Obituaries
Marian Rosaline Halfman
Marian Rosaline Halfman, age 84 of Fowler, MI passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2017. She was born in Westphalia, MI on December 8, 1932 the daughter of Robert and Irene (Cook) Spitzley.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI, on Monday, November 6, 2017 at 10:30 A.M., with Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard officiating. Burial will take place at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, Fowler, MI. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2017 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI. Rosary will be prayed at 3:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.
Marian was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the Christian Mothers in Fowler. She retired from Federal Mogul after 20 years of service. In retirement she worked for Osgood Funeral Homes at the Goerge Chapel in Fowler. Marian loved traveling, sight-seeing, playing cards, walking around town and most of all spending time with family. Marian was blessed with two wonderful husbands. She married Donald P. Harr on September 4, 1954 and after his death married Allan Halfman on September 23, 1977.
Surviving are her daughters; Julie (Stan) Weber and Donna (Tom) Fox, grandchildren; Stephanie (Jeff) Pohl, Courtney (John) Thelen, Chase (fiancé Amber Klein) Weber, Kyle Fox, grandson-in-law Lance Klein, and six beautiful great grandchildren; Claire, Reece, Ashley, Grant, Bennett and Avery, sister Helen Fedewa, brothers; Robert, Louie (Ruth) and Paul (Elaine) Spitzley, sisters-in-law; Mary Jane and Marie Thelen, brother-in-law Joe (Marge) Halfman. Also surviving are many wonderful and caring nieces, nephews, and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, both of her husbands, granddaughter Sarah Fox Klein, brothers; Donald and Phillip Spitzley, sisters-in-law; Ruth and Elizabeth “Liz” Spitzley, Sister Romilda Harr, Arlene Harr, Genevieve Thelen, Joanne Pohl, brothers-in-law; John Fedewa, Roy Harr, Jerome Thelen, Paul Thelen, Leon Halfman, Gerald Pohl, Louis Feldpausch, mothers and fathers-in-law; Jacob and Elizabeth Harr and Anthony and Gertrude Halfman.
Memorials may be made to Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI or Hazel Findlay Country Manor. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI.
Robert W. Spencer
Robert William (Bob) Spencer, 83, of St. Johns, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on November 1, 2017. He was born November 17, 1933 in Saginaw, MI to Harold and Lucille (Tanner) Spencer. His mother died when he was 5-years-old and the family relocated to Ionia. He grew up in Ionia where he was raised by his father and stepmother Ida Rose (Clark) Spencer whom he dearly loved.
Bob graduated from Ionia High School in 1952. He and his wife Shirley (Risser) Spencer were married in 1953. Their next wedding anniversary would have been their 65th. After attending Alma College on a football scholarship and graduating with a B.A. degree, Bob began teaching – primarily algebra and math – at St. Johns High School in 1956. He was employed by St. Johns Public Schools for 38 years, at first as a teacher and assistant football coach and later as an administrator – until his retirement in 1994. Locally, he may be remembered by many for the decades he served as the St. Johns track and cross-country coach.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, his son, Jack, of Lansing, his son, Robert Jr. and daughter-in-law, Diane of Everett, WA, his daughter, Sherry McKenzie, of Lansing, his sister Barbara Greve and brother-in-law, Jim of Owosso, his sister-in-law, Marcia Bolo and brother-in-law, Raymond of Salem, SC, his grandson, Scott McKenzie of Port Orchard, WA, granddaughter, Sarah McKenzie (and Bryon Kavanagh) of Lansing, granddaughter, Sasha Spencer of Portland, ME, and grandson, Tony Spencer (and Kellian) of Seattle, WA. In addition he is survived by three great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter and was dearly loved by his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jack in 1945, his son, Andrew in 2013, by his parents, and by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Andrew and Dorothy Risser.
A service of remembrance is planned for next spring. Memorials may be made to the St. Johns High School Athletic Hall of Fame or a charity of donor’s choice. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
Nancy A. Steinman
Nancy A. Steinman, 81 of Ortonville, MI passed away at Rosewood Adult Foster Care in DeWitt on Thursday, October 26, 2017. Nancy was born on November 16, 1935 in Hancock, MI the daughter of Eino and Marion (Croteau) Storvis. She was raised also by her stepfather William Wittla. She graduated from Cass Tech High School in Detroit and received her R.N. from Flint Jr. College. She married William E. Steinman in 1954 and he preceded her in death in 2013. Nancy was an avid gardener, painted still life, loved her grandchildren and listening to classical music. She worked as a nurse at St Joseph Hospital, later becoming Genesys, for her entire career.
Nancy is survived by children, David W. Steinman of Ortonville, and Robin (Kirk) McGuire of St. Johns. Grandchildren, Megan Wagner, Jennifer Wagner, Molly Wagner and Jillian Wagner. Brother, David (Terri) Storvis of Florida.
The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home in St. Johns on Monday, November 6, 2017 beginning at 1:00 P.M. until service time which is 3:00 P.M. with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. The Nurse Honor Guard will participate in the service. Memorial contributions may be made to The Michigan Audubon Society, PO Box 15249, Lansing, MI 48901 or The Alzheimer’s Association.
Audrey Louise Aldrich
Audrey Louise Aldrich, age 81 of Dimondale, MI and formerly of Ann Arbor and St. Johns passed away Saturday, October 28, 2017 at New Haven Assisted Living in Dimondale.
There will be no services will be held at this time.
Audrey was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 20, 1936, the daughter of John E. and Emma R. (Hempel) Bernath. Audrey married Elwyn Aldrich on July 7, 1957. They met while he served in the Army in Pittsburgh. He passed away on December 8, 2003. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University. Audrey resided most of her life in Ann Arbor.
Audrey was an archery champion in high school. She loved the outdoors and camping. She and Elwyn put together kiddie tractor pulls in many different areas. Farming was always a big part of her family life. After retirement they moved back to the farm in Shepardsville. Audrey played piano at the Methodist Church in Ann Arbor. She was a member of the Shepardsville United Methodist Church
She is survived by her son Glenn Aldrich of Canton, MI; son Kenneth Aldrich of Carson City, MI; son David and Melissa Aldrich of Owosso, MI; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother Edward Bernath of Pittsburgh, PA; sister-in-law Dorothy Woodworth of Corunna, MI. Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Jack Bernath, and brother-in-law Gordon Woodworth.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Adam John Forbes
Adam John Forbes, age 35, of Grand Rapids, formerly of St. Johns, passed away unexpectedly on October 26, 2017, and is now at peace. Adam joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 2003 and served in Afghanistan from 2011 – 2012. He enjoyed running, playing cornhole, riding his motorcycle, and spending time with his family, friends, and neighbors. Adam graduated from Grand Valley State University, and recently returned to continue his studies. He was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
He will be dearly missed by his wife of nine years, Holly; his daughter, Chelsea; parents, Debra and Larry Forbes; brother, Scott Forbes; grandmother, Katherine Feneis; special Aunt Susu and Unc Den; parents-in-law, Paul and Carol Markham; brother-in-law, Josh Markham; Holly’s grandmothers, Judy Curtiss and Ellen Markham.
Visitation will be held on Monday, October 30, from 5 – 8 pm at Stroo Funeral Home, where the funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 31, at 11 am, with Rev. Dr. Robert Hundley officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Adam’s family for Chelsea’s college education fund.
Marriage licenses filed the week of October 23, 2017
Christopher Jacob Dick, 23 of Lansing and Danielle Paige Livermore, 22 of Lansing
Ruben Amos Nance, 27 of DeWitt and Amber Lynn Guerrero, 28 of East Lansing
Cameron Michael John Miller, 27 of Fowler and Lotta Ann Gale, 25 of Fowler
Ryan Robert Rademacher, 29 of Eagle and Brianne Nicole Celusnak, 24 of Washington, MI
Matthew Thomas Mossner, 28 of Grand Ledge and Carly Nicole Leppala, 24 of DeWitt
Brandon James Sharpe, 22 of Maple Rapids and Kyla Jo Reed, 26 of Gowen, MI
Joshua Paul Pratt, 30 of Westphalia and Angela Marie Stinso, 25 of Westphalia
Brian Isidore Thelen, 51 of Westphalia and Kristi Rose Pline, 33 of Fowler
Douglas James Kosloski, 75 of Lansing and Darlene Fern Losey, 63 of Lansing
Jeff Marcus Klaver, 33 of St. Johns and Carry Jo Felton, 37 of St. Johns
Scott Richard Blankenship, 36 of DeWitt and Brooke Ellen Ballinger, 33 of DeWitt
Justin Louis Longoria, 28 of St. Johns and Megan Taylor Massey, 24 of St. Johns
Bryan Nicholas Harris, 39 of Okemos and Stacy Ann Kinel, 36 of DeWitt
Divorce decrees filed the week of October 23, 2017
Brookes-Beck, Tawanda Rush and Larry Earl Beck
Rasmussen, Andrea and Nicholas
Kurdziel, Brandy and Gregory
Graham, Stephanie Carol Lynn and Joshua Michael
Holmes, Autumn Melissa and Elgin
Babana-Hampton, Safoi and Mark David Hampton
Hall, Susan M. and Raymond D.
Schultz, Natasha Marie and Joshua David