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Charles D. Mead

Barbara J. Roy

Lillian L. LaRue

Maurice Casler

Earl N. Miller

Cheryl "Sherry" Stearns

Brian Kent Welton

Betty Jean Knight died Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at the age of 75. She was born May 12, 1933 in St. Johns the daughter of Thomas and Helen (Kasper) Atkinson and lived all her life in St. Johns. She was a graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns class of 1950 and was a former president of the American Legion Auxiliary. Betty retired from Federal Mogul Corp. with 41 years of service. On May 11, 1952 she married Lial Knight and he survives her.

Also surviving are two daughters, Lorraine (Charles) Baker of Webberville and Stephanie (Todd) Sheldon of Stockbridge; two sons, Barry (Cindy) of Owosso and Lial (Liane) of Coral Springs, FL; eight grandchildren; one sister, Connie Welton of St. Johns and three brothers, Jerry (Gert) Atkinson of Loon Lake, MI, Doug (Carol) Atkinson and Ron (Kay) Atkinson all of St. Johns. She was preceded in death by one brother, Dale Atkinson.

Following Betty’s wishes there will be no visitation or funeral service. Memorials may be made to the charity of donor’s choice. Arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.

Maurice Casler

Maurice Casler died October 28, 2008, at the age of 94. She was born in Gratiot County on February 24, 1914, the daughter of Frederick and Linnie (First) Teachworth. She was a retired General Motors employee and member of First United Methodist Church of St. Johns. Maurice married Howard Casler in 1938 and he preceded her in death in 1988. She married Homer Miller in 1989 and he preceded her in death in 1997.

Surviving is her daughter, Patricia (Vern) Schneider of Sheridan, grandchildren, Michele (Burnell) Grieve of Shelby Township, Mark (Kim Patrick) Schneider of Grand Haven, Jeff (Mary) Casler of Saginaw, Susan (Dan) Wahl of Rochester Hills and Robert (Lori Blood) Casler, seven great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents, son, Maynard Casler, sisters, Crystal Moore, Mary Snyder and Nina Teachworth, and brothers, Ralph, Raymond and Norris Teachworth.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, October 30, 2008 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Fulton Center Cemetery with Pastor George Ayoub officiating. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorials to Masonic Pathways, 1200 Wright Ave., Alma, MI 48801.

John Sandham "Sandy" Briggs

John Sandham "Sandy" Briggs of Jackson passed away peacefully at his home, under the loving care of his family Tuesday, October 14, 2008, age 70 years. He was the son of Roy and Pauline Briggs, born October 20, 1937 in Bad Axe, Michigan.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carole Briggs, of 48 years; five children, Lt. Col. Michael Briggs of Arlington, Virginia, Tom (Mari) Briggs, Sara (Bill) Benedetto of Jackson, Ken (Jennifer) Briggs of Kalamazoo, MI, and Jeff (Rita) Briggs of Portage, MI; 14 grandchildren, Amy, Alyson, Abby, Alec, Kohler, Kelcey, Carter, Dustin and Carmen Briggs, Sam Chimelewski, Lizzy, Michael, Tori and John Benedetto; brother, Ransom A. (Sue) Briggs; several other close relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Cooper Thomas Briggs.

John graduated from high school in St. John's, the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA. He served his country with the rank of Captain in the United States Army from 1961 to 1963, moving to Jackson in 1965. John worked for Sparton Electronics for ten years, then Saunders Real Estate, then founded Briggs Real Estate. He was a charter member of Jackson Eye Openers Lions Club with a perfect attendance of 27 years, charter member of Habitat for Humanity, member of First United Methodist Church, Jaycees, Jackson Area Land Lord Association, and many other community service groups. He coached church and little league programs, and helped organize the Appalachian Service Projects. According to his wishes, cremation has taken place.

John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He dearly loved spending quality time with his family and at the lake home. He loved life, traveling, and he never lost the thirst for knowledge. A grateful thank you to Allegiance Hospice for their loving and tender care. A Celebration of his life will be held at First United Methodist Church, 275 W. Michigan Ave, Sunday, October 19, at 3:00 p.m. Reverend Edward Ross and Susan Babb officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Michigan Parkinson Foundation, Bingham Office Center, 30400 Telegraph, Suite 150, Bingham Farms, MI 48025; or Allegiance Hospice, One Jackson Square, Suite 400, Jackson, MI 49201

The family received friends at the Watson Funeral Chapel, Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. then at the church, Sunday October 19, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. until time of service at 3:00.

Earl N. Miller

Earl N. Miller passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at the age of 94. He was born on July 10, 1914 to Herbert E.. and Alvina (Fletcher) Miller in Hazelton Township. He was a farmer and worked at Dalton Elevator for 31 years. He married Irene Snover on December 12, 1937 and she preceded him in death this past October 5.

Earl is survived by his son, Herb (Pat) Miller and daughter Dorine (Lyle) Luft all of Owosso, seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. In addition to his beloved Irene, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Virginia Luft, son-in-law, Franklin Lee Luft, sisters, Doris Thompson and Mable Miller, and brothers, Lyman and Jay Miller.

Funeral services will be held at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 28, 2008 with the Rev. David Hudgens officiating. Interment will follow immediately at Maple Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday, 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Sympathies may be expressed in the form of memorial contributions to the family.

Charles D. Mead

Charles D. Mead passed away at home on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at the age of 69. He was born on June 7, 1939 to Dale and Rose (Vondrasek) Mead in Owosso. He worked as a Heavy Press Operator at Federal Mogul, and served his community through his memberships in the Lions Club and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

He married Kay Powers on November 3, 1962 in Maple Rapids and she survives him. Together they had three daughters, Malisa (Steve) Boggs of Perry, Tracey (Phil) Morse of Bancroft and Candy (Gary Jackson) Schultz of Owosso. Through the years their family grew, with the addition of six granddaughters, Shantel and Shelby Morse, Haley, Hannah, and Blaine Schultz and Mackenzie Boggs and one grandson, Torin Boggs. Charles is also survived by his sisters, Shirley (Gary) Schooley of Corunna, Rosie (Alfred) Flag of Owosso, Judy (Charles) Molberg of Holly and Julie (Doug) Taylor. In addition to his parents, Charles was also preceded in death by his brother John Mead.

Funeral services will be held 1:00P.M. Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at the Houghton Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, 232 E. Oak St., Ovid with Mike Luckhurst officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Owosso. The family will receive friends 2:00 – 4:00P.M. and 6:00 – 8:00P.M. Monday and Tuesday at the funeral home. Sympathies may be expressed in the form of memorial contributions to the family.

Cheryl "Sherry" Stearns

Cheryl Lynn (Kloeckner) Stearns, 67, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully Oct. 24, 2008, at the home she loved, slipping from the warm embrace of family and friends into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Sherry enjoyed the beauty of God's creation, tending her flowers and working in her neatly manicured yard. She was equally enriched by her work with the church family at St. James Lutheran Church and School where she served as a pre-school aide and secretary for 35 years, before undergoing cancer surgery eight months ago. Family and faith were the mainstay of Sherry's life. She was a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed the laughter and spirit of her family, especially all her grandchildren; she was always ready with a smile and hug to calm their fears.

Sherry was born July 29, 1941 in St. Johns, the first child of Clemens and Marcella Kloeckner. She was raised on the family farm in Riley Township, attended St. Peter Lutheran School, and graduated in 1959 from Rodney B. Wilson High School, St. Johns.

Sherry and Duane Stearns were married Oct. 8, 1960, at St. Peter Lutheran Church-Riley. They made their home in Grand Rapids, enjoying times there with family and friends for the past 48 years.

Surviving are her husband, Duane; children, Mike (Marie) Stearns of Grand Rapids, Lisa (Brian) Lancaster of Jenison; grandchildren, Amelie and Nathan Stearns, and Tyler and Jake Lancaster; her mother, Marcella Kloeckner of St. Johns, and mother-in-law, Coletta Stearns of Ovid; brother, Rollie (Marilyn) Kloeckner of Lansing, and sister, Rhonda (Wayne) Dedyne of St. Johns; brother and sister-in-law, Lloyd and Janice Stearns of Saline, Mich., many nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grand-nieces and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, Clemens, in 2003 and father-in-law, Hubert Stearns, in 1995.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28, at St. James Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, with Pastor James Blaine officiating. Interment will follow at 3:30 p.m., at St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery, St. Johns.

Visitation is from 2-8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 27, at Reyer North Valley Chapel, Grand Rapids. Memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran School, St. Peter Lutheran School, or a charity of the donor's choice.

Barbara J. Roy

Barbara J. Roy, 65 died October 24, 2008 at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing MI. Barb was born October 16, 1943 in Flint, MI the daughter of Howard and  Alma (Newman) Tolles. She graduated from Clio High School in 1962. Barb was a homemaker, loved doing crafts and playing bingo.

She is survived by husband William of Ovid, daughters, Teri (Ron) Compeau of St. Johns, and Cathy (Jack) Cords of Owosso and son Kevin (Sarah) Snyder of Perry; 12 grandchildren, and her dog, Mitz and her sister, Florence Cornell of Ovid.

The family will receive friends at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home in St. Johns on Monday, Oct. 27, 2008, 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Funeral services will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. Memorial contributions may be made to Ele's Place,1145 W. Oakland Ave., Lansing,  MI 48915.

Brian Kent Welton

Brian Kent Welton, age 51, of Parma, MI died Thursday, October 23, 2008.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie Chapel Elsie, MI on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 11:00am, Pastor Phil Beavers will officiate. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008 from 6-8 pm. and on Sunday, October 26, 2008 from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.

Brian was born in St. Johns, Michigan on May 5, 1957, the son of Bruce Edwin and Rose Marie (Sturgis) Welton. He graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School with the class of 1975. He received an associate degree from MSU. Brian married Sarah Jeanne Robbins on Apirl 14, 1984. Brian owned Welton Crop & Soil Consulting Service. He enjoyed traveling to his nieces and nephews sporting events, and he enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers and MSU Sports. He enjoyed the out of doors, gardening, raising crops and planting trees.

He is survived by his wife Sarah Welton of Parma, MI, adopted son Todd Welton of Parma, MI, parents Bruce and Rose Welton of Elsie, MI, sister Rosanne and Chuck Harden of St. Johns, MI, brother Brett and Cheryl Welton of St. Johns, MI, and many nieces and nephews.

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

Lillian L. LaRue

Lillian L. LaRue passed away at the Laurels of Fulton on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, at the age of 97. She was born September 4, 1911 in St. Johns, the daughter of Clyde and Nellie (Bradley) Fairchild and has lived in Maple Rapids since 1943. She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, O.E.S. #76, the Farm Bureau and the Clinton County Historical Society. Lillian married Waldo C. LaRue on April 7, 1929 and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Lillian was preceded in death by her brother, Cyrus and two sisters, Hilda and Gertrude.

Graveside services will be held at Eureka Cemetery at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, October 24, 2008 with Pastor Willie Iwankiw officiating. The family is being served by Osgood Funeral Home.

“Precious Friends, Thank You for making my life so beautiful” – Love, Lillian