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Hollis Dee Cooper
Hollis Dee Cooper, age 93, of St. Johns, MI, formerly of Middleton, MI passed away Monday, January 31, 2022, at his home.
Funeral Services will be held at Redeemer United Methodist Church at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 5, 2022, with Pastor Debbie Thomas officiating. Burial will take place at New Haven Township Cemetery, Gratiot County, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns Chapel St. Johns, MI and also on Saturday, February 5, 2022 from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church.
Hollis was born in Bengal Township, Clinton County, MI on October 24, 1928, the son of Hollis and Louise (Rhynard) Cooper. Hollis married Bonna L. Troub on December 24, 1947 in Newaygo, MI. They were married on his parents’ 25th wedding anniversary.
Hollis lived most of his life in Middleton and later moved to St. Johns in 2004. He joined the Middleton United Methodist Church in 1951 and then transferred their membership to the First United Methodist Church, St. Johns in 2007.
Hollis was in the plumbing industry since 1957. He owned and operated R.E. Benson Plumbing & Heating for many years and sold the business in 1990. He enjoyed golfing, wood carving, square dancing, water skiing, and spending the winter months in Zephyrhills, FL. Most of all he loved spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie Cooper of St. Johns, MI, children: Thomas Cooper of Alma, MI; Connie and Gene Schneeberger of DeWitt, MI; Nancy and Bill DeJohn of Naples, FL; Jeffrey and Virginia Cooper of Raleigh, NC; three grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, 1 great-grandson, and his brother-in-law Richard Abbott of Ithaca, MI. He was preceded in death by parents, siblings: Jean Richards, June Smith, Dennis Cooper and Janet Abbott.
Memorials may be made to Lauru’s Hospice Lansing, MI, or Parkinson’s Foundation, Attn: Donor Services, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes– Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Michael Asher Linton
Michael Asher Linton, 33, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2022.
Surviving are his parents, Bob and Pat Linton; Rebecca (Cameron) Edwards, Katherine (Jeremy) Hirn, Mary Beth (Eric) Cain, Alex (Kristy) Linton, Emily Dove, Melissa Dove, Steven Linton, Annabelle Linton, Lisette Linton, Hudson Linton, Edison Linton, Jackson Linton, and Carson Linton; 31 nieces and nephews; 4 great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by siblings, Jeffrey Caleb Linton, Valencia Jane Joy Linton, and Parker James Linton.
Michael lived life to the fullest, making friends everywhere he went. He was always eager to talk to others about Jesus and the Detroit Tigers. Michael enjoyed participating in Special Olympics, fishing, and singing songs about Jesus. He loved holding babies and spending time with family, and was known as Uncle Bubba by all his nieces and nephews.
A memorial will be held for Michael on Sunday, February 6, 2022 from 4:00-6:00 pm at 2583 Green Rd, Saint Johns, MI. Everyone is invited to enjoy a meal together, one of Michael’s favorite things to do. All are welcome to bring a dish to pass if they wish. In consideration for the family, we request that anyone having virus type symptoms not attend.
Robert Joseph Bierstetel
Robert Joseph “Bob” Bierstetel, age 74, of St. Johns, MI, passed away peacefully Friday, January 28, 2022, at Southlake Methodist Hospital, Merrillville, IN.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI, at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, February 4, 2022, with Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard presiding and Rev. Fr. Dennis Spitzley concelebrating. Burial will follow at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, Fowler, MI. Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, on Thursday, February 3, 2022 2-8 P.M. with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
Robert was born in St. Johns, Michigan on September 20, 1947, the son of August and Leona M. (Lenneman) Bierstetel. He graduated from Pewamo-Westphalia High School with the class of 1965. On May 11, 1968, Robert married Susan Marie Simon at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI. They were blessed with 53 years of marriage. He was a member of Most Holy Trinity where he sang in the choir for many years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Bob served on the Fowler Fire Department for many years. He was a member of Clintonaires Barbershop Chorus and was privileged to sing the National Anthem at Comerica Park five times for his beloved Detroit Tigers. Bob was an electrician for General Motors for 41 years, retiring in 2006. He was a member of the Portland Cruisers. He loved his classic cars and currently owned a 1965 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88.
Bob enjoyed talking to anyone and everyone. He made friends wherever he went. Most of all, Bob loved his family and spending time with them.
Bob is survived by his wife Susan; son Eric (Margaret) Bierstetel of Grand Ledge, MI; daughter Lisa (Charles) Wriska of Lansing, MI; and 2 grandchildren: Jack and Madelyn Bierstetel. He is also survived by siblings: Leon Bierstetel, Dave Bierstetel, Monica Hersch, Ben (Chris) Bierstetel, Paul (Kathy) Bierstetel, Al (Jan) Bierstetel, Jim (Jane) Bierstetel, and Shirley Halfman; brothers and sisters-in-law: Kathy Pettit, Karen Thelen, Monica (Mike) Moody, Mark (Linda) Simon, Jim (Diane) Simon, and Paul (Chris) Simon; and many nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, two sons: Steven and Brian; two grandchildren: CJ Wriska and Kaela Sue Wriska; father and mother-in-law Paul and Joan Simon, brother and sisters-in-law: Annette Bierstetel, Judy Bierstetel, Harry Hersch, Bill Halfman, Ed Pettit, and Ron Thelen; and nephews: Craig Simon and Jeremy Thelen.
Memorials may be made to Most Holy Trinity Educational Trust Fund or Ele’s Place. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, Michigan.
April Corinne Lovaas
April Corinne Lovaas (Weir) (Barks), a resident of DeWitt, former resident of West Palm Beach, Florida, and native of St. Johns, Michigan died at her home on January 27, 2022 at the age of 55.
April was born on April 30, 1966 the daughter of Douglas and Marcia (Grinnell) Weir and grew up in St. Johns, where she was a graduate of St. Johns High School. She obtained her nursing degree from Grand Valley State University and Lansing Community College and worked for many years with Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.
She is survived by her children, Zachary Barks and Jennifer Barks and their father, Paul Barks; grandchildren, Karmon and Landon; her mother, Marcia “Marcy” Weir; sister, Deborah (Scott) Redman, nephew, Nicholas Redman and niece, Emily Redman. She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Lovaas in 2017, and her father, Douglas Weir in 2019.
A Memorial Service will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns, on Friday, February 11, at 11 AM. Friends and family may gather from 9 AM until the time of service.