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Alberta Whitford
 Alberta Whitford passed away July 9, 2007, at the
age of 61. She was born in Hillsdale on April 11, 1946, the daughter of Frank and Myrtle
(Hendershott) Tompkins. Alberta married Robert Whitford in Holt on June 11, 1968 and he
survives her.
Also surviving is her son, Robert (Roberta) Whitford of Maple Rapids, daughters, Cindy
(Pete) Dershem and Kathy (Tim) Vincent, all of St. Johns, 10 grandchildren, brother,
Charles Tompkins, many nieces and nephews, special pets, Bo and Lucky. She was preceded in
death by her parents and parents-in-law, Kenneth and Bertha Whitford.
Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, July 12, 2007 at the Osgood Funeral
Home, burial at Duplain Cemetery with Pastor Paul Daniels officiating. The
family will receive friends 6-8 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Vlasta Lily Motz
 Vlasta Lily Motz age 85 of Chesaning, Michigan died
Monday, July 9, 2007 at Brian's House Hospice, Davison, MI.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel Elsie, MI on
Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 11:00 AM. Mr. Thomas Bradley will officiate with burial at
North Star Cemetery North Star, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 10,
2007 from 6-8 P.M. and Wednesday, July 11, 2007 from 2-8 P.M. with family present 2-4 and
6-8 P.M.
Vlasta was born in Ashley, Michigan on January 8, 1922 the daughter of Thomas and
Elizabeth ( Kresanak ) Grigar. She resided most of her life on a farm on Woodridge Road in
Ashley, Michigan before moving to Chesaning 6 years ago. She graduated from Fulton High
School. Vlasta married James Motz in Ithaca, Michigan. He died on July 1, 1975. Vlasta
enjoyed reading, gardening, and crafts. Her family was very important to her. Vlasta was
50 year member of the ZCBJ.
She is survived by her daughter Carolyn and Bill Walenczak of Westminter, CO, 2 grandsons;
Jeffrey Walenczak of Westminster, CO, Matthew and Christy Walenczak of Denver, sister Anna
Sopocy of Bannister, MI, CO, niece Patricia and Allen Hatch of Grand Blanc, MI, and
several other nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, son Glen Motz on July
5, 1962, and 3 brothers; Thomas Grigar, Jerry Grigar, and Don Grigar.
Memorials may be made to Brian's House Hospice or American Cancer Society. The family is
being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.
Helen Lorene Kitchen
 Helen Lorene Kitchen, 85 passed away Thursday, March
15, 2007 at her daughter, Susan Lockwood’s home surrounded by her loving family.
Helen was born on August 6, 1921 in Galatia, Illinois to Anna Lucille Craddock and Roy V.
Weir. Helen married Harry C. Kitchen on October 25, 1940 in Oxford, Michigan. They were
married for 46 years and had one daughter and fours sons, Helen worked for Federal Mogul
in St. John’s, Michigan for 15 years prior to moving to Vanderbilt, Michigan. She was
active in the Clinton Arts Council expressing her love of Art through her pastel drawings.
Helen was a dedicated mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was also a devoted
Christian and an active member of the Vanderbilt Community Church where she played the
organ and took part in the church choir.
Helen is survived by her brother, Robert (Sally) Weir of Winchester, Kentucky, her four
sons, Theodore Kitchen of Grand Rapids, Michigan, William Kitchen of Vanderbilt, Michigan,
Richard Kitchen of Lincoln Park, Michigan and Harry (Emily Meyerson) Kitchen Jr. of
Petoskey, Michigan, her daughter, Susan (Charles) Lockwood of Williamsburg, Michigan, her
16 wonderful grandchildren, 15.5 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Roy V. Weir and Anna Lucille Craddock, her
husband Harry C. Kitchen in 1987, and her brother, Roy Dale Weir.
Funeral Services were held Saturday, March 17, 2007. Burial in the White Chapel
Cemetery, Troy, Michigan. Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer
Society through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, Michigan 49734
Keith E. Murray
 Keith E. Murray died Friday, July 6, 2007 at the age
of 81. He was born February 23, 1926 in Gratiot County, Michigan the son of Norman and
Leona (Waggoner) Murray. Keith was a veteran of WWII and a member of the V.F.W. Post #
4113. He enjoyed playing a friendly game of euchre with his many friends from
Bruno’s, and was affectionately referred to as "Easy Money". Keith enjoyed
hunting, camping, and gardening, especially growing roses and was a retired Motor Wheel
employee. Keith was preceded in death by his by his wife Janet, in 2002, with whom he
shared 52 years of happiness.
Surviving are his four daughters, Kris (Jeff) Koenigsknecht of Fowler, Lorene Knight
and Kathy Paradise of St. Johns, Julie (Dennis) Angell of Ovid; nine grandchildren,
Zachary (Trish) Ernst, Joshua Ernst, Benjamin Ernst, Miranda (Matt) Smith, Jason (Shelly)
Knight, Aaron and Tyler Paradise, Rachel Angell, Ashley (Toby) Pickelmann; three great
grandchildren, Olivia Droste, Jordyn Ernst, Paige Pickelmann; one sister-in-law, Martha
Murray of Ashley; one brother-in-law, John Franke of FL; cousin Stan (Phylis) Murray of
St. Johns one uncle, Reginald (Janese) Stevens and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Tuesday, July 10,
2007 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns
989-224-4422 with Pastor Audie Clairmont officiating. Military honors will be provided by
the St. Johns Honor Guard. The family will receive relatives and friends 2-4 and 6-8 pm
Sunday and Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Clinton Hospice through
the Sparrow Foundation P.O. Box 30480 Lansing, MI 48909-9986.
Justin Douglas Fox
 Justin Douglas Fox died July 4, 2007, at the age of 16
as the result of an automobile accident. He was born in Lansing on June 21, 1991, the son
of Douglas and Michelle (Nunn) Fox. He was a student at St. Johns High School and a member
of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was a hockey player with S.J.A.S.A. and played baseball
with S.J.Y.B.A., played spring hockey with the DeWitt-St. Johns hockey team and football
for St. Johns High School, had a passion for hunting and fishing.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his sister, Allie Fox, grandparents, Mike
and Connie Nunn, Bill and Judy Fox, great grandparents, Paul and Helen Fox of Fowler,
several aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous friends.
Funeral Service will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. Monday, July 9, 2007 at St. Joseph Catholic
Church with burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.
Saturday and Sunday at the Osgood Funeral Home.
Joyce Ann Reese
 Joyce Ann Reese died July 4, 2007, at the age of 64.
She was born in Lansing on August 22, 1942, the daughter of Wayne and Cornelia (Belen)
Elliott. She was a retired rural postal carrier, a member of St. John’s Lutheran
Church, enjoyed gardening, interior decorating and spending time with her grandchildren.
Joyce married Terry Reese in Grand Ledge on July 18, 1975 and he survives her.
Also surviving are her children, Kristan Tetens of East Lansing, Sara (Troy) Marquardt of
Macomb, MI, Darren Elliott of Washington, D.C., Laura (Jeff) Bassett and Karin (Jim)
Garcia, all of St. Johns, grandchildren, Taylor, Kylie, Casey, Ridge, Samuel, Nicholas,
Ashley, Makenzie, Devin and Jesse and brother, William (Bonnie) Elliott of Grand Ledge.
She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Angela Rae.
Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, July 7, 2007 at St. John’s Lutheran
Church, burial at South Bingham Cemetery with Pastor George Brinley officiating. The
family will receive friends from Noon – 2 P.M. Saturday at the church. Sympathy may
be expressed in the form of memorials to the Salvation Army. The family is being served by
the Osgood
Funeral Home.
Doris I. Moore
 Doris I. Moore age 84 of
Elsie, Michigan died Wednesday, July 4, 2007 at at her home.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel Elsie, MI on
Sunday, July 8, 2007 at 1:00 PM. Pastor Jon Pohl and Pastor Kathy Leydorf will officiate
with burial at Riverside Cemetery Elsie, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Friday, July
6, 2007 from 6-8 P.M. and Saturday, July 7, 2007 from 2-8 P.M. with family present 2-4 and
6-8 P.M.
Doris was born in Bannister, Michigan on February 12, 1923 the daughter of Frank and
Augusta ( Moore ) Oberlin. She resided most of her life in Bannister and Elsie, MI and
graduated from Elsie High School with the class of 1940. She then attended Lansing
Business College. Doris married Robert L. Moore on February 23, 1946 in Elsie, Michigan.
He died on June 8, 2005. She was a homemaker, and she had worked for the State of
Michigan. She enjoyed her grandchildren, sewing, crossword puzzles, and watching birds in
her yard. Doris was a member of Bannister United Methodist Church. Lioness, Farm Bureau,
United Methodist Women, and a former 4-H Leader and Duplain Township Treasurer.
She is survived by 2 daughters Kathleen and Jeff Roberts of Corunna, MI, Cindy and Radford
Ching of Elsie, MI, 4 sons; Carl and Ellen Moore of Cedar Springs, MI, Calvin and Pat
Moore of Cedar Springs, MI, Carter Moore of Elsie, MI, Alan and Phyllis Moore of
Bannister, MI, 19 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 2 sisters; Wanda Larue of Elsie,
MI, Doreen Kridner of Elsie, MI, and 2 brothers; Jack Oberlin of Bannister, MI, and Bob
Oberlin of Elsie, MI. She is predeceased by her parents, husband, one granddaughter Carrie
Mae and daughter-in-law Mary Kay.
Memorials may be made to Bannister United Methodist Church or Hospice. The family is being
served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.
Richard Dean Simmer
 Richard Dean Simmer age
69 of DeWitt, Michigan died Wednesday, July 4, 2007 at Mid-Michigan Hospice House,
Lansing, Michigan.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel St. Johns,
MI on Monday, July 9, 2007 at 11:00 AM. Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop will officiate with burial at
Mt. Rest Cemetery St. Johns, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2007
from 6-8 P.M. and Sunday, July 8, 2007 from 2-8 P.M. with family present 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.,
Rosary will be prayed Sunday, July 8 at 6:00 P.M.
Richard was born in Clarksville, Michigan on February 24, 1938 the son of Willferd and
Pearline ( Benson ) Simmer. He resided most of his life in Holt, Lansing, and then DeWitt
and graduated from Resurrection Catholic School, Lansing, MI. Richard married Beverly A.
Dennis on March 28, 1959 in Ovid, Michigan. He worked with the National Guard in Grayling,
and with the Headquarters in Lansing. He then worked for Oldsmobile working in Quality
Control at all the plants and retired in 1994. Richard was a member of St. Joseph Catholic
Church of St. Johns, MI and St. Jude's Catholic Church of DeWitt, MI as well as a member
of the UAW, a former member of the National Guard, Den father with the Cub Scouts in
Lansing and coached 3 years for South Riley Soft Ball League.
He is survived by his wife Beverly Simmer of DeWitt, MI, 2 sons; Richard Dean and Karen
Simmer of Portage, MI, Joseph Clifford and Renee Simmer of Armada, MI, grandchildren
Tanya, Troy, Trisha, Erica and Brooke, step-mother Geraldine Colgan of Fowler, MI, 3
sisters; Laura Hoekstra of Lakeview, MI, Arlene Heipel of Reno, NV, Judy Switzer of Perry,
MI, 3 brothers; Roy Simmer of Fowler, MI, Ralph Simmer of Charlotte, MI, Terry Simmer of
Oxford, MI, and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and one
sister Evelyn Cavanni.
Memorials may be made to Mid-Michigan Hospice House - St. Lawernce Campus. The family is
being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel.
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