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Susan Lynn Larsen
Susan Lynn Larsen, a longtime resident of St. Johns and a native of Kingsford, Michigan, died peacefully at home on April 22, 2021 following complications of sarcoidosis. She was 73 years old.
Sue was born on April 28, 1947 to Ellsworth and Lorraine (Radloff) Witter and was a 1966 graduate of Kingsford High School. Susan Witter met Gary Larsen during her sophomore year of high school and later reconnected at a dance with friends. They were married on August 9, 1969 in Kingsford, Michigan. They moved to St. Johns that same year. They were blessed with their two daughters, Kelly and Erin.
Sue loved her family more than anything – her husband, daughters and granddaughters were the light of her life. She was a loving wife, a supportive and caring mother, and a devoted and dedicated grandmother. Sue loved traveling and camping and some of her fondest memories were the “Pure Michigan Tours”. Sue worked for over twenty years as the church administrator with the First Congregational Church until her retirement in 2013, and most recently was a member of Two or More Christian Church. Sue will be forever remembered for her kind and gentle spirit and her unparalleled devotion and love for her family and friends.
She is survived by her beloved husband of nearly fifty-two years, Gary Larsen; her daughters, Kelly (Ben) DeRosia of St. Johns and Erin (Brian) Theis of Dewitt; granddaughters, Abigail and Chloe DeRosia; her brother, Ward (Kim) Wender of Iron Mountain; brother-in-law, Grant (Sue) Larsen of Marquette; sister-in-law, Gaye Smaniotto of Escanaba; as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Louis and Beatrice Radloff, parents, Ellsworth and Lorraine (Radloff) Witter and her brother, Chuck Witter.
A Memorial Service will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, St. Johns on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 4 PM, with visitation from 2 PM until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Two or More Christian Church, 800 S. US 27 #117, St. Johns or to a humane society of your choice.
Carol J. Estes
Carol J. Estes, 94, of St. Johns Michigan, passed away on Palm Sunday, March 28 in Bullard, Texas.
he center of Carol’s life was both family and her relationship with Jesus Christ. Carol became a Christian on Good Friday, 1963 when first responding to an invitation to church from her best friend, Betty Snyder, and then from Jesus as Pastor Peter Nieuwkoop asked those in attendance to give their lives to God. That weekend Carol and Herb, and their four oldest children, accepted Christ as Savior (leaving the two youngest children to make that decision years later).
Carol Jean, born in Detroit, was the only child of Ernest and Nora Root and spent most of her life in St. Johns, MI. She grew up on a farm and attended the public school system through high school.
After high school graduation she attended Lansing Business College before joining the Signal Corps during WWII. While serving the war effort in Washington, DC, Carol attended a party where the hostess was wearing a particularly large and attractive necklace. After admiring it the hostess asked if Carol would like to wear it, and this became one of Carol’s favorite historical stories of when she wore the Hope Diamond.
Carol’s first two children were David (died 2016) and Douglas Nickelson. Carol met her 2nd husband, Herbert D Estes at the St. Johns Furniture Store in 1956 while she was working across the street at Lakes Jewelry Store on main street. Herb had lost his first wife to cancer. They were married in 1957 and Herb’s children Terry (died 2006) and Trudy joined the family. It wasn’t long before the births of Timothy and Diana grew the “yours, mine and ours” family. In addition to six children, Carol has 11 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Along with kids, grandkids and friends, Carol loved her pets, reading, camping, and gardening. Daughter Diana said, “One time camping with mom while Tim and Dad were off hunting, Mom and I stayed back at the camper and played cards and had so much fun and laughed most of the time.”
Carol’s lifelong focus was primarily family and church family. She loved both so much. When she didn’t have as many kids to keep track of, she became more involved at the First Baptist Church, including singing in the choir and volunteering in the food pantry. Her friend Mary Ann Green said, “Carol and I used to get in trouble with the choir leader and he always put someone in between us to keep us from causing too much trouble.”
Carol moved to Tyler, TX in 2012 to be close to her youngest daughter, Diana (Susie) Doyle. After living with the family for a while she then moved into independent living and enjoyed that until November of last year when she transitioned to long-term care and then recently to hospice care.
A Memorial Service will be held on May 12 at First Baptist Church of St. Johns, MI at 10:00 AM with a burial beside her husband Herbert D. Estes (passed 1996) at Mount Rest Cemetery immediately afterwards. In lieu of flowers or memorial gifts you are invited to contribute to a church landscape area where the family will place a Carol Estes bench or tree memorial. Contributions may be made in care of First Baptist Church, 512 S. Whittemore St., St. Johns, MI 48879. Online giving is also available at https://stjohnsfbc.churchcenter.com/giving (enter amount and then under “General” click “Memorial” to continue).
Cathleen Leah Callaghan
Cathleen Leah Callaghan, age 74 of St. Johns, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, St. Lawrence Campus. A funeral service honoring Ms. Callaghan will be held at 2:30 PM on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at Faith Fellowship Bible Church, 3955 East Price Road, St. Johns, MI 48879. Pastor John Jakus will officiate. The family will receive friends beginning at 2:00 PM at the church. Interment will take place at Laingsburg Cemetery.
Cathleen was born December 14, 1946 in Lansing, Michigan to the late Harold and Patricia (Baker) McGoron. She worked for many years in the hospitality industry and spent much of her time caring for her parents. She enjoyed completing word puzzles and creating rug hooking crafts. Her favorite times were spent going for ice cream with friends and a relaxing car ride.
Cathleen is survived by her daughter, her seven grandchildren and her siblings: Andrea Amador, Cynthia Root, and Harold L. McGoron, Jr., and Erin (Perry) Martin. She was preceded in death by her parents; Harold and Patricia McGoron.
Memorials are suggested to the Gideons International by visiting gideons.org.
The family is being served by Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes, Laingsburg Chapel.
Betty Ann Hopko St. Pierre
On Thursday April 8, 2021 Betty Ann St. Pierre passed peacefully into the arms of the lord.
Betty was born November 28, 1938 to Joseph and Mary Kandle Hopko in St. Johns, Michigan. She graduated in 1956 from Rodney B. Wilson High School, St. Johns.
When she was 19 years old she went for ice cream with a friend in Lansing, MI and in a brief passing on the street she met the love of her life, Lawrence A. St. Pierre. He was in the US Navy and stationed in Hawaii. He mailed an engagement ring 2 weeks later to Betty and a letter to her father asking for her hand in marriage. They were married while he was on leave January 4, 1958 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, MI and celebrated 60 years of love in 2018.
Anyone who knew Betty knew her sweet demeanor and kindness to all. Her family meant the most to her. She loved the coffee Klatch every Wednesday at the club house in Clearwater, Florida where she resided. She was a great mom and grandma.
She is survived by her sister Helen Glazier and sister in law Alexandra Hopko, her loving and devoted daughter Lori (Danny) Steingraber, grandsons Colby (Sarah) Brandt, Alex (Krista) Steingraber and Drew Daniel Lawrence Steingraber, great granddaughter Zoey Brandt two great grandsons Theodore & Joseph Steingraber, many nieces and nephews and one grand dog Chloe, her daily companion. Betty was preceded by her husband Lawrence, daughter Andrea Marie, her parents, 3 brothers, Joseph, Steve and John, 2 sisters Margaret Gurski and Mary Ewing and brothers and sisters in laws.
Graveside services will be held for Betty and Larry at the convenience of the family in St. Johns, Michigan this summer. Arrangements entrusted to Norton Funeral Home, Sodus, NY 14551. Condolences may be expressed at www.HSNORTON.com.
Gordon Lee Strahle
Gordon Lee (Gordy) Strahle, 81, passed away this Sunday evening peacefully at his home in St. Johns, MI. At his side was his wife of 60 years Maxine (Tobey) Strahle. He was born in Lansing, MI to Earl W. and Gladys E. (Kent) Strahle on July 30, 1939. Gordon and Maxine Tobey were wed on July 30, 1960 in Gladwin, MI. Gordon was a UAW 602 retiree as a toolmaker at Fisher Body for over 40 years. He liked to sail, canoe and is fondly remembered as “the old man on the bike.”
Surviving him is wife Maxine, his son Scott (Lawrence Walton), his daughter Joy (Jeff) Wisser, and his two grandsons Jamie (Labiba Quaiyum) Wisser and Corey Wisser (Taylor Porter). He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Gladys, and three brothers, Glenn, Harold and Carl.
A Memorial Service is planned in May.
McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, St. Johns.
Regina Catherine Martin
Regina Catherine Martin, age 103, of Fowler, MI, passed away Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, St. Johns, MI.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI, on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 10:30 A.M., with Rev. Fr. Leon Martin presiding and Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard concelebrating. Burial will take place at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, Fowler, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 23, 2021 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home.
Regina was born in Westphalia, MI on October 26, 1917, the daughter of Frank and Dora (Goerge) Weber. On October 8, 1941 Regina married Clement Martin in Fowler, MI; they shared 65 years of marriage before Clem’s passing in 2007.
Regina lived in Fowler all her life and also lived on the Martin family farm. She loved to square dance with the Maple Twirlers, taking vacations in Florida, and playing cards with the Farm Bureau group. She enjoyed living at Hazel Findlay since 2010. She has enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Regina belonged to the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI and the Christian Mothers.
She is survived by her son Donald and Anne Martin of Fowler, MI; 5 grandchildren: Bob and Sandy Martin of Fowler, MI, Barb and Rob Mendenhall of Alabama, Cathy Orban of Redford, MI, Lisa and Mike Magda of Whitmore Lake, MI, Ed Martin of Fowler, MI; sister Francis Schneider of Portland, MI and brother Mark Weber of Fowler, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Dora Weber, brothers: Roman, Arnold, John, Alfred, Leo, Edwin Weber; sisters: Marian Rademacher, Agnes Cole; brothers in law: Greg Martin, Sylvester Martin, Clarence Rademacher, David Cole, Bill Schneider, sisters in law: Kathleen Weber, Rose Weber, Ruth (Tootie) Weber, Pauline Martin, Julia Martin, Sister Geraldine Martin and Sister Rita of Wisconsin.
The family would like to thank Hazel Findlay nurse aids, especially hospice nurse Goodness for all the wonderful care she received.
Memorials may be made to Most Holy Trinity Educational Trust Fund or to the Family Wishes. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI.
Roy Edward Ellsworth
Roy E. Ellsworth, loving husband of Mary Ann Chartrand, passed away on Friday, April 9, 2021. He turned 88 years old on April 7. Roy grew up in Alpena, Michigan; graduated from Alpena High School, Alpena County Normal, Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University. Roy spent many years working in the education system in various Michigan school districts. He started as a teacher in a one room country school and moved to other districts as a teacher, principal, and superintendent.
He served as superintendent at Fowler Public Schools, Kaleva Norman Dickson School District, and Wakefield Public Schools. After retiring, he became a real estate agent, a real estate broker, and worked with several Lansing area real estate agencies for many years. Roy served in the Korean War as a member of the United States Army. He held memberships in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel – Clinton County Chapter.
Roy enjoyed hunting and fishing, being outdoors, solving jigsaw puzzles, and especially watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren succeed in their athletic pursuits. If you have ever had a conversation with Roy, it most likely included many stories about his northern Michigan hunting camp and his dear friends and family that joined him there over the years. Or, you may have heard his tales of triumph at the Soaring Eagle Casino, which he thoroughly enjoyed visiting, while collecting gas cards and huge cookies.
Roy is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, his children Ida (David) Miller, John Ellsworth, Thomas Ellsworth, Kevin Ellsworth, Scot (Angela) Ellsworth, and Ann Ellsworth; grandchildren Katie (Chris) McCrea, Nicki (Tyler) Houston, Becky Miller, Ben (Melissa) Miller, Betsey (Andy) May, Jasmine (David) Middleton, Nathan Ellsworth, Tyler Ellsworth, Julia Ellsworth, and Aaron Ellsworth; sisters Hazel Trelfa and Sally (Marvin) Bartz; many loving great-grandchildren; special nephews and nieces; and long-time close friends that will all miss him dearly. Roy was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine A. Ellsworth, his parents George and Mary (Hogan) Ellsworth; his brothers Frank and Ralph Ellsworth; and his sisters Ida McDonald and Helen Powell.
A celebration of Roy’s life will be held at St. Gerard Church, Lansing, Michigan, at a later date. Please consider memorial contributions to the American Heart Association www.heart.org or a charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com for the Ellsworth family.
Divorce decrees filed the week of April 12, 2021
Baklarz, Jessica A / Baklarz, Cory L.
McGill-Haviland, Meghan / Wetmore, Donald
Plichta, Jeannette M. / Plichta, Timothy A.
Santacruz de Martinez, Obdulia / Martinez-Caballero, Daniel
Black, Kurt G. / Black, Jenny C.