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Joseph Lopez
Joseph “Joe” Lopez, 87, of St. Johns, MI, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family.
A Private Graveside Service will be held with military honors at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI.
Joseph was born in Perrinton, MI on June 25, 1932, the son of Benjamin and Maria (Silva) Lopez. He graduated from Ithaca High School. Joseph proudly served his country in the United States Army.
Joseph was a millwright in skilled trades and worked for General Motors for over 40 years. He painted and restored barns all over Michigan. Joseph attended Duplain Church of Christ for many years.
Joseph enjoyed playing the guitar and listening to country music. He liked to play pool and checkers with his friends. He truly enjoyed socializing with his friends at the casino. Joseph was a good Samaritan always helping people in need, even strangers. He loved to travel and traveled the world with his family. Joseph’s greatest love was his family and spending time with them.
Joseph is survived by 3 children: Mary (Randy) Holton of Charlotte, MI; Tammy (Gary) Palmatier of Charlotte, MI; and son Steven (Parita) Lopez of Plano, TX. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Nicole Holton, Brandy (Amanda) Gonzalez, Tyler (Ashlee) Palmatier, Amber Palmatier, and Lakelyn Lopez; siblings: Annie McAfee, August (Dolores) Lopez, Jim Lopez, Margaret Feighner, Ernie Lopez, Max Lopez, and Roberto Lopez; and many nieces and nephews. Joseph was preceded in death by his son Joey Lopez, the mother of his children Nancy Karen Lopez, and sister Janie Garcia.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Rudolph Masarik IV
Rudolph “Rudy” Masarik IV died unexpectedly Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at the age of 60. He was born June 27, 1959 in Lansing, MI the son of Rudolph III and Florence (Agler) Masarik. He was a graduate of St. Johns High School, Class of 1977 and enjoyed hunting. Rudy worked in construction but primarily he installed and finished drywall.
Surviving is his wife, Ronda; one son, Rudolph “Rudy” Masarik V (Beth Wells); two daughters, Nicole Butcher and Kristen (Michael) Johnston; grandchildren, Audrey Masarik, Damen Masarik, Kiley Masarik, Dylan Masarik, Leighton Masarik, Madeline Wells, Mason Wells, Jayden Johnston, Lexus Lange and Dominic Harper; his parents, Rudolph and Florence, siblings, Robin (Fred) Moore, David (Beverly) Masarik, Cathy Masarik and James (Tereasa) Masarik and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Craig.
The family will receive relatives and friends 2-6 PM on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. They suggest that family members visit from 2-4 PM and that friends and family that couldn’t visit earlier visit from 4-6 PM. In following with the Governor’s executive orders, those that come for visitation will be required to have a face covering, keep their time inside as brief as possible and the number of people in the building will be monitored to keep within the limit of 10.
Sharon K. Schmitz
Sharon K. Schmitz died Sunday, May 10, 2020 at the age of 78. She was born December 27, 1941 in Matherton, MI the daughter of Loren and Ernestine (Silvernail) Evans. She was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler. Sharon loved children and for 42 years she operated a daycare.
Surviving is her loving husband of 58 years, Justin E.; three sons, Dennis (Vicki), Gary (Debra) and David (Melissa); ten grandchildren, Jacob, Shannon, Joseph, Alex, Logan, Justin P., Gordon, Theresa, Henry and Zoey and one sister, T Ann Cunningham. She was preceded in death by a son, Joseph, her parents, four brothers and two sisters.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, a private graveside service will be held at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard officiating. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 2111 University Dr. Suite 200 Okemos, MI 48864. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
Gweneth J. Tait
Gweneth J. Tait age 84, passed away in Noblesville, IN on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Gweneth was born on November 26, 1935 in Ovid, MI the daughter of Ralph B. and Florence (See) Cornell. She was a 1953 graduate of Ovid High School. On October 25, 1952 she was married to Robert B. Tait in Ovid. He passed away in 2002. Gwen was a member of Shepardsville United Methodist Church, a 4-H Leader, active in farming and caring for the farm animals with a special love for their dogs. Additionally, she planted a large garden and spent many hours canning and freezing. She is well known for her pie crusts and made 100s of pies. Gweneth also sewed and knitted numerous items for her family.
Gwen is survived by her children, Marcia Steffens of Texas, Charles (Jennifer) Tait of Indiana, Lorene (Mark) Kappler of Michigan and Julie Kay Tait of Michigan. There are 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by brothers Robert and Gilbert Cornell and sisters Ruth Loser and Thelma Plowman.
The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Sunday, May 17, 2020, 3-7 P.M. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Monday, May 18, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Capital Area Humane Society or The Alzheimer’s Association.
Margaret Pauline Howe
Margaret Pauline Howe went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at the age of 87. She was born July 6, 1932 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Robert Milton and Emma (McGinley) Kinard. She graduated from Stockton High School (California). She met the love of her life, when her brother brought home his new friend, Richard Howe, while he was serving in the Navy during the Korean War. They were married on March 27, 1955 in Stockton and soon after she moved with her husband to his hometown, DeWitt, Michigan, which she called home the rest of her life.
She raised four children and helped her husband in his family business, Howe’s Greenhouse and Flower Shoppe. She deeply loved her family and all of her “adopted” family, especially the entire Sperry family, that called her “Grammy Howe”. She enjoyed playing cards, golfing and her Hobby Club gals. Her faith was nourished at Redeemer United Methodist Church where she and Richard are members.
She is survived by her husband Richard of 65 years; daughters, Kim (Wayne) Sperry, Sally (Gerald) Pontius of DeWitt; sons, Paul (Holly) Howe of Lewisville, TX, Jeff (Marie) Howe of the Philippines; grandchildren, Jessica Argue, Connie Robinson and fiance Johnathon Feister, Kristine Peters, Ashley (Omar) Flores, Danielle (Nathan) Mosier, David P. Howe, Tom (Mandy) Sperry, Peter Sperry, Scott Sperry and Audrey Howe; great grandchildren Ken, Blake and Alexis Argue, Zach Bitterman, Jayson, Dyllan, Marcus and Alayna Peters, Paige Welch, Andie Margaret Robinson, Eva and Nicolas Flores, Elizabeth Mosier and soon to be Baby Sperry. Also surviving her is her brother Thomas (Fran) Kinard of Banning, California and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by daughter, Connie Lynn Howe, parents, sisters, Helen and Bryan (Robbie) Robertson, Adalaide (Daudy) and Al Federoff, Mary Louise Wilde; and in-laws, Ila (Howe) and Richard Wood and Lester and Ann Howe.
The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Thursday, May 14, 2020 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Friday, May 15, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. with Dr. Rodney Kalajainen officiating. Burial will follow at DeWitt Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Redeemer Church in DeWitt or St. Peter Lutheran Church.
Divorce decrees filed the weeks of April 27 and May 4, 2020
Hufnagel, Heather M. / Hufnagel, David R.
Chamberlain, Ruth Elizabeth / Chamberlain, Steven Eric
Koenigsknecht, George Marvin and Jacqueline Mare
Stubblefield, Danae Nicole and Joe Philip, III