Lucas Christian Shelton, Lyle M. Hynes, Hal Rice, Jeremy Frederick Lewis, Joyce A. Trefil, Joan P. (Aungst) Davis, J. Versil Baese, Lewis C. Baese
Lucas Christian Shelton
Lucas Christian Shelton, 34, of Christchurch, England died December 3, 2013. He was born August 27, 1979 in Lansing Michigan to Marie (Anglim) and Brent Foster Shelton.
Lucas graduated from St. Johns High School in 1998. He attended college at the University of Detroit Mercy where he was a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. He graduated from Michigan State University in 2003. He worked in marketing and advertising in the Ann Arbor and Detroit area before moving to the United Kingdom. In 2009 he married Richard Pockett in Bournemouth, England.
In addition to Richard, Lucas will be lovingly missed by his father, Brent, and stepmother Mary of St. Johns, MI, brother Brent II (Becky) of Westland, MI, sisters; Stephanie Shelton of Ovid, MI, and Bridgette Shelton of Phoenix, AZ, numerous loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and many dear friends. Lucas was preceded in death by his mother Marie Therese, sister Meghan, grandparents; John and Agnes Shelton and James and Ruth Anglim.
Luke will be remembered by many for his gentle spirit and the joy he brought to all who knew him. He endeared himself to people with his sincerity and his dedication. He had the ability to tell a great story highlighted by his crooked smile, rapier wit, and an infectious laughter. He had love for travel that was quite surprising as he was directionally challenged to the point that he frequently called to get directions back to his college campus as a senior.
The family will have a Visitation on Friday December 27, 2013 from 4 – 8 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:30 at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. December 28, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns. Interment will be at Mount Rest Cemetery in St. Johns. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic School in St. Johns. Online condolences can be sent to The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns, Michigan.
Lyle M. Hynes
Lyle M. Hynes, age 92, of St. Johns, MI passed away Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at his home.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Lowe United Methodist Church on Monday, December 23, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating.
Lyle was born in Lansing, Michigan on January 23, 1921, the son of Orville and Lovella (Fowler) Hynes. Lyle married Marbeth Capen on November 4, 1942 in Gratiot County, MI. Lyle served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corp. during WWII. Lyle enjoyed woodworking, playing cards, baseball, reading and horseshoes. Lyle and Marbeth liked to winter in Florida. He was a farmer and had a huge raspberry patch and shared them with everyone in the area. He was a member of the Lowe United Methodist Church and sang in the choir.
He is survived by daughter Judy and Larry Paksi of St. Johns, MI, sons; James and Pam Hynes of Crestview, FL, Daniel and Jonni Hynes of Fontana, CA, David and Janice Hynes of Auburn Hills, MI, granddaughters; Kelly Otten of Tucson, AZ, Lori Williams of Dallas, TX, Stacey and Mike Blizzard of DeWitt, MI, grandsons; Aaron and Arcelia Hynes of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Dustin and Tracy Hynes of Upland, CA, great grandchildren Melissa William, Nathaniel Williams, Nichole Carlson, Alexander Carlson, Erich Windrich, Amelia Hynes, Ryan Wheeler, and Ella, brother Claude Hynes and sister Norma Cook. Lyle was preceded in death by his wife Marbeth, his parents, 3 sisters, and 4 brothers.
Memorials may be made to Lowe United Methodist Church or Sparrow Clinton Hospice. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns, Michigan.
Hal Rice
Hal Rice, the most interesting man in the world, was welcomed home by Jesus on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 in true Kiwanian fashion at 7:07p.m. Hal was born to Jack and Marguerite Rice on February 21, 1951. He was an active member of the St. Johns community, endlessly giving time to his beloved local Kiwanis Club. No matter where Hal called home he was known as the most kind-hearted, determined and loving man. He loved making people’s day, whether it be with a plate of cookies for the girls at Katie’s work, a smile for his bank ladies, a visit with elderly loved ones, or a quick one-liner to garner a laugh at a luncheon.
Hal was married for 32 years to Sally, the love of his life. He is survived by her as well as their two daughters Jackie Rice and Katie (Jay) Eccleton, three granddaughters, Allison, Mackenzie and Isabella Eccleton; sister, Sally Reynolds and brother, David (Alison) Rice. He will also be greatly missed by his nieces Liza Farrell, Veronica Reynolds and Hayley Rice, his nephew Jamie Reynolds, his great nephew Patrick Farrell and many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his father and mother-in-law, Hugh and Florence DePaulis.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 14, 2013 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns with Pastor Tyler Barlage officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends 6-8 p.m. Thursday and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Johns Kiwanis 707.
Jeremy Frederick Lewis
Jeremy Frederick Lewis of Montague, age 64, passed away Thursday, December 5, 2013 at Mercy Hospital. He was born August 20, 1949 in St. Johns, MI to Frederick and Helen (Anderson) Lewis. Following graduation from St. Johns High School in 1967, he attended Alma College and Michigan State University and later received a Masters Degree in Education from Western Michigan University. He began his career teaching at Reeths Puffer Schools and for the past 22 years, taught at Shelby Public Schools until his retirement in 2010. Jeremy was an accomplished bagpiper, an avid sailor and played in several golf, dart and pool leagues.
He is survived by: two sons, Andrew F. (Michelle Morrall) of Tucson, AZ and Michael D. Lewis of Montague, MI; one grandson, Jamison Frederick Lewis; his father, Frederick (Lee) Lewis of Fruitport; his mother, Helen (Charlie) Huntington of Petoskey, MI; two sisters, Maureen (Dale) Scott of Harbor Springs and Linda (Bob) Williams of Newberry, MI; and his friend and companion, Joy Hamilton of New Era, MI. He was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Cullity.
A Celebration of Jeremy’s life will be held at a later date next spring. As a tribute to Jeremy, memorial contributions may be made to Mediation and Restorative Services, 27 E. Clay o Muskegon, MI 49442 or Harbor Hospice. Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsma Funeral Homes, 6291 S. Harvey St.
Joyce A. Trefil
Joyce A. Trefil, age 74, died on December 9, 2013. She was born on October 19, 1939 in Hazard, KY, the daughter of Dennis and Nettie Combs. She married Danney Trefil on August 6, 1966 and he preceded her in death on February 23, 2003. Joyce attended St. Johns First Baptist Church.
Surviving are her children, Tammy (Mike) Underwood of St. Johns, Daniel Trefil of Las Vegas and Shawn (Jennifer) Trefil of Perrinton, 5 grandchildren, Joshua and Jacob Underwood and Ryan, Anthony and Julia Trefil, 2 sisters, 3 sisters in law, 4 brothers in law and many nieces and nephews. Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 13, 2013 at Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns, with Pastor Tim Knaus officiating, burial to follow at Fulton Twp., Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.
To learn more about Joyce and view her Life Story film, visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/96016.
Joan P. (Aungst) Davis
Joan P. (Aungst) Davis, age 81, of Maple Rapids, MI died Saturday, December 7, 2013. Born August 15, 1932 to Ernest and Ilene (Kellogg) Auer, Joan worked at Federal Mogul for 31 years. She married Tom Aungst and he preceded her in death in 1976. Joan later married Basil Davis on May 6, 1983 and he survives her.
Also surviving are her sons, Tom Davis of Ithaca and Scott (Deb) Davis of St. Louis, MI; 13 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and 13 great great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Marvia Nemetz, Dorothy (Randy) White, and Thelma Auer; and many nieces and nephews. Joan was preceded in death by her first husband, Tom Aungst; her parents; daughters, Connie (Dan) Eyer and Della Lalonde; sister, Betty (Winifred) Mabie; and brothers, Walter Auer, Sr., Larry Auer, Henry (Patricia) Nemetz, Jr., and William Nemetz.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns, MI with Scott Nemeth officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-8 PM Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of American Michigan Chapter, 1174 James Savage Rd., Midland, MI 48640-5651.
J. Versil Baese
J. Versil Baese, age 90, of Elsie, MI passed away Friday, December 6, 2013 at his home.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 10:30 A.M., with Pastor Ralph Parkin officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery Elsie, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 9, 2013 from 2-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
Versil was the first born of Onas and Thelma (Doten) Baese in Elsie, Michigan on May 27, 1923. He graduated from Elsie High School with the class of 1941. On February 29, 1952 he married Shirley Lockwood in Elsie, Michigan.
Versil worked for the U.S. Post office and in 1961 he was appointed by John F. Kennedy as the Postmaster, serving 32 years. He served in the US Army on Kiska Island and in Italy with the 10th Mountain Division, medical battalion. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He served as a volunteer coordinator for the Office on Aging serving the Meals on Wheels Program for 23 years. He and Shirley have enjoyed traveling all 50 states and three memorial trips to Italy with the 10th Mountain Division. He resided all of his life in Elsie, Michigan. Versil was the last charter member of American Legion Post 502 and the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division. He attended Elsie Baptist Church, Elsie, MI.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley Baese of Elsie, MI, daughter Geri and Tom Hallin of Howell, MI, 2 grandchildren; Rebecca Hallin, and Timothy Hallin, great grandchild Layla Hallin, sisters; Mary Lou Hanold, Onalee Austin, Diane and Richard Bates, brothers; Eldon Baese, Gale and Marci Baese, Merle and Carol Baese, Richard and Linda Baese, Owen Baese, and sister in law Dorothy Baese. He was predeceased by his parents, and brothers; Robert, Raymond, infant brother Bryce, and his brother Lewis who died about 3 hours after Versil.
Memorials may be made to Elsie Public Library. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, Michigan.
Lewis C. Baese
Lewis C. Baese, age 83, of Elsie, Michigan, died Friday, December 6, 2013 at his home.
Funeral Services will be held at Elsie United Methodist Church Elsie, MI on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 12:00 P.M. with Dr. Donald Ferris-McCann officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 9, 2013 from 2-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI.
Lewis was born in Elsie, Michigan on December 1, 1930, the son of Onas Penn and Thelma Irene (Doten) Baese. He attended Elsie High School and graduated with the class of 1948. On November 12, 1955 he married Dorothy Ann Kurka at the Elsie Baptist Church. He served his country in the US Army in Korea. Lewie retired from Johnson Controls in Owosso after 421/2 years of service. He is one of nine boys that served in the Military, which is a national record. Lewie retired from Elsie Fire Department after serving for 25 years. He was an organizer of the Elsie Little League, and men’s slow pitch softball. He was a member of Elsie United Methodist Church, Elsie, Michigan.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy Baese of Elsie, MI, daughter Lisa and Tim Bolton of Charlevoix, MI, son Kirk and Rosemary Baese of Ovid, MI, 4 grandchildren; Onas and Carrie Bolton, Quinn Bolton, Ryan and Jessica Baese, Breanna and Branden Recker, 5 great grandchildren; Piper, Jack, Charlotte, Darby, Lydia, 3 sisters; Mary Lou Hanold, Onalee Austin, Diane and Richard Bates, 4 brothers; Eldon Baese, Gale and Marcella Baese, Merle and Carol Baese, Richard and Linda Baese, Owen Baese, and sister in law Shirley Baese. He was predeceased by his parents, and 4 brothers; Robert, Raymond, infant brother Bryce, and his brother J. Versil who died about 3 hours before Lewis.
Memorials may be made to American Legion Post 502 or Ovid Elsie Community Foundation. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, Michigan.
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