Transitions

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Carson Lee Shipley

Carson Lee Shipley, age 51, of St. Johns, died on January 1, 2022 after a brief battle with cancer.

Carson was care-free, laid back and always his true authentic self. He will be forever remembered for his ability to make others laugh, his never-give up attitude and for his joy in life. He was born on October 31, 1970 in Lansing and was a graduate of Bath High School. For over twenty-three years he worked for Abbot Road Mini Storage. He enjoyed owning and driving muscle cars, and passed along his love of cars to his children.

He is survived by his sons, Justin, Hunter (Kayla) and Kaylee Shipley and their mother, Manda Gray; grandchildren, Luke and Della; his mother, Joyce Shipley; sisters, Ronnda Richards, Helen (Walter) Newman and Cindy Shipley, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.

A memorial gathering will be held in the future.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to American Cancer Society.

The family is being served by McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel.


Joan Freda Huhn

Joan Freda Huhn, age 84, of DeWitt passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 4, 2022. She was born on July 2, 1937 to Elizabeth and Arnold Cook in Ionia, MI. She married Carl Huhn on May 9th, 1964. They were married for 56 years living together on their family farm while raising their two children; Anne and Mike. Joan worked for Michigan State University in her early years as a secretary in the food science department.

Joan dedicated her life to working on the farm where she could always be found driving a tractor, tending to her flowers, or working in her garden. She enjoyed raising her children and assisting her grandchildren in all of their 4-H projects. She would spend countless hours with her grandchildren working on sewing projects or trying out new recipes. She loved going for bike rides around the farm and looking at all of the different flowers. She was also an avid painter and would spend lots of time with her grandchildren teaching them while watching Bob Ross tutorials. She loved to travel with her children and to see her grandchildren all across the country. When she would travel, you would always find her collecting flowers that she would bring home to press that you would someday receive in a birthday or anniversary card.

She is survived by her husband, Carl Huhn, her two children: Anne (Foster) Kurburski of Harbor Springs and Mike (Kim) Huhn of DeWitt; sibling and brother-in-law Wilma (Cook) and Francis Trierweiler, sister-in-law Marie Cook, as well as her eight grandchildren: John, Elizabeth, Emily, Katie, Peter, and Luke Kurburski, and Andrew and Joanne Huhn, she is also survived by lots of nieces and nephews. Joan was preceded in death by her parents Arnold and Elizabeth Cook, her siblings: Julius Cook, Marie Cook (Harvey), Norman Cook, Revella Cook (Lawless), Lorraine Cook (Pohl), and William Cook.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 10, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, MI with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams presiding. Burial will take place at DeWitt City Cemetery in DeWitt, MI. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 6-8 P.M. with a Rosary being prayed at 7:00 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI and again on Monday, January 10, 2022 from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul or Michigan 4-H in memory of Joan. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.


Richard Wayne Fenby

Richard Wayne Fenby, age 84, of Big Rapids, MI, passed away on Monday, January 3, 2022 at his home with his wife right by his side.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 7, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, with Pastor William Hooper officiating. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 6, 2022 from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.

Richard was born in Lansing, Michigan on March 1, 1937, the son of Charles F. and Gladys (Green) Fenby. Richard graduated from St. Johns High School with the class of 1955. He married Barbara Dean on June 20, 1964 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Riley Township, MI.

He retired from Oldsmobile as a Senior Project Technician after 47 years of service. Richard and Barb owned and operated D&B Party Shoppe now known as Mazz’s Endzone Party Store in St. Johns for ten years. After raising their family in St. Johns and Richard’s retirement, they moved to Clear Lake in Big Rapids in 2001.

Richard enjoyed attending the Detroit Auto Show every year. He also liked listening to jazz and country western music. Richard loved spending time with his grandchildren and attending their sporting events. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy for four years where he met many lifelong friends. He was a member of Chapel of the Lakes Lutheran Church, Mecosta, MI.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Fenby of Big Rapids, MI; children: Kimberly and Pat Makara of Elsie, MI; Candace Fenby and fiancé Brett Cramer of Laingsburg, MI; Douglas Fenby of Lansing, MI; grandchildren: Lilly Makara, Patrick Makara, Marinna Makara, and Katherine Makara. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: William, Robert, Katie, Marge, and Doris, and many special nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.


Roman Raymond Feldpausch

Roman Raymond Feldpausch, age 106, of Fowler, MI, passed away Saturday, January 1, 2022, at his daughter’s home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI, at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 6, 2022, with Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard presiding. Burial will take place at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, Fowler, MI. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 from 2-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI. A Rosary will be prayed on Wednesday at the funeral home at 7:00 P.M.

Roman was born in Dallas Township, Michigan on September 18, 1915, the son of Joseph Frank and Regina Elizabeth (Wieber) Feldpausch. He married Marina Catherine Thelen on October 25, 1938 in Westphalia, Michigan. They were blessed with 48 years of marriage, prior to her passing on December 20, 1986.

Roman was a lifelong farmer. He enjoyed church daily, hunting, fishing, raising a beautiful garden, visiting friends, playing cards, going on car rides, and trying his luck at the casino. He was a lifelong member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI.

He is survived his children: Gladys Rademacher of Westphalia, MI; Richard (Rose Ann) Feldpausch of Fowler, MI; Linda (Carl) Hafner of Pewamo, MI; Alan (Marilyn Shupp) Feldpausch of Vermontville, MI; Jean Koenigsknecht (Frederick Antes) of Fowler, MI; Pat (Richard) Walters of Fowler, MI; and daughter-in-law Mabel Feldpausch of St. Johns, MI. He is also survived by 31 grandchildren, 70 great-grandchildren, many step- great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marina, and three children: Phyllis Feldpausch, Roy Feldpausch, and Susan Thelen, sons-in-law: Louis Rademacher, Dale Thelen, and Ken Koenigsknecht, and grandson Kenneth James Koenigsknecht.

Memorials may be made to Most Holy Trinity Educational Trust Fund, Fowler Fire Department or to Sparrow Hospice. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, Michigan.


Helen Elizabeth Glazier

Helen Elizabeth Glazier, age 90, a lifetime resident of St. Johns, died peacefully at home on December 30, 2021, surrounded by her family.

Helen was born on July 10, 1931 in St. Johns, Michigan on of seven children born to Joseph and Mary Hopko. She married Gary Glazier on August 26, 1950, and together raised two daughters, Christine and Michele. Helen and Gary enjoyed deer hunting and fishing on Tubbs Lake together. Helen worked at the Wheel Inn for twenty-five years, where she knew everyone and was loved by all. Most of all, she loved her family dearly and was especially adored by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her beloved daughters, Christine (Roger) Leavitt and Michele (Leonard) Mabey; five grandchildren, Julie (Rick) Knop, Michael (Jennifer) Leavitt, Patrick Leavitt, Kirstyne Parker, LaNae (Christopher Hoover) Mabey; fifteen great-grandchildren; three great great-grandchildren, as well as three sisters-in-law, and extended family and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Glazier; parents, Joseph and Mary Hopko; brothers, Joe, Steve and John (Sam) Hopko and sisters, Margaret (Stanley) Gurski, Mary (Wayne) Ewing, Betty (Larry) St. Pierre.

A graveside service to inter her ashes will be held at Mount Rest Cemetery in 2022.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name toward research for Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS Association. The family is being served by McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel.


William Craig Harding

William Craig “Spaceman” Harding, age 67, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Thursday, December 30, 2021, at his home.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in both MI and FL.

William was born in Providence, Rhode Island on November 12, 1954, the son of William and Raylie (Bowman) Harding.

He served in the U.S. Air Force as an Airman Second Class in the Vietnam War.

William enjoyed BBQ, Alabama football, and nature watching. He was a big time Star Trek fan. He enjoyed watching the trees change from summer to fall. He was an avid gardener who loved watering his flowers. William was an over the road truck driver for 22 years. He had a love for pets and was a proud member of the ASPCA.

He is survived by his children: Keifer Harding and Shannon Holt of Owosso, MI; Amber Harding of Florida; Jade Harding of Florida; Christopher Aldridge of Arkansas; William Allen and Andie Lockwood of St Charles, MI; and Zackary Welsh and Shade Orton of St. Johns, MI; and 13 Grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Maritsa Harding, and one brother Robert Harding.

Memorials may be made to the family. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.


Divorce decrees filed the weeks of December 20 and 27, 2021

Malesky-Flegler, Dana / Flegler, William

Ellsworth, Laura / Ellsworth, Timothy

Bates, Devon / Bates, David

Droste, Melissa / Droste, Daniel