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Mindy Barks Spilling
Mindy (Amanda) Barks Spilling, 35, of St. Johns, MI passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, December 23, 2020. She was a 2003 graduate of St. Johns High School and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Lake Superior State University.
Mindy is survived by her mother, Bernadette (Kevin) Hayes; father, Earl Barks Jr. (Kathy Lowell); her fiance’, Joe Geller Jr.; three siblings, Amber (Jason) Denovich, Matthew (Anna) Hayes and Miles Hayes; nieces, Lilie, Brynlie and Thea; nephews, Owen and Axel; grandparents, Earl (Mary) Barks Sr. and Bernard Jorae and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She also leaves behind her fur-babies, Vera, Deuce and Rizzo.
Following her wishes cremation has taken place and the family will have a Celebration of Life Service at a later date. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
Janet Irene Armbrustmacher
Janet Irene Armbrustmacher, age 78, of Fowler, MI, passed away Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at The Laurels of Carson City, Carson City, MI. Private Funeral Services will be held and burial will take place at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, Fowler, MI. Janet was born in St. Johns, MI on February 18, 1942, the daughter of Glenn and Geraldine (Kieffer) Grubaugh. On November 9, 1963 she married Allan Armbrustmacher at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
Janet retired from Lear Corporation after many years of service. She loved cooking and baking for her family. The tradition of making sugar cookies for the holidays will be remembered and carried on for generations to come. Janet enjoyed playing cards, country music and spending time at the family cottage at Lake George. She was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI and Christian Mothers.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years Allan Armbrustmacher; sons: Gregory (Carmen) Armbrustmacher, Scott Armbrustmacher, Michael (Robin) Armbrustmacher; grandchildren: Raysha (Matt) Simon, Troy, Travis and Seth Armbrustmacher, Hunter and Sadie Armbrustmacher, great granddaughters: Nora and Lacy Simon, siblings: Keith Grubaugh, Richard (Dee) Grubaugh, Jean Grubaugh, Glenn Grubaugh Jr., Myron (Audrey) Grubaugh, Stanley Grubaugh, Kenneth Grubaugh, Catherine Childers and Ronald (Kathleen) Grubaugh. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Glenn and Geraldine Grubaugh, infant brother Marvin, sister in law Julie Grubaugh, and brothers in law: Alan Childers and Bruce Grubaugh.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI.
Eloise Ann Bancroft
Eloise Ann Bancroft age 85 passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Grace Haven Assisted Living Center. She was born on May 26, 1935 in New Edinburg, Arkansas the daughter of William and Thelma (Sanders) Jarrett, who predeceased her. On January 30, 1993 she married Joseph N. Bancroft in Lansing, MI.
Eloise worked as a secretary at Millett Bible Baptist Church and was a bus driver for Holt Public and Capital City Christian Schools. She accepted Christ as her Savior as a child and loved her Lord and is present with Him now. Worshipping and singing in God’s choir.
Survivors are her husband, Joe, children Mary Ann (Dana) Parker of Holt, Linette (John) Ney of Perrinton, Bradley J. (Jacklyn) Volz of Florida, Ed (Karla) Bancroft of Ovid, Luann (Roger) Carlisle of Laingsburg and Troy (Jill) Bancroft of St. Johns; grandchildren Cara (David) Schafer, Zach (Laura) Lambright, Jason (Rachel) Phillips, Mike (Erin) Bancroft, Ryan (Dayna) Bancroft, Jarrod (Jen) Thornton, Lora (Jason) McCreery, Nick (Andrea) Bancroft, Albert Bancroft, Gerritt (Molly) Bancroft, John III (Jackie) Ney and Nic (Billi) Ney. Also surviving are 29 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by spouse Don Volz and 4 siblings.
Private services will be held. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, 201 E. Walker St., St Johns, MI 48879. The family is being served by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home.
Jack Duane Hart
Jack Duane Hart, age 90, of Lansing, MI, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Independence Village, Grand Ledge, MI.
In following Jack’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held at a later date with burial in Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI.
Jack was born in Muskegon, MI on March 31, 1930, the adopted son of Lee B. and Florence M. (Gustafson) Hart. He graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School with the class of 1949. On March 21, 1950, Jack married Margaret Ann Houser at St. Johns United Methodist Church. Margaret passed away on June 25, 2019. Jack and Margaret lived in St. Johns until 1990, and then spent the next 27 years in Cottonwood, AZ before returning to St. Johns in 2017. Jack worked for Federal Mogul for many years, retiring in 1990.
Jack was an avid hiker and photographer. He swam regularly until 2017. He volunteered for decades at Verde Valley Medical Center, where he assisted in coaching Mingus Jr. High Basketball; and worked at the Anderson Art Gallery in Jerome, AZ.
Jack is survived by 3 children: Terry (Barbara) Hart of Lansing, Deborah (Michael) McLeod of Powhatan, VA, and David Hart of St. Johns. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Aaron (Krista) LeVeck, Jessica Hart, Sarah (Brock) Randolph, Grace (Jason) Rodgers, John (Kelly) Hart, Mary (Ryan) Jackson, Paul (Natalie) Hart, and Erica Hart; plus, 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and wife Margaret (2019).
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Angel House (angelhouse.me – 145 S. Livernois Rd. #308, Rochester Hills, MI 48309). The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Muoi Tu
Muoi Tu, age 86, of St. Johns, MI, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, St. Johns, surrounded by her family.
A Funeral Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, December 21, 2020, with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held 2-6 P.M. on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at the funeral home.
Muoi was born in China, on June 30, 1934. In 1959, Muoi married Tho Hoac in Vietnam. They were blessed two children and raised them in Vietnam until Muoi escaped with Minh to the United States in 1979. In 1990, she was reunited with her husband Tho and daughter Chau. Muoi and Minh were sponsored by Arlene and Al Lounds and family who made them part of their family.
Muoi worked in housekeeping at Clinton Memorial Hospital for many years. She made many friends and everyone enjoyed her egg rolls. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns.
Muoi is survived by her daughter Chau and Tam Pham Hoac, son Minh Hoac, 2 grandchildren: Monica Pham, and Nicholas Hoac. She is also survived by special family members: Jim (Linda) Kurncz, Sid (Sue) Lounds, Greg (Sheri) Lounds, Calvin (Mary Jo) Lounds, Earl (Laurie) Flegler, Rod (Ellen) Lounds, Ken (Susan) Lounds and their families. Muoi was preceded in death by her parents, husband Tho, brother Can Tu, and special family members Arlene and Al Lounds.
The family requests all memorials be made to Hazel I. Findlay in thanks for their wonderful care of Muoi for the past 13 years. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Eugene Carl Schoendorf
Eugene “Gene” Carl Schoendorf, age 94, of Elsie, MI, passed away Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Ovid Healthcare Center, Ovid, MI.
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, Ovid, MI at a later date. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI.
Gene was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 12, 1926, the son of Leo Joseph and Laura Catherine (Schemansky) Schoendorf.
Gene graduated from St. Johns High School in 1944 and immediately enlisted in the Navy. He served in WWII piloting a landing barge in the Pacific. Gene married Mary Jane Trierweiler on September 7, 1957 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Westphalia, MI.
As a young boy he pedaled papers and as a teen he worked at Andy’s IGA in St. Johns. He went on to purchase a store in Elsie in 1964- Gene’s IGA. Gene loved telling stories and visiting with the store patrons. He was a community man and took pride in serving the community through the Lions Club, St. Cyril’s K of C in Bannister, American Legion Post 502, and other committees.
Gene was instrumental in starting WOES and the Elsie Festival. He took pride in helping those less fortunate and was a giving man. Gene was an avid sports fan. He loved to watch his children and grandchildren play sports. His greatest sport was golf and could be frequently found at the golf course, even on his 90th birthday. When he wasn’t at the golf course he could often be found playing cards, fishing and telling one of his many stories. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Ovid, MI.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years Mary Jane Schoendorf of Elsie, MI, children: Stacy and Tom Doubrava of Elsie, MI, Scott and Cindy Schoendorf of Laingsburg, MI, and Sarah and Ron Maynard of Elsie, MI. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Kyle and Bryce Doubrava, Ryan (Amber) Schoendorf, Riley (Jake Hicks) Schoendorf, and Molly, Ben, and Tori Maynard. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Mary Jane Johnson, and brothers: Joseph and Gerald Schoendorf.
Memorials may be made to the Elsie Lions Club or to the Elsie Area Food Bank. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.
Kristine S. Koenigsknecht
Kristine S. Koenigsknecht AKA “Queen Kristine”, age 68, of Fowler MI passed away on December 16, 2020 as a result of injuries received in an automobile accident.
Kris was born on June 8, 1952 in St. Johns, MI to Keith and Janet Murray. She graduated from St. Johns High School in 1970. Kris worked as a bartender for many years and at the John Henry Company until retirement.
Kris is survived by her devoted husband Jeff Koenigsknecht of Fowler, MI. She was a loving mother to four children; Zack (Tricia) Ernst, Josh (Angie) Ernst, Ben (Dereck) Ernst, and Miranda (Matt) Smith; a proud grandmother to Jordyn Ernst, Liz Blankenship, Shelby Rivas, Olivia (Kevin) Gartside, Courtney Sjoberg, Kolby Rivas, Blake Sjoberg; and great-grandmother to Aiden, Jack, Izzy, Kai, Ax, Karter, Nova, Issac, and Bella; a cherished sister to Lorene Knight, Kathy Paradise, and Julie (Dennis) Angell; and a well loved member of the Koenigsknecht family. She will be sadly missed by her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Kris enjoyed family nights at the pond, sitting by the fire with her family and friends laughing and telling stories. She loved being a “Wheatie” sharing all her Wheatland experiences with family and friends. She was also a garage sale enthusiast who had a skill for bargaining and had the collections to show for it.
When you think of Kris remember that life is fragile and short and should be lived to the fullest. Everyone who remembers her is asked to celebrate Kris’s life in their own way, raising a glass of their favorite drink in her memory would be appropriate.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
As a three time cancer survivor the family requests donations in honor of Kris be made to the American Cancer Society. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI.
Divorce decrees filed the weeks of November 23, November 30 and December 7, 2020
Goerge, Rosaline Bordago and Brent Lee
Willaford, Kelly Jo and Timothy Earl, II
Hutting, Lori Ann and Matthew Blane
Gregor, Jamie L and Chad W
Conlin, Lacey J and Michael Edward
Schuette, Marcus and Samantha
Currie, Candice and Evan
Freed, Katie Mae and Drew Merritt
Cody, Ryan and Cody, Tara
Lowes, Barbara and Cannizzaro, Mark
Divorce decrees filed the week of December 14, 2020
Swartz, Harold L. / Swartz, Nancy L.
Atchley, Paul S. / Atchley, Torri R.
Barry, Jessica B. / O’Brien, Patrick K.
Shane, Kari / Shane, Kirby
Davison, Diane D. / Davison, Gary A.
Civille, Brian P. / Civille, Patricia L.
Dysinger, Buffy J. / Dysinger, James S.
Toribio, Mitch X. / Toribio, Leanne M.