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Wayne Arlen Ball

Maurice Gove

Thelma L. Chandler

Russell A. Densmore, Ashley , 78, farmer, died Sunday September 4, 2005.

Services 11 a.m. Friday at Ashley United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Barden Funeral Home, Ithaca.

Maurice Gove

Maurice Gove died September 2, 2005 at the age of 92. He was born in Gratiot County, MI on May 8, 1913, the son of Norman and Ethel (Holley) Gove. All who knew Maurice were blessed and will remember his kindness, generosity, humor, strength, capacity for love and amazing faith. He made his family his focus, his career as a farmer his vocation, and his faith in Christ his devotion. We remember that he lived out all of these with the greatest passion.

We look forward to the day that we may rejoin our husband, father and grandfather – hopefully with the realization that we lived our lives as he did – full of love and giving and ultimately ready to die with the assurance of New Life awaiting.

Maurice was an active farmer and U.S. Army Veteran. He married Leola Keiser on October 14, 1951 and she survives him. He was a very active member of his community serving as a Clinton County Commissioner, Bingham Township Supervisor and as the Treasurer for the Bingham Township School District and was a member of Gideons International. He also served on various other boards and committees in both his community and the First Church of God. Surviving are his children, Connie (Jerry) Graham of Midland, Norman (Michelle) Gove of Ann Arbor, and Alan (Shawn) Gove of St. Johns, 7 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild and 1 sister, Margaret Rademacher of St. Johns. He was preceded in death by his brother, Gerald Gove.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 6, 2005 at the First Church of God, 1063 S. DeWitt Rd, St. Johns, MI, with Pastor Paul Daniels officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Monday at the Osgood Funeral Home.

James Edwin (JE) Crosby

James Edwin (JE) Crosby fulfilled his life on his farm, Saturday, September 03, 2005, at the age of 75. Born February 10, 1930, in Bingham Township, he was the son of Lawrence and Esther Crosby of St. Johns. He was a proud third generation mint farmer and a retiree from Michigan State University. He was also a Past Master of the St. Johns-Ovid Masonic Lodge #105 F&AM, and a member of the SAL Edwin Stiles Post #153. He will be deeply missed and always remembered for his kind, gentle caring smile and his ability to embrace his friends and family. He lived and remains in our memories a true gentleman. Dad loved unconditionally and in exchange the Lord fulfilled his prayers with his family, friends, farm and appreciation for Glen Lake.

JE is survived by his 4 children, Donald (Kathleen), Mark (Karen), Linette and James A., his grandchildren, Kevin Washo, Jr., Tyler and Jacob Crosby, two brothers, Larry (Joyce) and Robert D. (Ginger) Crosby, and nieces and nephews, Robert, Paul and Michael Crosby, Cindy Knight, Sharon Patton, Gina Mazzolini, Karen Mazzolini, Lisa Clarizio, and Dean Mazzolini.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 8, 2005 at the First Congregational Church in St. Johns, with Pastor Matt Olson officiating, with burial at South Bingham Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns, on Tuesday from 2-4p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 2-8 p.m. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of contributions to the American Red Cross to support the victims of Hurricane Katrina or Clinton Home Hospice.

Robert J. Schmit

Robert J. Schmit, 84, passed away Saturday, September 3, 2005 at Hazel Findley County Manor . He was born December 30, 1920 in Lansing, MI the son of Joseph and Catherine (Wekenman) Schmit. Robert was active in St. Mary’s Parish where he served as an usher and was a member of the St. Johns Knights of Columbus. Robert spent his spare time running errands for Senior Citizens. He really enjoyed the outdoors, especially his cabin at Houghton Lake and various parts of Northern Michigan. Robert worked in the maintenance department at the Lansing Mall.

Surviving Robert are several cousins.

The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 2:00p.m. Monday, September 5, 2005 at the Catholic Community of St. Jude’s in DeWitt, MI with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday, September 4, 2005 from 3:00-8:00p.m. at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns (989) 224 – 4422 with a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00p.m., and Monday, September 5, 2005 from 12:00 until service time at the Catholic Community of St. Jude’s. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Hazel Findley Social Committee or the St. Johns VFW Hospital Program.

Thelma L. Chandler

Thelma L. Chandler died September 1, 2005 at the age of 82. Born June 23, 1923 in Bingham Township, Michigan the daughter of Harry A. and Nora (Voyles) Brown. She was a farmer and worked as a courier for Old Kent Bank in St. Johns. Thelma was a member of Pilgrim United Methodist Church and the Eastern Star. On April 6, 1974 she married Russell B. Chandler and he preceded her in death August 29, 1991.

Thelma is survived by her half-brother, Merle (Irma) Brown of Glen Rock, New Jersey, one nephew, Ronald (Meredith) Brown of Parker, Colorado, one niece, Janice (Richard) Henry of Andover, New Jersey, one great niece, Pamela Henry of Summerville, Massachusetts, and one great nephew, Michael Henry of Andover, New Jersey. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one sister, Alethea Brown, half-sister, Lucille Brown, and three half-brothers, Donald, Earl and Glenn Brown.

The Funeral Service will be 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns with Rev. Merlin Pratt officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday, 2-4 and 7-9 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Pilgrim United Methodist Church.

Wayne Arlen Ball

Wayne Arlen Ball died August 31, 2005 at the age of 70. He was born in Lansing on February 1, 1935, the son of Carl and Reva (Groves) Ball. Wayne was a retired Fisher Body employee, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and attended Hope Bible Baptist Church in Maple Rapids. He married Mary Ovenden and she preceded him in death in June 1991.

Surviving are his son, Wayne (Julie) Ball of Portland, granddaughter, Jessica (Scott) Ball of Laingsburg, grandsons, Keeghan Ball and Collin Ball, both of Portland, great grandson, Braden Ball of Laingsburg, brother, Dean (Susie) Ball of Portland, many nieces and nephews whom he cared for very much. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by one brother, Gail Ball and one sister, Joyce Rumsey.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 3, 2005 at the Abbott Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, 509 E. Main St., Maple Rapids, burial at Beech Cemetery with Pastors Gary Bird and Steve Lang officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorials to Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Ingham County.