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| Obituaries |
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| Helen M. Eldridge | Carlyle T. “Lyle” Latoff |
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Helen M. Eldridge Helen M. Eldridge died June 28, 2005, at the age of 82. Born in
Gratiot County on October 7, 1922, the daughter of Charles H. and Lulu Belle (Henry)
Boots. Helen married Warren Eldridge in Duplain Township on November 11, 1939 and he
survives her.
Sierra Renee Anderson, of Niles, infant daughter of Brett Anderson and Judi Parish, died Thursday June 23, 2005 of natural causes. Graveside services 11 a.m. Tuesday at North Eagle Cemetery, Eagle Township. Arrangements by Peters & Murray Funeral Home, Grand Ledge. Katherine S. Smith, age 56, died Saturday, June 25, 2005. She was born December 22, 1948, the daughter of Hugh and Betty (Davis) Keelan. Katherine married Richard Smith at St. Therese Catholic Church in Lansing on November 10, 1973 and he preceded her in death on May 23, 2005. She was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church and a Social Worker for the State of Michigan for over 25 years. She lived an active life and was always willing to help and support those in need. She was an avid card player and enjoyed watching her husband and children play softball. Katherine is survived by her four children, Patrick
(Amanda) Smith of Westphalia, Amanda Smith of Lansing, Jennifer Smith of Fowler and
Anthony Smith of Fowler; granddaughter Samantha Pieffer, and two sisters, Kim Manni of
Okemos and Lonnie Miller of Onondaga. In addition to her husband, Richard, Katherine was
preceded in death by her parents and her infant sister Rebecca Keelan. Henry “Hank” Nemetz, Jr., age 62, passed away June 25, 2005 at his residence. He was born in Saint Johns, May 11, 1943, the son of Henry and Mary Ilene (Kellogg) Nemetz, Sr. He married Patricia Bennett on September 2, 1968 in Maple Rapids and she preceded him in death in 2001. He retired from the Army National Guard 115th Field Artillery. He also worked for Fisher Body and retired after over 30 years of service. He was a member of Maple Rapids United Methodist Church and the International Order of Odd Fellows Lodge #224. Surviving are his daughter Kimberly (Tedmann) Salisbury of Maple Rapids, his grandchildren Garrett and Hannah and sister, Joan (Basil) Davis of Maple Rapids. He is also survived by his sister-in-laws, Marvia Nemetz, Dorothy (Jerry) Bashore, Jean Dutton, Edith (Milton) Marble, Linda (Rich) Blemaster, Mary (Jack) Babcock, Thelma Auer, and Dorothy (Randy) Auer-White, several nieces and nephews and his special companion, Lucky. Along with his wife, Patricia, he was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, William Nemetz, Walter Auer, and Larry Auer and his sister, Betty Mabie. Funeral services will be 11:00A.M., Tuesday, June 28, 2005 at the Abbott Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, 509 E. Main St., Maple Rapids with Pastor Martin Cobb officiating. Burial will follow at Sowle Cemetery. The family will receive friends 2:00-4:00P.M. and 6-:00-8:00P.M. at the funeral home. Contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association in honor of his wife Patricia Nemetz.
He is also survived by brothers, Daniel & Diane Freund of California, Michael Freund of St. Johns and Frank & Janet Freund of East Lansing; a sister, Mrs. Susan (Michael) Wey of Lansing; nieces & nephews, Mike Freund, Mark Freund, Katie Gaffner, Kyle Gaffner, Amanda Wey, Matt Freund, Liz Freund and Jake Freund; in-laws, Art & Lois Curtis of Elsie; and sister-in-law, Barb & Mike Warren of Grand Ledge. He was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pewamo at 10:30 A.M. with Fr. Charlon Mason officiating. The family will receive friends at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns 989-224-4422 on Sunday 3-8 P.M. and Monday, 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. A Scripture Service will be held at 8:00 P.M. Monday evening. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, c/o Frank Freund, 2949 Audrey’s Way, East Lansing, MI 48823.
Surviving is one son William (Veronica) Rozen of St. Johns; one daughter Carol (Bill) Cosgriff of Jackson; three grandchildren, Ryan (Stacey) Rozen, Brad (Lisa) Rozen all of St. Johns, Linette Everett and fiancé Ben Latocki of Jackson; four great grandchildren, Jordan, Zachary, Jared and Rachel; one brother, Donald (Joyce) Peters of Ithaca; one sister, Evelyn (Harry) Newton of Atlanta, GA; one sister-in-law, Mozelle Peters of Carson City, MI. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 2005 at the Duplain Church of Christ, 5565 E. Colony Rd. St. Johns with Pastor Dan Cameron officiating. Interment will follow at North Star Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Friday and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns (989)224-4422. Memorials may be made to the Duplain Church of Christ in memory of Mrs. Rozen.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 27, 2005 at 11:00 AM at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel Elsie, MI. Burial will be held at North Star Cemetery North Star, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2005 & Sunday, June 26, 2005 from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. A Masonic Service will be held Sunday Evening, June 26, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. James was born in Carson City, Michigan on November 18, 1972 the son of Gerald and Wilma ( Norris ) Gingrich. He resided most of his life in Elsie, Michigan and attended Ovid Elsie Schools. James married Luann Cermak in Ashley, Michigan on September 18, 2004. He was employed at Dana Corporation in St. Johns for the past 3 years. He had also worked at Lear Corporation for the previous 9 years. He was an avid snowmobiler, hunter, and fish. He loved to spend time with his kids. He also enjoyed going to the races and listening to Alan Jackson. He was a member of Elsie Masonic Lodge # 238. He is survived by his wife Luann Gingrich of Elsie, 2 children James & Haylie Gingrich at home, parents Gerald & Wilma Gingrich of Elsie, MI 4 brothers; Howard & Lanie Gingrich of St. Johns, MI, Chris & Sue Gingrich of Apollo Beach, FL, Russell & Rhonda Gingrich of St. Johns, MI, John & Angie Gingrich of Ithaca, MI, 2 sisters; Brenda & Brian Acre of Alma, MI, Linda Tahvonen of Newman, GA, several nieces & nephews, parents-in-law Frank & Bonnie Cermak of Ashley, MI, 4 Sisters-in-law; Amy & Duane Hendee of Pewamo, MI, Jill (Graham Gilbert) Cermak of Ithaca, MI, Annette Cermak of Ashley, MI, Denise Cermak of Ashley, MI, and his dog Savannah. Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the family. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel Gale L. VanBurger died June 22, 2005 at the age of 66 in
the presence of his loving wife and daughters. Born in St. Johns on July 25, 1938, the son
of Gale Nelson VanBurger and Edna Haynes. He retired from the State of Michigan Department
of Corrections as a power plant maintenance supervisor, veteran of the U.S. Navy having
served from 1956-1960 on the Bon Hom Richard and the USS Ranger and was a member of St.
Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking and spending
time with his grandchildren. Gale married Mary Glowacki in St. Johns on July 28, 1962 and
she survives him.
Bob was born in Springfield, Ohio on August 16, 1929 the son of Russell P. & Della Irene ( Huffman) Ditmer. He graduated from Springfield High School with the class of 1947. On January 22, 1948 he married Beverly Wainwright in Detroit, Michigan. He was the pastor at the Eureka Christian Church for the past 15 years, his past achievements include: former pastor at United Missionary Church, South Bend, Indiana, Schoolcraft Bible Church, Schoolcraft, Michigan, Houghton Lake Bible Church, Pastor of Camelback Community Church, Phoenix Arizona, Interim pastor , Church of the Nazarene, Dewitt, Michigan. He served on the board of directors of Michigan Children’s Aid Society, former president of the Houghton Lake School Board, former president of Houghton Lake Lions Club, former Mayor of Tip-Up Town USA, Houghton Lake, Michigan, District Governor, Lions International, TV narrator for Wesleyan Singers, Battle Creek, Michigan, former Clinton County Commissioner, Manager of WHGR & WJGS Radio Station, Houghton Lake, Michigan, Owner & General Manager of Ditmer Broadcasting, St. Johns & Grayling Radio Stations. Bob was a member of the Eureka Christian Church, and
resided most of his life in Houghton Lake, Michigan moving to St. Johns area in 1965. |
Carlyle T. “Lyle” Latoff died June 26, 2005
at the age of 29. Born in Lansing on March 31, 1976, the son of Joseph and Rebecca (Burns)
Latoff. He was serving in the U.S. Army. His life revolved around hunting and fishing
which he was very good at, and he enjoyed restoring firearms. 
Matthew Jay West died June 26,
2005 at the age of 29. Born in St. Johns on December 28, 1975, the son of Willis and
Phyllis (Pearce) West. He was a carpenter and a member of Greenbush United Methodist
Church. Matthew married Kelly Jo Benner at Greenbush United Methodist Church on September
7, 2002 and she survives him. 
Julia D. Martin died June 26, 2005 at the age of 91.
Born October 26, 1913 in Dallas Township she was the daughter of Joseph and Regina
(Wieber) Feldpausch and lived in Dallas Township all of her life. She was a member of Most
Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the Christian Women's Association. Julia married
Sylvester Martin in Fowler on June 14, 1939 and he preceded her in death November 6, 1997.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter Rita Halfmann, grandson, Alan Simon, four
brothers, Louis, Harold, Sylvester and Leo Feldpausch. 
Lillian T. Kobel passed away June 26, 2005 at the age
of 90. She was born in Dallas Township, October 6, 1914, the daughter of Ferdinand and
Caroline (Weber) Geller and lived in Clinton County most of her life. Lillian was a member
of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Christian Womens Association, and a retiree of
Fisher Body retiring in 1972. She enjoyed quilting and made over 200 lap robes for
residents of nursing homes. 
William R. Freund of East Jordan,
formerly of Clinton County, passed away Friday, June 24, 2005 at the age of 53. He was
born August 22, 1951 in St. Johns, Michigan the son of Clifford C. and Elizabeth R.
(Roosen) Freund . William was a 1969 graduate of Pewamo-Westphalia High School. He enjoyed
wood working, hunting, fishing and playing golf, and was a self employed wood worker. He
married Rhonda Curtis April 26, 1991 in St. Johns and she survives him.
Dorothy Norene Rozen passed away
Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at the age of 83. She was born January 3, 1922 in Gratiot County,
Michigan the daughter of Ernest and Hazel (Cassady) Peters. She was an active member of
the Duplain Church of Christ and a former teacher at rural schools in Gratiot County.
Norene married Milton W. Rozen, April 19, 1947 and he preceded her in death in 1993. Also
preceding her in death was a brother Percy Peters. 
James B.
Gingrich age 32 of Elsie, Michigan died Wednesday, June 22, 2005 in Clinton County, MI.
Pastor Robert Dean Ditmer age
75 of St. Johns, Michigan died on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at Ingham Regional Medical
Center, Lansing, Michigan. Funeral services will be at Eureka Christian Church, Eureka,
Michigan, on Saturday, June 25, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will be on Friday, June 24,
2005 at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel from 2-8 with family present 2-4
& 6-8 P.M. Rev. William Osborne will officiate and burial will take place in Eureka
Cemetery, Eureka, Michigan.