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Joann Pauline Feldpausch
Joann Pauline Feldpausch, age 83, of Fowler, MI, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI, at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, November 14, 2022, with Rev. Fr. Eric Weber presiding. Burial will take place at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, Fowler MI at a later date. Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI, from 4-8 P.M. on Sunday, November 13, 2022, with a Rosary to be prayed at 7:00 P.M.
Joann was born in St. Johns, Michigan on May 4, 1939, the daughter of Julius and Elizabeth (Cook) Simon. She was a graduate of Westphalia High School. Joann married Donald John Feldpausch on September 23, 1959 in Westphalia, MI. They were married 61 years prior to his passing on February 10, 2021.
Joann was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Christian Mothers Association. She was a devout Catholic and was an avid watcher of the Catholic channel, EWTN. She was a great cook and made delicious desserts. Joann had a skill for making draperies and was talented in tole painting. She took pride in her beautiful flower gardens. She was a card club member with her high school friends and enjoyed spending the winters down south camping. Joann was a school bus driver for many years and worked in nursing homes. Most importantly, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren held a special place in her heart and her face lit up every time she saw them.
She is survived by her children: Dennis and Kathy Feldpausch of Fowler, MI; Keith and Deb Feldpausch of DeWitt, MI; Carol and Rich Klein of DeWitt, MI; Mark and Rebecca Feldpausch of St. Johns, MI; her grandchildren: Garret, Gavin, Kara, Nicole, Brandi, Sandra, Kyle, Katelyn, Lauren, Andrea, Ryan, Alyssa, Brennan, Caidan, and Owen; great-grandchildren: Adam, Noah, Nolie, Lucy, Liam, Alaina, Jace, Sage, Winston, Olivia, Hunter, Abigail, Arthur, Natalia, and Layla; two sisters: Mary Elizabeth Koenigsknecht of Grand Ledge, MI; Doris and Bill Barker of Pewamo, MI. Joann is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Donald and siblings, Monica Schneider, Genevieve Pung, and Julius Simon.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Provision Living Senior Center in East Lansing.
Memorials may be made to Right to Life of Michigan in Joann’s honor.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, Michigan.
Rev. George William Brinley
Rev. George William Brinley, a resident of St. Johns, and former resident of Sterling Heights and Fremont, Michigan, was called home on November 8, 2022 at the age of 82.
Born in Detroit on September 15, 1940, the son of Porter and Helen (nee Steinmann) Brinley, George grew up in Wyandotte where he was a graduate of Wyandotte High School and served his country as an aviation radar mechanic in the U.S. Navy. He studied theology at Concordia Lutheran Seminary.
It was at a retreat camp that George met Rosemary Anna “Sue” Winkle. It was love at first sight, for George, and they wed on November 25, 1967 in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor. They made their home in Amboy, Minnesota where George served his first parish. He later served as Pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sterling Heights, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fremont, and lastly at St. John’s Lutheran Church in St. Johns from 2001-2010.
Pastor Brinley was a humble servant of the Lord and an abundantly caring, loving, and compassionate minister to his congregations and community. He loved to sing and served as drummer in his church band for contemporary services. He loved to draw, took interest in astronomy, loved airplanes, and opportunities to spend time with his grandkids. He loved to laugh and will always be remembered for his great sense of humor. He was a friend to many, especially to those in need, and he will be dearly missed by all.
In addition to Sue, his beloved wife of over 55 years, he leaves his children, Matthew (Terri Findley) Brinley, Stephen Brinley, Nathan (Nicole) Brinley, and April (Andy) Keith; grandchildren, Katlyn Findley, Krysta Brinley, Nicholas Findley, Logan Brinley, Ethan Brinley, Tori Brinley, Nadelynn Brinley, Calyssa Brinley, Kenzie, Zane, and Lillie Keith; his heart children, Kent and In-ja Eshelman and their children, Glen and Jay, and many nieces, nephews and extended family members and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jeremy Brinley; his parents; siblings, Harold, Lee, Elman, Ruth, Eula, and Kathryn; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ralph, Louise, Dean, John, Denis, and Patricia.
Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns, on Friday, November 11, 4-8PM.
A Funeral Service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 511 E. Sturgis St., St. Johns, on Saturday, November 12, at 11 AM with The Reverends Jim Pearl and Paul M. Clark officiating. Memorials may be made in his name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to the St. John Lutheran Church Building Fund.
Terry L. Ordway
Terry L. Ordway died on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at the age of 75.
Terry was born on April 23, 1947, in St. Johns, Michigan to Aaron and Lucille (Hall) Ordway and was a Class of 1966 graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School. For over thirty-seven years he worked for Wohlert Corporation as a machine operator.
On October 20, 1966, Terry married Sheila Sleight and made their home in St. Johns, where they raised their family. Terry’s quiet, easy-going nature complimented Sheila’s outgoing personality. Together they were longtime members of St. Peter Lutheran Church and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. Terry loved John Deere tractors and paraphernalia, and especially enjoyed riding his John Deere Gator around the neighborhood.
He is survived by his daughter, Michelle (Kevin) Bailey of St. Johns; his son, Mark of DeWitt; siblings, Jim (Cheryl) Ordway of Holt, Roger (Cindy) Ordway of Highlands Ranch, CO; William (Londa) Ordway of Bannister; brother-in-law, Richard Sleight of East Lansing and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of fifty-three years, Sheila Ordway; his parents and mother-in-law, Mildred Sleight.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022 at 11 AM at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 8990 Church Rd, St. Johns. Pastor Timothy Bayer officiating. Burial South Bingham Cemetery. A luncheon will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Peter Lutheran Church or the McLaren Emergency Department.
Clay Ryan Wenzlick
Clay Ryan Wenzlick, age 19, of Elsie, MI, passed away on Friday, November 4, 2022, as a result of an automobile accident.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 from 11:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI. A time of sharing will be held on Wednesday at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home with Mr. Everett Smith officiating. The time of sharing will be live streamed on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
Funeral Services will be held at Mid-Michigan Raceway Park (Palo) 7573 Hayes Road, Fenwick, MI 48834, at 12:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 10, 2022, with Mr. Mark Cowan officiating.
Clay was born on his great-grandpa Richard Wenzlick’s birth date on August 13, 2003, creating their lifelong bond. He was born in Owosso, MI, to Jason and Starann (Litomisky) Wenzlick.
Clay graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School, with the class of 2022 where competed in track, football, bowling and FFA. His senior year he was First Team All Conference and Conference Champion in the long jump. Clay was active all four years in FFA and was a sophomore class representative. As a kid, he participated in Cub Scouts and 4-H raising animals.
He attended AIS during high school and completed the program in 2022 as well. He was employed as a heavy equipment mechanic with CL Excavating in Ionia. Clay was part owner of a snow removal and lawn care business with his dad and grandpa Jim to help fund his racing. Clay began his racing career at the age of six in go karts with his sister and began his dirt late model career at the age of thirteen. Racing was his life, “all forms of racing”, his motto was “Dirt is my drug.” Clay enjoyed fabricating in the garage and began welding around the age of nine. Clay loved being around the guys, but at the end of the day, he was 100% a momma’s boy.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and had multiple Master Angler Award Catches, maple syruping and cross country bike riding throughout Michigan with the Epic Mountain Bike group.
He is survived by his parents Jason and Starann Wenzlick of Elsie, MI; sister Vidalia Wenzlick of Elsie, MI; grandparents: Jim and Marie Ade of Elsie, MI; Tim and Nita Wenzlick of Elsie, MI; Dan and Pam (Phend) Litomisky of Morris, MI; aunts and uncles: Karla and Mike McCurdy of Owosso, MI; Sandy Litomisky-Ade and Chris Kioski of Elsie, MI; Terri Legg of Belding, MI; Belinda Donnert of Ovid, MI; Eddie and Tiffany Litomisky of Ovid, MI; Christina Litomisky of Lansing, MI; and Brent Phend of Perry, MI. He is also survived by his three best friends: Benjamin Legg, Billy Harris, and Justin Prewitt; many cousins and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents: Alvera Ade, Richard and Stella Wenzlick, Stephanie Litomisky, and Lillian and Phillip Straub.
Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.