Obituaries

August 6, 2021

Janet Elaine Smalldon, age 77, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Friday, August 6, 2021, at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor with her family by her side.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Johns Lutheran Church, St. Johns, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, with Pastor Jim Pearl officiating.  Burial will follow at...

August 4, 2021

Virginia Pfeifle, 93, of Ithaca, passed away on August 4, 2021, in Ithaca, Michigan.

Virginia Evelyn Shaver was born in Pontiac, MI to Ferne and Blenford Shaver on July 30, 1928.  She went to Emmanuel Missionary College (Andrews University) in Berrien Springs, MI.  She married Robert Gerald Jeffrey on September 18, 1947, in Lake Orion, MI and...

August 4, 2021

Thomas Edward "Tommy" Swisher, age 52, of Maple Rapids, MI, passed away Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at his home.

Tommy was born in Owosso , MI on June 23, 1969 , to Paul Henry and Martha May (Johnson) Swisher.  He went to school at Ovid-Elsie High School .  Tommy worked at Ashley Salvage and Maple...

August 4, 2021

John Gary Mitchell, age 85, of Frankfort , MI , formerly of Gaines Township , Michigan , passed away on August 4, 2021 at Frankfort Pines, Frankfort , Michigan .

John Gary Mitchell was born on Feb. 2, 1936 .  His parents were George and Myrtle Mitchell. He had one sister, Francis GeorgeAnn (Wing).  John graduated from...

August 3, 2021

Eldine Cole, age 99, passed away peacefully August 3, 2021 at Rosewood AFC in Ithaca, Michigan. She was born Dorothea Eldine Royce on August 10, 1921 to Elmer J. And Violet K. (Humm) Royce.

Eldine grew up on the family farm and graduated from Ithaca High School before taking classes in piano and music theory at Alma...

August 3, 2021

John L. Shinabarger, age 52, of Carson City, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at Spectrum Health United Hospital, Greenville, Michigan.

A Graveside Memorial Service will be held on October 2, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. at Carson City Cemetery, Carson City, MI.  A luncheon will follow at Carson City American Legion Post 380, 121 North Mercantile...

July 26, 2021

Jason Scott Langdon, age 49, of Ashley, MI, passed away Monday, July 26, 2021.

A Graveside Service will be held at Collier Cemetery at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 7, 2021, with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. The cemetery is located on Ranger Rd., west of US-127.

Jason was born in Carson City, Michigan on July...

July 25, 2021

Neil A. Hafner, age 71, of Fowler, MI, passed away Sunday, July 25, 2021, at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Lansing, MI.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI, at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, with Rev. Fr. John Klein presiding and Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard concelebrating. ...

July 25, 2021

Surrounded by his children, Earl Cecil Rogers passed away at his home on July 25, 2021, at the age of 83, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Earl was born on February 16, 1938, the son of Anna (Beemer) and Warren Rogers in Pine River Township, Michigan. He was the youngest of 11 children.

Funeral Services...

July 24, 2021

Josie Rae Kissling, the third child of Jacob and Julia Kissling of Maple Rapids, and sister to Violet and Samuel Kissling, passed from this earth July 12, 2021, before her birth.  She finally arrived here July 24th, 2021, with dark hair like her father; eyes and button nose like her sister; and hands and feet like her brother.  It...

July 19, 2021

Daniel Thomas Latz, age 64, of Elsie, MI, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer, on Monday, July 19, 2021, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Dan was born in Owosso, Michigan on June 28, 1957, the son of Thomas and Patricia (Vlcek) Latz.  He graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School with the class...

July 19, 2021

Joan Claudette Holton, age 85, of St. Louis, MI, passed away Monday, July 19, 2021, at Masonic Pathways, Alma, MI.

Memorial Service at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, July 23, 2021, with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Louis, MI at...

July 15, 2021

Bonnie Jean Lutz, age 86, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Thursday, July 15, 2021, 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 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, with Pastor Mike Briggs officiating.  Burial will take place...

July 14, 2021

On July 14, 2021, Phyllis Crocker, surrounded by her family passed away peacefully in her daughter’s home at the age of 85. Phyllis was born to Anna Alverda Coleman on June 9, 1936. She was raised in the Wheeler area on the family dairy farm.

Phyllis went to high school in Ithaca where she met the love...

July 13, 2021

John Ivan “Big John” Loznak, age 92, passed away on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at his home.

Private Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery, Gratiot County, Michigan.

John was born on August 26, 1928, the son of James and Marie (Knotek) Loznak. ...

July 13, 2021

Cheryl Lynn Hartman, age 76, of Burton, MI formerly of Ovid, passed away Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at Hurley Medical Center, Flint, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Houghton Chapel, Ovid, MI, on Friday, July 16, 2021 at 11:00 A.M.  Burial will take place at Duplain Township Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. ...

July 12, 2021

Josephine "Jo" MacLennan, age 81, of Bannister, MI, passed away Monday, July 12, 2021, at her home surrounded by her family.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie , MI , Wednesday, July 14, 2021 , at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Jeff Reser officiating.  Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery,...

July 11, 2021

Kathy Ackels went to be with her loving animals and the Lord on Sunday July 11, 2021, at the age of 63.

Kathy was born January 2, 1958, the daughter of Jack and Patricia (Barnard) Burns.  Kathy married Rick Ackels in August of 1984.  Kathy and Rick shared many years of adventures including exploring the different states...

July 11, 2021

Elon J. Hufnagel, age 92, of St. Johns, passed away on Sunday, July 11, 2021 at home.

Elon was born on June 22, 1929 the oldest of nine children to Roman and Dolores (Droste) Hufnagel.  He married Wanda Eaton on September 9, 1950.  They raised 7 children and celebrated 65 years together before she passed in 2015....

July 10, 2021

Richard Julius Rahn, age 68, of St. Louis, MI, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, July 10, 2021 at his son's place.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, with Pastor Bryon Fling officiating.  Burial will take place at Jasper Township Cemetery near his son...