William M. Willett, Roy Arthur Swarthout, Richard L. Beachler, Jon Michael Johnson, Howard D. Flower, Mindy Leigh Rennaker, John N. Bradley, John R. Klatt, Lorna May Prichard
William M. Willett
William (Bill) M. Willett, passed away on July 15, 2013 at the age of 84. Born June 8, 1929, in Crystal Lake, MI. He was the son of Marshall and Hester (McNinch) Willett. Bill married Margie (Morgan) on April 26, 2003 and she survives him. Bill was a Veteran of the United States Army where he served in Korea. He was an avid bike rider, clock collector and loved jigsaw puzzles but most of all, he was completely devoted to his grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his wife, Margie (Morgan) Willett; five children, Debbie (Walt) Harrison, Randy (Lori) Willett, Tammi (Chris) Kostos, Kim (Todd) Feldpausch, Shad (Janelle) Morgan; six grandchildren, Christina (Ken) Johnson, Melissa Willett, Tyler (Marti) Willett, Trevor and Rebecca Feldpausch, Christian Kostos, Mallory and Mia Morgan; several great grandchildren; brother, LaVern (Maria) Willett, sister, Velma Willett, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Ann Willett, one brother, Don Willett and three sisters, Evelyn, Cordelia and Sally.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 19, 2013, with Pastor Tyler Barlage officiating at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes in Ovid. Burial will follow the service at Mt. Rest Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Friday.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Roy Arthur Swarthout
Roy Arthur Swarthout, 89, of Houghton Lake passed away on Saturday July 13, 2013 at Hazel Findley Country Manor in St. Johns.
Roy was born on October 29, 1923 in St. Johns, Michigan to Frank and Ruth(Beach) Swarthout. Roy attended Laingsburg Community School. He was at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge while serving in the Army during WW II . Roy worked as a Mechanic for many years and worked for Atlas Drop Forge in Lansing.. He was married on February 7, 1942 in Laingsburg, Michigan to Jean Smith. Roy was a life member of the St. Johns American Legion. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Surviving Mr. Swarthout are his three sons – James Roy Swarthout of Houghton Lake, Frank (Carrie) Swarthout of Petoskey, and Thomas Swarthout of Palmer, Alaska; daughter – Nancy (Paul) Florian of Lansing; several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; and sister, Shirley Smith of Laingsburg. Roy was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Jean Swarthout; three brothers, Art, Burt, and George; and four sisters, Minnie Swarthout, Beth Balcom, Linda, Nichols, and Helen Woodbury.
Funeral Services for Mr. Roy Arthur Swarthout will be conducted at 11:00 am on Saturday July 20, 2013 from Christler Funeral Home, Prudenville Chapel, with Kathy Murphy officiating. Interment will be in Crestview Cemetery, Markey Township. Visitation will be held on Friday July 19, 2013 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Christler Funeral Home, Prudenville Chapel. Memorial Contribution in memory of Roy are asked to be directed to Hospice Advantage. Christler Funeral Home, Prudenville Chapel is serving the family.
Richard L. Beachler
Richard L. “Dick” Beachler passed away July 13, 2013 at age 71. Born October 5, 1941 “just before the war” to John and Lorenia Beachler in Lansing, Michigan. Richard retired from E&L Transport Company in Dearborn, MI where he was a car hauler. He enjoyed photography and his K-9 companion, Austin. Richard liked going out to have coffee and talking with people, especially the waitresses. He was known as a jack-of-all-trades with a big heart who would do anything for anyone. Richard loved camping with his grandchildren and spending time with friends and family. He will be missed dearly by all who remember him. Preceding him in death were his wife, Kyla Beachler; nephew, Nathan Beachler and his parents.
Surviving are his daughters, Erika (John) Alvarez, Jessica (Brian) Fox, Lora (David) Spears; sons, Larry Beachler, Lyle Parker, Richard Allen Beachler; 12 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; sister, Lorenia (Erick) Richards, David (Linda) Beachler as well as several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 26, 2013 at Pilgrim United Methodist Church, 2965 W. Parks Rd. St. Johns, MI 48879. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in Richards’ name. For online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHome.com
Jon Michael Johnson
Jon Michael Johnson, age 59, of Ovid, MI died Friday, July 12, 2013. Born December 11, 1953 in Flint, MI, he was the son of Donald and Betty (Bell) Johnson. Jon served in the US Army and was a factory worker. On April 4, 1987, Jon married Jane (Wenzlick) Johnson in Corunna, MI and she survives him.
Also surviving are his children; Ryan (Renee) Soukup of Elsie, Jeremy (Kristen) Soukup of Owosso, and Nicole Johnson of Brant, MI; 4 grandchildren, Kaleigh, Parker, Mason, and Mitchell Soukup; his father, Donald Johnson; brothers, David (Michelle) Johnson, Joe Johnson; sister, Sylvia Johnson; and many nieces and nephews. Jon was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Johnson, and brother, Larry Johnson.
The family will receive friends from 1-2 PM Saturday, July 20, 2013 at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, 232 E. Oak St., Ovid, MI 48861. Memorial Services with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 PM at the Houghton Chapel. Memorial donations may be made in Jon’s honor to Hospice of Lansing, Stoneleigh Residence, 3411 Stoneleigh Dr., Lansing, MI 48910.
To learn more about Jon and view his Life Story film, please visit his personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/92619. The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Howard D. Flower
Howard Duane Flower, age 76, of Harrison, Michigan passed away on Friday, July 12, 2013 at his home in Harrison. He was born the son of Howard and Norma (Briggs) Flower on July 31, 1936 in St. Johns, Michigan. He was united in marriage to Leilani Urban on December 5, 1959 in St. Johns, Michigan. They made their home in the Harrison area. He was past Superintendent of Public Works Department and retired from the City of Harrison and also served as Undersheriff for the Clare County Sheriff Department under the direction of Sheriff Ray Lippold. Howard was also a life member of the American Legion Post #404, Clare County Voiture 767-40 et 8, and was also a past member of the Clare County Fair Board. In his spare time Howard enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family and friends. His greatest-passion was picking on his three special daughters.
He is survived by his wife, Leilani Flower of Harrison; his daughters, Jennifer (Jon) Holte, Jaclynn (Jason) Heinz, and Dyan (Joe) Wood; best friends James and Dell Martin, parents of his special daughters; a brother-in-law, Gary (Jean) Urban; his grandchildren: Jordyn, Hunter, Makenzie, Haleigh Holte, Sierra, Karesse, Ariah Heinz, and Deaglan Wood; his mother-in-law, Iladene; several nieces and nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jacqueline (Earl) Williams and father-in-law, Richard C. Urban.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. from the Stocking Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Urban officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Stocking Funeral Home in Harrison, Michigan. Military honors will be under the direction of the American Legion Post #404. Memorial contributions may be considered to Mid-Michigan Hospice or to the Freedom Park of Clare County, Clare County Veterans Services, 225 W. Main Street, Harrison, Michigan 48625. Burial will take place in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Harrison, Michigan. Arrangements were entrusted with the Stocking Funeral Home of Harrison.
Mindy Leigh Rennaker
Mindy Leigh Rennaker, DeWitt, age 45, died July 11, 2013; born August 2, 1967 in Lansing, Michigan. Mindy fought a long courageous battle with San Filippos Syndrome (MPS III) that normally takes one’s life early on. At one time she attended Walter Kyes School in St. Johns.
Surviving are her parents, Ralph and Bonnie Rennaker; brother, Chip (Wendy) Rennaker; nephews, Andrew, Maxwell and Samuel Rennaker; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and sister, Jill.
Mindy would especially want her loving caregivers at the Williamston Group Home to be recognized by all of her family and friends. Bless them all.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 15 at 1:00 p.m. at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 205 E. Washington, DeWitt, Michigan, with the Rev. Dr. Rodney J. Kalajainen officiating. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Lansing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday, July 14, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Those desiring may make contributions to the National MPS Society, P.O. Box 14686, Durham, NC 27709-4686, in memory of Mindy. Memories may be shared with the family at www.grdewitt.com
John N. Bradley
John N. Bradley died Thursday July 11, 2013 at the age of 74. He was born in Lansing, MI November 27, 1938 the son of Lyle and Esther (Conn) Bradley. John was a graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns and Ferris State University. He was a former member of the Masonic Lodge and enjoyed golfing, bowling and going to the casino. John loved life and was quite a prankster. He was a former concession manager for MSU and worked for Sears in loss prevention. John retired as collections manager from LAFCU after 30 years of service. On June 19, 1965 he married Jean Martis and she survives him.
Also surviving are daughters, Kendra (David) Line of Perry and Angelia Beals of St. Johns and grandchildren Chelsea and Erik Beals.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Monday July 15, 2013 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns with Rev. Fr. Michael Howell and Rev. Fr. Douglas Osborn officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends 2-8 PM on Sunday July 14 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns Fire Department Equipment Fund or Sparrow Clinton Hospital.
John R. Klatt
John R. Klatt, 67, passed away on July 10, 2013, at his cottage on Gordon Lake in Canada. Born September 22, 1945 in Ovid, he was the son of Adolph and Dorothy (Zoellner) Klatt. John married Terry (Berry) Klatt in Corunna, MI on April 12, 1969 and she survives him.
John is also survived by two sons, Russell (Bonnie) Klatt of Bannister, Kevin (Heather) Klatt of Laingsburg, grandchildren, Kelsey (Chris) Adams, Trent Mizer, Trevor Klatt, Wyatt Klatt, two great grandchildren, one brother, Leonard (Elaine) Klatt, one sister, Mary, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Willard Klatt and sister, Gloria Wrigglesworth.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday July 14, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes in Ovid with cremation to follow. Memorial donations may be made in John’s honor, to the Ronald McDonald House. To learn more about John and to view his Life Story film, please visit his personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/92572
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Lorna May Prichard
Lorna May Prichard, 90 of St. Johns died on Thursday, July 11, 2013 at Hazel Findlay Country Manor. Lorna was born on January 13, 1923 in Shiawassee County, MI the daughter of Milo C. and Nellie M. (Swarthout) Munson. She married Leo J. Prichard in Angola, IN on Oct. 10, 1949 and he preceded her in death in 1993. Lorna was a homemaker.
She is survived by their children Terry (Tammy) Prichard of Fowler, MI; Robert (Cheryl) Prichard of St. Johns, MI and Sharon Klumpp of Elwell, MI; 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Deb Harris and a grandson, Alden Klumpp.
There will be no services. Arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home.
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