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Gertrude Lorene Dunham
Gertrude Lorene “Gert” Dunham, age 90, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, June 8th, 2022 at A Family Affair of Haslett, MI.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul Catholic Church, Owosso, MI on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 11:00 A.M., with Rev. Fr. Michael O’Brien presiding. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 13, 2022, from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. A Rosary will be prayed on Monday evening at 6:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
Gertrude was born in Rush Township, Michigan, on October 24, 1931, the daughter of John I. and Anna Viola (Deming) Triibfelner. She married Dean R. Dunham, on July 16, 1949 at Lake James in Angola, Indiana. They were blessed with 65 years of marriage, prior to his passing on March 17, 2015.
Gert received her degree in Theological Studies from Siena Heights University. She was a RCIA Director, Lector, in the Choir and belonged to the Altar Society. She was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Owosso, MI. She was also a member of the Secular Franciscans. Gert was commissioned a Lay Ecclesial Minister in 1998 for the Lansing Diocese. She taught catechism classes for years. She loved to listen to the polkas on WOES and be with her family.
She was active in 4H where she was a leader of Beginning Drawing and Painting in the Clinton County Fair. She was an accomplished artist giving lessons to many local children and adults.
Gert is survived by her two daughters: Thelma (Basil) Janes of Henderson, MI; Mary (Steve) Weiderer of Owosso, MI; one grandson Scott Rubey and his fiancée Kathleen Thomlinson of Laingsburg, MI; two great-grandsons: Scott and Brittany (Micka) Rubey II of Owosso, MI; Hunter Rubey of Chesaning, MI; three great-great-grandchildren: Wren, Everly and Wilder Rubey, with one more on the way; step-grandchildren: Jacob, Jason, and Jessica Weiderer; one sister Barbara Napier of Corunna, MI; and sister-in-law Patsy Tribfelner. She is also survived by many other step-family members: Theresa (Frank) Thompson, Lisa (Charles) Whisman, Kelli Janes, Kathi (William) Wycoff, and Melvia (Frank) Quine; many great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Dean, son Dean Dunham Jr., two brothers: John and Ivan, two sisters: Mildred and Helen, and one step-grandson Paul Janes.
Memorials may be made to WOES, 8989 East Colony Road, Elsie, MI 48831. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.
William Edson McCarthy
As a long time avid reader of local obituaries Bill hopes that you enjoy reading his.
William (Bill) Edson McCarthy of St. Johns, Michigan passed away peacefully and went to be with his lord on Friday, June 3, 2022.
Bill is survived by his four children – Kelly (Mark) Jurman, Kathleen Bates, William (Shari) McCarthy and Colleen (Mike) Schoderbek; daughter-in-law, Dana McCarthy; 13 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and special sister-in-law, Ruth McCarthy. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of nearly 62 years – whom he declared the “prettiest woman in all of Clinton County” – Rosemary McCarthy (nee Eaton); his parents, John and Bernice (Burnette) McCarthy; brother, Dr. John B. McCarthy and son, Brian J.E. McCarthy.
Born to John and Bernice McCarthy on March 20, 1933 in Danbury, Connecticut, Bill was raised in Brewster, NY. During his childhood he spent much of his time on his grandparent’s farm where he made strong connections to his Irish heritage and discovered his love of agriculture. Bill graduated from Brewster High School before attending and graduating from SUNY Canton in 1953. Bill then moved to Michigan to attend Michigan State University (then Michigan Agricultural College), spending holiday breaks hitchhiking home to New York to see his family and do his laundry. Bill graduated from Michigan State University in 1957 with a Bachelors in Science.
After college, Bill began working at Farm Bureau; and it was during his early days at Farm Bureau that Bill met his future wife Rosemary whom he married in 1959.Bill later worked for the state of Michigan in the Department of Agriculture’s Dairy Division for 37 years before retiring as the Director of the division in 1996. Bill often said that his 37 years with the State of Michigan were some of the happiest years of his life. Working for the state also gave him lifelong friendships so that for many years after retirement, Bill coordinated an annual luncheon of retired state Dairy Division employees. Up until his final days, Bill could still remember dairy farms and farmers from around the state of Michigan.
In his retirement Bill loved to spend time working on his yard, playing in a weekly golf league with his friends and honing his baking skills. He became a master scone maker. Bill and Rosemary spent much of their time listening to music and enjoyed attending concerts both in St. Johns and at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Bill was an experienced traveler visiting places from Hawaii to Europe with wife Rosemary in tow. In their later years Bill and Rosemary enjoyed wintering in Destin, Florida becoming active members in the Destin United Methodist Church and spending time taking walks along the beach and enjoying hosting their family and friends.
Bill will be remembered for the many years of engagement with and service to his community. Most notably he retained more than five decades of membership to the First United Methodist Church of St. Johns serving on and leading multiple committees as well as being a long time member of the choir. Bill was also involved in volunteer work with the St. Johns Jaycees helping to establish and bring the Soap Box Derby to St Johns in the 1960s. Bill spent five decades volunteering with the St. Johns Lions Club and served for many years on the Clinton Memorial Hospital Foundation Board. For the past 26 years Bill has dedicated a great amount of his time volunteering with the Paine Gillam Scott Museum, most recently serving as co-director, leading many key efforts to restore and highlight the history of St. Johns and Clinton County.
His friends and family will remember him fondly for his love of all things MSU, the Detroit Tigers, his fondness for crossword puzzles, big dogs and NASCAR, and the lengthy and impressive list of cars he owned over the years. Most recently of note was a Ford Mustang convertible. Bill will also be remembered for his love and dedication to family traveling near and far to visit his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren spending time attending countless little league games, soccer games, middle school and high school plays, basketball tournaments, band and choir concerts and graduations.
As a season ticket holder of the Lansing Lugnuts since their inaugural season, he was looking forward to attending this year’s games. If you happen to find yourself at a Lugnuts game, please think of Bill as you yell, “Go Nuts!”
Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 from 6-8 PM and on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 11 AM – 1 PM.
A Funeral Service will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 1 PM. Rev. Lori Sykes officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Paine Gillam Scott Museum of St. Johns, P.O. Box 174 St. Johns, MI 48879.
Donna Lee North
Donna Lee North, age 77, of Maple Rapids, MI, passed away Monday, June 6, 2022, at her home.
A private burial of cremains will take place at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery, Fowler, MI at a later date.
Donna was born in St. Johns, Michigan on March 23, 1945, the daughter of Stanley Hiner and Frances (Sowle) Hiner. She graduated from Fowler High School with the class of 1962. Donna married James North in November of 1964 in Luther, MI.
She enjoyed home gardening, flowers, hunting and fishing. Donna and James wintered in Arkansas for many years. Donna worked alongside James with their home construction projects to build several family homes.
She is survived by her husband James North; children: Anita Lynn North, Paula Jean North, and LeeAnn North; grandchildren: Jessica, Meagan, Kristen, Michael, Aaron, and Melvin; brothers: Gary and Mavis Hiner, Brent and Beth Hiner, and step-brother David Homer. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Stanley and Francis, brothers: Kirk and Evan Hiner, grandson Josh Watson, nephew Scott Hiner and niece Danielle Hiner.
Memorials may be made to your local humane society. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.
Mary Ann Kus
Mary Ann Kus, age 100, of St. Johns, MI, passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at Hazel Findlay Country Manor, St. Johns, MI.
In accordance with Mary’s wishes, cremation has taken place and private family burial will take place at a later date.
Mary was born in Flushing, Michigan on March 14, 1922, the daughter of Martin and Anna (Horak) Hornak. She has lived in St. Johns since 1954 and was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church. She worked at Clinton Memorial Hospital as a dietician for 30 years. On June 17, 1944 she married Emil A. Kus and he preceded her in death on February 10, 1959.
She is survived by her children: Jerry M. (Yvonne) Kus of Hamilton, Montana, Daniel R. Kus of Perrington, Michigan; son-in-law, Ted Halitsky; seven grandchildren: Kevin (Jenina) Halitsky, Melissa Kus, Scott (Cheryl) Kus, Michael Kus, Jennifer (Kurt) Powelson, and Jerry Kus, Jr. and thirteen great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Emil; children, Emil F. Kus, David C. Kus, Betty A. Halitsky; grandson, Chad Kus; half-sisters, Lillian Hedrick and Antonia Ocedek and step-brothers, Frank and Martin Hornak.
To learn more about Mary’s life, her story was posted in the Owasso Independent or you can visit: https://owossoindependent.com/st-johns-woman-with-corunna-cabin-connection-celebrates-milestone-birthday/. This was published for her 100th birthday.
Memorials may be made in Mary’s name may be made to either Hazel Findlay Country Manor or the St. Joseph School Educational Trust Fund. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Divorce decrees filed the week of May 31, 2022
Cochrane, Jeremy / Cochrane, Rachael
Palmer, John S. / Palmer, Susan L.
Proctor, Shannon / Proctor Jeffery
Hicks, Tawanda R. / Hicks, Kevin T.