{"id":21937,"date":"2011-04-07T20:39:05","date_gmt":"2011-04-08T00:39:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/miserybay.usanethosting.com\/wordpress\/?p=21937"},"modified":"2011-04-07T20:39:05","modified_gmt":"2011-04-08T00:39:05","slug":"obituaries-102","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/obituaries-102\/","title":{"rendered":"Obituaries"},"content":{"rendered":"

Edward Joseph Swanchara, Erik A. Ferden, Gerald Clayton Carroll, Georgene Acker Hecht, Orville J. Sillman, Robert D. Litwiller, Maxine A. Ernst, Maryann S. Fero
\nEdward Joseph Swanchara<\/strong>
\nEdward Joseph Swanchara, age 74, of Bannister, MI passed away Monday, April 4, 2011 at his home.
\nFuneral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie Chapel Elsie, MI on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 1:00 P.M., Mr. Thomas Bradley will officiate. Burial will follow at Ford Cemetery Gratiot County, MI. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 from 2-8 with family present 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie Chapel Elsie, MI.
\nEdward was born in St. Johns, Michigan on December 22, 1936, the son of Stephen and Katherine (Sipka) Swanchara. On May 18, 1955 Edward married Margaret Ann Ryan in St. Johns, Michigan. Ed worked for General Motors in Lansing for 28 years retiring in 1991. He enjoyed spending time in Florida and he like to attend tractor pulls and pulling his tractors. Ed also enjoyed playing cards. He resided most of his life in St. Johns, Ashley & Bannister area. He was a member of Mid Michigan Gas Tractor Association.
\nHe is survived by his wife Margaret Swanchara of Bannister, MI, 3 daughters; Kathy and Randy Wang of Ashley, MI, Brenda and Dwayne Hunt of Elsie, MI, Janice Seyrek of Elsie, MI, 3 sons; Edward and Jill Swanchara of Elsie, MI, Andrew Swanchara of Bannister, MI, Rodney Swanchara of Elsie, MI, 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and 4 brothers; Stephen Swanchara of Elsie, MI, John and Jean Swanchara of St. Johns, MI, Ben and Jane Swanchara of St. Johns, MI, and Bill and Clarice Swanchara of Florida. He was predeceased by his parents, and 1 granddaughter Randi Lynn Wang.
\nMemorials may be made to Mid Michigan Gas Tractor Association. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes<\/a> Elsie Chapel Elsie, Michigan.<\/p>\n

\n

Erik A. Ferden<\/strong>
\nErik A. Ferden, 48, died Monday, April 4, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born July 8, 1962 the son of Francis and Lavina \u201cBonni\u201d (Mitchell) Ferden. He was a graduate of St. Johns High School, Class of 1980. Erik was a member of Lowe United Methodist Church and was an active church volunteer. He was a former youth soccer coach and 4H volunteer. Erik worked for the State of Michigan. He started with the Department of Corrections, transferred to the Treasury Department and most recently was a technician with the Office of Retirement Services. On August 7, 1997 he married Kim Patrick and she survives him.
\nAlso surviving are his children, Erica (Bryce) Branson, Brooke (Jacob) Lippert, RaeLynne Ferden, Casey Coleman and Sawyer Coleman; brothers and sisters, Jeanne (Glenn) Byrd, Frank Ferden, Robert (Kim) Ferden, Kurt Ferden, Nyles Ferden and Delene (Joe) Fuller; stepmother, Ann Ferden; half-sister, Sarah (Jerry) Meredith; half-brothers, Jim (Lynne) Ferden and John (Courtney) Ferden. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister LeAnne.
\nThe family will receive relatives and friends for visitation \/ open house Friday, April 8, 2011from 2:00 to 6:00 PM with the funeral service at 5:00PM at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home<\/a>, St. Johns with Pastor Kathy Leydorf officiating. A private interment will be held. Erik believed in \u201cpaying it forward\u201d and with that in mind his family requests that in lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be made to a close family friend, Sue Findlay, at the Findlay Family Benefit Fund c\/o Citizens Bank 200 W. Higham St. Johns, MI 48879.<\/p>\n

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Gerald Clayton Carroll<\/strong>
\nGerald Clayton Carroll, age 87, of Elsie, Michigan died Monday, April 4, 2011 at Clinton Memorial Hospital, St. Johns, Michigan.
\nFuneral Services will be held at the Elsie United Methodist Church, Elsie, Michigan on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 11:00 A.M., Pastor Edwin Snook will officiate. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 10, 2011 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.
\nGerald was born in St. Johns, Michigan on December 22, 1923, the son of James Clayton and Edna (Brewbaker) Carroll. He was a graduate of Elsie High School. On January 31, 1943, Jerry married the love of his life Juanita M. McCullough in Elsie, Michigan. They have been married 68 years. Jerry served in the U.S. Army in WW II, and he was a member of Merrill’s Marauders, 475th Infantry, Mars Task Force. Jerry was the oldest of 10 children. He started milking cows at the age of 8 years old and was driving a team of horses at the age of 12. He worked for MMPA in Ovid, Michigan, as a Laboratory Supervisor retiring on December 31, 1988 after 43 years of service. Jerry was a member of the Elsie American Legion Post #502, Elsie Lions Club, Merrill’s Marauders Assoc., Inc. He was also a member of Elsie United Methodist Church.
\nHe is survived by his wife Juanita Carroll of Elsie, MI, 2 daughters; Catherine and Larry Webster of Elsie, MI, Sandra and Russell Ginther of Elsie, MI, son Jimmie and Karen Carroll of Laingsburg, MI, 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 1 brother, 4 sisters, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his step-father, grandson Wayne Webster, 4 brothers, and a brother-in-law.
\nMemorials may be made to Elsie United Methodist Church. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes<\/a> Elsie Chapel Elsie, Michigan.<\/p>\n

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Georgene Acker Hecht<\/strong>
\nGeorgene Acker Hecht, 86, died on March 30, 2011. Georgene was born in St. Louis, Michigan, August 30, 1924, to George and Mabel Gilbert Acker. She married Donald R. Hecht August 9, 1942, he passed away July of 2003. She was a member of Farm Bureau and First Congregational Church. She was a home maker and always lived on the farm, with which she helped her husband.
\nShe is survived by two daughters, Janice Quist of Byron Center, and Joanne Carson of Byron Center. Three grandchildren, Gregory (Jennifer) Quist, Lisa Quist and Christopher Carson, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, Keith and Robert Acker, two sisters, Aldene Nicholas and Betty Patterson.
\nContributions may be made in Georgene\u2019s name to, the American Lung Association or the American Cancer Society. Private graveside services were held. The family was served by The Osgood Funeral Homes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Orville J. Sillman <\/strong>
\nOrville J. Sillman, 86, formerly of Jackson and Saint Johns, Michigan, passed away Monday, March 28, 2011, at his home. Orville was born March 20, 1925, in Clinton County, Michigan, the son of Charles and Angie (Allan) Sillman. He was one of 13 children and loved by all who knew him. He was retired from Federal Mogul in Saint Johns and was the former owner\/operator of Sillman’s Store. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #324, having served in the Army during World War II. In Saint Johns, Orville was a member of St. James Lutheran Church and in Blissfield he was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. His Christian faith was a shinning example to all. He was married to Jeanne Beaudry in 1944 and had two children, Linda and Danny Sillman. They divorced in 1965. In 1979 he married Louise Garey who preceded him in death on October 11, 1991.
\nOrville is survived by three daughters, Linda Mackety of Denver, CO; Kay (George) Brown of Blissfield, and Sue Ellen (Michael) Shirkey of Jackson; one son, James (Sue) Hause of Jackson; three brothers, Vern of Mason, MI and Evart Sillman and Clarence Pohls of South Haven, MI. He has 14 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Sillman and six siblings including brothers, Elden, M. Stuart, Keith, Bruce, and Barry Sillman, and sisters, Nellie Nobis and Catherine Sehlke. He will be sadly missed by all.
\nA memorial service will be held in St. Johns on Sunday, April 10th at 2:00 p.m. at Osgood Funeral Home<\/a>, 104 E. Cass St., Saint Johns, MI 48879. Visitation begins at 12:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to www.smiletrain.com<\/a>, T.A.P.S. or the U.S.O. Local arrangements were entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield.<\/p>\n

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Robert D. Litwiller<\/strong>
\nRobert D. Litwiller, 81 of St. Johns died Friday, April 01, 2011 at Hazel Findlay Country Manor. Bob was born on January 20, 1930 in Gratiot County the son of Lamont and Mahre (Martin) Litwiller. He married Elaine Durbin on Sept. 25, 1948 and she preceded him in death on May 28, 2008. He was a farmer and had worked at General Motors. Bob loved gardening, especially his strawberry patch, playing bingo, doing jig saw puzzles and woodworking.
\nHe is survived by sons Ron (Jo) and Scott (Annette) Litwiller both of St. Johns; daughter Connie (Ed) Bachi of Traverse City, MI; 9 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild; sisters, Doloris (Theron) Richards of St. Johns, and Retha Lippert of Alma and brother, Monty Litwiller of Baldwin, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents and 5 siblings.
\nFuneral services will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home<\/a> on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Paul Daniels officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives at the funeral home on Saturday, April 2, 5-7 P.M. and Sunday, April 3, 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Memorials may be given to Great Lakes Hospice.<\/p>\n

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Maxine A. Ernst<\/strong>
\nMaxine A. Ernst, 91, died March 30, 2011. She was born May 31, 1919 in Bengal Township, Michigan, and resided on the Ernst Centennial Farm all of her life. She was the daughter of William F. and Elvira E. (Bearndt) Ernst. Maxine was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, St. Paul Ladies Aide and taught Sunday school for 27 years. She was retired from the ASCS-Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service after 27 years as an Office Clerk.
\nShe is survived by a foster sister-in-law, Margaret E. Ernst of Sharon WI, three foster nephews, Robert K. Ernst of Bellvue, MI, Ronald A. Ernst, of Battle Creek, and Karl F. (Barbara) Ernst of Siler City, N.C., two foster nieces, Katherine E. (Dale) Blanchard of Sharon, WI, and Karen L. Heath of St. Joseph, several cousins and many friends.
\nMaxine was preceded in death by her parents, a foster brother, William S. Ernst and a foster nephew, William K. Ernst.
\nFuneral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 4, 2011, at St. Paul Lutheran Church-Fowler, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Pastor Paul Clark officiating. The family will receive friends 1-6 p.m. Sunday, April 3 at the Goerge Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, Fowler. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hazel Findlay Manor or to the Sparrow Clinton Foundation.
\nTo learn more about Maxine and view her Life Story film, please visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com\/memories\/67885<\/a>. The family was served by The Osgood Funeral Homes. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hazel Findlay Manor or to the Sparrow Clinton Foundation. The family was served by The Osgood Funeral Homes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

Maryann S. Fero
\n<\/strong>
\nMaryann S. Fero, died March 30, 2011. Born January 28, 1935 in White Haven, Pennsylvania the daughter of Anthony and Anna (Decowski) Suchowesky. She retired in 1997 from C.A.C.S. Head Start in Lansing after 22 years of service working as a teacher\u2019s assistant and bus driver. Maryann enjoyed quilting, bird watching, perennial gardens and the outdoors. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul Store. On September 4, 1954, she married Richard D. Fero and he preceded her in death March 29, 2002.
\nMaryann is survived by her son, Richard Fero, Jr. of St. Johns, MI, four daughters, Darlene Morgan, Kathy (Curt) Pettigrew, Annette Grubaugh and Chris (Dan) Cousineau, all of St. Johns, five grandchildren, Nathan Grubaugh, JoAnn Morgan, Andrew Pettigrew, Alex and Amber Cousineau. Maryann also has three sisters, Frances (Fred) Stehlik and Ann (Ron) Drumheller of Ovid and Patricia Rewerts of St. Johns, three brothers, Stanley (Janice) Suchowesky of Lake, MI, and John Suchowesky of Harrison. In addition to her parents and her husband, Maryann was preceded in death by one sister, Stella Suchowesky and one brother William Suchowesky.
\nFuneral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 2, 2011 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with burial following at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Fr. Eoin Murphy presiding. The family will receive friends 2-4 p.m. and 6-8p.m. Friday, at The Osgood Funeral Home<\/a> with a Vigil Service being prayed at 7 p.m.
\nMemorials may be made in Maryann\u2019s name to St. Joseph Catholic Church Educational Trust Fund. To learn more about Maryann and view her Life Story film, visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com\/memories\/67853<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\"obitsth.jpg\"
\nFor obituaries published before January, 2009 please click here<\/a>.
\nAt the bottom of that page you will find an index to obituaries dating back to July, 1989.<\/p>\n

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Edward Joseph Swanchara, Erik A. Ferden, Gerald Clayton Carroll, Georgene Acker Hecht, Orville J. Sillman, Robert D. Litwiller, Maxine A. Ernst, Maryann S. Fero<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-obits"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21937"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21937\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21937"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}