Obituaries

July 3, 2012

Donald Eugene "Gene" Stauffer, age 82, of Vestaburg, Michigan passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at his home. A Memorial Service will be held at Vestaburg High School Commons on July 20, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. with Minister Greg Stauffer officiating. Donald was born in Lansing, Michigan on September 15, 1929, the son of Harold Royce and Dorothy Marie (Brundage)...

July 2, 2012

Lillian C. Searles went to be with the Lord, July 2, 2012 at the age of 86. Born December 12, 1925 in Duplain Township the daughter of Vere and Maybelle (Risley) Brown. Lillian married Willard Searles on May 15, 1943 and he preceded her in death on February 25, 1978. Lillian and Willard co-owned Searles Sales & Service where...

July 2, 2012

Arza S. Cole, age 93, of St. Johns, MI died Monday, July 2, 2012 at Sparrow Clinton Hospital, St. Johns, MI. A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns Chapel St. Johns, MI, on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior...

July 2, 2012

Velmer F. Oakley died Tuesday, July 2, 2012 at the age of 82. Born on August 14, 1929, in East Lansing, MI. He was the son of Ferris and Viola (Knapp) Oakley. He was retired from the MSU Housing and Food Service after 36 years of service. Velmer was a member of Eureka Christian Church and active at the...

June 29, 2012

John Louis Bajena, age 86, of St. Louis, MI passed away Friday, June 29th, 2012 at his home. Funeral Services will be held at Mt. St. Joseph Catholic Church St. Louis, MI on Tuesday, July 3rd at 1:00 P.M. with Fr. James Bessert officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday 11:00 A.M. until the time of service at 1:00 P.M....

June 29, 2012

Eunice Georgene Reynolds, age 84, of Corunna, MI passed away Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Hospice House of Shiawassee County, Owosso, MI. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Jennings-Lyons Chapel, Owosso, MI on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. Pastor Mark Kincaid will officiate. Burial will follow at South Bingham Township Cemetery, St. Johns, MI....

June 27, 2012

Bette Jeanne (Moats) Daley, age 74, of Durand, MI passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at Durand Senior Care & Rehab Center, Durand, MI. A Memorial Service will be held at McCurdy Park Historical Chapel on Friday, June 29, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. Rev. Marty Guy will officiate. Bette was born in Owosso, Michigan on May 20, 1938, the daughter...

June 27, 2012

Gavin W. Becker, age 24, passed away on June 25, 2012 in Lansing, Michigan. Gavin was born on January 25, 1988, the son of Robert and Sally (Sillman) Becker. Gavin suffered a devastating brain injury on June 22nd. Gavin had a love of music, animals and art. He had a great smile and an open heart. He accepted his...

June 27, 2012

Laurie Leona Garrett, age 48, of Alma, MI died Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at Mid Michigan Medical Center-Gratiot, Alma, MI. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis Chapel on Monday, July 2, 2012 at 1:00 P.M. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Alma, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Monday from 11:00 AM...

June 26, 2012

Erica Ana Fachting, 39, of Ithaca, passed away June 26, 2012.

Erica was born August 28, 1972.  She is survived by her mother, Alice Van Bennekom (Thrush), step-father Robert Van Bennekom, father George Fachting, sister Sarah Gable (Fachting), brother-in-law Chris Gable, grandmother Barbara Thrush (Grossman), 4 nieces, assorted aunts, uncles & cousins.  A Celebration of Life service...

June 20, 2012

James "Jim" D Bancroft, died June 18, 2012, at the age of 76. He was born on September 12, 1935 in Clinton County, Michigan. He was the son of Wilbur and Velma (Groves) Bancroft. Jim married Brenda (Blemaster) on February 20, 1998, in Louisville, Kentucky and she survives him.

James is also survived by his sons, Michael...

June 20, 2012

Hafford "Kelly" Walters, age 80, of Corunna, MI died June 20, 2012. Kelly's wishes were to be cremated with a private family interment. Kelly was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 10, 1932, the son of James Henry and Thilma Belle (Baker) Walters. He married Louila G. Himes on February 2, 1963 in Flint, Michigan, They moved to Corunna...

June 19, 2012

Eleanor A. Guth, age 72, of Corunna, MI passed away peacefully on June 19, 2012 at Memorial Healthcare surrounded by her loving family. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, June 22, 2012 at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Owosso, MI. Pastor James Bare will officiate. Burial will be at Pine Tree Cemetery, Corunna, MI. Visitation will be held 6-8...

June 18, 2012

Roger Eldon Pease, born to Harold and Martha (Weir) Pease on July 13, 1941 in Lansing, MI passed away peacefully in his home on January 28, 2012 surrounded by his family after battling liver cancer. He graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns, MI in 1960. He lived in Huachuca City, AZ for 13 years after moving...

June 18, 2012

Dwight "Arnold" Yelsik, age 85, of Ashley, MI died Monday, June 18, 2012 at The Laurels of Carson City in Carson City, MI. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca Chapel on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 3:00 P.M. Pastor Dave Perry and Mr. Thomas Bradley will officiate. Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery,...

June 17, 2012

Leona May Miller, age 70, of Ithaca, MI passed away on Sunday, June 17, 2012 at her home with her family by her side. A Memorial Service will be held on June 21, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. at St. Louis Church of Christ, St. Louis, MI with Mr. Keith Wise officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M....

June 17, 2012

Ann Lydia Nations, age 83, of Ovid, Michigan went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 17, 2012 at Ovid Healthcare Center. A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie Chapel, Elsie, MI on Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Tony Ferriell of Hartland Hospice officiating. Ann was born in Saginaw, Michigan...

June 16, 2012

Roman “Romie” Williams, age 70, of Ithaca, passed away Saturday, June 16, 2012, at Gratiot Medical Center in Alma.

Romie was born in St. Johns on November 10, 1941, the son of Alfred and Marjorie (Falor) Williams.  He worked for GM for 27 years, retiring in 1993.

Romie is survived by his wife of 48...

June 16, 2012

Roy A.Harr, age 87, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, June 16, 2012. Born June 9, 1925 the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Schmitt) Harr and lived most of his life in the Fowler area. He was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Holy Name Society, Ushers Club, charter and honorary member of the Knights of...

June 15, 2012

Margaret Ann (Goodrich) Espinoza, age 53, of Breckenridge, MI passed away Friday, June 15th, 2012 at Gratiot Medical Center, Alma, MI. A Memorial Service will be held at Smtih Family Funeral Homes on Thursday, June 21st at 1:00 P.M. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service at 1:00. Burial will take...