Obituaries
Diane Marie Miller
Diane Marie (Vaught) Miller, 68, of East Lansing, Michigan, died on Friday, January 11, 2019 in Wickliffe, Ohio. She was born in Painesville, Ohio on May 17, 1950.
A graduate of Wickliffe High School (1968) and of Ohio University (1972) with a BA in French, Summa Cum laude as well as Phi Beta Kappa. She spent her junior year at the Institut de Touraine in Tours, France. She continued her studies at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, earning her MA degree in 1975. In 1973-74 she studied at The Sorbonne, earning her Diplome D’Etudes de Civilisation. She was a teacher at St. Johns High School in Michigan for most of her life, teaching English and French. Diane loved traveling and spending time with family and her beloved dog. Her goal in life was to be a dedicated educator and loving mother.
Surviving her is son Kevin (Yasmin) Miller, mother Jean Vaught, Sister Claudia (Ed) Przybylski, brother John(Susan) Vaught, sister Sandy (Dave) Griesmer as well as nephews Jason and Jordan and niece, Natalie. She was preceded in death by her father, Claude R. Vaught.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at Davis-Babcock Funeral Home, 4154 Clark Ave, Willoughby. A Memorial Service will immediately follow at 5 p.m. at the funeral home.
Surviving polio at the age of 3 and non-Hodgkins lymphoma at age 35, donations can be made in Diane’s memory to the March of Dimes, 5425 Warner Rd, Cleveland, OH 44125.
Shirleyan Lake
Shirleyan Lake, 79 of St. Johns passed away on January 14, 2019 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born on May 30, 1939 the daughter of Hazen and Helen (Schmidt) Lake. She retired from the City of Royal Oak in 2000, and after retiring she worked part time at the First Congregational Church of St. Johns. Shirleyan was a member of First Congregational Church and belonged to the Clinton Memorial Hospital Auxillary and the Red Hot Attitudes. She enjoyed traveling, knitting, and reading mysteries as well as spending time with family and friends. She also spent many enjoyable hours volunteering.
Shirleyan is survived by her brothers, John Lake of Florida and Glenn (Linda) Lake of Grandville; nephew, Christopher Lake of Lansing and nieces, Veronica (Brian) Johnson of Redmond, OR and Vanessa Lake of Florida. Great nephews,, Nicholas and Arthur and great nieces, Abigail and Madeline.
The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Friday, January 18, 2019 from 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. with services at that time. Reverend Matt Olson will officiate. Burial will be at White Chapel Memorial Park, Troy, MI.
Memorials may be made to First Congregational Church or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Josh Allen Eldridge
A Celebration of Life for Josh Eldridge will be held on Saturday, January 19 at 11:00 a.m. at the Community of Christ Church, 310 N. Whittemore Street (Old US-27), St. Johns, MI. (corner of Whittemore and Railroad St.) A luncheon will follow. Open to all family, friends, and friends of the family. If anyone wishes to bring a dish to pass, it would be appreciated, but not necessary.
Josh Allen Eldridge age 53, of Stanton formerly of St. Johns, MI, passed away Friday, December 21, 2018, at Sparrow Carson Hospital, Carson City, MI.
Josh was born in St. Johns, MI on July 10, 1965, the son of Wilfred Eldridge and Laura (Parmenter) Schmidt. He graduated from St. Johns High School with the class of 1983. He was a self employed building contractor all of his adult life, and he loved auto racing especially NASCAR. Josh was a member of Community of Christ Church St. Johns, MI.
He is survived by 3 children: Jake Eldridge, Tabbitha Eldridge, Jarrett Eldridge, mother Laura and Randy Schmidt, father Wilfred and Linda Eldridge, 2 brothers: Richard Eldridge, Charles Eldridge, and 2 sisters: Robin Hammontree, and Michelle and Kevin Ross. Three years ago he reconnected with his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, his fiancee, Lois Swinson. She was by his side until the time he took his last breath; she also survives him. He is also survived by his grandmother, Kathleen Wheeler, step sisters: Tammy and Mike Terpening, Tereasa and James Masarik, Amy and Michael McGee, Caren Schmidt and Jason Hufnagel, and step brother Randall and Mary Schmidt. He was predeceased by his grandparents: Warren and Helen Eldridge, Richard Parmenter and Edward Wheeler.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
James Arthur Cornell
James Arthur Cornell, 94, of Northport passed away on Thursday, January 10, 2019 peacefully at home in the presence of family.
He was born March 28, 1924 in St. Johns, MI to Glen and Doris (Crowner) Cornell, the oldest of seven, growing up on the farm in depression times. A WWII Army veteran, James served in Oran, Algiers and Italy. He was a member of the St. Johns VFW Post 4113 and the Eagletown American Legion Post 120. A highlight of his life was going on the Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2015. He felt deeply about caring for veterans and has long supported the Dave Roever Foundation, as they have for decades cared for veterans wounded in body, mind and soul.
He was a life member of the American Motorcycle Association. His love of riding is evidenced in the many trophies he brought home. The most prized ones are those won from the two-day, 500 mile, cross country enduro in MI called the Jack Pine. What an awesome time his family had following him all across the state.
He was an inventor and could build almost anything out of his machine shop in the garage on Centerline Road in St. Johns where his family lived almost 20 years. The driveway was often clogged with farm machinery needing repair, or a new project, like a go-cart for his daughters or one of the many air sleds he built with his friend Dick Parsons of Fowler. Some of you may remember the forerunner to the snowmobile our family called “snow boats”. Each was individually crafted with airplane propellers for push and flying across the fields of snow, or at Houghton Lakes’ Tip up Town, or through the trails of the Upper Peninsula.
He was also a life member of the NRA and enjoyed hunting pheasant and deer, and in later years listening to the exploits of his grandchildren. He was also a lifetime member of the Buckley Old Engine Club. His main responsibility was operating the sawmill, but he had an interest in all facets of the club. He loved that for over 50 years, the club has sought to keep the past alive and real for kids of all ages.
Until being injured, Jim was a big equipment operator, mostly working in Lansing and surrounding areas running a crane and laying water and sewer pipe. In 1969, they moved to Northport where Jim was a partner in a business manufacturing the Swim Whiz lure and also making the Alcore rod and reel. He retired from that business and spent his later years traveling to their winter home in Canebrake, in the southern California desert.
Spring found him traveling through the woods on their Northport property, checking for trees to fell to feed the wood stove and to use for various building projects like the cabin in the woods for his grandsons and some of the Northport Boy Scouts, and later his great grand kids. He was always building something. His many antique tractors were used in one way or another to prepare the ground for the large vegetable and flower garden put in every year. Canning and freezing time was a family affair. He worked hard all his life and even last fall was helping to split wood. He was active first in the EUB Bingham Church in St. Johns and later at Trinity UCC in Northport.
His deep love for Geneva, his wife of 71 years, was and is inspiring all his family. He was a man of integrity, committed to the care and protection of his family, treating others with respect, and was a mentor to many. He lived life large and was deeply loved.
James is survived by his loving wife, Geneva; two daughters, Kathleen R. Williams and Karen L. (Steve) Gregory; a brother, Harry (Dee) Cornell of Charlevoix; four grandchildren, Charlotte Williams, Rebecca (Bruce) Fisk, Matthew Gregory, Aaron (Nicole) Gregory; eight great grandchildren, Halle, Clayton and Abagail Gregory, Evan and Ty Gregory, Elizabeth, Casey and Wyatt Fisk. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, George, Jean, Keith, Bruce and William J.; and a baby daughter, Marla Jo.
A memorial service will be held April 27, 2019 at Trinity UCC in Northport at 1PM. Memorials may be directed to Trinity UCC, PO Box 156, Northport, MI, 49670 and/or any of these nonprofits that are special to the family: daveroever.org, buckleyoldengineshow.org, midmichiganhonorflight.com.
The family thanks Hospice of Michigan for their professional, kind and loving care of James.
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Leelanau.
Thees Carl Hoft
In the early hours of Saturday, January 12, 2019, the Reverend Thees Carl Hoft received the gift of eternal rest in Christ and the certain promise of the resurrection. This baptized Child of God was called by name and received the peace we cannot understand, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” John 14:27-31.
Thees Carl Hoft a resident of Clinton Township, Michigan passed away at his home on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the age of 70. He was born Saturday, October 9, 1948 in New York City, New York, the only son of Thees H. and Louisa F. Helms Hoft. His sister Patricia would complete his family. His parents brought him up in a Christian home and would provide him with a Christian education that would lead him to his life long career as an ordained Missouri Synod Lutheran Minister bringing the gift of our Lord’s Word into people’s lives. He attended Martin Luther High School in Queens, Concordia Junior College in Bronxville, New York, Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana and onto Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis, Missouri earning his Master’s in Divinity. It was here that God’s perfect plan manifested itself with him meeting his future wife Margaret.
He would take the hand of Margaret A. Wildhaber on August 18, 1973 in Saint Louis, Missouri to pledge his vow to her in Holy Matrimony. Of this union, Thees and Margaret would celebrate 45 years of marriage.
His calling for his first church came from Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Belding, Michigan and later at Faith Lutheran Church in Ypsilanti. Serving as a professor at Concordia College in Ann Arbor, he later served in the United States Navy as a chaplain from 1983 until 1991. He accepted a call to St. John Lutheran Church in St. John, Michigan, after to St. John Lutheran Church in Hamlin, New York and his final call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton Township where he served eight years until his retirement. He enjoyed world traveling and was able to visit many countries, including Italy, Germany, France, Austria, England, Mexico and a wonderful trip to Hawaii. In his quiet time, he enjoyed reading, his choice usually being history.
He is survived by his wife Margaret, his children Rev. Peter (Bethany) Hoft, Anne Marie (Scott) Phillips and Dr. Timothy (Anastasia) Hoft. He was the proud grandfather of Nathan, Gretchen, Thomas, Elizabeth and Katherine. His sister Patricia (Robert) Simons, niece Kristin and nephew Karl also survive.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, January 17, 2019 from 1:30 pm until 8:00 pm in the Harold W. Vick Funeral Home, 140 South Main, Mount Clemens, MI. Funeral services will take place on Friday, January 18, 2019 at 11:00 am (instate at 10:00 am) at St. John Lutheran Church, 16339 East 14 Mile Rd, Fraser, Michigan.
Burial will be private at Glen Eden Memorial Park East Cemetery, Macomb, Michigan. Contributions may be addressed to St. John Lutheran Church Fraser, Branching Out Campaign.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
Curtis Clare Feldpausch
Curtis Clare Feldpausch, age 50 of St. Johns, MI, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI. He fought a long and hard battle with Lyme Disease and Esophageal Cancer.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2019 from 3-7 P.M. and Sunday, January 13, 2019 from 1-4 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI. A Celebration of his Life and a light dinner will follow at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church Activity Center in Fowler.
Curtis was born in Lansing, MI on September 7, 1968. Curtis resided most of his life in Fowler and was a graduate of Fowler High School. Curtis married Vangie (Maniez) Robbe on September 22, 2001 on Mackinac Island.
He worked for General Motors as a Team Leader at the Delta Plant in Lansing. Curtis owned Purple Taco Fly Supply and Fishing Charters. He also owned Royal Flush Pheasants. Curtis was an avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting and fishing. Curtis was the founding charter captain who proposed and launched the first of the now traditional lake Michigan Salmon Fishing Trips for Fowler High School Students. He also enjoyed coaching Little League Baseball.
Curtis is survived by his wife Vangie Feldpausch of St. Johns, MI; son Kyle Feldpausch of St. Johns, MI; step-daughter Stephanie and Alden Kirvan of Fowler, MI; step-son Wesley and Ashley Robbe of Grand Ledge, MI; step-daughter Valerie Robbe and fiancé Jerrod Sattler of Maple Rapids, MI; 6 grandchildren: Ryen, Kaci, AJ, Braylen, Bradlee and Ayla; father Clement Feldpausch of St. Johns, MI; mother Ruth Feldpausch of Maple Rapids, MI; brother Andrew and Darlene Feldpausch of Kenosha, WI; and sister Vicky and Scott Milner of Fowler, MI. He is also survived by nieces and nephews: Tyler, Travis, Mikayla, Tanner, Zachary, Andrew and Caitlin. Curtis was preceded in death by his nephew Ian, and his uncle Ron.
Donations in Curtis’ Memory can be made to the Conservation Class Charter Fishing Trip in care of Fowler High School. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI.
Divorce decrees filed January 7, 2019
Misner, Hope Diana and Howard James III
Murray, Danielle Frances and Timothy Lee
Schreiber, Ashley and Peter
McNamara, Patrick John and Kristin Marie
Dombroski, Kristina Joy and Conan Alexander
Willis, Alicia Lynn and Jerry Lyle