Obituaries

William A. Russell

William A. Russell, age 93, of St. Johns, MI passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at his home.

A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel, St. Johns, MI on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 6:00 P.M., Pastor Virginia Wickwire and Pastor Jack Benac will officiate. The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until time of service.

William was born in Bellingham, Washington on November 7, 1915, the son of William H. and Ethel E. (Davis) Russell. He graduated from Truman High School in Missouri. On September 5, 1955 he married Gloria Marie Mabel Foster at St. Joseph Street Church in Lansing, Michigan. Gloria predeceased him on February 7, 2001. William worked for the State of Michigan as a Draftsman in the bridge design department. He retired in May of 1978.

He resided in Missouri until 1955, then moved to the Lansing and St. Johns area. He was a member of the Wolcott Foundation, Genealogy Society, Michigan Mineralogical Society and the Autobond Society. William was also an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of Community of Christ Church.

He is survived by two daughters Judie Fries and Gloria and Frank Bigelow; two sons William Jr. and Alvina Russell; Robert and Joyce Russell and one brother Robert Russell. He was predeceased by his parents, wife Gloria, one daughter Tonia, son-in-law Arthur and one brother Orrin.

Memorials may be made to Shriner’s or Polio Association. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel.

Florence Hott

Florence R. Hott died March 29, 2009 at the age of 90. Born in Isabella County, Michigan September 30, 1918 the daughter of Frank and Edna (Bradeen) Chaffee. She was a member of Duplain Church of Christ. On December 29, 1946, Florence married Elwood Hott and he preceded her in death November 26, 1999.

She is survived by her son, Stanley (Pat) Hott of Lansing. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, infant Georgia Chaffee & Beatrice Parks, and one brother, Mellbille Chaffee.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at Osgood Funeral Home, with Chuck Emmert, minister at Duplain Church of Christ officiating, burial at Duplain Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Duplain Church of Christ.

Miriam Richardson

Miriam A. (Manly Smith) Richardson, age 91 of Houghton Lake, MI and formerly of Flint and St. Johns, died March 25, 2009. Miriam was born March 2, 1918 to Aden Judson and Ada Jane (Watton) Manly in Pontiac, MI. She was a member of First Methodist Church in St. Johns, El Said Court – Ladies Oriental Shrine, and Sharem Shrine Band.

Miriam is survived by her daughter, Patricia Peters of Midland; grandsons, Robert (Marilyn) Peters of Midland, Michael (Kathy) Peters of Houghton Lake; great grandchildren; Guy Peters, Scott Peters, Ronnie Peters, Jeff Ostrander; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Stanley G. Smith, A. Paul Richardson; special friend, Raymond Hyler; sister, Margaret Reynolds; and brother, Aden Manly, Sr.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Monday, March 30, 2009 at Osgood Funeral Home with the Rev. Calvin Long officiating with burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 PM Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.

For obituaries published before January, 2009 please click here.

At the bottom of that page you will find an index to obituaries dating back to July, 1989.