Obituaries

Apr 1, 2013

When a person dies, it's presumed to be the end - but each time they're remembered, they live again.

An obituary should tell the age of the deceased, where born, the life highlights and number of children. Actually, most obituaries are way too long.

Gerald Newman Wright was born November 25, 1925, lived most of...

Mar 30, 2013

Debra Sue Nesen, age 53, of St. Louis, MI passed away Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Woodland Hospice House, Mt. Pleasant, MI, surrounded by her family. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI on Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 2:00 P.M., with Rev. John Wood officiating. Burial will take place at Chapel Garden Cemetery...

Mar 30, 2013

Diane K. Lavigne, age 64, of St. Louis, MI passed away Saturday, March 30, 2013 with her family by her side. A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Louis, MI on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 3:00 P.M., with Pastor Ron Landenberg (Diane's brother) and Pastor Terri Bentley officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday...

Mar 28, 2013

Roy Joe Smith, age 73, of Brant, Michigan died Thursday, March 28, 2013 at his home. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, Michigan on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 11:00 A.M., Pastor John James will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 29, 2013 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8...

Mar 27, 2013

Marion E. "Coach" Craig, Jr., 66, of Fowler, Michigan passed away Saturday, March 23, 2013. Mr. Craig was born December 7, 1946 in Leesburg and wintered there since 2006. He was of the Baptist Faith but attended the Catholic Church with his wife, Penny. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in both Vietnam and Iraq, a retired corrections...

Mar 25, 2013

Bruce A. Gove passed away on March 25, 2013 at the age of 58. He was born in St. Johns on April 11, 1954, the son of Gerald and Marguerite (Mesler) Gove.

Bruce is survived by his brother, Ralph (Priscilla) Gove of St. Johns, sisters, Norma (Richard) Crowell of St. Johns, Donna (John) Ballinger of St. Johns,...

Mar 19, 2013

Jeffrey Dennis Prewitt, age 53, of Haslett, Michigan, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at Sparrow Hospital Lansing, MI. There will be a graveside service in Hinesville, Georgia. Jeffrey was born in Orleans, France on September 9, 1959, the son Delbert and Barbara (Morris) Prewitt. On September 5, 1982 he married Angel Kerr at Maggies Lake, Georgia. Jeff was a computer...

Mar 18, 2013

Donna Rae Douglas, age 86, of Hinsdale, IL, formerly of St. Louis, MI died Monday, March 18, 2013 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, IL. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Louis Chapel on Friday, March 22, 2013 at 11:00 A.M., Pastor Terri Bentley will officiate. Burial will take place at Cherry Grove Cemetery,...

Mar 14, 2013

Denver Dale Moore, Age 87, of Vanceburg, Kentucky passed away Thursday March 14, 2013 with his family by his side after an extended illness. Graveside Services will be held at the Oak Grove Cemetery St. Louis, MI, with full military rites on Tuesday March 19, 2013 at 1:00 PM. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:00 AM...

Mar 13, 2013

Verna Jeanne (Howell) Most, age 81, of St. Louis, MI died Wednesday, March 13, 2013 after a brief illness. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Phil Maxwell officiating. Burial will take place at Chapel Garden Cemetery, Elwell, MI. Visitation will be held on...

Mar 13, 2013

Walter Frank Komperda, age 95, of St. Louis passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at Pine River Healthcare Center, St. Louis, MI. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 12:00 P.M. at Mt. St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Louis, MI with Rev. Fr. James Bessert and Deacon Al Oliver officiating. Burial will take...

Mar 12, 2013

Sharon Marie Pavlik, age 57, of DeWitt, MI went to be with her heavenly family on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 3:00 P.M. Visiting will be held from 1-3 P.M. prior to the service at the funeral home. Sharon was born in...

Mar 12, 2013

LeOna M. Karber, a feisty, loving, and very classy lady left this world peacefully March 11, 2013 to join the Lord, family, and many special friends in heaven. She was born April 30, 1919 in St. Johns, Michigan the daughter of George and Vi Lettie May (Crandell)Purvis. LeOna married Joseph Karber on July 29, 1944 in St. Johns and...

Mar 7, 2013

Michael D. "Mike" Johnson II, age 42, of St. Johns, MI died Thursday, March 7, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family after a very courageous battle with cancer. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns, MI, at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 9, 2013 with Pastor Russ McCoy officiating. Visitation will be held...

Mar 6, 2013

William A. Gray, age 82, of Ithaca, MI died Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at Ashley Care Center in Ashley, MI. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 2:30 P.M., with Jo Jones officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 8, 2013 from 1:30 until time of service with...

Mar 5, 2013

Don Arens passed away on March 5, 2013 at the age of 91. He was born July 12, 1921 in Westphalia, the son of Albert and Philomena (Nau) Arens. Don married Gertrude (Schueller) Arens in Fowler on November 20, 1950 and she survives him.

Don is also survived by three children, Ann (Tom) Rademacher of Eagle, MI,...

Mar 4, 2013

Rex R. Crumbaugh, 68, Bethany Township, passed away at home, Monday, March 4, 2013, from cancer. Rex was born June 19, 1944 at the old Smith Memorial Hospital in Alma. He was the second child and first son of Robert and Marcelle (Oswald) Crumbaugh. He was a life-long resident of Bethany Township where he worked with passion at his faming...

Mar 1, 2013

Phillip D. Maurer, age 77, passed away on February 28, 2013 in Lansing, Michigan. Phil was born October 26, 1935 in Springport, Michigan, the son of Leslie and Marguerite ( Cochran) Maurer. He married Barbara Martens on May 29, 1965 in Riley Township, Michigan and she survives him. Phil was a retired postal worker, member of St. Johns Lutheran...

Feb 28, 2013

Iolene Edith Hyde, age 92, of Ithaca, Michigan died Thursday, February 28, 2013 at Carson City Hospital. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI, on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. with Mr. Thomas Bradley officiating. Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March...

Feb 28, 2013

Elaine Whitford, age 75, of Perrinton, Michigan died Thursday, February 28, 2013 at Laurels of Fulton, Perrinton, Michigan. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 2:00 P.M., with Rev. Bill Dye officiating. Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI. Visitation will be held on Saturday,...