Laura Norris

Laura Norris,  92, died Wednesday, September 11, 2002. Arrangements by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel.

Robert Ballinger

Robert Ballinger,  St. Johns, MI Long time Clinton County farmer went to be with his beloved wife, Loretta, and his Lord on September 11, 2002. He was born on February 21, 1920 and lived his entire life on the farm in Bingham Township, except for the three years he spent serving his country in World War II. He was very proud that he served his county in England and France with the 9th U.S. Air Force 416th Bombardment Squadron and flew 68 missions, including 3 on D-Day. Dad loved farming and knew the true meaning of taking care of the soil and livestock. His love for the outdoors was passed onto his children.

Robert was a loving father to 8 children and 14 grandchildren. He is survived by Brian (Frieda) Erin, Brooke Ballinger of DeWitt, Dennis (Michele) Ballinger (Todd Green), Janice (Carl) Huhn of DeWitt, Terry (Bobbi) Ballinger of Bath, Ron (Marilyn) Nicole, Ryan Ballinger of St. Johns, Tod (Tracy) Elizabeth, Robert Ballinger of St. Johns, Chris (Maria) Erika, Christopher Ballinger (Eric and Jessica Wagner) of St. Johns, Lynn (Laurie) Morgan, Jared, Madison Ballinger of St. Johns. He was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta, April 25, 1998, and 1 grandson, Jeremy.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 AM Saturday, September 14, 2002, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Eoin Murphy officiating. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Thursday and 3-7 PM Friday at the Osgood Funeral Home with a Rosary Service 7 PM Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Veterans Fund or to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Educational Fund.

Jack E. Hawes

Age 83, lifelong resident of Elsie died Sunday, September 8, 2002 at Memorial Healthcare Center in Owosso, Michigan. He was a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1981 after 40 years.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 11, 2002 at 11:00 A.m. at Duplain Church of Christ, St. Johns, Michigan. Mr. Gary Hawes, Mr. Brad Hawes, Mr. Matt Schantz, and Mr. Shawn Hale will officiate with burial at Riverside Cemetery in Elsie. Visitation will be Monday 6-8 and Tuesday 2-8 with the family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.m.

Jack was born on December 11, 1918 in Elsie, Michigan, the son of Edward Keck and Goldie L. (Somers) Hawes. He graduated from Elsie High School with the Class of 1936, then he attended Ferris Institute from 1936-1939. He served in the US Army during World War II for five years and received a Purple Heart. He married Geraldine Ruth Ash on January 27, 1941 at the Duplain Church of Christ. He was a member of American Legion Post #502, Chaplain of Michigan Rural Letter Carriers Association for 17 years, he was a Sunday School teacher for 40 years, Elder and Chairman of Elders over 30 years at Duplain Church of Christ, Past President and member of Elsie Lions Club and member of Duplain Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Geraldine "Gerry" Hawes of Elsie, one son, Gary & Carole Hawes of Laingsburg, two granddaughters, Bethany & Matt Schantz of Mt. Pleasant, Becky & Shawn Hale of Midland, one grandson, Brad & Lynne Hawes of Lansing, and five great grandchildren, Caleb, Jacob, Gabriel, Savannah, and Zachary. He was predeceased by his parents, and one infant brother, Donald.

Memorials may be made to Michigan Christian Campus Ministries or Duplain Church of Christ. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.

Bruce M. Lanterman

Bruce M. Lanterman died September 6, 2002 at the age of 78. He was born in Peoria, IL on June 28, 1924, the son of Paul and Ada (Wagner) Lanterman. He was the owner of Lanterman Insurance Agency, a veteran of the U.S. Navy in World War II serving on a destroyer escort in the South Pacific, a 32 Degree Mason, a member of the First United Methodist Church in St. Johns, Hub Antique Car Club, Vintage Chevy Club of America, the American Austin Bantam Club, and the St. Johns Lions Club. Bruce married Elizabeth Steinhoff of Munising on November 18, 1942 and she preceded him in death on November 25, 1986.

Surviving are his daughters, Kathleen (David) Lanterman Kent of St. Johns, Elizabeth Bridges Lanterman of Crystal, MI and Cynthia Willo (Dan) Zuker of St. Johns, special friend, Joan Martin of St. Johns, and grandchildren, James Lanterman Cain, Christine Suzanne Cain, both of Chicago, Bruce Lanterman Cain of Washington, D.C. and Adrian Thomas Green of St. Johns. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, September 8, 2002 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Carol Floyd officiating. The family will receive friends 7-9 P.M. Saturday at the funeral home. Military graveside services provided by St. Johns Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or the American Cancer Society.

Charlotte F. Skowron

Charlotte  F.  Skowron died September 7, 2002 at the age of 85. Born January 7, 1917 in Owosso, Michigan the daughter of John and Julia (Brock) Skowron.  She worked as a housekeeper most of her life. Charlotte was member of Jehovah's Witnesses Church.  She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Joseph Skowron. 

Graveside Services will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 10, 2002 at Ford Cemetery, Elsiewith Mr. Ron Dean officiating.  There will be no visitation. Arrangements by Houghton Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid.

Arthur L. Osburn

Arthur L. Osburn, age 90, died Saturday, September 7, 2002.  He was born June 26, 1912, the son of Roy and Lillian (Youngs) Osburn and lived in Maple Rapids and St. Johns all his life.  Art was a retired farmer and painter.  

He is survived by his cousins, Max Loudenbeck of St. Johns, Kenneth Loudenbeck of Middleton, Donna Rae Langdon of Lansing, and Alberta Diehl of Florida formerly of Fowler. He was preceded in death by his cousin, Gerald Youngs. 

Funeral Services will be 1:00 P.M. Friday, September 13, 2002 at the Abbott Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Maple Rapids, burial in Payne Cemetery, with Rev. Steve Weinberger officiating. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. 

Clyde T. Billips, Jr.

Clyde T. Billips, Jr. St. Johns Born October 11, 1934, in Warm Springs, AR; died September 5, 2002, at the age of 67. Mr. Billips was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served in Germany.

Surviving are Gusti, his wife of 43 years; 3 sons, Clyde L. (Jacki) Billips, Craig R. (Sandy) Billips, and Chris A. (Christine) Billips; 9 grandchildren; 3 brothers; and 3 sisters.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, September 9, at 11 a.m. at St. Therese Lisieux Parish, 102 W. Randolph, Lansing with the Rev. Michael W. Kuchar, Pastor, officiating. The Rite of Committal will be held in East Lawn Memory Gardens, Okemos. The family will receive friends at the Church on Monday from 9-11 a.m. Those desiring may make contributions to the A.L.S. Foundation, West Michigan Chapter, 2914 Three Mile Rd., Grand Rapids, MI 49544, in memory of Mr. Billips. The family is being served by the Gorsline-Runciman Co. Lansing Chapel, Lansing.