D. Wilbur Thurston, Alvin John (A.J.) Thelen, Barbara J. Stinnett, Kris W. Mabie, Irene Zeeb Pierce
D. Wilbur Thurston
D. Wilbur Thurston of St. Johns died Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at the age of 94. Born July 5, 1920 to Forest and Myrtle (Darling) Thurston, Wilbur was a life-long and active member of the First Congregational Church of St. Johns. On November 1, 1942, he married Leola Mareen Rynard Thurston and she survives him.
Wilbur was a man who deeply loved his family and the St. Johns community. Wilbur was involved with the Clinton County 4-H Fair and Future Farmers of America, was a member St. Johns Masonic Lodge # 105, and had a life-long passion for horses. In 1979, Wilbur and Leola built a pond on the family farm. The pond would become Wilbur’s pride and joy as he was able to spend many, many days and evenings with his family and friends around the pond fishing.
Also surviving are his grandsons; Derek Thurston, Forrest (Andrea) Thurston, and Caleb Thurston; great grandchildren, Kaelyn May and Douglas Lynn Thurston; and nephews; Terry (Barbara) Thurston and Keith (Winnie) Thurston. Wilbur was preceded in death by his daughter, Denise Thurston Patterson, son, Douglas Lee Thurston, and parents, as well as brother and sister-in-law, Otto and Fritz Thurston.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, July 12, 2014 at the First Congregational Church with Rev. Matt Olson officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Osgood Funeral Homes, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns, MI 48879. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church, 100 Maple St., St. Johns, MI 48879.
Alvin John (A.J.) Thelen
Alvin John “A.J. Thelen died Sunday, July 6, 2014 at the age of 87. He was born October 21, 1926 in Fowler, MI the son of Joseph W. and Anna R. (Werner) Thelen. Alvin graduated from Fowler High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Michigan State University. A.J. worked for Michigan State University for 50 years in the Dairy Science Dept. and the Michigan Dairy Herd Improvement Services. He served in the Army and was active volunteer in his community and in several organizations.
A.J. was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, was a member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council # 3281 in St. Johns, was a member and Past Navigator of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Fr. Godez Assembly #1509 and was a member of the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed woodworking, raising flowers, playing cards and attending MSU Hockey games. On May 20, 1953 he married Marie Simon and she survives him.
Also surviving are his children, Steven (Nancy) Thelen, Vickie (Mike) Thompson, Debra (Gary) Serrino, Douglas (Kim) Thelen, James Thelen, Sandra (Jim) Osowski; grandchildren, Renee (Jordan) Klues, Julie Thelen, Vanessa (Mike) Daniel-Collins, Josh Thompson, Christopher Thelen, Bradley Thelen and Samantha Osowski; his brothers and sisters, Betty Schafer, Leon (Bertine) Thelen, Stanley Thelen, Doris (Richard) Andrews, Marie (Bernard) Fox, Loretta (Jerry) Halm, Francis (Jeanette) Thelen and Therese (Jules) Poirier. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Jerry, Paul and Donald.
Alvin was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life so full of successes. He was a man who devoted his life to serving his country, his community, and his family, as a veteran and leader, and a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Alvin was a good man with a good life, and an example to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 am Saturday, July 12, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church 109 Linden, St. Johns with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams and Rev. Fr. Ken McDonald as Con-Celebrants. Following Alvin’s wishes he will go to the Willed Body Program at M.S.U. The family will receive relatives and friends 2:00 to 8:00 pm Friday, July 11, 2014 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. A vigil service will be held at 7:00 pm on Friday followed by a Knights of Columbus Rosary at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to a Hospice organization of donor’s choice or St. Johns Knights of Columbus Council #3281Charities.
Barbara J. Stinnett
Barbara J. Stinnett, 74 of St. Johns, MI died peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2014. Barb was born on October 28, 1939 in Detroit, MI the daughter of William and Orletta (McGary) Corey. She graduated from Detroit Cody High School and on November 25, 1961 she married George Stinnett in Detroit, and he preceded her in death in 2012. Barb worked in the Entomology Dept at MSU prior to her retirement. She loved her work and the students she worked with.
Barbara is survived by her children, Thomas (Nadine) Stinnett of St. Johns, Terri (Joe) Pantalone of St. Johns, and Traci (Chris) Chandler of Gunnison, CO; grandchildren, Cody and Sydnee Stinnett, Corey, Nick and Ben Grider, Maxx and Zak Chandler and Tyler Slamka and brother, Robert Corey of Hamburg, MI.
Memorial services will be held at the MSU Alumni Memorial Chapel, parking lot #9, East Lansing, MI at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 13, 2014. Memorial contributions may be made to Sparrow Home Hospice-Sparrow Foundation, 1110 E. Michigan Ave., PO Box 30480, Lansing, MI 48909-9986 in honor of Barb. Arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home.
Kris W. Mabie
Kris W. Mabie, 64, of Ovid, formerly of St. Johns, retired Meridian Automotive employee, died Tuesday July 1, 2014.
Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
Irene Zeeb Pierce
Irene Zeeb Pierce of DeWitt, MI died Thursday, July 3, 2014 at the age of 89. Born December 9, 1924, to Everett and Marjorie (Lane) Benson, Irene worked for Michigan Bell Telephone right after high school. She married Virgil Zeeb in 1943 and together they owned DeWitt Elevator until it was destroyed by fire in 1955 and then Zeeb Fertilizer for 25 years. They operated the DeWitt Theatre (now the present location of Relli’s) for several years. Irene was a former Treasurer of the DeWitt School Board.
She was a member of the Clinton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and was the first women to hold the position of Trustee, to serve on the Board of Directors, and to be elected as Chairman on the Board at Clinton Memorial Hospital. After Virgil’s death Irene married Albert Pierce in 1984. A loving mother and grandmother, she enjoyed playing golf, traveling, entertaining, and shopping.
Surviving are her children; Brian (Debra) Zeeb of DeWitt, Christine (Marty) Levy of Santa Clara, CA; step-children, Mike (Carol) Pierce, Pat Pierce, Brenda (Raymond) Wade; 10 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; brother, Elwin (Mirilyn) Benson; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to Virgil and Albert, Irene was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Joyce Furgala.
A Celebration of Life will be held 12:00 PM Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Prairie Creek Banquet Center, 800 E. Webb Rd., DeWitt, MI 48820 with Dr. Jack Clarkson officiating. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made the American Cancer Society, 3315 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI 48910.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
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