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Darlene Faye Kirby
Darlene Faye Kirby died Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at the age of 64. She was born May 28, 1955 in St. Johns, MI the daughter of John and Lyola (Yerrick) Dunkel. Dar graduated from St. Johns High School, Class of 1973 and was a former member of First Baptist Church in St. Johns. She enjoyed golfing, bowling, travelling and shopping with friends. Dar was the Lab Manager for Avery Eye Care for many years before her retirement. On July 21, 1979 she married Greg Kirby and he preceded her in death in 2018. She was also predeceased by her mother, Lyola in 2013.
Surviving is a son, Josh (Samantha) Kirby of Temperance, MI; daughter, Brooke (Tony) Smith of St. Johns; grandson, Henrik Kirby; two granddaughters, Lyola Smith and Emelia Kirby; father, John Dunkel of Kewadin, MI; two brothers, Dennis (Mary Ann) Dunkel of Albuquerque, NM, David (Gloria) Dunkel of St. Johns; one sister, Diane (Thomas) Woodhams of Brighton, MI; sister and brother-in-law, Judy (Cesar) Medina of St. Johns and many nieces and nephews.
Following Darlene’s wishes cremation has taken place and the family is planning a memorial service at a later date once gathering restrictions have changed. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church 512 S. US 27, St. Johns, MI 48879. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
John Charles Spatrisano
John Charles Spatrisano, age 63, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at his home.
A Private Graveside Service will be held at South Bingham Township Cemetery, St. Johns, MI and a public memorial service will be held at a later date.
John was born in Lansing, MI on July 27, 1956, the son of Frank and Evelyn (Brown) Spatrisano. He graduated from Harry Hill High School in Lansing with the class of 1974. On February 3, 1978, John married Debra Ann Dunn at People’s Church, East Lansing, MI. They had recently celebrated 42 years of marriage.
John enjoyed hunting on his property, camping and rock hunting in Michigan. He enjoyed being outdoors and driving around sightseeing in the Upper Peninsula. John spent his childhood at Derby Lake near Stanton, MI and always liked to be at the lake. He loved to go boating and take his grandchildren tubing. Most of all, John loved his family and loved spending time with his grandchildren.
John worked for General Motors for over 40 years. During that time, he held numerous skilled trades’ positions at multiple plants in the Lansing area before retiring in 2018.
John is survived by his wife Debra Spatrisano of St. Johns, 2 children: Sandra (Jason) Savage of South Lyon, Jeremy (Debra) Spatrisano of Blissfield; and 5 grandchildren: Emily Savage, Ian Spatrisano, Allison Savage, Aubree Spatrisano, and Andrew Savage. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Janet Dunn, 3 siblings: William (Rebecca) Spatrisano, Patricia Evans and Michael (Becky) Spatrisano; brother-in-law Tom (Patty) Dunn, and several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Evelyn Spatrisano, and father-in-law Bud Dunn.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Donald H. Groom
Donald H. Groom, age 92 of Ovid passed away April 28,2020 at Welcome Home Assisted Living in Owosso after being there a very short time. Don was born on June 30, 1927 in Ovid the son of Harry and Mabel (Rummell) Groom. He lived his entire life in Ovid and married Rose Gale on December 28, 1947 in Owosso. She preceded him in death on March 12, 2017.
Don was a WW II veteran of the U.S. Army. He had worked as a centerless grinder at Magnetek. After retirement he enjoyed volunteering at Memorial Healthcare for several years and his favorite past time was playing cards with his family and caregiver. Don was a member of Duplain Church of Christ.
Survivors are his daughters, Irene Hunt, Shirley Miller and Marilyn (Randy) Rasmussen; grandchildren, Barry Hunt, Bruce (Heather) Hunt, Marie (Kyle) Spiess, Mindy (Jeremy) Klein, Trevor (Chelsea) Rasmussen, and Nicholas Rasmussen and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Helen Dunkel, sons in law, Tom Miller and Darwin Hunt.
Don’s daughters would like to thank Mary Castle for all of her help caring for their father.
Private family graveside services will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ovid with Pastor Dan Cameron officiating. Memorials may be made to Ovid Public Library or Ovid-Middlebury Fire and Rescue or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Lawrence R. Crosby
Lawrence R. “Larry” Crosby died Monday, April 27, 2020 at the age of 81. He was born July 6, 1938 in St. Johns the son of Lawrence H. and Esther (Green) Crosby. Larry was a graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns, Class of 1957. Larry served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a member of American Legion Post #153 in St. Johns. In his younger years he was a pitcher for fast pitch softball and played for several years in St. Johns and Owosso.
Larry was an avid MSU Spartan fan and has held season tickets for both football and basketball for 35 years. He enjoyed fishing and he and friends made many fishing trips into Canada over the years. Larry and wife Joyce loved to travel and have been to Hawaii 25 different times. Larry always had an interest in WW II and even after suffering a stroke in 2006 he and Joyce and nephew Paul made a trip to France to visit the cemetery at Normandy and took time to tour Paris. He was a member of First Congregational Church in St. Johns and served as Grand Marshall for the St. Johns Mint Parade in 1994. Larry was a lifelong farmer and loved growing spearmint and peppermint.
Surviving is his wife of 61 years, Joyce (Merignac); brother, Robert (Ginger) Crosby; niece, Linette Crosby; nephews, Donald (Kathleen) Crosby, Mark (Karen) Crosby, James Crosby, Robert J. (Elaine) Crosby and Paul and Michael Crosby. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother J.E. and in-laws, Alfred and Eva Merignac.
Due to the current restrictions on gatherings cremation has taken place and the family will have a memorial service at a later date. The family would like to thank the staff at Medilodge of Okemos for the loving and compassionate care they gave Larry. Memorials may be made to Sparrow Hospice or Medilodge of Okemos. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.