Obituaries

Freda Bottum

Jerry Herblet

Patricia Schafer

Rhea Ries

David O'Dell

David M. O'Dell, 58, of St. Johns, died Jan. 13, 1999. He was born Aug. 31, 1940, in Cass City, the son of Mark and Bertha Issabelle (Hendrick) O'Dell.

He graduated in 1958 from Caro High School. He was a self-employed builder and worked for the State of Michigan in the Dept. of Transportation from 1988-91. He attended the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in St. Johns, and was a member of the Maple Twirlers Square Dance Club in St. Johns.

He was married to Laura Eldridge Nov. 17, 1984 in St. Johns,and she survives him. Also surviving are three sons, Mark (Ululani) O'Dell of Hawaii, Michael (Anne) O'Dell of St. Johns, and Scott (Angel) Mendham of St. Johns; three daughters, Kathy Thompson of St. Johns, Kara Drury of St. Johns, and Kristina Adams of St. Johns; three step-sons, Josh Eldridge of Lake Park, Fla., Richard (Sarah) Eldridge of St. Johns, and Charles Eldridge of Alaska; two step-daughters, Robin (Steve) Hammontree of Missouri, and Michelle (Kevin) Ross of Fowler; 25 grandchildren; his mother, Issabelle Whittenburg of Cass City; three brothers, Lester (Joan) O'Dell of Ashley, the Rev. Arthur (Ann) O'Dell of Colorado, and Grant (Debi) O'Dell of Louisville, Kent.; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father in 1963.

The funeral service was held Jan. 16 at Smith Funeral Homes, St. Johns, with the Rev. Arthur O'Dell officiating. Burial was at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to Emerging Young Leaders, or Clinton County Hospice.

Freda Bottum

Freda L. Bottum, 80, of Higgins Lake, died Jan. 11, 1999. She was born Aug. 15, 1918 in Lansing, the daughter of James and Isabelle Miller. She lived at Higgin Lake since 1973, moving from St. Johns. She served in the U.S. Army during World War II, reaching the rank of sergeant. She was a homemaker.

She was married to Edward J. Bottum Oct. 26, 1946 in Lansing, and he survives her.

Also surviving are two children, Jon Bottum and his fiance, Dana Lambert, of Maple Rapids, and Barbara (Daniel) Newport of St. Johns; five grandchildren, Angela (Gary) Zimmerman, Stephanie (Steve) Swan, Jennifer (Mike) Warnke, Kimberly Newport, and Jason Newport; three great-grandchildren, Tori, Skyler, and Shelby; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

There were no services. Arrangements were made by Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home, Roscommon.

Stella Whitford

Stella K. Whitford, 82, of Elsie, died Jan. 8, 1999. She was a homemaker. The funeral service was held Jan. 11 at Smith Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.

Jerry Herblet

Jerry Don Herblet, 61, of Ovid, died Jan. 9, 1999. He was born Oct. 6, 1937 in Lansing, the son of Glenn and Theda Grace (Munroe) Herblet. Jerry graduated from Ovid High School in 1956. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Lansing for 35 years, retiring in April 1998.

He was a member of the Ovid Mens Bowling Association, and the DeWitt Moose Lodge.

He was married to Janet Workman May 28, 1960, in Ovid, and she survives him. Also surviving are three sons, Tod (Koreen) Herblet of Dorr, Troy Herblet of Grayling, and Scott Herblet of Ovid; one daughter, Teri Herblet of Owosso; seven grandchildren; his parents, Glenn and Theda Grace Herblet of Lowell; four brothers, Michael (Sherri) Herblet of Belmont, Thom Herblet of Lowell, Jim (Sue) Herblet of Newago, and Pat (Patty) Herblet of Lakeview; two sisters, Penny (Dennis) Martin of Florida, and Kim Herblet of Lowell.

The funeral service was held Jan. 12 at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid, with the Rev. Larry Smith officiating. Burial was at Middlebury Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Ovid-Elsie Athletic Boosters.

Patricia Schafer

Patricia Schafer, 58, of Fowler, died Jan. 9, 1999. She was born March 24, 1940, in Fowler, the daughter of Earl and Helen (Miller) Frechen. She lived in the Fowler area all of her life.

Patricia graduated from Fowler High School in 1958. She was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Daughters of Isabella, and Christian Mothers. She was the co-owner of Millers Tavern in Fowler. Patricia married LeRoy Schafer Oct. 10, 1962 in Fowler and he survives her. Also surviving are two sons, Michael Schafer of Fowler, and Anthony (Lisa) Schafer of Westphalia; two daughters, Kimberly (Jeff) Thelen, and Kelly (Bruce) Nurenberg, all of Fowler; seven grandchildren; four sisters, Bernice (Don) Robison of Midland, Carol (Gerald) Thelen of Fowler, Sharon Conley of Missouri, and JoAnn (Larry) Irrer of Westphalia. She was preceded in death by one brother, Richard Frechen, and one sister, Jean Trierweiler.

The funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 13 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Raymond Rademacher officiating. Burial was at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery. Arrangements were made by the Goerge Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Fowler.

Agatha Wright

Agatha I. Wright, 87, of Corunna, died Jan. 10, 1999. She was a homemaker. The funeral service was held Jan. 13 at Smith Funeral Homes, Corunna Chapel.

Rhea Ries

Rhea F. (Smith) Ries, 78, of Lakeland, Fla., and formerly of Ionia, died Dec. 9, 1998. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Jan. 18, at the First Congregational Church in St. Johns with the Rev. Matt Olson officiating. Burial was at Eureka Cemetery. Arrangements were made by the Osgood Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Muscular Dystrophy.