Max Leroy Shinabery, Carol A. Spencer, Jacquelyn M. Parker, Carolyn D. Spitzley, Charles R. “Dick” Rees, Robert George Shapley Jr.
Max Leroy Shinabery
Max Leroy Shinabery, age 84, of St. Johns, MI passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at his home.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2015 from 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns, MI. Burial will take place at Eureka Cemetery, Eureka, MI.
Max was born in St. Johns, Michigan on January 4, 1931, the son of Carson and Eva (Matthews) Shinabery. Max graduated from St. Johns High School in 1948. He went on to attend Lansing Business University. Max married Christina Wick in 1950. Max liked to play bridge, golf, and fish. He enjoyed wildlife. Max was a General Foreman at General Motors and he retired in 1984 after 35 years of service. He served his country in the United States Army.
He is survived by his wife Christina Shinabery of St. Johns, MI, daughter Patrice and Brian Canney of Portage, MI, daughter Susanne Higgins of Bellingham, WA, grandchildren Megan and Jacob Van Order of Chicago, IL, Kristen and John Noble of Vicksburg, MI, Bjorn Tovsrud of Bellingham, WA, Brooke Higgins of Portland, OR, Crystal Higgins of Bellingham, WA, and 3 great grandchildren. He is also survived by 1 sister Mary Beth Henning of St. Johns, MI, 2 brothers; Kent and Joyce Shinabery of St. Johns, MI, Bob and Sue Ann Shinabery of Rainbow Lake, MI., and several nieces and nephews. Max was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice Advantage 801 S. Waverly Road, Suite 200, Lansing, MI 48917. Online condolences can be sent to The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns, Michigan.
Carol A. Spencer
Carol A. Spencer, age 75, went home to be with the Lord after a long hard battle with cancer on February 9, 2015 in Lansing, Michigan. Carol was born April 14, 1939 in Lansing, the daughter of Kenton and Doris (Billeter) Bissonette. She was married to Delbert P. Spencer, Jr for 35 years and he survives her.
Carol is also survived by five children, Mark (Pauline) Singer of Carriere, MS, Christine (Tim) Simpson of Laingsburg, MI, Terie (Greg) Smith of Holt, MI, Julie (Hugh) Brayton of Mason, MI and Leon (Shirley) Manko of West Palm Beach, FL; eighteen grandchildren; five great grandchildren; one sister, Marilyn (Larry) Sehlke; one brother, Randall (Chris) Bissonette and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter Cari Jones.
A celebration of her life will be held in the spring, when the flowers are in full bloom.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Jacquelyn M. Parker
Jacquelyn M. Parker (Gerling), 86, of St. Johns, retired Title Insurance Co. clerk, passed away on Sunday February 8, 2015 She was born in Muskegon, MI on August 9, 1928.
She will be greatly missed by her family; loving husband of 64 years, Rush Parker, sons Kent Parker and wife Kim, Todd Parker and wife Amy, daughter Lori Welton and husband Robert: grandchildren, Jill Davis and husband Aaron, Michael Welton and wife Linda, and Ron Parker and her four great grandchildren, Alyssa, Aiden, Ava and Olivia.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns, MI
Carolyn D. Spitzley
Carolyn D. Spitzley, our Mom, one of God’s most loving and giving creations died peacefully on Wednesday, February 4, 2015, at the age of 80. She was born July 25, 1934 in St. Johns, MI the daughter of Irving and Dorothy (Fitzpatrick) Eaton. She was blessed with numerous talents including playing the piano and organ, sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking/baking, gardening, a wonderful sense of humor, and a profound empathy for anyone in need. Her never-ending generosity benefited many. And oh, what a smile! With Mom every tear was wiped away and replaced with a kiss, every injury soothed by her tender care, every request for help never, ever denied.
Grandchildren were her total delight and almost anything was allowed at Grandma’s house. Hugs, cookies (lots), crafts, music, games and so much more were given that the grandkids often did not want to leave. She was the Queen of Halloween and also enjoyed the entire Christmas season. Mom loved the water and putting her toes in the sand, the simple things in life gave her the most joy. Carolyn was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns and was the organist at St. Mary Catholic Church in Westphalia for many years. She was a former Girl Scout Leader, taught piano, and was a library assistant at both the Bement and Briggs Public Libraries in St. Johns and was an active member of the St. Johns Lioness Club.
Surviving are her children, Jo Lynn (Kevin) Wendling, Jayne Schafer, Jeanne (Mike) Klaver, Judy (Rich) Childers, Jeff (Nicole) Spitzley, Janelle (Greg) Paksi and Jennifer (James) Padilla; 22 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; four sisters, Joan (Bernard) Jorae, Rosemary (William) McCarthy, Sharon Eaton (Ing Ragoonan) and Betsy (Gary) Lehman. She was preceded in death by a great granddaughter, Lucy-Grace and a sister Priscilla Schutzenhofer.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 AM Monday, February 9, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 Linden St. Johns with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams as Celebrant. Visitation and reminiscing will be 2:00 to 8:00 PM Sunday, February 8, 2015 with a vigil service at 7:00 PM at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to St. Johns Lioness Club P.O. Box 454 St. Johns, MI 48879 or the Alzheimer’s Association 2111 University Park Dr., Suite 200 Okemos, MI 48864. The family would like to extend our most sincere thanks to the loving staff at A Ewing Country Estates AFC and Great Lakes Hospice who took such great care of Mom.
Charles R. “Dick” Rees
Charles R. “Dick” Rees, age 88, died February 6, 2015 in Ovid, Michigan. Dick was born June 5, 1926 in Holly, Michigan the son of John and Beryl (Miller) Rees. He married Louise Walimaki on March 19, 1949 and she survives him.
Dick is also survived by his sons, Richard (Kathy) Rees of Beaverton, Michigan and James (Martha) Rees of Lexington, Illinois and his daughter, Mary Ann Lyons (Tammy Logan) of Ovid, Michigan; seven grandchildren, Katherine (Matthew) Roedel, Jessica (Bryan) Partaka, Jason (Samantha) Witer, Jazmyne and Jiayi Rees and Daniel and Elizabeth Rees; two great-grandchildren, Reagan and Joselyn and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert Rees.
Funeral services will take place at 11:00 am, Monday, February 9, 2015 at St. Philip Lutheran Church, 219 West Oliver Street, Owosso, Michigan with Pastor Brian Heidt officiating. The family will receive family and friends Sunday, February 8, 2015 from 2:00–4:00 pm and 6:00–8:00 pm at the Houghton Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes in Ovid.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lutheran Social Service of Michigan, Dept 771048, P.O. Box 77000, Detroit, Michigan 48277-1048 or Heartland Hospice, 6211 Taylor Drive, Flint, Michigan 48507-4665.
The family is served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Robert George Shapley Jr.
Robert George Shapley Jr., 60, of St. Johns, died Wednesday.
Memorial services 1 p.m. Saturday at Church of the Living Word, Ovid. Arrangements by Swanson Funeral Home, Flint.
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