Obituaries
Dr. Andrew L. Messenger, M.D.
Dr. Andrew L. Messenger, M.D. of Riverdale, age 97, passed away March 26, 2019 at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan. He was born on November 4, 1921 in Perry, MI the son of Andrew W. and Birdie G. (Van Sickles) Messenger. He graduated from Perry High School in 1939, went to Western Michigan University, then received his doctorate degree from Wayne State University and later went to the University of Pennsylvania and received his degree in dermatology. After working for many years of practice he retired to enjoying the outdoors, politics and being aware of what was going on in the world. He was a member of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Dr. Messenger is survived by his children, Andrea Van de Kamp of California, Dr. Andrew W. (Vicki) Messenger of St. Johns, Charmine (Clifford) Rone of Oregon, Dr. Greg (Traci) Messenger of East Lansing, Dr. Jeffrey L. (Mardelle) Messenger of Perry and Ernie (Patrick) Messenger McBride of North Carolina; 19 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Howard R. and sister Betty Hoffman.
Memorials may be given to the charity of the donor’s choice.
There will be no services. Arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home.
David Lynn Miller
David Lynn Miller, age 72 of Fowler, MI, passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI on Monday, April 1, 2019 at 10:30 A.M., with Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard officiating. Burial will take place at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, Fowler, MI. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2019 from 6-8 P.M. and Sunday, March 31, 2019 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 P.M. on Sunday at the funeral home.
David was born in St. Johns, MI on April 20, 1946 the son of Gordon and Betty (Selleck) Miller. David married Ardith Schomisch June 17, 1967 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler. David resided most of his life in Fowler and was a member Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
David worked for Wohlert Corp. for many years and retired from Twin City Foods. At one point all four of his boys worked with him at Wohlert Corp. He loved taking photographs and coloring. David was an avid bird lover with lots of bird feeders over the years. He loved supporting his grandchildren, especially at their sporting events. He also was an avid reader and enjoyed history books. David loved working in the yard and in the flower gardens. Years ago he was a volunteer fireman for Dallas Township and he loved coaching youth soccer when they lived in Virginia.
He is survived by his wife Ardith Miller of Fowler, MI; son David and Bobbie Miller Jr. of Lebanon, IN; son Jeff Miller of Muir, MI; son Brian and Elizabeth Miller of Fowler, MI; son Scott and Amie Miller of Portland, MI; daughter Jennifer and Scott Katich of Fowler, MI; 16 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers: Ronald and Sharon Miller of Fowler, MI; Steve and Roberta Miller of Fowler, MI; and many nieces and nephews. His many grand dogs and cats held a special place in his heart. David was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws Ronald and Margaret Schomisch and 2 sisters-in-law: Bette Dault and Billie Lou Schomisch.
Memorials may be made to the VFW Post #3733 Ladies Auxiliary in Fowler. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI.
Margaret Louise Chick
Margaret Louise “Margie” Chick, age 88 of Maple Rapids, MI, passed away Monday, March 25, 2019 surrounded by her loving family at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI.
Funeral Services will be held at Maple Rapids Congregational Christian Church on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Jerry Kissling officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 29, 2019 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday from 10-11 A.M.
Margaret was born in Maple Rapids, MI on June 15, 1930 the daughter of Charles and Florence (Tyler) Henry. She was a graduate of Maple Rapids High School and resided all of her life in Maple Rapids. Margie worked as a Paraprofessional with Fulton Schools. She loved birds and flowers. But her family was the most important to her. Margie loved to watch her children and grandchildren play sports. She also enjoyed crocheting and watching television, and she enjoyed cooking and baking; especially with her children. Margie was an avid Tigers fan and enjoyed watching NASCAR. Margie attended Maple Rapids Congregational Christian Church.
She is survived by children: Linda and Ron Holder of Maple Rapids, MI; Connie and Terry Maniez of St. Johns, MI; Janet MacLennan and Mike Erickson of Ashley, MI; Ruth Ann Skea of Maple Rapids, MI; Carolyn and Gary VanDuinen of Houghton Lake, MI; Lyle “Butch” Chick and Barb Smith of Maple Rapids, MI; Pam and Marlin Miller of Maple Rapids, MI. Margie is also survived by 22 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Charles Henry and Florence Hulbert and 2 brothers: Cecil and Kenneth Henry.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Maple Rapids Congregational Christian Church. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Jean D. Anthes
Jean D. Anthes, age 82 of St. Johns, MI, passed away at Hazel Findlay Country Manor on Thursday, March 21, 2019. She was born on August 13, 1936 in Bristol, Virginia and lived her early years in Bristol, Tennessee. Jean then moved to St. Johns where she attended Rodney B. Wilson High School, graduating in 1954. On December 5th of that year, Jean married her sweetheart, Allen J. Anthes and they shared 64 years together.
Jean was a stay at home mother, however as her boys grew older she became a teacher’s aide and secretary for the Adult Education Department of St. Johns Schools.
Her loving nature was evident in her fierce loyalty to her family and dearest friends. Jean loved raising her sons and spending time with her sister Jane and best friend Barb. The “Three Musketeers” could be seen every day getting a Coke at the soda shop downtown St. Johns sharing laughs, stories, and dreams. Jean was active for many years singing in the choir, women’s circle, and many other activities at the First United Methodist Church. She also was involved with the Clinton Memorial Hospital Women’s Auxiliary.
Surviving are Jean’s husband, Allen; son Jay (Karen) Anthes of Jacksonville, Florida; grandson Allen (Megan) Anthes of Warrensburg, Missouri; granddaughter Colleen Anthes of Chicago, Illinois; and grandson Spencer Anthes of East Lansing, Michigan. Also surviving are cousins, nieces, and long-time special friends Barb and Walter Pierce whom she loved as family. She was preceded in death by her twin sister Jane Knight, and son Blake Allen Anthes.
Family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 25, 2019 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home in St. Johns. The memorial service will be held Tuesday, March 26 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the family or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Dennis W. Martin
Dennis W. Martin passed from this life to his Eternal Home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 21, 2019. Mr. Martin was born December 11, 1938 in Laingsburg, Michigan, the son of Carl W. Martin and Mary E. (Brown) Martin. He graduated from Ovid High School, Michigan, in 1956. He received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Michigan State University and earned a Doctorate in Education from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. He taught high school and college for over forty years. Most of those years were spent serving at Pensacola Christian College. He also served over twenty years for the Pensacola American Red Cross.
Survivors include his wife of sixty-one years, Pennie Martin; two daughters, Susan (Jeff) Seelye and Stacy (David) Painter; one son, Seth (Michelle) Martin; nine grandchildren, Caleb (Amy) Seelye, Cody (Leah) Seelye, Brandon (Kristi) Painter, Hudson (Sarah) Seelye, Benjamin (Anna) Painter, Tyler Martin, Andrew (Elizabeth) Seelye, Zachary Painter, Logan Seelye; five great grandchildren; and two brothers, Larry (Margo) Martin and Norman (Barb) Martin. He was preceded in death by his father, Carl W. Martin and his mother, Mary E. Martin and seven siblings.
There will be a memorial service at Grove Bible Church in St. Johns on Saturday, March 30 at 3:00 P.M.
The family is being served by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home.