Paul H. Schafer

Paul H. Schafer,  DeWitt, MI Age 72, died September 23, 2002, at home. He was born in Fowler, MI, on December 2, 1929, to Martin and Esther (Miller) Schafer. Paul was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne and was a retired builder with his father, Martin Schafer & Sons, and later, with his brother, Jerome, as Schafer Brother Builders. He spent 52 years enjoying his favorite pastime of banding birds and was officially recognized as the youngest licensed bird-bander in the U.S. Starting at age 19. Paul enjoyed music, fishing and wintering in Mesa, AZ.

Surviving are Helen Marie, his wife of 48 years; 3 daughters, Cherie Covell of DeWitt, Diane (Kim) Winkler of DeWitt and Linda (Greg) Tarrant of Bath; 8 grandchildren, Aimee (Damon) Schafer, Lori Covell, Brandon, Kristen and Erin Winkler, and Leah, Devin and Alyssa Tarrant; 2 sisters, Georgiann Ward and Shirley (Donald) Simon; 3 brothers, Jerome (Trudy) Schafer, Mark (JoAnn) Schafer and Frances (Mari) Schafer.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM on Friday, September 27, 2002, at the Catholic Community of St. Jude, 801 N. Bridge St., DeWitt, with Father Dwight Ezop, Pastor, officiating. The Rite of Committal will be held in Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, Fowler. Visitation will be held at the Gorsline-Runciman Co. DeWitt Chapel, 111 S. Franklin St., DeWitt, on Wednesday from 6-8 PM and on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM with the Rosary being prayed Thursday at 7:30 PM. Those desiring may make contributions to Sparrow Foundation, Hospice of Clinton Memorial and Sparrow, 1215 E. Michigan Ave., P.O. Box 30480, Lansing, MI, 48909-7980 in memory of Paul Schafer.

Donna Lee (Thompson) Geer

Donna Lee (Thompson) Geer died September 24, 2002 at the age of 68. She was born in Carson City on December 5,1933, the daughter of Harvey Harold and Mildred Doris (Blount) Thompson. 

She is survived by nine children, Leroy (Janette) of St. Johns, Timmy (Thelma) of Maple Rapids, Diana Geer of Maple Rapids, Sue (Dean) Schulze of Maple Rapids, Cindy (Charlie) Smith of Midland, Harvey (Shelly) of St. Johns, Billy (Brenda) of St. Johns, Betty (Richard) Burgtorf of Pompeii and Richard (Dee Humble) of St. Johns, twenty-three grandchildren, six great grandchildren, brother, Duane (Betty) Thompson of St. Johns, three nephews, two great nephews and two great nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred and Harold Thompson and infant brother, Raymond Thompson. 

Funeral services will be 1 P.M. Thursday, September 26, 2002 at the Abbott Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Maple Rapids, with burial at New Haven Cemetery. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family. 

Elizabeth M. Beckhorn

Elizabeth M. Beckhorn,  Bath, MI Age 78, died September 24, 2002. Born November 1, 1923, in Lansing, Mrs. Beckhorn was a resident of Bath since 1955 and was employed by the Bath and East Lansing School Districts. She loved square dancing. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward W. in 1975.

Surviving are 4 daughters, Nancy (Jack) Cramer of Bath, Penny (Charles) Simmons of Irons, Robin (Mark) Ankney and Doris (Steven) Dunlap, both of Bath; 1 son, Edward Beckhorn, Jr. of Bath; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Evelyn Bassett of Midland and Arlesta Hettinger of East Lansing.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, September 27, 2 PM at the Gorsline-Runciman Co. East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Avenue, East Lansing, with the Rev. James W. Hixson officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Plains Cemetery, Shaftsburg. The family will receive friends at the Chapel Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Those desiring may make contributions to Alzheimer's Association, 107 Aprill Drive, Suite 1, Ann Arbor, MI 48103-1903, in memory of Mrs. Beckhorn.

Russell McCarthy

Russell C. McCarthy, 71, of St. Johns passed away Sept. 23, 2002 at Mid-Michigan Hospice House.  He was born Sept. 10, 1931 in St. Johns the son of Loyd S. and Bertha L. Tubbs McCarthy.  He worked for livingston County Sheriff Department and retired from St. Joseph Hospital in 1990 from the Security Deparmtnet.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and served in the United States Navy.  He resided most of his life in the Howell and St. Johns areas. He married Delores Stephens in St. Johns Feb. 7, 1953.  Delores died March 3, 2002.

He is survived by daughters, Suzanne (Jerry) Stuhrberg of Howell, Debbie (Tim) Ruch of Tecumseh and Katherine (Merlyn) Niles of Howell; son Mike (Laura) McCarthy; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; sisters Maxine Johnson and Faye (Clay) Reeves; many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Garnet McCarthy, Leon Adams, Ray Adams; and sister Betty Capron.

There were no services.  Burial was at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Augusta. Memorials may be made to Mid-Michigan Hospice House, Lansing.

Herbert K. Miller, Sr.

Herbert K. Miller, Sr., 74, died Friday September 22, 2002. Visitation, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Gorsline-Runciman Lansing Chapel.

Joyce E. Powell

Joyce E. Powell,  DeWitt Joyce "Granny" went to be with her beloved husband Ted "Grandpa T" on September 20,2002. She was born on December 13, 1924 in Marquette, Michigan to Albert Edson McCain and Nettie Taylor McCain. She grew up in Flint, Michigan and worked for Michigan National Bank for ten years and for the Genesee Bank for twelve years, the last seven years as vice president of commercial mobile home financing. Joyce was the first woman to be appointed vice president of a Michigan bank. In 1969, she moved to Lansing and became the business manager for King Arthur's Court in Dewitt Township.

Joyce married Ted Powell in 1971 and remained his lifelong partner until his death in 1993. Together they expanded and completed King Arthur's Court and built Millbrook Meadows in Dewitt, and Cadgewith Farms in Dewitt Township. They also established and operated The Tree Farm in Dewitt Township, where hundreds of mid-Michigan families came every year to enjoy hayrides and cut their own Christmas trees. Joyce supported many charities, primarily children's charities. She also served holiday meals at the Lansing Mission and bought new winter coats each year for needy kids. She also supported many law enforcement and veterans' organizations and any kid who needed some help with college.

Joyce is survived by her son David Davis, daughter Dayne--Ann Held (Richard), step-sons, Mike Powell (Mackie) and Gary Powell (Rachel) and step daughter Laura Lynn Gunsell. She is also survived by, her thirteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren, brother George, sister-in-law Viola McCain and her dear friends David and Sumie Thomas, Larry Schneider, and Peggy Underwood. Joyce's family thanks Jennifer DeFore for her kind care and friendship and to Aunt Gwen for her support and wise counsel.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 24th at 12:00 noon at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday Those wishing to make contributions may do so to the Clinton Memorial Home Health Care and Hospice Services, St Johns, and/or the Sparrow Oncology wing on the eighth floor, main campus, Lansing.