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Obituaries

William Ackels

John Skaryd

Walter Gene Peru

Gerald A. Montague Sr.

Bonnie LaBrie

John F. Weber 

Brenda K. Dewitt

Donald James Sexton

Anne J. Hejl

Mark W. Burns

Bonnie Lou LaBrie, 70, of Sparta and formerly of St. Johns, passed away unexpectedly at her home June 29, 2001.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years Robert; children, Mary (Roger) Snider, Theresa (Terry) Thelen, Michelle (Gregg) Feindt, Stephen LaBrie and Geri Ann, Robert (Valerie) LaBrie; grandchildren, Heidi, Adam, and Kelly Snider, Christopher Halliday, Brie, Jami and Jessica Thelen, Heather and Monica Feindt, Sara, Chelsea, Josef and Brandon LaBrie; sisters, Barbara Moffatt and Mary Campbell; and several nieces and nephews.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, July 2, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Sparta, with Fr. Phil Shangraw as Celebrant. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Sunday, July 1, at the Hessel-Cheslek Funeral Home, Sparta. Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m., Sunday.

Mrs. LaBrie will lie in state on Monday morning at the church one hour prior to the Mass. Memorials may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church.

Lars Peter Andersen

Age 82 of Ashley, Michigan passed away Sunday, July 1, 2001 at his home. He was a farmer.

Funeral services will be Thursday, July 5, 2001 at 1:00 P.m. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Pastor William Stites will officiate. Burial will take place at Eureka Cemetery, Eureka, Michigan. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-9 with the family present from 2-4 and 7-9 P.m. and Wednesday, July 4th from 2-6 P.m.

Lars was born in Ashley, Michigan on April 23, 1919, the son of Lars Peter and Grace I. (Kerr) Andersen. He graduated from Ashley High School with the Class of 1938. He then attended Grand Rapids Bible College and Music school. On October 20, 1940 he married Marjorie J. Fenner in Eureka, Michigan. She died on September 26, 1999. He was a member of Fenmore Baptist Church in Fenmore, Michigan and also a member of Farm Bureau. He resided most of his life in Ashley, Michigan.

Survivors include two daughters, Nancy & Marvin Arnst of St. Johns, MI, and Janice & David Robinson of Greenbank, Canada, two sons, Dr. Lars & Kathy Andersen of St. Johns, MI, and Bruce & Connie Andersen of Ashley, MI, nine grandchildren, Craig and Amanda Robinson, Jeremy, Erin & Abby Andersen, Traci (Jay) Gavenda, Michelle Andersen, and Jaron and Derek Arnst, and three great grandchildren, Patrick Andersen, and Trevin and Jaden Gavenda.

He was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, and two brothers.

Memorials may be made to Fenmore Baptist Church. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.

John F. Weber 

John F. Weber died Sunday, July 1, 2001 at the age of 81. He was born in Westphalia the son of Frank and Dora (Goerge) Weber and lived all his life in Fowler. John was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, U.A.W. Local # 602, and retired from Fisher Body in 1982. John married Rosalyn Smith in Fowler on October 25, 1944 and she preceded him in death on August 18, 1989. 

Surviving are two daughters Rosemary (Ernest) Myers of Fowler, Ruth (Kirk) Brock of St. Johns, four sons, Ronald (Winona) Weber of Owosso, Paul (Shirley) Weber, Jerome (Lorraine) Weber all of Fowler, Roy Weber of Maple Rapids, thirteen grandchildren, one great granddaughter, one brother, Mark (Ruth) Weber of Fowler, four sisters, Regina (Clem) Martin, Marian Rademacher, Agnes (David) Cole all of Fowler, Frances (William) Schneider of Portland, four sisters-in-law, Dorothy Kohagen of Owosso, Florence Smith of Pewamo, Mary Smith, Kathleen Weber both of Fowler. He was also preceded in death by his parents and five brothers, Roman, Alfred, Arnold, Leo, and Edwin and brother-in-law Clarence Rademacher. 

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 A.M. Thursday, July 5, 2001 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, burial at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery with MSGR. Sylvester Fedewa officiating.  The family will begin visitation 2:00 P.M. Tuesday with a rosary being prayed at 3 and 8 P.M. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Goerge Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Fowler  Rescue Unit.

Brenda K. Dewitt

Brenda K. Dewitt, beloved wife and mother, died Saturday, June 30, 2001 at the age of 41. Born in Albion, Michigan February 10, 1960 the daughter of Ralph and Janalene (Robinson) Hackworth.  She was a graduate of St. Johns High School,  a member of Faith Evangelical Church of Jackson, and worked as a secretary in the Business Office of Hazel Findlay Country Manor.  Brenda married Scott Dewitt December 21, 1979 and he survives her of St. Johns.  

She is also survived by two daughters, Jennifer Nicole Dewitt and Rebecca Lynn Dewitt of St. Johns, her father, Ralph Hackworth of Homer, her mother and stepfather, Janalene and Deward Lawless of Homer.  Brenda also has a sister, Sharon (Shane) Green of Hayworth, IL, four brothers, Bob (Betty) Hackworth, Steve (Tina) Hackworth, Ralph (Becky) Hackworth, all of Homer and David (Valerie) Hackworth of Albion, numerous nieces and nephews.  

Funeral Services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, July 5, 2001 at Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Pastor Ross Mahan of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church officiating.  The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be  made to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church or American Cancer Society.  

William Ackels

William K. Ackels, 53, of Bath died July 1, 2001. He was born Aug. 23, 1947 in Owosso. He was a longtime resident of Bath.

Mr. Ackels was a local business owner in DeWitt, Bath and Laingsburg. He was involved with MCR and was a big racing fan.

A special thanks to all of Bill's special friends who provided much help.

He was preceded in death by his father, Sheldon W. Ackels, and sister, Ellen F. McDaid.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, son and friend, he is survived by his wife, Susan; two daughters, Carol (John) Barnard and Tracy (Jack) Walker; six grandchildren, Vanessa, Brittney and Zachary Walker, Nickolas, Montana and Westin Barnard; mother, Marjorie Ackels of Black Canyon City, Ariz.; two 2 brothers, Sheldon and Donald L.; thre;e sisters, Nancy, Jennifer and Reva; many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Funeral services were held July 5, at the Gorsline-Runciman Co. DeWitt Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Richard G. Cole officiating. Memorials may be made to the family or Ingham Hospice.

James Hugh Warren

James Hugh Warren died Saturday, June 30, 2001 at the age of 46. He was born in St. Johns on May 29, 1955 the son of Victor and Maxine (Hall)  Warren and lived all his life in the Owosso and St. Johns area.  Jim was a mechanic and set up equipment at Lloyd Miller and Sons Inc. in Corunna and was an avid hunter and sportsman and enjoyed the outdoors. 

Surviving are his mother, Maxine Miller of St. Johns, three sisters, Ann McLaren of San Francisco,CA, Jacqulin (Ralph) Snider of St. Johns and Nancy (Geary) Brant of Riverview, FL, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Victor Warren and step-father Robert Miller. 

Graveside service will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, July 2, 2001 at Duplain Cemetery with Pastor Paul Daniels officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns.

Gerald A. Montague Sr.

Gerald A. Montague Sr., a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died July 3, 2001 at the age of 80.  He was born July 19, 1920 in rural St. Johns the sixth of seven children born to John and Lizzie (Rowley) Montague.  He was a veteran of WW II serving in the U.S. Army and he retired from General Motors in 1975, after 25 years of service.  

Surviving are his wife, Patricia (Walker) Montague to whom, on August 28 he would have been married to for 59 years; children, Gerald A. Montague Jr. of Ovid, Sharon (Wes) Guernsey of Elsie, Harold John (Dorothy) Montague of Lake City, Carol (Wayne) Ford of Charlotte and Roger (Judy) Montague of Perry, 15 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, brother, James Montague of Potterville.  He was preceded in death by 7 month old daughter, Patty Ann in 1954, three sisters and two brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 7, 2001 at Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid, with Rev. Larry Smith, nephew of Gerald officiating, burial will follow at Laingsburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends 1-4 and 6-9 P.M. Thursday and Friday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or Hospice.  

Donald James Sexton

Donald James Sexton, 87, died Monday, July 2, 2001.  Mr. Sexton was born December 8, 1913 in Lansing the son of Jay W. and Gertrude (Smith) Sexton.  He graduated from Lansing Central, Michigan State University (B.A.), University of Michigan (M.A./Education) and the University of Detroit (LLB/Law) and was a junior high school teacher at Flint and Lansing Public Schools.  He was elected president of his fraternity at MSU, and won a tennis tournament at the Chicago World’s Fair.  Later he was manager of Michigan Butterfield Theaters. He was a WWII Army Veteran.  

Survivors include his brother, Lawrence G. Sexton of St. Johns, nephew, Jay W. Sexton II of Haslett, nieces, Carolyn Ann Aldrich of Phoeniz, AZ and  Mary Elizabeth Barnette of St. Johns, great nephew, Aaron M. Aldrich of Flagstaff, AZ, great nieces, Lacey E. Aldrich of Phoeniz AZ and Andrea C. Sexton of Haslett, MI.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, July 6, 2001 at the Osgood Funeral Home with Rev. Carol Floyd officiating.  Burial will follow at Reed Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, noon until service time at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Michigan Home for Veterans, Grand Rapids, MI.   

Anne J. Hejl

Anne T. Hejl, 88, beloved wife, loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away on Friday, June 29, 2001, in Chesterfield, Missouri. She was born in Chicago on July 22, 1912, the daughter of Joseph and Antonia (Sykora) Dinstbier and moved to Ashley, MI as a child. Anne married James Hejl in Bannister on November 29, 1939, they moved to Detroit in 1942, and he preceded her in death on December 28, 1968. In 1984 she moved to St. Johns to be near her family and in 1992 moved to Chesterfield, Missouri, where she resided at the Westchester House, near her daughter. She particularly enjoyed reading, gardening, sewing, and, especially, visits with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mrs. Hejl was a member of the Z.C.B.J. in Bannister, MI since 1935. 

Surviving are her daughters, Catherine (Dale) DeWitt of Des Peres, Missouri and Irene (John) Kochevar of Boston, Massachusettes, son, James (Deborah) Hejl of Turnersville, New Jersey, five grandchildren, David (Kathleen) DeWitt of Alton, Illinois, Robert (Mary Alice) DeWitt of Terre Haute, Indiana, and Andrew, Benjamin and Julia Hejl of Turnersville, New Jersey, five great grandchildren, Caitlin, Andrew, Michael, Emily and Andrea, brother, Edward (Marie) Dinstbier, and sister, Libbie (Frank) Houska, all of St. Johns. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Hejl was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, John and Joseph Dinstbier, and sister, Bessie Stehlik. 

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 6, 2001 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, burial at Ford Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Timothy D. Krzyzaniak officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Thursday at the Osgood Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

John Skaryd

Age 90 of Bannister, Michigan passed away Friday, June 29, 2001 at his home. He was retired from Motor Wheel in Lansing, Michigan, and he was a farmer.

Funeral services will be Monday, July 2, 2001 at 1:30 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Rev. Jana Jirak and Mr. Thomas Bradley will officiate. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery, Gratiot County, Michigan. Visitation will be Saturday 7-9 & Sunday 2-9 with the family present from 2-4 and 6-9 P.m.

John was born in Bannister, Michigan on November 1, 1910 the son of James and Anna ( Matousek ) Skaryd. On September 23, 1933 he married Mamie Kubinger at the Bannister United Methodist Church in Bannister, Michigan. Mamie predeceased him on April 4, 2001. He was a member of the Bannister United Methodist Church and a member of the ZCBJ Lodge #225 in Bannister. John resided most of his life in Bannister, Michigan.

Survivors include two daughters, Barbara Galehouse of Ovid, MI, and Mary Sue & Oren Christmas of DeWitt, MI, four sons, Gearold & Lena Marie Skaryd of Ashley, MI, John & Sharon Skaryd of Saginaw, MI, David & Yong Cha Skaryd of Lansing, MI, and Robert & Linda Skaryd Sr., of Elsie, MI, fourteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren, 2 sisters, Martha Maxa of Ashley and Vlasta Koptka of Merrill.

He was predeceased by his parents, one son James, and one grandson John Micka, 2 sisters, Anna Dettman and Mildred Bradley and one brother, Joe Skaryd.

Memorials may be made to Bannister United Methodist Church.

The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.

Walter Gene Peru

Age 27 of Owosso, Michigan formerly of the Ovid and Elsie area passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan.

He worked for Adams Outdoor Advertising in Lansing, Michigan.

Funeral services will be Monday, July 2, 2001 at 10:00 A.m. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Pastor William Stites and Mr. Robert Luckhurst will officiate. Burial will take place at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Owosso, Michigan. Visitation will be Saturday from 7-9 P.m. and Sunday 2-9 with the family present from 2-4 and 7-9 P.m.

Walter was born in Owosso, Michigan on June 23, 1974, the son of Robyn and Christine (Breese) Peru. He graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School with the Class of 1993. He attended Fenmore Baptist Church and resided most of his life in the Ovid-Elsie area.

Survivors include his son, Justin Peru of Elsie, his son’s mother, Chastity Swiney of Elsie, his mother, Christine Peru of Ovid, two sisters, Rhonda & Rod Rowell of Owosso, and Helen Peru of Owosso, two brothers, Robyn (Scott) & Tammy Peru of Owosso, and Lawrence (Ray) & Penny Peru of Ovid, also many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his grandparents, and father, Robyn Peru.

Memorials may be made to his son, Justin. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.

Mark W. Burns

Mark W. Burns died June 26, 2001 at the age of 37 as the result of an auto accident in Ionia County. He was born in Lansing on December 9, 1963, the son of Herbert and Margaret (Sali) Burns and lived in Cadillac and Wyoming most of his life. He was a graduate of Cadillac High School in 1982 and was the owner of Burns Professional Painting Services in Wyoming. 

Surviving are one daughter, Alexandra Burns of Wyoming, father, Herb (Anka) Burns of Eagle, MI, mother, Margaret Burns of Houghton Lake, brother, Erik (Linda) Burns of Pennsylvania, half brother, Nathan Burns of Eagle, step sister, Sarah Davis of New York, several aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 30, 2001 at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns, burial at South Bingham Cemetery with Rev. Roger Straub officiating. The family will receive friends 3-8 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Alexandra Burns Fund C/O Erik Burns, 34 Meadow Dr., Greensburg, PA 15601.