Obituaries

Alvin E. Woodhams, Shirley H. Hazel, Debra S. (Graves) Cullimore, Richard Michael Schmitz
Alvin E. Woodhams
Alvin E. Woodhams of St. Johns died Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at the age of 89. He was born February 6, 1925 in St. Johns the son of James and Floella (Pease) Woodhams. Alvin was a member of First Baptist Church of St. Johns and a WWII veteran. He retired from Oldsmobile where he worked in skilled trades as a machine repairman. He was a member of U.A.W. Local # 652, V.F.W. Post # 4113 and American Legion Post # 153 in St. Johns and for many years was a member of the Maple Twirlers Square Dancers. On August 2, 1947 he married Joyce Orweller and she survives him.
Also surviving are two daughters, Debra Woodhams of Haslett, Colleen (George) Jackson of Imlay City, MI; one son, Barry (Dawn Chatfield) Woodhams of Niceville, FL; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren; one sister, Barbara Holdridge of LA and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Marie Boles and Delores Bashore and five brothers, Eugene, Lawrence, Donald, Arnold and Stanley.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Saturday, July 26, 2014 at First Baptist Church 512 S. US 27 St. Johns with Pastor Tim Knaus officiating. Military honors will be provided by the St. Johns Honor Guard. The family will receive relatives and friends 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 pm Friday at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of St. Johns.


Shirley H. Hazel
Shirley H. Hazle died suddenly Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at the age of 82. She was born March 3, 1932 in Victor Township, Clinton County, Michigan the daughter of Dana and Dorothy (Morrison) Parker. Shirley was a graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns, Class of 1950.
She was an active and energetic member of many farm and agriculture organizations. Shirley was active in County and State 4H, was a member of MMPA Dairy Communicators, Dairy Diplomats and a board member of the Farm Women Symposium. She was a member of the Michigan Holstein Association and very active in District 6 of the Association, she served on the Victor Township Planning Board and worked for several years as a DHIA Technician. On November 25, 1950 she married George Hazle and he survives her.
Also surviving are two daughters, Dana Sue (Kevin) Kirk and Kathy Hazle all of St. Johns; three grandchildren, Kevin (Rachel) Kirk of Luna Nagel, CA, Dana (Andrea) Kirk of Charlotte, Lindsay (Calby) Garrison of Adrian; three great grandsons, Carson and Wesley Garrison and Jeffery Kirk. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Dana and Allan Parker.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday, July 28, 2014 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns with Pastor Robert Prange officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Clinton County 4-H – Dairy 4389 E. Pratt Rd. St. Johns, MI 48879 or the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation Michigan State University 1250 Anthony Hall, 4747 Shaw Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824.


Debra S. (Graves) Cullimore
Debra S. (Graves) Cullimore of St. Johns, age 58, passed away on July 18, 2014. She was a bus attendant for Dean Transportation and loved her bus babies. She loved her family, friends, grandchildren, and her dog Chloe. She enjoyed her time at the lake and her “pigs”. She was a sweet lady, always happy, smiling, and putting others before herself. Deb was a friend to all who knew her. Everybody loved Aunt Bea.
She is survived by her 5 children; Justin (Kasey) Glumm, Danielle (Chad) Lewis, Anthony (Stephanie) Cullimore, Tiffany (Ben) Dobson, and April (John) Jones; her 3 siblings; Barney Graves, Brenda Armitage, and Patsy Sills, 18 grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, Cecil and Ruby Graves.
A Celebration of Debra’s life will be held at the UAW Local 1753, 3204 W. St. Joseph Street, Lansing, on Thursday, July 24, 2014 at 3:00 P.M. Condolences may be made at www.palmerbush.com.


Richard Michael Schmitz
Richard Michael “Brooks” Schmitz, of Fowler, MI died Friday, July 18, 2014 at the age of 80. Born September 28, 1933 in Bengal Township, MI, Richard was the son of Peter and Catherine (Feldpausch) Schmitz. He served in the US Army and was a member of VFW Post #3733. Richard was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler and the Knights of Columbus. He owned and operated Schmitz Service/Party Store & Car Wash. He was a member of the Dallas Township Fire Department for 37 years. He was inducted into the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame as part of Fowler’s 1952 championship boys basketball team. On October 13, 1962, Richard married Fay Myers Schmitz and she survives him.
Also surviving are his children; Dean (Cindy) Schmitz of Fowler, Chris Schmitz of Fowler, Jimmy (Bev) Schmitz of Pewamo, Kathy Jo (Jeremy) Boak of Fowler; grandchildren, Dylan, Cassie, Kaitlyn, Holly, Brady, Kelsey, Trevor, Zachary, and Cameron Schmitz, and Savannah and Charlie Boak; siblings, Frieda Bauer, Stella (Tom) Kinney, Donald (Mary Lou) Schmitz, Hilary (Marcia) Schmitz, Justin (Sharon) Schmitz, Eunice (Clare) Pung, Pete (Marcia) Schmitz, Maurice (Darlene) Schmitz, many nieces and nephews and members of the Herman and Mira Myers family. Richard was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Agnes (Tom) Faivor and Eletha Schmitz; one brother, Stanley Schmitz, and Godson Joe Schmitz.
Dad touched the lives of many people. He led by example. He was humble and hardworking, a jack of all trades and a master of many. Dad preferred to give attention rather than receive it. He was quick with a joke or to lend a helping hand to someone in need. He loved a good meal, loved to dance and was always singing. He was known as “Grandpa” to many kids, not just his own. He loved and adored his grandchildren more than anything and they will miss him immensely. Of all things Dad has given to his family in friends, his faith in God has always been first and foremost.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 545 N. Maple St., Fowler with Fr. Dennis Howard and Fr. William Koenigsknecht concelebrating. Burial will follow at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 PM Sunday, July 20 and Monday, July 21 at the Goerge Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, 11112 W. Ionia, Fowler. Scriptural rosaries will be prayed at 3 and 8 PM Sunday and 3 PM Monday. A Vigil Service will be prayed at 8 PM Monday. Please bring your red or blue hankie to services as a way to honor Dad. Contributions may be made to the charity of Richard’s family’s choice.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.


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