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| Robert R. Sirrine | Rex H. Scott |
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Robert R.
Sirrine
He was born in his parent’s home on North Clinton Avenue in St. Johns on December 2, 1921, the son of Rex and Ruth Sirrine. The time between his birth and death, eighty-one years, almost all in St. Johns, was full of involvement. He grew up here, worked in the fields around town, participated in nearly all activities in High School, escorted Dorothy Jean Osgood to the movies when he was thirteen. He met her dad, too, and early on gained an interest in his life’s work as a funeral director. The war came. Bob joined the Navy in 1943 and earned his Wings in 1944. He came home to marry Dorothy Jean on August 13, 1944, and the newlyweds moved cross-country to California. Bob flew torpedo bombers off carriers and returned home safely as the war ended before he got to the Western Pacific. The Navy experience and flying kept him in the Naval Reserve for the next 25 years, one weekend a month and 2 summer weeks a year. He retired as Commander, USNR. On returning to Michigan after the war, Bob’s career in funeral service continued too, as he joined Glenn Osgood in the family funeral business. Bob had found his calling. The business grew. He enticed many a good young person into his profession by getting them to experience the satisfaction of helping others. He is responsible for at least 7 people coming into the funeral service as a profession, one of those being his daughter, Angela. Bob and DJ raised their family on North Clinton in the house of his grandparents next door to his parents. Lots of parenting available for a growing family and the kids turned out to be good citizens. Grandchildren turned out to be good kids too, with a nudge of love and interest from Grandpa and Grandma. Over the 50 years in the St. Johns community, Bob and Dorothy found countless opportunities to make contributions to the local service clubs, veteran’s organizations and church activities to fundraising for Hazel I Findlay Country Manor. The involvement came naturally. Bob’s last years weren’t as productive as he would have wished, his illness relentlessly stealing his ability to be of assistance to others. He is gone from our sight now as simply as all others before him are. His impact on his family and community remains for future generations. Memorial suggestions include: Clinton County Arts Council Performance Shell Project, Depot Center for the Arts, 107 E. Railroad St., St. Johns, MI 48879; Alzheimer’s Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter, 107 Aprill Dr., Suite 1, Ann Arbor, MI 48103-1903, www.alz.org; God’s Mission Outreach, P.O. Box 302, Maple Rapids, MI 48853
Rex was born in Owosso, Michigan on June 21, 1930; the son of Howard P. and Viva M. (Field) Scott. He completed the 11th grade at Elsie High School and played on the football team. He worked for Universal Electric, Heher Manufacturing, and for several area farmers. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, his dogs, and spending time at the Somers farms, and he always kept track of the weather. He worked with the Elsie Boy Scout Troop. He also loved being at family gatherings and took part in all the activities at the Foster Care & Nursing Homes where he resided. He attended Elsie United Methodist Church and resided most of his life in the Elsie Area. He is survived by his sister, Arlene (Bob) Somers of Chapin, MI, nieces, Pat (Ron) Capen of Greenfield, IN, Cheryl (Harry) Kaplan of Dyersburg, TN, Carolyn (Don) Folkes of Chapin, MI, nephew, Barry (Katie) Moore of Elsie, MI, 9 great nieces & nephews, 10 great-great nieces & nephews, and brother in law, Archie (Ethel) Moore of Elsie, MI, The family would like to extend “Thanks” to the many caregivers and doctors Rex had thru the years. Rex was predeceased by his parents and sister, Rosemary Moore. Memorials suggested for the new kitchen in the activity room at Tendercare West in
Lansing, Michigan. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.
He is survived by three sons, Bill Hendershot (Crista) of Traverse City, Steve Hendershot (Angie) of Flushing, Matt Hendershot of Hemlock, three grandchildren, Drake, Evan and Kylie, one sister, Karen “Kay” Taylor of Baltimore, Maryland. Clyde was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral will be 1:00 P.M. Monday, September 29, 2003 at Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials maybe made to Ducks Unlimited Memorial Contributions, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN 38120 (1-800-45-Ducks). Norma L. Darling died September 24, 2003 at the age of 91. She was born in Gratiot County on August 26, 1912, the daughter of Ira and Alice (Hoover) Sutfin and lived in rural Owosso most all her life. She was a 1932 graduate of Maple Rapids High School, attended Carland Brethren in Christ Church and was a member of Ovid O.E.S. #279 Morning Star Chapter. Norma married Clarence W. Darling in Maple Rapids on August 23, 1932 and he preceded her in death on January 22, 1996. Surviving are her nieces and nephews, Max DeFrenn of Morrice, Joyce (John) Locke of California, Marvin Mitchell of Fenton, Alice (Frank) Hajek of Millington, Gary (Evelyn) Darling, Lary (Sharon) Darling, all of Owosso, Bary (Lorlie) Darling of Lansing, Karen (Art) Kelley of Ovid, Leigh (Carol) Darling of Ovid, Dawn Boyd of Traverse City, Craig Darling of Washington, brother-in-law, Paul Darling of Owosso and sister-in-law, Hilda Darling of Florida. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Elmer Sutfin, two sisters, Hazel Mitchell and Inez DeFrenn and niece, Virginia Hill. Private graveside services will be held. There will be no visitation. Arrangements by the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid.
Betty is survived by one daughter Linda Jo (Jim Rigas) Stevens of East Lansing. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, sister Cleo Desprez and niece, Carol Desprez. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 27, 2003 at the Osgood Funeral Home with interment at South Bingham Cemetery and the Rev. Brian Sheen officiating. The family will receive friends 3-5 and 7-9 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Pilgrim United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society.
He served his country in the U.S. Army for three years. Mr. Rolfe then worked at Motor Wheel Corporation in Lansing, retiring in 1993 as a general foreman of the Wheel Division. He served as an Elder in the Church of Christ with The Elijah Message of Frederic. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and woodworking. He married the former Aleta Belle Kilpatrick Nov. 10, 1962, at the Nazerene Church in St. Johns. Surviving is his wife Aleta Rolfe of Maple Forest Township; two daughters, Kelly Rolfe of Webberville, and Pamela Garrod of Grayling; a son, Paul Steven Rolfe of St. Johns; five grandchildren, Josh and Rachel Garrod, and Jennifer, Scott and Jason Underwood; two sisters, Doris Anthony of Grayling and Muriel Leng of Frederic; a brother, John (Carolyn) Rolfe of Grayling. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Laurel Swendner; and two brothers, George and James Rolfe. Funeral services were held Sept. 22 at Sorenson Funeral Home, McEvers Chapel, in Grayling with the Elder Dan Weaver officiating. Burial was in Maple Forest Township. |
Bob Sirrine died in St. Johns in the early
morning hours of October 1, 2003 at the age of 81. Funeral services were held at the
funeral home on Friday October 3, 2003, at 11 am followed by burial at Union Home
Cemetery. 
Rex H. Scott age 73, formerly of Elsie, Michigan passed away
Monday, September 29, 2003 at Tendercare West in Lansing, Michigan. 
Clyde “Bill” O. Hendershot,
died Friday, September 26, 2003 at the age of 62. Born in St. Johns, MI on September 25,
1941, he was the son of Clyde O. and Esther (Irrer) Hendershot. He served with the
U.S.A.F. during Vietnam and was a member of Hemlock Merrill-V.F.W. Post #7302. Clyde had
been employed in research & development for Dow Corning for over 20 years and in the
last 7 years he was a service manager for Rick Ford in Hemlock. He was a life member of
Ducks Unlimited, a member of N.R.A., member & past President of the Saginaw Gun Club
& Field/Stream. Clyde enjoyed training Labrador Retrievers, shooting trap and duck
hunting. 
Elizabeth L. "Betty" Stevens, age 88, died on September
24, 2003. Born in Olive Township May 29, 1915, the daughter of Leo and Cora (Austin)
Moinet. She lived all of her life in Olive Township, was a homemaker as well as
helping Arnold on the farm, and a member of the Pilgrim United Methodist Church. On
November 15, 1933 she married Arnold Stevens and he preceded her in death on April 3,
1987. 
Paul Darwin Rolfe, 62, of Maple Forest Township,
died Sept. 19, 2003 at his home. He was born May 2, 1941, the son of George and Eva
(LaBelle). Mr. Rolfe lived the last 10 years in Maple Forest Township. He previously lived
in St. Johns.