Obituaries
Debra L. Beck
Debra L. Beck of rural St. Johns, MI age 65 passed away at Sparrow Hospital on Wednesday, November 21, 2018. Deb was born on June 28, 1953 in Durand, MI the daughter of Lewis and Thelma (Horn) Goodrich. She graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School in 1971 and on August 29, 1981 she married Donald E. Beck. He preceded her in death on December 23, 2010. Deb worked for Shiawassee RESD for 42 years and had retired in 2014. She always enjoyed being with her fellow workers and spending winters in St. Martin.
Surviving her are her mother, Thelma Goodrich of Ashley, brother, Dan and Mary Goodrich of Carland and sister Donna (George) Russell of St. Johns; niece Jessica Thompson and her special “Grandkids” Jarrett and Jayden Lohrer; her mother in law, Imogene Beck of Eureka, step daughter Jeanette Beck and step grandchildren, Franklin Kennedy Jr., Oliver, Heath, and Heather Beck, brothers in law Darrell and Pat Beck.
Funeral services will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Charlene Wagner officiating. Burial will follow at Eureka Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives at the funeral home on Monday, November 26, 2018, 4-8 P.M. Memorials may be given to the charity of the donor’s choice or the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation.
Mary Sue Wicker
Mary Sue Wicker of St. Johns Michigan, formerly of Bay City, aged 61 passed away Wednesday November 21, 2018 with her family by her side at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Bay City, Michigan to Jesse and Katheryn (Lynch) Odell on January 11, 1956. Mary was a graduate of T.L. Handy High School class of 1975 and went on to graduate from Delta College with a Medical Secretarial Science Degree. She taught at Great Lakes Junior College and Ross Medical Center, she also used her degree to provide medical billing for numerous hospitals for over 30 years.
Mary married Marvin E. Wicker on May 27, 1977 at St Paul Lutheran Church, Frankenlust, Michigan and shared 41 years of marriage. She leaves behind three children, Cathy (Coy) Levack, Martin (Angie) Wicker and Sara (Dean) Sperry, and 9 grandchildren, Austin, Everleigh, Ailey, Isabella, Wyatt, Abigail, Jackson, Zander, and Emmalyn. Mary also leaves behind three sisters, Rebecca (David) Tucker, Linda (Matthew) Schmidt, Dawn (Kenneth) Talaga, and two half sisters, Robin Awery Kilbourne and Jessica Lowe. She also had two sisters in law, Adeline Wicker, Kayleen (Robert) Vanwert and a brother in law Bernie (Janice) Wicker. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse Odell and Katheryn Wood, her father and mother in law, Lloyd and Edna Wicker and two brothers, James and Mark Odell.
Funeral will be held on November 24, 2018 at St. John’s Lutheran Church located at 511 E Sturgis Street in St. Johns. Friends may call at the Keck-Coleman Funeral Home at 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns on November 23 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. In lieu of flowers those wishing an expression of sympathy are asked to consider making a donation to the Sparrow Clinton Infusion Center in St. Johns.
Charles J. Zarka
Charles J. Zarka, 88, went to be with his Heavenly Father, Monday, November 19, 2018 in the comfort of his home. He was born January 20, 1930 in Lansing, MI the son of James and Liah (Ferris) Zarka. Charles was a member of the Maple Rapids Congregational Christian Church, and in his younger years enjoyed golfing and playing softball. He was a hard worker, loved spending time with his family and served in the Michigan National Guard. Charles was a design engineer at Oldsmobile retiring in 1985 with over 30 years of service.
Surviving is his wife of 64 years, Patricia; his children, Pamela (Marlin) Plementosh of St. Johns, James Zarka of CO and Kimberly (Ed) Taylor of St. Johns; grandchildren, Karrie (Donald) Schrader, Jason (Cora) Decker, Stacie (Eric) Smith, Andrea Hath (Robert Feldpausch), Charles (Krystal) Taylor-Zarka, Ken (Cherie) Taylor, Michelle (Brent) Ryan and numerous great grandchildren and step grandchildren; two sisters, Mary (Jerry) Randell and Shirley Woodward and a very loving family with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Nellie Brower, Jennie McAskill and Bertha Knapp.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Maple Rapids Congregational Christian Church 410 S. Maple St. Maple Rapids with Pastor Jerry Kissling officiating. Interment will follow at Union Home Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM Friday at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to American Legion Post # 153 110 E. Walker St. Johns. The family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful care provided to Charles by Theresa and Mandy from Compassus Hospice and family members, especially Julie, Andrea, Krystal and Shannon.
Gerald J. Kuntz
Gerald “Jerry” J. Kuntz died Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at the age of 71. He was born October 22, 1947 in Dickinson, ND the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Miller) Kuntz. Jerry is an Army veteran and member of VFW Post # 4113 in St. Johns. He was an avid MSU fan and enjoyed his trips to the casino. Jerry was a member of UAW Local #652 and retired from General Motors in 2004 after 32 years of service.
Surviving is one son, Brandon (Nikki); one daughter, Amiee (Valerie) Mahlich; his mother, Elizabeth; five grandchildren, Kelsi, Evan, Sydney, Regan, and Morgan; fiancée, Janie Carlson and her children, Ben Molina and Suprina (Ken) Kinsey; brothers and sisters, David (Audrey) Kuntz, Clarence (Joan) Kuntz, Marilyn Wanner, Adeline (Bob) Ingold, Arlene (Daryl) Stoltz, Arnie (Celine) Kuntz, Alvin (Dorothy) Kuntz, Janice (Bruce) Kouba, Joyce Klym and Fran (Dick) Murdy and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his father and brother-in-law, Norman Wanner.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns with Reverend Monsignor Bernard Reilly officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM until service time at the funeral home. Military honors will be provided by the St. Johns Honor Guard.
David Alan Toth, III
David Alan Toth, III, age 33 of Ovid, MI, passed away Saturday, November 17, 2018, at his home.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at Duplain Church of Christ, St. Johns, MI with Mr. Chuck Emmert officiating. Burial will take place at South Ovid Cemetery, Ovid Township, MI. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 from 2-8 P.M. with family present 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes- Houghton Chapel, Ovid, MI and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the Church.
David was born in St. Johns, Michigan on May 17, 1985 the son of David Alan Toth, Jr. and Dawn A. (Morley) Rademacher. He was a graduate of Ovid-Elsie High School and resided all of his life in the Ovid area.
Davey enjoyed fishing and hunting. He loved to spend time with his family and loved his dog, Molly. Family tradition was very important to him. Davey also enjoyed riding his three-wheeler, Ginny. He will be remembered for his strong faith and belief in God. Davey attended Duplain Church of Christ growing up and later attended Fenmore Baptist Church.
He is survived by his father Dave Toth, Jr. of Ovid, MI; mother Dawn and Greg Rademacher of Elsie, MI; sister Alisha and Eric Peters of Elsie, MI; brother Robert Toth of Ovid, MI; brother Justin Toth of Elsie, MI; brother Craig Rademacher of Bannister, MI; brother Corey Rademacher of Ovid, MI; brother Brent and Tiffany Halfman of St. Johns, MI; brother Jordon and Chelsie Halfman of Florida; soul mate Michelle Hart and her daughter’s: Lillian and Violet of Ovid, MI; grandmother Carolyn Rademacher of St. Johns, MI; grandmother Phyllis West of Elsie, MI; great-grandmother Denise Wilson of St. Johns, MI. Davey is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Davey was preceded in death by his grandmother Jean Toth, grandfathers: David Alan Toth, Sr., Richard Morley, Ed Rademacher and Willis West, great-grandfather Roy Wilson, great-grandmothers: Peggy Green and Beatrice Wilson, and also uncles: Tim Toth and Matt West.
Memorials may be made to Wishes of the Family. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Houghton Chapel, Ovid, Michigan.
Luella V. Vandegriff
Luella V. Vandegriff died Wednesday November 14, 2018 at the age of 92 while a resident of Brookdale Assisted Living, in Delta Township Michigan. Luella was born Saturday, May 15, 1926 in East Jordan, Michigan to Archie and Lucy (LeVanway) Misner. She married Chester Vandegriff in May of 1946, and he preceded her in death.
Luella worked for over 20 years as a line worker at Liquid Glaze. She was also employed at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor in St. Johns. She enjoyed square-dancing, quilting, bowling and being involved with her family, Luella actively participated in playing with her great grandkids in whatever they were doing well into her 90s.
Surviving Luella are their three children; Emojune DeSander, Chester (Wilma) Vandegriff, and Gary (Patricia) Vandegriff, her two daughters in law; Sue Vandegriff and Sandy Vandegriff, her 16 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. She was also predeceased by her sons; David Vandegriff and Dennis Vandegriff.
Funeral Services for Luella will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns, MI with Pastor Andy Croel of Pilgrim United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery in St. Johns. The family will receive relatives and friends Monday, November 19 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home and from 12:00 Noon until the time of service Tuesday. Memorials may be made to Compassus Hospice, 801 S Waverly Rd #200, Lansing, MI 48917 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter 2111, University Park Drive, Suite 200, Okemos, MI 48864.