Obituaries

Rex Bangs

Rex C. Bangs, 52, of St. Johns, died Oct. 5, 1998, at home with his family. Rex was born Jan. 27, 1946, in Alma. He grew up in Ithaca, and lived in St. Johns with his family since 1950.

A veteran of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and a 30-year employee of General Motors, Rex was General Supervisor of Medical & Employee Assistance Programs for the Lansing Division of BOC. Rex served on many health service association boards in Lansing, and was an active member of the St. Johns Lions Club.

Rex was preceded in death by his parents, Gaylord and Loreen Bangs of Ithaca.

Surviving are his loving wife of 29 years, Kathryn, and two sons, Michael and fiance', Tracy Sheldon, of Westland, and Stephen at home. Also surviving are his sister, Linda (Porter) Redman, and nephews, Scott (Deb) Redman, Christopher Redman, and Cary Redman. The family will receive friends from 1 to 5 p.m., Oct. 18, at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorial services will be held at a later date in Roscommon with Pastor Joe Spackman officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the National Council on Alcoholism, Lansing Regional Area; St. Johns Lions Club; Clinton Memorial Hospital; or Hospice of Clinton Memorial & Sparrow.

Edna Bachman

Edna M. Bachman, 100, of Goshen, Ind., and formerly of Clinton County, died Oct. 13, 1998. She was born April 25, 1898 in Metamora, Ill., the daughter of John P. and Mary (Smith) Oyer. She lived in Goshen since 1975.

She retired as a school teacher in Clinton County, having taught for 36 years. She attended Goshen College, was a graduate of Central Michigan University, and was a member of Waterford Mennonite Church.

Edna married Joel Bachman April 3, 1962. He preceded her in death Nov. 22, 1977.

Surviving are one step-daughter, Verda Cubitt of Sumi Valley, Calif.; 10 step-grandchildren, and 32 step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three step-sons, Harold, Donald, and James Bachman; four brothers; and three sisters.

The funeral service was held Oct. 16 at the Bethel Mennonite Church with the Rev. James Bachman officiating. Burial was at Washington Township Cemetery, Ashley. Arrangements were made by the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to Waterford Mennonite Church, Mennonite Board of Missions, or the charity of the donor's choice.

Albert Egres

Albert Egres, 82, of Ashley, died Oct. 14, 1998. He was born Aug. 25, 1916, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Mathew and Elizabeth (Behof) Egres. He lived in the Ashley area most of his life.

Mr. Egres was a graduate of Ashley High School. He was retired from Hick Asphalt Company in Alma after 35 years. He was a member of ZCBJ Lodge #225, Bannister.

He was married to Matilda Minarik June 1, 1937, in Gratiot County, and she survives him. Also surviving are two sons, Albert (Carol) Egres of St. Johns, and Ronald (Diann) Egres of Tennessee; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild; one sister, Molly; and two brothers, Victor and Edward. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Matt, Rudy, and Leo; and four sisters, Pearl, Betty, Hilda, and Agnes.

The funeral service was held Oct. 17 at Smith Funeral Homes, Elsie, with Thomas Bradley officiating. Burial was at North Star Cemetery, North Star. Memorials may be made to Ashley Health Care Center.

Martha Somers

Martha A. Somers, 35, of Elsie, died Oct. 9, 1998. She was employed by MSU as an administrative assistant. A Memorial Service was held Oct. 17 at the Elsie United Methodist Church. Arrangements were made by Smith Funeral Homes, Elsie.

William Walling

William Kenneth Walling, 66, of St. Johns and formerly of Coldwater, died Oct. 12, 1998. He was retired from the Coldwater Schools. There were no services. Arrangements were made by Smith Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel.

Bernita Harr

Bernita M. Harr, 86, of Westphalia, died Oct. 12, 1998. She was born March 18, 1912, in Dallas Township, the only child of Mathias and Aurelia (Wacker) Thelen.

Mrs. Harr was active in local history and generalogy and was a lifetime member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Westphalia. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and the Fraternity of Christian Mothers for many years.

Mrs. Harr was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin J. Harr, in 1996; one daughter, Janet Schafer; and two granddaughters, Kathryn (Schaefer) Przedwojewski and Suzanne Schafer.

Surviving are five daughters, Gladys (Henry) Dreps of DeWitt, Doris (Ray) Feldpausch of Lansing, Edna (Jim) Huggett of Marshall, Wis., Joan (Larry) Schaefer, and Mary (Ron) Simon, all of DeWitt; five sons, Ken (Sharon) of Plymouth, Paul (Mary Ann) of Westphalia, LeRoy (Sharon), and Bob (Darlene), all of DeWitt, and Rick (Maureen) of Pewamo; son-in-law, John Schafer of DeWitt; 40 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. The funeral Mass was held Oct. 15 at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. William Ashbaugh, Msgr. Sylvester Fedewa, the Rev. Raymond Rademacher, and the Rev. Matthew Fedewa as concelebrants. The Rite of Comittal was held at St. Mary's Cemetery with her granddaughters serving as casket bearers and honorary casket bearers. Arrangements were made by Gorsline-Runciman Co., Neller Chapel, Portland. Memorials may be made to Tendercare South or to the Fr. Al Miller Trust Fund c/o the family.

Mildred Madar

Mildred G. Madar, 95, of St. Johns, died Oct. 11, 1998. She was born Sept. 29, 1903, in Gratiot County, the daughter of Sam and Ada (Brown) Carmon.

She lived in the St. Johns area since 1932, and was employed as a seamstress at Antes Dry Cleaners in St. Johns.

Mildred married Joseph Madar Feb. 24, 1921. He preceded her in death in 1972.

Surviving are one son, Larry (Sandra) Madar, and one daughter, Betty Ruth Parks, all of St. Johns; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth (Lyle) Loomis of Laingsburg, and Leslie Bancroft of St. Johns. She was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers.

There were no funeral services. Memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Clothing Center. Arrangements were made by the Osgood Funeral Homes, St. Johns.

Mildred Lewis

Mildred D. Lewis, 90, died Oct. 11, 1998. She was born May 3, 1908, in Fulton Township, the daughter of Charles Leroy and Nina (Crossley) Heckman. She lived most of her life in the Middleton/Gratiot County area.

She married Raymond Teachworth Sept. 4, 1926, in Ithaca. He preceded her in death May 30, 1964. She then married Paul Lewis in 1972. He preceded her in death in 1990.

Surviving are two daughters, Betty (Norman) Sanford, and Gertrude (Jerry) Atkinson, all of St. Johns; seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; two brothers, L.D. (Bea) Heckman of Detroit, and Burnell (Nellie) Heckman of Alma. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Lila Teachworth, Greathen Hambrook, and Dorothy McDonald.

Graveside services were held Oct. 15 at Fulton Center Cemetery with Pastor Tim Knaus officiating. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Arrangements were made by the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns.

Florence Jastram

Florence Jastram, 90, of St. Johns, died Oct. 9, 1998. She was a member of Wacousta Methodist Church, and was a homemaker. The funeral service was held Oct. 12 at Wacousta Methodist Church with the Rev. Keith Laidler officiating. Burial was at Wacousta Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice or Home Health of Clinton County. Arrangements were made by the Osgood Funeral Homes, St. Johns.