Theodore “Wade” Kvalevog, Wayne K. Ward, Beth Brewbaker, Lela M. Mahar, Helena M. Burk, Arselia S. Ensign, Maxine L. VanSice, George A. Champagne
Theodore “Wade” Kvalevog
Theodore “Wade” Kvalevog of Ovid, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at his home. Wade went home to be with the Lord at the age of 56. He was well loved and will truly be missed by all who knew him.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor Eric Numerich officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 6, 2013 from 4-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
Wade was born in Marlette, MI on October 31, 1957, the son of Henry and Mary Kvalevog. He graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School with the class of 1975. Wade married Debra Bancroft on November 14, 1981. Wade worked for Green Meadows Farm from 1971 – 2000. He then worked as a Security Guard. He was active in Girl Scouts for many years and received the Green Angel Award. Wade participated in the Ithaca Kuntry Kuszins, and the Elsie Town Twirlers Square Dance Clubs. He loved camping and farming. Wade attended Life in Christ Christian Church, Owosso, MI.
He is survived by his wife Debra Kvalevog of Ovid, MI, 4 children; Stephanie Eagle of DeWitt, MI, Tedd Kvalevog of Ovid, Angella and Noelani Kvalevog, 9 siblings; Robert (Sharon) Kvalevog of Hubert, NC, Thomas Kvalevog of Southgate, MI, Larry (Karen) Kvalevog of NM, Lori (Barry) Hardwick of Nahma, MI, Meri (Mark) McGinnis of Elsie, MI, Joye (Bill) Tower of Lansing, MI, Steven (Fiorela) Kvalevog of Arlington, VA, Kara (James) Vines of Flint, MI, Doug (Jessica) Kvalevog of St. Johns, MI, 4 brothers in law; Stephen (Becky) Bancroft of Jackson, MI, Philip Bancroft of GA, William Bancroft of Jackson, MI, Scott Bancroft of Gillettes Lake, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Mary Kvalevog, in laws Philip (Ella) Bancroft, 3 siblings; Christina, John and Tina Kvalevog, and sister in law Marlene Kvalevog.
Memorials may be made to the family. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, Michigan.
Wayne K. Ward
Wayne K. “Bud” Ward, went to be with his Lord on December 1, 2013 at the age of 89. He was born on April 22, 1924 in Allegan, MI, the son of Homer and Bertha (Chase) Ward. Wayne was a WWII Veteran serving as an Aviation Cadet in the Army of the U.S., a member of the American Legion Post #153 of St. Johns, MSU Alumni Assoc., American Society of Professional Engineers and the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers. He married Helen Mayer on May 10, 1950 and she preceded him in death on February 24, 2009.
Surviving him are his children, Wendy Ward of St. Johns, William Scott (Jeri) Ward of Tucson, AZ, 5 grandchildren, Todd, Nicholas, Kaelyn, Dylan and Sarah, many nieces and nephews, brother in law, Stan (Dottie) Sylwestrak, sister in law, Sue (Milo) Bernardon and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Helen, 3 sons, James, John and Stephen Ward and sister, Maureen Sylwestrak.
Memorial Services will be held at a later date. Contributions may be made in Wayne’s name to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. of MI.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Beth Brewbaker
Beth Brewbaker, age 94, passed away on November 30, 2013. She was born in St. Johns Michigan, the daughter of Howard and Belle (Harper) Love. Beth taught school for many years at Alaiedon Schools. She loved bird watching, walking through her woods and playing with her dog.
She is survived by her daughter Marlene Brewbaker, son, Kevin (Deborah) Brewbaker; three grandchildren, Douglas, Marlena, and Sheila; nine great grandchildren: and sister, Margaret (Malcolm) Williams. Beth was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell Brewbaker on April 6, 2007.
The family will receive visitors at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home Williamston Chapel, 205 E. Middle St. Williamston, MI 48895 from 12:00pm-1:00pm on Wednesday Dec. 4, 2013 with Funeral Services following at 1:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Ingham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 266, Ionia, MI 48846, or Lansing City Rescue mission, 607 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing, MI 48912 in memory of Beth.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.grwilliamston.com
Lela M. Mahar
Lela M. Mahar, of St. Johns, died November 30, 2013 at the age of 88. She owned and operated Mahar Grocery Store in Pompeii, MI and was a member of Rebekah Lodge #139. On June 17, 1944 Lela married Gordon L. Mahar and he preceded her in death in 2010.
Surviving are her children; Pamela (Brian) Sievert of Perrinton, MI, Arthur (Deborah) Mahar of Belding, MI, and Kayle (Kendra) Mahar of Kincheloe, MI; 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and 8 nieces and nephews. Including her husband, Gordon, Lela was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Thelma Hummel.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass Street, St. Johns, MI. The family will receive friends from 10 AM to 12 noon Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, 132 W Spruce St., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.
To learn more about Lela and view her Life Story film, visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/95742. The family is being served by Osgood Funeral Homes.
Helena M. Burk
Helena M. Burk of St. Johns, MI died Friday, November 29, 2013 at the age of 97. Born in Wheeler, MI, August 2, 1916, she was the daughter of William and Lora (Morgan) Bobier and lived in St. Johns before moving to Florida. She was a member of St. Johns Radiant Chapter Eastern Star #79 serving as Past Matron and was retired from Clinton County Register of Probate. Helena married R.G. Burk on April 3, 1931 and he preceded her in death April 16, 1935. She married R.G.’s brother, Harold Burk on July 2, 1938 and he also preceded her in death.
Surviving are her daughter, Lois Perry of Ovid, three grandchildren, David (Marcia) Burk of Frankenmuth, Suzanne (Mark) Shenkel of Bryant, Ohio, & Tammy (Mike Rowley) Perry of Ovid, and six great grandchildren, Benjamin (Jennifer) Schueller, Joshua (Charity) Shenkel, Holly Schueller, Heather (Brad) Torrey, Derek Burk, and Chelsea Burk; and 11 great great grandchildren. She also survived by two brothers-in-law; Rex Reynolds and Merlin (Betty) Burk. Helena was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; daughter, Patricia Burk; grandson, John Perry; siblings, Chauncey Bobier, Luella McKee, Mable Langenfeld; Kenneth Wilson, Keith Wilson, Eunice Reynolds, Jack Wilson, and Herb Wilson; and two sons-in-law, Robert Burk and Lawrence Perry.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass Street, St. Johns, MI 48879, burial at Eureka Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 PM Monday, December 2, 2013 and from 10-11 AM Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice, 1321 S. Linden Road, Suite B, Flint, MI 48532; Pittsburgh Methodist Church; or First Baptist Church of Ovid, 301 S. Main Street, Ovid, MI 48866.
To learn more about Helena and view her Life Story film, visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/95737. The family is being served by Osgood Funeral Homes.
Arselia S. Ensign
Arselia S. Ensign, 94, of St. Johns, MI, formerly of Bannister, MI passed away on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at Ashley Care Center in Ashley, MI. Funeral Services will take place on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 12:00 P.M. at the Bannister United Methodist Church, Bannister, MI. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery in Gratiot County, MI.
Dr. Arselia Sehler Ensign was born as Arselia Marie Block in Indianola, Illinois, on June 10, 1919, to Edgar William and Marie Anna (Schweiger) Block. Upon receiving her BA from U. Illinois in 1941, she began teaching English at the Indianola Community High School. An interest in special education led her to complete a Masters at U. Michigan in 1946.
Arselia went on to develop special ed programs for high school students in Lansing and Grand Rapids, MI. While in Grand Rapids, she met and married John Phillip Sehler on June 23, 1956. After his death in Aug. 31, 1962, she decided to focus on further studies. She earned a Ph.D. from Michigan State U. in 1969.
In 1968 she joined the Michigan Department of Education as consultant for programs for the physically and visually handicapped. Arselia was instrumental in founding in 1973 the Physically Impaired Association of Michigan (PIAM), followed by two technology centers located in Lansing and St. Johns, MI. She worked 50 years as a teacher and administrator.
She met Albert “Corky” Ensign on a flight. They married on Aug. 26, 1973. She moved to his farm in Bannister, MI. She developed skills in writing poetry and in oil painting. Other abiding interests include the Bannister United Methodist Church, where her funeral will be held, her pets and the cause of animal welfare. Corky died in 2006.
Arselia is survived by her stepchildren; Larry and Orean Ensign of Holt, MO; David Ensign of Flagstaff, AZ; Linda Tribley of Bannister, MI; Elizabeth Elliott of Colorado Springs, CO; Cathy and Duane Hampton of Portage, MI; 15 step grandchildren; 15 step great grandchildren; 6 special nieces; and 2 special nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bannister United Methodist Church. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, 221 E. Main Street, Elsie MI 48831.
Maxine L. VanSice
Maxine L. VanSice, 89 of Ovid died on November 27, 2013 at Royston Ridge Adult Foster Care in Grand Ledge. Maxine was born on April 13, 1924 in Grand Ledge the daughter of Earl and Margaret (Taylor) Ruff. She graduated from Ovid High School and later married Robert VanSice on May 26, 1945. She was a homemaker and had been active in the Ovid Acme Society.
She is survived by her son Jim (Michelle) VanSice of Owosso, daughters Marilee (Wayne “Skip”) Neal of Grand Ledge and Lynn Ann (James) Weldon of North Carolina; grandchildren, Jennifer and Chuck Kelly, Todd Neal, Lindsey Neal, Zachary VanSice and Larissa VanSice and 4 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, daughter Roberta VanEffen, sister Kay Barton and brother Richard Ruff.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Ovid on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Tuesday December 3, 2013, 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. with a Rosary service at 7:30 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to Royston Ridge Adult Foster Care, 10216 N. Royston Rd., Grand Ledge, MI 48834 or the charity of the donor’s choice.
George A. Champagne
George A. Champagne died Sunday, November 24, 2013 at the age of 88. He was born July 19, 1925 in Harrisville, MI the son of Nelson and Marion Glendolia (Weir) Champagne. George served in the Navy during WWII and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Michigan State University. He is a retired United States Postal Service employee with 28 years of service and a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers.
Surviving are his children, Ann (Jim) McDaniel of Lees Summit, MO, Dawn Jones of Columbia, TN, Al (Shelley) of East Lansing, MI, Paul (Margy) of Ripley, MI, Joe (Betty) of Laingsburg, MI, Jim and John both of Bremerton, WA. Also surviving are several grandchildren; one sister, Lois Foster of PA and two brothers, Charles and Bob Champagne both of Harrisville, MI.
Following his wishes there will be no services. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns, MI.
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