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Doris I. Shafley

William J. Suchowesky

Esther I. Oven

James Moorehouse

Carol Stambersky

Dora "Gene," Sheldon

Franklin M. Arndt Jr.

Lena Erna Prahin, age 83 of St. Johns, Michigan went to be with the Lord upon angels wings on October 28, 2003.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 4, 2003 at 11:00 A.M. at Saint Johns Lutheran Church, St. Johns, Michigan. Pastor George Brinley will officiate with burial at Lafayette Township Cemetery, Gratiot County, Michigan. Visitation will be Sunday 6-8 P.M. and Monday 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel.

Lena was born on January 17, 1920 in Alma, Michigan, the daughter of Fred and Olga (Weideman) Rohn. She attended Bellen Iva Lutheran School and Merrill High School. On May 29, 1937 she married Steve Prahin in Merrill, Michigan. To this union three daughters were born, Janet, Joan, and Grace Ann. The family resided on a farm near Pompeii, Michigan for 19 years, then moved to a farm in the Laingsburg area in 1958. They resided there until Steve passed away in 1993. Lena then moved to St. Johns where she has lived for the last nine years. Lena was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, dancing, polka music, playing cards, and entertaining family and friends. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her great-grandchildren. She was a longtime member of Ladies Aid and also involved in T.O.P.S. once she moved to St. Johns. She was a member of Saint Johns Lutheran Church in St. Johns since moving to Laingsburg. She will be greatly missed and always in fondest memories.

She is survived by 2 daughters, Janet Grubaugh of St. Johns, MI, and Joan (Joseph) VanSickle of California, 3 granddaughters, Julie Goeden of California, Jacqueline (Lawrence) Fealy of California, Janelle (David) Maniez Jr. of St. Louis, MI, 6 great-grandchildren, David Maniez III, Joshua Maniez, Ashtyn Maniez, Hunter Goeden, Zachary Goeden, and Dylan Goeden, 1 sister, Margaret Kruth of Hemlock, MI, and several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Steve, infant daughter, Grace Ann, son in law, Stanley Grubaugh in 1996, sister, Clara Schultz, and 3 brothers, Fredrick, Herman, and Edward Rohn.

Memorials may be made to the family. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel.

 James Moorehouse, Okemos, MI Age 90, died Saturday, October 25, 2003. Jim was born on a farm near Ovid, MI nearly 91 years ago to James and Anna Morehouse. He had five sisters and two brothers, he being third from the youngest. Jim retired from General Motors after 33 years of service. Jim is known as "The Chicken Man" and the one who delivered strawberries and blueberries.

Surviving are his wife Geneva, daughter Martha (Gary) Sparks of Portland, Oregon, sister Georgiana Underhill of Ovid, MI, step-daughter Jean Burl of Las Vegas, Nevada, and many nieces and nephews. Many thanks to Prestige Way where Jim resided and Ingham Hospice for their loving care.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, October 30, 2003, 12:00 Noon at Pilgrim Congregational UCC, 125 S. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lansing. Visitation with the family at Church from 11:00 a.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Lansing Habitat for Humanity or Pilgrim Congregational UCC. Arrangements by Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.

Floyd C. “Pic” Pixley died October 27, 2003 at the age of 79. He was born in Middleton, MI on September 10, 1924, the son of Earl and Aphra (Hooker) Pixley and moved to Ovid in 1926. He graduated from Ovid High School in 1942, retired from Universal Electric in 1987, served in the U.S. Navy from 1942-1945, was in the Merchant Marines taking cargo to Murmansk, Russia and other points in the North Atlantic and was a member of the American Legion Post in Elsie. Floyd was an avid sportsman, excelled in football and baseball, enjoyed playing basketball, and was an avid MSU fan having season football tickets for 33 years. 

Surviving are his sisters, Irma Fowler of Owosso and Lois (Art) Curtis of Elsie, nieces, Pamala Fowler, Barbara (Mike) Warren and Rhonda (Bill Freund) Curtis and great niece, Katie (Kyle) Gaffner. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Onalee Pixley. 

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, October 29, 2003 at the United Church of Ovid, burial at Payne Cemetery with Pastor Rob McPherson officiating. The family will receive friends 2-8 P.M. Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the United Church of Ovid.  

Doris  I.  Shafley died October 24, 2003 at the age of 97. Born in Elsie, Michigan June 21, 1906 the daughter of Melvin and Selma (Peterson) Leach.  She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Grand Ledge and Order of the Eastern Star, enjoyed music, especially her violin which she had played since age 7.  Her family and her violin were her life.  Her marriage of 65 years to Harold M. Shafley on   February 9, 1926 ended with his death May 7, 1991. 

Doris is survived by two daughters, Marceda (Howard) Woodbury of St. Johns and Jo Ann Bayhan of Grand Ledge, daughter-in-law, Geraldine (Tom) Wyble of St. Johns, son-in-law, William (Betty) Biergans of Grand Ledge, thirteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren.  In addition to her husband and parents, Doris was preceded in death by one son, Keith Shafley, one daughter, Jeanette Biergans, son-in-law, Donald Harper, one grandson, Steven Harper and one great granddaughter, Kristy Harper. 

Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, October 27, 2003 at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Molly Turner and Rev. Kathy Kursch officiating.  The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to Sparrow Home Hospice or Grand Ledge United Methodist Church.

William J. Suchowesky died Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at the age of 57.  He was born May 30, 1946 in St. Johns, Michigan the son of Anthony and Anna (Decowski) Suchowesky.  

William is survived by one son, Jeff McAninch of Corunna, 3 grandchildren, sisters, Mary Fero and Patricia Rewerts of St. Johns, Fran (Fred) Stehlik and Anna (Ron) Drumheller of Ovid, brothers, Stanley (Janice) Suchowesky of Lake, MI and twin brother, John Suchowesky of Harrison.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Stella Suchowesky.  

Graveside Services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 25, 2003 at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Eoin Murphy officiating.  Memorials may be made to Mid-Michigan Visiting Nurses Association-Hospice, 3007 N. Saginaw Rd., Midland, MI 48640 or American Cancer Society.     

Carol Stambersky, age 70 of Elsie, Michigan passed away Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at Clinton Memorial Hospital in St. Johns, Michigan. She was a homemaker and loved butterflies.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 25, 2003 at 11:00 A.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Pastor David Blair will officiate with burial at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, Michigan. Visitation will be Friday from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.

Carol was born on September 30, 1933 in Vernon, Michigan, the daughter of Peter and Grace (Robinson) Solomon. She attended Corunna and Owosso schools. On November 19, 1954 she married Gerald J. Stambersky in Angola, Indiana. She resided most of her life in the Owosso and Elsie areas.

She is survived by her husband, Gerald J. Stambersky of Elsie, MI, 3 sons, Laurence Stambersky of Elsie, MI, Neil (Kristi) Stambersky of Ovid, MI, and Steven (Colleen) Stambersky of Flushing, MI, 7 grandchildren, Misty, Holly, Chase, Cole, Sydney, Carlena, and Kaylena, 2 great-grandchildren, 1 brother, Frank Solomon of Owosso, MI, 3 sisters, Marion (James) Carr of Huntington Beach, CA, Donna (Richard) Cooper of Ithaca, MI, Joyce Solomon of Huntington Beach, CA, and 1 Aunt, Mary Waters of Owosso, MI. She was predeceased by her parents, and 2 sisters, Virgilene & Sharon.  Memorials may be made to Clinton County Hospice. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.

Dora "Gene," Sheldon, age 77 of Ovid, Michigan passed away Thursday, October 23, 2002 at Ovid Healthcare Center in Ovid, Michigan. She was a homemaker who loved reading, sewing and listening to music. She was also an animal lover and most of all loved her grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 25, 2003 at 11:00 A.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns, Michigan. Visitation will be Friday form 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. Pastor Tom Wilson will officiate and burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery in St. Johns.

Dora was born on December 9, 1925 in St. Johns, Michigan the daughter of Frank and Lillian ( May ) McCullough. She resided most of her life in St. Johns, Michigan graduating from St. Johns High School. On April 29, 1945 she married Henry Sheldon in Rochester Colony, Michigan.

Dora is survived by Her husband, Henry Sheldon of Ovid, Michigan, 1 son Robert & Pat Sheldon of Ovid, Michigan, 6 grandchildren, Dan & Marion Marek of Germany, Rhonda & Larry Boerma of Mecosta, Michigan, Gina & Mike Noble of Canada, Greg & Julie Sheldon of Big Rapids, Michigan, Scott Sheldon of St. Johns, Michigan, Melissa & Wally Emmer of Laingsburg, Michigan, 7 Great Grandchildren, 1 brother Raymond & Mary McCullough of Ovid, Michigan. She was predeceased by her parents, 2 brothers, Donald & Charlie, and 3 sisters, Thelma, Theda, and Frances. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, Hospice of Donor’s Choice, or St. Johns First Free Methodist Church. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns, Michigan.

Franklin M. Arndt Jr. age 40 of Ovid, Michigan passed away Sunday, October 19, 2003 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan. He was self-employed as a Computer Technician and was a very dedicated husband and father.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 23, 2003 at 11:00 A.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel. Rev. David F. Colman will officiate with burial at Victor Township Cemetery, Victor Township, Michigan. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.

Franklin was born on October 6, 1963 in Macomb County, Michigan, the son of Franklin Mason and Shirley Lorraine (Ritchey) Arndt Sr. He graduated from Roseville High School with the Class of 1981. He then attended Michigan State University and received his BA in Animal Science. On September 21, 1985 he married Dawn Cary in Alma, Michigan. He was a member of A.G.R. Fraternity at Michigan State University. He loved animals, computers, music, and watching his girls dance and play soccer. He resided in Okemos and Alma, then in Ovid, Michigan for the past 9 years.

He is survived by his wife, Dawn (Cary) Arndt of Ovid, MI, 2 daughters, Katie & Maggie Arndt both at home, parents, Frank & Shirley Arndt of Roseville, MI, sister, Tina Clark, many nieces & nephews, parents in law, Charles & Neoma Cary of Alma, MI, and grandmother, Lena Ritchey. He was predeceased by 2 grandfathers and a grandmother.

Memorials may be made to an Education Fund for Katie & Maggie. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel.

Esther I. Oven

Esther I. Oven died October 20, 2003, at the age of 89. She was born in Lawton, MI on January 20, 1914, the daughter of Charles and Leah (Budder) Engle and lived in Ovid until 1992 when she and her husband moved to Florida. She was a secretary for Vaughan Seed Company retiring in 1976 after 22 years of service, attended First Missionary Baptist Church in Auburndale, FL, was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bradenton, FL and was a West Coast Symphony supporter. 

Esther is survived by her husband of 65 years, John Harvey Oven, Sr., son, John H. Oven, Jr. of Auburndale, FL, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. 

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 25, 2003 at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Auburndale, Florida with Pastor David Gurgel officiating. Burial will be made in Maple Grove Cemetery, Ovid, Michigan at a later date. Memorials may be made to the church choir at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3200 Manatee Ave., Bradenton, FL 34205. Local arrangements by the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid.