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| Francis Joseph Schafer | Ralph Williams |
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Francis Joseph Schafer, DeWitt, MI Age 76, died September 15, 2003. Born August 23, 1927 in Hubbardston, MI. Mr. Schafer was a Veteran of the Korean War, receiving 2 Bronze Service Stars and a Purple Heart. He loved restoring Model A's, gardening and fishing. He was able to fix anything. Mr. Schafer retired from the Michigan Department of Public Health as an Electronic Technician. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Marie Schafer, 2 brothers, Joseph Peter and Rev. Bernard Schafer, sister-in-law, Jean Ann Schafer. Surviving are his wife of 20 years, Margo; 3 brothers, Eugene (Priscilla) and John (Sharon), both of Hubbardston and William of Fowler; 2 sisters, Ann Schafer of Eagle and Rita Schafer of Mt. Plymouth, FL; sister-in-law, Phyllis Schafer of Carson City; many nieces and nephews. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, September 18, 10:30 AM at the Catholic Community of St. Jude, 801 N. Bridge Street, DeWitt, with the Rev. Dwight M. Ezop, Pastor, officiating. The Rite of Committal will follow in DeWitt Cemetery, DeWitt, MI. The family will receive friends at the church Thursday from 9 AM until the time of service. Those desiring may make contributions to the Catholic Community of St. Jude, Building Fund, in memory of Mr. Schafer. The family is being served by the Gorsline-Runciman Co. Lansing Chapel.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at 11:00 A.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Rev. David Blair will officiate with burial at Ithaca Cemetery, Ithaca, Michigan. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-8 with the family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Ralph was born on August 20, 1910 in Gratiot County, Michigan, the son of John and Addy (Stoner) Williams. On November 17, 1929 he married Ila Bell Flegel in Sickles, Michigan. She passed away on July 22, 1995. Ralph worked at the Bomber Plant in Willow Run during WWII, then later worked for Kaiser Motors Corp. He then worked for General Motors retiring in 1975. He resided most of his life in Wayne, Michigan before moving to Elsie in 1974. He is survived by 2 daughters in law, Alice Williams of Elsie, MI, and Donna Williams of Brownstown Township, MI, 6 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren, also close friends, Tom & Cindy Hedrich & family. He was predeceased by his parents, 3 sons, Lowell, Robert, and Carl, 3 brothers, and 2 sisters. Memorials may be made to Elsie United Methodist Church. The family is being served by
Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.
He is survived by his wife, Grace (Stadtfeld) Fitzgerald whom he married May 7, 1987. Victor is also survived by three sons, John (Ruth) Voisinet of Laingsburg, Victor (Jane) Voisinet of Westphalia and James (Kathy) Voisinet of Laingsburg, eight daughters, Charlotte (Jerome) Hengesbach, Mary (Richard) Hengesbach, both of Westphalia, Anna (Bruce) Thelen of Pewamo, Theresa (John) Stefanick of DeWitt, Reyne (Randy) Hannink of Wyoming, MI, Karen (Charles) Fraser of Okemos, Kathy (James) Williams of Blythe, CA, and Nancy (Ray) Trevino of St. Johns, 42 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, step daughter, Florence (Vern Goodrich) Fitzgerald, brother-in-law, Ray Ferrigan, sister-in-law, Helen Ferrigan and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Ethel, Victor was preceded in death by one grandson, Mark Thelen, one brother, Joseph Voisinet and four sisters, Isabelle Harris, Bernadine Voisinet, Charlotte Crafton and Eleanor Teems. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Eoin Murphy and Rev. Fr. Duaine Pamment concelebrating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Tuesday at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns with a rosary being prayed 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Russell G. Vermilya died September 12, 2003, at the age of 85. He was born in Lexington, New York on November 9, 1917, the son of George and Alice (Soule) Vermilya. Russell was a retired General Motors employee and farmer. He attended the First Baptist Church in Caro, loved farming and riding his Amigo. His marriage to Eva Planck on February 26, 1941 ended with her death in 1975, he then married Viola Jolls on November 22, 1975 and she preceded him in death on January 12, 2001. Surviving are his son, Glen (Louise) Vermilya of Stark, FL, two daughters, Eva (Doug) Jensen of Harrison and Joan (Lewis) Sayers of Caro, MI, 17 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, sister, Nelda Moore of Lexington, NY, step son, Del (Carolee) Allen of Vancouver, WA and step daughter, Judy (Virgil) Balagot of Pacifica, CA. In addition to both wives, he was preceded in death by two half brothers, two half sisters and step daughter, Donna Monroe. Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at Church of the Living Word, Ovid, with Pastor Larry Smith officiating. Burial will take place at Windham Cemetery in Windham, New York. The family will receive friends 6-8 P.M. Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to The Gideons. Arrangements by the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid. Stephan Mikulka, loving father and grandfather, died Saturday, September 13, 2003 at the age of 91. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 9, 1912, the son of Stephan and Anna (Yorik) Mikulka. Stephan was a retired farmer and retired in 1974 from die storage at Motor Wheel after 35 years of service. He married Marie E. Marton on April 25, 1941 and she preceded him in death March 26, 1995. Stephan is survived by two sons, Stefan A. Mikulka of Elsie and John (Darleen) Mikulka of Dewitt, three daughters, Kathryn (Ron McNeill) Mikulka of East Lansing, Patt (Thane) Belen of Grand Ledge and Betty (Kenneth) Drewyor of Eaton Rapids, 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Lucas Mikulka, one sister and two brothers. Visitation will be 7-9 P.M. Monday, September 15, 2003 at the Osgood Funeral
Home. Private Funeral Services will be held. Memorials may be made to
Hospice House of Mid-Michigan or Clinton Memorial Hospital.
Ilene is survived by her children, Darlene Roberts of St. Johns, Richard (Virginia) Weber of Dewitt, Wayne (Delores) Weber, Leo (Fran) Weber and James Weber, all of St. Johns, 18 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Ilene was preceded in death by a great granddaughter, Valerie Pease and four brothers, Raymond, Edward, Ervin and Donald Ordiway. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Eoin Murphy officiating. The family will receive friends 3-5 & 7-9 Sunday and Monday at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns with a Rosary being prayed 8:00 P.M. Monday. Memorials may be made to Great Lakes Hospice.
He is also survived by his granddaughters, Michelle (Rocky) Craig, Corinne (Troy) Trimbach, Lynette (John) Quigley, Lisa (Tom) Ferguson, Angie (Tony) Post, Shelly Richey, Melissa Koz, Amy (Eric) Kleeman; grandson, Jim Lloyd; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson and one sister, Jean Austin. He was pre-deceased by 4 brothers and 4 sisters. Maxine and family will receive friends and family at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns on Sunday, September 14, 2003 from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Funeral services will be held at the Osgood Funeral Home on Monday, September 15, 2003 at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Matt Olson officiating. Memorials may be made to Sparrow Hospice Services or First Congregational Church.
Wilma is survived by her special friend, Bud Snyder and six cousins, Marcella Kloeckner, Leonard (Virginia) Jastram, Gerald (Dorothy) Jastram, Maynard Jastram, Darlene Terpening and Caroline (Carl) Minnis. She was preceded in death by her parents and 2 cousins, Doris Snyder and Edna Boak. Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, September 15, 2003 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, burial at St. Peter Cemetery with Pastor Jeffrey Heimsoth officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 2-4 & 6-8 at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns. Memorials may be made to Hazel Findlay Manor for courtyard beautification or Clinton Memorial Hospital. Charles Louis "Bud" Strahan, St. Johns, MI Formerly of Lansing Mr. Strahan was born February 13, 1921 and died September 12, 2003, at the age of 82 following a battle with cancer. Charles graduated in 1940 from Central High School in Lansing. He was a disabled vet, serving in WWII with the U.S. Navy Aircore, Navy Lion Unit 4 aboard the carrier Shangri-La. Charles retired from General Motors in 1976, after 30 years as a safety engineer. He was one of the founders of the Olds Outdoor Club. He served on the Eaton Rapids Fire Dept. and became Director of the Ambulance Service, and then moved to St. Ignace, where he was also Director of the Ambulance Service. Most recently, he worked at the St. Johns Court House for Thomas Janitorial Service. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and drawing. He was the son of Leo and Carol (Kimball) Strahan. Surviving are his sister, Virginia Cantwell; brother, William (Jean) Strahan both of Lansing; 3 children, Michael L. (Gloria) Strahan of Lansing, Charles W. (Janet) Strahan of St. Johns, and Patricia A. Whelan of Lansing; several nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren; special friend, Susan Rapson; 2 step-children, Steven (Judene) Rapson, and Kristin (Bill) Krieger. Services will be 11 AM Thursday, September 18, in the Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 W. Saginaw. Interment will be Dimondale Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years Norma C. (Gearhart), son John (Ellen), grandson Robert (Julie), grand daughter Katherine Bunday, great grand daughter Lindsay Bunday and devoted cousin Elizabeth (Henry) Bowers. He was a Lansing Dad to many friends who will miss his quick wit and keen sense of humor. Family Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 12, 2003 at St. David's Episcopal Church from 4-7pm. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Fred's life will be held Saturday at 11:00am at St. David's Episcopal Church with Fr. David Pike officiating. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to St. David's Episcopal Church Organ Fund, 1519 Elmwood, Lansing, MI, 48917 or Hospice of Lansing, 6035 Executive Drive, Suite 103, Lansing, MI, 48911. Arrangements by the Palmer Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Homes, Delta Chapel.
In the Detroit area, Harold worked at a variety of factories as a tool and die maker. On October 30, 1943, he married Zora Stimac of Painesdale, Michigan. Harry and Zora moved to Royal Oak in 1953. There they relished the joys of bringing up two children, a son, Jim, and a daughter, Susan. Harry particularly enjoyed gardening, cooking, their Welsh Terrier, Taffy, the cottage at Clark Lake, and holidays especially Christmas. In the 1970s, Harry retired. He and Zora moved to Kalamazoo to be near family. Harry took up golf and continued to impress people with his culinary skills. Zora died in 1993; Harry was an extraordinarily loving and dedicated spouse during her final long illness. A few years later Harry moved to Independence Village in East Lansing, to again be near family. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Zora; brothers Jack, Alexander, Mark, Lawrence, Albert, and Rudolph; and sisters Marian, Elizabeth and Geraldine. He is survived by his loving son James (Saralee Howard) Schultz of St. Johns; loving daughter Susan (Jack) Reinhold of Alexandria, VA; and two grandchildren, Emily Filler of Cambridge, MA and St. Johns and Graham Filler of Oxford, Ohio and St. Johns. He is also survived by two sisters, Katherine Lundine of Bloomfield Hills and Rose (Will) Pieti of Livonia; one brother Donald (Doris) Schultz of Commerce Township; and the two deeply appreciated sisters of his late wife, Joanna Hart of Parchment and Betty Stimac of Kalamazoo. Other survivors include Kris (Robert) Bultema of Kalamazoo, Peg (Kamyar) Khavjian of Grosse Pointe Farms; Madelyn (John) Doerr of Bloomfield Hills; and Joe (Susan) Hart of Arlington, Vermont and other special nieces and nephews. Harry is also survived by his sister-in-law, Lyda Stimac of Houghton, and her three children, Pat Stimac of Whitmore Lake; Mary Jo (Tom) Liston of Whitmore Lake; and Noreen (Tom) Powers of Thousand Oaks, CA. Memorial Services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, September 15, 2003 at the First Congregational Church, 100 Maple St. in St. Johns with Pastor Matt Olson officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, P.O. Box 30480, Lansing, MI 48909. Arrangements by Osgood Funeral Homes, St. Johns. |
Ralph Williams, age 93 of Elsie, Michigan
passed away Monday, September 15, 2003 at Laurels of Fulton Nursing Home in Perrinton,
Michigan. 
Victor B. Voisinet died September 13, 2003 at the age
of 92. Born in DeWitt Township, Michigan September 24, 1910 the son of Henry and
Charlotte (Poland) Voisinet. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was a
retired farmer and Lansing Drop Forge employee. He married Ethel Ferrigan June 29,
1940 and she preceded him in death April 25, 1985. 
Ilene G. Weber died Friday, September 12, 2003 at the
age of 77. She was born in St. Johns, Michigan June 13, 1926 the daughter of Guy M.
and Clella M. (Bowen) Ordiway. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and
Ladies Altar Society. Ilene also enjoyed spending time at the Senior Citizen Center
in St. Johns. She married Melvin F. Weber September 27, 1948 and he preceded her in
death November 5, 2000. 
Robert D. “Bob” Smit died Friday, September
12, 2003, at home with his family, leaving his loved ones here on earth and joining his
heavenly family, at the age of 83. He was born in Grand Rapids on July 17, 1920 to Jacob
and Adrianna. He owned and operated Bob Smit Painting Co. and worked in the St. Johns area
until his retirement in 1980. Bob married Maxine B. Locher on February 4, 1939. They had a
long and happy marriage of 64 years. Together they had three beautiful daughters, Darlene
(Gary) Lawrence of Fife Lake, Lana (Jerry) Hardman of DeWitt and Janice (Stan) Suchowesky
of Lake, MI and his dog, Pierre. Bob loved fishing, camping, traveling and gardening with
Maxine. His favorite past time was woodworking and he enjoyed making rocking horses for
small children with cancer. 
Wilma L. Jastram died Friday, September 12, 2003 at
the age of 86. She was born January 7, 1917 in Riley Township, Michigan the only
child of Fred A. and Anna (Witt) Jastram. She was a member of St. Peter Lutheran
Church and the Wacousta Willing Workers Circle. Geneology was very important to
Wilma, as well as working in her lawn and garden. She retired as a sales clerk from
D&C Variety Store in downtown St. Johns. 
Frederick P. Bunday, Delta Township, MI Age 91, passed
away Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003. He was born in St. Johns, MI, Nov. 20, 1911 to Fred and
Lena (Besley) Bunday. He graduated from St. Johns High School, then attended Michigan
State College for 2 1/2 years. Until his retirement, he was President and General Manager
of Bunday Bedding Co., later known as Bunday Furniture Galleries. His great interest in
playing golf started back in high school as a member of the school's first golf team. His
woodworking talent and love of flowers gave him many hours of pleasure. He was a member of
St. David's Episcopal Church, the Country Club of Lansing, a past president of the
Downtown Optimist Club and served on the board of directors of Michigan Retailers Assoc. 
Harold "Harry" J. Schultz, age 85, died
September 11, 2003, at the Hospice House of Mid-Michigan in Lansing. Harry was born on
November 12, 1917 in Calumet, Michigan. He was the son of John and Mary (Belobrodich)
Schultz. His father, born in Austria, worked in the copper mines in the Upper Peninsula.
His mother, born in Croatia, was a homemaker. He grew up in Calumet until leaving for
Detroit at the age of 18.