Obituaries
Walter Vern Viges
Walter Vern Viges, age 88, of St. Johns, MI passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church of St. Johns with Pastor Tim Knaus officiating. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 29, 2016 from 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, 104 E. Cass Street, St. Johns, MI.
Walter was born in St. Johns, Michigan on November 1, 1927, the son of Vern and Agnes (Skinner) Viges. Walter married Arlene Darnell on June 28, 1947; she preceded him in death on April 21, 2003. On September 11, 2004 Walter married Barbara Green Moinet. Walter was a farmer. He then went on to work for the State of Michigan’s Department of Agriculture as a fresh fruit and vegetable Inspector for 32 years. He enjoyed tractor pulls, country music and polka dancing. He was a 2013 Grand Marshall at the St. Johns Mint Festival. Walter was a member of the Baptist Church of St. Johns, MI.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Viges of St. Johns, MI, son Dana and Vicki Viges of Holt, MI, grandchildren; Philip Viges and Jade Anderson of Holt, MI, Amanda Viges of Holt, MI, step children; Karen and Ted Bedell of St. Johns, MI, Ed and Sharon Moinet of St. Johns, MI, Mike and Brenda Moinet of Ithaca, MI, Bob and Lynnett Moinet of St. Johns, MI, Jim and Eliana Moinet of Battlefield, KY, 15 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and sisters; June Erickson of Glendale, AZ, and Donna Wolle of WI. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Arlene, son Wayne Douglas Viges, and twin sister Waunita Rogers.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of St. Johns Beacon of Hope or Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, St. Johns, MI. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel St. Johns, Michigan.
Dorothy Jean Gilchrist
Dorothy Jean (Sanders) Gilchrist, age 86 of Grand Ledge, Michigan formerly of St. Johns, Michigan passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at Mother Teresa House, Lansing, Michigan.
A Graveside Service will be held at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, Michigan on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 29, 2016 from 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Osgood Chapel, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns, Michigan.
Dorothy was born in St. Johns, Michigan on May 9, 1929, the daughter of George Ernest and Gertrude (Simcox) Edwards. She attended Eastern High School in Lansing, Michigan graduating with the class of 1947. On October 27, 1959 she married Robert Sanders in Lansing, Michigan, Robert died in 1978. Dorothy was a secretary at Fisher Body in Lansing, Michigan until her retirement.
She is survived by her daughter Nikki and Ron Every of Bloomfield, NY, son Gavin and Barbara Sanders of Dimondale, MI, 7 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, 1 daughter Michelle Root, and 1 sister Ruth E. Fancher.
Memorials may be made to Mother Teresa House, P.O. Box 13004, Lansing, MI 48901. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel St. Johns, Michigan.
Betty L. Jernstadt
Betty L. Jernstadt passed away Monday, April 25, 2016 at the age of 85. She was born October 31, 1930 in Big Rapids, MI the daughter of Lawrence and Essie (Winget) Blanchard. On November 14, 1959 she married James Jernstadt and he preceded her in death in 1986. Betty enjoyed cooking and baking for family and friends and was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. Betty worked several different jobs in her younger years; and retired after working many years for H&R Block.
Surviving are her children, Ace Jernstadt, Honey (Karl) Blemaster, J.T. Jernstadt, Carol Jernstadt, Martin (Angela) Jernstadt and Anna Maier; eighteen grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; sons-in-law, Tim Smith and Tim Maier; brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Pat Blanchard, sister, Ruth Blanchard, sisters-in-law, Eleanor Blanchard, Thelma Blanchard and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her brothers, Wayne Blanchard, Dermont “Larry” Blanchard, John Blanchard, Allen Blanchard, sisters, Dorothy Kaiser, Wanda VanAlstine, Mary Blanchard, Marilyn Blanchard, Ethel Bowman and grandsons, Austin Blemaster and Ethan Smith.
A memorial service will be held 11:30 AM Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Maple Rapids United Methodist Church 330 S. Maple St., Maple Rapids with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church from 10:00AM until the service time. Memorials received will be donated to a charity of the family’s choice. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
Mary L. Martin
Mary L. Martin, 66 of rural Elsie, MI died on April 25, 2016 at Sparrow Hospital. Mary was born on December 11, 1949 the daughter of John and Melanie (Pouillon) Patrick. She was a 1968 graduate of Ovid-Elsie High School and had worked at Michigan State University in the accounting department for several years. On July 27, 1968 she married Don L. Martin in Ovid, MI
Mary is survived by her husband Don; sister Patty (Everett) Fuller of Petoskey and brothers John (Paula) Patrick of Tustin, MI and Eugene Patrick of Perrinton, MI.
Memorial services will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home in St. Johns, MI on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. with Shawn Martin officiating. Memorial may be made to Sparrow Hospice.
Crystal Lynne Ley
Crystal Lynne Ley passed away Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the age of 62 after a courageous battle with ALS. She was born May 24, 1953 in St. Johns, MI the daughter of Mervin and Carrie (Winslow) Rhynard and lived in St. Johns all her life. Crystal was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, a 1971 graduate of St. Johns High School, and was a retired State of Michigan employee. Crystal was a devoted daughter, wife, mom, grandma, aunt, cousin and friend. She enjoyed being with her family and friends, crafting, shopping trips, taking pictures, traveling, and celebrating special moments and achievements with everyone. On Dec. 1, 1973 she married Dennis Ley and he preceded her in death in March of 2006.
Surviving are her two daughters, Jacalyn (Jonathan) Thomas and Nicole Ley; four grandchildren, Zachary, Sydney, Brenden and Stella, special family members, Kenneth, Olivia, and Jeffrey Thomas, several nieces and nephews and many close family and friends. She was also predeceased by her parents and a brother, Corrie Rhynard.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, April 29, 2016 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends 5:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the ALS Association 678 Front Ave. NW, Suite 177, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
John Lee Cook
John Lee Cook, age 88, of Traverse City, MI passed away Friday, April 22, 2016 at Munson Medical Center.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel , 104 East Cass Street, St. Johns, MI on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 11:30 A.M. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service, Tuesday at the funeral home.
John was born in Flint, Michigan on January 12, 1928, the son of Henry and Mary (Ackroyd) Cook. He married Amanda (Pursell) Cook on May 9, 1969 in Jeffersonville, Indiana. John graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1953. During his career he was a Board Certified General and Colorectal Surgeon. John served his country in the Navy during the Korean War. He loved spending time with family, woodworking and gardening.
He is survived by his wife Amanda Cook of Traverse City, MI, children; Stephanie and Steve Emelander of Seattle, WA, Mary and Cary Paul of Traverse City, MI, Jennifer Cook of San Diego, CA and Joseph Cook of Orange, TX. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, son, John Cook, three brothers, and one sister. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association .
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel St. Johns, Michigan.
Stephen James Hosking Sr
Stephen James “Jim” Hosking Sr, age 72, of St. Johns, MI passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at Sparrow Health Systems, Lansing, MI.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, 104 E. Cass Street, St. Johns, MI on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Tom Wilson officiating. Burial will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, MI. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
Stephen was born in Detroit, Michigan on January 12, 1944, the son of Stephen Henry and Edna (Whear) Hosking. He graduated from Henry Ford High School in Detroit, MI with the class of 1962. Jim married Sandra Ann DeCormier on March 9, 1968. Jim retired as a Police Officer from the City of Detroit in 1995. He enjoyed guns, fast cars, trains and camping. He also enjoyed keeping in touch with family and friends on Facebook. Jim loved hanging out with his friends at Mega Coney Island in Grand Blanc, MI. Jim served his country as a Marine Sniper in the United States Marine Corp during the Vietnam War. He attended St. Johns Free Methodist Church and was a member of the VFW.
He is survived by his wife Sandra Hosking, daughter Carole and Samuel Vazquez, son Stephen Hosking Jr., grandchildren; James Vazquez, Samantha Vazquez, Cassandra Vazquez, Atley Hosking, Ethan Hosking, Caleb Salisbury and Brei Hosking. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be made to Oncology Unit at Sparrow Hospital Lansing, MI. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel St. Johns, Michigan.
Melissa J. Faull
Melissa J. Faull, 53 of Fowler, Michigan passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at Sparrow Clinton Hospital. Melissa was born on November 7, 1962 in St. Johns, MI the daughter of Walter and Nellie (Sillman) Nobis. Melissa was a graduate of Fowler High School in 1980 and on August 22, 1992 she married Andrew Faull. She worked as a graphic artist, organist, piano teacher and was choir director at St. Paul Lutheran Church and very involved with all activities at St. Paul Lutheran Church, active in Right to Life activities and enjoyed quilt making.
Melissa is survived by her husband, Andrew and siblings Steven Nobis of St. Johns, Cynthia Hilton of Midland, Texas and Bonnie Nobis of Fowler; 10 nieces and 22 great nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends and relatives at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fowler on Sunday, April 24, 2016,2-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Monday, April 25, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Paul Clark officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery in St. Johns. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Paul Church or St Paul Lutherans for Life.
Arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
Marriage licenses filed the week of April 18, 2016
Bryan Robert Cummings, 41 of DeWitt and Kristine Renee Cuddy, 51 of DeWitt
John Joseph Quinnan II, 54 of Bath and Korina Lynn Colthorp, 54 of Bath
Divorce decrees filed the weeks of April 18, 2016
Sjoberg, Amy Kathleen and Steven James
Redman, Bernadette M and Delane C
Barabanova, Irina V and Barabanov, Oleg M