This describes Marvin Howe, Eagle, MI, 85, life-long farmer, who died peacefully at home on Tuesday morning, July 16, 2002 surrounded by his family. Born to Lon and Clara (Kebler) Howe, October 14, 1916, Marv loved nature, his farm-community and restoring antique tractors. Many of his restorations are still in use in the Eagle area. Marvin was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Grand Ledge and had donated acreage to the Niles Cemetery for their future expansion.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Elaine; their 4 children, Barbara (Ron) Hamlin of Webberville, Douglas (Joan) Howe of Lima OH, Lynn (Alan) Anger of Sanford, MI, Maridel Pratt of Mason; 6 grandchildren, Kristi Hamlin, Dave (Kristen) Hamlin, JoAnn Hamlin, Dawn (Bill) Risch, all of Webberville, Michael and Matthew Howe of Lima, OH; and 6 great-grandchildren. Marv was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Russell and Byron Howe.

Cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held on July 19th at 2 PM. Following the private service, the family will receive friends from 3-5 PM. at a memorial visitation to celebrate Marv's life at the Peters & Murray Funeral Home, Grand Ledge, MI. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Hospice of Lansing, 6035 Executive Dr., Lansing, MI 48911 or to the Trigeminal Neuralgia Assn., 2801 S. W. Archer Road, Suite #c, Gainsville, FL 32608. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Irene M. Davis, St. Johns, MI Formerly of DeWitt, MI Age 91, passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2002. She was born on December 17, 1910 in DeWitt, the daughter of John and Katie (Weismiller) Volz. She had been a resident of DeWitt all of her life until 1988 when she and her husband, Raymond, purchased a home in St. Johns, where they lived for the last 14 years. She graduated from St. Johns High School, Clinton County Normal, and Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant. She taught in schools for 42 years, 18 years of which were in DeWitt and retired from the Waverly Schools, Lansing, in 1973. She was a member of the Redeemer United Methodist Church in DeWitt and still attended after moving to St. Johns. She was a member of the Priscilla Circle of the church and had been a choir member there for 60 years until she moved to St. Johns. She also served as organist and choir director for several years. She was a life member of the MARSP, the NRTA, the MEA, and the NEA, and was also a member of the Clinton Co. Extension Club, the DeWitt Euchre Club, and the Bath Shootin' Stars Western Square Dance Club. She and her husband, Raymond E. Davis just celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on July 2, 2002. Raymond preceded her in death on Monday, July 15, 2002 as a result of the same automobile accident.

Religious Services will be conducted by the Rev. Rodney Kalajainen, Pastor at 11 AM Tuesday, July 23, 2002 at Redeemer United Methodist Church, 13980 Schavey Road, DeWitt, MI 48820 with Interment following at DeWitt Cemetery, DeWitt. The family will receive friends at the church from 2-4 and 6-8 PM Monday, July 22, 2002 and also from 10 AM until service time on Tuesday. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Redeemer United Methodist Church, in memory of Irene M. Davis. Arrangements are entrusted to the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland.

Steven Paul  Bierstetel

Steven Paul Bierstetel, age 33 died July 14, 2002.  He was born June 19, 1969 the son of Robert J. and Susan (Simon) Bierstetel.  He currently worked as athletic director for Fowlerville Public Schools and formerly athletic director for Portland Public Schools from 1997-2000.  Steven was a board member of M.H.S.A.A., president of the Ingham County League and was an accomplished distance runner for Central Michigan University. 

Steven is survived by his parents, Robert and Susan Bierstetel of Fowler, two brothers, Brian Bierstetel of Dewitt and Eric Bierstetel and friend Margaret Emmons of Lansing, one sister, Lisa (Charles) Wriska of North Muskegon, his fiancé Keri Lanz of Portland, and his grandmother, Joan Thelen of DeWitt.   Steven was preceded in death by his grandparents, August and Leona Bierstetel and grandfather, Paul Simon, step-grandfather, Ernest Thelen and a nephew, Charles Johnathan Wriska.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 A.M. Thursday, July 18, 2002 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, burial at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Chinnappan Kulandai and Rev. Fr. Denis Spitzley officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 7-9 P.M.Tuesday and Wednesday at the Goerge Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, Fowler with a rosary prayed at 3 and 8 P.M. Tuesday and 3 P.M. Wednesday and a Rosary/Scripture service 8 P.M. Wednesday.  Memorials may be made to Michigan Special Olympics or Most Holy Trinity Education Trust Fund.

Richard L. Smith

Richard L. Smith, St. Johns Age 64, died July 13, 2002. He was born in St. Johns on September 18, 1937, the son of Stafford and Mary Ann (Jolly) Smith. He was retired from Lear Corporation in Elsie. He married Margaret Grubaugh in January of 1958 and she precedes him in death.

Richard is survived by three sons, Richard, Jr. (Jannette) Smith of Ovid, Mark (Karen) Smith of St. Johns, and Thomas (Lorann) Smith of St. Johns; eight grandchildren, Mallory, Katie, Maggie, Travis, Rachael, Gretchen, Emily, and Luke; three sisters, Martha (Clayton) Jones, Sally (Jim) Martin, and Nelly Smith; and one brother, Harry "Pete" Smith. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, two brothers, and two sisters.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, July 17, 2002 at the Osgood Funeral Home with burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6-8 P.M. Monday and 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Doranna "Doty" Alma Lynam

Doranna "Doty" Alma Lynam,  Formerly of St. Johns Age 87, of Alma, died July 12, 2002. She was born April 30, 1915 in New Castle, IN, the daughter of Charles and Ruth (Williams) Stotzel. She was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and Gratiot Community Hospital Auxiliary in Alma. While living in St. Johns Doty was very active in Lionism as the wife of Past President, Ralph Lynam, and served graciously as First Lady. She worked 17 years at Saylor Beall Manufacturing in the Purchasing Department retiring 1978. She married Ralph Lynam on April 12, 1936 and he preceded her in death November 14, 1987. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son, John.

Surviving are son, Dr. William Lynam of Rochester, NY; daughters, Barbara Fedewa of Clare and Maida "Mickie" (Paul) Dieterle of Swartz Creek; nine grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; and sister, Genevieve Loy of Parker City, IN.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 15, 2002 at St. John's Episcopal Church with burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, the Lions Club of St. Johns or Leader Dog Program in Rochester, MI. The family would also like to thank Schnepp's, Inc. in St. Louis for their kind and loving care and Dr. Oommen in Alma.

Margaret Ellen Moore

Age 77 of Elsie, Michigan passed away July 11, 2002 at Clinton Memorial Hospital in St. Johns, Michigan. She was employed by Nixon’s Grocery Store as a meat cutter, and she also worked at Beck’s Farm Market for many years.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 14, 2002 at 2:00 P.m. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Rev. Jana Jirak will officiate with burial at Ford Cemetery in Gratiot County. Visitation will be Friday 6-9 and Saturday 2-9 with the family present from 2-4 and 7-9 P.m.

Margaret was born on November 20, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Henry & Edith (Rex) Waggoner. She graduated from Elsie High School with the Class of 1942. On June 20, 1943 she married Richard Moore in Elsie, Michigan. He passed away on November 29, 1998. She was a member of the Bannister United Methodist Church. She was a past Member of the Elsie OES and the Sunshine Club. She was a current member of the United Methodist Women’s Club and a past treasurer of the church for many, many years. She loved the farm business with her family; she liked to travel and was an avid reader. She truly enjoyed bragging about her family. She resided most of her life in the Elsie and Bannister areas.

She is survived by three children, Rick & Suzanne Moore of Ovid, Marcie & Ron Applebee of Fayetteville, Georgia, and Todd & Dawn Moore of Ovid, eight grandchildren, Kathy & Barry Moore of Elsie, Bryan & Andrea Moore of Ovid, Brandon Moore of Ovid, Scott Moore of Ovid, Christopher & Tracy Applebee of Ellabell, Georgia, Haley Applebee of Fayetteville, Georgia, Emily Moore of Ovid, Adam & Kate Moore of St. Johns, and one great granddaughter, O’Malley Moore of Ovid. She was predeceased by her husband, three brothers, two sisters, and one grandson, Bryce Moore in 1982.