Donald G. “Sonny” Dunham, Mable Alegra Smeltzer, Lynn A. Bullard , Ivah A. Risley, Kenneth W. Warner, William Joseph Asher, Katherine M. Vining, George M. Stinnett
Donald G. “Sonny” Dunham
Donald G. “Sonny” Dunham died peacefully in St. Johns, Michigan on December 31, 2012 at the age of 79. He was born in Topinabee, Michigan on July 24, 1933. He resided there until moving to the Bath area in the 1950s. He moved back to Topinabee after retirement. Donald loved the outdoors and was an avid Tigers and Spartans fan. Donald married Barbara June Staffen November 3, 1952 and she preceded him in death on August 27, 2000.
Donald was survived by two sons, Donald (Debby) Adams and Rodney (JoAnn) Adams both of Bath, four grandchildren, three great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. In addition to Barbara, Donald was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and one sister.
Donald’s wishes were to be cremated and the family will hold a graveside service at a later date in Topinabee. The family was served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Mable Alegra Smeltzer
Mable Alegra Smeltzer passed away December 29, 2012 at the age of 97. Born October 23, 1915 in Ovid Township, Michigan the daughter of George and Bertha (Dewitt) Vaughan. She retired in 1980 from the Michigan Secretary of State after 25 years of service. She was a life member of V.F.W. Auxiliary #701 in Lansing. Mable married Auburn Smeltzer June 20, 1936 and he preceded her in death October 18, 1979.
She is survived by sons, Douglas (Linda) Smeltzer of Mesa, Arizona, Bruce (Sue) Smeltzer of Holt, Gary Smeltzer of Houghton Lake , three daughters, Marla (Darrell) Goldman of Alba, Sharla Allen of Rockford, and Jill (Bob) Mikulka of Ashley, 13 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren,2 great great grandchildren, many, many nieces/nephews. In addition to her husband, Mable was preceded in death by five sisters and two brothers and great granddaughter, Kayla Flegel.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 East Cass St, St. Johns, with burial at Union Home Cemetery and Pastor David Vaughan officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday prior to services from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or Diabetes Association.
Lynn A. Bullard
Lynn A. Bullard, 68, of Indianapolis, formerly of St. Johns and Lansing, died Wednesday December 26, 2012.
There will be no services. Arrangements by Williams and Bluitt Funeral Home, Indianapolis, Ind.
.
.
Ivah A. Risley
Ivah A. Risley, 82 of rural Ovid died at the home of her daughter, surrounded by her family. She was born on November 12, 1930 in Duplain Twp. the daughter of Orin and Ruth (Shellenbarger) Acre. Ivah graduated from Elsie High School in 1948 and she attended Central Michigan University, obtaining her BA degree in education. On August 2, 1953 she married Robert Risley at Duplain Church. She had lived all of her life in the Ovid Elsie area, and taught school at Colony Schoolhouse, Little Brick School and E.E. Knight School, teaching a total of 30 years. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, flowers, reading, games, cards fishing, riding her quad, fellowshipping and spending time with her family and friends. She was a member of Duplain Church of Christ.
She is survived by her husband, Robert; children, Ron (Connie) Risley of Prescott, MI, Cindy (Mike) Rademacher of St. Johns, Gayla (Rex) Ruehle of St. Johns and Lynette (Chris) Smith of St. Johns; 15 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren and sisters Ruby Kimball of St. Johns, Phyllis Acre and Bertha Whitaker both of Elsie. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Paul, Lyle, Leon and Sydney Acre and sister, Elisabeth Levey.
Funeral services will be held at Duplain Church of Christ on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Chuck Emmert and Pastor Andy Goodrich officiating. Burial will follow at Duplain Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Monday, January 31, 2012, 2-8 P.M. Memorial may be given to Duplain Church of Christ, 5565 E. Colony Rd., St. Johns, MI or Rochester Colony School House.
Kenneth W. Warner
Kenneth W. Warner died Friday, December 28, 2012 at the age of 90. He was born June 13, 1922 in Cass City, MI the son of Hazen and Edna (Collins) Warner. Kenneth served in the Army during WWII and as a young man enjoyed playing slow pitch softball. He was an active member of First Baptist Church in St. Johns and was very involved with the Senior Saints Group at church. He was very accomplished at working with stained glass and made numerous items in his home. Early in his career Kenneth was the manager for the grain elevators in Montrose, Elwell and Marlette, MI and he retired as an inspector from General Motors. On August 8, 1981 he married Lois Emigh Whitaker and she survives him.
Also surviving is one son Gordon K. Warner of Guadalajara, Jal. Mexico; two sisters, Helen (Harold) Ryal and Geraldine (Jim) Perry all of Cass City; one brother, Wilmer (Norma) Warner of Grand Rapids, MI; sister-in-law, Kathy Warner of Vassar, MI. Kenneth was preceded in death by a brother, Arthur and his first wife, Elsie Pringle Warner.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at First Baptist Church 512 S. US 27 St. Johns with Pastor Timothy Knaus officiating. Military honors will be provided by the St. Johns Honor Guard after the service at church. Interment will take place 1:00 PM Thursday, January 3, 2013 at Elkland Township Cemetery near Cass City, MI. The family will receive relatives and friends 2-4 and 6-8 PM Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns and one hour prior the funeral service at the church. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in St. Johns.
William Joseph Asher
William Joseph Asher died Thursday, December 27, 2012 at the age of 85. He was born April 5, 1927 in Pontiac, MI the son of Walter and Vera (Weber) Asher. Bill was a very active member at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns and was active in St. Vincent DePaul Society. He served in the Navy during WWII and enjoyed golfing, hunting, being outside working in the yard and woodworking. Bill was a tool and die maker at Federal Mogul, retiring in 1986 with 38 years of service. On July 14, 1951 he married Yvonne Witgen and she survives him.
Also surviving are his children Kathy (Don) Randolph, Judy (Mark) Cornell and Maureen (Eric) Silm all of St. Johns, Karen (Tom) Mizer of Franklin, GA, David (Azra) Asher of Ellicott, MD; twelve grandchildren, Jennifer (Cameron) Ford, Erin (Gary) Pupurs, Shelly (Jeff) Neifert, Kelly (Irl) Lutz, Emily (Chris) Hyzer, Liz Randolph, Heather (Justin) Eldridge, Jason Randolph and fiancée Emilie Pline, Mark Cornell, Greg Silm, Mikayla Silm and Michael Asher; ten great grandchildren; brothers, Jim, Patrick and Michael Asher; sisters, Evelyn Kennedy, Mary Stoner, Ellen Soblesky and Carol Asher. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Margaret Bieri and grandson Eric Mizer.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Saturday, December 29, 2012 at St. Joseph Catholic Church 109 Linden, St. Johns with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams as Celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery with military honors provided by the St. Johns Honor Guard. The family will receive relatives and friends 2-8 PM with a Vigil Service at 7:00 PM Friday, December 28 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Clinton County P.O. Box 260 St. Johns, MI 48879 or St. Vincent DePaul Society 1009 S. US 127 Ste. A St. Johns, MI 48879.
Katherine M. Vining
Katherine M. Vining died Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at the age of 91. She was born August 17, 1921 near Fowler in Clinton County, MI the daughter of Sidney and Agnes (Miller) Campbell. Katherine attended First United Methodist Church in St. Johns. On September 6, 1942 she married Randall M. Vining and he preceded her in death in 2010. She was also predeceased by a son Lynn, sister, Alice Youngs and brother Max Campbell.
Surviving are two daughters, Jeanette Dana and Diane (Loren) Huss all of Coleman, MI, one son, Rick (Margaret) Vining of St. Johns; daughter-in-law Paula Vining of Coleman, MI; ten grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Seiler of Ionia and Fern McGraw of Carson City, MI; two brothers, Gordon (Joan) Campbell of Lowell, MI and Archie (Mary) Campbell of Douglas, GA.
Kathy was a loving wife and mother who enjoyed her family and friends a great deal. Born and raised during the depression, she was one of the great generation of women who began their families in a time of war. While primarily a homemaker she worked at the Clare Hospital in the 60’s and the St. Johns’ Dog & Suds in the 70’s. And also she was a gentle soul who faced many hardships and challenges and yet filled her home and her family with much comfort and joy.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, December 29, 2012 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns with Pastor Keith Stork officiating. Interment will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery in Gratiot County, MI. The family will receive relatives and friends 2-4 and 6-8 PM Friday, December 28 and Saturday from 12:00 PM until service time at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to a charity of donor’s choice.
George M. Stinnett
George M. Stinnett of St. Johns, MI died suddenly on December 26, 2012. George was born on September 29, 1936 in Charlottesville, VA the son of George M. and Harriett A. (Brunton) Stinnett. He graduated from Birmingham High School and attended Michigan State University. On Nov. 20, 1961 he married Barbara J. Corey in Southfield, MI. George was an Industrial Real Estate Manager, retiring in 1998. George thoroughly enjoyed his family and grandchildren and going to the kids swim meets for over 42 years.
He is survived by his wife, Barb, son Tom (Nadine) Stinnett of St. Johns and daughters Terri (Joseph) Pantalone of St. Johns and Traci (Christopher) Chandler of Gunnison, CO; 7 grandchildren, Cody Stinnett, Sydnee Stinnett, Corey Grider, Nichols Grider, Benjamin Grider, Maxwell Chandler and Zakery Chandler; sisters Agnes Beverly Stinnett of Auburn Hills, MI and Susan (Donald) Pazderka of Missouri.
The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Sunday, December 30, 2012, 2-4 P.M. Funeral services will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Monday, December 31, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Johns High Swimming and Diving Team.
Visit us at http://twitter.com/sjindyand begin to follow us today. Don’t have a Twitter account? Sign up now. It’s free
For obituaries published before January, 2009 please click here.
At the bottom of that page you will find an index to obituaries dating back to July, 1989.