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Bing Bradford Bailey
Bing Bradford Bailey, age 77, of Maple Rapids, Michigan, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at Sparrow Clinton Hospital, in St. Johns, Michigan.
A Graveside Service followed by a Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. Burial will take place at Sowle Cemetery, Maple Rapids, Michigan.
Bing was born in St. Johns, Michigan on August 14, 1945, the son of Orrison Edward Bailey and E. Joyce (Cludy) Bailey. Bing graduated from Fulton High School with the class of 1963 and attended college at Lansing Community College. He retired from General Motors Fisher Body plant in 1994 as a Production Inspector. Bing was also a proud member of his local U.A.W. #602.
Bing had many interests and hobbies throughout his lifetime. He was an avid cyclist his entire life, logging tens of thousands of miles on his bicycle. He completed the DALMAC bicycle tour thirteen times. Bing always loved being outdoors spending time hiking, hunting, fishing, and canoeing/kayaking.
Bing was an accomplished dog sled musher, having competed in and won many races, trophies, and awards. He was a member of the Mid-Union Sled Haulers dog sledding community. Bing loved driving up to Alaska every summer and spending time at the cabin that he and his daughter built. He loved to travel whether it was to a little hidden gem of a place in the USA or to a foreign country. Bing was a very talented wood smith that would take the time and effort to make something perfect. He was a dedicated reader of action and adventure book. He also enjoyed reading to his grandkids. Bing loved Hallmark movies and old car restoration shows. His animated sound effects and quirky definitions will be missed by all. Bing touched many lives through his positivity, selflessness, and willingness to help everyone.
He is survived by his daughter Kiffiny K. Bailey of Maple Rapids, MI; daughter Kendra and Jeffrey Pedersen of Battle Ground, WA; son Jonathan-Alexander and Kari-Lynn (Thurston) Bailey of St. Johns, MI; the mother of his children Vivian (K.) Hill Bailey of St. Johns, MI; grandchildren: Caleb (April) Pederson, Jacob (Keenan) Pederson, Jon-Alex Bailey, Jr., Mason-Thurston Bailey, and Alice-Elizabeth Bailey; great-grandchildren: Elaina, Juliet, David, Karston, Clara, Emery, Secily, and Ansel; sister Rita Bailey of Columbia, SC; sister Ruthann Friedrich of Great Bend, KS; sister-in-law Kathy Bailey of Spring Hill, TN; plus, many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Brent Edward Bailey.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Thomas Edward Herronen
Thomas Edward Herronen, age 64, passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Hazel Findlay Nursing Home in St. Johns, Michigan. Thomas was born February 5, 1958 in Flint, Michigan to Donald and Nancy (Selden) Herronen. After completing high school, Linden Class of 1976, Thomas attended Mott Community College, Lansing Community College and Michigan State University. Thomas raised a son, Donnie and a daughter, Dalila.
Thomas loved the outdoors. He spent much of his free time hunting, fishing and trapping. He particularly enjoyed traveling out of the state to hunt wild boar with his friends. Thomas worked as a skilled tradesman in the machine tool industry; building machines to manufacture automobiles.
Thomas is survived by his son, Donnie Herronen; daughter, Dalila Herronen and her friend, Luke; granddaughters, Emma, Delaney and Donnielle; grandson, Jeffery; brothers, James Herronen; aunts and uncles, Julie and John Herronen, Wanda and Allen Spicer; and many cousins. He was was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Nancy Herronen.
Per his wishes Thomas has been cremated. A memorial service will be held 2 PM Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Linden Chapel, 209 E. Broad St., Linden. The family will receive friends from 1PM until the time of service. Donations can be made to Hazel Findlay Nursing Home, St. Johns, Michigan.
Dorothy Jean Sehlke
Dorothy Jean Sehlke, age 95, of Fowler, MI, entered into the arms of her Savior on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Sparrow Clinton Hospital, St. Johns.
Funeral Services will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fowler, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, February 6, 2023, with Pastor Paul Clark officiating. Burial will take place at East Plains Cemetery, Lebanon Township, MI. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service at the church.
Dorothy was born in St. Johns, MI on April 29, 1927, the daughter of Herbert Lloyd and Mary Jane (Smith) Plowman. She graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School. Dorothy married Jack Roderick Waldron in 1947. He passed away in 1994. In 2004 Dorothy married Lester Sehlke. He passed away in 2017.
Dorothy devoted her life to her family and caring for them. She was a long time member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fowler, MI. Her faith was the foundation of her daily living.
Dorothy is survived by daughter Linda (Michael) Penikis of Shawnee, KS; son Terry (Christine) Waldron of Sumner, MI; grandson Krisjanis Penikis of Shawnee, KS. She is also survived bystep-children: Larry (Marilyn) Sehlke, June (Jon) Tatroe, Roy (Jean Wilson) Sehlke, Terry (Sherry) Sehlke, Tracy (Belinda) Sehlke, Sherrie Klingbeil, and Tina (Rick) Mills; many step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Jack Waldron, second husband Lester Sehlke and two brothers: Lyle Plowman and Dale Plowman.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 329 North Sorrell St., Fowler, MI 48835. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, Michigan.
Sister Donna Marie Koenigsknecht
Sister Donna Marie Koenigsknecht died peacefully on January 30, 2023. She was 85 years old.
Donna was born on August 1, 1937 in the Pewamo area, the third of seven children to Leonard and Bernita (Cook) Koenigsknecht. Donna received her grade school education at Most Holy Trinity School in Fowler and entered the convent following her eighth grade year in 1952. She attended high school in Racine, Wisconsin, took her first vows on August 15, 1957 and her final vows on August 15, 1963. She served in the cooking, gardening, maintenance and laundry ministry in Chicago, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, and her final years in the Siena Center in Racine, Wisconsin.
She is survived by sisters, Joan (William) Thelen of St. Johns, Phyllis (Jerry) Terrell of Dewitt; brothers, Dennis (Patricia) Koenigsknecht of St. Johns, Alan (Sharon) Koenigsknecht of St. Johns and Daniel Koenigsknecht of Marquette; sister-in-law, Joann Koenigsknecht of Gaylord, as well as many nieces and nephews, and her extended family – the Nuns at the Siena Center in Racine, Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Gerald and sister-in-law, Meg.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 3, 2023 at the Chapel in the Siena Retreat Center in Racine, Wisconsin at 10:30 AM, with a Remembrance Service at 9 AM. The Rev. Fr. Kenneth Mich officiating. To view the livestream, visit https://www.racinedominicans.org/sisters/loving-memory.cfm
For further information visit McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel.
Karen Marie Abnet
It is with the saddest of hearts that we share, Karen Abnet, age 76, passed away Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, after a short hospital stay. As a woman who often joked about “not having a filter” here are some unfiltered thoughts about her.
Karen was born in Flint, Michigan on October 30, 1946, the daughter of Howard Fred and Doris Marie (Patterson) Robinson. She graduated from Chesaning Union High School with the class of 1964. On February 8, 1969, Karen married Frank Jay Abnet at Trinity United Methodist Church, Chesaning, MI.
Per her wishes, we focus on the good and move towards a celebration of her life. However, there will be many tears shed right along with inappropriate jokes. She was full of life and love and sass (not always in equal parts). Karen was the best stay-at-home mom for her two children.
Together she and Frank worked hard to put both of their children through college. Both as a maid at the Brass Bell Motel and later as a dry cleaner at Dale’s Clothing Care, she was an amazing worker and co-worker. Some might wonder if customer service was the best place for her and her “sass.” But she made lifelong friends wherever she went and she always went above and beyond and was proud of the work she did.
She worked right alongside Frank as “Mrs. Coach” helping to run the COHOS swim team for many years. As an avid dog lover (sorry, but she HATED cats), she loved on any puppy she could get her hands on. Karen knew a lot about makeup – that is, CLOWN makeup as Dottie the Clown.
In ways that we’ll probably never know the extent of, she worked behind the scenes giving and doing for others. As an avid reader herself, Karen loved that Allison ran the school book fair. One day she handed Allison money and said, “Give this to the older kids at the school who never get to shop at the book fair.” She bought cases and cases of Girl Scout Cookies from her granddaughters and never ate a box. She would give them away to the garbage man, the post office lady, the guy who changed their oil… She would say, “They work hard and deserve a little treat.” She also bought the Boy Scout popcorn from her grandson that got donated right to the military troops.
Because we knew she would want us to, we took cookies for the nurses who were caring for her during her hospital stay, to which she gave us a thumbs-up and commented “damn right!”
Her children learned acceptance and inclusivity from their mom and dad before those terms were ever popular. In the wise words of Karen, “I don’t care what you look like, how much money you have, who you love, just don’t be assholes.”
As our family goes forth trying to live in this world that feels a little less bright, we will continue to serve others, pet all the puppies, laugh – a lot, love fiercely, give generously and not be assholes.
She is survived by her husband Frank Abnet of Oakley, MI; son Andrew and Jonni Abnet of Saginaw, MI; daughter Allison and Steve Catrell of Shepherd, MI; four grandchildren Lili, Xavier, and Sabrina Catrell also Kaleb Phillips; brother Donald and Sherryl Robinson of Northern MI; brother Jerry and Teri Robinson of Frederick, MI; brother Gale and Cathy Robinson of Roscommon, MI; sister Connie Robinson of Owosso, MI; special niece Dori Frost; grand-nephew Jasper Frost. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law John and Beatrice Abnet also a brother-in-law John “Cork” Abnet, Jr.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Leader Dogs for the Blind or American Lung Association. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.
Ruth Dottie Marie Nicholas
Ruth Dottie Marie Nicholas, age 94, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023, at her daughter’s home.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 2, 2023, with Pastor Katherine Strouse officiating. Burial will follow at Lowe Cemetery, Essex Twp., MI. Visitation will be held 4-6 P.M. on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at funeral home.
Ruth was born in North Plains Twp., MI on August 21, 1928, the daughter William Winfield and Camilla Irene (Adams) Conklin. She graduated from Ionia High School with the class of 1946. On June 22, 1946, Ruth married Keith LeRoy Nicholas in St. Johns, MI. They were blessed with sixty-three years of marriage, prior to his passing on December 10, 2009.
When she was young, Ruth loved to dance. She also was in school plays, and liked to go sledding and ice skating as a girl. She enjoyed working in her garden and flower beds. She liked knowing what was going on in the neighborhood. She liked fishing. She was an amazing cook and baker; her family loved her peach cobbler, molasses cookies, and homemade bread. She loved to her family and looked forward to big family dinners.
Ruth is survived by three children: Patricia (Terry) Parsley of St. Johns, MI; Scott (Deb) Nicholas of Ithaca, MI; and Tim (Bonny) Nicholas of St. Johns, MI; seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Keith, daughter Jean (Duane) DeLong, grandson Jeremy Nicholas, five siblings: Maynard (Doris) Conklin, Levi (Barbara) Conklin, Catherine (Vern) Counsellor, and Genevieve (Richard) Slater.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
John Joseph Parker
John Joseph Parker, age 68, of Ovid died on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at Sparrow Hospital after suffering a heart attack.
John Parker was born on January 15, 1955 in Lansing, Michigan, the third of ten children to Robert and Lois (Pierson) Parker. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Kleeman, on August 6, 1971 and the young couple made their home in Ovid. John graduated from St. Johns High School in 1973 and completed his Tool & Die degree at Lansing Community College. He worked with General Motors for over forty two years.
John was generous, giving and the life of the party. He loved fishing, golfing and keeping busy. He really enjoyed tinkering and fixing things, was a jack of all trades and was especially talented at building computers. John was quick to lend a hand to anyone in need. His greatest joy in life was taking care of his family and spending time playing cards, traveling and doting on his beloved Barbara. John loved to go out to restaurants, and The Main Bar in Ovid was a favorite gathering place. John will be missed for his happy-go-lucky personality, his gentle nature and kind heart.
Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife of fifty-one years, Barbara Parker; daughter, Sherry (Steven) Palatka; son, Joshua (Cori) Parker; grandchildren, Ashley Pumford, Caleb Pumford, Jacob (Jessica) Palatka, Makaylin Palatka, Autumn Parker, Kailee Parker, and Taylor Parker; siblings, Robert, Jeannie, Joseph, Christopher, and David, as well as nieces, nephews, extended family member and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Laura Parker; siblings, Katherine, Paul, Ken, Larry, Richard and his parents.
Memorial Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck- Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns on Monday, January 30, 2023 from 2—8 PM and on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 from 10AM — 4 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The American Heart Association. 3940 Peninsular Dr. SE #180, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
Gerald J. Kloeckner
Gerald J. Kloeckner, age 80, of Zeeland and formerly of Grand Ledge, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.
Gerald was born in St. Johns, MI to Martin and Leona Kloeckner. He proudly served his country in Vietnam. After returning home, he received his master’s degree from Aquinas College and served as the financial controller for Lansing Community College for many years.
Gerald was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He and his wife Ann were longtime members of St. Michael Catholic Church in Grand Ledge, MI before moving to Zeeland to be closer to family.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Ann Kloeckner (Pung); daughter Kristine (Greg) Leegwater; granddaughters: Britney, Emily, and Avery Leegwater; siblings: Janet (Tom) Halfmann, Mark (Debbie) Kloeckner; in-laws: Janet Kloeckner, Joan Hradecky, Barb (Richard) Trierweiler, Robert (Bernie) Pung, Richard (Ann) Pung, Ken (Carrie) Pung, Dorothy Pung, Kathy Pung; as well as many nieces and nephews. Gerald was preceded in death by his brother, David Kloeckner; in-laws: Thomas and Rosemary Pung, Donald Pung, Leon Pung Jr., Tony Hradecky, and John Pung.
Funeral Services for Gerald will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 30, 2023 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 480 152nd Ave, Holland, MI, 49424. Visitation with the family will be from 10:00-11:00 AM prior to the funeral on Monday. Burial is in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Comfort Keepers (837 Maple Ave. Suite 20, Holland, MI 49423) or the Parkinson Foundation www.parkinson.org. Arrangements are by Yntema Funeral Home.
Eugene Higgins
Eugene Higgins, 80, of Saginaw Twp., Michigan, Formerly of St. Johns, Michigan. Beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother passed away Thursday, January 26, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family. Son of the late George and Louie (Bush) Higgins, Eugene was born June 23, 1942 in St. Johns, Michigan.
He married the love of his life, Russette Ann “Rusty” Smart on May 22, 1971. She survives him. Eugene served proudly in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1970. He was a manufacturing engineer at General Motors for 30 years. Eugene enjoyed fishing with the love of his life and his dog, hunting and especially spending time with his family.
Surviving besides his loving wife Rusty are two daughters, Heidi and Todd Mapes, Saginaw, Twp.; Lori and John LaGalo, Bridgeport; five grandchildren, Madeleine Mapes, Natalie Mapes and her fiancé Nick Schroeder, Lukas LaGalo and his fianceé Grace Lamb, Mya Jean LaGalo, Gabrielle Mapes; his sister, Virginia Blackmer, St. Johns, Michigan; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Steven and Lynn Smart, George and Joan Smart, Scott and Laura Smart, Claire and Bob Kowalski; several nieces and nephews. Eugene was preceded in death by his step-father, Thomas Bosquette; his brothers, William Higgins and George Higgins Jr.; a sister-in-law, Margaret Higgins; a brother-in-law Dave Blackmer; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Russell and Dorothy Smart; and his beloved fishing dog, Dottie.
Funeral Service will take place 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 4, 2023 at The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd. (between Shattuck and McCarty). Pastor Julius Buelow will officiate. Honoring Mr. Higgins wishes cremation will follow. Friends may visit at the funeral home, where the family will be present on Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Covenant V.N.A. Hospice or charity of your choice.