Obituaries

September 12, 2017

Laura B. Orlowski, age 82, of Ithaca, died Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at Rosewood AFC.

Laura was born August 8, 1935 in Chesaning, the daughter of Leslie and Ada (Wing) Street.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Central Michigan University, and on August 9, 1958 married Joseph W. Orlowski in Chesaning.

Laura taught at Ashley...

September 11, 2017

Suzanne Larae Bailey age 66, of Ithaca, MI, quietly passed away to eternal life Monday, September 11, 2017, at The Laurels of Fulton, Perrinton, MI, surrounded by her family.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Louis Church of Christ, St. Louis, MI, on Friday, September 15, 2017, at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Justin Daron officiating.  Burial will take place at a later date. Visitation will be held...

September 10, 2017

Joyce Barbara Peters age 77, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Sunday, September 10, 2017, at Ashley Care Center, Ashley, MI.

A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor John Jakus officiating.  Burial will take place at Riverside...

September 10, 2017

Olive M. Heimburger age 94 of Ithaca, MI, passed away Sunday, September 10, 2017, at Schnepp Health Care Center, St. Louis, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor John Eich officiating.  Burial will take place at Fritz Cemetery, Gratiot County, MI....

September 4, 2017

Doris June Dahlke-Hyland age 73 of Elsie, MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Monday, September 4, 2017 at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI.

A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 2:00 P.M., with Mr. Chuck Emmert officiating.  Interment will be held at...

September 1, 2017

Leland Duane “Lee” Skinner age 83 of Ithaca, MI, passed away Friday, September 1, 2017, at Yoder's Amish Sale doing what he enjoyed visiting all of his friends with his loyal side kick, his dog Patty.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, Michigan at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, September 6,...

September 1, 2017

William “Bill” C. Goodwin, age 78, of Ithaca, passed away September 1, 2017 at Masonic Pathways in Alma.

Bill was born February 28, 1939 to Orval D. and Laura B. (Harper) Goodwin in Arcada Township. Bill was one of the last students to begin his education in a one room schoolhouse. Bill graduated from Ithaca High School,...

August 30, 2017

Edward Joseph Smith age 75 of Fowler, MI, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI, on Monday, September 4, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard officiating.  A Private Family Burial will take place at St. Mary's...

August 30, 2017

Gary Joseph Baxter age 79, of St. Louis, MI, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at his home.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Mt. St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Louis, MI, at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 2, 2017,  with Rev. Fr. Nate Harburg and Deacon John Cremin officiating. All friends and family are welcome...

August 27, 2017

Jean Ellen Mayers, 87, of St. Johns, MI, passed away peacefully at her home and took her first breath of Eternal Life on Sunday, August 27, 2017.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Johns Lutheran Church, St. Johns, MI, on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 10:30 A.M., with Pastor George Brinley officiating.  Burial will take place...

August 26, 2017

Jerry Lee Bird age 81 of Maple Rapids, MI passed away Saturday, August 26, 2017 in Manistee, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel St. Johns, MI on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating.  Burial will take place at Sowle Cemetery, Essex Township, MI....

August 24, 2017

Cora Lee Price age 86 of St. Johns, MI passed away Thursday, August 24, 2017 at her home.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Monday, August 28, 2017 at 11:00 A.M.  Burial will take place at Bingham Township Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held...

August 21, 2017

Rudolph Henry “Rudy” DeJaegher, age 83 of St. Johns, MI (formerly of Lansing, then Perrinton, MI) passed away Monday, August 21, 2017 at Grace Haven Assisted Living, St. Johns, MI.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2017 from 2-4 p.m. at Riley Township Hall.

Rudolph was born in Lansing, MI on...

August 20, 2017

John F. Caris, age 91, went to be with his Lord and Savior on the 20th day of August, 2017, in Alma, Michigan.

John was born November 16, 1925, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Ray and Miriam (Rhodes) Caris.  He is survived by his son, Roger (Helen Hamler) Caris of Vestaburg; his daughter-in-law, Karen Caris of...

August 20, 2017

Russell Edwin Waters age 89, of Ovid, MI, passed away Sunday, August 20, 2017, at We Care Assisted Living Facility, Owosso, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI, on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Judy Hazel officiating.  Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery, Gratiot County, MI....

August 20, 2017

Stanley "Zeke" David Long, the youngest son of Perry "Pat" and Goldie Long's 11 children, passed away Sunday, August 20, 2017. He will be missed and remembered by many.

Stan served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1963. But Zeke's greatest impact on others was through his lifelong dedication to entertaining audiences small and...

August 19, 2017

Janet Sue Carlson age 41 of St. Johns, MI passed away Saturday, August 19, 2017, in DuPage River County, IL.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at Knights of Columbus Hall, St. Johns, MI on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 2 P.M.

Janet was born in Lansing, MI on January 28, 1976, the daughter of...

August 18, 2017

Melody Fender, age 65, of Alma passed away August 18, 2017.

She is survived by her husband: Edwin Fender, daughter: Katie Binns, son-in-law Nathaniel Binns, grandchildren: Christopher Binns, Brett Binns, Dakota Hernandez, Antasia May, step: Donna Fender (Todd) , LuLu Fender and Paul Mercer, sisters: June Alexander and Raydene Engquist, brother: Bruce McConnell, and many nieces and...

August 14, 2017

Rex Wilson Sparks "SPARKY" age 73, of St. Louis, MI passed away Monday, August 14, 2017 at Mid-Michigan Medical Center - Gratiot.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Louis, MI, on Friday, August 18, 2017 at 11:00 A.M., with Dr. Keith Wise officiating.  Burial will take place at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Breckenridge, MI. ...

August 13, 2017

Charles Ace Smith, age 92, formerly of Alma, died peacefully August 13, 2017 at Rosewood AFC in Ithaca.

Charles was born March 17, 1925, in Alma, the son of Clare A. and Goldie May (Switzer) Smith.  He left school at a young age to help support his family after the death of his father.  His first job...