.
Walter Benjamin Smith
Walter Benjamin “Walt” Smith, age 88, of Ashley, Michigan, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2023, at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, Michigan.
A cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be held at Union Home Cemetery, St. Johns, Michigan, at a later date.
Walter was born in St. Johns, Michigan, on September 24, 1934, the son of Noel S. and Esther M. (Trowbridge) Smith. He graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School with the class of 1953 and also attended Ferris State University for studies in the automotive industry. Walt proudly served his country in the United States Army.
On September 8, 1960 Walter married Ruth Marie Moore. They were blessed with sixty-two years of marriage, and she survives him. Walt took pride in caring for his home and property, and really enjoyed mowing his lawn. He enjoyed researching his families’ genealogy. He was a mechanic for Pohl Brothers before going to work for Oldsmobile. He was a service representative for Oldsmobile in Wyoming, Colorado, and Illinois; and then became a training instructor in Illinois and Lansing, before retiring in 1993.
He is survived by his wife Ruth; three children: Shirley Potacka of St. Louis, MI; Bruce Smith of Ashley, MI; and Brian (Melissa) Smith of DeKalb, IL; four grandchildren: Lisa Bergeron, Wendy (John) Trujillo, Jake (Gina) Smith, and Jillian (Cameron) Luker; and two great-grandchildren: Kazia Bergeron and Michael. He is also survived by three siblings: Marilee Mills, Elizabeth (Bruce) Pope, and Malcolm (Agnes) Smith; two sisters-in-law: Wenda Duflo and Wilma Moore; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law John Potacka, brothers-in-law: Glen Mills, Richard Moore, Chauncey Moore, and Leon Moore, Jr.; and brother and sisters-in-law: Richard and Diana Barrett and Keith and Margaret Slepr.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Lynette Marie Weaver
Lynette Marie Weaver, age 60, of St. Johns, MI, passed away at her home Sunday, January 15, 2023 with her family by her side.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 20, 2023, with Pastor Judy Hazle officiating. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at the funeral home.
Lynette was born in St. Johns, Michigan on December 8, 1962, the daughter of Daniel Richard and June Joyce (Ney) Price. She graduated from St. Johns High School with the class of 1981. On June 26, 1993 Lynette married Tony Weaver at St. Johns Lutheran Church. They were blessed with twenty-nine years of marriage and he survives her.
Lynette loved children and ran her own daycare for many years. She enjoyed crafting and flowers. Her garden and her dogs were her passion. She faithfully followed her children and grandchildren’s sporting events and activities. She spent many enjoyable times camping with her family and friends. Lynette was hard to pull from the dance floor when she was out with friends.
She is survived by her father Daniel Price, husband Tony, five children: Matthew Scott (Jamie) Telling of St. Johns, MI; Tad Nathan (Tabitha) Weaver of St. Johns, MI; Jason Nathaniel Telling of Lansing, MI; Amanda Rachelle Weaver of Lowell, MI; and Christopher James (Adrienne) Hartford of PA: ten grandchildren: Makiya, Collin, Kaleigh, Brynlee, Brett, Remy, Corrie, Weston, Sienna, and Maizee. She is also survived by four siblings: Timothy (Sue) Price, Cheryle (Robert) Mitchell, Michael (Mary) Price, and Jeffery Price; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother June Price, and infant sister Carolyn.
Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Rose Marie Wesner
Rose Marie Wesner, age 72, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023, peacefully surrounded by family.
Rose was born in St. Johns, Michigan on November 28, 1950, the daughter of Thomas Joseph and Helen Lena (Paseka) Mitosinka. She graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns, Michigan. On November 7, 1970 she married James Wesner in St. Johns, Michigan. From their marriage came three adventurous boys that kept her active. James passed away on June 13, 1990.
Family gatherings were important to her where cooking and hosting her family and friends brought pure joy to her. Holidays were extra special with elaborate decorations and meals. When Rose became a grandmother this added a grander fulfillment to her life. With grandchildren came crafting, baking, and the best grandma daycare anyone could ask for.
When not active with the family, Rose enjoyed casinos, time in her yard, soaking up the sun, and collecting seashells on the beach. Rose and her mother Helen shared a special bond. They were joined at the hip, whether it was road trips to find the deal of the day or just to spend time together. In the end Rose and her mother passed away two weeks apart from each other.
After retirement, Rose took pleasure in traveling south to Florida for winters and visiting the many casinos along the way with her companion Euell Chappell, jokingly nicknamed lover-boy by Rose’s mom in the years past. Euell filled a gap in Rose’s life that her family so ever appreciated.
She leaves behind three sons: Marty and Melissa Wesner of Hubbardston, Michigan; Michael and Buffy Wesner of St. Johns, Michigan; Troy and Breanna Wesner of St. Johns, Michigan; five grandchildren, Zander, Mariah, Olin, Gracie and Mason; brother Robert and Jackie Mitosinka of Marquette, Michigan; and sister-in-law Sallie and Karl Danneberger of Dublin, Ohio. Also surviving are her nieces and nephews: Angie Mitosinka, Jenny VanBelkum, Wendy Sutter, Marc Danneberger, and Kyle Danneberger; and several great nieces and nephews.
Rose’s transition to her heavenly home reunited her with her husband James, her parents Thomas and Helen Mitosinka, brother Jack Mitosinka, and niece Christa Mitosinka.
Per Rose’s wishes there will not be any service. The family will host a celebration of life at a future date.
In lieu of flowers or monetary donations, Rose’s family wishes that you take a moment to call, hug or tell someone in your life how important they are and to build memories with your family and friends. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Virginia Frances Rogers
Virginia Frances Rogers, a resident of St. Johns, Michigan, and former resident of Clermont, Pine Hills, and Wildwood, Florida, and Waynesville, North Carolina died peacefully on January 12, 2023 at the age of 96.
Virginia was born on October 27, 1926 in Lawtey, Florida, the daughter of J.R. and Sarah (Dodgin) Smith and grew up in Florida where she was a 1945 graduate of Wildwood High School. Since she was three years old, when her mother made her first nurse uniform for her, Virginia dreamed of a nursing career. She realized that dream when she obtained her nursing degree at the age of 40, and went on to serve for many years at Orange Memorial Hospital in Orlando, Florida. She also shared her mother’s love of sewing and was a gifted seamstress. Throughout her life she enjoyed camping and loved her motor home tours throughout the United States. In recent years she enjoyed bingo and fellowship with her friends in Florida and at Clinton Commons in St Johns.
She was preceded in death by husbands, Marion Earl Craig, Sr. and William H. Rogers, a son, Marion Earl Craig Jr. (Penny), four grandchildren, and her six siblings. She is survived by children, Terry Craig (Robin), Jack Craig (Diane), Sandra Bozung (the late Steve), and David Rogers (Lisa). She was blessed with twelve grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life is planned for the spring. Memorials may be made in her name to Hospice House of Shiawassee County, 2005 Copas Rd., Owosso, Michigan 48867. For further information visit McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel.