Obituaries
Elwin D. Martens
Elwin D. Martens died Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at the age of 82. He was born September 15, 1936 in Fowler, MI the son of Arthur and Minnie (Rowell) Martens. Elwin was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and served in the Army. Elwin worked for Federal Mogul Corp. for 32 years retiring in 1999. On April 7, 1962 he married Dorothy “Jane” Pirnie and she survives him.
Also surviving is a daughter, Sandy McClellan; one son, Dennis Martens; ten grandchildren, Genaia McClellan, Alisha McClellanPO3 Navy, Zina (Jonah) Seeley, Heather Martens, Hunter Martens, Dakota Martens, Victoria Martens, Dallas Martens, Cayden Martens, Caitlyn Martens and one sister, Marilyn Argersinger. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Lloyd and Willard Martens.
A memorial service will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, April 6, 2019 at St. John’s Lutheran Church 511 E. Sturgis, St. Johns with Pastor Paul Clark officiating. Interment will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery at a later date. Military honors will be provided by the St. Johns Honor Guard. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
Kendall K. Langham
Kendall K. Langham died Tuesday April 2, 2019 at the age of 71. He was born April 26, 1947 in Jackson, MI the son of Morris and Evelyn (Walker) Langham. Kendall is a Navy veteran serving during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed swing dancing, was a member of several car clubs, loved going to car shows and was an avid photographer. Kendall worked for Community Mental Health as a supervisor and builder. Kendall loved spending time with family and friends especially his grandchildren who he loved dearly.
Surviving are twin daughters, Jolyn Miller and Joyce Richard; grandchildren, Joshua Goss, Kendall (Joey) Lardieri, Christian Goss, Austin Miller, Tristan Pennington, Ashton Simpson and Gabriel Fehr; great grandson, Deacon Miller Elsea with another great grandchild on the way; one sister, Sharlette Reardon; one niece, Moniece Harmon West and her husband Bryan and two great nieces, Noelani and Alexis West.
A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, April 6, 2019 from 1-4 PM at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home , St. Johns. Military honors will be provided by the St. Johns Honor Guard at the conclusion of visitation.
William E. LeBaron Jr.
William E. LeBaron Jr. died Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the age of 76. He was born July 8, 1942 in Kent County, MI the son of William Sr. and Julia (Henreksen) LeBaron. William was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in St. Johns. He enjoyed fishing, horses and camping, especially family camping trips.
William was a dirt track race car driver for many years and always loved racing. He worked for Meijer as a truck driver for 32 years logging more than a million miles of driving. On December 18, 1989 he married Vicki (Schmidtchen) Decker and she survives him.
Also surviving are three daughters, Shawn LeBaron, Shelly LeBaron and Shannon LeBaron; one son, Shane Lebaron; two grandchildren, Madison and Cash; one sister, Nancy Allen and a half brother, Dave Vereeke. He was preceded in death by six brothers and sisters.
A memorial service will be held 2:30 PM Sunday, April 7, 2019 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church 1400 S. Oakland, St. Johns with Pastor Dan Towar officiating. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
Monika E. Hilgendorf
Monika E. Hilgendorf, age 76 of Maple Rapids, MI passed away at her home on Monday, April 1, 2019. She was born in Berlin, Germany on April 7, 1942 and on March 3, 1963 she married Gary Hilgendorf in Helmstead, Germany. Monika had worked at Mid-West Abrasives in Owosso for several years until they closed, and was a seamstress. She loved her dogs, quilting, gardening, crocheting and doing jigsaw puzzles.
Monika is survived by her husband Gary, Daughter, Rachel Thompson of Pompeii, MI, 3 grandchildren (Special granddaughter Rebecca Thompson of Rainbow Lake.) and a half brother, Manfred Gehrecke of Germany.
Services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given to Sparrow Hospice or any animal shelter. Arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home.
Peter Herman Braun, Jr.
Peter Herman Braun, Jr. was born in Westphalia, Michigan on January 1, 1932 to parents Peter Herman Braun and Elenora (Fandel) Braun. He passed away in Houston, Texas on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the age of 87. Peter grew up in the small town of Fowler, Michigan, along with his eleven siblings. His fondest memory was helping his high school basketball team win the state championship his senior year. At the tender age of 19, Peter joined the United States Army. As a member of the 780th Artillery Battalion, he served in the Korean War from 1952-1954. He obtained the rank of Staff Sargent and was awarded the Korean Service Ribbon with two Bronze Service Stars, the National Defense Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal.
After the war, Peter married Barbara Flower of Saint Johns, Michigan and moved to Chicago where he obtained his B.S. in Civil Engineering at Chicago Tech. As his family blossomed, he enjoyed a long career in engineering until his retirement at the age of 70. Peter was a longtime member of St. Cecelia Catholic Community and an active member of the Knights of Columbus.
Peter is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Barbara; his four daughters, Debbie and husband Seth Knight, Stephannie and husband Bob Isola, Michelle and husband Dave Corey, Lisa and husband Kevin Waller; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren, and his sister, Dolores Snitgen.
Family and friends will gather during a visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, in the chapel of Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road in Houston, where the Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, in the sanctuary of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc, also in Houston. Following a brief reception at the church, graveside services will conclude at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, where military honors will be rendered by members of the United States Army and Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guards .
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to the American Diabetes Association.