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Elizabeth Ann Brya

Albertine “Al” L. Schmidt

Eugene “Keith” Bond

Donald F. Smith

Benjamin K. Mills

Jerome J. Thelen died April 12, 2005, at the age of 90. He was born in Fowler on December 8, 1914, the son of Louis G. and Mary (Wieber) Thelen. He was a retired lifetime farmer and Farm Bureau member. Jerome was a member of Knights of Columbus and Holy Name Society of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, enjoyed playing cards, checkers, traveling and spending time with his family. He also loved farm animals and reading. Jerome married Genevieve Harr in Fowler on February 19, 1941.

Surviving is his wife of 64 years, eight sons, Paul (Ann) of Westphalia, James of Lansing, Luke (Jane) of Fowler, Larry (Ellen) of Aurora, CO, William (Deborah) of Plano, TX, Philip of Lansing, Stanley (Patti) of Oxford and Dennis (Dianna) of Fort Wayne, IN, 25 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, two brothers, Clem Thelen and Claude (Bonnie) Thelen, three sisters, Florence Becker, Leona Kloeckner and Lucille Fox, brother-in-law, Roy Harr and sister-in-law, Eileen Thelen. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Diane Urbanik, son-in-law, Tony Urbanik, grandson, Anthony Urbanik, great grandson, Brandon Thelen, brother, Marvin Thelen and sister, Arlene Harr.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 A.M. Saturday, April 16, 2005 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI, burial at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Steve Makrayni officiating. Visitation will be 2-9 P.M. Thursday with family present 2-4 and 7-9 P.M., 9 A.M.-9 P.M. Friday with family present 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. at the Goerge Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, 11112 W. Ionia, Fowler. Rosary will be prayed 3 and 8 P.M. Thursday and 3 P.M. Friday with a Vigil service at 8 P.M. Friday, all at the funeral home. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorials to Most Holy Trinity School Education Trust Fund or to Memorial Masses.

Margaret A. Bailey

Margaret A. Bailey died April 12, 2005 at the age of 88. Born in Onekama, Michigan August 24, 1916 the daughter of Charles and Mary (Grass) Miller. She was a member of Restoration church of Christ, a volunteer for Clinton County Senior Citizen Drop-In Center, and retired from General Motors after 25 years of service. Margaret married Lenwood “Pat” Bailey December 7, 1944 and he preceded her in death January 10, 1983.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary (Earl) Barks of St. Johns, five grandchildren, two step grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Margaret was preceded in death by her son, Frederick H. Went, Jr. and eight brothers and sisters.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, April 15, 2005 at Osgood Funeral Home, burial at South Bingham Cemetery with Priest Ron Davis and Elder Earl Barks officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Restoration church of Christ or Clinton County Senior Citizen Drop-In Center. Also, a very special thank you to Pat McCarthy and Shirley Baese.

Eugene “Keith” Bond

Eugene “Keith” Bond, 63, was called to his Heavenly home on Sunday, April 10, 2005, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born December 27, 1941, in St. John’s Michigan, the son of Burdette and Frances Robinson Bond. Keith graduated from Sexton High School in Lansing, MI, and Michigan State University, where he obtained a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. On December 16, 1961, he married Barbara Marie Armstrong of East Lansing, Michigan at the Michigan State University’s Alumni Memorial Chapel.

He served in the Marine Corps Reserve for six years as a Lance Corporal receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1965. He was employed by the ACNielsen offices in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Keith retired due to health reasons in January of 2004. Keith enjoyed participating in and coaching in a variety of sports activities, including softball, volleyball, and little league football. Keith also served as the Director of the Marquis Drum and Bugle Corps from 1994 to 1996. During the 1995 competition season, the Marquis competed in the World Championship in Buffalo, New York, where the Corps scored the highest for any Corps with 30 or fewer members. He was also quite active in many churches, serving as the congregation Vice President as well as the chairman of the Board of Christian Education at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palatine, IL. Upon moving to Fond du Lac, Keith and his family joined Hope Lutheran church. Keith was also a proud member of the Marine Corps League, McCullen-Kimpel Detachment #552

Survivors include his wife, Barbara (Armstrong) Bond, parents Burdette and Edna; daughter, Wendy (John) Zurawski and grandchildren Michael and Samantha of Cary, IL; daughter Rebecca (Gregory) Gilgenbach and granddaughter Abigail of Fond du Lac, WI; one son, Andrew James at home, a sister, Sherry (Ronald) Bond- Emery of Lansing, MI, two aunts, Hazel Van Burger of Ft. Pierce, FL, and Marilee Schnabel of Dewitt, MI, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Special friends: Marshall (Judy) Brynildson of Indianapolis, IN, Alan (Kathy) Williams of Kentwood, MI, Charlie (Rosalie) Leykum of San Antonio, TX, Edward (Pat) Dwyer of Oshkosh, Larry (Debra) Heller, and Doug (Blanca) Nieskes all of Fond du Lac, WI are also remembered at this time. Preceding him in death were his grandparents, Fred and Edna Bond, Fred and Delma Robinson, and one uncle, Eugene Bond.

Visitation for Eugene “Keith” Bond will be on Thursday, April 14, 2005, from 4 to 8 pm at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, and on Friday, April 15, 2005, from 10 to 11 am at Hope Lutheran Church, 260 Vincent Street. Funeral services will be at 11 am on Friday at the church. The Rev. James Gomez will officiate. Cremation will follow services. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the memorial fund established by the Hope Lutheran youth ministry, ‘God Lodge’. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com.

The family would also like to thank the ACNielsen corporate family in general, as well as the Retail Data Collection Group of ACNielsen for their support of Keith and his family. A special note of thanks goes to ACNielsen’s Fond du Lac office and especially to RDC Support Group in Fond du Lac for their continued encouragement and support and also US Bank for their continued support of Keith’s wife, Barbara.

Donald F. Smith

Donald F. Smith, age 70, died Sunday, April 10 in Alpena after residing in Hillman the past two and one-half years. Born June 28, 1934 in Owosso, Donald is the son of Lawrence and Lucille (Grell) Smith. Don served during the Korean Conflict in the U. S. Air Force. On January 17, 1959, Don married Marjorie L. Surner and she preceded him in death August 11, 2001. Besides his wife, Don was preceded in death by his mother and step-mother; Clara,who helped raise Don after the death of his mother; two grandsons, Jacob and Hunter Ade and a brother, Clifford Smith.

He is survived by his four children, Tammy Lynn Smith of Mt. Pleasant, Beth (Ronald) Smith of Ashley, Jeffery (Michele) Smith of Owosso, and Melissa (Jay) Jorgensen of Brewster, MA; seven grandchildren, Sara, Mallory, Cameron, and Tyler Smith, Nicole and Hayley Ade, and Jordan Jorgensen; father, Lawrence Smith of Ovid; three brothers, Gary (Sandi) Smith of Owosso, Elwin (Patsy) Smith of Owosso, Jack (Jo) Wheatfield of Danville, VA and dear friend, Cele Palmer.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Friday, April 15, 2005 at the Houghton Chapel of Osgood Funeral Home, 232 East Oak Street, Ovid. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends Wednesday and Thursday from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at the Funeral Home. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorials to Ovid Area Fire and Ambulance in care of the Funeral Home.

Elizabeth Ann Brya

Elizabeth Ann Brya,  St. Johns, MI Elizabeth Ann Brya , died April 8, 2005 at the age of 87. She was born March 29, 1918 in Bingham Township, the daughter of Harry and Rose (Henning) Ballinger and lived most of her life on farms in DeWitt and St. Johns. Elizabeth graduated from St. Johns High School in 1936 and married Francis Brya on June 14, 1939. After retiring from the State of Michigan in 1981, she volunteered at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor for 20 years as well as being an active member of St. Rita's Guild at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Elizabeth is survived by two sons, Gary (Bonnie) Brya of Lansing, Larry (Mary) Brya of Grand Ledge; two daughters, Norma Jean (Dennis) Sell of Williamston, Ruth Ann Brya of St. Johns; twelve grandchildren; six great grandchildren; two sisters, Marguerite Botke of DeWitt, Agnes (George) French of St. Johns; and one brother, John (Donna) Ballinger of St. Johns. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; one sister, Jean Harte; and two brothers, Robert and Max Ballinger.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2005 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 Linden, St. Johns with the Rev. Fr. Eoin Murphy officiating. The Rite of Committal and interment will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass Street, St. Johns, Sunday and Monday 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. with a Rosary-Vigil prayed Monday at 7:00 p.m. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of Memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor in memory of Elizabeth. The family would also like to express their appreciation to the staff of Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor.

Benjamin K. Mills

Benjamin K. Mills died April 6, 2005, at the age of 74. He was born in Ashley on December 24, 1930, the son of Benjamin Harrison and Eva (Peabody) Mills. He retired from Federal Mogul as a drill press operator after 34 years of service, was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean War, a life member of V.F.W. Post #1735 in Perrinton and member of IOOF Oddfellow Lodge #417. Ben was a very caring and loving person, enjoyed fishing, farming, gardening and was a perpetual putterer. He married Marianna Woodhams in St. Johns on November 20, 1955 and she survives him.

Also surviving are his children, Benjamin (Jane) Mills, Robert (Judy) Mills, all of St. Johns and Sheryl (Jeff) Schacht of Colorado, four grandchildren and six brothers, Robert (Sarah) Mills of Portland, Elton (Vi) Mills of Kalamazoo, Don “Buck” (Hope) Mills of Florida, Kenneth Mills of Flint, Irving (Lila) Mills of Elsie and Dick (Joanne) Mills of Ashley. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, L.D. Mills.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 9, 2005 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at North Star Cemetery with Pastor Diane Goldman officiating. The family will receive friends 4-8 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Military graveside services provided by V.F.W. Post #1735, Perrinton. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorials to the American Cancer Society.

Albertine “Al” L. Schmidt

Albertine “Al” L. Schmidt died on April 5, 2005 at the age of 82. She was born November 24, 1922 in Maple Rapids, the daughter of William Hamilton and Selina Frances (Clark) Bailey. She was a member of the Maple Rapids United Methodist Church, former President of the Women’s Society of Christian Service, retired from the State of Michigan Schools Employees Retirement, Michigan School for the Blind, former correspondent for the Republican News, member of the Truth Rebekah Lodge of Maple Rapids, Election Board Official for Essex Township and Village of Maple Rapids where she was Chair for many years, was a Den Mother for Pack #510, on the board and President and Treasurer for Maple Rapids Public Library and ran Al’s Cake Decorating for over 10 years. Albertine married John D. Schmidt on September 23, 1943 in Florence, Arizona and he preceded her in death on July 2, 1976.

Surviving are her children, Rodney (Joan Anne) Schmidt of Grand Haven, Pam (Gary) Snyder of Maple Rapids, Alan (Teresita) Schmidt of Pensacola, Florida, and William (Jodi) Schmidt of Maple Rapids, eleven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Besides her husband, John, she was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Gordon and Orrison Bailey, sister, Margaret Kidder, and infant brother, Alfred Oliver Bailey.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2005 at the Abbott Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, 509 E. Main St., Maple Rapids. Sympathy may be expressed in the way of memorials to the Maple Rapids Public Library.