Obituaries
Chad M. Harger
Chad M. Harger died Thursday, August 8, 2019 at the age of 38. He was born October 18, 1980 in St. Johns the son of Keith and Cynthia (Warr) Harger. Chad was a graduate of St. Johns High School, Class of 1999. Chad enjoyed sports of all kinds, but he mostly enjoyed Detroit Tiger Baseball and was an avid University of Michigan Wolverine fan.
Surviving is his mother, Cynthia Harger; his father, Keith Harger; one brother, Brett Harger; grandparents, Roy and Delores Harger all of St. Johns and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service for Chad will be held at 4:00 PM Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends from noon until service time on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Paul E. Hallead
Paul E. Hallead, originally of St. Johns, MI passed away on June 27, 2019 at the age of 75 years in Louisville, KY passed away at Jewish Hospital. Paul was born on January 19,1944 in Kansas City, MO; adopted by the only parents he ever knew; Ralph and Alice Hallead of St. Johns, MI. He was a former employee of Palmer Products Corporation.
Paul’s passion for travel took him all across the United States, to include Hawaii. In his youth his bicycle was his main means of transportation; later in life he relied on the rails. He was an avid photographer, capturing many wonderful points of interest and befriending many. No one was a stranger to Paul. Growing up in Michigan, the land of many lakes, Paul had a love of boats and ships of all sizes. He was an “honorary” member of the Coast Guard.
Paul is survived by his wife Nancy Middleton Hallead of the home in Louisville, KY. Paul and Nancy were married October 26, 1996 on the Belle of Louisville by the ship’s captain. Also surviving is one daughter Karen Kay Hallead Hansen of Lenoir City, TN; one brother Barry Hallead and wife Cathy of St. Johns, MI; a sister Leora Counts and husband Junior of Vichy, MO; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces, other relatives, and many friends and neighbors.
Paul was preceded in death by his grandparents John and Althea Hallead; Perry and Leora Teed; parents Ralph and Alice Teed Hallead, many uncles and aunts, other relatives and many hometown friends and neighbors. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Graveside services will be conducted at the South Bingham Cemetery in St. Johns, MI on Saturday August 17, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Ronald D. Paksi
Ronald D. Paksi age 74 passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2019 at Oliver Woods. Ron was born on January 14, 1945 in St. Johns, MI the son of Tom and Mary (Deming) Paksi. He graduated from Ovid High School in 1962 and worked as a machinist at MACO Tool Co. from where he retired in 2009. On May 17, 1969 he married Connie J. Fultz in Byron, MI and they celebrated 50 years of marriage in May. Ron enjoyed hunting, fishing and being in the out of doors.
Surviving are his wife, Connie, son Michael Paksi of Kansas City, MO, brother, James (Donna) Paksi of St. Johns, sisters, Jane (Terry) Cressman of Muskegon, MI and Judy (Dan) Cervany of Naubinway, MI, dear friends, Dave and Sandy Hedges and Peg and Terry Gulick and great (and special) nieces, Abby and Kate Maurer. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Paksi.
The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home in St. Johns on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 from 5-8 P.M. and funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Tom Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Ovid, MI.
The family asks that no flowers be sent, due to high sensivitity. Donations may be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Rd. S. W., Kilburn, GA 30047 or American Heart Association or United Church of Ovid.
Kevin Glenn Parker
“The winner ain’t the one with the fastest car; it’s the one who refuses to lose.” Kevin, like the quote’s originator, Dale Earnhardt, refused to lose- running the past twelve years against one cancer and then another. Cancer may have won this round, but it’s Kevin who entered the winner’s circle today.
Kevin ran his race by his noble rules- navigating all the big straightaways, the fast curves and tons of elevation changes. He ran tenaciously with courage, honor and pride.
Kevin Glenn Parker died on August 5, 2019. He was born on October 22, 1954 to Robert Parker and Catherine Messer (Barnhart) and raised in St. Johns.
Kevin leaves two brothers and one sister, Marilyn (Duane) Becker, Stephen (Julie) Parker, Bryan (Charlene) Messer; two sons Troy (Sandra) Warner, Brent (Kellie) Warner; 9 grandchildren Rebecca, Tanisha, Nathan, Grace, Raymond, Lyle (Madeline), Mackenze, Brendan and Ryan. He also leaves his best friend, David Kayser and many dear and grateful friends. Kevin is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Parker and Catherine Messer (Barnhart).
“The race is not won to the swift but to the one who endureth till the end.” – Ecclesiastes 9:11 We may never meet a greater winner than Kevin.
Please join his friends and family to celebrate Kevin’s life on Thursday August 8, 2019 at 6 PM at Ryan’s Roadhouse in St. Johns.
Mary Meyer
Mary K. Meyer passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at the age of 93. She was born May 3, 1926 in Chassell, MI the daughter of Joseph and Blanche (Prudhom) Diedrick. Mary graduated from Chassell High School and attended Soumi College. She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, serving on several groups and committees.
Mary was a volunteer for St. Vincent De Paul in St. Johns for several years and for over 30 years she was the owner / operator of the Treasure Chest Hallmark Shop in St. Johns. In recent years she was the self-proclaimed Mayor of Grace Haven Assisted Living. On June 22, 1946 she married Frederick “Fred” Meyer, and he preceded her in death in 2005.
Surviving are eight daughters, Mary Kay (Tom) Cady of Perry, Debbie Masarik of St. Johns, Kam Meyer of St. Johns, Jane (Steve) Church of DeWitt, Patti (Chris) Albright of Lansing, Kelley (Ron) Readman of Fenton, Stephanie Meyer of St. Johns and Shawn (Hector) Ortiz of Tolleson, AZ; nineteen grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter and one brother, Larry (Barb) Diedrick of Howell. She was predeceased by an infant son, Steven and two brothers.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Monday, August 5, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 Linden St. Johns with Rev. Fr. Douglas Osborn as Celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends 2-4 and 6-8 PM Sunday, August 4 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 PM Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Vincent De Paul, 1009 S. US 27, St. Johns, MI 48879 or St. Joseph Educational Trust Fund.