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| Mary L. McDowell | James A. Weitzel |
| Mary L. McDowell Mary L. McDowell, 45, of Portage, passed away Nov. 8, 2001 in Kalamazoo. She was born Jan. 7, 1956 in St. Johns to Keith and Edwina (Reetz) McDowell. She graduated from St. Johns High School. She was a former Mann & Hummel Automotive Employee. She enjoyed ceramics, family, Jehovah Witnesses, her cat Simon, many special church friends. She is survived by her mother, Edwina McDowell of St. Johns, one brother, Edward McDowell of Ovid, and sister-in-law Judy McDowell; nieces, Amy and Melanie McDowell. She was preceded in death by her father, Keith, and brother, Doug. Funeral services were held Nov. 13 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns with burial at West Branch. Shelby T. Dennis, Bath, born August 16, 1920, in Lansing; died November 13, 2001, at the age of 81. Mr. Dennis was a Veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army. He retired from the Silver Lead Paint Company after more than 25 years of service. Mr. Dennis was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed retirement doing odd jobs and collecting Model Cars. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Jane, in 1993.Surviving are 1 daughter, Bonnie (Allen) Rosekrans of Bath; 1 granddaughter, Trisha (Tom) Fowler of West Bloomfield; 1 grandson, Todd (Tammy) Rosekrans of DeWitt; 7 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Fern Frisbie of Grand Ledge; 1 sister-in-law, Goldie (Bruce) DeVries of Farwell; several nieces and nephews; special friend, Edna Schlotter of Haslett; and his faithful companion, "Sydney." Funeral services will be held Friday, November 15, at Noon at the Gorsline-Runciman Co. Lansing Chapel, 900 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, with the Rev. Thomas VanDyke officiating. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Lansing. The family will receive friends at the Chapel on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Those desiring may make contributions to St. Vincent DePaul Society, 1020 S. Washington Ave., Lansing, Mi, 48910, or to the Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI, 48906, in memory of Mr. Dennis. James Anthony Weitzel, 71, of Pewamo passed away Nov. 10, 2001 at the Ionia County Memorial Hospital. He was born Aug. 12, 1930 in Ionia County, the son of Jeseph and Bertha (Miller) Weitzel. He married the former Rita McCoy Feb. 27, 1954. James was an avid hunter, fisherman, and Harley Davidson rider. He was a long time member of the Loyal Order of the Moose in Ionia. He retired from Motor Wheel in Lansing, and was a long time farmer. He served in the Michigan National Guard. Mr. Weitzel is survived by four sons, Joseph Weitzel of Pewamo, Martin (Jackeline) Weitzel of Belding, Kenneth (Janice) Weitzel of Muir, Phillip (Chris) Weitzel of Pewamo; four daughters, Lorna Weitzel of Ionia, Laura (David) Martell of New Hampshire, Margie Weitzel of Grand Rapids, Shellain Weitzel of Grand Rapids; and special extended family member, Dan Gray of Portland; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rita in 1984; his daughter, Pauline in 1982; one brother and one sister. The Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 14, at the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ionia. Interment was at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pewamo. Contributions in memory of James may be made to the Cerebral Palsy Fund in care of Cook Funeral Home. Ann E. Crapp-Laity, 91, formerly of Lansing, died Nov. 8, 2001, in Traverse City. She was born Oct. 30, 1910 in Estey. She had lived in Lansing from 1965 to 1982 when she moved to Williamsburg. She was a member of Emanuel First Evangelical\. Lutheran Church in Lansing. She was a nurse aide at Clinton Memorial Hospital for 13 years and later was employed at Sparrow Hospital for eight years, retiring in 1972 when she became a volunteer at Sparrow. Surviving are three daughters, Joanne (Mack) Allen of Kissimmee, Fla., June (John) Cafaro of Seneca Falls, N.Y., Joyce (Bill) Fahl of Williamsburg; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildre; sister, Mary Trogu of Saline; many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Nov. 11 in the Estes Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Interment was in Deepdale Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Bortz Healthcare, 2828 Concord St., Traverse City, MI 49684.
Funeral services will be on Thursday, November 15, 2001at 11:00 A.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel. Pastor Curt Dalaba will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 6-8 P.m. Lynette was born in Alma, Michigan on December 28, 1964 the daughter of Daniel Holton & Jenney (Wells) Pershing. She graduated from Breckenridge High School with the class of 1984. In 1988 she married Mark Keller in Charlotte, Michigan. Lynette grew up in the Breckenridge area moving to the Lansing/Dewitt area in 1987. She attended the First Assembly of God in Lansing, Michigan. Lynette enjoyed shopping, garage sales and loved kittens & cats. Survivors include her husband, Mark Keller of Dewitt, one son, Christopher Holton of Dewitt, mother, Jenney Pershing of Holland, father Dan & Marlene Holton of Brant, 2 sisters, Brook Parish of Holland and Amy Holton of Holland, one brother, Steve Holton of Kentwood, Grandparents, Oral & Leonteen Holton of St. Louis and Ann Marr of St. Louis. Her grandfather predeceased her. Memorials can be made to the family for her son’s education. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel. Douglas L. Thurston died November 11, 2001 at the age of 50. He was born in St. Johns on February 4, 1951, the son of Wilbur and Leola (Rhynard) Thurston and lived in St. Johns all his life. He was an electrician at General Motors and a farmer, attended the First Congregational Church, was an avid hunter and sportsman, a member of Harley Davidson Owners Group and the N.R.A. Surviving are three sons, Derek Thurston of DeWitt, Forrest Thurston of Lansing and Caleb Thurston of St. Johns, granddaughter, Kaelyn Thurston of Dallas, TX and his parents, Wilbur and Leola Thurston. He was preceded in death by his sister Denise. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, November 15, 2001 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Matt Olson officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Tuesday and Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Betty A. George, died November 11, 2001 at the age of 60. Born in Chapin Twp., Michigan on April 18, 1941, she was the daughter of John and Pansy (Chant) Wicke. She was a member of Middlebury United Methodist Church, active as a Lay Leader for the Church, a member of Shiawassee Potpourri Herb Guild and Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America. Betty married Donald George, October 5, 1957. She is survived by her husband Donald of Ovid, four sons, Mark George (Jeanne) of Perry, Jeffrey George (Janice) of Dimondale, Paul George (Anna) of Ovid, Dale George (Laverta) of Ovid, eight grandchildren, three Brothers, Arthur Wicke (MaryLou) of Brant, Ed Wicke (Madelyn) of West Branch, Gerald Wicke (Maxine) of Grand Rapids, two Sisters, Mary Drake of Higgins Lake, Darlene Stryker (George) of Hemlock, and one sister-in-law, Irene Wicke of Elsie. In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her two brothers, John and Albert Wicke. Funeral will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 14, 2001 at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid with Rev. Weatherly Verhelst officiating. The family will receive friends 6-8 P.M. Monday, 2-4 P.M. & 6-8 P.M. Tuesday at the Houghton Chapel. Memorials may be made to Middlebury United Methodist Church. Alexander Lee Krauss, DeWitt , 20, died Saturday as the result of a stabbing. A loving son, grandson, and brother was born June 13, 1981, in Lansing; died November 10, 2001 at the age of 20. Alex attended DeWitt High School and was presently working towards his High School Diploma at Waverly East, Lansing. He loved jet skiing on Lake Charlevoix, golfing, and the wonderful family vacations with his parents and 2 sisters. Alex enjoyed being with all of his family, particularly his cousins, and his favorite day of the year was the 4th of July at his Nana and Papa's house. Surviving are his parents, Brant A. and Susan K. (Curtin) Krauss of DeWitt; 2 sisters, Lesley A. Krauss of East Lansing and Alicia J. Krauss of DeWitt; paternal grandparents, Charles H. and Helen J. Krauss of Holmes Beach, FL; maternal grandparents, William J. and Betty J. Curtin of Lansing; 3 uncles, Larry (Bonnie) Curtin, Tim (Marty) Curtin, and Ken (Sharie) Curtin all of Lansing; 2 aunts, Mary Anne (Bob) Park and Lisa (Tim) Stacey both of DeWitt; and 12 cousins, Abbie, Kyle, Julie, Billy, Timmy, Jeff, Alana, Kat, Collin, Eliza, Clay, and Eva. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 15, at 11 a.m. at the Catholic Community of St. Jude, 801 N. Bridge St., DeWitt, with Father Larry P. Delaney, of the St. Francis Retreat Center, and the Rev. Dwight Ezop, Pastor, concelebrating. The Rite of Committal will be held in DeWitt Cemetery, DeWitt. The family will receive friends at the Church on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with the Scripture Wake Service being held at 7:30 p.m. Those desiring may make contributions to the Jim Lutzke Memorial Fund, Attn: Bill McCullen, c/o DeWitt High School, PO Box 800, DeWitt, MI 48820, the Epilepsy Center of Michigan, 26211 Central Park Blvd., Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48076-4154, or to the American Diabetes Association, Wege Center, 300 Lafayette St. S.E., Suite L-2051, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, in memory of Alex. The family is being served by the Gorsline-Runciman Co. DeWitt Chapel, DeWitt.
Strickler joined Albion's music faculty in 1943. He went on to become the chairman of the Department of Music in 1953 and throughout his tenure served as director of the Albion College Choir. Under his direction, the choir was noted for its high quality and its performance of new original music. Strickler was known as a demanding, productive director, but his exactness and passion for music endeared him to his students. During his first year at Albion he was called "Mr. Dave", a nickname that stayed with him throughout his career. In 1992 more than 400 former students attended a weekend tribute to Strickler and his career at Albion. Strickler received his undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and a master's degree from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. Following his retirement Albion College conferred upon him an honorary doctor of music degree. Strickler is survived by Kathryn, his wife of 64 years; a daughter, Julie (Brent) Strickler Smith of Muir Beach, CA; a son, John (Nan) of Mason; 6 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren. Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 15, at Goodrich Chapel in Albion College, with the Rev. Harry Cook, of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Clawson, MI, officiating. The family will receive friends at the Chapel 1 hour prior to the service and also following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the David L. Strickler endowed professorship at Albion College or to the charity of one's choice. The family is being served by the Gorsline-Runciman Co. East Chapel, East Lansing. Glenn S. Allen, Jr., DeWitt, born January 8, 1914 in Kalamazoo, MI, died at home in DeWitt on November 6, ending a lifetime commitment to public service. A retired State Court of Appeals judge, former mayor of Kalamazoo and staff member to two governors, Allen attended Amherst College, Massachusetts and Kalamazoo College in Michigan. He obtained his law degree at Columbia University (New York) in 1939. Allen went to war as Assistant Judge Advocate of the 94th Division and legal advisor to General George Patton. After the war he began a long career in local and state government. His term on the Kalamazoo City Commission was interrupted when he joined the army, but he filed for re-election while still serving in wartime Europe. His long distance re-election bid was successful and he garnered enough votes to become Vice-Mayor. He was subsequently elected Mayor of Kalamazoo, serving four consecutive terms from 1951 to 1959. During that time he became President of the Michigan Municipal League, and was appointed by President Eisenhower to the Subcommittee on Local Government of the Intergovernmental Relations Commission. His service as a delegate to the Michigan Constitutional Convention in 1962 was followed by his appointment to Governor George Romney's cabinet as Director of the Budget. He also served as secretary of the State Administrative Board. Governor William Milliken appointed Allen as his legal advisor in 1970. He served in that capacity until his appointment to the Michigan Court of Appeals in 1974. He was re-elected in 1980 and retired from the bench in 1986. He continued to hear cases as a retired judge for many years. In 1999, the Kalamazoo Gazette recognized Allen's career in the public service by naming him their Person of the Century in Government. His irrepressible energy kept him involved in many civic and community organizations. He was active in the Downtown Lansing Kiwanis Club, Lansing City Club and the Michigan Chapter of the Concord Coalition. He served as member and president of both the Michigan Retired Judges Association and the Friends of the Turner-Dodge House. He played tennis his entire life, and loved Mackinac Island, where he spent summers at his cottage since 1966. He was preceded in death by 3 wives: Virginia Allen (1974), Marion Turner Smith Allen (1983), and Marjorie Tracy Allen (2000). He has 2 daughters, Holly Mull of Atlanta, GA and Susan Allen (Don Hinman) of Alexandria, VA; 2 stepdaughters, Sandra Haun (Kevin) of Laingsburg and Susanne Reinhart (John) of West Bloomfield; 3 grandchildren, Glenn Allen of Seattle, WA, Virginia Allen of Sheboygan, WI, and Carter Mull of Brooklyn, NY; 1 great-grandchild, Glenn Garrison Allen of Seattle; 5 step-grandchildren, Justin, Lindsay and Jared Haun of Laingsburg, Jennifer Reinhart of West Bloomfield and Zachary Launiere of Arizona. Contributions may be made to Friends of the Turner-Dodge House, People's Church of East Lansing, or Trinity Episcopal Church of Mackinac Island. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 24, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 218 West Ottawa in Lansing. Visitation will take place on Friday, November 23 from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., at the Gorsline-Runciman East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Avenue, East Lansing.
Funeral services will be on Tuesday, November 13, 2001 at 11:00 A.m. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Pastor Lance Ness will officiate with burial at Fairfield Township Cemetery, Fairfield Township, Michigan. Visitation will Sunday and Monday 2-9 with the family present from 2-4 and 7-9 P.m. Richard was born in Merrill, Michigan August 24, 1918 the son of Delbert and Nellie (Wierman) Holton. He was first married to Mary Louise Gulick on September 22, 1946 in Bancroft, Michigan, then later married to Jennie Ringler in January 1990 in Sand Lake, Michigan. He attended Carland United Methodist Church. He was a former member of Elsie Masonic Lodge. He loved his farm, enjoyed going to Florida every year, and loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He resided most of his life in Elsie. Survivors include his wife, Jennie Holton of Sand Lake, MI, 1 daughter, Beth (Dennis) Bolton of Ovid, MI, 2 sons, Mark Holton of Elsie, MI, Bret (Roberta) Holton of Wisconsin, 3 grandchildren, Tom (Tracie) Bolton of Laingsburg, MI, Wendy (Dale) Cole of Okemos, MI, and Shawn (Erin) Bolton of Flint, MI, 3 great grandchildren, David & Meredith Bolton, and Shaelin Bolton, 4 sisters, Irene Liebrock of Merrill, MI, Bernice Coleman of Elsie, MI, Eva Munson of Elsie, MI, Doris (John) Green of Elsie, MI, 4 brothers, Ward (Iva) Holton of Ovid, MI, Russell Holton of Sumner, MI, Ellis (Mary) Holton of Owosso, MI, and Millard (Phyllis) Holton of Mason, MI. He was predeceased by his parents, 3 sisters, Ilah Austin, Gertie Bailey, and Hilda Doederlein. Memorials can be made to Hospice of Lansing Residence. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.
Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel, Monday, November 12, 2001 at 1:00 P.m. Rev. Jerry Drummond will officiate with burial at Ford Cemetery, Gratiot County, Michigan. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-9 with the family present from 2-4 and 7-9 P.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Brzak was born in Wisconsin on September 19, 1919 the son of Anton and Marie (Bures) Brzak. On November 13, 1947 he married Beryl Hilborn in Ashley, Michigan. He resided most of his life in Ashley. He served in the United States Army during WWII and was a POW for four years. He was also a member of the VFW in St. Johns, Michigan. Survivors include; his wife, Beryl Brzak of Ashley, three daughters, Sue & Dave Foote of Ashley, Donna & Rod Losee of Ithaca, Toni Lowell of Ashley, one son Jim & Kay Brzak of Ashley, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren and one sister Fannie Stephens of Ohio. His parents, four sisters, Helen, Anne, Mary and Mildred, and four, brothers Frank, John, Chuck, and Joe, predeceased Tony. Memorials may be made to the Ashley Care Center. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel, 221 E. Main St. Elsie, Michigan. |
Age 36 of Dewitt, Michigan died of natural causes Monday
November 12, 2001 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan. She was a homemaker.
David
L. Strickler, who directed the Albion College Choirs to excellence for more than three
decades, passed away in East Lansing on Sunday, November 11, 2001, at the age of 90. 
Age 83 of Elsie,
Michigan died Thursday, November 8, 2001 at Hospice of Lansing Residence, Lansing,
Michigan. He was a farmer on his own farm.
Age 82 of Ashley,
Michigan passed away Thursday, November 8, 2001 at the Ashley Care Center. He worked as a
machinist for Sealed Power in St. Johns.