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Charles Henry Miller
Charles Henry Miller, age 70 of Fowler passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family.
A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30am on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 12 at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel from 2-4 and 6-8pm, with a Rosary service at 7 p.m.
Charles was born on September 30, 1951 to Marvin A. and Julia (Lewis) Miller in St. Johns. After graduating high school, he served in the United States Navy. Charles married Joanne M. Schneider on June 29, 1974; they celebrated 47 years of marriage together.
Charles was a hardworking farmer all his life. He also enjoyed playing cards at the VFW club every morning, watching baseball, and playing in fantasy baseball leagues with his children, going to deer camp and cheering on his grandchildren at all of their sports games. He also loved going to car shows and taking his 1964 Impala SS. He was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and of the VFW.
Charles is survived by his wife, Joanne Miller; his children, Jennifer (Paul) Sailer, Kelly Willaford, Daniel (Rachel) Miller, David (Kara) Miller, Vickie (Jim) Curtin, 11 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 4 step great grandchildren, siblings Joanne (Gary) McNamara, Alan (Sheila) Miller, Martin (LuAnn) Miller, Lois (Richard) Rodgers, many nieces and nephews as well as other family and friends. He is predeceased by his parents Marvin and Julia Miller.
Memorial contributions are suggested to VFW post 3733 or Most Holy Trinity Educational Trust Fund.
Joanne E. Smith
Joanne E. Smith, 81 of St. Johns, Michigan passed away peacefully on April 7, 2022 at Shield’s Comfort Care in Saginaw, Michigan.
Joanne was born on June 22, 1940 in Owosso, Michigan – the daughter of August and Ann Kovacic. She graduated from St. Paul Catholic High School. Joanne attended Wayne State University until she joined Clinton Bank and Trust as an assistant to the loan clerk in 1984. She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church. She enjoyed sewing, cross stitch, and baking traditional Czechoslovakian baked goods.
She is survived by her daughters, Julie (Jon) Harding of New Jersey and Leslie J. (Dan) Bragdon of Thompsonville, Michigan; sons, Tim H. Smith of St. Johns, Steven P. Smith of Lansing, and Dan L. Smith of Freeland, Michigan; six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and four step, great-grandchildren; Sister, Janet (Charlie) Smith; and Brothers, Augie (Shirley) Kovacic, Alan Kovacic, and Art (Kim) Kovacic; Brother-in-law, Darrell C. (Nancy) Smith of Ovid; and sister in law, Kathryn (Jim) Horak of Owosso. She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald B. Smith; her great-grandson Bo Bragdon; her parents Gus and Ann Kovacic; and sister Jean Kovacic.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns. The family will receive friends and relatives at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, on Monday, April 18 from 2 to 8 p.m. A Rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m.
Memorials may be given to an organization of your choice or Harmony Home Health & Hospice Care.
Gary M. French
Gary M. French of Freeland, Michigan, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother passed away Thursday, April 7, 2022 at Covenant HealthCare Cooper at the age of 69 years. Son of the late Harvey and Marlene (Klug) French, Gary was born December 17, 1952 in Oceanside, California. He was a 1971 graduate of St. Johns High School in St. Johns, Michigan. Gary married Judith “Judy” Burba, his loving wife of 46 years on November 29, 1975. She survives him. Gary was employed at G. M. Central Foundry as a Clerk in the Safety Department for 30 years. He then worked at Landstar Trucking for 10 years. Gary was a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Auburn. He was also a member of the NRA. Gary loved ball room dancing at USA Dance, woodworking and hunting.
Surviving besides his wife Judy, are one daughter and one son, Michele and Joe Kaufmann, Hemlock; Jonathan and Amy French, Saginaw; two grandchildren, Bailey (Tucker Breasbois) Kaufmann and Joey Kaufmann; two sisters, Sheri and Ross Gottstein, Florida; Julie and Keith Wolfe, Florida; one brother, Jim and Jayne French of St. Johns, Michigan and several nieces and nephews.
Honoring Mr. French’s wishes cremation has taken place and a private family inurnment will take place. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the CAN Council or the Underground Railroad. Please share memories and condolences with the family at snowfuneralhome.net.
Lynn J Heinlen
Lynn J Heinlen, age 58, of Allendale, MI passed away Friday, April 1, 2022, at Butterworth Hospital with his family by his side.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. with Sue Lazell officiating. Burial and military honors will take place at North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 1:00 P.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Lynn was born in Alma, MI on February 7, 1964, the son of Roger and Cheryl (Muscott) Heinlen. Lynn joined the Army in 1983 and proudly served our country for 6 years. He spent most of his enlisted years stationed in Germany. After an honorable discharge from the Army, Lynn returned home to follow in his father’s footsteps, becoming a truck driver. After many years of hard work and long hours Lynn was able to begin operating his own trucking company, L.J. Heinlen Transportation, where he had the privilege of working closely with cousins: Ray and Eric Heinlen. In 2020 he was rewarded with being able to buy a new Freightliner with flatbed trailer.
Lynn married the love of his life, Janice (Larson) on December 7, 2012 in Holland, MI and they made their home in Allendale. Lynn and Janice had recently moved into their new home, and Lynn was looking forward to building a pole barn for his Man Cave so he could tinker with his trucks.
Lynn was just a good, genuine, kindhearted person that never had anything negative to say about anyone. Lynn would drop everything to help someone in need and would never expect the same in return. He worked very hard to provide the best life for his family, without complaint. Lynn would light up a room and people were drawn to his loving personality. He loved a good joke, and his laugh will be greatly missed. When he did have spare time he loved spending time with family and friends, camping, and grilling a good steak.
Lynn is survived by his wife, Janice; mother Cheryl (Maynard) Miles; daughter Megan (Brian) Fosmore; son Brad (Rachel) Rasmussen; son Austin Heinlen; daughter Jessica (Tony) Renzi; step-son Justin Gorby; step-daughter Caitlin (Nick) Dekker; and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: DeAnn Heinlen, David (Lene’) Heinlen, Chris (Mike) Johnson, Michelle (Neil) Streeter, Grace Heinlen, and Chuck (Lauren) Miles; step-sisters: Kim (Del) Christensen, Karla (Richard) Rasmussen, and Char (Jim) Braman. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father Roger Heinlen and his grandparents.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a Charity of the donor’s choice. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Divorce decrees filed the week of March 28 and April 4, 2022
Gonzalez, Katrina / Gonzalez, Jesse
Meeks, Louis / Meeks, Kelli
Boots-Rositas, Rachel / Rositas, Ryan
Passmore, Jan / Passmore, Brian
Martin, Shirley / Martin, Gary
Wayer, Linda / Wayer, Carlton
Bartlett, Dale / Bartlett, Ricci