Calista (Austin) Reed, Stephen August “Steve” Chapko, Frances L. (Fritz) Thurston, Robert Leo Fall, Julius H. Theis
Calista (Austin) Reed
Calista (Austin) Reed died May 5, 2013 at the age of 94. Calista was born Sept.3, 1918 in Laingsburg, MI, the youngest of six children of Herbert and Fleda (Leland) Austin. They moved to Ovid in 1930 and she graduated from Ovid High School in 1936. She worked at Ovid Roller Mills as a bookkeeper for 25 years and in the bookkeeping department at Universal Electric for nine years. On Aug. 22, 1948 she married Iwin Reed, who preceded her in death on May 1, 1999. Calista belonged to the United Church of Ovid, was a life member of the Eastern Star of Wacousta, Chapter #133, and an original member (1940) of the Acme Society, who helped fund the library in Ovid. She enjoyed knitting and taught it to the 4-H for 15 years. She was an avid doll collector, sharing her love and knowledge by presenting doll programs throughout the area.
She is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral Services will be Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 11:00 a.m., at the Houghton Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid, with Pastor Greg Buchner officiating, burial to follow at Maple Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Memorial Contributions may be made to the United Church of Ovid or the Ovid Public Library.
The family is being served by Osgood Funeral Homes Inc.
Stephen August “Steve” Chapko
Stephen August “Steve” Chapko, age 82, of Elsie, Michigan died Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Sparrow Clinton Hospital, St. Johns, MI.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 10 A.M. at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church, Bannister, Michigan, with Rev. Fr. Marcel Portelli officiating.
Steve was born in Ashley, Michigan on September 12, 1930, the son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Skriba) Chapko. On January 29, 1955 he married Mildred J. Cerny at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church, Bannister, Michigan. He served his country in the US Army during the Korean War. Steve owned Elsie Machine Company and he enjoyed playing cards, golfing and bowling. He was a member of St. Cyril’s Catholic Church Bannister, Michigan.
He is survived by his wife Mildred Chapko of Elsie, MI, daughter Pam Dunham of Elsie, MI, 2 sons, Terry Chapko and Sylvia Tyler of St. Johns, MI, Steve and Shannon Chapko of Elsie, MI, 5 grandchildren; Jennifer Dunham, Bethany and Neil Dreffs, Morgan Chapko, Amanda Chapko, Stephen Chapko III, 2 great grandchildren; Cooper and Avery, 2 sisters; Mary and Stan Divish, Margaret Chovance, and 2 brothers; Tony and Rose Chapko, Charles Chapko. He was predeceased by his parents, son in law John Dunham, 3 sisters; Helen, Irene, Ann, and 5 brothers; Joe, Mike, John, Bill and Frank Chapko.
Memorial may be made to the American Heart Association. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, Michigan.
Frances L. (Fritz) Thurston
Frances L. (Fritz) Thurston, 91 of St. Johns, MI joined her loved ones in Heaven on May 5, 2013. She was born on April 22, 1922 to Harry and Dorothy (Hall) Heathman, graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in 1941 and married Otto Thurston on October 31, 1943. She was proud to be the oldest member of the First Congregational Church and was active in the Vesper Division. Fritz loved golfing, bingo, and cards and had a fierce competitive nature.
Fritz is survived by 2 sons, Keith (Winnie) Thurston and Terry (Barbara) Thurston, both of St. Johns; granddaughters Heather (Brian) Russell of Lansdale, PA Marcelle Thurston of Denver, CO; grandson, Jason (Sharon) Thurston of Ada, MI and 4 great granddaughters, Camryn and Delaney Russell, Audrey and Gemma Thurston; brother, Roger Heathman of Dansville and sister Doris (Forrest) Swatman of St. Johns. Fritz was preceded in death by her husband Otto in 2011, daughter Nancy Bottum, brother Ed (Spud) Heathman, and sisters Vianna Bond and Evelyn Buck.
The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Thursday, May 9, 2013, 5-8 P.M. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 10, 2013, 11:00 A.M. at The First Congregational Church, with Reverend Matthew Olson officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. Sympathies may be expressed in the form of memorials to First Congregational Church of St. Johns, or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
Robert Leo Fall
Robert Leo Fall, age 46, died May 3, 2013 in Ann Arbor, MI. Born in Lansing, MI on September 25, 1966, he was the son of Robert Leroy and Margaret Ann (Roach) Fall. Robert was a rural letter carrier. On October 17, 1992, Robert married Jackie Schmitz in Pewamo, MI and she survives him.
Also surviving are his mother; Margaret Ann Fall of DeWitt, MI; brother, Douglas (Lorianne) Fall of DeWitt, MI; sister, Karen Brown (Pat Plesko) of Bannister, MI; nieces, Caliann Brown, Hayley Brown, Kayla Lynn Fall; nephew, Jeremy Fall; great niece, Holly Fall; and great nephews, Ryan Willis and Logan Fall. Robert was preceded in death by his father, Robert Leroy Fall.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pewamo with Rev. Fr. Charlon Mason presiding. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Sunday, May 5, 2013 and 2-4 and 6-8 PM Monday, May 6, 2013 at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns. A prayer service will be held at 3 PM Monday, May 6, 2013 at the funeral home.
To learn more about Robert and view his Life Story film, visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/89475. The family is being served by Osgood Funeral Homes Inc.
Julius H. Theis
Julius H. Theis, age 75, died May 3, 2013 in Fowler, MI. Born in Fowler on December 4, 1937, he was the son of William and Julia (Stump) Theis. Julius was a long time dairy farmer, member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, Knights of Columbus, and the Clintonia Antique Tractor Club. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and was devoted to his family. He especially enjoyed tractor pulling events with his sons. Julius had a good sense of humor and enjoyed life. On October 18, 1958 Julius married Marilyn Hengesbach in Westphalia, MI and she survives him.
Also surviving are his children; Jim (Cheri) Theis, Cindy (George) Simon, Bill Theis, Dave (Nancy) Theis, Mark (Nancy) Theis, Ken (Mary Jo) Theis, Mary (Randy) George, Jeff (Kristen) Theis; 17 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; sister, Joan Platte; brother-in-law, Donald Pung; and sister-in-law, Germaine Pohl. Julius was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jerome Theis; sister, Bernadette (Pung) Theis; brother-in-law, Kenneth Platte; and grandson, Andrew Simon.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM Monday May 6, 2013 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler with Fr. Dennis Howard presiding. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 PM Sunday, May 5, 2013 at the Goerge Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Fowler. A rosary will be prayed at 3 PM and a scripture service will be held at 8 PM Sunday May 5, 2013 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Most Holy Trinity Education Trust Fund.
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