Obituaries

Eva Simon

Eva A. Simon of DeWitt and formerly of St. Johns, passed away Sept. 14, 1998. She was born June 15, 1908 in Westphalia, the daughter of George J. and Anna (Koenigsknecht) Thelen.

She married Alfred J. Simon June 26, 1928. From St. Johns she moved to DeWitt in 1976.

She was a member of the Catholic Community of St. Jude, and a former active member of the Altar Society of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns. She was involved in various service clubs, including 4-H and the Extension Club. Her leadership in youth activities was especially noteworthy. She was instrumental in forming the Olive Junior Grange, and being a Chairperson for Deaf Activities (Support for the Deaf School in Flint).

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred; two sons, Hilary and Paul; son-in-law, Don Ankney; her parents; and two brothers, Alfred J. Thelen and Otto N. Thelen.

Surviving are four daughters, Marie (Alvin J.) Thelen of St. Johns, Sr. Georgianna Simon, SSJ of Detroit, Rosalie Ankney of DeWitt, and Georgianna (Pat) Kelly of Norfolk, Virg.; one daughter-in-law, Agatha Lyon of Mason; one sister, Clara Knoop; two sisters-in-law, Eleanor Thelen and Rose Thelen; two brothers, Edmund (Lillian) Thelen, and Gregor (Maybelle) Thelen; 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; family friend, Sr. Jane Beehler, SSJ; many nieces and nephews. The funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 17 at the Catholic Community of St. Jude with the Rev. Bernard L. Reilly officiating. The Rite of Committal was held at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Fowler. Arrangements were made by Gorsline-Runciman Co., DeWitt Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Catholic Community of St. Jude, or the Sisters of St. Joseph Foundation, Nazareth, Mich., in memory of Mrs. Simon.

Evelyn Bakke

Evelyn R. Bakke of Ovid has gone to join her beloved Lauman Sept. 14, 1998, at the age of 89. She was born Oct. 19, 1908, in St. James, Minn., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rasmus Jensen.

She attended the Civil Aviation Administration where she received training in Aviation Communication and was assigned to Bishop Airport in Flint, and was also a newspaper reporter.

Evelyn married Lauman E. Bakke June 14, 1949, in Flint. He preceded her in death Sept. 3, 1996. After moving to Ovid in 1949, they owned and operated Bakke's Variety Store and the Gamble Store. She was a member of the United Church of Ovid.

Surviving are one son, Robert (Anna Mae) Burke of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; two grandchildren, Robert Lauman Burke Jr., and Anna Mae Burke, both of Ft. Lauderdale; one sister, Della Bahling of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and one niece, Lorraine Hopman of Minnesota.

The funeral service was held Sept. 18 at the United Church of Ovid with the Rev. Robert Pumfery officiating. Burial was at Maple Grove Cemetery. Arrangements were made by the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid. Memorials may be made to the United Church of Ovid.

Lillian Hyler

Lillian L. Hyler, 81, of St. Johns, died Sept. 14, 1998. She was born May 27, 1917, in Fenwick, the daughter of John and Carolina (Hendrich) Nemetz. She lived in St. Johns most of her life.

She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and enjoyed antiques and doll collecting.

Lillian married Ronald Hyler May 18, 1938, in Bryan, Ohio., and he survives her . Also surviving are a daughter, Barbara Fruchey of Gowen; a son, Charles (Beverly) Hyler of St. Johns; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; three sisters, Marie (Elmer) Miller, and Joyce Houserman, all of Ionia, and Zava Smejkal of Fenwick; two brothers, Glenn (Betty) Nemetz of Frederic, and Emerson (Dora) Nemetz of Lansing; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters, Louie, Paul, Eugene, George, Inez, Mary, Hank, John, and Bob.

The funeral service was held Sept. 17 at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns with Pastor Steve Weinberger officiating. Burial was at Mt. Rest Cemetery. Memorials maby be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Reva Ball

Reva I. Ball, 81, of Perrinton and formerly of Maple Rapids, died Sept. 13, 1998. She lived most of her life in Clinton and Gratiot counties. The funeral service was held Sept. 16 at the Abbott Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Maple Rapids with the Rev. Charles Farnum officiating. Burial was at Beach Cemetery.

Frances Mathewson

Frances Emma Mathewson, 78, of Owosso, died Sept. 15, 1998. She worked for the Redmond Company for 52 years. Graveside services were held Sept. 17 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Owosso. Arrangements were made by Smith Funeral Homes, Corunna Chapel.

Janice Kavanagh

Janice M. Kavanagh, 62, of Pewamo, died Sept. 12, 1998 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born May 5, 1936 in Portland, the daughter of Leonard and Regina (Huhn) Schneider.

Janice was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pewamo, and the Altar Society. She was a retired rural mail carrier from the Fowler Post Office. She loved quilting, playing cards, and her grandchildren.

She married Joseph Kavanagh Aug. 9, 1958, and he survives her. Also surviving are one son, Ken, of Portland; two daughters, Key (Brian) Pfaff of Brighton, and Kim Trierweiler of Portland; one grandson, Jacob Trierweiler, and granddaughters, Allison Trierweiler and Morgan Victoria Pfaff; three brothers, Bill (Fran) Schneider, Daniel (Mary Jo) Schneider, all of Portland, and Charles (Doral) Schneider of Rockford; two sisters, Elaine (Bob) Eck of East Lansing, and Kathleen (Dan) Spitzley of Portland; brothers and sisters-in-law, Don (Yolanda) Kavanagh of Portland, Alice (Bill) Piggott of Lansing, Carol (Jack) Caroeh of Stockbridge.

The funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 15 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Charlon Mason officiating. Burial was at St. Joseph Cemetery. Arrangements were made by the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns.

Cecil Antes

Cecil J. "J.R." Antes, 49, of Grant and formerly of Carson City, died Sept. 3, 1998. He was retired from Frigidaire of Greenville, and was a graduate of Fulton High School and Montcalm Community College. The funeral service was held Sept. 6 at the Abbott Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Home, Maple Rapids, with the Rev. Brian Ruth officiating. Burial was at Sowle Cemetery.

David McMaster

David McMaster, 91, of Eureka, died Sept. 14, 1998. He was a member of the First Church of God, St. Johns, VFW Post 4113, and was a retired blacksmith from Motor Wheel. The funeral service was held Sept. 16 at the First Church of God with Pastor Paul Daniels officiating. Burial was at Union Home Cemetery. Arrangements were made by the Osgood Funeral Homes, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to the First Church of God Building Fund.