Obituaries
Alan L. Childers
Alan L. “Boney” Childers, age 64, of St. Johns, passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at his home.
Alan was born November 5, 1951 in Carson City, the son of Lawrence and Marcella (Cole) Childers. He graduated from Fulton High School with the class of 1970. Alan married Catherine Grubaugh on August 17, 1974 at the Maple Rapids Congregational Church. He was a self-employed carpenter. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially in Canada.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Catherine of St. Johns, brothers Roger of St. Ignace, Victor (Eunice) of Whittemore, Bradley (Monica) of St. Johns, Ted (Penny) of Perrinton, many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews as well.
Alan was preceded in death by his parents, brother Mike, sisters-in-law Sandy Childers and Julie Grubaugh.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 24, 2016 at 11 am at the Dodge Funeral Home, Middleton. Interment will be in Payne Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Capital Area Humane Society on Grand River Dr. in Lansing.
John Dean Wickwire
John Dean Wickwire age 59, of Ovid, MI, passed away Saturday, June 18, 2016 at his home.
A Funeral Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI, on Friday, June 24, 2016 at 3:00 P.M. with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating. Burial will take place at Eureka Cemetery, Eureka, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2016 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
John was born on August 21, 1956 in St. Johns, MI the son of John and Margaret (Sullivan) Wickwire. He graduated from St. Johns High School. John retired from General Motors were he worked as a fork lift operator. He was currently working at ADESA Inc. John was a member of UAW #602. He enjoyed gardening, farming, and fishing.
He is survived by his son John Wickwire of Portage, MI, daughter Joyce and Richard Scofield of Fort Hood, TX, grandchildren; William, Trinity, Dayanara, and Richard Jr. and 2 sisters; Rita and John Harris, and Deb and Len Erickson. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Sylvia and brother Joe. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI.
Gertrude Rose Arens
Gertrude Rose Arens, age 90 of Fowler, Michigan, passed away on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Ingham County Medical Care Facility, Okemos, Michigan. Gert was born May 17, 1926 in Fowler, Michigan the daughter of Edward and Antoinette (Simon) Schueller and resided all of her life in Fowler. She married Don Arens on November 20, 1950 in Fowler. He passed away on March 5, 2013. Gert was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
She is survived by her children; Ann (Tom) Rademacher of Eagle, MI, Patrick Arens of Fowler, MI, Lucy (Larry) Pline of Lansing, MI, 8 grandchildren; Charlene (Jim) Paul, Lorie, Daniel, Donald, Ryan and Bryan Rademacher, Chantelle and Paige Pline, 2 great-grandchildren; Makayla and Blake Paul, and sister Bernadine Martin of Westphalia, MI. Gert was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her great-granddaughter Kaitlin Paul, a brother Bernard Schueller and two sisters; Adeline Thelen and Marie Schueller (Sister Olivia).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, Michigan. Rev. Fr. Carl Simon will officiate. Burial will take place at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery, Fowler. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 from 2-8 PM with family present 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Smith Family Funeral Homes Goerge Chapel, Fowler, Michigan. A Rosary will be prayed on Tuesday at 3:00 and 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be made to Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI.
Alma Jean Davis
Alma Jean Davis (Bower), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, age 90, of St. Johns, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 19, 2016; in the Centennial farmhouse where she raised her family, surrounded by loved ones singing Amazing Grace.
Alma was born July 1, 1925 to Harold and Hazel (Campbell) Bower in DeWitt, Michigan. She graduated from DeWitt High School in 1942, where she was president of her senior class, and captain of the girls basketball team. She received her teaching certificate from Michigan State College in 1944, taught school for 3 years, then traveled west with her father after her mother died. For 20 years she raised her children before she continued her work with St. Johns Public Schools. Alma retired in 1989 as a paraprofessional for special needs children. Alma met her sweetheart Don at a 4H hard times party in 1948. The handsome young couple married on April 30, 1949 and together they raised their five children on the same Centennial Farm where Don grew up.
They enjoyed farming, raising various livestock and decades of 4-H involvement. Their personal commitment to Jesus Christ was the focus of their life. Don and Alma were prayer warriors, starting out each day praying over their ever growing prayer list. Involvement in Pilgrim United Methodist Church was their joy. Wesley Woods and Townline Lake, retreats and mission trips to Haiti thrilled them as they took part in spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
From birthday parties, holiday celebrations, Sunday dinners, 4H fair days to church picnics, Alma’s greatest joy was time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. ‘Grandma’ was the happy cheerleader not only for her family, but entire sports teams and the children of Pilgrim Church. Alma loved Jesus and she loved her family. She was a lovely person, from her welcoming, positive nature to her open heart and arms for everyone lucky enough to know her. She loved everyone she met and counted them as the most important person in her world for as long as they could talk. Her conversations would end with a sincere and joyful ‘God Bless you!” She was a hard working, joyful helpmate to her Don and their farm, a nurturing mother and friend, loving wife and a beautiful soul. Alma’s kindness, compassion and encouragement will not be forgotten.
Alma will be greatly missed by her five children; Dale (Julia) Davis of WA, Roger (Renee) Davis of CO, Jim (Debi) Davis of St. Johns, Janet (Mike) Tisdale of AL, Bob (Kathy) Davis of St. Johns; 17 grandchildren: Aaron Davis, Ivan (Jenny) Davis, Andrew (Elizabeth) Davis, Emily (Lane) Bargeron, Austin, Elizabeth, Matthew, Amanda, Ashley and Alexandra Davis, Lindsay (Noah) Harrell, Nic (Jessie) Tisdale, Cosette (Rob) Kirkpatrick, Tavi (Austin) Smith, Levanna, Ethan and Lucy Davis, great grandchildren Heidi and Alice Davis, Emmi Harrell, Jenna, Anna and Isaac Davis, Nyra Bargeron, many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Alma was preceded in death by her brother, Russell Bower.
Alma’s funeral service will be held Thursday, June 23, 2016, 2:00 PM at Pilgrim United Methodist Church 2965 W. Parks Rd. St.Johns with Pastor Andy Croel officiating. Interment will follow at South Bingham Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Remembrances on Alma’s behalf may be given to Pilgrim United Methodist Church Children’s Ministries or Clinton County 4-H Foundation.
Brandon Clark White, Jr.
Brandon Clark White, Jr., age 83, passed away on June 16, 2016 at Heritage Hill Assisted Living Facility in Caro, Michigan. Brandon was born on March 15, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Brandon and Mabel White. Brandon married Mary Annette Turner on November 17, 1956 and she preceded him in death on October 26, 2015.
Brandon was a veteran of the Korean War. He was a banker for most of his working career, a job which brought him and his family to St. Johns, Michigan from Ann Arbor, Michigan to work at Central National Bank. From there he became the President and CEO of Clinton National Bank in St. Johns. After retiring, he and Annette split their time between their cottage on Higgins Lake and their condo in Sarasota, Florida.
Also surviving are his children. Brandon is survived by his sons, Brandon (Sue) White, III; Mark White; his daughter, Michelle (Tom) Kuras; grandchildren Kileen (Von) Motley, Abby (Jake) Hunter, Nicole White, Brianna White (fiancé Brandon Bommarito), Desmond White, Daniel Long, Spencer (Christie) Long and Evan Long (fiancée Kelly Cheney); Great Grandchildren Basia Motley, Quinn Hunter, Hadley Hunter, Aidan Washburne, Austin Stroheide and Jack Maverick Long.
Ambrose William Schueller
Ambrose William Schueller, age 78 of Ashley, Michigan passed away Sunday June 19, 2016 at Carson City Hospital, Carson City, Michigan.
There will be no service held at this time.
Ambrose was born July 25, 1937 in Westphalia, Michigan the son of Albert and Irene (Thelen) Schueller. Ambrose married Lorraine Rose on August 12, 1967 in Bannister, Michigan. He resided most of his life in Ashley, Michigan.
Ambrose enjoyed working in his garage and building things. He was a real handyman. His favorite pastime was watching television. Ambrose retired from Saylor Beal in St. Johns, MI. He loved his dog, Baxter. Ambrose was a member of St. Cyril’s Catholic Church, Bannister, MI.
He is survived by his wife Lorraine Schueller of Ashley, MI; 2 sons Matt and Jennifer Schueller of Ashley, MI, Dustin Schueller of Ashley, MI; 2 grandchildren Maxim and Patrick Schueller; 2 sisters Theresa Fox of Ionia, MI, Geraldine Geller of DeWitt, MI; 3 brothers Dick and Kathy Schueller of Lyons, MI, Jerry Schueller of St. Johns, MI, Gary and Rose Schueller of Fowler. Ambrose is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Ambrose was preceded in death by his parents; 3 sisters Marietta VanEtten, Rosalene Schueller and Rita Skriba; brother Joe Schueller; 2 siblings in infancy.
Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Cyril’s Catholic Church, Bannister, MI.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.
Derek M. Henning
Derek M. Henning, 42, died on Friday, June 17, 2016
Private services will be held at a later date.
The family is being served by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home.
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Mark R. Howard
Mark R. Howard of St. Johns formerly of St. Louis, MI, died Monday, June 13, 2016 at the age of 53. He was born May 29, 1963 in Carson City, MI the son of Rex and Gladys (Theu) Howard. Mark served in the Marines, was a former UAW member, completed training becoming a Master Gardener and earned an Associate’s Degree in alternative energy. Mark was a retired Federal Mogul machine operator.
Surviving are two sons, Nicholas of Missouri and Steven of DeWitt; one daughter, Sasha Johnson of Alma and one grandson Gage. Also surviving is his significant other, Ann Smith and her children, Derek and Lisa Smith, Lauren and Jeremy Hosey, and grandchildren, Sophia and Hudson Smith and Quinn Hosey.
A celebration of Mark’s life will be held Monday, June 20, 2016, 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the UAW Hall 117 W. Walker St., St. Johns. Memorials may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society 7095 W. Grand River Ave. Lansing, MI 48906. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
Marriage licenses filed the week of June 13, 2016
Brian Richard Guigue, 34 of Portland and Melissa Lynn Ferens, 37 of Portland
Russell Arden Densmore, 60 of Ithaca and Karen Hopeann Batora, 56 of Elsie
Ryan Thomas Ridings, 23 of DeWitt and Hannah Christi Noyce, 25 of DeWitt
Henry Francis Cermak II, 32 of Elsie and Shona Rahnae Workman, 29 of Elsie
Mathew Douglas Platte, 25 of Fowler and Monica Judith Martin, 25 of Westphalia
Todd David Richard, 25 of DeWitt and Ashley Nicole Iafano, 24 of DeWitt
Joseph Lee Pontek Jr., 41 of Ovid and Kimberly Sue Baese, 32 of Ovid
Derek Jay Adams, 26 of St. Johns and Alexis Madison Haney, 21 of St. Johns
Luke David Schultheis, 46 of Henrico, Virginia and Nicole Granbois Rovig, 39 of DeWitt
Christopher Wayne Schaub, 27 of St. Johns and Stephanie Rose Dusendang, 25 of St. Johns
Eric Nathaniel Ray, 39 of Lansing and Angel Marie Foley, 42 of Laingsburg
Todd Allen Buhs, 34 of DeWitt and Jennifer Marie Oberst, 30 of DeWitt
Brandon William Miller Shellberg, 24 of DeWitt and Madeline Mary Shirey, 23 of DeWitt
Louis John Velaga Jr., 31 of Bath and Heather Marie Koenigsknecht, 27 of Bath
Divorce decrees filed the weeks of June 13, 2016
Tipps, Christopher P and Schwarz, Natalie M
Hager, Scott Michael and Smalley, Kaitlyn Faith
Whittaker, Ronald and Yuliya
Whitford, Joy and Grove, Robert Franklin
Soliz, Rafael Jr and Alice
Prichard, Jennifer B and Jimmy L
Mull, Kimberly Stahlmann and Jeffrey Paul
Hepfer, Laura Lee and David James
Collier, Beth Ann and Craig Clifton
Quinn, Tara Anne and Barry P
Work, Thomas Oliver and Jo Ann