Leona A. Rubley, Sally M. Desprez, Helen Lovegrove, Brian Bierstetel, Cecelia J. Platte
Leona A. Rubley
Leona A. Rubley died Monday, July 19, 2010 at the age of 82. She was born July 7, 1928 in Lansing, Michigan the daughter of Everett and Cecil (Meyers) Crook. She married Robert Rubley on October 15, 1954 and he preceded her in death in 1999.
Surviving are two sons, Bruce Rubley and Thomas (Laurie) Rubley all of St. Johns; two step sons; Richard Rubley of Ohio and Robert Rubley Jr. of Charlotte; eight grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one sister, Lucille Look of Lansing and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 1:00PM Friday, July 23, 2010 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns with Pastor George Brinley officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the funeral on Friday. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 310 N. Main St. Suite 100 Chelsea, MI 48118.
Sally M. Desprez
Sally Melinda Desprez (Allen) of Roscommon, Mich. passed away July 17, 2010, at the age of 69 after a brief but fierce battle with leukemia. Although she could not overcome the disease, her participation in two research studies to find new treatments showed her courage and may save future lives. A native of Newberry Springs, Calif., Michigan became Sally’s home at the age of 18 as a young wife and mother, living first in St. Johns, then Saline, Ann Arbor and Roscommon.
In her 40s, Sally fulfilled a lifelong dream and earned her degree in computer science with a 4.0 average. A former computer programmer at the University of Michigan, Sally continued to share her talent for computers after retirement by revitalizing the Web site and providing tech support for her church in Roscommon. In her 60s, Sally took up downhill skiing, hiked the Grand Canyon, learned how to paint watercolors, and turned her gift for music toward playing hand-bells in her church choir.
Sally’s daughters Sherri [Mike] Falkenstein, Michelle [Al] Lavra, Lisa Desprez, grandsons Albert and Daniel Lavra, Bradley and Christopher Orr, sisters Billie [Stan] Reed, Donna [Steve] Pursiful, Beverly Lowe, Leone Koops, dear friends Gayle and Phyllis Desprez, and dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends will always remember her kindness, grace, devotion, love, intellect, strength and joy in her family.
Her life will be celebrated with a service at the Keck-Coleman Funeral Home in St. Johns Thursday, July 22 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be from 2 to 8:00 p.m. July 21. Donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society are requested in lieu of flowers (www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/).
Helen Lovegrove
Helen Lovegrove, 97, of St. Johns, formerly of Ozark, died early Sunday morning, July 11, at Sparrow Clinton Hospital in St. Johns. She was born in Ozark on May 22, 1913, to Charles and Virgie (Lovegrove) Shipley. She married Hershel M. Lovegrove on February 23, 1934, in Trout Lake, and he died July 1, 1993. She worked at Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care for 14 years, and also for 15 years at Rivard Nursing Home in St. Johns. She was a Nurse’s Aide. She and Herschel lived in St. Johns for 18 years, moving back to Ozark in 1970. Then, after retirement, she moved to a senior retirement apartment in 1994 in St. Johns. She played the piano for the Grace Brethren Church for many years, and loved the church. She had a very sweet personality, and would help anyone who needed it.
She is survived by her family: Dal and Carole Williams of Holt (whom she raised); Lester and Mary Lovegrove, Missouri; Marvin and Sue Lovegrove, St. Johns; Terry and Sherry Lovegrove, Ozark; Bonnie and Larry Randall, St. Johns; Linda and Tim Brooks, Ozark; Judy and John Vancalbergh, St. Johns; 23 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 13th at Dodson Funeral Home in St. Ignace with Pastor Wayne Foote officiating. Burial will be in Grace Brethren Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Rick, T.K. Lovegrove, Randy and Rod Trayer, Scott Berry and Troy Brooks.
Brian Bierstetel
Brian Bierstetel, died on July 14, 2010, at the age of 40. Born in Carson City on June 20, 1970, the son of Robert and Susan (Simon) Bierstetel. Brian was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He was also a Special Olympics participant.
Brian is survived by his parents, Robert and Susan Bierstetel, sister, Lisa (Charles) Wriska, brother, Eric (Margaret) Bierstetel, nephew, Jack Steven, niece, Madelyn Rita, many loving aunts, uncles and cousins and special friend, Mark. Brian was preceded in death by his brother, Steven, niece, Kaela Sue, nephew, Charles Jonathan, grandparents, August and Leona Bierstetel, Paul and Joan Simon, and step grandfather, Ernest Thelen, very special cousin, Jeremy Paul Thelen, and very special uncle, Ed Pettit,
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, July 19, 2010, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler with Fr. Dennis Howard presiding and internment at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery following the Mass. The family will receive friends friends 2 – 9 p.m., Sunday, July 18, with rosaries being prayed at 3 and 8, at the Goerge Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes in Fowler. Sympathies may be expressed through contributions to the Special Olympics or Most Holy Trinity Education Trust Fund. To learn more about Brian and view his Life Story film, visit his personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/60554.
There are not enough words to describe our deepest appreciation and gratitude for the wonderful staff at Webb Road Home in Dewitt where Brian has resided since 1997. Their warm and loving care for Brian was unending. We will forever remember all of you and your kindness. God bless you all.
Cecelia J. Platte
Cecelia J. Platte slipped away quietly to be with her Lord and Savior on July 12, 2010 after an extended and courageous battle with Alzheimers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roman on October 17, 1999; daughter, Carol on August 12, 2007; brothers Arthur, Walter, Harold, Alfred and Louis;and sister, Marcella Fedewa. Cecelia was born on December 13, 1918 in Fowler, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Knoop) Rademacher. She graduated from Most Holy Trinity School in Fowler. She married Roman J. Platte of Westphalia in 1941 and they resided on the Platte farm until 1945, when they moved to the Village of Westphalia.
She was employed by Snitgen Brothers General Store until 1958. She and her husband owned and operated Platte’s Bar and Grill from 1958 to 1979. She was Deputy Clerk for the Township of Westphalia from 1982 to 1992 when she retired. Cecelia was a member of St. Mary’s Church, a past officer of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers,and a charter member and past regent of the Daughters of Isabella.
She is survived by her children David of Traverse City, Thomas (Kathy) and Dennis (Lucy) both of Lansing; 14 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; brothers Isidore (Dorothy) Rademacher, Roman (Rosie) Rademacher, Norman (Arlene) Rademacher and Jerome (Joan) Rademacher; and many nieces and nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Msgr. Sylvester Fedewa at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 16, 2010 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Westphalia. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Thursday at the St. Mary’s Funeral Chapel. The rosary will be prayed 3 p.m. and a Scriptural Wake Service will be held at 8 p.m.
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