Obituaries

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Norman L. Cook

Richard A. Wagar

Wyona D. Keusch

Geraldine Crowell

LaVerna M. Sutfin

Betty J. Purvis

Merlyn "Dean" Wilkie

Bud A. Snyder

Julie A. Rann

Frank J. Vsetula

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Betty J. Purvis

Betty J. Purvis died July 4, 2006 at the age of 79. She was born in Greenbush Township, Michigan on March 19, 1927, the daughter of Harry and Isabel (Hopkins) Lance and lived most of her life in the St. Johns area. She was a member of the George Jones Fan Club. Betty married Howard Purvis in Owosso on March 11, 1946 and he preceded her in death on September 9, 2001.

Surviving are her daughter, Linda Horvath and son, George (Bea) Purvis along with 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Also surviving Betty are her sisters, Berdina Chorley, Shirley Lance, Pat (Fred) Strouse and brothers, Vernon (Violet) Lance, Guy (Marlene) Lance and Ernie (Maxine) Lance. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Molice Purvis and three brothers, Fred Lance, James Lance and Richard Lance.

Funeral Services will be celebrated 2:00 P.M. Friday, July 7, 2006 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Eureka Cemetery with Rev. Steven Ezop officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Thursday at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorials to the Heartland Hospice, 865 S. Cedar St., Mason, Michigan 48854.

Norman L. Cook

cook_norman.jpg (4891 bytes)Norman L. Cook Pewamo, MI Age 86, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away on July 4, 2006 surrounded by his family. He was born on May 17, 1920 in Dallas Twp. the son of Jacob and Mathilda (Schafer) Cook. Mr. Cook was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pewamo and an honorary member of the K of C #8071. He was a lifelong area farmer living on the same farm his whole life. He enjoyed teasing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Norman was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Donna Cook; and sisters, Bernita Koenigsknecht and Elda George.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Joan; children, Diane (Brad) Harkness of Ithaca, Norma (Don) Schrauben of Westphalia, Sue (Bill) Clark of Pewamo, Perry (Diane Theis) Cook of Pewamo, Brian Cook of California, Julie (Neil) Thelen of Westphalia and Scott Cook of St. Johns; 18 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; sisters, Rita George, Rose Schanski, Geraldine Schafer, and Kate Bushong.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Charlon O. Mason, Pastor at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 7, 2006 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pewamo. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. both Wednesday and Thursday at the St. Mary Funeral Chapel, 210 N. Westphalia St., Westphalia. The Rosaries will be prayed at 3 and 8 p.m. Wednesday and 3 p.m., Thursday. A Scriptural Wake Service will be held at 8 p.m., Thursday. Complete arrangements are being handled by the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland Chapel.

Merlyn "Dean" Wilkie

wilkie_dean.jpg (3783 bytes)Merlyn "Dean" Wilkie, age 83, died Monday, July 3, 2006 at Ovid Healthcare Center after a long illness. He was born August 10, 1922 in St. Johns, MI the son of Robert and Daisy (Dean) Wilkie. Dean was an Army veteran of WWII, with a tour of duty in Europe, and a GM retiree with over 30 years of service. His family remembers him as a hard worker and a good provider.

Surviving is the mother of his children, Florence Wilkie of Lansing; two daughters, Sherrie (Larry) Smalley of Lansing, Mary (John) Maki of Ohio; one son, Robert (Gail) Wilkie of Lansing; sister, Vivian Wyrick of Lansing; many grand and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and brother-in-law, Richard "Sonny" Cornwell of St. Johns. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Thomas; six sisters, Gladys Hone, Grace Hill, Eva Wilkie, Fern Bacon, Lucille Casteel, Alberta Cornwell; and four brothers, Ken, Ralph, Glen, and William.

There will be no visitation or service for Dean at his request. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association of Michigan, Capital Region Office, 403 Seymore Ave. Lansing, MI 48933-1179, for Emphysema and COPD research. The family is being served by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns 989-224-4422.

Richard A. Wagar

wagar_richard.jpg (3472 bytes)Richard A. Wagar of St. Johns, died Sunday, July 2, 2006 at the age of 68. He was born August 6, 1937 in St. Johns the son of Jack and Dorotha (Locher) Wagar. He enjoyed hunting and working on cars, was a long time NASCAR fan and was an Army veteran serving in the 82nd Airborne. Richard and one of his granddaughters spent ten years attending and participating in horse shows. He was a tool maker and retired from General Motors after 33 years of service. He then worked as a courier for Clinton Memorial Hospital for several years. Richard married JoLynne (Jody) Murray on January 14, 1962 and she survives him.

Also surviving is one son, Robert (Fran) Wagar of St. Johns; two daughters, Tammy (Terry) Baker of Blanchard, Sammi Wagar of DeWitt, nine grandchildren; one great grandchild; three brothers, Walt (Joyce) Wagar of Elsie, Dale (Dot) Wagar of Ovid, Jim (Sandy) Wagar of St. Johns; and life time friend Bucky Wurn of Tennessee.

There will be no visitation or service for Richard at his request. Memorials may be made to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, 1210 W. Saginaw St. Lansing, MI 48915. The family is being served by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns 989-224-4422.

Bud A. Snyder

snyder_bud.jpg (4690 bytes)Bud A. Snyder died July 3, 2006 at the age of 83. He was born in Clinton County the son of Charles and Iva (Armenda) Snyder. Bud was a retired custodian for the State of Michigan and a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, enjoyed farming and was a care giver his entire life.

He was preceded in death by eight brothers, Wavel, John, Kenneth, Garland (Pete), Robert, Ted, Floyd and Donald Snyder, two sisters, Lucile Colbert and Thelma Berlin. Surviving is one sister, Pauline Smith of Winter Haven, Florida and many neices and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Friday, July 7, 2006 at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St. with Pastor Jeffrey Heimsoth officiating, burial at Wacousta Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home 5-8 P.M. on Thursday and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorials to The American Cancer Society or The American Heart Association.

Wyona D. Keusch

keusch_wyona.jpg (6240 bytes)Wyona D. Keusch, 78, a loving mother went home to God Saturday July 1, 2006. Born October 22, 1927 in Bell Oak, MI, to Henry and Florence Cole. She was a graduate of Alpena High School, class of 1946 and married Julius Keusch May 17, 1948. Together they raised seven children and were founding members of the Holy Family Catholic Church. Her compassion for others was shown through her involvement with her family, community, by always helping those in need, and also was a member of the Altar Society.

She is survived by two daughters, Karen (John) Symanski of Las Vegas and Konnie (John) VanGeertruy of Las Vegas, four sons, Konrad (Cindy) Keusch of Ovid, Karl (Mary) Keusch of Florida, Ken (Deb) Keusch of Ovid, and Keith (Cindy) Keusch of Laingsburg. Fourteen grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one brother, Jay (Fern) Cole of Shaftsburg. She is preceded in death by her husband, Julius, son, Kris, three sisters, and two brothers.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 620 N. Mabbit Road, Ovid, with the Rev. Fr. Raymond Urbanek officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Lansing. The family will receive friends Monday and Tuesday from 5-8 P.M. at the Houghton Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, 232 E. Oak St., Ovid with a Rosary being prayed Tuesday at 5:00 P.M. and visitation one hour prior to the Mass at Church. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorials to Ovid Healthcare Center in memory of Wyona.

Geraldine Crowell

crowel_geraldine.jpg (3574 bytes)Geraldine Crowell age 85 of St. Johns, Michigan died Friday, June 30, 2006 at her home.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel St. Johns, MI on July 3, 2006 at 11:00 AM. Pastor O'Ryan Rickard will officiate with burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery St. Johns, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 2, 2006 from 2-8 P.M. with family present 2-4  and 6-8 P.M.

Geraldine was born in St. Johns, Michigan on September 14, 1920 the daughter of Ray and Anna ( Casper ) Kentfield. She graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School with the class of 1939. Geraldine married Gaylord Crowell in Brian, OH on March 19, 1940. She worked for J.C. Penney's for 28 years and then for Walmart for 6 years in Florida. She was a member of the Greenbush United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her husband Gaylord Crowell of St. Johns, MI, 2 sons; Richard Lee   and Norma Crowell of St. Johns, MI, Jerry Dean "Tim"  and Barbara Crowell of McMillan, MI, daughter Christine  and Robert Abbs of DeWitt, MI, 7 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, brother Leon C.  and Angeline Kentfield of St. Johns, MI, brother Dick Kentfield of St. Johns, MI, and sister Kay  and Bob Frazier of South Lansing, MI. She is predeceased by her parents, daughter Penny Sue, granddaughter Sandra Kay, and 6 brothers and sisters.

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

LaVerna M. Sutfin

sutfin_laverna.jpg (4526 bytes)LaVerna M. Sutfin died June 27, 2006, at the age of 80. Born in North Star, Michigan on July 14, 1925, the daughter of Oscar and Eunice (McGee) Palmer. LaVerna married Louis Sutfin on July 23, 1945 and he preceded her in death on November 9, 2000.

Surviving are her daughters, Cheryl Coleman of Killeen, TX, Carol Sutfin of St. Johns and Edna (Dennis) Upton of Perrinton, sons, John (Glenda) Sutfin of Laingsburg, LaVerne (Robyn) Sutfin of Eaton Rapids and Russell Miller of Jackson, five grandchildren, Kristen “KC” (Terry) Gimmey of St. Johns, Kari (David) Teed of Webberville, Neil (Lynn) Sutfin of St. Johns, Jeramie (Jennifer) Coleman of Sheridan and Jason (Kimberly) Coleman of Leander, TX, six great grandchildren, Grant and Kailey Gimmey, Rebecca Teed, Thane Sutfin, Morgan Coleman and Corbin Coleman, special friends, Mervin and Patricia Douglass and family, Mark and Kelly Albers and family. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sister.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday, July 8, 2006 at the family home. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorials to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan. Arrangements by the Osgood Funeral Home.

Julie A. Rann

rann_julie.jpg (6143 bytes)Julie A. Rann, 42, of Cadillac, MI formally of St. Johns died Tuesday, June 27, 2006. Julie was born February 9, 1964 in St. Johns the daughter of Barbara and John Rann. She was a graduate of St. Johns High School, and Michigan State University. She was a musician and enjoyed music, running and tennis. She is survived by her husband Greg Goudy, daughters Christina Rann and Stephanie Rann of Cadillac; her mother and step-father Barbara and Bill Wiseman of St. Johns; a sister Dianne Rann of Quincy MA; a half-brother John Phoenix Rann of Racine WI, step-sister Kelly Herbelshimer and step-brother Kit Carson of East Lansing MI.

Visitation will be held at The Keck-Coleman Funeral Home Thursday June 29, 2006 from 6-8 PM. Private Funeral Services will be held at The Keck-Coleman Funeral Home. Donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Frank J. Vsetula

vestula_frank.jpg (4686 bytes)Frank J. Vsetula, 82 died at Mecosta County Medical Center on Wed. June 28, 2006. Frank was born April 30, 1924 in Owosso, MI the son of Anthony J.  and Albina Laza Vsetula. On July 3, 1946 he married Ernestine Kabelitz in Lansing, MI. Frank worked as a millwright at Melling Drop Forge in Lansing, retiring in 1982 and was a veteran of the U. S. Army. He enjoyed tinkering with his old tractors, wood working,, boating and was an avid bird watcher.

He is survived by his wife Ernestine of nearly 60 years; 3 sons, Richard (Nonie) of Lansing, Wende (Diann) of St. Johns and Jerry of Lansing, MI; grandchildren Lisa, Anthony, Sarah, Leslie and Samuel Patrick; Greatgrandchildren, Joseph and Steven Vsetula as well as three brothers and a sister. He was preceded in death by a grandson Adam, and 3 brothers.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2006 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, 989-224-4422 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Shawn Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Lansing.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, 2-4  and 6-8 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.