Obituaries
Agatha M. Epkey
Agatha M. Epkey, age 86, passed away on November 9, 2015. She was born in Dallas Twp., on February 5, 1929, the daughter of Raymond and Armella (Pohl) Feldpausch. Agatha married Louis Epkey on May 3, 1950 and preceded her in death on November 28, 1965. She was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Christian Mothers. Agatha had a strong faith, she loved spending time with her family and friends and she loved music.
Surviving are her children, Fred (Linda) Epkey, Kathy (Randy) Simmon, Mary (David) Kaiser, Richard (Joan) Lindsey, Lois Libiran, John (Patty) Epkey, Christine (Carlos) Libiran, Charles (Theresa) Epkey and Dorthea (John) Sullivan, fifty three grandchildren, over fifty great grandchildren, seven brothers, two sisters and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Agatha in death are husband, Louis, her parents, granddaughter, Mary Kate Epkey, son in law, Cezar Libiran, and two infant children, Joseph and Lucy Epkey.
Funeral Mass of Catholic burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler with Fr. Eric Weber presiding, burial to follow at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. with rosaries being prayed at 3 and 7 p.m., on Wednesday at the Goerge Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes in Fowler, 11112 W. Ionia St., Fowler, MI. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to Most Holy Trinity Educational Trust Fund.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Gerald E. Jastram
Gerald E. Jastram died Sunday, November 8, 2015 at the age of 86. He was born July 1, 1929 in Riley Township, Clinton County, Michigan the son of Earl and Lula (Martens) Jastram and lived his entire life on the farm where he was born. Gerald was an active member of St. Peter Lutheran Church. He served as church chairman, was an elder and as a member of the St. Peter Lutheran School Board along with several other activities. He was a lifelong farmer and when he retired from farming he worked for over 15 years for Clinton Crop Services. Gerald was a talented woodworker. He spent his winter months creating in his woodshop and loved making wood crafts for family and friends. On September 24, 1950 he married Dorothy Kimmel and she preceded him in death April 13, 2011. He was also predeceased by a brother and sister-in-law, Leonard and Virginia Jastram and a sister and brother-in-law, Edna Mae and Charles Boak.
Surviving is a son, Carl (Geri) Jastram of DeWitt; two grandchildren, Sarah (Brian) Bloom of DeWitt and Eric (Melissa) Jastram of Powatan, VA; three great grandchildren, Lydia and Garrett Bloom and Carter Jastram; one sister, Caroline (Carl) Minnis of Webberville and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at St. Peter Lutheran Church 8990 Church Rd. St. Johns with Pastor Quentin Nuttmann and Pastor Paul Clark officiating. Interment will follow at St. Peter Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 10 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to St. Peter Lutheran School or Whispering River AFC 11491 East River Dr. DeWitt, MI 48820.
Joan K. Rasdale
Joan K. Rasdale died Thursday, November 5, 2015 at the age of 86. She was born October 15, 1929 in Owosso, MI the daughter of Lyle and Gwendolene (Millis) Wilcox. Joan was a graduate of Elsie High School, Class of 1948 and enjoyed traveling. She loved spending winters in Arizona and Mississippi after her retirement. Joan owned and operated the Hobby Lobby Store in St. Johns for several years and retired from Clinton County as an administrative aide. On February 16, 1949 she married Charles Rasdale and he survives her.
Also surviving are two daughters, Ruth Ann Rasdale and Mary Ann (Larry) Bosom all of Ovid; three sons, Edward (Diana) of St. Johns, Michael (Rhea) of Higgins Lake and Bob (Char) of Mason; daughter-in-law, Becky Rasdale of DeWitt; grandchildren, Sunshine Rasdale (Jake), Adam Rasdale, Brian Rasdale (Danielle), Andrea Rasdale (Nathaniel), Megan Rasdale, Taylor Bosom (Garrett), Andrew Bosom; one great grandchild, Drexel. She was preceded in death by a son, Tom and a brother, Max Wilcox.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 9, 2015 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns with Deacon Marv Robertson officiating. Interment will follow at Eureka Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, November 8 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice Advantage 801 S. Waverly Rd. Ste. 304 Lansing, MI 48917.
Mary Annette White
Mary Annette White, age 76, passed away on October 26, 2015 at Heritage Hills Assisted Living Facility in Caro, Michigan. Annette was born on November 13, 1938 in Detroit Michigan, the daughter of Abner and Marian Turner. Annette married Brandon C. White, Jr. on November 17, 1955 and he survives her. She was a realtor in St. Johns, Michigan for many years, working for the Briggs Company and Coldwell Banker until her retirement. Upon her retirement, she and Brandon split their time between their cottage on Higgins Lake and Sarasota, Florida.
Also surviving are her children, Brandon (Sue) White, III, Mark White and Michelle (Tom) Kuras; grandchildren, Kileen (Von) Motley, Abby (Jake) Hunter, Nicole, Brianna and Desmond White, Daniel Long, Spencer (Christie) Long and Evan Long; great-grandchildren Basia Motley, Aidan Washburne, Austin Strotheide, Quinn and Hadley Hunter. Annette was predeceased by her parents and a brother, William Turner.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. There will be no service at this time.
Janice Sue Helms
Janice Sue Helms, age 66, of Oakley, Michigan passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at Covenant Healthcare, Saginaw, Michigan.
A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns, Michigan on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating.
Janice was born in Grand Haven, Michigan on April 26, 1949, the daughter of William Tyler and Helen (Pritco) MacKay. She graduated from Grand Haven High School with the class of 1967. On August 31, 1968 she married Thomas C. Helms in St. Johns, Michigan. She resided most of her life in St. Johns, moving to the home that she and Tom built 10 years ago. Janice was a homemaker who enjoyed her home. She worked for JC Penny’s in St. Johns until the store closed then she moved to the Owosso store; she was there for 38 years retiring 2 years ago. She loved gardening and flowers. Janice was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion Post 153, St. Johns, Michigan.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas Helms, son Thomas and Amanda Helms II, 2 grandchildren; Jonathan and Samantha “Sam”, and 1 brother William and Joyce MacKay. She was predeceased by her parents.
Memorials may be made to Humane Society of your choice. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns, Michigan.
Marriage licenses filed the week of November 2, 2015
Ryan Kenneth Thelen, 40 of Elsie and Jessica Ann Porubsky, 42 of Elsie
Allie Joseph Pohl II, 30 of DeWitt and Lisa Marie Dennis, 25 of DeWitt
Trevor Howard Anderson, 22 of Bellevue, Nebraska and Jennifer-Alexa Denise Daniel, 21 of
DeWitt
Aaryn David Richard, 38 of DeWitt and David Michael Temple, 35 of DeWitt
Nima Torabkhani, 30 of East Lansing and Sima Shahverdi, 29 of East Lansing
Terry Dale Birdsley Jr., 24 of St. Johns and Brittany Elizabeth Frechen, 22 of St. Johns
Andrew Jeremy Weiers, 35 of St. Johns and Julie Lynn Gaut, 37 of St. Johns
Justin William Baird, 25 of Bath and Alanna Rae York, 23 of Bath