Mary Lenora Zilz, Rae Jean Johnson, Harriet O. Henry
Mary Lenora Zilz
Mary Lenora Zilz, age 100, was called home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, August 19, 2015. Mary or “Monnie” (her Indian nickname) was born June 18, 1915 in Rosebush, Michigan to Obadiah and Jennie (Pelcher) Smith, and until her death was the oldest member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. Mary counted Jesus as her Savior for over sixty years and was a faithful witness of the gospel and a true prayer warrior.
As a child Mary attended the Mt. Pleasant Indian School through ninth grade and graduated as valedictorian of her class. She then went on to Mt. Pleasant High School, graduating in 1933. After high school Mary worked at the Postem factory in Battle Creek in the summer of 1934, and it was there that she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Mullen, on a blind date. Mary and Bob were married in 1936 and were blessed with three children, Robert Jr. (Bobby), Mary Ann, and Nannette. During those years Mary worked for Oldsmobile on the assembly line producing airplane parts for the Air Force. She also attended the Melba Beauty School and received her license as a cosmetologist, which launched her new career working at the Harper Method Beauty Salon.
Three years after Bob’s death in 1952 from a heart attack, Mary met and married Carl Zilz and they spent many happy years together fishing, and traveling to Florida. Mary was a business-woman, owning and operating several beauty salons in Lansing and that was her professional life from 1944 through 1974.
Ever since 1982 Sebring, Florida was Mary’s second home during the winter months (which seemed to get longer and longer with each passing year). Mary also loved to travel throughout the United States, as well as her stays in Oklahoma and California while her first husband, Bob, was in the service. Even though she accomplished many things in her life and career, Mary would want her legacy to be that she was a born-again Christian, and to be remembered as our own personal prayer warrior. She loved her family dearly and so enjoyed being a part of everyone’s lives. We will miss her greatly and cherish our memories of Mom / Grandma / Great-Grandma / Great-Great-Grandma.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Mary Ann (Green), grandchildren Mark (Mary) Green, Julia Green, Martin (Ruth) Green, Michael (Rachel) Green, Risa (Ralph) Snider, Bill (Hope) Abbott, Bob (Mary) Abbott, Curtis Abbott, Daniel Abbott, Daymon Krupa, and Kristi Krupa, as well as her own tribe of great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert (Bob), son, Robert Jr. (“Bobby”), her daughter Nannette Jean (Abbott), second husband Carl Zilz, son-in-law Ralph Green, and siblings Gordon, Abraham, Arabella (“Mickey), and Maurice, as well as great-granddaughter, Amy, and great-grandson, Alexander.
Viewing will begin at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at First Baptist Church in St. Johns, and the funeral service following at 11:00 am with Pastor Tim Knaus officiating. Interment will be 3:00 pm Saturday at South Bingham Cemetery, at the corner of Taft and County Farm Road. The family will receive relatives and friends one hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be made to Forgotten Man Ministries 3940 Fruit Ridge Ave. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49544 or The Lord’s Lighthouse PO Box 6015 Sun City Center, FL 33571. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
Rae Jean Johnson
Rae Jean Johnson, age 79, passed away suddenly on August 19, 2015 in Lansing, Michigan. Rae was born in Caro, Michigan in 1935 to Ray and Grace S. (Clothier) Huffman. She was a graduate of Central Michigan University and Michigan State University and was a teacher and media specialist in the Lansing Public Schools for many years. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of St. Johns, Women’s Fellowship Linda Scott Circle, a Friend of the Briggs Public Library, a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, co-founder and past president of Mint Country Garden Club, and a member and judge for the American Iris Society.
She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Johnson (Ben Strumwasser) of Lafayette, California and her son Christopher Johnson (Julie) of Okemos, Michigan. She is also survived by her grandchildren Kenneth Johnson, Hannah Strumwasser, Katherine Johnson, Seth Strumwasser, and Greg Johnson. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth L. Johnson and her brother Ned Huffman. In addition to enjoying time with family and friends, Rae enjoyed volunteer work, gardening, genealogy and books.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at the First Congregational Church with Pastor William Tate officiating. Burial will follow at the West Burlington Cemetery in Silverwood, Michigan at 3 PM. The family will receive friends at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns on Friday, August 21, from 6-8 PM. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Briggs Public Library in St. Johns or the Alpha Delta Kappa Foundation.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Harriet O. Henry
Harriet O. Henry, age 97, of Elsie, MI passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at her home, where she was able to stay thanks to Apryl, Gina, Barb, Alanna, and Traci, her caretakers.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI on Friday, August 21, 2015 at 11:00 A.M., with Dr. Donald Ferris-McCann officiating. Burial will take place at Duplain Township Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2015 from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
Harriet was born in St. Johns, Michigan on April 7, 1918, the daughter of Judson and Lora (Faragher) Bancroft. Harriet married Glen Walker on March 31, 1937. Glen passed away on November 13, 1973. On August 12, 1975 Harriet married Ross Henry; and he passed away on March 29, 2015.
Harriet retired from Federal-Mogul. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, sewing and crocheting. She was a wonderful cook and she liked to try different recipes. She loved spending time with her family and extended family. Harriet was a member of the Duplain Church of Christ and she also attended Eureka Congregational Church.
Harriet is survived by her daughters Lyla Brush of Elsie, MI, Lora and William Furstenau of Elsie, MI, daughter in law Linda Henry of Alma, MI, 20 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, many great great grandchildren and brother Joseph and Eloise Bancroft of Ovid, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, son Jerry Walker, step-son Bill Henry, sons-in-law Herm Baese, Rod Brush, Robert Crain, grandsons Glen Baese and Clint Fisher, step grandson Rick Brush, one great grandchild, brothers R.G., A.D., Lyle, Homer, Orson, Charles and sister Martha.
Memorials may be made to Elsie United Methodist Church, Grace Hospice 2205 Jolly Road, Okemos, MI 48864 or a Charity of the Donor’s Choice. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, Michigan.