John E. Pifer, Dennis O. Kieffer, Walter L. “Sonny” Russell, Eric L. Phelps, Robert E. Peck
John E. Pifer
John E. Pifer, age 99, of St. Johns, MI died Monday, June 27, 2011 at Hazel Findlay Country Manor, St. Johns, MI.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns Chapel St. Johns, MI on Friday, July 1, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Ken Bremer officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2011 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns Chapel St. Johns, MI.
John was born in Marion, Michigan on April 24, 1912, the son of Edwin and Blanche (Salisbury) Pifer. John married Hilda R. Hewitt on May 25, 1935; she died November 4, 2001 after 66 years of marriage. John worked at Wolverine Stockyards for 25 years in St. Johns. He loved music, especially while calling square dances and playing his harmonica.
He is survived by 1 daughter Wendy and Tom Brown of Greenville, MI, 3 sons; Ward Pifer of Eureka, FL, Stanley and Shirley Pifer of St. Johns, MI, Bruce and Sandy Pifer of St. Johns, MI, 18 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 23 great great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, wife, sister Iva Strouse, and 5 brothers; Oscar, Hubert, Forrest, Gilbert and Leon Pifer.
Memorials may be made to Capital Area Humane Society. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns Chapel St. Johns, Michigan.
Dennis O. Kieffer
Dennis Oliver Kieffer, age 60, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at his home. He was born on September 5, 1950 the son of Walter and Doris Kieffer. Dennis was a U.S. Army Veteran of Vietnam. He married Sandra Kreson on October 2, 1986 and she survives him.
Also surviving are his children, Tina Kieffer, Dennis Kieffer Jr., Aleisha and Pat Leavitt; grandchildren, Kaiden and Sage Kieffer, Olivia and Natalie Leavitt; father, Walter Kieffer Sr.; sisters, Dianna and Jim Burnham, Caroline and Mike Smith, Doreen Kieffer, Lisa and Mike Koonce; brothers, Walter Jr. and Sue Kieffer, John Kieffer; brother-in-law, Mitchel Krewson; sister-in-law, Neva Boelema; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris; granddaughter, Alexis; parents-in-law, Richard and Eva Krewson; brother-in-law, Michael; sister in-law, Cheryl Bain.
As Dennis had wished, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held by the family at a later date. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Faith Hospice. The family was served by Hessel-Cheslek Funeral Home-Sparta
Walter L. “Sonny” Russell
Walter L. “Sonny” Russell, 74 of St. Johns died Saturday, June 25, 2011. Walt was born on Sept. 4, 1936 the son of Kenneth and Leona (Purvis) Russell. He graduated from St. Johns High School in 1955 and was a veteran of the US Marines and the US Naval Reserve. On April 15, 1963 he married Shirley Rademacher in DeWitt, MI. Walt worked at Sealed Power Corp, Cartridges Are Us and was an EMT with Clinton Area Ambulance Service for 23 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and enjoyed playing the Dobro guitar.
He is survived by his wife Shirley; daughters, Paula (Mike Lalonde) Russell and Michelle (Tom) Gorby both of St. Johns; sons Dan (Kim Kalocy) of Elsie, Chris (Annette) Russell of St. Johns and Eric (Molly) Russell of Iowa; mother, Leona Karber of St. Johns; grandchildren, Daniel and Michael Gorby, Trevor, Emily and Maggie Vanek, Matthew and Garrett and Charley Russell; step brothers, Gerald Karber of St. Johns and David Karber of Arizona; half sister, Marsha Simon of Fowler. He was preceded in death by brother Skip Russell, step brother Richard Karber and half brother Raymond Russell.
Funeral services will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. with Fr. Eoin Murphy officiating. Burial will follow at Duplain Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives at the funeral home on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. A Rosary will be prayed at 8 P.M. Wednesday evening. Memorials may be given to Clinton Area Ambulance Service.
Eric L. Phelps
Eric L. Phelps died Thursday, June 23, 2011 at the age of 46. He was born March 1, 1965 in St. Johns, Michigan the son of Richard and Lucile (Peck) Phelps. Eric was a 1984 graduate of St. Johns High School and attended Southeastern Academy in Florida. He worked several years for U.S. Air and was a very active volunteer for Special Olympics at Central Michigan University. He became an EMT in August 1984, a paramedic in February 1994 and an instructor coordinator in September 1995.
Eric worked for several ambulance and EMS companies including Clinton Area Ambulance Service in St. Johns and was currently the Director of United Rescue of Clare County. Eric was a member of the Michigan Society of Instructor Coordinators and was the current Vice President of the Crisis Response Association. He headed the planning committee for the Annual Tustin Michigan Crisis Response Association Conference, was Chairman of the United Rescue Bingo and was a member of the Eagles Club in Harrison.
Surviving are two sisters, Deborah Cressman and Connie Phelps both of St. Johns; two nephews, Trevor Cressman of Lansing and Nicholas Cressman of St. Johns; several aunts, uncles and cousins and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns with Pastor Tim Knaus officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns. The family will receive relatives and friends 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home.
Robert E. Peck
Robert E. Peck died June 23, 2011 at the age of 89. Born, August 10, 1921, in Dewitt, MI, the son of Austin and Glenna (McConkey) Peck. Robert married Kathryn (Heibeck) on September 29, 1939 in St. Johns and she survives him. Together they attended Pilgrim United Methodist Church and both enjoyed square dancing in the Maple Twirlers.
Robert is survived his wife Kathryn, as well as their daughter, Dianna K. (Robert) Honeywell, son, Douglas R. (Betty Jo) Peck Sr., grandchildren, Cheryl (Eric) Farrington, Michael (Kathy) Honeywell, Judy (Rob) Johnson, Rachael (Stephen) Copley, Rebecca (Chris) Pugsley, Doug Peck Jr., twelve great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, great grandson, Brenden Copley, and two brothers, Austin and Duain Peck.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 26, 2011, at the Pilgrim United Methodist Church with Pastor Kenneth Bremmer and Pastor Brian K. Sheen officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday, 6-8 p.m. and Sunday, 2-4 p.m. at The Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pilgrim United Methodist Church.
To learn more about Robert and view his Life Story film, please visit his personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/71451. The family was served by Osgood Funeral Homes.
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