Obituaries

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Bethel B. (Tihart) Pierce

Jack Arthur Bouchey

George Besko

Theda B. Wing

Alma Halfman

Opal B. Bancroft

Alvin Lee Drumheller

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Bethel B. (Tihart) Pierce

pierce_bethel.jpg (6353 bytes)Bethel B. (Tihart) Pierce, Bath, age 94, passed away peacefully at Timber Ridge on March 19, 2007, and is now reunited with her loving husband, Robert. Born December 18, 1912 in Shaftsburg, Michigan to John and Bernice (McCarn) Tihart. She graduated from James Couzens Agricultural School in Bath; was a Bath School Disaster survivor; and a graduate of Eastern Michigan University. She taught in country school 2 years and first grade at Bath Community Schools for 23 years, retiring in 1972. She was united in marriage to Robert Pierce on October 11, 1933, and resided in the Bath area most of her married life. Robert preceded her in death in 2001 after 67 1/2 years of marriage. Bethel was baptized at the age of 11, and was a member of Bath Baptist Church over 75 years, where she was its pianist for a number of years; past member of the Friday Afternoon Club, Ladies Missionary Society, and Sunny Seniors. Besides playing the piano and organ, she read her bible everyday, enjoyed sewing, gardening and travel, having traveled to the Holy Land in the 1970's; and in recent years had a special bond with her grandson, Andrew Donahue. Also preceding her in death are her parents, her sister, June Clark and her brother, Earl Clark.

She is survived by her son, Bruce (Caroline) Pierce and her daughter, Carolyn Donahue; six grandchildren, Michael (Linda) Pierce, Kathy (Phil) Thelen, Steve (Cheryl) Pierce, Andrew Donahue, Shawn Donahue, and Carrie (Jeremy) Peters, 12 great-grandchildren, her sister, Ethel M. Pratt, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 23, 2:00 p.m. at Bath Baptist Church, 13527 Webster, Bath, MI with the Rev. Dr. Richard Cole, officiating. Interment will follow in Rose Cemetery, Bath. The family will receive friends at the Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes, 205 E. Washington, DeWitt Thursday from 6-8 p.m. Bethel's family wishes to express their gratitude to the Timber Ridge staff for their special and loving care. Those desiring may make contributions to Bath Baptist Church in memory of Mrs. Pierce.

Alma Halfman

Alma Halfman died March 17, 2007 at the age of 95. Arrangements are pending at the Goerge Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, Fowler.

Opal B. Bancroft

Opal B. Bancroft, age 98, died March 19, 2007; born April 16, 1908 in Ingham County, MI. Mrs. Bancroft was a member of Wacousta United Methodist Church and its Spring Creek Circle for many years. She has been a resident of Hazel Findlay Country Manor for 13 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan; daughter, Joyce Koeppen; and sister, Orpha McGiveron.

Surviving are her son, Jerry (Dorothy) Bancroft; son-in-law, Donald Koeppen; 4 grandchildren; numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 23, 10:00 a.m. at the Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes, 205 E. Washington, DeWitt with the Rev. Lyle D. Heaton of Wacousta United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will follow in Wacousta Cemetery, Wacousta, MI. The family will receive friends at the Chapel Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Those desiring may make contributions to Hazel Findlay Country Manor, 1101 S. Scott Rd., St. Johns, MI 48879 in memory of Mrs. Bancroft.

Jack Arthur Bouchey

bouchey_jack.jpg (4145 bytes)Jack Arthur Bouchey age 77 died peacefully with his family at his side on Sunday, March 18, 2007 at his home in Ithaca, Michigan. Funeral services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca Chapel on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 1:30 P.M. Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Burial will take place in the Ithaca Cemetery and Pastor Larry Brown will officiate.

Jack was born in Saginaw, Michigan on August 9, 1929 the son of Arthur and Leona ( Cook ) Bouchey, he lived in Ithaca since 1953. On May 13, 1950 he married Marian Felzke in Lansing, Michigan. He worked in the family business, Bouchey Monument Co., until 1972 when he left to become the Ithaca City Manager until 1991 when he retired after 18 years of service. Jack was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church and served his church as an elder, and he served on the Ithaca City Council, and Gratiot Board of Commissioners, serving as chairman in 1971. He was a past president of the Ithaca Chamber of Commerce.

Survivors include his wife, Marian Bouchey of Ithaca, Michigan, one daughter, Barbara Ann and Roger Litwiller of Ithaca, Michigan, 2 grandsons, Ryan David and Michelle Litwiller of Flint, Michigan, Jordan Jack Litwiller of Ithaca, Michigan, one brother, Harlan and Alice Bouchey of St. Johns, Michigan, one sister Joan Green of Ovid, Michigan, 3 step sisters, Sara Jane Smith of Holt, Michigan, Joan and Tom Glinke of Fowler, Michigan, Janice and Roger Crowell of St. Johns, Michigan, brother in law, Arnold and Betty Schuppert of Florida, nephew, Randy and Denise Bouchey of St. Louis, Michigan, 3 nieces of Cheryl Bouchey of Dewitt, Michigan, Linda and Steve Lewandowski of St. Johns, Michigan, Janice and Steve Houts of California He was predeceased by his parents, stepmother Sarah Bouchey, sister in law, Doris M. Schuppert, parents in law John and Helena Felzke.

Memorials may be made to Gratiot Area Hospice or Ithaca First Presbyterian Church. Thank you to Dr. Prouty for Jack’s care and for Pam, Sheryl, Kim and Penny from Gratiot Area Hospice for caring for him in his last days. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca Chapel.

George Besko

besko_george.jpg (4447 bytes)George Besko, age 89, of Flint, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2007, at Masonic Pathways. Mr. Besko worked for Chrysler Corporation as an engineer, retiring in 1980.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Jennings-Lyons Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery, Ovid. Visitation at the funeral home will be today from 2 to 8 p.m., with a Masonic Service at 7:30 p.m.

George was born Nov. 9, 1917, in Detroit, the son of John and Anna (Ozvat) Besko. He graduated from St. Johns High School, class of 1935, and an engineering trade school in Detroit. George married Adelia Hosking on July 27, 1940, in Owosso. She passed away on Nov. 28, 2005.

He was a member of the Shiawassee Conservation Club; Detroit Metropolitan Club; Coatian Club; Royal Arch Owosso-Past High Priest; Valley of Grand Rapids, Scottish Rite; Saladin Shrine Center, Grand Rapids; Elf Khurafeh; Vienna Masonic Lodge 205; Eagles; North Point Lodge 409; and the Mt. Morris Fire Department for 45 years.

Survivors include: son, George A. (Barbara) Besko of Montrose; daughter, Dianne J. (Jack) Walton of Owosso; grandchildren, Tamara (Jamie) Fehrenback, Gracie (Jerry) Avery, LeAnn (Troy) Napier, Melisa Besko, George Jr. (Jennifer) Besko, Kenda (Chris Reed) Watson, Tonyia (Scott Aschenbrenner) Besko, Steve (Kathy) Walton, Denise (Ralph) Rueda, Todd (Jennifer) Walton, Scott Walton; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Cody, Brooke, Spencer, Skyler, Seth, Rebecca, Carson, Michael, Gillian, Jake, Alliva, Logan and George; brother, Henry (Donna) Besko of St. Johns; special cousin, Doris (Ozvat); in-laws, Pat (Hubert) Sills of Elsie, Irene Hosking, Mickie Besko, John Srnec; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by: his wife; brothers, John, Michael and Jim; and sisters, Mary Srnec and Anna Mae Thorton.

Memorial bequests may be made to: the Elf Khurafeh Shrine Children's Hospital or Elf Khurafeh Burn Unit.

Alvin Lee Drumheller

drumheller_alvin.jpg (4117 bytes)Alvin Lee Drumheller age 72 of Perrinton, Michigan died Thursday, March 15, 2007 at Sparrow Health Systems Sparrow Campus Lansing, MI.

Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel St. Johns, MI on Sunday, March 18, 2007 from 2 - 8 PM. A Private burial will be held at Payne Cemetery Middleton, MI. There will be no service.

Alvin was born in Clinton County, Michigan on August 14, 1934 the son of William and Lora ( Falor ) Durmheller. Alvin married Lorraine Ann Divish on May 19, 1956 in Carson City, MI. He retired from Federal Mogul in St. Johns in 1995. He enjoyed woodworking, working in his yard and putting puzzles together. Alvin was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Carson City, MI and of the VFW Perrinton Post #1735.

He is survived by his wife Lorraine Drumheller of Perrinton, MI, one daughter Laurie and Ryan Schneider of Riverdale, MI, one son Mark and Holly Drumheller of Shepherd, MI, 4 grandchildren; Mark II, Ronald, Ashley, and Mary, one great grandchild Mark III, one great grandchild to be here soon, one sister Rose and Wendell Delo of Ithaca, MI, 2 brothers; Roman and Sharon Williams of Ithaca, MI, Larry and Ginger Williams of Portland, MI, nieces and nephews and cousins, his faithful companion, his dog.

Memorials may be made to a Charity of the Donor's Choice. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel.

Theda B. Wing

wing_theda.jpg (4963 bytes)Theda B. Wing died March 14, 2007, at the age of 89. Born April 29, 1917 in Gratiot County, the daughter of Harry and Mary (Sherman) Redman. Theda was a homemaker and a member of the First Congregational Church. She married Lawrence Becker on June 1, 1938 and he preceded her in death on February 21, 1966. She married Kenneth Wing on January 5, 1969 and he preceded her in death on July 28, 1974.

Surviving her are sons, Gerald (Wilda) Becker and James (Vickie) Becker, both of St. Johns, nine grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Muriel Fitzpatrick, brothers, Rex, Gale and Max Redman and son-in-law, William Fitzpatrick.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 17, 2007 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Cayle Beagle officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M Friday at the funeral home. Sympathies may be made in the form of contributions to the St. Johns Senior Center.