Onalee B. Ballinger, Grant Ernest Wakefield, Veronica Boettger, Jean Horgan, Dr. Carol Adele Field, Gertrude J. Witgen, Lester J. Miller, Edmund F. Dickman
Onalee B. Ballinger
Onalee B. Ballinger, 82 of St. Johns, MI died Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at Hazel Findlay Country Manor. She was born Dec. 3, 1928 in St. Johns the daughter of Leo and Neva (Brown) Bullard. She came down with diabetes in 1943 and graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in 1946 and lived on the family farm and moved to St. Johns in 1983. On Feb. 11, 1950 she married Max F. Ballinger. After high school she worked for Dr. Clifford Lumbert for six years. Onalee was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Surviving are son Brent (Diane) Ballinger, daughter-in-law Beverly Ballinger both of St. Johns. Grandchildren, Sara (Michael) Jones, Jeremy, Jay, Tiffany, Max D. and John Lemke, great grandson Kade Heibeck, brothers and sisters in law and several nieces and nephews and several close cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Max,, infant son Lynn R. and son Jeffrey P. Ballinger.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Eoin Murphy officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Rest Cemetery. Vigil services at 7:00 P.M. Friday evening. The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Friday, 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Memorials may be given to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Grant Ernest Wakefield
Grant Ernest Wakefield Lansing Born November 26, 1915 in St. Johns, Michigan son of the late Ernest O., and Emily C. (Thurston) Wakefield died Monday, July 11, 2011 at the age of 95. Grant was a lifelong member of the D.A.V. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII with the 101st Airborne, specifically the 502nd Parachute Infantry, and was recipient of the Purple Heart and the Presidential Citation. In his earlier years, Grant worked for Lansing Dairy. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1982 following 25 years of service and was an avid Detroit and MSU sports fan.
Survivors include two children, Brenda (James) Barnes of Grand Blanc and Rev. Dr. Alan Wakefield of Holt; two grandchildren, Trevor (Melissa) Barnes of Holt and Sacha (Amy) Barnes of Grand Blanc; twin great-granddaughters, Ashtyn and Hayden Barnes along with many nieces, nephews and their families. Grant’s wife of 56 years, Anna Mary “Bonnie” (Dant) died in 2003.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Alan J. Wakefield at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at St. Casimir Catholic Church, 815 Sparrow, Lansing. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel on Wednesday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Those who wish may make a memorial contribution, in Grant’s memory, to a charity of their choice.
Veronica Boettger
Veronica Boettger, passed away Monday July 11, 2011 at the age of 95. She was born on June 27, 1916 in Bradenville, PA, the daughter of Michael and Susan (Mizzer) Galvach. Veronica married Edwin Boettger on September 20, 1939 and he survives her. Together they were members of St. Johns Lutheran Church. They enjoyed traveling all over the U.S., going to the Senior Center and were also members of a square dancing group and had a kitchen band. Veronica had a passion for music. She loved her accordion and gave lessons for many years.
In addition to her husband Edwin, Veronica is survived by her daughter, Sharon Backus of Las Vegas, NV, sons, Barry (Judy) Boettger of St. Johns, Edwin (Rosie) Boettger of Conifer, CO, sister in law, Maxine Galvach, 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. Veronica was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and four sisters.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2011, at the St. Johns Lutheran Church, with Pastor Rev. Dr. Brian Salminen officiating. Burial will follow the service at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., at The Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Veronica’s honor to The American Cancer Society or St. Johns Lutheran Church. The family was served by The Osgood Funeral Homes.
Jean Horgan
Jean Horgan died July 8, 2011 at the age of 82.
Services are pending at this time at the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Dr. Carol Adele Field
Beloved Wife, and Mother, she passed from this life at home in bed, as was her greatest wish on July 7, 2011. Dr. Field was born in Omaha, Nebraska, January 20, 1949, and grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated from Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa with a BA in Music Education in 1971. She attended Michigan State University where she met her husband, John M. Field, and graduated with a BA in Music Therapy in 1973.
She and her husband settled in St. Johns, where she worked as a nursery school teacher, and served as Executive Director of Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Clinton County for many years. Following the loss of her son in 1980 she decided to dedicate her life to helping as many people as she could. She attended Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic in Spartanburg, South Carolina, graduating magna cum laude, and passing the National Boards for her Michigan license as a Doctor of Chiropractic in 1987. Returning to St. Johns, she opened her practice in October 1987, which she operated with her husband until they retired in October 2007. She enjoyed hiking, bicycling skiing, and camping.
She is survived by her husband of 38 years, John M. Field of St. Johns, brother and sister-in law, Ed and Rebecca Wood of Barryton, MI and brother and sister-in law, Matt and Sue Field of Mt. Pleasant, MI, two cousins, Marigail Jury of Loveland Colorado, and Bruce McClurg of Redlands, California, and was proceeded in death by her infant daughter, Mary, and infant son Marshall, and her parents Mr. and Mrs. William H. McClurg of Des Moines, Iowa, mother and father-in-law, Max and Harriet Field and brother-in-law Mark Field.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 11, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church of St. Johns, with Pastor Lori Sykes officiating burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns, 6-8 p.m. on Saturday and 2-4 p.m. on Sunday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Capital Area Humane Society.
To learn more about Dr. Carol Field and view her Life Story film, please visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/71803. The family was served by The Osgood Funeral Homes.
Gertrude J. Witgen
Gertrude J. Witgen, died July 7, 2011, at the age of 101. Born in Fowler on February 6, 1910, she was the daughter of John W. and Caroline (Simon) Rademacher and lived in Fowler all of her life. She was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the Christian Mothers Womens Association. Gertrude married Herman Witgen on June 22, 1935 and preceded her in death February 4, 1990.
She is survived by her daughter, Carol Mathers of St. Louis five sons, Mark (Judy) Witgen of Fowler, William Witgen of Manistee, Paul (Lisa) Witgen of Gaylord, Luke (Lucy) Witgen and Roy (Eileen) Witgen of Fowler, 22 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her 4 brothers and two sisters.
Funeral Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler. Burial at Holy Trinity Cemetery will follow with Fr. Dennis Howard presiding. The family will receive friends at the Goerge Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes in Fowler, 7-9 p.m., Sunday with a rosary being prayed at 8, and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday with a rosary being prayed at 3 and vigil at 8. Memorial contributions may be made to Most Holy Trinity Catholic School or Hazel Findlay.
To learn more about Gertrude and view her Life Story film, visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/71818.
The family was served by The Osgood Funeral Homes.
Lester J. Miller
Lester J. Miller died Thursday, July 7, 2011 at the age of 84. He was born August 5, 1926 in St. Johns, MI the son of Arnold and Paula (Wieber) Miller. Les was an Army veteran of WWII, a member of V.F.W. Post # 3733, American Legion Post # 153 and the Fowler Conservation Club. He was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Council # 3027 and enjoyed fishing, hunting and traveling. He is the owner/ operator of Les Miller and Sons Excavating. On October 26, 1949 he married Juliann Simon and she survives him.
Also surviving are six sons, James (Janet), Richard (Joyce), Ken (Brenda), Tom (Darlene) all of Fowler, Glen (Pam) and Terry (Joan) of St. Johns; 20 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; two brothers, Marvin of Fowler, Hilary (Gerry) of Lansing; two sisters, Dolores (Don) Fox of Linden and Helen Marie Schafer of DeWitt.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM Monday, July 11, 2011 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler with Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard as Celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Trinity Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends 6:00 to 9:00 PM Saturday with a rosary prayed at 8:00 PM and 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 9:00 PM Sunday with a rosary prayed at 3:00 and 8:00 PM at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Cemetery Fund.
Edmund F. Dickman
Edmund F. Dickman, of Elsie, Michigan, formerly of St. Johns, died July 6, 2011, at the age of 86.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday July 8, 2011, at 3:00 PM, at the Smith Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel. Rev. Fr. Eoin Murphy will officiate. Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 PM prior to the funeral service.
Ed was born on November 3, 1924 in Ottoville, Ohio, to William and Philomena (Wehri) Dickman. He was the eighth of nine children. On September 3, 1949, Ed started a year-long engagement to Barb Smith of Shepard, Michigan. Ed and Barb were married on September 9, 1950. Together, Barb and Ed raised five children. He took pride in his children, joy in their accomplishments, and to his children was a wonderful mentor. Ed served in the United States Army from March 28, 1945 to May, 1950, as a military police officer. In 1984, he retired as a repairman from General Motors.
Ed’s passions included his grandchildren and great grandchildren; his eyes would sparkle and his face would glow when a grandchild would walk in the room. He longed to build projects made of wood and took pride in the trains he built for the 13 grandchildren. He enjoyed casinos, hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, and bowling.
He is survived by his love, friend, and wife of 61 years, Barbara Dickman of Elsie, son Jim (Krystal) Dickman of Brooklyn, daughter Gwendolyn (Dwight) Nash of Elsie, daughter Nancy (Jerry) Fillwock of St. Johns, son Bob (Dr. Keira Duvernoy) Braveheart of Interlochen, son Tim (friend Laura Johson) Dickman of Grand Rapids, 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and sister Doloris Eickholt of Ottawa, Ohio. Ed was preceded in death by 7 siblings; Annie Dickman, Hubert Dickman, Phillip Dickman, Agnes Moeggenborg, Hildagard Schnipke, Ferdie Dickman, and Alice Kemper.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
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