in Detroit on
November 13, 1911, the daughter of Alexander and Julia (Dupuis) Pajot. Sr. Romayne
pronounced her final vows with the 
Age 67
of Grand Haven, Michigan formerly of Elsie passed away Sunday, January 28, 2001 at North
Ottawa Community Hospital in Grand Haven.