Robert Easlick, Sr.

Robert Earl Easlick, Sr., 68, of Elsie, died Dec. 27, 1998. He was born Oct. 11, 1930 in Shaftsburg, the son of Harold and Zelma (McAnnich) Easlick. He lived most of his life in the Elsie area.

He graduated from Elsie High School with the Class of 1949. He was retired from Michigan Milk Producers in Ovid after 36 years of service. He was a member of the Eagles Club of Owosso.

He was married to Evora Pierce May 9, 1950, in Angola, Ind., and she survives him. Also surviving are two daughters, Beverly (Randy) Lemke of Elsie, and Belinda Sperl and friend, Jeff Zoss, of Alma; three sons, Robert Jr., (Kathy) Easlick of Owosso, Harold Daniel (Dan) Easlick and friend, Cheryl Schafer, of Greeley, Colo., and Johnnie (Cindy) Easlick of Ashley; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; three brothers, Carl (Amber) Easlick of White Cloud, David (Sherrie) Easlick of Carson City, and Gary (Helena) Easlick of Elsie. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation was Dec. 29 at Smith Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Esther VanSickle

Esther R. VanSickle, 77, of Gratiot County, died Dec. 25, 1998. Esther was born Dec. 31, 1920, in Dukes, the daughter of Adi and Amelia (Kuja) Lakenen. She lived most of her life in Gratiot County.

She was a member of Maple Rapids OES #76, was a foster parent for over 30 years, was executive secretary for the Soil Conservation Dept., and was a homemaker.

Her marriage to Lyman VanSickle took place Nov. 22, 1947, in St. Johns, and he survives her. Also surviving are her children, Christ (Betsy) VanSickle of Tallahassee, Fla., Randy (Rosi) VanSickle of Fairport, N.Y., Jemery (Richard) Palmer of Greenville, Laurie (Robert) Eisele of Houghton Lake, Kim VanSickle of Breckenridge, Lon (Laura) VanSickle of Maple Rapids, and Jody; 17 grandchildren; two sisters, Tyne Silta of Trenary, and Mae (Lou) Schmidt of Grand Rapids.

The funeral service was held Dec. 28 at the Abbott Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Maple Rapids, with burial at Sowle Cemetery.

Douglas Hart

Douglas A. Hart, 67, of St. Johns, died Dec. 27, 1998. He was born July 21, 1931 in Lansing, the son of Albert L. and Anna (Haak) Hart. He lived in St. Johns most of his life.

He was the retired owner of Hart's Sales & Service, Inc., and was a member of the Michigan Harness Horsemens Association, and the U.S. Trotting Association.

Doug married Vickie Brenner Nov. 2, 1979, in Eureka and she survives him. Also surviving are three children, Ricky A. (Janet) Hart, Deborah (Mark) Harvey, all of St. Johns, and Dawn Hart-Allen of Grand Haven; seven grandchildren, Joy Marie Hart, Melissa Hart, Douglas Harvey, Jessie Allen, Anna M. Hart, Zackery Allen, and Ricky L. Hart; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy (Howard) Evans of Charlotte, and Darlene (Ken) Cook of Lansing; one brother, Dayol (Marge) Hart of Phoenix, Ariz.; parents-in-law, Alfred and Elizabeth Brenner of Dorr; four brothers-in-law, Allen (Nancy) Brenner of Springport, Randy Brenner, Burl Brenner, and Victor Brenner, all of Dorr; two sisters-in-law, Becky (Dan) Billings of Dorr,and Pam (Shane) Anderson of Hopkins; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Joy Marie Hart; a son, Randy Hart; two brothers and one sister; and his parents.

The funeral service was held Dec. 30 at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns with burial at Union Home Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Joy Wilson Tait

Joy Wilson Tait, 85, of Phoenix, Ariz., and formerly of Maple Rapids, died Dec. 25, 1998. He was born March 23, 1913 in Maple Rapids, the son of Miles and Maggie (Messer) Tait.

Joy married Opal I. Baker June 2, 1935, and she preceded him in death. Surviving are three daughters, Gloria LaBarge of California, Shirley (Robert) Buchler of Minnesota, and Nancy DuVall of Tijuana; three sons, Maurice Joy (Victoria) Tait, and Keith (Marty) Tait, all of Arizonia, and Max (Kathy) Tait of Owosso; 21 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; 31 nephews and nieces; two sisters, Pauline Swatman of California, and Geraldine (Frank) D'Amore of Florida; and two brothers, Robert (Gwenneth) Tait of St. Johns, and Alfred (Marion) Tait of Florida. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorthea See and Doris Foerch; and four brothers, Cecil, Wilfred, Virgil, and Willis Tait.

The funeral service was held Dec. 31 at the Abbott Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Maple Rapids, with the Rev. Ray Strawser officiating. Burial was at East Plains Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Arizona Lions Eye Bank, c/o Keith Tait, 4136 N. 75 Ave., #103, Phoenix, Ariz., 85033.

Viva Scott

Viva M. Scott, 96, of Elsie, died Dec. 28, 1998. She was born Nov. 16, 1902, in Clinton County, the daughter of Eldad S. and Mary (Stafford) Field. She lived in the Elsie area most of her life.

She was an Honorary Member of the Women's Literary Club, and was a member of the Ladies Rural Letter Carriers Association. She was active in the American Cancer Society drives, and was a Red Cross volunteer. She attended Elsie United Methodist Church.

She worked for Levey Jewelry Store, and the Wooley Dime Store. She was married to Howard P. Scott Dec. 16, 1921, in Burton. He preceded her in death June 12, 1954.

Surviving are two daughters, Arlene (Robert) Somers of Chapin, and Rosemary (Archie) Moore of Elsie; one son, Rex Scott of Elsie; four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and one brother.

The funeral service was held Dec. 31 at Smith Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel, with the Rev. Merlin Pratt officiating. Burial was at Fairfield Twp.Cemetery, Fairfield Twp. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, or Chapin United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Mary Dean

Mary F. Dean, 88, of Perrinton, died Dec. 25, 1998. She was born Sept. 25, 1910 in Vamberk, Czechoslovakia, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Poborska) Sykora. She lived most of her life in the St. Johns area.

Mary was a homemaker and a nurse. She was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, and was President of the Resident Council at Laurels of Fulton. She was married to Clarence Dean Jan. 2, 1934, in Riley Township, and he survives her. Also surviving are two daughters, Jeanette (Bruce) Mehney, and Barbara (Richard) Fenby, all of St. Johns; eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter; and two brothers, James Sykora of Clare, and Fred Sykora of St. Johns.

The funeral service was held Dec. 29 at St. Peter Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeffrey Heimsoth officiating. Burial was at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns. Arrangements were made by the Osgood Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Fellowship Center Fund.

Keith Wright

Keith D. Wright, 88, of Maple Rapids, died Dec. 26, 1998. He was a member of Maple Rapids Congregational Church, the Middleton Lions Club, Michigan Farm Bureau, and served on the Clinton County Social Services Board for many years. The funeral service was held Dec. 29 at the Abbott Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Home, Maple Rapids, with the Rev.Tom Mercer officiating. Burial was at East Plains Cemetery.