James P. Jorae, Rev. Robert E. Prange, Marvin V. English, Rolland Ross Epps
James P. Jorae
James P. Jorae, 68 of St. Johns, MI died at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 after a brief illness. He was born on January 4, 1947 in St. Johns the son of Gerald and Beatrice (Motz) Jorae. Jim was a 1965 graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School, and was a farmer. On August 28, 1970 he married Jennifer Goetze in St. Johns. He was a carrier for the US Postal Service from which he retired. He was currently Supervisor for Greenbush Township, and had served on Clinton Area Ambulance Board, was a volunteer for the 4-H, 3rd degree Knights of Columbus, member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, loved farming, his family, watching birds and his dog, Pepe. He was also Conservationist of the Year in 2009. He was also a member of The Farm Service Agency Board.
He is survived by his wife Jennifer, daughters, Jackie Moore and Janelle (Jeremy) Ritter; grandchildren, Krista Brianne Moore and Joslynn and Sophia Ritter, sister Christine (Nick) Kurncz all of St. Johns. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Oliver and George and son-in-law Scott Moore.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams as celebrant. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery in St. Johns. The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Friday, February 20, 2015, 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. A Vigil service will be held at 7:00 P.M. Friday evening. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph School Scholarship Fund or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Rev. Robert E. Prange
Rev. Robert E. Prange, affectionately known as “Pastor Bob”, 85, of St. Johns, MI entered the gates of heaven on February 18, 2015, following an extended illness.
Born in a farmhouse to William Henry and Clara Elizabeth (Herbruck) Prange on January 20, 1930, in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Pastor Bob graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School in 1948 and went on to graduate from Piedmont Bible College in Winston Salem, NC in 1954 with a Bachelor of Theology (THB) degree.
On July 25, 1954, Pastor Bob, with his family and the work ethic nurtured on that Ohio farm both in tow, began a journey that would have a positive, lasting impact on St. Johns, Clinton County and beyond. Building on a Sunday School started by his cousin Harry Herbruck Jr. and a missionary, Burl Rood, Pastor Bob started what grew to become Grove Bible Church. His vision and dedication to Christian education eventually led to the creation of Grove Christian School in 1973.
Pastor Bob loved people and had a compassionate heart for both youth and adults. Both foreign and home missions were a large part of his personal life and teaching ministry, so he started Pastor Bob’s Ministry (“PBM”) for the purpose of creating a source for funding the special needs of missions and missionaries in their respective fields of service. A memorial fund for “PBM” has been established to continue this ministry.
Pastor Bob is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia Darlene (Cochran) Prange, his children, R. Byron (Lianne) Prange of St. Johns, MI and Bethany Faith (Brad) Buser of San Diego, CA, 8 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and a brother William Prange Jr. of Stow, OH. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Lois Allphin and Jane Woods.
A service of celebration will be held at Grove Bible Church, 6990 E. Price Rd., St. Johns, MI, on Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 2 p.m. with Pastor Larry Smith officiating. Calling hours will also be at Grove Bible Church on Friday, February 20th from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, February 21st from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., and on Sunday one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to “PBM” through Grove Bible Church and/or Great Lakes Hospice.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Marvin V. English
Marvin V. English, age 87, of Ashley, MI passed away Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Laurels of Fulton, Perrinton, MI.
A Memorial Service will be held at Pompeii United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 12:00 P.M. with Pastor Bill Dye officiating.
Marvin was born in Ashley, Michigan on June 6, 1927, the son of Laurence and Elva (Wagner) English. He graduated from Fulton Township High School with the class of 1945. Marvin served in the US Army as an MP stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Marvin married Mary Jane Hnetynka on October 22, 1949 in St. Johns, MI. He was a lifelong resident of Washington Township, where he was born and raised in the farmhouse where he still resided. Marvin had worked for Randolph’s Redi Mix in St. Johns for 20 years, State of Michigan DOT, and farmed all of his life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding his four wheeler. He loved his family, and enjoyed being with friends.
Marvin is survived by his wife Mary Jane English of Ashley, MI, son Tim and Lisa English of Perrinton, MI, daughter Gay Lynn and Chuck English-Humble of Sahuarita, AZ, 3 grandchildren; Scott and Stacee English of Nashville, MI, Alex English of Montgomery, AL, Spencer English of Salt Lake City, UT, 2 great granddaughters; Anna and Aubree English, sister Jean Matyjasik of Green Valley, AZ, sister in law Sally Hnetynka of Perrinton, MI, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother in law Ted.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.
Rolland Ross Epps
Rolland Ross Epps, age 73, of St. Johns, Michigan passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Sparrow Clinton Hospital, St. Johns, Michigan.
A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns, MI on Monday, February 16, 2015 at 3:00 P.M. Visitation will be held on Monday February 16, 2015 from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service. Burial will take place at Eureka Cemetery in the spring.
Rolland was born in Shobonier, Illinois on June 1, 1941, the son of James Epps and Margaret Hassebroch. He graduated from Portland High School. Ron married Sherry (Vallance) October 9, 1971 in Lansing, Michigan. Ron worked as a tin smith at Oldsmobile and retired after 45 years of service. Ron loved fishing and old fashioned cars. He liked to create things out of wood and metal. He was a member of the St. Johns VFW. He served his country in the United States Army. Ron was a family man, wonderful husband and helpful to others.
He is survived by his wife Sherry Epps of St. Johns, MI; 3 daughters Jennifer Forbes and Joe Fabus of Elsie, MI; Andrea Carfagno of St. Johns, MI; Alicia and Cary Feldpausch of St. Johns, MI; grandchildren; Scott Forbes, Jr. Michael Forbes, Michael Carfagno, Gabriel Carfagno, Erica Feldpausch, Sydney Feldpausch, Leah Feldpausch, 1 great granddaughter Victoria Forbes, brother, Less and Pat Epps of Portland, MI; sister, Florence Alldaffer of Lansing, MI; sister, Lois Houch of Lansing, MI; sister in law, Lola and Quent Scannell of Highland, MI; brother in law, Gary and Amy Vallance of Dewitt, MI; sister in law Jo Ann and Lee Esch of Alabama. He was preceded by his parents, in laws, Pete and Rose Vallance, 1 brother, James Epps and 1 brother in law, Darwin Alldaffer.
Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns, Michigan.
.
For obituaries published before January, 2009 please click here.
At the bottom of that page you will find an index to obituaries dating back to July, 1989.