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Michael John Riley
Michael John Riley, age 60, of St. Johns, died on August 22, 2023 after sustaining injuries in a motorcycle accident.
Born on November 23, 1962, Michael was one of ten children raised by Carolyn and Joe VanRooyan. A graduate of St. Johns High School and a lifelong resident of St. Johns, Michigan, Michael was known for his charismatic personality, his repertoire of dad jokes, and his stern, yet kind and patient personality. His love for his children and grandchildren was vast, and yet, his Harley Motorcycle still managed to hold a special place in his heart, only a smidgen below family and the Marines.
He proudly served his country from 1981-1992, and was stationed around the world. He worked for Federal Mogul for eighteen years and as a Postmaster for over twenty two years, until his retirement two months ago from the Laingsburg Post Office. He met Doreen Rohraff in 2000, an the two were quickly inseparable. They married on October 25, 2002 and enjoyed the blessings of a large, blended family.
Michael was the family jokester and had the uncanny ability to tell a convincing story. He was a man who was set in his ways, knew right from wrong, and wasn’t shy about sharing the truth when asked. If you asked for his opinion, buckle up, because you were going to get it undiluted, straight up. When not on his bike or cherishing time spent with his family, Michael could be found fishing, wine making, gardening, or canning and was a longtime member of the Laingsburg American Legion. He was a man who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, was loved by everyone he met and will be truly missed by many.
He is survived by his beloved wife of over twenty years, Doreen Riley; children, Dr. Crystal (Bradrick “BJ”) Riley Fields, Samantha Rose (Joseph Robinson) Rohraff, Jay (Maddie) McHale, Cassandra (Michael) Meredith, Susan (Dakota) Mitchell, Zechariah (Taylor) McHale and Rob (Gail) Freeland; 26 grandchildren; his mother, Carolyn VanRooyan (the late Ed) Cox; siblings, Terry (Fred) Lane, Rick (Paris) VanRooyen, Maggie (Shawn) Young, Pat (Christine) Riley, Rose (Alan) Cook, Joyce (Brad) Rinckey, Dr. Michael VanRooyan, the late Fran Mohnke, Bill (Jill Peterson) Riley; as well as many dear in-laws, nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 27, 2023 at the Laingsburg American Legion, 1240 W. Grand River Road, Laingsburg from 2 – 6 PM, with military honors at 2:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Laingsburg American Legion.
For further information visit McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel.
Tedford John Tycocki
Tedford John Tycocki, born December 10, 1940 in West Lafayette, Indiana, son of the late Theodore Anthony Tycocki and Dorothy (Douglas) Tycocki, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at age 82.
Ted graduated from Ferris State University in 1962 with a BS in Environmental Sanitation. He began his career with the Berrien County Health Department. From there he moved on to work with the city of Lansing as a building inspector. He retired after 27 years working for MSHDA as a construction manager. Growing up in Lansing, he attended Holy Cross Grade School. He graduated high school in the class of 1958 from St. Mary’s in Lansing, Michigan, where he played both varsity football, varsity basketball and was a left-handed shooter.
A Renaissance man in every sense of the word. He built several of his own homes, restored classic cars – with a special affinity for the 1957 Chevy. He was a motorcycle enthusiast, owned horses, was a licensed NRA safety instructor, taught bow hunting classes and engaged in the hobby of bee-keeping. He pursued all his interests with passion…. anxiously waiting every hunting season from the age of 12 when he bagged his first buck.
He is survived by his special love Mary Anne Hanlon Smith, two daughters: Lisa Tycocki, Lori O’Keefe and her sons: Cade O’Keefe and Nolan Stevens, brother Jim Tycocki (Wendy), and nephews: David Tycocki (Beth) and Tim Tycocki. He was predeceased by his parents and his beloved Aunt Margaret (Byrnes) Gallagher and Uncle Jack Gallagher, his Uncle Fr. Bill Bonventure,
A public graveside service will be held at Mt. Rest Cemetery, 701 East Steel Street, St. Johns on Wednesday August 23, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams presiding.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ferris State University in memory of Ted Tycocki (The Ferris Foundation) https://www.ferris.edu/giving/give-now/index.htm (to make a gift, select honorariums and memorial gifts). Donations for The Ferris Foundation also may be mailed to the funeral home, 104 East Cass St., St. Johns, MI 48879. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Heidi Maureen Scranton
Heidi Maureen Scranton of Rogers City received eternal life on Wednesday, August 16, after a brief battle with cancer. She was 54.
Born June 18, 1969 to Terry and Linda (Dettloff) Scranton in Lansing, she graduated from St. Johns High School in 1987 and from Grand Valley State University in 1993 with a degree in recreational therapy.
After serving an internship at Kent Community Hospital, Heidi worked in nursing home facilities in mid-Michigan. She worked at Tendercare in Lansing, the Ingham County Medical Facility, Eaton Manor in Charlotte, and the Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor in St. Johns. She found great joy in working with residents of the nursing home as activity director, spending hours planning activities suitable for them. In 2022 the Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor honored Heidi by dedicating a recreational therapy room to her.
She was active in her community in St. Johns, serving on the Mint Festival Steering Committee and was parade coordinator for many years. She also served as an ambassador of the St. Johns Chamber of Commerce and was once honored as Ambassador of the Year.
Heidi struggled later in her life with complications caused by diabetes and had to stop working when she required more care. She briefly was a resident at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor before moving to Rogers City to live with her mother in 2016.
She was a fan of the Detroit Tigers and the television series MASH. She loved shopping, going to concerts, live theater productions, and having fun with her nieces and nephew.
Surviving Heidi are her mother, Linda; her twin sister, Heather of Rogers City; her sister Kara of Grand Rapids; her brother, Michael and his wife Marcie of Dewitt; her nieces Hannah and Ella Scranton and nephew Avery Scranton. She was pre-deceased by her father, Terry, and her grandparents.
A memorial service will be held at Beck Funeral Home in Rogers City at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 26. A visitation will be held at 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to The St. Johns Sea Lions Swim Team scholarship fund. Checks may be sent to the St. Johns Sea Lions, 800 S. US 27 #108, St. Johns, MI 48879. More information at: https://www.sjsealions.com/scholarshipfund/