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Arthur Gale Brown
Arthur Gale Brown, a longtime resident of St. Johns, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on April 6, 2023 after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 66 years old.
Art was born on May 23, 1956 in Lansing, Michigan to Robert and Esther (Rademacher) Brown. He grew up in the Lansing/Dewitt area and was a 1974 graduate of St. Johns High School. Art went on to work nearly thirty years with General Motors until his retirement in 2006. Following his retirement from GM, he joined DLB Construction where he worked as a carpenter and jack-of-all-trades for over 10 years. He was a member of St Joseph Catholic Church in St Johns, MI for several years.
Known as “the Bull”, Art lived life to the fullest, and throughout life’s challenges he kept a positive attitude as he forged ahead. The same way he always tackled any task at hand – with grit, determination, and perseverance, the Bull fought his cancer ferociously until the very end. He leaned heavily on his faith in Christ in the good times and the bad. He gave his very best to everything he did. This was exemplified by his service to others. He was always willing to help anybody in need. Whether you needed help moving, installing a new roof, fixing your car, a safe place to stay for the night, a listening ear, life advice, or just a giant hug, he was always there for every one of us. His heart was never too full to give to others.
Art was a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous and celebrated 12 years of sobriety prior to his passing. He mentored many people on their paths to sobriety both as a sponsor, and as a friend. He chaired AA meetings at the Clinton County Jail and various other venues. Art was elated when people were living their best lives and staying sober. He was also a member of the VFW Men’s Auxiliary Post 701 in Lansing, where he could be found volunteering his time, making omelets every other Sunday, giving back to those who sacrificed so much for us.
Art had a love of the outdoors, and in November you might’ve found him in a deer blind in the morning, and on the golf course in the afternoon, if weather permitted. He was incredibly competitive and loved taking nickels from his brothers while winning at golf. Art loved his family immensely and was no happier than when spending time with all of us. His greatest joy of all, though, was spending time with his grandchildren. He loved playing and talking with them, as well as watching their orchestra recitals and sporting events. Art was the loudest spectator in the stands at every one of their events. Games will never be as lively as they were when Grandpa was in the stands.
He is survived by his son, Travis Brown; favorite daughter-in-law, Grace (Mpamira) Brown: grandchildren, Maxwell and Marleigh Brown; his chosen daughter, Alicia Drake and chosen grandsons, Johnathon French, Anthony, Warren and Isaiah Drake; thirteen siblings, Linda (Russ) Mack, Robert (Carolyn) Brown, Dale (Sherralyn) Brown, Danny (Rickie) Brown, Sue Eiseler (and friend Allan Winters), Cindy (Mike) Sharp, Leanne (Bob) Toman, Mary Ellen (Joe) Brown, Marcia Brown, Gloria (Ron) Morris, Colleen (Tim) Bellingar, Carol (Troy) Wood, and Geno Brown, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother George Brown, biological father Robert Brown, step father Eugene Brown, mother Esther (Rademacher) Brown, sister-in-law Debbie Brown, brothers-in-law Jim Brown and Gary Eiseler, and nieces Shanae and Geneva Brown.
The Brown family would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the staff at Karmanos Cancer Center at McLaren Greater Lansing, as well as McLaren Palliative Care and Hospice for their care and support over the past year. We would also like to thank Art’s family and friends for their love, prayers, and support since his diagnosis. Our hearts are full of gratitude for each and every one of you.
Memorial Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns on Friday, April 21, 2023 from 4 — 8 PM, Rosary and Time of Sharing at 6:30 PM.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 Linden St, St Johns on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 11 AM. A luncheon will follow. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the City Rescue Mission of Lansing.
Harry W. Schaub
Harry W. Schaub, age 71 and a resident of DeWitt, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 8, 2023. Harry was born on April 7, 1952 in Gratiot County to Harry and Josephine (Raducha) Schaub. He was a 1970 graduate of Fulton High School, served in the Army National Guard from 1972-1978 and earned his degree in the trades at Ferris State University. He began his career as a welder with Eugene Welding in Elsie and went on to enjoy a fifty year career as a master welder and millwright with General Motors in Lansing where he forged many great friendships. He retired in 2022.
On July 17, 1971 he married Earlene M. Flegler, the great love of his life, and they were blessed with the births of four daughters. Harry was a great family man, a dedicated father and grandfather, his daughters’ biggest hero, and he was ever proud of his grandchildren. He was also a great neighbor; always there to help someone in need, or fix something in need of repair. He taught his daughters how to fix things as well, bestowed to them the skills necessary to do things for themselves, and shared his joy of the water and of life with his family on the Martini Chain of Lakes. When not on the water, he enjoyed a good Euchre game with Mark and Sharon Witt.
Throughout his life he was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman, and a great mentor to the youth. Through the years he devoted his time to serve as a 4-H leader in archery and small engines, as a coach for the Michigan Youth Hunters Education Challenge, as a Hunter Safety instructor, on the Clinton County 4-H Board and on the St. Peter Lutheran School Board. He was a member of the Future Farmers of America, a lifetime member of the Capitol Area Archer Association, was a professional archer for Team Browning, and served on the Clinton County Sheriff’s Posse.
He was an active and faithful member of St. Peter Lutheran Church. For his wife, his children and grandchildren, he was the handiest, funniest, most honorable man they’ve ever known and he will be forever cherished.
In addition to Earlene, his beloved wife of over fifty-one years, he is survived by his daughters, Keisha (Angel) Romero of St. Louis, Katina (Todd) Gibson of Interlochen, Kimberly Close of DeWitt, Kendra Schaub (Brennan) of Westphalia; grandchildren, Brook Smith, Dani Schaub, Shawn Benavidez Jr., Anna Gibson, Travis Medrano-Schaub, Lily Gibson, Stewart Gibson, Elsie Gibson, Elizabeth Romero, and Maria Romero; sister, Agnes (the late Frank) Jason; brother, William Schaub; in-laws, Barry (Deb) Flegler, William Flegler, Brenda Flegler, Earl (Laurie) Flegler, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends who join his family in both mourning his passing and giving thanks to God for his life among them. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his mother and father-in-law, Ethel and Earl Flegler.
A Funeral Service will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 8990 Church Road, St. Johns, on Wednesday, April 12, at 11AM with Pastor Tim Bayer officiating. Friends may visit at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns, on Tuesday, April 11, from 2-8PM and on Wednesday in the St. Peter Church Fellowship Hall from 10AM until the time of service.
Memorials may be made in his name to St. Peter Lutheran Church School or to Home of New Vision.