Obituaries
Hilda Ann Bancroft
Hilda Ann (Anderson) Bancroft passed away on January 5, 2016 at the age of 84. She was born on November 1, 1931, in St. Johns, the daughter of Clyde and Rilla (Henderson) Anderson. She married Doyle Bancroft on September 17, 1955 and he preceded her in death on June 24, 2010. Hilda was a member of the First Congregational Church and the St. Johns Quilting Club. She loved to fish and hunt, was a loyal supporter of all of the St. Johns sports including the marching band, was a Girl Scout leader, 4H leader, loved bowling and was a proud member of the NSSA (Muzzle loading re-enactment).
She is survived by children, Cheryl (Duane) Haviland and Brenda (Kevin) Griggs, grandchildren, Douglas (Renae) Haviland, Rebekah (Ryan) Gilroy, Joel (Esther) Haviland, Rachel (Jimmie) Harps, Toni (Robbi) Watters, great grandchildren, Dillan, Miah, Josiah, Clara, Benjamin, Grace, Bridger, Boden, Jazmine, Tori, Joseph, Jonathon, Blake and siblings, Adelbert (LaVoyda) Anderson, Louis (Norita) Anderson, Lois Glass, Helen (Dick) Todd, Earl (Marlene) Anderson and many nieces and nephews. Also preceding her in death are her parents, siblings, Carol (Chuck) Wallace, Wanda (Roy) Ryan and Sam Anderson.
Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 9, 2016 at the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns, with Pastor Ryan Gilroy officiating, burial to follow at Lowe Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday and 1 hour prior to the service on Saturday. Those planning on an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the St. Johns Athletic Dept. in Hilda’s name.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Frances Ann Weber
Frances Ann Weber, age 71, of St. Johns, passed away Monday afternoon, January 4, 2016 at Sparrow Hospital. The daughter of Stanley and Hazel M. (Button) Levitski, she was born on August 6, 1944 in Owosso. On July 18, 1981, in St. Johns, Michigan, she married Leo Urban Weber. Frances was a wonderful cook, enjoyed camping and would give the shirt off from her back for anyone in greater need than she.
Surviving are her husband, Leo; a daughter, Tammy Pease and Colin Cooley of Potterville; three sons, Greg and Cindy Pease of Clio, Scott and Ronnie Pease, and Jeff and Trina Pease all of St. Johns; two step daughters, Stacy and Joe Hynes of Mt. Pleasant and Heather and Aaron VanHorne of Vestaburg; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two sisters; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
Honoring Frances’ wishes, cremation has taken place and private services will be held later. Arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen Cremation and Funeral Care, Greenville.
Betty L. Hart
Betty L. Hart passed away on January 1, 2016 at the age of 91. She was born on August 29, 1924 in Owosso the daughter of William and Berniece (Bigelow) Raymond. She was a beautician for many years. Betty married Ned Hart on November 25, 1947 and they celebrated 42 years of marriage. Together they owned and operated Hart’s Grocery from 1962-1978 and lived in Arizona from 1978-1989. She attended Grove Bible Church and enjoyed reading.
Surviving are children, Krys (Dennis) Wilson of St. Johns, Bill (Alane) Hart of Laingsburg, seven grandchildren and twenty six great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, son in law Clyde (Rosanne) English of Bannister and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, daughter, Karen English and sister and brother in law Barbara and Dale Sworthwood.
Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Grove Bible Church, 6980 E. Price Rd., St. Johns, with Pastors B. J. Holmquist and Tim VanLoh officiating. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow the luncheon after the Funeral Service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to Hospice Advantage or Grove Bible Church.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Ray Griffin
Ray Griffin passed away peacefully at home on January 1, 2016 at the age of 92. He was born December 19, 1923 to Frank and Myrtle (Sturdivant) Griffin in Ashley, MI. Ray was a tool setter at General Motors for 30 years . Ray married Arlene Goerge in Owosso, MI. on April 13, 1975 and she preceded him in death on June 10, 2013.
Ray had a love of life and he lived it to the fullest. He especially loved his family. Some of Ray’s other passions included restoring old cars, racing and going to auctions.
Ray is survived by his daughter, Patricia Robinson, five stepchildren; Gerald (Judy) Schultz, Henry (Margaret) Schultz, Donna (Roger) Lownsbery, Mary ( David) Womble, Sr., and John Schultz. Also surviving are many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. In addition to his wife Arlene, Ray was preceded in death by children; Robert and Carolyn Griffin, and stepdaughter; Julie Schultz.
Graveside services will take place at a later date. The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Wendall Bolton
Wendall Bolton of Ovid, MI died January 2, 2016 at the age of 85. He was born April 22, 1930 to James L. and Grace (Austin) Bolton. Wendall enjoyed spending time with family, fishing, boating, hunting , spending time up north in Harrison, and volunteering with Meals on Wheels. He was very devoted to his wife of 66 years, Delma Jean Bolton, whom he married in December of 1949 and she survives him.
Also surviving are his children; Dennis (Beth) Bolton of Ovid, Cindy Bolton of Owosso, Kathy (Kyle Bradley) Williams of St. Johns and Barb (Mike) Bolton-Chapko, grandchildren; Tom (Tracie) Bolton, Wendy (Dale) Cole, Shawn (Erin) Bolton, Lindsey (Jeff) May, Elise (Mike) Martin, Grant (Sarah Hehrer) Bolton, Shelly Moiles, Tiffany (Wesley) Spear, and Cody Williams, great grandchildren; David, Meredith, and Shaelin Bolton, Jonathan and Alexis May, Alivia Martin, Jocelyn Street, Andrew Norman, and Dayton and Bentley Spear, brother; Lee (Beverly) Bolton, and many nieces and nephews. Wendall was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Karen Bolton, son, Lynn Bolton and three grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, January 7, 2016 at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Ovid, with Pastor Keith Whipple officiating. Cremation will follow. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Wendall’s name to the Ashley Care Center or Alzheimer’s Association. The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Adam M. Schaefer
Adam M. Schaefer passed away January 1, 2016, at the age of 90. He was born in Fowler, MI, the son of Leo and Clara (Bauer) Schafer. Adam married Helen E. DuBois on October 11, 1952 and she survives him.
He is also survived by his children, Shelly (Doug) Taylor of Jonesville, MI, Stephanie (Leon) Schneider of Fowler, MI, Pamela (Brian Feige) Schaefer of Gaines, MI, Susie (Bob) Versola of Linden, MI and Gwen (Rex) Thelen of Grand Haven, MI; 29 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Adam was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Leona (Vern) Miller, Agnes (Robert) Thurston, Marie (Kenneth) Feldpausch; brother, Leroy (Patricia) Schafer; father and mother-in-law, George and Jessie DuBois; brothers-in-law, RG (June) DuBois and Richard (Virginia) DuBois and best friend, Leonard O’Bannon.
Adam was employed at Lansing State Journal as a Printer for 38 years and he retired from there in 1992. He was a lifetime member of Most Holy Trinity Church and a member of the church choir for many years. Adam had a great love of music; he played the guitar and loved to sing with his daughters and grandchildren. He enjoyed camping up north and Michigan sunsets and loved ice cream. Adam was a big fan of Detroit Tigers and U of M sports. He had a great love for his country and served in the US Navy during WWII from 1942 to 1946.
Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler, MI, with Fr. Michael Williams presiding and burial to follow at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. with rosary at 3 p.m. and Vigil at 8 p.m., on Tuesday, January 5 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 the charity of the family’s choice.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Marriage licenses filed the week of December 28, 2015
Kerry Nathan Wilkes, 55 of Eagle and Peggy Jean Tulip, 59 of DeWitt
Holden Scott Chesher, 20 of Coldwater and Cassandra JoNell Sischo, 19 of Ovid