Check here for new deaths
throughout the week
|
|
Obituaries |
| Dianne Marie Kayser |
|
Ila Jean Thornton Ila Jean Thornton, 82, retired Ovid-Elsie Area Schools teacher, died Tuesday. Services 11 a.m. Saturday at Duplain Church of Christ, Rochester Colony. Arrangements by Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie Chapel. Geraldine Audery Cook
Geraldine is survived by two daughters, Lori Brown of St. Johns and Connie Thelen of Detroit, son, Craig Cook of Potterville, seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren, sister, Sharon (Richard) Ramont of Okemos and son-in-law, Art Brown of St. Johns. Funeral services will be 4:00 P.M. Friday, April 4, 2003 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Timothy Cockroft amd Rev. Mary Lou Brown officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Thursday and 2-4 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Bem Ministry, P.O. Box 02158, Detroit, MI 48202 or St. Johns Church of the Nazarene.
Alferd Alton Wickerham
Alferd is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bonnie, daughter, Susan Marie Blizzard, son, Roger William (Barbara) Wickerham, six grandchildren, Michael Lynn (Heather) Blizzard, Gregory Lynn Blizzard (special friend Summer Hall and Anthony), Lisa Sue (Terry) Powell, Amanda Nichole Wickerham, Roxanne Ramirez and Gustav Ramirez, six great grandchildren, Ryan Bruce Wheeler, Corina Nichole Wickerham, Colton James Powell, Olivia Rose Powell, Victoria Cook and Christopher Cook, one sister, Mildred (Bud) Eckert of Antigua, sister-in-law, Laura Wickerham of Tucson, AZ and several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by two brothers, Merritt Wickerham and Dr. Lynferd Wickerham, three sisters, Arvella Carroll, Virginia Merrill and Kathryn Evans and son-in-law, Bruce L. Blizzard. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, April 4, 2003 at the Osgood
Funeral Home, St. Johns, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Dr. Rev. Rodney
J. Kalajainen of DeWitt Redeemer United Methodist Church officiating.
The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Thursday at the funeral
home with a Masonic service at 6:30 P.M. Contributions may be made to
DeWitt Redeemer United Methodist Church of DeWitt or Wacousta-DeWitt Lodge
#359 F.&A.M. Military graveside services provided by DeWitt V.F.W.
Post #671.
Also surviving are her sons, Mark Edward (Tammy) Kayser, David Glen Kayser, Brian Paul (Mary) Kayser and Matthew Carl (friend Wendy Doucette) Kayser, grandchildren, Jacob, Hannah, Tess, Kylie, Patrick and Sean Kayser, brother, Floyd Backus, and sisters, Bonna Bayhan, Charlene Fouty and Karen Sova. She was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Shari Hall Kayser. Memorial services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, April 5, 2003 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, St. Johns, with Pastor Jeffrey Heimsoth officiating. The family will receive friends 6-8 P.M. Thursday and 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Friday at the Osgood Funeral Home. Mildred F. McDonough, Crystal, MI Formerly of Grand Ledge, MI Mrs. Mildred F. McDonough, age 80, passed away March 27, 2003 in Greenville, MI. Mildred was a former Township Clerk of Watertown Township for 20 years; attended Denise Business School and was a member of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church and life member of the Wacousta Chapter #359 O.E.S. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Melvin "Dint"; daughter, Holly (Wayne) Nelson; 2 sons, Mason (Laura) McDonough, Martin (Katy) McDonough; grandchildren, Tracy and Derek Nelson, Matthew and James McDonough, Ian and Mary Kate McDonough; sister, Betty (Dan) Morey; and was predeceased by her brothers, George and Richard Chamberlin. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, April 2nd-10:00 a.m. at the Peters & Murray Funeral Home, Grand Ledge with the Rev. John R. Smith officiating and O.E.S. services will be conducted by the Wacousta O.E.S. For those desiring, contributions made to the Wacousta Chapter #359 O.E.S. will be greatly appreciated. Elsie Marie Vettraino, DeWitt, MI Elsie Marie Vettraino, 79, of DeWitt, passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 after a year long, courageous battle with cancer. She was a great Mom, loving Grandmother, and wonderful Sister. She was preceded in death by her dear husband, Eugene, son, Lawrence Whiting, brothers, Gordon Pfeiffer and Justin Tieri, and son-in-law, James Hodgins. Elsie was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois on April 12, 1923, the daughter of Gustav and Hazel Tieri. On December 8, 1953, she married Eugene Vettraino. Eugene and Elsie moved to DeWitt in 1958 where they ran a small gas station on US-27 for over 35 years. Elsie raised her children and was Eugene's "left hand" as they ran the family business. Elsie loved gardening and was especially proud of her beautiful orchids. She was a member of the Wacousta Chapter #133 Order of Eastern Star. Surviving are 3 sons, Anthony (Julie) of Texas, Vincent (Rose) of New Hampshire, Douglas (Alice Rose) of DeWitt; 2 daughters, Rebecca Thompson (David) of Texas and Annette Hodgin-Vettraino; 2 sisters, Beverly Smith (Charles) of Rockford, and Charlene Schreiber of Grand Rapids; brother, Jack Pfeiffer (Lahree) of Belmont; sister-in-law, Carol Tieri of Grand Rapids; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Elsie will be deeply missed by her family and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, March 29, 2003 at Christ United Church, 1000 W. Webb Road (corner of Webb and old US-27) DeWitt, with the Pastor Perry Williamson, officiating. The family wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Dr. Amy Bolmer and her wonderful staff: Julie, Lynnette, Sue and Cliff; the caring people at Sparrow Hospice Service for Clinton County: Susan, Mary, Kristina, and Kathy. The family also wishes to express its gratitude for the love and support of 2 of Elsie's special friends, Carlene Shooltz and Pat Schultz. In lieu of flowers, those desiring to make a contribution may wish to consider making a donation in memory of Mrs. Vettraino to Hospice Services of Clinton County, P.O. Box 260, St. Johns, MI 48879. The family is being served by the Gorsline-Runciman Co. DeWitt Chapel, DeWitt, Michigan. Roland Lee Schmid, 68, of Fenwick, died March 26, 2003, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born Nov. 15, 1934 in Owosso, the son of Henry and Velma Harriet (Danley) Schmid. He married Carleen Roberts Dec. 20, 1975, at Salem United Methodist Church, St. Johns. He retired in 1997 from Federal Mogul after 40 years of service. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and gardening, but most of all his grandchildren. Surviving are his wife, Carleen Schmid of Fenwick; mother, Harriet Schmid of St. Johns; daughters, Belinda (Jay) Southwell of Laingsburg and Janet (Mike) Hulsey of Jasper, Ala.; son, William Schmid of Perrinton; daughter-in-law, Jayne Schmid of Elsie; adopted daughter, Debra Hill of Mt. Pleasant; adopted sons, Dean Schmid of Fenwick and Michael Schmid of Mt. Pleasant; step sons, Robert (Lori) Burns of Hubbardston, Kenneth Burns of Fenwick, Tim Burns of Hubbardston; step daughters, Kelly (Tom) Cook of Grand Rapids, and Keyna Burns Rypma of Sheridan; 16 grandchildren and four chosen grandchildren; brother, Henry Jr. (Dorothy) Schmid of St. Johns; sister, Linda (Roger) Summey of Blanchard; special in-laws, Hugh Roberts, Joe and Eileen Procunier; special friends, John and Sharon Schafer, Gordon and Ellen Mills, and Marisa Solis; five special aunts and a special uncle. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Schmid; son, Roland Scott Schmid; and brother, Larry Schmid. Funeral services will be March 29 at the Shiloh Community Church in Orleans with Pastor Ken Harger and Pastor Jamey Nichols officiating. Interment was at Bloomer Township Cemetery, Carson City. Arrangements were by Lux and Schnepp Funeral Home, Carson City. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donorŐs choice. Crystal L. Weber, 20, of Lansing, died March 21, 2003. She had been a resident of Lansing for most of her life. She was a 2000 graduate of Waverly High School, where she was a member of the Honor Society. She was attending Lansing Community College where she was on the Dean’s List. She was a member of St. Gerard. Crystal was preceded in death by her grandparents Robert and Irimina Weber, Jan Thelen, and Peg Weber. Surviving is her mother, Lisa (Thom) Davidson; her father, Chris (Jill) Weber; brother, Graham; grandparents, Clair and Catherine Thelen; several aunts and uncles; special friends (through thick and thin), Marcia, Amber, and cousin Mark; and her really special friend "peanut", her dog. Funeral liturgy was held March 26 at St. Gerard with a vigil service March 25 in the Tiffany Funeral Home. Interment was in St. Mary Cemetery, Westphalia. Contributions may be made to Mid-Michigan Hospice House/St. Lawrence Campus; or to Histocytosis Association of America, 72 E. Holly Ave. Suite 101, Pitman, N.J., 08071. Lyle S. Ruth, 82, of Owosso, passed away March 10, 2003. He retired from Michign State University after 15 years as an accountant. He had previously owned and operated a gas station. He had also worked for Universal & Midland Ross. Mr. Ruth was born July 17, 1920, in St. Johns, the son of Simpson and Ola (Leddick) Ruth. he was a 1938 graduate of St. Johns High School. On May 21, 1943, he married Alta Marie Tipton of Elsie. He served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. He was a member of the First Congregational Church. He enjoyed golfing and fishing. Funeral services were held March 14 at the Nelson House Funeral Home in Owosso. Survivors include children, Kathy Beck of Dimondale, Jeff (Patsy) Ruth of Springdale, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Erin, Jennifer, Joshua and Jeremy. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alta; parents; and three brothers. |
Geraldine
Audery Cook died April 2, 2003 at the age of 69. She was born on May 7,
1933, the daughter of Audley and Dorothy (Eckert) Lucas. She attended
the St. Johns Church of the Nazarene and Bem Ministry in Detroit. 
Alferd
Alton Wickerham, 83, died April 1, 2003. He was born March 24, 1920 in
Lansing, MI, the son of Adam M. and Katie (Ortner) Wickerham. He was a
member of the DeWitt Redeemer United Methodist Church, Wacousta-DeWitt
#359 F.&A.M., Wacousta Chapter #133 O.E.S., Charter member of DeWitt
American Legion #379, Life member of DeWitt V.F.W. Post #671, past member
of South Riley Grange #456 and Clinton County Farm Bureau. He retired
as Superintendent of Postal Operations from the U.S. Postal Service (DeWitt)
in 1985, was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served on the Michigan Veteran’s
Trust Fund for Clinton County for many years. 
Dianne Marie Kayser
died March 19, 2003 at the age of 65. She was born in Harbor Springs, MI on February 17,
1938, the daughter of Floyd and Celia (Craig) Backus. She was a member of St. Peter
Lutheran Church and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, was organist at St. Peter
Lutheran Church, enjoyed art and callighraphy. Dianne married Edward Kayser in Lansing on
June 10, 1961 and he survives her.