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Mary T. Sinicropi

Pfc. Andrew H. Nelson

Catherine Elizabeth Drake

Virginia "Ginny" Thoma

Mary Bearup

Judith ‘Judy" A. Barrett

Pfc. Andrew H. Nelson, 19, died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations December 25, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to Alpha Company, 9th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, U.S. Army, Schweinfurt, Germany. He was born March 31, 1987 in St. Johns, MI the son of Alan and Tami (Moore) Nelson. Andrew was a 2005 graduate of St. Johns High School and was a member of the Redwing Swim Team and was a Captain of the team his senior year. On November 5, 2005 he married his high school sweetheart Kristi Rewerts, and she survives him.

Also surviving are his parents, Alan and Tami Nelson; two sisters, Jessica and Stephanie; parents-in-law, Norman and Danita Rewerts all of St. Johns; grandparents, Maridell Nelson of St. Johns, Albert and Betty Nelson of Southfield, MI, Larry and Mary Moore of St. Johns, Willis and Phyllis West of Elsie; brothers and sisters-in-law, Wayne Rewerts and fiancée Debbie Riddle of Ypsilanti, MI, Joe Rewerts of St. Johns, Jennifer Rewerts and Jeff Harshman of Lansing, Austin, Seth and Tyler Rewerts all of St. Johns; nephew, Maison Harshman; many aunts, uncles and cousins and long time close friends Tom and Nadine Stinnett and family. He was preceded in death by grandparents Norman and Rosemary Rewerts and an uncle, Matt West.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Saturday, January 6, 2007 at First Baptist Church 512 S. US 27, St. Johns with Rev. Perry J. Purcell and Chaplain Colonel Herbert Heavner officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the U.S. Army. The family will receive relatives and friends 2-4 and 6-8 pm Thursday and Friday at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns 989-224-4422. Memorial contributions may be made to the Clinton County Veterans Memorial 911 N. Oakland St. St. Johns, MI 48879 or to his wife Kristi.

Catherine Elizabeth Drake

Catherine Elizabeth Drake, 80, Loving and Devoted mother and grandmother passed away December 30, 2006. She was born December 2, 1926 in Fowler, MI to Frank and Dora Schueller. She was an active member of St. Michael Catholic Church, and worked as the church secretary for many years until her retirement.

She is survived by son, Thomas (Debra Nystrom) of Plano, Texas; daughter, Peggy (Chuck) Drake Maas of Grand Ledge; grandchildren Joshua, Andrew (Amber), Colin, Philip, Amanda, and Alyson. She is preceded in death by husband Alvin; one sister and two brothers.

Visitation will be Thursday 2-4, 6-8 p.m. at Holihan-Atkin Funeral Home Grand Ledge, Vigil 7:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, January 5, 2007, 11:00 a.m. at Saint Michael Catholic Church by Rev. Fr. James Eisele. Interment will follow at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael School. Catherine's family wishes to thank Burcham Hills Health Center staff for her wonderful care.

Francis Carl Gebhardt Ferden

Francis Carl Gebhardt Ferden I age 85 of Ovid, Michigan died Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at his home.

Funeral Services will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church Owosso, Michigan on Friday, January 5, 2007 at 11:00 AM. Pastor David Woodby will officiate with burial at Maple Grove Cemetery Ovid, MI. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 from 6-8 P.M. and Thursday, January 4, 2007 from 2-8 P.M. with family present 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.

Francis was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois on July 10, 1921 the son of Kelly and Minnie ( Gebhardt ) Ferden. He resided most of his life in Ovid area and graduated from Ovid High School with the class of 1941. Francis married Ann Ferrill on December 31, 1977 at the Shepardsville United Methodist Church. Francis retired from GM Truck and Bus in 1984 after 32 years of service. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany during WWII. He was a ham radio operator, and an avid pilot. He sang with the Ferden Family Singers. He enjoyed farming and German Chocolate Cake. Francis was a member of Shepardsville United Methodist Church and attended Redeemer Lutheran Church, Owosso, MI. He was also a member of the VFW Post #8964, Ovid, MI, UAW, and the A.R.R.L.

He is survived by his wife Ann Ferden of Ovid, MI, children; Jeanne and Glenn Byrd of St. Johns, MI, Francis (Frank) Carl Gebhardt II and LuAnn Ferden of Elsie, MI, Robert and Kim Ferden of Lansing, MI, Kurt Ferden of Arkansas, Nyles Ferden of Arkansas, Delene Dryer and fiance Joe Fuller of Grand Rapids, MI Erik and Kim Ferden of St. Johns, MI, James Ferden and fiancee Lynne Ramming of Troy, MI, John Ferden and special friend Joni Platko of Ovid, MI, Sarah Ferden of Ovid, MI and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, daughter LeAnne Kae, grandson, Francis ( Frankie ) Carl Gebhardt Ferden III 2 sisters; Evelyn Walsmith and Della Pease, 2 step-sisters; Ruby (Smith) Ashley, and Jennie Blackburn, and 1 step-brother Albert Warren.

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

Virginia "Ginny" Thoma

Virginia "Ginny" Thoma, 70, a wonderful, loving, wife, mother, friend and practical joker, died suddenly on December 31, 2006. Ginny was born on October 17, 1936 to Edwin Becker and Revella (Bohr) Becker of Fowler. Ginny is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Bill Thoma.

Also surviving are her children, Renee (Larry) Prochazka of St. Johns, Doug (Nancy) Thoma of Bancroft, Pamela (Bob) Thoma of St. Johns, Chris Thoma of Fowler, William J. (Julie) Thoma of Hubbardston; sisters, Georgene (Don) Thelen, Jeanene (Gerald) Thelen; brothers, Gerard (Loraly) Becker, James (Alice) Becker; fourteen grandchildren, Ryan, Kyle, James, Rebecca, Brent, Joshua, Amy, Shannon, Douglas, Kaycie, Ehrin, Dain, Taylor and Brann; one great grandchild, Makayla.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 4, 2007 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI, Burial at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery with the Rev. Fr. Timothy E. MacDonald officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Goerge Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Fowler, with Rosaries being prayed 3 p.m. and 7 pm. Tuesday and 3 p.m. Wednesday with a vigil service 7 p.m. Wednesday. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorials to The American Heart Association.

Mary T. Sinicropi

Mary T. Sinicropi, loving Mother and Wife, 80 of Ovid died Friday, December 29, 2006 at Ovid Healthcare Center. Mary was born on August 28, 1926 in Lansing the daughter of Ford and Angelina (Antonio) Martelli. She graduated from Eastern High School and led the Girls Band as Head Majorette. On May 10, 1947 she married Anthony J. Sinicropi in Lansing. Together they owned and operated Tri-Ami Bowl in Ovid for many years. Mary was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the Altar Society. She enjoyed her family, bowling, gardening, arts and crafts and cooking.

Surviving is her husband, Tony; daughters Angie and Sid Wittenberg and Chris and Steve Potts both of Ovid; sons Ford and Carla Sinicropi of Vestaburg, MI and Sam Sinicropi of St. Louis, MI; grandchildren, Jenny and Kyle Kares of Bath, Tara and Scott Clare of Ft. Hood, Texas, Erica and Sarah Sinicropi of St. Louis, Ashley, Charles and Shelby McConnell of Vestaburg; greatgrandson Joshua Kares; sisters, Vicky Cafaro of Seneca Falls, NY and Frances and Joe Mazzolini of Rochester, MI; several nieces and nephews; sister-in –laws Frances Lorenzetti and Jennie and Joseph Petrucci; brother-in-law John and Mary Ann Sinicropi; and her Cat Olivia. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandson Nicholas Sinicropi.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, Ovid on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Ray Urbanek officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Ovid. A Rosary service will be at 7:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. The family will receive friends at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, 989-224-4422, St. Johns on Sunday 1-4 P.M. and Monday, 2-7 P.M. Memorials may be given to Holy Family Catholic Church, Ovid Healthcare Center or Ovid-Middlebury Emergency Services.

Mary Bearup

Mary Bearup age 93 of Elsie, Michigan died Thursday, December 28, 2006 at Ashley Care Center Ashley, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel Elsie, MI on Saturday, December 30, 2006 at 11:00 AM. Pastor Cora Grace Goldman will officiate with burial at Ford Cemetery Gratiot County, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 29, 2006 from 2-8 P.M. with family present 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.

Mary was born in Marion Springs, Michigan on July 18, 1913 the daughter of Andrew and Bertha ( Morbitzer ) Frasle. She resided most of her life in Bannister, Elsie, and had spent winters in Bradenton, Florida. Mary married Lewis O. Bearup on March 19, 1931. He died on November 22, 1982. She was a homemaker. She enjoyed flowers, collecting stones, camping and fishing, and watching Wheel of Fortune.

She is survived by her children; Bertha and Don Whitaker of Elsie, MI, Don Bearup of Elsie, MI, Lloyd and Linda Bearup of Ludington, MI, Jim and Kathleen Bearup of Elsie, MI, Joyce and Jerry Kohgen of St. Johns, MI, 17 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, sister Anna Attenberger of Owosso, MI, brother Frank and Jenny Frasle of Saginaw, MI, and brother Charles Frasle of Brant, MI. She is predeceased by her parents, husband, daughter Betty Quick, 3 brothers Reynold, Leo and Joseph Frasle, and 1 sister Rose Gedrities.

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

Judy completed her life here on Earth on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006.

Judith ‘Judy' A. Barrett

Judy Barrett completed her life here on Earth on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006. Her primary life's work was in child care at her home, at the Congregational Child Care, and was a preschool teacher and director at St. Joseph's Child Care. She also worked for Robbins Furniture Company and for Nelson-House Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006, at the Holy Family Church in Ovid, with the Rev. Fr. Denis Spitzley officiating, burial to follow at St. Paul Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Nelson-House Funeral Home, today from 2 to 8 p.m., and Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. There will be a scripture service Friday at 7 p.m., followed by a Rosary by the Companions of Pauline being prayed at 7:30 p.m.

Judy was born Dec. 2, 1946, in St. Johns, Mich., the daughter of Theodore E. and Josie (Wilkes) Goldman. She graduated with the class of 1965, from Ashley High School, and attended Sienna Heights, Baker College and Lansing Community College. On June 19, 1965, she married Michael Barrett at St. Cyrils in Bannister. Judy was a member of the Holy Family Church in Ovid, and a member of its choir. She held various positions and was involved in numerous organizations with the church over the years.

Survivors include: her husband, Michael; children, Dan Barrett, David (Christine) Barrett and Michelle (Brandon) Julian; grandchildren, Kevin Julian, Dominick Johnson, Alyssa Barrett, and Danielle Barrett; mother, Josie Goldman; sisters, Linda (Brian) Swatman and Anna Jo (Todd) Ewing; several nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters and brothers-in-law; and many special friends. She was predeceased by: her father; nephews, Devin Swatman and Carl Barrett; and several sisters and brothers-in-law.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, or the charity of donor's choice.

“My life has been very rich, full, and blessed by God in many ways. There have been many wonderful people who have touched and enriched my life. God bless you all until we meet again.” - Judy

Pfc. Andrew H. Nelson

A community memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday December 29, 2006 at the VFW Hall on North Business US-27 in St. Johns.   Funeral arrangements are pending with Keck-Coleman Funeral Home.

The Department of Defense announced Wednesday the death a local soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Andrew H. Nelson, 19, of Saint Johns died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations Dec. 25 in Baghdad, Iraq. He and two others who died with him were assigned to the 9th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany.