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Leon Edward Kramer
Leon Edward Kramer, age 77, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Thursday, May 25, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams presiding. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 29, 2023, from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI. A Rosary will be prayed on Monday evening at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
Leon was born in Lansing, Michigan on September 26, 1945, the son of Clayton “Honey” and Elizabeth “Betty” (Schafer) Kramer. Leon graduated from Fowler High School with the class of 1963. Leon married Diana Lynn (Ernst) Kramer on January 29, 1966, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, MI. They have been blessed with 57 years of marriage.
Leon worked at Motor Wheel from May 1, 1964 until they relocated in 1996. After retirement, he owned and operated a small real estate agency in St. Johns and drove school bus for St. Johns Public Schools for 10 years. Leon also worked with builder and best friend John Jelinek. He loved playing cards, fishing, and horse shoes. Leon enjoyed playing pool and he was president of the local men’s pool league for many years. Leon enjoyed carpentry and woodworking. He took great pride in maintaining his lawn and vehicles. Most of all, Leon loved the time he spent with his family, especially his wife. During the summer months the entire family enjoyed lake life together at Leon and Diana’s.
Leon was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and a previous member of the St. Johns American Legion. He proudly served his country in the United States Army National Guard in Grand Ledge.
He is survived by his wife Diana Kramer, daughter Dawn and Jim Lawless, daughter Kelly and Tim LeVeck, daughter Jenny Kramer, all of St. Johns, MI: seven grandchildren: Emily Kramer, Grace Kramer-Deveau, Timmy LeVeck, Trevor LeVeck, Clayton Lawless, Nicholas Lawless, and Victoria Lawless and special great-granddaughter Reagan Kramer. He is also survived by his sister Dianne and Harry Goerge of St. Johns, MI; and his brother Ken and Eva Kramer of St. Johns, MI. Leon was preceded in death by his parents, in laws Lloyd and Reva Ernst, and brother Clare Kramer.
Memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
William Wayne Bashore
William Wayne “Bill” Bashore, 82, of St. Johns passed away peacefully on May 20, 2023 at Hazel Findlay Country Manor and is now reunited with his beloved son, Scott.
Bill was born in St. Johns, Michigan on May 11, 1941 to Lorene (Whitaker) and Galen Bashore. He attended school in Ovid and Elsie, and at the age of seventeen he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served, earning his G.E.D. Upon leaving the Navy, he worked for Michigan Milk and independently drove milk trucks. He also worked for Federal-Mogul for thirty-six years as a press operator.
He married Barbara Hetrick on July 15, 1983 in Bannister, Michigan. Their combined family of five children accompanied Barb and Bill on their honeymoon to Houghton Lake.
Bill enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, watching wildlife and golfing. He was also a talented woodworker. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Bill had a unique sense of humor and enjoyed people, friends and strangers alike. In later years he was happy sitting in the garage, feeding the birds and squirrels, and visiting with neighbors and passersby. Bill and Barb enjoyed spending ten winters in Arizona, where they were able to enjoy dancing and attending concerts. He attended the St. Johns Lutheran Church.
In addition to his son, Scott, he was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Terry Bashore, sisters, Sandy Kelley and Bonnie Sperling and several brothers-in-law.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Barbara, daughter, Tammy (Brian) Forman, son, Todd (Michelle) Bashore, step-sons, Matthew (Rebekah) Hetrick and Sean (Denise) Hetrick, grandchildren, Brandon Forman, Haley and Mikayla Bashore, Gabe and Lexi Hetrick, Henry and Grace Hetrick. He is also survived by four sisters, Gayla Clock, Debbie Reed, Penny (Dale) Kelley and Pam (Robert) Davis, brothers and sisters-in-law, Marge (Bill) Eiseler, Arnold (Sharon) Thornton, Janet Taylor, Connie Bashore, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns, on Tuesday, May 30, from 2-8 PM. A Memorial Service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 31 at 11AM with Pastor Jim Pearl officiating. Interment of ashes and full military honors will follow at Duplain Cemetery, Colony Road, St. Johns. Following graveside services a luncheon will be held at St. Johns Lutheran Church.
The family would like to thank the staff at Hazel Findlay for their loving care to Bill during the past months, as well as the staff at Sparrow Clinton and Sparrow Main. Memorials may be made in Bill’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, Hazel Findlay or to St. Johns Lutheran Church.