Obituaries
Jimmy C. Easterling
Jimmy C. Easterling, age 83 of St. Johns passed away Monday, February 15, 2016 at his home.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 12 Noon at Watkins Brothers Funeral Home, Laingsburg Chapel with Greg Harger and Matthew Jensen officiating. Family will receive friends on Saturday one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. A private burial will be on Tuesday in Rest Haven Memory Gardens in Belding , MI
Jimmy was born on December 18, 1932 in Polkville, Mississippi, the son of Leonard and Cleo (Edwards) Easterling. He attended Junior College in Perkinston, MS, where he earned his Associate in Science. He attended St. Mary’s University of San Antonio, TX where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree on June 1, 1958. On June 1, 1957 he married Marjorie Dalrymple in Greenville, MI. Jimmy served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War from 1954 to 1958. During his time in the Air Force he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree. After receiving an honorable discharge Jimmy and his wife moved to Michigan where they raised their family. He attended Michigan State University where he received his Master of Science with a Major in Microbiology and his teaching certificate. He worked for Hurley Medical Center and then became Director of the laboratory at Mott Children’s Health Center in Flint, MI. In later years he worked for private laboratories as the their director. He owned and operated his own water testing laboratory for 24 years. He retired at the age of 65.
Jimmy is survived by his wife of 58 1/2 years, Marjorie, five children; Diane, Joann, Irene, Tammy and Steven Easterling, one sister; Kathleen Lambeth, two sisters-in-law, one brother -in-law, cousins and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers; Paul, Maurice, Percy and one sister Imogene. Jimmy loved his Lord and Savior, his family and his work.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of Sparrow, Meals on Wheels and Laingsburg Community Singers.
Betty E. Burk
Betty E. Burk, 94 of St. Johns, MI died on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at Hazel Findlay Country Manor. Betty was born on June 24, 1921 in St. Johns the daughter of John and Ruth (Rathburn) Matice. She graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in 1940 and on March 27, 1943 she married Merlin Burk in Eureka, MI. Merlin died on June 28, 2014. Betty was a secretary at Perrin Palmer School in St. Johns, retiring in 1984. She liked spending time at their cottage at Cranberry Lake and winters in Lakeland, Florida where she won many trophies in shuffle board. Betty was a life member and Past Matron of the Order of Eastern Stars. She was also an excellent cook.
Survivors are her sons, Gary (Ricki) Burk and Tom Burk, both of St. Johns; daughter in law, Olga Burk, 8 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild; brother, Ted Matice of Florida and sister Geraldine Woodbury of California and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and son Larry, 2 brothers, Don and Robert Matice and sisters in law, Lorraine Matice and Pat Matice.
Funeral services will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Rodney Kalajainen officiating. Burial will follow at Eureka Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, February 19, 2016 at the funeral home, 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. An Order of The Eastern Stars service will be held at 7:30 P.M. Friday evening. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Johns-Ovid Masonic Lodge.
Rev. Erwin L. Behrens
Erwin L. Behrens passed away February 16, 2016 at the age of 81. He was born on September 28, 1934 in Ovid, Michigan, the son of John and Clara (Nolte) Behrens. Erwin married Evelyn June Wilhelm on August 14, 1965 in Flint, Michigan and she preceded him in death in 2005.
He is survived by his children, John of Lansing, MI, Nathan (Bridget) of Westmoreland, TN, Daniel of Lansing, Susan (Jason) Lapham of Wyoming, MI and Andrew of Grand Rapids, MI; grandchildren, Abigail Grace and Kaymin June Behrens, Gavin Lukas and Aubrey June Lapham; brother, Hans Behrens; sisters, Betty and Katherine Behrens and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, Erwin was preceded in death by his brother, Ernest Behrens and sister, Marianne Mattox.
Along with serving his country in the Army for four years Erwin devoted most of his life to doing God’s work in the ministry. He pastored many different Free Methodist Churches in Northwestern Ohio and Upper and Lower Michigan and even went on serving the Lord after his retirement from the ministry. A devoted husband and father Erwin held many jobs to provide for his family. He was known for his friendly demeanor with people and his passion for Michigan sports, especially football.
Funeral Services will be on Friday, February 19, 2016 at 1:00 pm at the Houghton Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, 232 East Oak Street, Ovid, MI with Rev. Larry Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from to 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Those planning on an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Parkinson Foundation.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Alice M. Hoeve
On February 11, 2016 Alice M. Hoeve was united in Heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus and with many friends and family who preceded her. She was born Mildred Alice Pettigrew to the former Gordon and Florence (Doty) Pettigrew. Alice retired from Chrysler Corporation. She loved to garden, knit, and travel; very much enjoyed traveling to far away and close places to visit friends and relatives.
Surviving is her son Darrell (Pamela) Hoeve, grandsons Bryan (Jennifer) Hoeve, Todd (Vickey) Hoeve, Chad (Jenni) Hoeve, Bradly Hoeve, Wayne (Diane) Hoeve, Jamey (Eunice) Hoeve; great grandsons Kyle, Jamison, Kaleb, Jacob, Brady, Caden and great granddaughters Heather, Alexis, Halie and Sydney stepson David (Cindy) Moon, step grandchildren Heidi, Amy and David. Preceding her in death are her husband George Hoeve and son George Lawrence (Larry) Hoeve. She was also preceded by her second husband Harry Moon.
Alice was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend; she will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 22, 2016 at Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Alice Hoeve be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, call 1-800-227-2345 or online www.cancer.org.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Mary Jane (Ochis) Gillson
Mary Jane (Ochis) Gillson died Saturday, February 13, 2016 at the age of 93. She was born in Fowler, MI October 30, 1922 the daughter of Ben and Amelia (Schafer) Castner. Mary Jane married John Ochis on August 29, 1940 and he preceded her in death on July 27, 1962. She married Robert Gillson on September 29, 1973 and he preceded her in death on November 19, 1992.
Surviving are four daughters, Mary Lou Gorsline, Lindy and Lester Wilberding, Deb and Bill French, Phyllis “Honey” Ochis and Les Koren; eleven grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; sisters, Jeanette “Dick” Durbin, Ellen “Aggie” Pfeuffer, Joan “Kirby” Brunner; brother, Terry “Toby” and Shirley Castner and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, John “Butch” Ochis Jr., daughter, Joyce Knight, granddaughter, Melinda English, great grandson, Drake Hendershot and two sisters, Kay Meyers and Doris Bauman.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. The family will receive relatives and friends 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Ruth E. M. Dow
Ruth E. M. Dow of Ovid died Sunday, February 14, 2016 at the age of 77. Born September 18, 1938 in Northhampton, MA, Ruth was the daughter of Clyde W. and Ruth E. (Marion) Dow. She worked as a Supervisor with the State of Michigan. On January 25, 1957 Ruth married Howard Thurlby in Holt, MI.
Surviving are her sons, Ray and Joe Thurlby; grandson, Mason Dean Thurlby; and sister, Judith (Dennis Cullinan) Dow. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Howard Thurlby.
No services will be held. The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Marriage licenses filed the week of February 8, 2016
William Delance Seeger, 27 of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Caitlin Marie Palmiter, 25 of Portland
Alan Paul Gove, 54 of St. Johns and Terese Joan Sleep, 54 of St. Johns
Edward Gerald Hafner, 64 of St. Johns and Margo Harriet Hasselbring, 68 of Ovid