Just a very few of the people we will miss in 2016
John C. Garcia
John C. Garcia died Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at the age of 92. He was born October 21, 1922 in Bustamante, Mexico the son of Luciano and San Juana (Castillo) Garcia. John was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, is an Army veteran of WWII and a member of V.F.W. Post 4113 in St. Johns. He was an inspector for General Motors retiring in 1988. On August 28, 1948 he married Janie Lopez and she preceded him in death in 2003.
Joseph (Shag) Yurek
Joseph Stanley (Shag) Yurek, age 88, of St. Johns, MI died Sunday, January 25, 2015. Joe was born on February 1, 1926 in Duplain Township, MI, the son of Joseph Edward and Agnes Mary (Marek) Yurek. He married Margaret J. Carroll on May 21, 1949. Joe served his country in the U.S. Marines during WWII. He was a proud member of the Owosso-based Harold R. Cooley Detachment of the Marine Corps League. Joe was also a member of the American Legion Post #153 and VFW Post #4113 in St. Johns.
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.
Dean Roland Dunham
Dean Roland Dunham, Sr. age 87, of Elsie, Michigan passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at his home. Dean was born in Elsie, Michigan on March 10, 1928, the son of Dewitt Dale and Thelma Blanche (Wright) Dunham. He graduated from Elsie High School with the class of 1946. On July 16, 1949 Dean married Gertrude (Tribfelner) in Angola, Indiana.
David G. Fitzpatrick
David G. Fitzpatrick died Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at the age of 60. He was born October 20, 1954 in St. Johns, MI the son of Glendon and Helen (DeVries) Fitzpatrick. David was a graduate of St. Johns High School, Class of 1973 and attended Ferris State University. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in St. Johns, enjoyed hunting and fishing and was active in the American Cancer Society.
F. Joanne Miller
Frances Joanne Miller died at Hazel Finley Country Manor on April 6, 2015, at the age of 84. She was born in St. Johns, Michigan, on May 4, 1930, the daughter of Francis Martus and V. Geraldine (Rahl Martus) Martin. Joanne retired from the Clinton County Courthouse in 1989 where she worked in several capacities, including court reporter for Clinton and Gratiot Counties. Post retirement, Joanne continued work as a court transcriptionist and volunteered as a records keeper for Mt. Rest Cemetery.
Virginia S. Tennant
Virginia S. Tennant died Friday, April 24, 2015 at the age of 100. She was born May 20, 1914 in Detroit, MI the daughter of Herman and Irene (Brunner) Stoyke. Virginia grew up in Bay City, MI graduating from Bay City Central HS in 1932. She moved back to Detroit and attended Wayne State University. She was a hairstylist, bank teller and nurse’s aide, also living in Dearborn, Atlanta and St. Johns, MI.
Peter Julius Kurncz, IV Peter Julius Kurncz, IV, age 6, of St. Johns, Michigan passed away peacefully in his parents arms with family and friends by their side on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at his home. Peter was born in Lansing, Michigan on May 8, 2009, the son of Peter Julius and Stacey Leigh (Horman) Kurncz III. Peter resided all of his life in St. Johns. He enjoyed playing with his brother and sister, doing arts and crafts, and going fishing and hunting.
Jennifer J. Hoag
Jennifer J. Hoag died unexpectedly Sunday, July 5, 2015 at the age of 46. She was born August 8, 1968 in Carson City, MI the daughter of John and Arlene (Pope) Hoag. Jennifer was a graduate of St. Johns High School, Class of 1987 and a member of First Congregational Church of St. Johns.
Mary Lenora Zilz
Mary Lenora Zilz, age 100, was called home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, August 19, 2015. Mary or “Monnie” (her Indian nickname) was born June 18, 1915 in Rosebush, Michigan to Obadiah and Jennie (Pelcher) Smith, and until her death was the oldest member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. Mary counted Jesus as her Savior for over sixty years and was a faithful witness of the gospel and a true prayer warrior.
Constance Kemp
Constance “Connie” L. (Light) (Smith) Kempf died Thursday, September 3, 2015 at the age of 81. She was born September 25, 1933 in Detroit the daughter of Robert and Helen (Maslewski) Cavert. Connie was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ladies Altar Society and American Legion Ladies Auxiliary #153. Connie retired in 1998 as a cashier from Krogers after 25 years of service.
John “Jack” W. Minsky
John “Jack” W. Minsky, age 53, died October 20, 2015. He was born in Petoskey, MI, on January 2, 1962, the son of John and Betty (Toebe) Minsky.
Agnes L. French
Agnes L. French, age 85, passed away October 20, 2015. She was born July 28, 1930 in Bingham Twp., the daughter of Harry and Rosa (Henning) Ballinger. She was a homemaker and former sales clerk for Penneys, Firestone, Sears, Borons Floor Covering and Rehmann’s Clothing.
Donald L Mazzolini
Donald L Mazzolini died Thursday, October 22, 2015 at the age of 88. He was born September 11, 1927 in St. Johns MI, the son of Bruno and Argentina (Gregori) Mazzolini. Don attended St. Joseph Catholic School through the 8th grade and then attended and graduated from St. Johns High School. After high school, Don was drafted and served in the army as a paratrooper which is ironic because he did not enjoy heights later in life. When he returned to the states, he worked for and later took over Bruno’s Bar, an establishment started by his immigrant parents.
Angela Jean Sirrine
Angie Sirrine finally triumphed over multiple sclerosis with her death on November 29, 2015. Angela Jean was a star in every way, as a kid around the block, a soap box derby winner, a young athlete and especially in her role as a funeral director and owner of Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns.
David John Gaffney
David John Gaffney, 64, of Elsie lost a valiant battle with cancer on Monday, December 7, 2015. He was a loving father and grandfather. Throughout his life, he was an outstanding golfer, youth coach, and woodworker. More than anything, he was a very compassionate person.
Lance E. Ouellette
Lance E. Ouellette died Friday, December 4, 2015 at the age of 58 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born July 3, 1957 in Midland, MI the son of Floyd and Mary (DeChantal) Ouellette. Lance was a graduate of Dow High School, Class of 1976 and served in the U.S. Navy. Lance was active in the St. Johns community in many ways. He served on the DDA Board, was active in the development of the Clinton County Veteran’s Memorial and a member of DAV Chapter # 63.
Mary L. Ewing
Mary L. Ewing of St. Johns, died Sunday, December 27, 2015 at the age of 81. She was born July 17, 1934 in St. Johns, MI the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Kandle) Hopko. Mary was a graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns, Class of 1952 and a 1955 graduate of the St. Lawrence Unit of the Mercy School of Nursing in Detroit.