| Almond Cressman | Lawrence Salters |
|
Almond B. Cressman, lifelong Olive Township-Clinton County farmer, passed away April 11, 1999. He was born Oct. 22, 1911. Almond attended the Merle Beach one-room schoolhouse, and graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School with the Class of 1930. He married Dorothy Beck Dec. 25, 1933. She preceded him in death in 1998. Almond was a long-time community leader, serving on numerous boards and commissions. He was past chairperson of the Clinton County Board of Supervisors (before commissioner form of government), past Olive Township supervisor, past chairman of the Clinton County Planning Commission, past chairman of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, past chairman of the Michigan Association of Regions, and long-time active member of the Republican Party. He was a member of the First Congregational Church and Congregators. He was a member and past treasurer of St. Johns Lodge #105 F&AM, St. Johns Chapter #45 RAM, St. Johns Commandry #24 Knights Templar, and the St. Johns Masonic Temple Association. He was also a member of the St. Johns OES #79. He was Master of Olive Grange #358, past Master of Clinton County Pomona Grange, member of the Michigan State Grange, National Grange, and past Overseer of the Michigan Stage Grange. He was past chairman of the Agricultural Committee Michigan State Grange for many years, and a member of the Michigan State Grange Executive Committee. Almond took great joy in being Santa's helper at various community Christmas functions. A highlight of his rural heritage and tribute to his agricultural background was being selected by farmers and world affairs as a delegate to tour Pakistan in 1976. Surviving are two daughters, Connie (Russel) Bauerle, and Nancy (Gerald) Myers; one son, Richard (Karen) Cressman; grandchildren, Ronald Bauerle, Laura Weaver, Paul Bauerle, Laurie Myers, Beth Karber, Betty Doyle, Ted Myers, Angela Myers, Ryan Cressman, Travis Cressman, and Amanda Cressman; 14 great-grandchildren; numerous special cousins, nieces and nephews. The funeral service was held April 14 at the First Congregational Church in St. Johns with the Rev. Matt Olson officiating. Burial was at Mt. Rest Cemetery. A Masonic Service was held April 13 at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Congregational Church, or the Michigan Masonic Home. Michael LeRoy Simmons, 29, of Ashley, died April 10, 1999. He was born Oct. 27, 1969, in St. Johns, the son of LeRoy and Sharon (Muste) Simmons. He lived most of his life in the Ashley area. He was a 1988 graduate of Fulton High School, and attended Ferris State University and Central Michigan University. He was employed by M&M Distributing, St. Johns. He was a member of East Washington United Brethren Church, Ashley. Surviving are his parents, LeRoy and Sharon Simmons of Ashley; one sister, Sharyl Simmons of Ashley; two brothers, Howard (Judy) Simmons of Ashley, and Bob (Deb) Simmons of Ashley; three nieces, DeeDee, Brandi, and Kaylah, and four nephews, Michael, D.J., Jason, and Chris; his grandparents, Phil Price of McBride, and Rita Muste of Middleville; a special friend, Tammy Thelen of St. Johns. The funeral service was held April 13 at Smith Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel, with Pastor Jerry Drummond officiating. Burial was at Washinton Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to East Washington United Brethren Church Building Fund. Paul W. Towar, 77, of St. Johns and formerly of Lansing, died April 8, 1999. He was born Aug. 4, 1921, in Lansing, the son of Clarence and Effie (O'Bryan) Towar. He lived most of his life in Lansing. He was a life member of Capitol Lodge of S.O. #66, Lansing, and a World War II Army veteran. He was retired from Oldsmobile. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, St. Johns. He married Ruth Fugate Sept. 1, 1967, in Lansing, and she survives him. Also surviving are his son, Daniel P. (Patsy) Towar of Wacousta; one step-son, Jim (Bea) Fugate of Normal, Ill.; two step-daughters, Judy (Howard) Benner of Lake George, and Pat Lytle of Alma; two brothers, Lloyd (Carolyn) Towar of Grand Rapids, and Robert Towar of Traverse City; one sister, Norma Benn of Navarrie, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Dorothy Robinson. The funeral service was held April 13 at Smith Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel, with the Rev. Steve Weinberger officiating. Burial was at Delta Center Cemetery, Lansing. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church. Lawrence H. Salters, 77, of St. Johns, died April 14, 1999. He was born April 24, 1921, in St. Johns, the son of Arthur and Helen (Hunt) Salters. He lived most of his life in St. Johns. Lawrence was a truck driver for Associated Growers. He was a member of Price United Methodist Church, and the Oddfellows Lodge #81. He married Aletha Maxine Mygrants April 19, 1980, in Lansing, and she survives him. Also surviving are two sons, Larry (Barb) Salters of Ovid, and Gary (Deanna) Salters of Fowler; four stepsons, Duane Lietzke of St. Johns, Ron (Jo) Lietzke of Columbus, Ohio, Dale Lietzke of San Francisco, Calif., and Gary (Carol) Lietzke of Seattle, Wash.; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; five brothers, Stewart (Mary Ann) Salters, Clare (Emma) Salters, all of St. Johns, Donald (Kate) Salters of Lansing, Bob (Anne) Salters of Muir, and Leon (Linda) Salters of Horsehead Lake; three sisters, Marguerite (Frank) Halstead, Betty (N.J.) Blemaster, all of St. Johns, and Lena (Art) Hertzberg of Owosso; and a brother-in-law, Keith (Nancy) Mygrants of Florida. The funeral service was held April 16 at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns, with the Rev. Kay Pratt officiating. Burial was at South Bingham Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Price United Methodist Church, Oddfellows Lodge #81, or the American Diabetes Association. Amos C. Lockwood, 85, of St. Johns, died April 14, 1999. He retired from the MSU Horticulture Dept., after 24 years of service. The funeral service was held April 17 at the Church of Christ, St. Louis. Arrangements were made by Smith Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel. |