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Obituaries |
| Walter L. Thelen | Joe Homola |
| Joe
Homola Joe Homola died April 8, 2003 at the age of 80. He was born in Middlebury Township on February 2, 1923, the son of John and Katie (Bursick) Homola. He retired from Midland Ross, enjoyed gardening, hunting, playing accordion and farming. Joe married Rose Louth in Owosso on May 19, 1952 and she preceded him in death on April 8, 2000. Surviving are his son, John Henry Homola of Owosso, daughter, Linda (Geney) Gibson of New York, stepchildren, Charles (Patricia) Carroll III of Hale, MI, Sharon (Bob) Taylor and Char (Douglas) Angell, all of Ovid, grandchildren, John Joseph Homola of Lansing, Brandon John Homola, Jaeson Wayne Homola, both of Owosso, Rick Martin of St. Johns, Rex Martin of Ovid, Charles (Tina) Carroll IV, Thomas Carroll, all of Hale, Travis (Jenny) Angell of Gaylord, Brian Gibson and Greg Gibson, both of Texas, five great grandchildren, and sister-in-law, Donna Burton of Lansing. There will be a graveside service 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 19, 2003 at Middlebury Cemetery followed by a luncheon at the Homola Farm, 1277 N. Baldwin Rd., Owosso. Arrangements by the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid. Walter L. Thelen, Westphalia, MI Age 85, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on April 8, 2003. He was born January 21, 1918, in Westphalia to Joseph and Theresa (Rademacher) Thelen. He was a retired farmer who still took an avid interest in life at the farm. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing the bass fiddle. From 1959 to 1974, he served as Westphalia Township Supervisor and as a member of the Clinton County Board of Commissioners. He was a lifetime member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Westphalia, the Catholic Order of Foresters, and the St. Joseph Society. He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Courtney; brothers, John, Henry, and Raymond Thelen; sisters, Louise Schafer, Pauline Armbrustmacher, Mary Thelen, and Rose Martin. He is survived by Laurina, his wife of 62 years; children, Roy (Janet) Thelen, Bernard (Martha) Thelen, Jerome (Cindy) Thelen, Duane Thelen, all of Westphalia; Marilyn (Robert) Huhn of Pewamo; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Norman and Sylvester Thelen, both of Westphalia. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Cecilio Reyna, Pastor at 10:30 AM Saturday, April 12, 2003 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Westphalia, with Rite of Committal following at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the St. Mary's Funeral Chapel, 210 N. Westphalia Street, Westphalia from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Fr. Al Miller Educational Trust Fund, in memory of Walter L. Thelen. Arrangements are entrusted to the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland. Harry John Fisher, 67, of St. Johns passed away April 4, 2003 at his home. He was born June 8, 1935 in Owosso, the son of John and Mabelle (Rhynard) Fisher. He worked various jobs in the area, including logging, farming, and sheet metal. He loved to hunt, fish, and go mushrooming. He also collected Indian artifacts and enjoyed his pet monkeys. He served in the US Navy. He lived most of his life in the Ashley and Bannister areas. He graduated from Ashley High School. He married Virginia Mrazek in May 2001 in St. Johns. Survivors include his wife, Virginia Fisher of St. Johns; brothers and sisters, Tom Fisher of Ovid, Francis (Charles) Custard of Georgia, Lillian (Jerry) Hoisington of Bancroft, Helen (Cecil) Bowers of Perry, Lorna Good of Elsie, Linda (Thomas) Comis of Hickory Ridge; in-laws, Jim (Julie) Mrazek of St. Johns, Shirley (Gary) Van Vleet of Higgins Lake, Joyce (Larry) Keesler of Owosso, Donna OÕBrien of Lansing; several nieces and nephews He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John. There were no funeral services. Memorials may be made to Huntington's Disease Research. The family was served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Theodore August Noeker was born on August 28, 1909 in Westphalia, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Meyers) Noeker. He died peacefully at his home on April 6, 2003 at the age of 93. He worked at Oldsmobile for 40 years as a die setter until his retirement in 1971. Mr. Noeker was an avid golfer, hunter, and bowler, a master woodworker, and in his later years, he loved going for rides to look for deer at dusk and playing bingo every Wednesday evening. He was a quiet man, known for his love of sweets, saying just recently that there was no such thing as a bad cookie. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Westphalia and the St. Joseph Society. Ted was married to Loretta Miller from October 12, 1940 until her death in 1998. His parents, his sister, Seraphine Halfmann, and his brother, Albert F. Noeker, preceded him in death. He will be lovingly remembered by his 7 children, Thomas of Westphalia, Michael (Monica) of Lansing, Barbara (Bob) Bills of Colorado Springs, CO, Joseph (Marilyn) of Westphalia, Theodore (Kristi) of Irving, TX, Elizabeth (Tom) Webb and Patricia (Brian) Lawless, both of St. Johns. In addition, he leaves behind 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Verena Miller of Portland. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Cecilio Reyna, Pastor, at 10 AM Friday, April 11, 2003 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Westphalia, with Rite of Committal following at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the St. Mary's Funeral Chapel, 210 N. Westphalia Street, Westphalia from 7-9 PM Wednesday and 2-4 and 7-9 PM Thursday. The rosaries will be prayed at 8 PM Wednesday and 3 and 8 PM Thursday. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Fr. Al Miller Educational Trust Fund, c/o St. Mary's Parish, in memory of Theodore A. Noeker. Arrangements are entrusted to the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland.
Surviving are one son, Alan (Jan) Ruhl of Fowler, three daughters, Judy (Dave) Bierstetel of Pewamo, Nancy (John Whitekus) Ruhl of Dearborn and Elaine Miller of Fowler, daughter-in-law Bernadette (Jim) Fox of Fowler, 15 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, one brother, Donald (Gertrude) Arens of Fowler, one sister Dorothy (Danny) O'Brien of Westphalia and one sister-in-law, Agnes Arens of Westphalia. She was preceded in death by a son James Ruhl, two brothers, Theodore and Joseph Arens and four sisters Leona Thelen, Nettie Platte, Alvina Martin and Pauline Martin. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 A.M. Thursday, April 10, 2003 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, burial at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Timothy MacDonald officiating. Visitation will be 9-9 Tuesday and Wednesday at the Goerge Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, Fowler with the family present 2-4 & 7-9 both days. A Rosary will be prayed at 3:00 & 8:00 both days. Memorials may be made to Most Holy Trinity Educational Trust or the Alzheimer's Association.
Eva is survived by her son, Homer (Martha) Gifford of Traverse City, 2 daughters, Joyce (Richard) Hart of Delta, Iowa and Faith "Tena" (Hilary) Schmitt of Fowler, 5 grandchildren, Joan (Jerry) Send of Traverse City, Gary (Pam) Gifford of Gaylord, Eileen (Tom) Hattis of Fowler, Kelly (Marilyn) Hart of Des Moines, Iowa and Sterling Hart of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and 13 great grandchildren. Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 9, 2003 at the Osgood
Funeral Home, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Pastor Tim Knaus officiating.
The family will receive friends 2-4 & 6-8 Tuesday at the
funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice for Clinton County, Clinton Memorial
Hospital or Hazel Findlay Manor. Ward Vail Rand, 44, of St. Johns, passed away March 31, 2003 at his home after a long
illness. He was born May 15, 1958 in Las Vegas, Nev., the son of Robert and Jeanne Vail
Rand, who survive him. Private services were held at Mt. Rest Cemetery in St. Johns. In lieu of flowers, cards will be appreciated. The family was served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel. LeAnn Slicer, 59, of St. Johns, died March 27 at her home in Lake George. LeAnn was
born March 5, 1944 in Fairmont, W. Virg., the daughter of Charles and Marian (Keller)
Gump. She was united in marriage to Theodore Slicer Sept. 12, 1964 in Dayton, Ohio. LeAnn is survived by her husband, Theodore, and one son Theodore Jr. of Hilliard, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Marian.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 5, 2003 at 11:00 A.M. at Duplain Church
of Christ in Rochester Colony, Michigan. Pastor Phil Beavers, Pastor Dan Cameron and
Pastor Donald Ruff will officiate with burial at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ovid, Michigan.
Visitation will be held Thursday from 6-8 P.M. and Friday from 2-8 P.M. with the family
present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. Ila was born on June 13, 1920 in Brant, Michigan the daughter of George & Nellie
(Hewitt) Spiegel. She graduated from Elsie High School with the Class of 1937 and then
attended County Normal. She then graduated from Central Michigan University receiving her
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree’s in teaching. On June 16, 1940 she married
Roy Thornton at the Duplain Church of Christ in Rochester Colony, Michigan. Ila started
teaching in one room country schools, and she retired from Ovid-Elsie Area Schools in
1981. After retiring, she continued teaching as a substitute teacher for 10 more years.
Ila was a member of the Duplain Church of Christ and the Duplain Church of Christ
Women’s Fellowship. She was also a member of the Elsie Literary Club, Lioness Club,
Owosso Quilting Guild, AARP and Retired Teacher’s Union. Ila resided most of her life
in the Chapin & Elsie areas. Survivors include her husband, Roy Thornton of Elsie, two daughters, Kayla & Ron
Tipton of Dewitt, Judith & Ron Newman of Portland, OR, two sons, Ron & Kathy
Thornton of Grand Ledge, Larry & Carolyn Thornton of Roscommon, six grandchildren,
three great grandchildren and one sister, Arlene & Murray Walters of Oakley. She was
predeceased by her parents, one son, Darrell Lynn and one sister, Marion Cooper. Memorials may be made to the Duplain Church of Christ. The family is being served by
Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Mary Jane Vail, age 77, died on Tuesday, April 1, 2003 at the Hospice Care Center. She was born on February 19, 1926 in Fowler, Michigan, the daughter of Ernest and Mary (Martin) Halfmann. She was a member of St. Albert’s Catholic Church in Sun Prairie. She was a devoted wife and mother and enjoyed painting, travel, golf and taking care of her home and family. Survivors include her husband, Ted, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, a son, Tom (Vickie) Vail of Hancock, Minnesota, a daughter, Susan (Eugene) Heisler of Fall Creek, Wisconsin, five grandchidlren, Sarah, Jessica and Dylan Vail, and Danielle and Dustin Heisler, a sister, Geraldine Cook of Carson City, Michigan, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, James. Funeral Services will be held 12 Noon Monday, April 7, 2003 at the Osgood Funeral Home,
burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Innocent Kujur officiating. The family will
receive friends 10:00 A.M. – 12 Noon Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers,
the family has requested that memorials be directed to The Alzheimer’s Association. |
Casilda Ruhl died Sunday, April 6, 2003 at the age of
92. She was born in Westphalia, Michigan June 7, 1910, the daughter of Albert and
Philomena (Nau) Arens. She was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church,
Christian Mothers Association and retired from the sewing room at Fisher Body.
Casilda loved her family and also cooking for weddings and funerals. She enjoyed the
outdoors, working in her flower gardens, camping and fishing. She lived most of her
life in the Westphalia and Fowler areas. On July 23, 1938 she married Arnold Ruhl
and he preceded her in death Oct. 26, 1992. 
Eva M.Gifford died Saturday, April 5, 2003 at the age
of 95. She was born in Gibsonburg, Ohio on May 23, 1907 the daughter of William
& Mary (Nelson) Bowser. She married Lial Gifford on October 1, 1924 and they
owned /operated the Lial Gifford Hatchery in St. Johns. Lial preceded her in death
May 15, 1972. 
Ila
Jean Thornton age 82 of Elsie, Michigan passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2003 at Sparrow
Hospital in Lansing, Michigan. She was a retired teacher from Ovid-Elsie Area Schools.