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Thomas S. Pouch
Thomas S. Pouch, well known and respected national and international financial figure, passed away Tuesday June 22, 2021 at the age of 80 in Fullerton, CA. Thomas was born in Arlington, Massachusetts on December 16, 1940. Thomas was a graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns, Michigan. Thomas was also a graduate of Michigan State University (BA). Thomas also received an MBA degree from Central Michigan University.
He is survived by his daughter Kimberly Rhynes, son-In-Law Glen Rhynes, son Christopher Pouch, daughter-in-Law Diane Pouch and three grandchildren, AJ Pouch, Rose Pouch and Hannah Rhynes. His wife Catherine Ann Pouch proceeded him in death June 13, 2011.
Thomas will be cremated and laid to rest at Mount Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Graveside Services will be held July 31, 2021 at 11 AM. The family requests in lieu of flowers a memorial donation be made to the American Cancer Society or the donor’s choice in memory of Thomas S. Pouch.
John Arthur Ballinger
John Arthur Ballinger, a lifelong resident of St. Johns, Michigan, died on June 28, 2021 at the age of 87. Born on February 22, 1934, John was a graduate of St. Johns High School where he starred on the football team and was inducted into the school’s Football Hall of Fame. Following high school he served his country in the U.S. Army and later returned home to St. Johns where he enjoyed farming, hunting, carpentry, and serving as a 4H leader. He was the proud recipient of an award from St. Johns High School honoring his forty years of support to the school’s football program as a holder for the “down marker.”
He is survived by Donna, his beloved wife of over sixty-four years; his children, Lisa (Mark) Fedewa, Brenda (Bruce) Randolph, Jennifer Humble, Ed Ballinger, Angela (Ivan) Stebbins; ten grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, his brother-in-law, George French, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Rosa (Henning) Ballinger; sisters, Elizabeth (Francis) Brya, Jean (Neil) Harte, Agnes French, Margarite (Ernest) Botke; brothers, Robert (Loretta) Ballinger and Max (Onalee) Ballinger, and a grandson, Michael.
Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns, on Thursday, July 1, from 4:30 – 8:00 PM with a Vigil Service at 7:30PM. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 Linden St., St. Johns, on Friday, July 2, at 11 AM. Burial will follow in Mt. Rest Cemetery. Memorials may be made in John’s name to the church.
Mark Curtis Stavely
Mark Curtis Stavely, age 66, of Perrinton, MI, passed away Sunday, June 27, 2021, at Sparrow Health Systems, Lansing, MI.
A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at 5:00 P.M. with Pastor Richard Mundt officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 2:00 P.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Mark was born in Oakland, CA on July 28, 1954, the son of Wallace and Bonnie (Fehn) Stavely. He graduated from Hemlock High School with the class of 1972. On September 11, 1999 he married Kathleen Fitzgerald in Lake Tahoe, NV.
He retired from Wolgast Construction as a superintendent after 40 years of service. Mark was a helpful handyman, always willing to do a project for friends and family. Golf was Mark’s passion. He enjoyed playing pickle ball and golf cart rides. Mark loved boating, spending time at “The Destination” and everything the lake life had to offer. He was an avid Michigan fan.
He is survived by his wife Kathy Fitzgerald-Stavely of Perrinton, MI, sons: Nicholas and Jessie Stavely of Huntsville, AL, Nathan Stavely of Hemlock, MI, step-son Stephen and Jil McKinney of Chicago, IL, grandchildren: Blake, Mason, Cole, Evelyn, and Olive, brothers: Michael and Marlene Stavely of Hemlock, MI, Matthew and Kathy Stavely of Hemlock, MI, nephews and nieces: Jason Stavely of Hemlock, MI, Peter and Amanda Stavely of Mayville, MI, Benjamin Stavely of Midland, MI, and Paige Stavely and Dylan Maddox of Ault, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents Wallace and Bonnie Stavely and brother Martin Stavely.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Teresa Sisson
Teresa Sisson passed away on Saturday morning, June 26, 2021 at the age of 90.
She was born on January 8, 1931, the first of eight children to Italian parents, Vincent and Angela (Scagliarini) Piccinini who were then living on the Greek Isles of Rhodes. As World War II came into their midst, Teresa and her family were forcibly relocated by the occupying German forces from Rhodes to Italy. When Italy fell to the Americans, Teresa met Ronald Sisson while he was serving there in the US Army. They married and she came with him to St. Johns, leaving behind everything to start a new life in Michigan. She and Ronald had two sons, Dennis and Robert Sisson.
Once she became proficient in English, she attended Lansing Business College, where she developed the skills to become employed in public health through the Women, Infant and Children’s program. She eventually took a position as Assistant to a Michigan State Senator for twenty years. Upon her retirement from state employment, Teresa stayed active by becoming the house director of the Kappa Delta Sorority at Michigan State University up until 2016 when she retired.
Teresa was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church in St Johns and an active member in the community where she often assisted in various fundraising activities. Always warm and lighthearted, befitting her heritage, Teresa was known for her Italian recipes, marvelous cooking and even her skill as an accomplished seamstress, making clothes for her family and friends.
Surviving are her son, Dennis Sisson; daughter-in-law, Cindy Sisson; four grandchildren, Angela Sisson, Brian (Kathy) Sisson, Annamarie Sisson and Aleece (Chris) Hodges together with six great grandchildren. She also has four sisters in Italy surviving whose names are Jeanette, Jolanda, Ninetta and Maetta Piccinini. She was preceded in death by her husband Ronald Sisson; her son, Robert Sisson; her two brothers, Carlo and Nico Piccinini; and her sister, Natalina Piccinini.
A Funeral Service for Teresa will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns on Thursday, July 1st, 2021 at 2 PM. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on July 1, 2021 from noon until the time of the service.
Memorials may be made to the Hazel Findlay Manor or the Clinton County Senior Center.
Carol Suzanne Briggs
Carol Suzanne “Sue” Briggs, a longtime resident of St. Johns, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on June 24, 2021 after a recent brain cancer diagnosis. She was 76 years old.
Sue was born on November 27, 1944 in Lawrence, Kansas, the youngest child of two born to Allen and Martha (Reed) Hokanson. She grew up in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and following graduation from Glenbard West High School, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from Michigan State University.
The young Sue Hokanson met Ransom “Ranny” Briggs on a blind date to the pool, set up by mutual friends at MSU, and the couple quickly fell in love. After a 3-year courtship, they married on February 6, 1965. For three years, Sue and Ranny lived in Germany, Arizona and then embarked on a long road trip to Alaska, exploring and visiting many National Parks, before settling in St. Johns in 1968. Sue and Ranny were blessed with three sons, Chris, Steve and David.
Sue was a cherished member of Pilgrim United Methodist Church. She was active with the choir, bible study and enjoyed two mission trips to Haiti. She loved to travel, play tennis with Ranny, ride her bike daily with her dog and was a talented seamstress. For over twenty years she was also an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church and choir near their winter home in Marco Island, Florida. Sue loved being near the water in Florida and Higgins Lake where many memories were made at the family cottage.
Sue was kind and made friends easily. She was a loving and loyal wife, a proud mother and a doting, caring grandmother.
Sue is survived by her husband of fifty-six years, Ranny Briggs; three sons, Christopher (Shannon) Briggs, Steven Briggs and David Briggs; grandchildren, Erin (Cody) Duguid, Andrew Briggs and Blake Smith; Sister-in-law, Carole L. (the late John “Sandy”) Briggs and their five children and families, as well as extended family members, her canine companion, Misty and many dear friends.
Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns on Monday, June 28, 2021 from 6-8 PM and on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM.
A Funeral Service will be held at Pilgrim United Methodist Church, 2965 W. Parks Rd, St. Johns on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 11 AM, with gathering beginning at the church at 10 AM. Burial to follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns. Friends and family are invited to lunch afterwards at Pilgrim United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Pilgrim United Methodist Church (missions).
Barry C. Bauer
Barry C. Bauer, a lifelong resident of St. Johns, Michigan died peacefully on June 25, 2021 at the age of 77.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over fifty-one years, Betty, on April 23 of this year.
He is survived by daughters, Renee (Scott) McCausey, Mindy (Jacob) Seavey, Kristy (Ross) Thelen; grandchildren, Nolan (Katie) McCausey, Cameron (Ashlynn) McCausey, Makayla (Luke) Worden, Rebekah McCausey, Joshua McCausey, Connor and Bella Seavey, Brooke and Laney Thelen; great grandchildren, Braedon, Ryleigh, Nathan, Abby and Martha; sisters, Elyse (Dick) Fogle; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sharon (Stuart) Fitzpatrick, Jane Boak, Barb (Mark) Parbs, Deb (Jeff) Wilcox and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Tyler Seavey, his parents, Paul and Florence (Bigelow) Bauer, siblings, Richard Bauer, Sharyl (Harry) Powers, Doug Bauer, and Colleen Yoder; father and mother-in-law, Edward and Genevieve Motz, and brother-in-law, Dave Motz.
Barry enjoyed a thirty-seven year career with Federal Mogul and in retirement served as a photographer with the St. Johns Independent newspaper. In addition to his love of photography, he was an avid golfer and enjoyed his league at Twin Oaks and golfing with friends at other area courses.
Friends may visit at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns, on Monday, June 28, from 1-3 PM. A Graveside Service and interment of Mr. and Mrs. Bauer’s ashes will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name are encouraged to The Voice for Clinton County’s Children, the Fitzpatrick Family Relay for Life, or Capitol Area Community Services. For further information please phone 989-224-4422.
Connie Rae Welton
Connie Rae Welton, age 83, a lifelong resident of St. Johns, died on June 22, 2021.
Connie was born on May 23, 1938 in St. Johns, Michigan, one of nine children to Thomas and Helen (Kasper) Atkinson. Connie was feisty, independent, and jovial. She was a member of the American Legion Axillary, enjoyed time spent with her family on Higgins and Houghton Lake, and she was often seen riding her scooter around St. Johns, enjoying many local events like the concert’s in the park, Mint Fest (Arts and crafts), and the various downtown parades She was fiercely protective of all she knew and loved.
She will be missed by many, especially her daughter, Sheila Witt and son, Alan Welton; her grandchildren, T.J. Marie (Geoffrey) Welton-Farr, William (Jill) Welton, Troy (Jennifer) Wright, Jesse (Jennifer) Witt, Lacee McMillian; great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Evelyn and Benjamin, Felicia and Dylan, Easton and Turner, Chandler, Elijah and Nolan; her brother, Ronnie (Kay) Atkinson, as well as many extended family members and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene D. Welton; daughters, Vicky Lynn Alcorn and Diane Sue Welton; son, Daryl D. Welton, and seven siblings.
Cremation has taken place.
Memorial contributions may be made be to the following charities:
American Legion Auxiliary Post 153 St. John’s, MI 48879
Sparrow Palliative Care
Wounded Warriors
Homeless Vets
For further information contact McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel.