Viola Arline Barnes, Lyola Dawn Dunkel, LeOna M. Karber, Roberto Jesus Rositas, Gale L. Garner, Michael D. Johnson II
Viola Arline Barnes
Viola Arline Barnes, Pinellas Park, FL Formerly of St. Johns, MI died Thursday, February 14, 2013 at the age of 94. She was born June 2, 1918 in Gratiot County, MI the daughter of John and Lucy (Bensinger) Ennis and was a graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns. Viola lived in Florida for many years in and around the St. Petersburg area and worked for the City of St. Petersburg as a grounds keeper.
Surviving is a son Doug (Sherlyn) Lewis of St. Johns; grandchildren, Lori (Mike) VanAmburg of St. Johns, Kristen (Doug) Mauer of Walker, MI, Sean (Rachelle) Lewis of St. Johns; great grandchildren, Kaelie, Cameron, Adam and Ben. Viola was married to Carl Lewis and Norman Barnes and they both preceded her in death.
Cremation has taken place and there will be no services. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
Lyola Dawn Dunkel
Lyola Dawn Dunkel died Sunday, March 10, 2013 at the age of 86. She was born February 8, 1927 in Shiawassee County, MI the daughter of John Oliver and Laura Etta (Haines) Yerrick. She was a graduate of Ovid High School, Class of 1944 and attended Central Michigan College. She worked at Bendix Aviation after high school and after her children were older, worked at J.C. Penney in St. Johns for a few years and then as a secretary at the Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office for about 10 years before her retirement.
She was a former member of First Baptist Church in St. Johns and currently is a member of Elk Rapids Baptist Church in Elk Rapids, MI. Lyola was a very caring person, from sending cards to cheer someone up to making pies at Thanksgiving for the Lansing City Rescue Mission and most recently knitting hats for the newborns at Munson Medical Center. On October 19, 1946 she married her high school sweetheart, John Dunkel and he survives her.
Also surviving are her children, Dennis (Mary Ann) of Albuquerque, N.M., David (Gloria) of St. Johns, Diane (Thomas) Woodhams of Brighton and Darlene (Greg) Kirby of St. Johns; ten grandchildren and their spouses and eleven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Alberta Serr and Helen Applebee.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, March 14, 2013 at First Baptist Church 512 S. US 27 St. Johns with Pastor Gary Gladfelter of Elk Rapids Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Ovid, MI. The family will receive relatives and friends 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to ABWE Missions Donor Services P.O. Box 8585 Harrisburg, PA 17105 or City Rescue Mission 2216 S. Cedar Lansing, MI 48910.
LeOna M. Karber
LeOna M. Karber, a feisty, loving, and very classy lady left this world peacefully March 11, 2013 to join the Lord, family, and many special friends in heaven. She was born April 30, 1919 in St. Johns, Michigan the daughter of George and Vi Lettie May (Crandell)Purvis. LeOna married Joseph Karber on July 29, 1944 in St. Johns and he preceded her in death on February 18, 1984. LeOna was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, a member of the Altar Society, and a Eucharistic minister to the homebound. She was a previous member of Blue Star Mothers, the St. Johns Lions Club, and a Red Cross volunteer.
LeOna loved life, family, and friends to the fullest. She had a passion for cooking and was a restaurant owner and cook at many area establishments, including the Clinton County Jail, the Aloha Drive-In, A&W, Wheel Inn, etc. Most recently and until after the age of 90, she was employed by Tri-County Office on Aging serving meals in Ovid. Her love and spirit will live on in the hearts of all.
LeOna is survived by two stepsons, Gerald Karber and David Karber; two daughters-in- law, Donna Karber and Shirley Russell; 22 grandchildren, many great and great, great-grandchildren; her sister, Katherine Feneis; several nieces and nephews; and many, many extra-special friends. Along with her parents and husband, LeOna was preceded in death by sons, Walter “Sonny” Russell and Kenneth “Skipper” Russell; stepson, Richard Karber and two daughters-in-law, Shirley Karber and Joyce Russell; sister, Ruth Good; brother, Roy Purvis; great-grandson Brice Blackman, and several infant grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams presiding. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Osgood Funeral Home 104 East Cass St. in St. Johns on Friday from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. with vigil and rosary at 7 P.M. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to her favorite charity: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Roberto Jesus Rositas
Roberto Jesus Rositas, 64 of St. Johns, MI died March 8, 2013 peacefully surrounded by his family and close friends. Roberto was born on January 30, 1949 in St, Johns, MI the son of Antonio and Dionicia (Medina) Rositas. He graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in the class of 1967. On June 10, 1995 he married Dixa Garrod in St. Johns.
Roberto retired from Motor Wheel Corporation in Lansing and currently was employed by Barnard Manufacturing in St. Johns. He was co-owner of Home Cooking Restaurant in St. Johns for several years. He loved time with family, friends, and grandchildren. He golfed every chance he could with his golf buddies and enjoyed quiet days fishing with family and friends, listening to music and playing his guitar. Roberto was known around town as “Halloween Man”, always joking and playing pranks on everyone. All that knew him will remember his infectious smile and quick wit.
He is survived by his wife Dixa, children Tina (Kurt) Ziegler of St. Johns, Teresa (Kevin) Litwiller of Ovid and Elissa Rositas of St. Johns, MI; grandchildren Jessi (Jason) Kincaid, Brandi Ziegler, Brian, Marshal Teelander and Halie Litwiller; brothers and sisters, Olga Burk, Armando Rositas, Lidia Decker, Anita Rositas (Ken Bush) Rodolfo (Rita) Rositas, Margarita (Ken) McWilliams and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Dionicia and brother-in-law Larry Burk.
The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. Memorial services will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. with The Rev. Hugh Banninga officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Clinton County Boxing Club.
Gale L. Garner
Gale L. Garner died Friday, March 8, 2013 at the age of 70. He was born December 18, 1942 in Lakeview, MI the son of Charles and Verdean (Fountain) Garner. Gale was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a life member of V.F.W. Post # 3733. He enjoyed gardening and spending time on his tractor tilling the soil. He worked in skilled trades at General Motors, retiring in 2006 with 41 years of service and was a member of U.A.W. Local #652. On July 20, 1963 he married Betty Newhall and she survives him.
Also surviving is a daughter, Cheryl Garner and son, Darrell (Judy) Garner all of St. Johns; seven grandchildren, Heather, Travis, Gavin, Garrett, Jordan and Kyler Garner and Colter Bossel; one brother Larry (Debra) Garner of Hillsboro, OH. He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter Tracy Bossel.
The family will receive relatives and friends noon to 2:00 PM and 4:00 to 6:00PM Monday, March 11, 2013 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Military honors will be provided by V.F.W. Post # 3733. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Mid-Michigan Office, 1755 Abbey Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823.
Michael D. Johnson II
Michael D. “Mike” Johnson II, age 42, of St. Johns, MI died Thursday, March 7, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family after a very courageous battle with cancer.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns, MI, at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 9, 2013 with Pastor Russ McCoy officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday prior to the service from 11:00A.M. – 1:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
Following services Mike’s wishes were to have his body donated to the MSU Gift of Human Anatomy for the advancement of medical science.
Michael was born in Colorado Springs, CO on August 15, 1970, the son of Michael D. and Peggy (Cords) Johnson. Mike married Nancy Lynn Currie on August 10, 1996. Mike worked as a finish carpenter most of his life. He loved NASCAR racing and all sporting events. Mike liked hunting, camping and being outdoors with family and friends. He also enjoyed bowling.
Mike is survived by his wife Nancy Johnson of St. Johns, MI, 2 daughters; Sapphire Williams and fiancé Ben VanDike of East Jordan, MI, Maddi Johnson of St. Johns, MI, 2 grandsons; Blake VanDike of East Jordan, MI and Alec VanDike of North Carolina, father Michael Johnson of East Lansing, MI, mother Peggy and Clair Crippin of Oakley, MI and grandmother Charlotte Johnson of Bath, MI. He is also survived by his sister Laurie Crippin of Leslie, MI, brother Steven Johnson of Chesaning, MI, step brother Chad Crippin of Birch Run, MI, step sister Chantel and Kevin VanAtta of Elsie, MI, niece Samantha Johnson of Lansing, MI, niece Megan Crippin of Mt. Morris, MI, nephew Danny Crippin of Birch Run, MI, niece Kaitlynn Johnson of Lansing, MI, and 2 step nephews; Lucus VanAtta of Petoskey, MI and Jacob VanAtta of Bath, MI. Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lyle Johnson and Jesse and Opal Cords, uncle Mick Johnson and a niece Chara Rae Cantu.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Advantage. Online condolences can be sent to The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns, Michigan.
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