Obituaries

Rachel Caesar

Rachel Ann Caesar, 17, of Perrinton, died Aug. 31, 1998, at her home. She was born Aug. 11, 1981, in St. Johns, the daughter of Gary and Virginia (Kleitz) Caesar. She lived most of her life in the St. Johns and Perrinton areas.

Rachel was loved by her family. She was part of the Homebound program with Connie Bannon/Barnes. She loved helium balloons, bubbles, and anything to do with Disney. She especially loved her three special nurses, Michelle, Jan, and Betty.

She was a member of Community Christian Church, St. Johns. Surviving are her parents, Gary and Virginia Caesar of Perrinton; one brother, Eric Caesar, and two sisters, Jessica and Niki Caesar, all at home; her grandfather, Edward Kleitz of San Antonio, Texas; many, many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Ethel Kleitz; grandparents, Carl and Susan Caesar; and uncle, Robert Kleitz.

The funeral service was held Sept. 3 at Smith Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel, with Pastor Tyler Barlage officiating. Burial was at Fulton Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Community Christian Church, or Give Kids the World Program.

Mary Ortwein

Mary Elizabeth Ortwein, 79, of Lansing and formerly of St. Johns, went home to be with her Lord, Aug. 29, 1998. She was born Nov. 13, 1918, in Kevil, Kent., the daughter of Ned Tom and Hallie Mae (Reesor) Wyatt. She lived in the St. Johns and Lansing areas.

She enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, the arts, and spending time with her family. Mary married William Ortwein in October 1936. He preceded her in death May 31, 1989.

Surviving are two sons, Robert (Cheryl) Ortwein of Big Rapids, and William (Anne) Ortwein of Batavia, N.Y.; two daughters, Marsha (Robert) Dedyne of St. Johns, and Judy (Walker Ruffin) Fenby of East Lansing; 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren in Germany.

The funeral service was held Sept. 2 at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns, with the Rev. Matt Olson officiating. Burial was at Mt. Rest Cemtery, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to the St. Johns Lions Club.

Hazel Becher

Hazel I. Becher, 90, of Fenwick and formerly of Clinton County, died Aug. 31, 1998. She was born May 24, 1908 in Greenbush Township, the surviving daughter of William and Caroline (Bristol) Bancroft. She lived in Clinton and Gratiot counties prior to moving to Montcalm County. She attended Fenwick Methodist Church, was a former member of the Wacousta United Methodist Willing Workers Circle, and was a teacher in rural Clinton County schools.

Hazel married Miles Becher Feb. 21, 1932, in St. Johns, and he survives her. Also surviving are two sons, Max (Kay) Becher of Eagle, and Homer (Shirley) Becher of Austin, Texas; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Robert Becher in 1988; five brothers, Walter, Guy, Judson, Carl, and Wilbur Bancroft; and three sisters, Imogene Walker, Corabelle Weir, and Mary Helen Buck.

The funeral service was held Sept. 3 at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns, with the Rev. Keith Laidler officiating. Burial was at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Alvin Thelen

Alvin J. Thelen, 75 of Williamston, died Aug. 30, 1998. He was born Sept. 12, 1922, in Bengal Township. Mr. Thelen was the owner of Thelen Oil Company in Fowler. He moved to Williamston in 1965 where he owned and operated the Western Auto Store, retiring in 1991. He had been a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Williamston, since 1965, and was an honorary member of Knights of Columbus.

He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather to his wife, Ella C.; two daughters, Diane (David) Hall, and Susan (Daniel) Bauer, all of Williamston; five sons, Larry (Jean), and Ronald (Coralee), all of Williamston, Daniel (Carol) of DeWitt, Roger (Diane) of Fowler, and Wayne (Elaine) of Mason; 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and three brothers.

The funeral mass was celebrated Sept. 3 at St. Mary Catholic Church with the Rev. Dan McKean officiating. The Rite of Committal was held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Williamston. Arrangements were made by the Gorsline-Runciman Co., Williamston Chapel. Memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic School, Williamston.

Bessie Follen

Bessie M. Follen, 92, of Corunna, died Aug. 29, 1998. The funeral service was held Sept. 1 at Smith Funeral Homes, Corunna Chapel.

David Helms

David O. Helms, 83, of St. Johns, died Aug. 29, 1998. He retired in 1976 from Motor Wheel Corp., Lansing. The funeral service was held Sept. 2 at Smith Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel.

Dorothy Speerbrecker

Dorothy M. Speerbrecker, 69, of the DeWitt/St. Johns area, died Sept. 2, 1998. She was born April 6, 1929, in Kalispell, Mont., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kampfe. She lived most of her life in the DeWitt and St. Johns areas.

She was a 1946 graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School, and a lifelong member of St. Peter Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid Society. She was a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Dorothy married Kenneth Speerbrecker Oct. 16, 1952, in St. Johns, and he survives her. Also surviving are three sons, the Rev. Paul (Sue) Speerbrecker of Lanesville, Ind., Dr. David (Maribeth) Speerbrecker of Homewood, Ill., and Stephan Speerbrecker of DeWitt; one daughter, Ruth Ann Speerbrecker of Kansas City, Kan.; eight grandchildren; one brother, Paul Kampfe of Arizona; and one sister, Edna Toenis of Missouri. She was preceded in death by two sons, James and Jospeh; and one sister, Gert Taylor.

The funeral service was held Sept. 5 at St. Peter Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeffrey Heimsoth officiating. Burial was at St. Peter Cemetery. Arrangements were made by the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church.

Howard Salisbury

Howard F. Salisbury, 79, of Bannister, died Sept. 2, 1998. He was a retired mechanic. The funeral service was held Sept. 5 at Smith Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel.