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Obituaries

Florence M. Burk

Wilma Irene Smith

Sydney R. “Syd” Acre

David M.   Martin

Karen R. Myers

George Gomez, Sr.

Deborah Sue Cerny, 50, of Elsie died Dec. 2, 2002 at her home. She was born Aug. 14, 1952, the daughter of Max and Linda (Cook) Morgan.

She graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School with the Class of 1970. She then received her teaching degree from Central Michigan University, graduating in 1974. She was a substitute teacher for Ovid-Elsie Public Schools. She was a member of the United Church of Ovid; Job's Daughters and she loved reading and crocheting. She also loved to sight-see.

She married Thomas Cerny Aug. 4, 1973 in Ovid, and he survives her. Also surviving are her daughter, Cari (Josh) Chadwick of Lansing; son, Scott Cerny of Elsie; mother, Linda Morgan of Ovid; sister, Linda (Grant) Palen of Elsie; brothers, Glenn (Joan) Morgan of Whitehall and Jerry (Jan) Morgan of Owosso; grandfather, Lloyd Cook Sr. of Merriweather; father and mother-in-law, Charles and Mary Cerny; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father and one infant son.

Funeral services were held Dec. 5 at Smith Family Funeral Homes in Elsie with Pastor Rob McPherson officiating; burial at Riverside Cemetery in Elsie. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Clinton County or the Elsie Public Library.

Keith H. “Slim” Cornell died December 1, 2002 at the age of 73. He was born in Eaton Rapids on June 21, 1929, the son of Glenn and Doris (Crowner) Cornell. He was a retired truck driver, a member of Teamsters Union Local #580, and enjoyed tractor shows. Keith’s life varied from riding his Harley as a young man to family camp outs and trips. He loved to grow things and many of our guests departed with arms full of sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers and squash. Fall was a time for hunting and friends to camp with. His love for the sport has been passed down from son to grandson. He had a special skill for map making. Just mention your destination and he would have your route mapped out to the last detail including bumps in the road, dangerous curves and even speed cautions. Like his mapping, he was a good guide for his children and grandchildren through the years. He was kind and understanding, fun and made you laugh. His day started with a smile and you were happy to be sharing it with him. We miss him so much, but we are sure he is up there playing cards with his friends or maybe playing out one of his hunting camp jokes. He touched our lives with so many wonderful blessings and we are so thankful to have shared them over the years. Keith married Carol Munro in St. Johns on April 30, 1955 and she survives him. 

Also surviving are his daughters, Connie (Kirk) Deatrick of Richmond, TX and Suzanne (Patrick) Palmer of Houston, TX, sons, Mark D. (Judy) Cornell of St. Johns and Keith M. (fiancé Michelle Thompson) Cornell of Eureka, grandchildren, Kelly (Irl) Lutz, Shelly (Jeff) Niefert, Heather (Justin) Eldridge and Mark A. Cornell, great grandson, Lyndon Lutz, brothers, Jim (Geneva) Cornell of Northport, MI, Harry (Dee) Cornell of Wolverine, MI, Bruce (Jeanne Engel) Cornell and Bill Cornell, all of California, sister, Jean Schultz of St. Johns and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, George Cornell. 

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, December 6, 2002 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at South Bingham Cemetery with Pastor Bob Ditmer officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to family wishes.

Florence M. Burk, beloved sister, aunt and devoted friend, died November 30, 2002 at the age of 90. She was born in Bengal Township on July 28, 1912, the daughter of Asa and Myrtle (Sturgis) Blunt. She was a waitress. 

Surviving are her sister, Ivah Stevens of Alma, nephews, Donald Stevens of East Jordan and Earl Douglas Stevens of St. Johns and nieces, Jean Dilts, Alice Cole, both of St. Johns, Phyllis (Marvin) Rhynard of Lansing and Marilyn (Romaine) Allen of Ithaca. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, George Blunt, sister, Ella Dilts, brothers-in-law, Clare Dilts and Virgil Stevens, nephews, Richard Dilts, Robert Cole and Herbert Osborn and niece, JoAnne Osborn. 

Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 3, 2002 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Pastor Charlie Lyon officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor.

David M.  Martin, East Lansing Born February 15, 1915, in Scotland; died December 1, 2002, at the age of 87. Mr. Martin was a longtime resident of DeWitt and most recently of Holiday, FL. He was employed at General Motors retiring in 1977. Mr. Martin was a member of North Presbyterian Church, Lansing, the DeWitt Lodge #272 F & AM, and the St. Andrews Society.

Surviving are Charlotte, his wife of 62 years; 1 daughter, Sandra (Bob) Hill of DeWitt; 2 sons, Robert (Sandy) of Atlanta and David (Kathy) of DeWitt; and 6 grandchildren.

Private services will be held at a later date. The family is being served by the Gorsline-Runciman Co. Lansing Chapel, Lansing.

Wilma Irene (Miller) Smith of Houghton Lake and Mesa, AZ, formerly of St. Johns passed away November 29, 2002 at her home in Mesa.  She was born October 16, 1917 in Archbold, Ohio to Simon and Lavina Miller.  She married George Smith on May 23, 1941 and was his faithful companion since.  Together they had three sons; Don (Janlee), Ron (Phyllis) and George, Jr. (Vicki). 

She is survived by her husband, her three sons, and her sister, Dora Burkholder.   She joyed in having seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers; Maurice and Amra and sisters; Mary, Mattie, and Fannie.  Her life was that of a dedicated christian, wife, mother, and educator.  She taught for over 30 years in public schools, primarily in the St. Johns area.  She was a frequent Sunday School teacher at Bethel Mennonite Church where she was a member most of her adult life.  Following retirement, she and George spent their summers at Houghton Lake and winters in Mesa, AZ.  Together they loved to travel, golf, and play games with family and friends.  She was a blessing to all whose life she touched. 

The family will receive friends at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E.  Cass Street, St. Johns, Wednesday, December 4 from 2:00 - 4:00 P.M.  Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Thursday, December 5, 2002 at Bethel Mennonite Church.  In lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions to the Mid Michigan Hospice c/o Don Dixion, RN 1205 St. Helen Street, Roscommon, MI 48653. 

Karen R. Myers died Friday, November 29, 2002 at the age of 53.  She was a postal clerk at Lansing Main Post Office. 

Karen’s wishes were to be cremated with no visitation or funeral services.   Memorials may be made to Hospice for Clinton County, Michigan Lupus Foundation, 26507 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores, MI 48081-1907 or charity of donors choice.   Arrangements by Osgood Funeral Home. 

George Gomez, Sr. died Thursday, November 28, 2002 in St. Johns at the age of 80.  George was born February 11, 1922 in San Antonio, Texas to Jose and Cecilia (Gonzales) Gomez.  On May 3, 1948, George married Ruth M. Fleischer in Napoleon, Ohio.  Mr. Gomez loved fishing, working on automobiles, gardening, hunting, and horseback riding. 

George is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ruth, three children, George Gomez, Jr. "Butch" of Lansing, Bonnie (Leonard) St. John of Perry, and Mary Gomez of Lansing, 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, one brother, Gabriel (Mary) Gomez of Indiana, one sister, Lucy Gonzales of Lansing and many neices and nephews. 

A Memorial Visitation will be Monday, December 2, 2002 at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass Street, St. Johns from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Sydney R. “Syd” Acre

Sydney R. “Syd” Acre died November 26, 2002 at the age of 70. He was born in St. Johns on November 4, 1932, the son of Orin and Ruth (Shellenbarger) Acre. He was employed for 30 years with Midland Brake in Owosso as a computer design engineer and also farmed, was a member of Duplain Church of Christ, sang in the Lansing Chapter of Capital City Barber Shop Chorus and loved hunting and golfing. Syd married Phyllis Dorman on June 19, 1954 at the Elsie United Methodist Church and she survives him. 

Also surviving are his children, Wendy Acre of East Lansing, Tim Acre of Hoffman Estates, IL, Lori Acre of Owosso and Keri Acre of Kansas City, MO, two grandsons, Kyle Acre and T.J. Acre, three sisters, Elisabeth Levey, Ruby (Keith) Kimball, all of Elsie and Ivah (Bob) Risley of Ovid and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Paul, Lyle and Leon Acre, a brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law. 

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, November 29, 2002 at Duplain Church of Christ, burial at Riverside Cemetery with Pastor Donald Ruff officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Thursday at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid. Memorials may be made to Duplain Church of Christ or Ovid-Elsie Area Schools Music Fund.