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Grace Barrett

Marian C. Hafner

Leo J.  Fox

Phyllis  A.   Hallead

Darwin M. Myers

Ruth Grace Harris

Donavon James  Kosht

Nettie A. (Stiffler) Laursen

Marie E. Thelen

Marvin Ray Witt

Marvin Barclay

Jean M. Bensinger

Dorothy I. Faloon Henry

Robert C. Rand age 81 of St. Johns, Michigan died Monday, January 12, 2004 at Ingham Regional Medical Center in Lansing, Michigan.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, January 15, 2004 at 1:00 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel. Pastor Hugh Banninga will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday 3-5 & 6-8 P.M.

Robert was born on September 9, 1922 in Rahway, New Jersey the son of George & Emma (Peterson) Rand. On May 3, 1954 he married Jeanne Vail in Las Vegas, Nevada, to this union their son Ward Vail Rand was born, Ward died March 31, 2003.

Robert graduated from Rahway High School in New Jersey. He was a retired contractor in the St. Johns area and served in the US Marines during WWII.

Survivors include his wife; Jeanne Rand of St. Johns, Michigan, one sister Eva Thompson of Rahway, New Jersey, one brother Ellsworth Rand of Florida. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, one son; Ward Vail Rand. Memorials may be made to the Clinton Area Care Center Corporation (Hazel I. Findlay), St. Johns, Michigan.

The family is being served by the Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel.

Donald W. Matice died January 12, 2004 at the age of 77. He was born in St. Johns on January 5, 1927, the son of John William and Ruth Marie (Rathburn) Matice. He was a retired General Motors employee, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, enjoyed hunting, fishing, bluegrass music, and assisted the Mint City Jammers. 

He is survived by his children, Cathy (Donald) Moore and Dan (Judy) Matice, all of St. Johns, eight grandchildren, Keith Bates, Fontaine Moore, Amanda Moore, Trisha Moore, Laura (Gary) Forbes, Jim (Olivia) Matice, Chris (Sarah) Matice and Brianna Matice, two great grandchildren, Dameon Gladstone and Miyah Matice, sisters, Geraldine Woodbury of California and Betty (Curly) Burk of St. Johns and brother, Ted (Pat) Matice of Florida. He was preceded in death by his wife, E. Loraine Matice, son Richard Matice, grandson, Adam Matice and brother, Robert Matice. 

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, January 15, 2004 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Mr. Phil Beavers, minister, officiating. The family will receive friends from 1-2 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice for Clinton County.

Grace Barrett, age 91 of St. Johns, Michigan passed away Sunday, January 11, 2004 at Ovid Healthcare Center in Ovid, Michigan. She was a homemaker who was a former Sunday school teacher.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 14, 2004 at 11:00 A.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel. Pastor Tim Knaus of the First Baptist Church in St. Johns will officiate with burial to be held at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, Michigan. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.

Grace was born on April 23, 1912, the daughter of John & Lula (Aldrich) Purvis. On September 20, 1930 she married Charles James “Jay” Barrett. He passed away on March 30, 1993. Grace enjoyed sending cards to her grandchildren and also sending cards to people who were ill. She was a great cook who enjoyed cooking. She was a member of First Baptist Church in St. Johns, Michigan and resided all of her life in St. Johns.

She is survived by a son, Keith & Nancy Barrett of St. Johns, MI, and a son in law, Bill & Mary Ellen Richards of St. Johns, MI, 6 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, a daughter, Karol, and 1 sister.

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

Nettie A. (Stiffler) Laursen died January 11, 2004 at the age of 99.  Born in Bengal Township, Michigan October 16, 1904, the daughter of Fred and Louisa (Myers) Witt and lived in Clinton County most of her life.  She was a homemaker and a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Riley Township.  Nettie married Louis Stiffler October 21, 1926 and he preceded her in death July 10, 1960.   She married Alfred Laursen October 11, 1965 and he preceded her in death May 4, 1998.  

Nettie is survived by her son, James Stiffler and special friend Barbara Powers of Ithaca,  two granddaughters, Camille Stiffler and Christine (Mark) Grennell, three great grandsons, Zachary, Zane, and Zarren Grennell, all of St. Johns, stepdaughter, Barbara (Randy) Stinson and step granddaughter,Teresa (Robert) VanBuren, nieces/nephews, Lynn (Beverly) Witt, Paul (Jeanne) Krumm, Marilyn Johnson, Carleen Eaton, and Geraldine Krumm.  In addition to her husbands, Nettie was preceded in death by three sisters that included infant twins, Rosa and Eleanor Witt and Irma Krumm, three brothers, William, Henry and Ernest Witt, half brother, Charles Witt, and foster son, Raymond Purvis.   

Funeral Services will be 2:30 P.M. Wednesday, January 14, 2004 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Riley Township, burial at St. Peter Cemetery with Pastor Jeffrey Heimsoth officiating.  The family will receive friends 3-5 and 7-9 P.M. Tuesday at the Osgood Funeral Home.  Memorials may be made to  the St. Peter Lutheran Church Building Fund.

Marian C. Hafner,  Pewamo, MI Marian C. Hafner, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend, died at home, January 10, 2004 at the age of 81. Born in Dallas Township on March 6, 1922, she was the daughter of William and Mary (Schafer) Smith. Marian was married to Roman Hafner on June 25, 1946 and he preceded her in death on June 11, 1991. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pewamo, the Altar Society, Ladies Auxiliary of V.F.W. Post #3733 Fowler, Pewamo, Westphalia. Marian also volunteered at Hazel I. Findley Nursing Home and enjoyed playing cards, Quilting, and spending time with her family.

She is survived by three sons, Carl (Linda) Hafner of Pewamo, Bob (Alice) Hafner of Westphalia, Daniel (Maridell) Hafner of Pewamo; one daughter, Joyce (Kenneth) Heckman of Pewamo; grandchildren, Tami, Trisha, Amanda, Dawn, Robin, Pam, Karen, Tina, Brenda, Jarrod, Jason, Eric, Brian, Tony, Jeremy; and ten great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Clarence Smith of Pewamo, Paul (Greta) Smith of Virginia; four sisters, Sister Hildegarde Smith of New Mexico, Germaine Craft of Indiana, Harriett Motz of St. Johns, Alma Smith of Pewamo; one brother-in-law, Al Hafner of Westphalia; and one sister-in-law, Antoinette Hafner of Fowler. Marian was also preceded in death by one daughter Bernice Hafner, one brother, Leonard Smith, and one sister Helen Smith.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pewamo with burial at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Pewamo with Rev. Fr. Charlon Mason officiating. The family will receive friends Monday and Tuesday from 2-4 P.M. and 7-9 P.M. with the Rosary being prayed Monday at 3 & 8 P.M. and Tuesday at 3 P.M. A Scripture Service will be held Tuesday at 8 P.M. Arrangements by The Goerge Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Home, Fowler.

Leo J.  Fox, age 84, died Saturday, January 10, 2004. Born August 11, 1919 in Fowler, MI, the son of the late William and Helena (Thelen) Fox. Leo was a veteran of WWII, serving his country with the U.S. Army as Sergeant with the 814th Tank Destroyer Battelion He became a journeyman Plumber for the majority of his life and retired from the City of Lansing as a plumbing inspector. He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and the Eagles Lodge #1039. Leo was preceded in death by his brothers, Norman, Oscar, George, Paul and Ferdinand; sister, Mildred Seymour.

Surviving are his loving wife, Alice (Bauer), of 57 years; special nieces, Cindy Kirby and Judy (Larry Chambers) Thelen; Special nephews, James (Phyllis) Fox and Bruce (Anna) Thelen; many nieces and nephews also survive.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Fr. Pius Poff as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Deepdale Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m at the Palmer, Bush and Jensen Family Funeral Home, Delta Chapel, where a Prayer service will be held Monday evening at 7:30 p.m.

Phyllis   A.  Hallead

Phyllis  A. Hallead died January 9, 2004 at the age of 91.  She was born March 10, 1912 in Genesee County, Michigan the daughter of Leo W. and Sadie (Johnson) Treat and retired from Ovid-Elsie Public Schools  as an elementary school teacher after a 43 year teaching career.  She was a member of Pilgrim United Methodist Church, National Retired Teachers Association, Michigan Education Association, and Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel.  Phyllis married George Dewitt on May 16, 1944 and he preceded her in death April 3, 1978  She then married Ralph Hallead on January 2, 1979 and he preceded her in death December 31, 1993. 

She is survived by one brother, Leo (Phyllis) Treat of Maineville, Ohio, brother-in-law, Lawrence Shoup of St. Johns, three nieces, Phyllis (Larry) Irrer of St. Johns, Terry Snyder of Union, Kentucky and Sherry Treat of Mainvile, Ohio, two nephews, Richard (Charlotte) Shoup of St. Johns and Robert (Brigitte) Shoup of Santa Fe, New Mexico, many great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.  In addition to both husbands, Phyllis was preceded in death by her sister, Blanche Shoup.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 13, 2004 at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns, burial at Middlebury Cemetery with Rev. Merlin Pratt officating.  Visitation will be 7:00-9:00 Monday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to Pilgrim United Methodist Church or to Clinton Memorial Hospital.

Darwin M. Myers

Darwin M. Myers died January 9, 2004, at the age of 72. He was born in Lansing on April 16, 1931, the son of L.G. and Virginia M. (Edwards) Myers. He was a retired General Motors employee and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Darwin married Barbara Joan Brauher in St. Johns on January 9, 1954 and she survives him. 

Also surviving are his daughters, Linda (Michael) Mastrovito of Lowell, MI and Karen Hollis of Wayland, MI, three grandchildren, Derek Hollis, Ashlie Hollis and Dominic Mastrovito and brother, Ross (Sharon) Myers of St. Johns. 

Memorial services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 12, 2004 at the Osgood Funeral Home with Pastor Jeffrey Heimsoth officiating.

Marie E. Thelen

Marie E. Thelen died Friday, January 09, 2004 at the age of 83.  She was born July 14, 1920 in Westphalia Township, Michigan the daughter of Albert and Helen (Klein) Fedewa.  She was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Christian Mothers Association and the Farm Bureau.  Her marriage of 47 years to Urban J. Thelen on June 6, 1944 ended with his death August 18, 1991. 

Marie is survived by one son, Robert A. Thelen of Fowler, four daughters, Mary Ann (Paul) Harr and Lynette (Daniel) Witgen of Westphalia, Jane (Donald) Sisung and Shirley (Gary) Weber of Fowler, 12 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, two sisters, Helen Pung of Portland and Dora Pung of Westphalia and one brother, Charles Fedewa of Westphalia.   Marie is also survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Grace Fedewa of Westphalia, Rosaline Luttig, Viola Thelen and Joyce (Alfred) Halfmann, all of Fowler and Alex (Rosemary) Thelen of St. Johns.  In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Laura and Marcella Hengesbach and two brothers, Harold and Norman Fedewa. 

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 A.M. Monday, January 12, 2004 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, burial at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery with her grandson-Rev. Fr. Eric Weber and Rev. Fr. Tim MacDonald officiating. Visitation will be 2-9 Saturday and 9-9 Sunday at the Goerge Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, Fowler with rosaries prayed at 3 and 8 both days. Memorials may be made to Most Holy Trinity Education Trust or Hospice for Clinton County.

Marvin Ray Witt

Marvin Ray Witt,  DeWitt, MI Age 65, died January 8, 2004. Born February 9, 1938 in Clinton County, MI. Mr. Witt retired from Michigan State University in 1996. He enjoyed gas engines, rebuilding and collecting John Deere Tractors, woodworking, hunting, fishing, the outdoors and his pond. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard. Surviving are his wife, Carol; 2 daughters, Diane Witt of Laingsburg and Denise Witt of DeWitt; mother, Margaret Witt of DeWitt; 2 brothers, Lyle (Marge) of Morrice and Lee (Marty) of Portage; 2 sisters, Jean Steavens of DeWitt and Judy (Jim) Kingsley of Springport; several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held Monday, January 12, 10 AM at the Gorsline-Runciman Co. DeWitt Chapel, 111 S. Franklin, DeWitt. Interment will follow in Wilsey Cemetery, DeWitt. The family will receive friends at the Chapel Saturday from 6-8 PM and Sunday 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Those desiring may make contributions to Clinton County Hospice, Hospice Services, P.O. Box 30480, Lansing, MI 48909-9986 or the American Cancer Society, 1755 Abbey Road, East Lansing, MI 48823 in memory of Mr. Witt.

Ruth Grace Harris 

Ruth Grace Harris  died January 7, 2004 at the age of 87.  Born in Albion, Michigan on February 3, 1916, the daughter of Andrew F. and Freidericka (Vogt) Niemann.  She lived in Williamston, Lansing and Lake George before moving to St. Johns in 1991.  She was a member of St. Johns First United Methodist Church and life member of O.E.S. #79.  Ruth married Kenneth Donald Harris, Sr. on October 6, 1934 and he preceded her in death October 29, 2001.  

She is survived by three sons, Keith (Barbara) Harris of Clinton Township, Kenneth (Johonna) Harris, Jr. and Kirk (Cherie) Harris of Laingsburg, eight grandchildren, Steven (Cheryl) Harris, Pamela (Mikel) Champine, Tamra (Theodore) Ashley, Andrea Harris, Kenneth D. (Christine) Harris, III, Nathan (Tammy) Harris, Kraig D. Harris and Stephanie Harris, 13 great grandchildren and one sister, Esther Knapp of Lithonia, GA.  In addition to her husband, Ruth was preceded in death by two brothers, Roland and Leroy Niemann and one sister, Bernice Kidd.  

Funeral Services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, January 10, 2004 at Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns, burial at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Lansing with Rev. Margery Schleicher officiating.  The family will receive friends 4-9 P.M. Friday at the funeral home with an O.E.S. service 7 P.M. Friday.  Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church.

Marvin Barclay

Marvin Barclay (92) of St. Johns, Michigan, passed on to eternal life on January 7, 2004. He was born on August 27, 1911, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, one of a set of identical twins. Marvin was a retired employee of Federal Mogul Corporation, going from the shipping department into supervision. In his early years he worked for the A & P and Kroger stores and sold insurance for Prudential Insurance for a short time. Marvin was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the St. Johns Exchange Club and various golf leagues. He was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church and served on many committees in several different communities. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth and his daughter Joan. Marvin and Ruth were married for sixty-seven years. 

Surviving are daughters, Doris (Ronald) Potter of Medina, Ohio and Beverly (Alan) Davis of St. Johns, Michigan and four grandsons: John (Jenny) Potter, James Potter, Marc Matson and Aaron Davis. He also had five great-grandchildren: Nicholas, Nathan, Nash, Nora and Jessica Potter.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 9, 2004, at the First United Methodist Church in St. Johns, Michigan at 2:00 P.M., burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Margery Schleicher and Pastor Jim Dibbet officiating. Visiting hours at the Osgood Funeral Home will be on Thursday, January 8, 2004, from 3-5 and 6-8 P.M. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church.

Marvin at Federal Mogul (click on photo)
 

Jean M. Bensinger

Jean M. Bensinger died January 6, 2004, at the age of 63.  Born in St. Johns, Michigan May 25, 1940 the daughter of Ivan and Erba (Carpenter) Green.  She was a member of Duplain Church of Christ and enjoyed crafts, gardening, traveling, and baking.  Jean married David Toth, Sr. in May 1959 and he preceded her in death April 11, 1981.  

She is survived by one son, David (Barbara) Toth, Jr. and one daughter, Joy Darling, all of Ovid, eleven grandchildren, two great grandsons and daughter-in-law, Diane Toth of Ovid.  Jean was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Timothy Toth.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, January 9, 2004 at Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns, burial at South Ovid Cemetery with Don Ruff officiating.  The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the Duplain Church of Christ.

Donavon James  Kosht

Donavon James  Kosht, St. Johns, MI Age 79, died January 6, 2004. Born April 8, 1924. Veteran of WWII, Consumers Power retiree. Survived by his wife of 56 years, Ila (Griffin) Kosht; 6 daughters, Linda (Terry) Stevens, Marsha (Steve) Mitchell, Janet Kosht, Trudy Kosht and Ron, Cindy (Konrad) Keusch, Debra (Kenny) Keusch; 14 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. Memorial Service will be at Shephardsville United Methodist Church on January 11, 2004 at 2 PM.

Dorothy I. Faloon Henry

Dorothy I. Faloon Henry, 90, of Midland, died Dec. 21, 2003 at Green Acres Retirement Home in Cadillac. She had lived there the past 11 months. She was born Jan. 19, 1913 in Lisbon, Ohio, the daughter of H. Clyde and Ella A. (Keller) Aldridge.

She graduated from Lisbon High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wooster College, Wooster, Ohio. She taught high school English and biology in Lisbon and later in Leetonia, Ohio.

She married Maynard W. Faloon, a teacher, Aug. 27, 1937 in Lisbon. He died March 7, 1951. They had four children.

She married Arthur E. Henry, a Boy Scout executive and father of three girls, June 19, 1954. They lived in Livonia for a year. In 1955 they moved to Midland where she lived until January 2003. He died June 25, 1991.

In Ohio, she was a member of St. Jacob’s Reformed and Evangelical Church, the Eastern Star and Mile Branch Grange.

In Midland, she belonged to the First United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women and enjoyed attending the adult Sunday School. She was an active member of the King’s Daughter’s Thrift Ship and created the Purple Pages program at the King’s Daughters Home. She was active in the Home Extension Services, 4-H, the Boy Scouts and helped staff Elder Camps at the Lake Huron Methodist Camp.

She was an avid reader and craftswoman. Sewing was a life-long hobby and led her to join several sewing clubs. Her family and friends have been the happy recipients of many of her handmade gifts. After retirement, she and her husband spent much time traveling across the United States, Canada and Mexico in their Airstream trailer. They particularly enjoyed seeing nature, camping and hiking.

She is survived by her children, Gerald A. (Karen) Faloon of Cadillac, Dale M. (Dawn) Faloon of Evergreen, Colo., Margaret A. Faloon (Charles) Hombert of St. Clair, Warren M. (Mary) Faloon of St. Johns, Suzanne K. Henry (George) Rapanos of Naples, Fla., and Gwendolyn I. Henry Monahan of Dallas, Texas; son-in-law Leslie W. Walston of Roxobel, N.C.; 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Maynard W. Faloon and Arthur E. Henry, and on Sept. 7, 2001 by her daughter, Mary Catherine Henry Walston.

Memorial services were held Jan. 3, 2004 at the First United Methodist Church, Midland. Burial will be at the Lisbon Cemetery in Lisbon, Ohio in the spring.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Midland or the King’s Daughters and Sons through the Smith-Miner Funeral Home, 402 Rodd Street, Midland, Mich., 48642.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.