Mary Louise Sirrine, Mary E. Schafer, Linda Mae (Zimmerman) Werbish, Douglas L. Ley, Winnifred E. Stewart, Phyllis J. Rice, Dolores Jeanne Baese, Marvin A. Miller
Mary Louise Sirrine
Mary Louise Sirrine, 82, passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2012 surrounded by her loving family. Born April 5, 1929 in St. Johns, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late William H. and Margaret Andrews Puetz. She taught in a one-room rural schoolhouse before marrying her high school sweetheart, who became a Navy pilot. Mary spent the rest of her life seeing through the eyes of a Navy wife and stay-at-home mom, raising five children and babysitting for several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She touched the lives of many people with her smile and generosity. She loved spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the many friends they met throughout the years. Mary volunteered at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Virginia Beach where she was a member, helping out wherever she was needed. She and her husband enjoyed spending every summer at the lake in Crystal, MI, swimming, clearing the waterfront of rocks, and having fun with friends and family.
She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Jack D. Sirrine; four daughters, Marcia Reece of Ledyard, CT, Gail Orland and her husband, Raymond of Suffolk, Leigh Szarka of St. Johns, MI, and Janet Woodall and her husband, Jere of Dublin, OH; a son, Scott Sirrine and his wife, Lisa of Virginia Beach; twelve grandchildren, several great-grandchildren (with more on the way); and many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 24, 2012, at 2:00PM, at the Church of the Holy Apostles, 1593 Lynnhaven Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23453.
The family would like to thank the staff of Pacifica Senior Living-Virginia Beach and Heartland Hospice for their tender and loving care during Mrs. Sirrine’s illness. The family requests memorial donations to Church of the Holy Apostles or to the Alzheimer’s Association
Mary E. Schafer
Mary E. Schafer, age 92, died on March 21, 2012. She was born November 22, 1919 in Westphalia, Michigan, the daughter of Albert and Pauline (Fedewa) Thelen. On February 5, 1946, she married Norbert Schafer in Westphalia and he preceded her in death on July 28, 2001. Mary was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler. She also volunteered at Clinton Memorial Hospital for 20 years, was a member of Christian Mothers and volunteered for Clinton County Meals On Wheels. She was a homemaker and farmed with Norbert, hand in hand, for 55 years.
Mary is survived by her three daughters, Marie (Dan) Halsey of Arizona, Kathy ( Dave) Berquist of Grand Ledge, Theresa (Michael) Walker of Lansing; three sons, Robert (Suzanne) Schafer of DeWitt, Jerome (Deb) Schafer and Dennis (Tammy) Schafer both of Fowler, 23 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Rita (Carl) Schaefer; brothers-in-law, Joseph Schafer, Mark (Arleita) Schafer, Tony (Rose) Schafer and Jerry Schafer, as well as many nieces and nephews. Along with her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her daughter, Jeanne Schafer, granddaughter, Trisha Schafer and brother, Roman Thelen.
Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. Saturday March 24, 2012 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler with Fr. Dennis Howard presiding. Burial will follow at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the Goerge Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes in Fowler, 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Friday. Rosaries will be prayed 3 P.M. and 8 P.M. Friday. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorial contributions to Most Holy Trinity Educational Trust Fund or to a charity of her family’s choice. The family is being served by Osgood Funeral Homes.
Linda Mae (Zimmerman) Werbish
Linda Mae (Zimmerman) Werbish, age 66, of Perrinton, went home to be with her Lord Sunday, March 18, 2012 at her home with family by her side after a four year battle with cancer. Linda was born November 9, 1945, the daughter of Myrl and Mildred (Harrison) Zimmerman. She married Michael Werbish on May 5, 1967 in St. Johns. She graduated from St. Johns High School in 1963.
She retired from Michigan State University and was a member of Mt. Hope Church in Lansing, Abundant Life Church in Standish and the Rainbow Lake Garden Club, having served as treasurer. Linda was a devote Christian and enjoyed reading the bible and religious text and talking with many other Christians about their faith experiences. She enjoyed boating, cycling, gardening, attending MSU football games and most importantly spoiling her grandsons.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years Michael of Perrinton, three daughters Cena (Doug) Antes of Perrinton, Raelyn (Zach) Zeilinger of Bay City, Renae Werbish of East Lansing, grandsons, Colton Antes and Nicholas Zeilinger. Also sisters Bonnie (Dick) Downing, Patty (Dick) Gibson, Karen Zimmerman, Margaret (Doug) Elchuck, brothers Jerry (Jan) Zimmerman, Mark (Cherri) Zimmerman and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Linda was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 11 am at the Lux and Schnepp Funeral Home, Carson City with Pastor Tom McCoy officiating. Interment will be in Payne Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or the Rainbow Lake Garden Club.
Douglas L. Ley
Douglas L. Ley died Monday, March 19, 2012 at the age of 66. He was born May 29, 1945 in St. Johns the son of Joseph and Dorothy (Hall) Ley. Doug was a graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns, Class of 1964 and retired from General Motors in the final assembly area. He enjoyed working on engines of all types, riding motorcycles and snowmobiles, raising and riding horses and working on and driving drag racing cars at Stanton Dragway. On May 2, 1992 he married Roberta Raymond Borkowski and she survives him.
Also surviving are two daughters Janet (William) Baughn of Alto, MI and Kalista (Jerry) Greenwald of Laingsburg; two sons, Robert (Nevada) Borkowski of Wyoming, MI and Kent (Maria) Ley of St. Johns; nine grandchildren, Ashley, Ariel, Kyle and Kevin Ley, William Baughn Jr., Drew and Dax Hartenburg, Roman and Sophia Borkowski and one great granddaughter, Melody. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Maureen Young and Sheila Ridge and one brother, Dennis.
A memorial service will be held 7:00PM Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends from 5:00 PM until service time on Wednesday. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
Winnifred E. Stewart
Winnifred E. “Winnie” Stewart died, Sunday, March 18, 2012 at the age of 86. Born January 11, 1926 in St. Johns, the daughter of Carl and Inez (Sowle) Schulze. Winnie married Jack Carroll Elliott on January 25, 1945 and after their divorce she married Wilbur Stewart, July 2, 1949. Wilbur preceded her in death on January 9, 2002. Winnie was a member of Maple Rapids United Methodist Church, and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Winnie is survived by her son, C. Gordon (Judy) Elliott of Lansing, daughters, Nancy Kindel of Maple Rapids, Nanette Stewart of Rapid City, MI, 7 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Peggy Stewart, Marge Schulze, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands, four brothers, son in law, Dennis G. Kindel, and one grandchild, Tabatha Kindel.
Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 PM Thursday March 22, 2012 at Maple Rapids United Methodist Church, with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. Burial will follow at Payne Cemetery. The family will receive friends, Wednesday, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at the church. Memorial donations may be made to the Maple Rapids United Methodist Church.
To learn more about Winnie and to view her Life Story film, please visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/79040. The family was served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Phyllis J. Rice
Phyllis J. Rice, age 83, passed away on March 15, 2012 in St. Johns, Michigan. Phyllis was born in Clinton County, Michigan on April 7, 1928, the daughter of Elmer and Mable (Hulbert) Swagart and they preceded her in death. In October 1949, she married Robert G. Rice in St. Johns. He also preceded her in death on July 26, 1982.
Phyllis is survived by her son, Herbert E. (Kim) Rice of Arlington, TX; 2 grandchildren and 3 great grand children and her sister, Louise E. (Ronald) Beemer of Grand Rapids, MI. Along with her parents and her husband, Phyllis was preceded in death by her daughter, Lynda Hardy; grandson, James R. Rice; granddaughter, Erin Rice and brother, Donald (Rosaline) Swagart.
Funeral services will be 11 A.M. Tuesday March 20, 2012 at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns with Pastor Matt Olsen officiating, burial will follow at the Sowle Cemetery in Maple Rapids. Her family will receive friends 6-8 P.M. Monday also at the funeral home. A memorial contribution will be made to a charity of her family’s choice. Her family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Dolores Jeanne Baese
Dolores Jeanne Baese died Thursday, March 15, 2012 at the age of 83. She was born August 2, 1928 in Fenton, Michigan the daughter of Dale and Vida (Saylor) George. She was a member of the Elsie United Methodist Church and was the former manager of the Village Inn Restaurant in Elsie for several years. On October 25, 1947 she married Eldon Baese and he survives her.
Also surviving is one daughter, Dawn Baese of Elsie; two sons, Dennis (Mary) Baese of Chesaning and Kenneth (Mary Beth) Baese of St. Johns; six grandchildren, Dr. Melissa Baese-Berk (Peter), Jenna and Jonathan Baese, Justine Baese, Matthew (Mindy) Jones and Melissa Jones; two great grandsons, Marcus and Maverick Jones; one sister, Daleta (Albert) Pontack of FL and many nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in law.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at the Elsie United Methodist Church 160 W. Main Elsie with Pastor Ed Snook officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends 2-4 and 6-8 PM Monday, March 19 at the Elsie United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor or the Elsie United Methodist Church. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
Marvin A. Miller
Marvin A. Miller, 89, died Wednesday, March 14, 2012. Born in Bengal Township, Michigan, July 14, 1922, the son of Arnold and Pauline (Wieber) Miller. He was a life-long dedicated self-employed farmer and retired technician for Select Sires. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Marvin married Julia F. Lewis, the love his life on April 12, 1944 and she preceded him in death June 24, 1996 after 52 years of marriage.
He is survived by two daughters, Joanne (Gary) McNamara of Maple Rapids and Lois (Richard) Rodgers of St. Johns, three sons, Alan (Sheila) Miller of Lowell, Massachusetts, Martin (LuAnn) Miller of St. Johns and Chuck (Joanne) Miller of Fowler, 27 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren, brother, Hilary (Geraldine) Miller of Lansing, two sisters, Dolores (Donald) Fox of Lennon and Helen Marie Schafer of Dewitt and one sister-in-law, Juliann Miller of Fowler and his little buddy, Zeke. In addition to his wife, Marvin was preceded in death by his brother, Lester Miller, and brother-in-law, Paul Schafer.
Funeral Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM, Monday, March 19, 2012, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, with Fr. Mathias Thelen presiding. The family will receive friends 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM, Sunday, at the Goerge Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes in Fowler. Rosaries will be prayed at 3 PM and a scripture service will be at 8 PM. Memorial donations may be made to the Most Holy Trinity Educational Trust Fund, Most Holy Trinity Church, (989) 593-2162, 545 N. Maple St., Fowler, MI 48835, or to the Bishop Joseph Albers Trust Fund for the education of priests, Diocese of Lansing, (517) 342-2504, 228 N. Walnut St., Lansing, MI 48933.
To learn more about Marvin and to view his Life Story film, please visit his personal website at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/78935. The family was serviced by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
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