All Obituaries

     David Gingerich, a devoted husband, father and grandfather passed away March 23, 2020.      David was born April 20, 1949 in Omer, MI to Melvin and Susanne. He graduated from Arenac High School with the class of 1967. David served in the Army from 1968 to 1970. He served in combat during the Vietnam war; participating in signal corps and received sharp shooter and good conduct medal. David was known for being very patriotic and often wore things...

     Cleo M. (Warne) DeDie, age 99, of Durand, MI, passed away peacefully with her daughter Jan at her side Friday, August 14, 2020, at Memorial Healthcare, Owosso, MI.      Cremation has taken place and a Graveside Service will be held at Summit Cemetery, Williamston, MI, on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 12:00 P.M. Cleo will be buried with her husband Darr.      Cleo was born in Ithaca, MI, on July 26, 1921, the daughter of...

       June A. (Shaull) Sipkovsky 95, of St. Johns, MI went to be with her Lord on Sunday April 19, 2020.       June was born on June 21, 1924 in North Star, MI to Hal and Elva (Simmons) Shaull.  She graduated from Ithaca High School with the class of 1942.  On May 5, 1950 June married the love of her life Louie Sipkovsky; he preceded her in death on September 23, 1999.       June was a lifelong member of...

     Charles Virgil "Chuck" Coleman, age 63, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital-Carson, Carson City, MI.      Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating.  Burial will take place at Collier Cemetery, Gratiot County, MI.  Visitation will be held on Monday, September 21, 2020...

     Michael Allen Walker, age 47, of Ithaca, MI, passed away unexpectedly while at work Wednesday, September 16, 2020.      Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 2:00 P.M., with Pastor Jeff Reser officiating. Burial will follow at the North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M....

    Joy B.  Woodbury, age 81, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2020 at her home.     A private family graveside service will be held at Union Home Cemetery, St. Johns, MI.    Joy was born in St. Johns, Michigan on September 13, 1939, the daughter of Asa Henry and Vera Ruth (Fry) Bigelow. She graduated from Ashley High School    Joy enjoyed traveling and trips to the casino. Joy enjoyed cooking and...

     Artie Martin "Wayne" Brown, age 76, of Ashley, MI, passed away on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital after battling a short term illness.      Memorial Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI, on Friday, September 18, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Jeff Reser officiating. Interment of ashes will take place at Ford Cemetery, Gratiot County, MI with immediate family present. Visitation will be held...

     Stanley Jack Searles, 82, of St. Johns, MI, entered into the arms of his Master Sunday, September 13, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family.      Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor Keith Stork and Pastor John Mattern officiating.  Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Wednesday,...

     Jeffrey A. Ruedger, age 57, of Alma passed away September 17, 2020 at Woodland Hospice, Mt. Pleasant, MI.      Per his wishes there will be no service. His ashes will be laid to rest in Salt River Cemetery in Shepherd, MI.      Jeffrey was born November 10, 1962 in Alma, MI, the son of Kenneth and Rochelle Ruedger. He graduated from Alma High School in 1981. He attended Mid-Michigan Community College, Harrison, MI for Diesel...

     Ilene Mae Shinabargar, 97, of Fowler, MI, passed away peacefully Monday, September 14, 2020, at her daughter and son-in-law's home.      Cremation has taken place and a Private Service will be held at a later date.      Ilene was born in Ithaca, MI, on September 12, 1923, the daughter of Ray and Alta (Sturgis) McWilliams. She was the ninth of their thirteen children.  Ilene married Clark Shinabargar. They were...

     Linda Louise Palmer, 65, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2020, at her home surrounded by her family.      Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held at St. Johns Lutheran Church, 511 E. Sturgis Street, St. Johns, MI on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 10:00 A.M.      Linda was born in Owosso, MI, on July 13, 1955, the daughter of Harry L. and Elsie Marie (Devereaux) Blackmer. Linda...

     Dirk Duane Galehouse age 88 of Elsie, MI, passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at The Meadows Assisted Living, Owosso, MI.      A Graveside Service will be held at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI, on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor JD Paik officiating.      Dirk was born in Elsie, MI on September 2, 1932, the son of Lloyd and Iva Mae (Pierce) Galehouse. He graduated from Elsie High School with the...

     Theodore Walter Schlarf age 87 of Perrinton, MI, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at his home.       Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI, on Friday, September 4, 2020, at 3:00 P.M., with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating.  Burial will take place at New Haven Township Cemetery, New Haven Township, MI.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2020 from 6-8 P.M. at the funeral...

     Ronald Gilbert "Ron" Howard, age 59, of Ovid, MI, passed away Monday, August 31, 2020, at Sparrow Health Systems Sparrow Campus, Lansing, MI.      Funeral Services will be held at New Creation Church, 1800 Corunna Ave, Owosso, MI 48867, on Friday, September 4, 2020, at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor Brian Keesler officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 4, 2020 from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the funeral service at the...

     William Joseph "Bill" Bushy, age 72, of Alma, MI, passed away after a lengthy battle with throat cancer Friday, September 4, 2020, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center, Alma, MI surrounded by his family's love.      Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Bill's life will be held at a later time.      Bill was born in Norfolk, VA on August 19, 1948, the son of Edward Paul and Theresa Lorraine (Andrews)...

     John Delbert Carvalho, age 60, of Alma, MI, passed away Saturday, August 29, 2020, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center - Midland, MI.      Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI, on Thursday, September 3, 2020, at 11:00 A.M.  Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the funeral service at the funeral home.      John was born in New Bedford, MA on October 3, 1959,...

     Roy Sylvester Harger, age 89, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2020, at Sparrow Health Systems, Lansing, MI.      Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Monday, August 31, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating.  Burial will take place at Eureka Cemetery, Eureka, MI. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2020 from 2-8 P.M. with family...

     James S. "Jim" Batterbee, age 75, of Ovid, MI, passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at his home with his family by his side.      Funeral Services will be held at The Batterbee Farm, 8342 Simpson Road, Ovid, MI, 48866, on Sunday, August 30, 2020 at 2:00 P.M., with Pastor Cal Emerson, Pastor Clifford Batterbee & Pastor Birt Cooper officiating.  Burial will take place at Middlebury Township Cemetery, Ovid, MI. Visitation will...

     Sharon Lee Waldron, age 75 of Sumner, MI, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.      A Graveside Service will be held at Sumner Cemetery, Sumner, MI on Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 1:00 P.M., followed by a Celebration of Her Life from 2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. at the Summer Centennial Park.         Sharon was born in Alma, MI on September 2, 1944, the daughter of Stanley and Jean (Brecht) Baker....

     Constance Virginia Yelsik, age 97, of Ashley, MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family's love Friday, August 28, 2020, at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital, Lansing.      A Private Family Funeral Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Friday, September 4, 2020, with Pastor Dave Perry officiating. Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI.      Constance was born in...

     Norma Lynn Andrews, age 89, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2020, at Ovid Healthcare Center, Ovid, MI.      A Graveside Service will be held at South Bingham Township Cemetery, St. Johns, MI, on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor John James officiating.  Visitation will be held on Thursday at the cemetery from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the graveside service.      Norma was born in...

     Thad LeRoy Cartwright, age 79, of Ashley, MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Sunday, August 23, 2020, at Ashley Care Center.      A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor Tim Knaus officiating.  Burial will follow at Duplain Township Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at...

    Octavia Lilly-Dawn Rodriguez, of Breckenridge, MI, passed away Friday, August 21, 2020, after just 17 days at Covenant Healthcare Center, Saginaw.       A graveside service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at Lee Township Cemetery, 724 S. 9 Mile Rd, Midland, Michigan.      Octavia was born in Saginaw, Michigan on August 4, 2020, the daughter of Jose Rene Rodriguez and Taylor Spindler. She was dearly loved...

     Jerry D. Randolph, age 76, of St. Louis, MI, passed away Monday, August 24, 2020, at his home.      Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.      Jerry was born in Grand Ledge, MI, on December 4, 1943, the son of William John and Rosezina (Moon) Randolph.  Jerry attended the St. Louis Lighthouse Church and also Alma House of Prayer. He loved making bird houses.    ...

     Eldon Norval Baese, age 93, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2020, at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, St. Johns, MI.      A Private Family Graveside Service with military honors will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI.      Eldon was born in Elsie, MI on November 9, 1926, the son of Onas Penn and Thelma Irene (Doten) Baese. He was raised in a family of 9 brothers and 3 sisters. Eldon graduated from...

     Lillian E. Hudson, 86, passed into eternity on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at her home in St. Louis, MI.  Lillian walked through a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer and did so with incredible strength and courage.  She died peacefully surrounded by her adoring family.       Lillian was born to Melvin J. and Leta Ione Porter in Auburn, MI.  She graduated from Handy High School in Bay City and continued to Alma College...

     Joanne (Curtiss) DeVuyst of Ithaca, MI entered Heaven’s Gates surrounded by family at home on August 16, 2020. She was born on July 4, 1937, in Edmore, MI to Freeman F. and Lillie A. (Richardson) Curtiss. She was raised on various farmlands in Isabella County, MI. Joanne was very active in 4-H, becoming the outstanding Isabella County 4-H member in 1955 and moved on to become one of the four outstanding 4-H club members in Michigan in 1956. For her efforts she...

     Dolors K. VanBelkum, age 93, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at Ashley Care Center, Ashley, MI.      A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, MI, on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 2:00 P.M., with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 14, 2020 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from...

     Rex Eugene Ballantine Sr., age 91, of Elsie, MI, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2020, at his home of nearly 70 years.      Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI, on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 14, 2020 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the...

     Josephine Phyllis Shepard, age 82, of St. Louis, MI, passed away peacefully Monday, August 10, 2020, at her home.      Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI, on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Billie Lou Gillespie officiating.  Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Louis, MI.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2020 from 5-8 P.M. and Friday, August 14, 2020...