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Dolores Elaine Ferris
Dolores “Dee” Elaine Ferris, age 90, a longtime resident of St. Johns, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on March 20, 2022.
Dee was born on January 12, 1932 in Somerville, Massachusetts, the daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Miller) West. Following high school, Dee was a Sergeant with the United States Army and was stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas where she met Frederick G. “Fritz” Ferris Jr. The couple fell in love and married on August 1, 1953 and made their home in St. Johns, Michigan. Dee was an amazing mother to Vicki, Scott and Jeff. She was ever kind, understanding and protective. She worked as an office manager for Dr. Porter for many years, was active at St. Johns Lutheran Church, the Altar Guild and Clinton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
Dee was sweet, down to earth, vivacious, and feisty. She loved to garden and spend time at the family cabin on McGilvery Lake. She was naturally artistic and loved to paint and decorate for the holidays. Most of all, she loved her family. She enjoyed hosting family holidays and would light up in the presence of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She will be missed by many, especially by her daughter, Vicki Ferris of St. Johns; two sons, Scott of St. Johns, and Jeff (Paula) of Portland, MI; four grandchildren, Rachel, Lauren, Ryan and Chandler; great-grandchildren, Payton, Grace Annabelle and Liam, as well as extended family members and friends, including her special caregivers, Mallory Stewart, Lorie Cole, Candace Fenby, Malerie Russell, Norma Gorman, Lindsey Simon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick G. “Fritz” Ferris, Jr in 2012; her parents and siblings, Joe, Billy, Kathy, Peg and Claire Elaine.
A Funeral Service and Army Honors will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 11 AM. Burial Mount Rest Cemetery. Friends may visit the funeral home on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM and on Thursday from 10 AM until the time of the service.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Sparrow Clinton Hospital.
James Thomas Paksi
James Thomas Paksi, a lifelong resident of St. Johns, died on March 19, 2022 after a long battle with Leukemia. He was 78 years old.
Jim was born on August 29, 1943 in St. Johns, Michigan, the son of Tom and Mary (Deming) Paksi. He attended Ovid High School and worked for many years with the St. Johns Lumber Company. Jim later enjoyed farming for many years with the Motz family. He was most at home in the out-of-doors and enjoyed opportunities to fish and hunt, especially with his great grandsons, Tanner and Paxton. He loved starting his morning with coffee and friends at the Wheel Inn, loved spending time mowing his lawn with his red tractor, and helping neighbors with their lawns as well.
He will be dearly missed by Donna, his beloved wife of twenty-five years; children, Brian Paksi, Jim (Violet) Paksi, Tracy, and Monica Vandenstowe; step-children, James (Mary Ann) Bond, Lu Ann Smith, Michael (Joyce) Bond, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren; sisters, Judy (Dan) Cerveny, Jane (Terry) Cressman, and sisters-in-law, Connie Paksi and Karen Paksi. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Ron Paksi and John Paksi.
Memorial Service arrangements are pending.
For further information, contact McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel.
Barbara Dawn Goerge
Barbara Dawn (McKellar) Goerge, age 92, of Fowler, MI, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2022, at Bickford of West Lansing.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI, at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, March 25, 2022, with Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard presiding. Burial will take place at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.
Barbara was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on December 15, 1929, the daughter of William Arthur and Eileen B. (Stowell) McKellar. She graduated from South High School in Grand Rapids, MI. Barbara married Norman Goerge on April 8, 1980. Norman passed away on February 18, 2018.
Barb retired from the housekeeping and cook position at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Ionia. She loved wintering in Kissimmee, Florida and trips to the casino. She was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI. She was also a member of AA in Fowler and a representative to the AA program at one of the prison in Ionia. She resided most of her life in Grand Rapids and Fowler.
She is survived by her daughters: Deborah and Patrick McKenna of Howell, MI; Diane Butkus of Wyoming, MI; Carol Anne Harger of Greenville, MI; step-daughters: Marlene, Diane (Mike) Koenigsknecht, Nancy, Sharon (Fred), and Janie. She is also survived by many grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, husband Norman George, son Kevin Ogg, father of her children Joseph F. Ogg, grandson Travis Moore, great-grandson Cable Butkus, and brother Ron McKellar.
Memorials may be made to Alcholic’s Anonymous. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, Michigan.
Stella Karek
Stella Karek, age 94, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2022 at Sparrow Clinton Hospital, St. Johns, MI.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams presiding. Burial will take place at Eureka Cemetery, Eureka, MI. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 21, 2022 from 5-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI and also on Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Stella was born in Gratiot County, MI on May 8, 1927, the daughter of Frank and Sophia (Tarska) Gurski. Stella married Frank Karek on November 20, 1942 at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church, Bannister, MI. They celebrated 33 years of marriage prior to his sudden death on January 31, 1977 due to an auto accident.
Stella worked at General Motors, drove school bus for St. Johns Public Schools and was an Avon representative for many years. Stella always raised a big garden and she enjoyed canning and baking. She loved having her family home to celebrate holidays together.
She is survived by son Tom and Pat Karek of St. Johns, MI,daughter Shirley and Roy Davis of St. Johns, MI, daughter Jean Cuthbert of St. Johns, MI, son Bob and Linda Karek of St. Johns, MI, and son-in-law Charlie Doolittle of St. Louis, MI. She is also survived by grandchildren: Todd, Jeff, Karen, Roy, Randy, Cindy, Christy, Chad, Craig, Amy, Angie, Matt, Andy, Ben and several great grandchildren. Stella was preceded in death by her parents, husband Frank Karek, son Frank Karek, Jr., daughter Sharon Doolittle, daughter Mary Ann, daughter-in-law Kathy Karek, son-in-law Jack Cuthbert, granddaughter Katrina, grandsons Charlie Jr. and Ron, sisters: Helen Cameron, Wanda Brehault, Mary Pratt, and brothers: Frank, Ted, and Stanley Gurski, and George Goscinski.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or St. Joseph Catholic School. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Mary Kathleen Wheeler
Mary Kathleen Wheeler (better known as Kathy) passed away peacefully at her home in Donna, Texas March 16, 2022. Kathy was born in Lansing, Michigan on April 12, 1929 to Ralph and Ethel (Martin) Ludden. She attended Eastern High School. She worked at the Roadhouse in St. Johns, and later for the State of Michigan. She spent most of her life living in St. Johns and Lansing, Michigan. She was a member of the Community of Christ Church in St. Johns, and later in McAllen, Texas. She had a beautiful singing voice, and often sang solos at church.
Kathy married Edward Wheeler on December 12, 1964. They enjoyed over 52 years of marriage until his death in 2017. In the mid-80s Kathy left her job with the State of Michigan when she and Ed opened the Westside Deli in Frandor, which they owned and operated for several years. Kathy and Ed enjoyed traveling, and their annual fishing trips to Canada. In the early 90’s they started wintering in Donna, Texas, and made a permanent move there in 2001. After moving, they still made annual trips to Michigan to visit family.
Kathy was an excellent cook and seamstress, and made many of her children’s clothing when they were young. She enjoyed gardening, and took particular pride in her roses. She was also proud of the fact that she was a blood donor for the Red Cross, donating a pint almost every time she was eligible, adding up to several gallons. She also enjoyed tutoring children at a school in Texas.
Kathy is survived by her children Laura (Randy) Schmidt, Maureen Parmenter, Daniel (Patti) Parmenter, and daughter-in-law Marjorie Decker, 9 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister, Carolyn Jackson, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her husband, sisters Doris Illig and Rosemary Britton, a brother, Allen Ludden, two sons, Timothy Decker and Robert Decker, three grandsons, a great-grandson, a son-in-law, David O’Dell, a niece and a nephew.
As per her wishes, she has been cremated.