Obituaries

Mary Gumaer

Ralph Bigelow

Wanda Speaks

Mildred Thompson

Nedine Copple

Flora Burbank

Robert Secord

John Lyon

Eunice Weeden

William Rademacher

William J. Rademacher, 81, of Fowler, died Jan. 16, 1999. He was born Jan. 20, 1917 in Fowler, the son of John and Caroline (Simon) Rademacher.

Bill was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and VFW Post #3733. He retired from General Motors in 1979 as a tool welder after 30 years of service.

Bill married Adeline Goerge May 21, 1947, and she survives him. Also surviving is one daughter, Rosemary (Neil) Feldpausch of Fowler; six sons, John of DeWitt, Thomas of Fowler, Clement of Montrose, Gery (Nancy) of Fowler, Daniel (Linda) of St. Johns, and William G. (Melissa) of Muir; 22 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Gertrude Witgen of Fowler, Lidwina Biergans of Lansing, and Mary Louise Thelen of DeWitt. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Joseph, Clarence, and Clement.

The funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 19 at Most Holy Trinity Church with the Rev. Fr. Raymond Rademacher officiating. Burial was at Most Holy Trinity. Arrangements were made by the Goerge Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Home, Fowler.

Mildred Thompson

Mildred D. Thompson, 89, of Maple Rapids, died Jan. 16, 1999. She was born Oct. 1, 1909 in Jackson County, the daughter of Charles and Chloey (Williams) Blount. She lived most of her life in Maple Rapids. Mildred married Harvey Thompson Sept. 10, 1928 in Ithaca. He preceded her in death Feb. 25, 1990.

Surviving are one son, Duane (Betty) Thompson of St. Johns; one daughter, Donna Geer of Maple Rapids; 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by five brothers and one sister.

The funeral service was held Jan. 19 at the Abbott Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Maple Rapids with Pastor Brian Miller officiating. Burial was at New Haven Cemetery, Carson City.

Robert Secord

Robert L. Secord, 77, of Weidman and formerly of St. Johns, died Jan. 16, 1999. He was born Aug. 31, 1921 in Ovid, the son of Frank and Mina (Jones) Secord. He lived the past 16 years in Weidman, coming from the St. Johns and DeWitt areas.

Robert was a farmer, and rode the saw carriage at St. Johns Hardwood Sawmill.

Robert married Doris Spiece Feb. 15, 1943 in St. Johns, and she survives him.

Also surviving are two daughters, Kathy (Mark) Barrett of St. Johns, and Wava Rathbun of Weidman; three sons, Floyd (Linda) Secord of Lansing, Robert (Joan) Secord of DeWitt, and Larry (Shell) Secord of Eaton Rapids; 17 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; one brother, George Secord of Lansing; two sisters, Marion Case of St. Johns, and Josephine Parmenter of St. Johns.

The funeral service was held Jan. 19 at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns with Pastor Tim Knaus officiating.

John Lyon

John H. "Jack" Lyon, 74, of Owosso, died Jan. 14, 1999. He was a retired district manager from General Telephone Company after 38 years of service, retiring in 1988. The funeral service was held Jan. 19 at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns, with the Rev. Ronald Hutson officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, First Congregational Church of Owosso, or Multiple Sclerosis.

Ralph Bigelow

Ralph L. Bigelow, 75, of St. Johns, died Jan.15, 1999. He was born Feb. 12, 1923 in Davison, the son of Clarence and Margret (Severance) Bigelow. He lived in Clio most of his life.

Ralph was retired from Flushing Community Schools. He was a mmber of the First Church of God, and American Legion Post #158.

Ralph married Alice Switzer July 17, 1982 in St. Johns, and she survives him.

Also surviving are four children, Mark Bigelow of California, Sheryl (Wayne) McClain of Clio, Carol Hall of Mt. Morris, and Dennis (Sandy) Bigelow of Clio; step-children, Beth (Larry) Barr of Akron, Ind., Brian (Dawn) Stork of Longmont, Calif., Keith (Retha) Stork of Anderson, Ind., Kurt (Beth Anne) Stork of Wilson, N.C., Laura (Carl) Breese of Lansing, Barbara (Paul) Heimbach of Warsaw, Ind., 13 grandchildren; and four brothers, George (Bettie) Bigelow, Charles (Arlene) Bigelow, both of Clio, Myron (Rita) Bigelow of Flushing, and Arthur (Beverly) Bigelow of Mt. Morris.

The funeral service was held Jan. 18 at the First Church of God, St. Johns, with Pastor Paul Daniels officiating. Burial was at Mt. Rest Cemetery. Arrangements were made by the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to the First Church of God Landscape Fund.

Mary Gumaer

Mary L. Gumaer, 90, of Ovid, died Jan. 17, 1999. She was born Nov. 29, 1908 in Ovid, the daughter of J. LeRoy and Nelle K. (Dennis) Gumaer. She graduated from Ovid High School in 1926, and from Michigan State College in 1930. She worked as a supervisor for the State of Michigan Bureau of Social Aid, retiring in 1955.

Mary was a member of the United Church of Ovid, Chi Omega Sorority, and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Surviving is her brother, Robert Gumaer of Ovid.

The funeral service was held Jan. 20 at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid, with the Rev. Robert Pumfrey officiating. Burial was at Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, or the United Church of Ovid.

Nedine Copple

Nedine E. (Adamec) Copple, 72, of Zephyrhills, Fla., and formerly of Owosso, died Nov. 22, 1998. Services were held in Florida; burial was at Ford Cemetery, Gratiot County. Arrangements were made by Smtih Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.

Eunice Weeden

Eunice Rose Weeden, 83, of Elsie, died Jan. 15, 1999. She was a homemaker. The funeral service was held Jan. 18 at Smith Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.

Wanda Speaks

Wanda J. Speaks, 83, of St. Johns, died Jan. 19, 1999. She retired in 1977 from the Michigan Secretary of State. The funeral service was held Jan. 23 at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns with Pastor Tim Knaus officiating. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, St. Johns.

Flora Burbank

Flora E. Burbank, 72, of Durand died Jan. 19, 1999. She was a homemaker. The funeral service was held Jan. 21 at Smith Funeral Homes, Corunna Chapel.