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| Pauline Puetz | V. Geraldine Martin |
V. Geraldine Martin
Geraldine is survived by her daughter, Joanne (Richard) Miller of St. Johns, three sons, John (Jean) Martin of St. Johns, James (Delphine) Martin of North Dakota, and Kurt Martin of Colorado, 14 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, one great great grandchildren, her brother, Richard Rahl of St. Johns, sister-in-law, Jean Nuechterlein of Colorado, and brother-in-law, Ralph (Vera) Martin of Mason. In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by two daughters, infant daughter, Mary Ann Martin & Marilyn Kieffer and three brothers, Chimes, Theodore, and Merlyn Rahl. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Gilbert Rahrig and Fr. Paul Cummings officiating. The family will receive friends at the Osgood Funeral Home 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Tuesday with a Rosary being prayed 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Ovid Healthcare Center. Pauline A. Puetz, 96, died June 15, 2001. She was born April 27, 1905, in Wacousta, the daughter of Floyd and Cardine (Schraeder) Merrill. She lived most of her life in the St. Johns area and taught in the St. Johns Public School system. She received her bachelor of arts degree from Central Michigan University. She was a member of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, the Teacher's Reunion and a local teachers' organization. Pauline married Vernon Puetz in Bowling Green, Ohio. He preceded her in death in 1977. Surviving is one daughter Betty (Theodore) Taylor, and a grandson, Michael (Diane) Taylor all of St. Johns. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Olive McKinney and Dorotha McKinney. No services will be held. Memorials may be made to Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor. The family was served by the Osgood Funeral Home. Geraldine Ann Sleight, 73, died June 10, 2001. She was born Sept. 24, 1927 in Eagle Township, the daughter of Frederick Biergans and Beatrice (Palmer) Biergans. An advocate for civil rights and rights for persons with disabilities, her lifelong commitment to community service includes the Lansing Diocese Christian Service Commission, the Office of Disabilities of the Diocese of Lansing and the St. John Student Parish Renovation Committee. She was moderator of the Diocese of Lansing Parent Support Group and provided phone counseling for parents of children with disabilities. She was an organizer and participant in the Handicapper Awareness Group at St. John's Student Parish, was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order and active in the Altar Society at St. Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing, a Girl Scout Leader, 4-H member, and Patron of the Michigan 4-H Foundation. She was a 1989 recipient of Volunteer Leadership Award sponsored by the Greater Michigan Foundation. She graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 1945 and attended Sienna Heights College. Surviving are her husband of 50 years, Dr. Stuart D. Sleight of East Lansing; children, Marcia L. Sleight of Arlington, Virg., William S. Sleight (Deborah Alpert) of Okemos, Catherine A. Sleight (David Rodriguez) of Saginaw, and James F. Sleight of Lansing; three grandchildren, Matthew Rodriguez, Alan Sleight and Emily Sleight; two step-grandchildren, Kurt Rodriguez of Kent, Ohio, and Kris DeLeon (Dan) of Defiance, Ohio; one step-great-grandchild, Henry DeLeon; brother William Biergans of Grand Ledge; brothers-in-law Paul Winegar of DeWitt, Dr. Justin Sleight (Marjorie) of Lansing and Norman Sleight of Newark, Ohio; aunt, Louise Haradine of Three Rivers; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Maryl and sister, Mary Margaret Winegar. The funeral Mass was celebrated June 13 at St. John Student Parish. Memorials may be made to the St. John Student Parish or the Sleight Scholarship Fund, c/o Michigan 4-H Foundation, 4700 S. Hagadorn Road, East Lansing, 48823. Leona M. Martens, 88, of St. Johns, died June 10, 2001. She was born Jan. 17, 1913, in Lansing, the daughter of George and Bertha (Felzke) Behrens> She lived in Clinton County most of her life. She was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid. Leona married Howard Martens March 20, 1935, in Riley Township. He preceded her in death Jan. 22, 1991. Surviving are two sons, Everett (Ellen) Martens of St. Johns, and Gary (Karen) Martens, Sr. of Howell; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one great-great-grandson, two sisters, and one brother. Funeral services were held June 13 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, burial at St. Peter Cemetery with Pastor Paul Clark officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Mid-Michigan. Arrangements by the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns
Funeral services will be Saturday, June 16, 2001 at 1:00 P.m. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel. Rev. Carolyn Robinson will officiate. Burial will take place at Payne Cemetery, Fulton Township, Michigan. Visitation will be Friday 2-9 with the family present from 2-4 and 7-9 P.m. Muriel was born in Cadillac, Michigan on April 4, 1923, the daughter of Henry and Minnie (Siebert) Brinkman. She graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit. On November 29, 1945 she married Albert Abshagen in Detroit, Michigan. He died on November 15, 1995. She attended the United Methodist Church and was a member of the Amica Club in Maple Rapids. She resided most of her life in the Maple Rapids area. Survivors include one son, Gary & Ellen Abshagen of Perrinton, three grandchildren, Jason & Cyndi Abshagen of Maple Rapids, Mandy Abshagen of Maple Rapids, and Michael Abshagen of Perrinton, and one great granddaughter, Mary. She was predeceased by her parents, and two sisters, Inez and Lorraine. Memorials may be made to the Maple Rapids Library. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel. George H. HarterGeorge H. Harter, 84, of Grand Ledge and formerly of St. Johns, died June 13, 2001. He was born Sept. 3, 1916, in Duplain Township, the son of Lovell and Bertha (DeVries) Harter. He lived in St. Johns until 1989 when he moved to Grand Ledge. He retired as a security guard from Federal Mogul in 1979 after 31-1/2 years of service. He was a member of First Congregational Church in St. Johns, member of Masonic Lodge F & AM Blue Lodge #105 Life Member and Past Master, Royal Arch Masons #45, life member and Past High Priest, and Knight Templar #24 life member and Past Commander. George married Leona Smith in St. Johns Mach 18, 1939. She preceded him in death March 7, 1998. Surviving are one daughter, Diane (Mike) O'Malley of Remus; three grandchildren, Kristina (Bob) Crowley of Georgia, Sean (Betsy) O'Malley of Midland, and Lieutenant Tom O'Malley, U.S.N., of Groton, Conn.; and two great-grandsons, Jacob and Joshua Crowley. He was preceded in death by one son, David Harter in 1965, and two sistes, Jennie Harter and Gertrude Carlson. Memorial services was held June 16 at the First Congregational Church in St. Johns; burial at Duplain Cememtery with the Rev. Matt Olson officiating. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Hospice of Isabella County. Betty Irene Wonsey
Those left to carry on her memory are her eight daughters and their children: Joellen Wonsey of Ovid, Vicki (Richard) Reynolds of Corunna and their children Lynette (Michael) Rubelman, Jr., Teresa (Paul) Laurin II, and Randy (Jessica) Reynolds; Janice Burch of Lansing and her children Dawn (Michael) Janetzke and Gary G. (Linda) Wreggelsworth; Virginia Wonsey of Ovid; Louella (Bruce) Baker of Mason and their children Amanda, Jennette and Brice; Kathryn (Robert) Rice of Mason and their children Rachael (Justin Walters), Heather, Shaun and Brandy; Elaine Wonsey (Winford Fowler) of Tampa, Florida and her daughter Whitney Hethorn; Helen (Donald) Miller of Marion, Illinois; eleven great grandchildren; her three step-children and their children: Joan (late Harold) Warren of Ovid and her children Julie (Greg) Atwood, Bill (Grace) Greenhoe, Dale (Jill) Greenhoe and Jane (Scott) Miller; Duane (Catherine) Wonsey of Battle Creek and their daughters Penny (Larry) Travis and Shonda (Jim) Wonsey; Archie (Jan) Wonsey of Edmore and their children Jim (Sandie) Wonsey, Teri (Scott) Selden and Jack Wonsey; her four siblings: Madelyn (Kenneth) Barnum of St. Louis, Patricia (Clyde) Haney of Prudenville, Jean (John) Mahler of Perrinton, and Henry C. Adams, Jr. of St. Louis; and many nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, two children, Lorna (1960) and a baby (1963), five sisters, Annette, Donna Lou, Yvonne, Kathryn Saxton (1966) and Evaline Gunderman (1981), one brother, Robert Samual Adams (1966) and her ex-husband Joseph (1995). Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, June 16, 2001 at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid with Rev. Dennis Boonstra 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 charity of your choice benefiting children. Elta WhiteElta “Ome” White, loving mother, grandmother, and sister, died June 12, 2001 at the age of 82. She was born in St. Louis, MI on March 10,1919, the daughter of Arlie and Jenny (Hill) Boice. Ome was a homemaker, a graduate of Central High School in Lansing, and enjoyed gardening and bird watching. Surviving are three daughters, Jackie Smith of Lansing, Dawn (Jerry) Zokoe of Grand Haven, and April (Lyle) Ranshaw of Ovid, four grandchildren, Russ, Andy, Cody, and Caley, and three sisters, Yvonne Kaiser, Joanne (Ray) Mulder, all of St. Louis, and Marianne (Burt) Dillard of Prescott, Arizona. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, June 15, 2001 at the Osgood Funeral Home with Rev. Ray Sundell officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Dorothea V. FraceDorothea V. Frace died June 11, 2001 at the age of 74. She was born in Charlotte, MI on August 30, 1926, the daughter of Scott and Velma (Miller) Frace and lived in Lansing most of her life. She was a free-lance writer. Surviving are one sister, Dorris Frace of St. Johns, one brother, Earl (Norma) Frace of Lake Isabella, two nephews, Gary Frace of Grand Ledge and Scott E. (Yvonne) Frace of Oklahoma City, OK, one niece, Linda (Jay) Lutz of California, and several grand nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, June 15, 2001 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Deepdale Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Gilbert Rahrig officiating. The family will receive friends 9:00-10:00 A.M. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church. Howard D. WalkerHoward D. Walker passed away June 10, 2001 at the age of 96. He was born in Middleton, MI on April 13, 1905, the son of Archie and Minnie (Garlock) Walker and lived in Clinton County most of his life. He was a retired farmer and Pioneer seed corn salesman and was a member of the Farm Bureau. Howard married Mary Driskill in St. Johns on August 1, 1928 and she preceded him in death on October 19, 1997. Surviving are two daughters, Janet (Norbert) Rademacher of Owosso and Judy (Jim) Lietzke of Hinckley, OH, ten grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and a sister, Helen Crabb of Ovid. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Paul in 1944, a daughter, Verita Thornton Lobert in 1995, and a sister, Leona Ray in 1969. Funeral services will be 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at South Bingham Cemetery with Pastor Tim Knaus officiating. The family will receive friends 7-9 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church. Hugo W. Fox
Also surviving are 4 daughters, Patricia Fox of Battle Creek, Bernice (Greg) Wagner, Ruth (Fred) Thompson all of St. Johns, Linda (Dan) Lee of South Carolina, 10 grandchildren, brothers, Paul (Helen) Fox and Mark (Marie) Fox all of Fowler, Lloyd (Ione) Fox of Flint, John (Shirley) Fox of California, Louis Fox of Lansing, James (Bernadette) Fox of Fowler, Marvin (Sue) Fox of St. Johns, Clare (Nancy) Fox of Mt. Pleasant, sisters, Rosemary (Gideon) Marsel of Eaton Rapids, Marlene (Larry) Krieger of Portland, sister-in-law Dorothy Fox of Muskegon, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Kenneth in 1993, a grandson Aaron Wagner, and a brother Claude Fox. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery, with Rev. Fr. Gilbert Rahrig officiating. The family will receive friends 6-9 P.M. Sunday and 2-4 and 6-9 P.M. Monday at the Osgood Funeral Home with a rosary prayed at 8:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Family suggests memorials may be made to Clinton Memorial Hospital or donor’s choice. William E. "Bill" Drouin, 75, of DeWitt, died June 12, 2001. He was born Feb. 12, 1926 in Hancock. Mr. Drouin retired from the Michigan Department of Transportation in 1981, with 35 years of service. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II and was former Mayor of DeWitt from 1976-1980. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of DeWitt, Moose Lodge #2291, DeWitt, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie #1039 and the American Legion Post #379, DeWitt. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris (1978). Surviving are one daughter, Renee (Norman) Farnum of DeWitt; two grandchildren, Billie and Bobbie Farnum; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert (Gen) Drouin of DeWitt; one sister, Delores Wright of East Lansing; special friend, Dorothy "Gert" Esckilsen. The funeral liturgy was celebrated June 15 at the Catholic Community of St. Jude, DeWitt, with the Rev. Dwight Ezop officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, P.O. Box 30480, Lansing, 48909. Arrangements were by the Gorsline-Runciman Co., DeWitt. |
V. Geraldine Martin died June 17, 2001 at the age
of 88. Born in St. Johns September 29, 1912 the daughter of Fred and Verona (Esch) Rahl
and lived in St. Johns all of her life. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic
Church and the Ladies Altar Society. Geraldine married Francis Martus in September
1929 and he preceded her in death in September 1929. She then married Gerald Martin
August 1, 1939 and he preceded her in death July 20, 1969. 
Age 78
of Maple Rapids, Michigan passed away Thursday, June 14, 2001 at The Laurels of Fulton in
Fulton Township, Michigan. She worked for the State of Michigan retiring in 1985.
Betty Irene Wonsey departed this world at her home on
June 13, 2001 at the age of 73. She was delivered by the stork in Alma, Michigan on May
13, 1928 to Henry Clifton and Ethel Louella (O’Bryant) Adams, Sr. Betty was one of
eleven children and grew up in the Alma and St. Louis areas. Betty graduated salutatorian
of St. Louis High School in 1946. She married Joseph Allen Wonsey, of Shepherd, MI, on
August 18, 1946. They resided north of St. Johns until they moved to Ovid in 1956. Betty
assisted her husband in farming and custom farming in the St. Johns area and then in the
Ovid area for many years. She was a 4-H leader for more than ten years teaching sewing,
knitting and gardening. Betty retired in June 1993 after driving school bus for 28 years
for the Ovid-Elsie school system. 
Hugo W. Fox died Saturday, June 9, 2001at the age of
80. Born in Clinton County, Michigan on November 22, 1920 he was the son of Urban T.
and Dora (Feldpausch) Fox and lived all his life in Clinton County. He was a member
of St. Joseph Catholic Church, honorary life member Knights of Columbus, member of Farm
Bureau, board member of Bingham Twp. for 20 years, and retired as a farmer. On May
26, 1945 he married Lucille M. Thelen and she survives him.