Obituaries
Arthur O. Curtis
Arthur O. Curtis Jr. 84 or rural Elsie, MI died at his home surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 21. 2016. Art was born on November 17, 1931 in Fairfield Township the son of Arthur O. Sr. and Ellen (Croxen) Curtis. He graduated from Ovid High School in 1949 and served in the U.S. Army. On November 11, 1950 he married Lois M. Pixley in Carland, MI. Arthur owned and operated C & D Chevrolet in Elsie for several years. Prior to that he worked for Miller Ford in Owosso, Pierce Motors in Durand, Backus Ford in Owosso and lastly at St. Johns Ford in St. Johns, from here he retired. He loved being at Higgins Lake, and he cherished time with his friends and family, and going deer hunting. He was a life member of American Legion Post 57 in Owosso and life member of St. Johns/Ovid Masonic Lodge. He was active as a youth counselor with the United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Lois, daughters, Barbara (Michael) Warren of Grand Ledge, MI; and Rhonda Curtis of DeWitt. Granddaughter, Katie (Kyle) Gaffner of Lansing. Great grandson Andrew Gaffner and great granddaughter Samantha Gaffner. Many nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. Art was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Kenneth, Harry, Almarion Bacon; sisters Vaudrey Barnard, Marjorie Bradley, son in law, Bill Freund, sister in law Irma (George) Fowler and brother in law Floyd Pixley; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns, MI on Monday, January 25, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives at the funeral home on Sunday, January 24, 2016, 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. and Monday 1 hour prior to services. Memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Healthcare Hospice Service or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Rick Hawbaker
Rick Hawbaker passed away on January 20, 2016 at the age of 36. He was born on March 26, 1979 in Waynesboro, PA, the son of Ronald and Carol (Barnhart) Hawbaker. Rick enjoyed farming, N.T.P.A. tractor pulling, Ford Trucks, I.H. tractors, his sheep and chickens, the Dukes of Hazzard, but most of all spending time with his family and friends. Rick was a dedicated volunteer for Clinton County 4-H and a member of the First Church of God. He married Terri Jo Straub on March 31, 2001 and she survives him.
Also surviving are their children, Clyde, Eli, Ruby, George and Levi Hawbaker, his parents, Ron and Carol Hawbaker, two sisters, Robin (Randy) Christman, Rebecca (Kenny) Geer, one brother, Randy (Patti) Hawbaker, grandmas, Dorothy Jean Musselman, Inez Giles, mother and father in law, Howard and Mary Jo Straub, sisters and brothers in law, Patti (John) Warnke, Howard (Jamie) Straub III, Amanda (David) Stevens, nieces and nephews, Randy, Jerrica, Cory, Jared, Rhyanna, Allison, Vincent, Gabe, Elliott, Emerson, Natalie, Malorie, Elouise, Marie, Heidi, Holli, Sarah, Samantha, Howie IV, Julie, Andrew, Christian, Daniel, Andrea (JC) Balcazar, Catlin (Brighid) Christman and Bethany (Joe) Bontrager. Rick was preceded in death by his grandparents, Galen Hawbaker, Ross and Anna Barnhart, John Musselman and niece Marci Jo Straub.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 25, 2016 at the First Church of God, with Pastors, John Mattern, Chris Bones and James L. Sparks officiating with burial to follow at Lowe Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns, and one hour prior to the funeral service on Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Hawbaker Children’s Educational Fund.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
John Lawrence Andrews
John Lawrence “Larry” Andrews, age 87, of St. Johns, Michigan passed away Monday, January 18, 2016 at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Lansing, MI.
Memorial Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns, MI on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. with Pastor John James officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday January 21, 2016 from 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. and 5:00-8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
Lawrence was born in St. Johns, Michigan on January 18, 1929, the son of John and Olivia Elizabeth (Wacker) Andrews. He graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School. Lawrence married Norma Lynn Hoover on August 25, 1949 in Vancouver, WA. He had worked for Carl Geller Electric, Diamond Rio and retired from St. Johns Public Schools as an electrician in 1994. Larry enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding his motorcycle and attending antique tractor shows. He loved spending time with his family at Crystal Lake, Lake Margrethe and water skiing. He was a lifelong member of the NRA.
He is survived by his wife Norma Andrews of St. Johns, MI, children; Jim and Diane Margaret Andrews of St. Johns, MI, Janet Lynn and David Nielsen of Fowler, MI, Gene and Juliane Andrews of St. Johns, MI, 13 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 2 brothers; Richard and Doris Andrews of St. Johns, MI, and Paul and Noreen Andrews of Lansing, MI. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Mary Andrews, great grandson Xander Andrews and brother Clarence Andrews.
Memorials may be made to Make a Wish Foundation or Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Lansing, MI. Online condolences can be sent to The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns, Michigan.
Lewis E. Schavey
Lewis E. Schavey passed away January 12, 2016 at the age of 96. He was born June 12, 1919 in St. Johns, Michigan, the son of Fred and Edna (Bartlett) Schavey. He married Edith Eisler on July 28, 1944 in Clinton County and she preceded him in death on September 22, 2014.
Lewis is survived by grandchildren, Cole Schavey of Traverse City, Michigan, Raven Schavey of Wolverine, Michigan and Naomi Schavey of Traverse City, Michigan, three great-grandchildren; sister, Mabel Beck as well as many nieces and nephews including but not limited to, Annie, Tom and Roger. In addition to his wife, Lewis was preceded in death by his parents and son, Lee Schavey.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.
Roy J. Weber
Roy J. Weber of Maple Rapids, died Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at the age of 65. He was born January 14, 1951 in St. Johns, MI the son of John and Rosalyn (Smith) Weber. Roy loved to hunt and fish, was a member of the Fowler Conservation Club and worked for Mathews Elevator Co. in Fowler for 40 years.
Surviving are two sisters, Ruth (Kirk) Brock of St. Johns and Rosemary (Ernie) Myers of Fowler; two brothers, Ronald (Winona) Weber of Owosso and Paul (Shirley) Weber of Fowler; sister-in-law, Lorraine Weber of Fowler; special godchild, Traci (Brock) Szczechowski of St. Charles, IL and many nieces and nephews. Roy was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jerome.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery Chapel, Fowler with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan P.O. Box 30480 Lansing, MI 48909 or Hazel Findlay Rehab 1001 S. Scott Rd. St. Johns, MI 48879. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
Richard Eugene Sovereign
Richard Eugene “Dick” Sovereign of Dunnellon, Florida, formerly of St. Johns, passed away Thursday, November 26, 2015 at the age of 85, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born September 24, 1930 in Boone, Iowa the son of George and Chloris Sovereign. Dick graduated from Boone High School in 1948. He served in the United States Air Force from 1948 to 1952. He was a technician for MABC in Tuscola Co., Genesee Co. and Clinton County for 22 yrs. He worked for MMPA of Ovid, was a farmer and retired as a supervisor for Howmet Corporation of Plymouth, MI.
He was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church of Ocala, Florida and a former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of St. Johns. Dick loved the outdoors, hunting, gardening and crossword puzzles. Dick was a wonderful cook and enjoyed cooking big meals for his family and friends. His most famous and delicious meals were leg of lamb, ribs and sauerkraut and chicken noodle soup. Dick was very proud of his family and loved spending time with them. He had a huge heart, never complained and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife Betsy. His seven children: Rick (Sharon) Sovereign, Annette (David) Young, Mary (Mark) Mercer, Renee (Greg) Lewis, Tim Sovereign, Rhonda (Scott) Chamberlain and Tom (Julie) Sovereign. Eleven grandchildren: Tonya (Richmond) Davis, Benji (Amy) Sovereign, April (Sean) Nobach, Marc Mercer, Kathy (Andrew) Rademacher, Heather (Steve) Thalison, Danny Lewis and fiancé Amber Pung, Emily & Anthony Chamberlain and Tommy & Gracie Sovereign. Ten great-grandchildren: Lucas, Jake, Carolina Davis. Eli, Ethan, Ariel Sovereign. Bailey, Logan, Chloe Nobach and Owen Thalison. Dick is also survived by two brothers George (Pat) Sovereign, Larry (Wonda) Sovereign, as well as his sister Sue Brogdon of California. He also is survived by several nieces, nephews, friends and his second family the Kreiners. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, first wife Kathryn Sovereign, sister Rose Rozga, Frank Rozga, Tom Brogdon and several members of the Kreiner family.
A Funeral Mass was held at 8:30 a.m. Friday, January 8, 2016 at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church of Ocala, Florida. Interment will follow at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. Arrangements made by Strickland Funeral Home, Crystal River, Florida.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Dick on Saturday, January 23, 2016 from 1:00 -4:00 pm at Agro Culture Liquid Fertilizer, St. Johns, MI. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorials to:
University of Florida Foundation
HC Cancer research
Attn: Gift Processing
PO Box 14425
Gainesville, FL 32604
In memory of Richard Sovereign
Marriage licenses filed the week of January 11, 2016
Marcus Gordon Fray, 27 of Lansing and Samantha Therese Dunn, 27 of Lansing
Albert Earl Swathwood Jr., 47 of Lansing and Bridget Dee Norris, 47 of Lansing
Bradley David Thornburgh, 38 of St. Johns and Renee Jean Bancroft, 34 of St. Johns
Joseph Andrew Brooks, 39 of Portage and Julie Kay Schroeder, 33 of St. Johns
Luke Zachary Worden, 21 of Eaton Rapids and Makayla Jo McCausey, 19 of St. Johns