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Charles J. Pratl

Shirley Eyer

Elaine R. Thelen

Mildred Ruth Whitaker

Maynard Arthur Wirth

Lawrence H. Peters,  86, retired Ovid-Elsie industrial arts teacher, died Monday September 27, 2004. Services 11 a.m. Friday at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.

Carrie May Kellogg

Carrie May Kellogg died September 26, 2004 at the age of 90. She was born in Eureka on July 23, 1914, the daughter of Jesse and Annabelle (Richards) Kellogg. She retired as a nurse’s aide from Clinton Memorial Hospital after 26 years of service and was a member of the First Congregational Church in St. Johns. Carrie loved to play cards and while she very seldom won she was a very good loser. She was always a very happy gal and loved junk food with her favorites being chicken nuggets and onion rings.

Carrie is survived by two sisters, Kay “Mildred” (Ward) Thompson of Lansing and Dorothy (George) Parish of Grand Ledge, nieces, Joan Davis, Elaine Whitford and Linda Guthrie, nephew, Henry Nemetz, Jr., many great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Asa Altine Kellogg and sister, Mary Ilene Nemetz.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, October 1, 2004 at the First Congregational Church, St. Johns, burial at Eureka Cemetery with Rev. Matt Olson officiating. Visitation will be 9 A.M. - 8 P.M. Thursday at the Osgood Funeral Home with family present 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Memorials may be made to First Congregational Church, St. Johns, Ovid Healthcare Center, Clinton Health Foundation (Meals On Wheels or Clinton Memorial Hospital).

Charles J. Pratl

Charles J. (Chuck) Pratl passed away Saturday, September 25, 2004 at the age of 70, after a long and courageous battle with systemic lupus. He was born May 20, 1934 in Chicago, IL the son of Charles W. and Helen J. (Paske) Pratl. Chuck earned a degree in engineering from the Chicago Institute of Technology. He worked as a draftsman for the Burlington Railroad in Chicago then moved to Robinson, IL and worked for Dana Corp. as an engineer. In 1970 he transferred to St. Johns, continuing to work despite his illness until 1982. He was co-founder of Jet Speed Printing Co. in St. Johns, where he worked along side his son James until September 2004. Chuck was a former volunteer for Meals-On-Wheels, a former member of the Elks and Lions Club, and was a member of the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Mary Terese, and his beloved wife Betty. Surviving is one son, Jim (Kim) Pratl of St. Johns, one daughter, Sue (Dick) White of Robinson, IL nine grandchildren, Eric, Jimmy, Kevin, Jace, Anna, Emily Ricky, Missy and Amy, seven great grandchildren, one brother, George (Kathy) Pratl of Willowbrook, IL.

Memorial service will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at the Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns with Pastor Tyler M. Barlage officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. 2000 L Street, N.W., Suite 710, Washington, D.C. 20036.

Mildred Ruth Whitaker

Mildred Ruth Whitaker age 95 of St. Johns, Michigan died Friday, September 24, 2004 at Clinton Memorial Hospital, St. Johns, MI.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 11:00 A.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel. Visitation will be held on Tuesday at 10 A.M. until time of services. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI.

Mildred was born in Temple Michigan on February 1, 1909 the daughter of Manley & Florence ( Denno ) Nixon. She attended school in Bannister graduating with the class of 1926 and then attending & graduating from Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing in Detroit in 1930. Mildred married Elwin E. Whitaker in Ohio on June 15, 1931. She grew up in Bannister, and then lived in Toledo, Ohio moving to the St. Johns area in 1963. She was a registered nurse working in Toledo, Ohio from 1952 until 1963 when she moved to St. Johns and Retired from Clinton Memorial Hospital in 1975. Mildred attended First Baptist Church of St. Johns, and was a member of American Congress Bridge League Unit #195 Lansing, MI.

She is survived by 2 daughters Judy Seaman of Drummond Island, MI, Charlene McDonald of Sault Ste Marie, MI, 2 grandchildren & 4 great grandchildren, 2 sisters Wava Slavik of Ashley, MI, Betty Church of Owosso, MI, 1 brother Manley Nixon of California. She is predeceased by her parents, husband, 1 sister Margaret Swallow, and 3 brothers Ralph, Robert & Keelan Nixon. Memorials may be made to a Charity of the Donors Choice. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel.

Shirley Eyer

Shirley Jeanne Eyer, 82, passed away Saturday, September 25, 2004 at Clinton Memorial Hospital in St. Johns, MI. She was born November 18, 1921 in St. Johns, MI to Frank and Orel (McMaster) Burwell. She graduated from St. Johns High School. She married Arvine J. Eyer on August 20, 1945 in St. Johns. Arvine died on July 10, 2004. She was a homemaker and loved to read.

Survivors are her sons, Kevin Eyer and Gregory Eyer, both of St. Johns, MI; daughter, Julie Fletcher of St. Johns, MI; grandchildren, Alexandra and Daniel Fletcher; brother, John (Maxine) Burwell of Kingman, AR; brother-in-law, Arthur Halfmann; and sisters of her heart, Doris (Reinhart) Thorsch, Sarah (Bishop) Carpenter and Frances Simpson. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, 2 brothers, Gordon and Richard Burwell, 4 sisters, Helen Burwell, Thelma Martin, Lucille Linhart and Orel "Pat" Halfmann. As the wife of (Army) Lt. Col. Arvine J.Eyer, she traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe and the Far East. She was always a lady, keen of wit, warm of heart, and gentle in spirit.

Funeral Services will be Private.  Arrangements by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel.

Aletha Grace Lipp

Aletha Grace Lipp age 98 of Elsie, Michigan died Saturday, September 25, 2004 at the Ovid Healthcare Center, in Ovid, Michigan. She was a homemaker.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 at 11:00 A.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Rev Merlin Pratt will officiate and burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery in Elsie, Michigan. Visitation will be Monday 5 to 8 P.M. and Tuesday 2-8 P.M. with family present 2-4 & 6-8 P.M.

Aletha was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 21, 1906 the daughter of J. Earl & Jennie ( DeVries ) McCullough. In January of 1925 she married Lyle Lipp Sr. in Rochester Colony, Michigan. Lyle died May 23, 1973. Aletha attended the Duplain Church of Christ and resided most of her life in Elsie, Michigan.

She is survived by her 2 daughters, Alice Crell of Elsie, Irene Murray of Jones Town, Texas, 3 sons Lyle & Joyce Lipp Jr. of Walled Lake, MI, Earl & Flo Lipp of Lansing, MI, J.D. & Margaret Lipp of Midland, MI, 20 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, 15 great great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, 2 sons, Robert & Hiram Lipp, 1 brother Herbert McCullough.

Memorials may be made to a Charity of the donor’s choice. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Chapel.

Maynard Arthur Wirth

Maynard Arthur Wirth passed away September 23, 2004 at the age of 66. He was born in Lansing on September 27, 1937, the son of Louis and Esther (Platte) Wirth. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. Maynard retired from Federal Mogul in 1999 after 36 years of service, was a farmer, a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He most enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing and playing cards. Maynard married Mary Ann Martin in Westphalia on June 20, 1959 and she survives him.

Also surviving are his children, Carol (Larry) Jandernoa of Fowler, Dave (Robin) Wirth of Lyons, Bruce (Mary Jo) Wirth of Fowler, Beth (Gary) Simon of St. Johns, Paula (Bob) Hengesbach of Westphalia, Tina (Kevin) Schafer of Fowler, Andrea (Jack) Nurenberg of Westphalia, Randy (Brenda) Wirth of Fowler and Sarah (Mark) Pohl of Westphalia, 29 grandchildren, Jacob and James Jandernoa, Katie, Bradley, Kelsey and Mackenzie Wirth, Jessica and Bethany Smith, Dustin and Tori Wirth, Devin, Ryan and Alyssa Simon, Bryce, Aubrey, Grant, Kylie and Ethan Hengesbach, Adam, Jason, Kayla and Ben Schafer, Collin, Olivia, Emily and Matthew Nurenberg, Nolan and Madison Wirth and Celina Pohl, three sisters, Grace Goerge, Joyce Epkey and Mary Lou Thelen and one brother, Mark Wirth. Maynard is joined in heaven by two grandchildren, Cody Wirth and Cullen Simon, his parents and sister, Gladys Halfmann.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. Monday, September 27, 2004 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, burial at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Timothy E. MacDonald officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Saturday and Sunday at the Goerge Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Fowler, with a rosary prayed 3 and 8 P.M. Saturday, 3 P.M. Sunday and a vigil service 8 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.

Elaine R. Thelen

Elaine R. Thelen,  Westphalia, MI Age 73, passed away on Thursday, September 23, 2004. She was born on October 19, 1930 in Clinton County, MI the daughter of Frank and Bernita (Miller) Thelen. Mrs. Thelen was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and the Christian Mothers. Elaine enjoyed playing cards, quilting, going to Walmart, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert P. Thelen; infant son, Paul; son, Luke Thelen; brothers, Reynold, Francis and Allen Thelen.

She is survived by a son, Joseph Thelen of Westphalia; 5 daughters, Karen (Tom) Nobach of Fowler, Judy (Roger) Bronson of Grand Ledge, Marlene Thelen of Portland, Nancy Thelen of Portland, and Denise (David) Krausz of Westphalia; grandchildren, Kristin (Ryan) Irwin, Trent (fiancee Amy) Nobach, Jonathan (Amy) Nobach, Torey Nobach, Jordan and Mitchell Krausz; great grandson, Carson Irwin; sisters, Joanne (Ron) VanHeck, Marilyn (Charlie) Halfmann, Janice (Bill) Chapko, and Diane (Duane) Mussell; brothers, Larry (June) Thelen, Roy (Bert) Thelen; sisters-in-law, Joan, Dolores and Gladah Thelen; special aunt, Lucy Mueller; many sisters and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Cecillio Reyna, Pastor at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 25, 2004 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Westphalia. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-9 p.m. Friday at the St. Mary's Funeral Chapel, 210 N. Westphalia St., Westphalia. Rosaries will be prayed at 3 and 8 p.m. Friday. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice, in memory of Mrs. Thelen. Thanks for the memories, Mom. We love you and will miss you!