Check here for new deaths throughout the week

Eunice M. Blank

Winifred Una Helms

William Dean Emberts

Paul J. Thelen

Virginia M. Brown

Charles John  Klug, Jr.

Eilene E. Nielsen

James F. “Jim” Sanchez died August 24, 2003 at the age of 35. He was born in Lansing on May 6, 1968, the son of Francisco and Donna (Taylor) Sanchez. He was a former Peckam employee. 

Surviving are his mother, Donna (John Jenkins) Sanchez of Maple Rapids, sisters, Cathy (Jonathan) Lantzer of Rapid City, Renee Harris of Durand and Paula Harris of Maple Rapids, father, Francisco (Bridget) Sanchez and half sister, Consuela Sanchez, all of California.  

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, August 28, 2003 at the Abbott Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Maple Rapids, burial at Sowle Cemetery with Pastor Jim Dibbet officiating. The family will receive friends 4-8 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. 

Alvin L. “Tiny” Olson died August 23, 2003 at the age of 57. He was born in Lansing on October 22, 1945, the son of Virgil and Helen (Stahl) Olson. 

He is survived by his sons, Phillip L. Olson of Maple Rapids and Jason (Lyndsey) LaLonde of Holt, daughter, Elizabeth I. Olson, former wife, Tafra Olson, both of Maple Rapids, brother, Harry Olson of Edmore, sister, Linda Cox of Ithaca and several nieces and nephews.  

Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, August 27, 2003 at the Abbott Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Maple Rapids. The Family will receive friends 12:30 - 1:30 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Paul J. Thelen,  Westphalia, MI Age 79, devoted husband and family man passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2003, surrounded by his family. He was born on October 27, 1923, in Dallas Twp., the son of Joseph W. and Anna (Werner) Thelen. Mr. Thelen was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Westphalia, a member of the VFW Fowler, Westphalia, Pewamo Post #3733, and Knights of Columbus #2890 St. Jude Thaddeus Council. He was a Veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater (Philippines). Paul was a lifelong area farmer, who in his lifetime enjoyed his family, traveling, playing cards with friends, and being involved in several community organizations. He was preceded in death by his parents, and 2 brothers, Donald and Jerome Thelen.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Mary Jane; children, Jean (James) Kennicott of Eaton Rapids, David (Theresa) Thelen of Westphalia, Ruth (Joseph) Heckman of Westphalia, Judy (Michael) Baker of Lansing, Daniel (Hope) Thelen of DeWitt, and Terry Thelen of Lansing; grandchildren, Scott Thelen, Shelley (George) Lahanas, Jarrod Thelen, Erin Thelen, Sara Heckman, Craig Heckman, Angela Baker, Amanda Baker, Christian Baker, Paul Thelen, Maria Thelen; sisters, Betty (Raymond) Schafer, Marie (Bernard) Fox, Doris (Richard) Andrews, Loretta (Jerry) Halm, Therese (Jules) Poirier; brothers, Leon (Bertine) Thelen, Alvin (Marie) Thelen, Stanley (Evelyn) Thelen, Francis (Jeanette) Thelen; many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Cecilio Reyna, Pastor, at 1 PM Wednesday, August 27, 2003, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Westphalia. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery where military graveside services will be provided by VFW Fowler, Westphalia, Pewamo Post #3733. the family will receive friends at the St. Mary's Funeral Chapel, 210 Westphalia St., Westphalia, on Monday from 7-9 PM and pray a Rosary at 8 PM and on Tuesday, from 2-4 and 7-9 with the Rosary at 3 and 8 PM. Arrangements are entrusted to the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland.

Eunice M. Blank,  St. Johns, MI Age 88, passed away August 23, 2003, at Ovid Health Care. Eunice was born on August 7, 1915, in Palo, MI, the daughter of Eli and Edith (Dudhope) Griswold. Eunice married Maurice Blank on February 26, 1938 and he preceded her in death. She was a homemaker and a member of Eureka Christian Church. Eunice was an avid card player and gardener and enjoyed spending time with family and friends and family. She especially loved her grandsons.

She is survived by a son, William (Deanne) Blank of St. Johns; 2 grandsons, Luke and Jordan Blank of St. Johns. Preceding her in death were her husband, 5 brothers, and 4 sisters.

Funeral Services will be 3 PM Tuesday, August 26, 2003, at Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Eureka Cemetery with Pastor Bob Ditmer officiating. The family will receive friends Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Ovid Health Care or the American Lung Association.

Virginia M. Brown,  DeWitt Township, MI Formerly of St. Johns Virginia M. Brown died Saturday, August 23, 2003 at the age of 82. Virginia was born in Lansing on May 11, 1921, the daughter of Henry and Bertha (Brazee) Thayer, was a homemaker and a member of Grove Bible Church and Woodview Church of the Nazarene. Virginia married Howard Brown on July 20, 1940.

Survivors include one daughter, Linda Brown; Virginia's caretaker since Howard's death in 1999; a special granddaughter, Lisa Marie (Brian) Howard and their three children; Jennifer, her very special great granddaughter who came so often to help care for her, Jordan who deeply loved her, and Dyllan who became her joy and love. Also surviving are her grandchildren Nicole and Brandon whom she loved and enjoyed. Greg who stayed with them often when growing up, also Amy (Shawn) Huff and their children, Parker and Christopher. Virginia's special friends who are left but never forgotten include Alice Little, of Perry, a golfing and school friend of seventy years, Marilyn (Dan) Little, Cheryl Arntz and Cathy Johnson friends and caregivers, Sue and Dick Courter of Flint, Debbie Plowman, Rita and Roger Woodruff, Lynette Hathaway and family for mowing the farm and her grandson, Jake Hathaway. Other family members who were a wonderful help since the loss of her last two brothers (November 7, 2002) are Leo (Mary Etta) DeWitt and Skip DeWitt all of Lansing who all were there for her when there was no one else and never asked for any inheritance. She was preceded in death by her husband, a son, Larry A. Brown (July 2002), two infant great grandsons, and two sisters, Viola Cornell and Frances Oberst.

Committal services and interment will be 11:00 AM Monday, August 25, 2003 at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens with Pastor Bob Prange and the Reverend David Sifferd officiating. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorials to Woodview Church of the Nazarene, 1500 E. State Road, Lansing, MI 48609 in memory of Virginia.

Winifred Una Helms age 94 of St. Johns died Thursday, August 21, 2003 at Ovid Healthcare Center in Ovid, Michigan. She was a homemaker who enjoyed her family especially her grandchildren.She was a very patriotic person.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, August 25, 2003 at 11:00 A.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel. Pastor Terry Haneckow will officiate with burial in Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, Michigan. Visitation will be Saturday 6-8 P.M. and Sunday 2-8 P.M. with family present 2-4 & 6-8 P.M.

Winifred was born in Ovid Township on June 21, 1909 the daughter of Thomas Dwight & Nellie ( Barry ) VanDouser. On August 23, 1947 she married David O. Helms in Ionia County, Michigan. He died August 28, 1998. She had resided most of her life in St. Johns, Michigan.
Survivors include her two sons; Thomas & Janice Helms of St. Johns, Michigan, Stanley & Barbara Helms of St. Johns, Michigan; 3 grandsons, Thomas & Amanda Helms II of Ovid, Michigan, Robert Helms of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and Benjamin & Angela Helms of DeWitt, Michigan. She is also survived by 1 great grandson; Jonathan Thomas Helms of Ovid, MI and 1 sister; Margaret Smith of St. Johns, Michigan.

She was predeceased by her parents, 2 sisters & 4 brothers. Memorials may be made to The Forgotten Man Ministries. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel.

Eilene E. Nielsen

Eilene E. Nielsen died August 21, 2003 at the age of 78.  She was born December 1, 1924, the daughter of Vern and Emma (Swan) Howell.  Eilene married Frederick E. Nielsen, Sr. on October 15, 1945 in Alma and he preceded her in death on February 23, 1981. 

She is survived by three sons, Frederick  (Linda) Nielsen, Jr. of Perrinton, David (Janet) Nielsen of Fowler, Jeffrey (Marilyn) Nielsen of Lansing, four daughters, Barbara Denton of Lansing, Beatrice Nielsen of Fowler, Diana Golding of Florida, Joyce (Bob) Brandau of Pennsylvania, 21 grandchildren, special grandchildren, Milenka and Lucas Richardson of Mt. Pleasant and Michael and Sarah Nielsen of Fowler, 24 great grandchildren, and one sister, Sarah (Esau) Johnson of Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick, daughter, Louise Nielsen, granddaughter, Becky Nielsen, son-in-law, Thomas Denton and several brothers and sisters. 

Funeral services will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday, August 23, 2003 at the Abbott Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Maple Rapids, burial at East Lawn Memorial Gardens with Rev. Steve Weinberger officiating. The family will receive friends 6-8 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Sparrow or Mid-Michigan Dialysis Center. The family would like to say a special thank you to Richard, Donna, Vicki, Rich, Mandy, Nancy and Hospice of Sparrow for their help and support over the past months.

Charles John  Klug, Jr.

Charles John  Klug, Jr., Lansing, MI Formerly of St. Johns, MI Charles John Klug, Jr., age 71, passed away on Friday, August 22, 2003 at Ingham Regional Hospital. Charles was born on May 26, 1932 to Charles and Rena (Burdick) Klug, Sr. He was a member of U.A.W. Local #1753 in Lansing.

He is survived by a son, Michael Klug of Lansing; two daughters, Nancy Klug and Mary Klug both of Lansing; two sisters, Virginia Crowell of St. Johns and Rose McCann of Grand Ledge; one brother, Earnie Klug of North Highland, California; many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, August 26, 2003 at Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Eureka Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday for one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to The Juvenile Diabetes Association.

William Dean Emberts

William 'Wil' Dean Emberts, 33, of St. Johns, passed away suddenly at his home. Wil was born Feb. 1, 1970 in Lansing, the son of Vern and Bev (Robinson) Emberts.

He grew up in St. Johns, graduating from St. Johns High School in 1988. He attended Western Michigan University, later graduating from Lansing Community Cllege with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. He was a member of the Watrousville United Methodist Church.

Will was the Assistant Manager of the Celebration Cinema Security Detail in Lansing and was a Reserve Officer with the Williamston Police Department since 1998. He enjoyed working at the Michigan International Speedway in Security, going hunting in Wyoming with his father, riding motorcycles and being with his friends.

Surviving are his parents; one sister, Brooke Emberts of St. Johns; his paternal grandfather, Loyal Emberts of Reese; his maternal grandparents, Dean and Mary Robinson of Caro and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his paternal grandmother, Nona Emberts, in 1998.

Funeral services took place Aug. 18, 2003 at the Caro United Methodist Church with the Rev. Wayne Samson officiating. Burial followed in the Juniata Twp. Cemetery in Watrousville.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Multiple-Myeloma Research Foundation or the Watrousville United Methodist Church. The Ransford Funeral Home of Caro assisted the family with arrangements.