Obituaries

September 25, 2020

Jamie Sanders, age 57, of Ithaca, died Friday, September 25, 2020, at his home, after a two-year battle with severe depression.

Jamie was born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, on June 30, 1963, the son of Carold “Sandy” and Nancy (Kennedy) Sanders. He married Shelly Kay Schult on May 1, 1999. Jamie worked as a graphic artist, a...

September 23, 2020

Frederick Oliver "Fred" Beach Jr., age 70, of Ovid, MI, passed away after a brief illness Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at Spectrum Health Systems - Butterworth Campus, Grand Rapids, MI.

A Private Family Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI. A public Celebration of Life will be held at a later date....

September 23, 2020

Cecilia Loydine "Billie" Bird, 77, of Maple Rapids, MI, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at Laurels of Fulton in Perrinton, MI.

Billie was born in Los Angeles, CA on January 18, 1943, the daughter of Lloyd and Marilyn (Polkinghorne) Pennington.  She graduated from Chula Vista High School, San Diego, CA with the class of 1961.

September 22, 2020

Larry Lee Grey, age 73, of St. Louis, MI, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 22, 2020.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI, on Monday, September 28, 2020 at 2:00 P.M., with Pastor Gige Snyder officiating.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2020 from 2-8 P.M....

September 19, 2020

Joy B.  Woodbury, age 81, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2020 at her home.

A private family graveside service will be held at Union Home Cemetery, St. Johns, MI.

Joy was born in St. Johns, Michigan on September 13, 1939, the daughter of Asa Henry and Vera Ruth (Fry) Bigelow. She...

September 17, 2020

Jeffrey A. Ruedger, age 57, of Alma passed away September 17, 2020 at Woodland Hospice, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Per his wishes there will be no service. His ashes will be laid to rest in Salt River Cemetery in Shepherd, MI.

Jeffrey was born November 10, 1962 in Alma, MI, the son of Kenneth and Rochelle...

September 16, 2020

Michael Allen Walker, age 47, of Ithaca, MI, passed away unexpectedly while at work Wednesday, September 16, 2020.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 2:00 P.M., with Pastor Jeff Reser officiating. Burial will follow at the North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI. Visitation will be...

September 16, 2020

Charles Virgil "Chuck" Coleman, age 63, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital-Carson, Carson City, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating.  Burial will take place at Collier Cemetery, Gratiot County, MI.  Visitation will...

September 14, 2020

Ilene Mae Shinabargar, 97, of Fowler, MI, passed away peacefully Monday, September 14, 2020, at her daughter and son-in-law's home.

Cremation has taken place and a Private Service will be held at a later date.

Ilene was born in Ithaca, MI, on September 12, 1923, the daughter of Ray and Alta (Sturgis) McWilliams. She was...

September 13, 2020

Stanley Jack Searles, 82, of St. Johns, MI, entered into the arms of his Master Sunday, September 13, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor Keith Stork and Pastor John...

September 10, 2020

Artie Martin "Wayne" Brown, age 76, of Ashley, MI, passed away on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital after battling a short term illness.

Memorial Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI, on Friday, September 18, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Jeff Reser officiating. Interment of ashes will take place at...

September 6, 2020

David Lee Beachler 75, passed away Sunday, September 6, 2020, surrounded by loved ones, peacefully, on his own terms.

David was born December 28,1944. Son of John and Lorina (Hayes) Beachler.

David married Linda S. (Bunce) on September 23, 1967. Together they welcomed four children John, Donna, Nathan and Scott into the world. David was...

September 4, 2020

William Joseph "Bill" Bushy, age 72, of Alma, MI, passed away after a lengthy battle with throat cancer Friday, September 4, 2020, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center, Alma, MI surrounded by his family's love.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Bill's life will be held at a later time.

Bill was born in Norfolk,...

September 2, 2020

Dirk Duane Galehouse age 88 of Elsie, MI, passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at The Meadows Assisted Living, Owosso, MI.

A Graveside Service will be held at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI, on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor JD Paik officiating.

Dirk was born in Elsie, MI on September 2, 1932,...

September 1, 2020

Theodore Walter Schlarf age 87 of Perrinton, MI, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at his home.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI, on Friday, September 4, 2020, at 3:00 P.M., with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating.  Burial will take place at New Haven Township Cemetery, New Haven Township, MI.  Visitation will be...

August 31, 2020

Ronald Gilbert "Ron" Howard, age 59, of Ovid, MI, passed away Monday, August 31, 2020, at Sparrow Health Systems Sparrow Campus, Lansing, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at New Creation Church, 1800 Corunna Ave, Owosso, MI 48867, on Friday, September 4, 2020, at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor Brian Keesler officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday,...

August 29, 2020

John Delbert Carvalho, age 60, of Alma, MI, passed away Saturday, August 29, 2020, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center - Midland, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI, on Thursday, September 3, 2020, at 11:00 A.M.  Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the funeral service...

August 28, 2020

Constance Virginia Yelsik, age 97, of Ashley, MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family's love Friday, August 28, 2020, at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital, Lansing.

A Private Family Funeral Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Friday, September 4, 2020, with Pastor Dave Perry officiating. Burial will take place at North...

August 27, 2020

Roy Sylvester Harger, age 89, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2020, at Sparrow Health Systems, Lansing, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Monday, August 31, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating.  Burial will take place at Eureka Cemetery,...

August 26, 2020

James S. "Jim" Batterbee, age 75, of Ovid, MI, passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at his home with his family by his side.

Funeral Services will be held at The Batterbee Farm, 8342 Simpson Road, Ovid, MI, 48866, on Sunday, August 30, 2020 at 2:00 P.M., with Pastor Cal Emerson, Pastor Clifford Batterbee & Pastor Birt...