Helen Wakefield, Donald Glenn Davis, Arden E. (Jack) Birdsley, Maxine Norma Jean Fedewa, William E. Bearndt, Dawn L. Kioski
Helen Wakefield
Helen Wakefield, 81 of rural St. Johns died on January 30, 2013 following a battle with cancer. She was born on December 28, 1931 in Gladwin County, MI the daughter of Arthur and Anna (Romatz) Rydman. She graduated from Beaverton High School and had worked for General Telephone Co. as a telephone operator then as a frame person. Helen was very active in the Greenbush United Methodist Church, and she enjoyed gardening, canning, an avid reader, loved crossword puzzles and sewing, riding her bicycle, going on road trips with her sisters and stopping at garage sales, and she especially enjoyed her family and grandchildren.
Helen is survived by son Jay (Doreen) Wakefield of Ovid, daughters Connie (Bob) Blackmer and Daria (Bruce) Aldrich both of St. Johns; 8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild; sisters, Bernice Miller, Barbara Bailer and brother Al (Jomac) Rydman all of Coleman, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Eric in 2001 and 2 brothers.
Memorial services will be held at Greenbush United Methodist Church on Monday, February 4, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Mona Dye officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives at the church, 12 noon until service time. Memorial contributions may be made to Greenbush United Methodist Church or Sparrow Hospice. The family is being served by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home.
Donald Glenn Davis
Donald Glenn Davis, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, age 88, of St. Johns, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 30, 2013. Don was born September 11, 1924 to Glenn and Lucy (Ballinger) Davis in St. Louis, Michigan. He graduated from St. Johns Rodney B. Wilson High School in 1943 as class president, and attended Michigan State College taking the Agriculture Short Course. Don, hard working, with a zest for life, was first and foremost a farmer. Even in his later years he was never more happy than when driving his tractor, still being a part of planting and harvesting. Don retired from many years as a deliveryman for Farmers Petroleum of St. Johns. Don was a writer, authoring a book about his family horse, “Queenie”, as well as a lifetime of treasured, detailed journals.
Don will be greatly missed by his wife of 63 years, Alma (Bower) Davis, originally of DeWitt. The handsome young couple was married at DeWitt Community Church on April 30, 1949 and together they raised their five children on the same Centennial Farm where Don grew up. Alma and her “Big Don” enjoyed farming, raising various livestock and decades of 4-H involvement. Their personal commitment to Jesus Christ was the focus of their life. Don and Alma were prayer warriors, starting out each day praying over their ever growing prayer list. Involvement in Pilgrim United Methodist Church was their joy and privilege. Wesley Woods and Townline Lake retreats, and many mission trips to Haiti, thrilled them as they were part of spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
Don could always be counted on for his booming greeting followed by a hearty hug and welcoming handshake. From birthday parties, Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, Sunday dinners, 4-H fair days to church picnics, Don’s greatest joy was time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. His box of homemade fudge and peanut brittle was a given each Christmas. “Grandpa” could always, always get a laugh out of his grandchildren.
Don is survived by his loving wife, Alma and will be greatly missed by his five children; Dale (Julia) Davis of Seattle, WA, Roger (Renee) Davis of Colorado Springs, CO, Jim (Debi) Davis of St. Johns, Janet (Mike) Tisdale of Birmingham, AL, Bob (Kathy) Davis of St. Johns; 17 grandchildren, Aaron Davis, Ivan (Jenny) Davis, Andrew (Elizabeth) Davis, Emily (Lane) Bargeron, Austin Davis, Elizabeth Davis, Matthew Davis, Amanda Davis, Ashley Davis, Alexandra Davis, Lindsay (Noah) Harrell, Nic (Jessie) Tisdale, Cosette Davis, Levanna Davis, Tavi Davis, Ethan Davis, Lucy Davis and great granddaughter Heidi Davis. Don is also survived by his brother, Duane Davis of St. Johns and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his sister, Allene (Rev. Wayne) Smith.
Don’s funeral service will be held Saturday, February 2, 2013, 11:00 A.M. at Pilgrim United Methodist Church 2965 W. Parks Rd. St.Johns with Pastor Ken Bremmer officiating. Interment will follow at South Bingham Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Friday, February 1, 2013 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Remembrances on Don’s behalf may be given to Pilgrim United Methodist Church / Haiti Fund or Clinton County 4-H.
Arden E. (Jack) Birdsley
Arden E. (Jack) Birdsley, age 84, of St. Johns, MI died Friday, January 25, 2013 at his residence surrounded by his family.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns Chapel St. Johns, MI on Monday, January 28, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Ken Bremer officiating.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2013 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
Jack was born in St. Johns, Michigan on June 1, 1928, the son of Earl E. and Beryl L. (Pilmore) Birdsley. He married Bonna Jean Rahl on September 4, 1948 and she preceded in death December 18, 1997 after 48 years of marriage. Jack retired from Sealed Power Manufacturing in 1983 after 36 1/2 years of service. Jack also worked for Clinton Area Ambulance for 20 years.
He is survived by two sons, Michael and Sandra Birdsley and Terry and Brenda Birdsley, daughter Donna Birdsley, all of St. Johns, MI 10 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, two sisters, Shirley Birdsley of West Pt., Georgia and June Young of St. Johns, MI, brother-in-law, Donald Walters of Laingsburg, MI, sister-in-law, Carol Mann of Lansing, MI, several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and his wife, Jack was preceded in death by infant twin sons and two sisters, Jean Vitous and Gayla Walters.
Memorials may be made to Clinton Area Ambulance, 1005 S. Oakland St., St. Johns, MI 48879. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns Chapel St. Johns, Michigan.
Maxine Norma Jean Fedewa
Maxine Norma Jean Fedewa, 80 of St. Johns, MI died on Friday, January 25, 2013 at Hazel Findlay Country Manor. She was born on June 10, 1932 in St. Johns, MI the daughter of Stephen and Dora (Russell) Hall. Maxine graduated from St. Johns High School in 1950 and then attended Lansing Community College. She married James Fedewa in St. Johns, MI on November 11, 1950 and he preceded her in death in 2007. Maxine sold real estate and worked at Transamerica Title Company. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, raised african violets and orchids, was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling and especially enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by daughters Carol (Richard) Briggs of Prudenville, MI; Deb (Doug) Bishop and Kathy (Eric) Halitsky both of St. Johns; grandchildren, Emily Van Buren and fiancé Murray Horkoff of Canada, Dianna (Robert) Kozak of Canada, Jimmy Bishop of Mt. Pleasant, Julie, Matt Fedewa, and Amy all of St. Johns; two great grandchildren Ella Kozak and Baby Kozak. Maxine was preceded in death by her son Stephen in 2003.
Funeral services will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Monday, January 28, 2013 at 10:30 A.M. with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives at the funeral home on Sunday, January 27, 2013, 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
William E. Bearndt
William E. Bearndt passed on January 25, 2013, at the age of 79. Born December 17, 1933, in Clinton County, MI. He was the son of William and Lurah (Simpson) Bearndt. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Ithaca, and the M.M.O.G.T.A..
William is survived by his children, Lynn Pyle of Alma, Bruce (Lynne) Devereaux of Bath, Rose Smith of Ithaca, Robin (Randy) Doyen of Trufant, MI, Sue (Bernie) Schafer of Farwell, and Margaret (Gary) Simpson of St. Johns. He is also survived by one sister, Joyce Dillsworth, 15 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Sandra Bearndt, and one son, William John.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday January 29, 2013 with Pastor David Hudgens officiating, at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns, MI. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Masonic Pathways.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Dawn L. Kioski
Dawn L. Kioski passed away, January 24, 2013, at the age of 91. Born July 11, 1921, in St. Johns, she was the daughter of Clyde and Anna (Atherton) Shatto. Dawn married Joe Kioski on February 29, 1940, in St. Johns and he preceded her in death on October 25, 2001.
Dawn is survived by her sons, Russell Kioski of Ovid, Stanley Kioski of Dimondale, Gary (Connie) Kioski of Ovid, Mark Kioski of Ovid, 9 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Dawn was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Helen Bancroft and one brother in law, Guy Bancroft.
Cremation has taken place and at this time, services will be held at a later date.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
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