Obituaries

July 20, 2023

 

     Gary Allan VanVleet, age 90, of St. Johns, MI, passed away on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, St. Johns, MI.

     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, July 24, 2023, with Pastor Jim Pearl officiating. Burial...

July 19, 2023

Nancy Kay Davis, age 80, of rural Ithaca, died July 19, 2023.

Nancy was born in Carson City, Michigan, on May 31, 1943, the daughter of Ralph and Maxine (Bailey) Sparks.  She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1963, and married Larry James Davis on June 26, 1965. Larry preceded her in death on August 20, 2020....

July 18, 2023

 

     Walter "Walt" John Egan, age 74, of Greenville, MI, formerly of Ithaca, MI, passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at Spectrum Health Systems- Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids, MI, surrounded by his loving family.  Walt was given Last Rites by Father John at the hospital.

     A Celebration of Life will be...

July 16, 2023

 

     Donald Frank "Don" Lukas, age 61, of Elsie, MI, passed away Sunday, July 16, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family after a battle with cancer.

     Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, from 11:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI.  Immediately following the visitation, a graveside service...

July 16, 2023

 

      Frances Irene Gyurnek, age 90, of Sumner, MI, passed away Sunday, July 16, 2023, at Sparrow Carson Hospital, Carson City, Michigan.

     Funeral Services will be held at New Haven Church of God at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 20, 2023, with Pastor John Hagerman officiating. Burial will take place at New Haven Township Cemetery. Visitation...

July 15, 2023

 

     Bernard James “Jimmy” Kosloski, Jr., age 56, of Lansing, Michigan, formerly of St. Johns, Michigan, passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital.

     Graveside Services will be at Deepdale Cemetery, Lansing, MI on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at 1:00 P.M.

     Jimmy was born in Lansing, Michigan on November 26, 1966,...

July 15, 2023

Gary Alan Churchill, age 70, of Ithaca, died Wednesday, July 15, at Masonic Pathways in Alma.

Gary was born March 27, 1945, in Alma, the son of Dale Alton and Opal Pauline (Hoffer) Churchill.  He served in the U.S. Army in Viet Nam.  He retired from working  at Parker Hannisin after 27 years. One July 13, 1974...

July 14, 2023

 

     Dorothy Lou Schmid, age 90, of St. Johns, MI, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 14, 2023, at the Laurels of Fulton, Perrinton, MI.

     In following Dorothy’s wishes, a cremation has taken place and a graveside service will take place on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at Union Home Cemetery, St. Johns, MI, with Pastor...

July 13, 2023

 

     Mark T. Perryman, age 64 of St. Johns, MI, passed away Thursday, July 13, 2023, at his home surrounded by his wife and children.

      A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

      Mark was born in Lewisburg, Tennessee on February 13, 1959 the son of Thomas and Carolyn (Wisdom) Perryman.  Mark married...

July 13, 2023

February 17, 1954-July 13, 2023

Cindy Lou Sanders, age 69, of Sumner formerly from Bridgeville passed away peacefully with her family by her side after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.

She retired from Fisher Body in 2008 and was a 1972 Ithaca High School graduate. She enjoyed traveling to Cheboygan and spending time at...

July 12, 2023

 

      Dennis Ray Saylor, age 82, of Bannister, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the Hospice House of Shiawassee County, with his family by his side.

      Per his wishes, after cremation a private family graveside service will take place.

      Dennis was born on September 3, 1940, the son of Roy and Mary (Gander)...

July 10, 2023

Axel B. Caris, 76 of Stanton, passed from his earthly life July 10, 2023.

He served in the United States Navy during peace time, where he played trombone in the Navy Band.  He retired from Frigidaire-Electrolux in Greenville after working there many years.  He enjoyed playing bingo, driving his car (always one with a comfortable ride and...

July 7, 2023

 

     Gary George Hill, age 82, of Ithaca, MI, peacefully passed away at home on Friday, July 7, 2023.

     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 13, 2023, with Pastor John Hagerman officiating. Burial will be in Ithaca Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M. on...

July 7, 2023

 

    

      Dennis Lane Anderson, age 62, of Ovid, MI, passed away Friday, July 7, 2023, at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Lansing, Michigan.

     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Houghton Chapel, Ovid, MI, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, from 2-8...

July 6, 2023

 

     Joy Darlene Platte, age 62, of Fowler, MI, passed away Thursday, July 6, 2023, with her husband at her side.

     A Celebration of Joy's Life will be held at the Fowler Conservation Club, 3580 S. Wright Road, Fowler, MI from 4:00-8:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 29, 2023. A Rosary will be prayed at 3:00 P.M....

July 6, 2023

 

       Dorothy Ann Baese, age 85, of Elsie, MI, passed away Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Boulder Park Terrace Nursing Home, Charlevoix County, MI.

     A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. Visitation will be held from...

July 3, 2023

John Paul Baxter, 51 of Alma, went home to be with his Lord and Savior July 3, 2023.

John was born October 15, 1971 at the Alma Hospital to Jesse and Delores (Cooley) Baxter.

He attended Ithaca, St. Louis, and Alma Public Schools. He graduated from Alma High School/Special Education. John was active in the...

July 2, 2023

 

     Thomas George Raycraft, age 80, of Alma, Michigan, passed away Sunday, July 2, 2023, at Masonic Pathways in Alma, Michigan.

     A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Wright Cemetery at 2:00 P.M., with Pastor Mona Kindle officiating.

     Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being...

July 2, 2023

 

  

    Randall Scott “Randy” Heinlen, age 54, of St. Johns, Michigan, passed away Sunday, July 2, 2023, at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, Michigan. 

     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan, on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 11:00 A.M.  Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery, North...

June 30, 2023

 

     Joan C. (Witgen-Schaefer-Pung) Epkey, a dedicated wife, devoted mother, strong woman and prayer warrior passed away peacefully on June 30, 2023. Joan Schaefer PE was born on March 19, 1930 in Fowler, Michigan

       The daughter of Frank and Mary (Pohl) Witgen, she was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church. She also was a long-time...