Obituaries
Donald Lee Chant Sr.
Donald Lee “Don” Chant Sr., age 89, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at Grace Haven Assisted Living Center, St. Johns, MI.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at 10:00 A.M., with Pastor Andy Croel officiating. Burial will take place at Fulton Center Cemetery, Perrinton, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 20, 2018 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home. A Masonic Service will be held at 7:00 P.M.
Don was born in St. Johns, MI on June 24, 1929, the son of Albert T. and Gladys (LeBar) Chant. On December 7, 1950 Don married Wreatha Ann Chaffin in Fulton, MI. During their 67 years of marriage they were blessed with 4 children.
Don and Wreatha farmed their entire lives. They owned and operated the Kwik Kook Restaurant in St. Johns. Together Don and Wreatha enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas and spending winters in Florida. They loved to go to the Buckley Steam Engine Festival and trying their luck at casinos. He was a lifetime member of Masonic Lodge #105, St. Johns.
Don is survived by his wife Wreatha, son Donald Lee (Janice) Chant Jr. of Harrison, daughter Christie (Alvin) Russell of St. Johns, son Brian “Buck” (Jodie) Chant of Laingsburg, and daughter Sarah (Todd) Wharton of Royal Palm Beach, FL, 6 grandchildren: Suzanne (Ryan) Fletcher, Rachel Chant, Kenneth (Jamie) Chant, Bentley Wharton, Maxwell Wharton, and Hudson Wharton; 3 great grandchildren: Anna Chant, Samuel Fletcher and Owen Fletcher; and many nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents and 3 siblings: June Mitchell, Arthur Chant, and Margaret Harlow.
Memorials may be made to Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan, 112 S. Holmes St., Lansing, MI 48912. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Albert Egres Jr.
Albert “Al” Egres Jr., age 79, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Monday, July 16, 2018, at Hospice House of Mid Michigan, Lansing, MI.
Funeral Services will be held at Pilgrim United Methodist Church, St. Johns, MI, on Friday, July 20, 2018 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Andy Croel officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 19, 2018 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Al was born in Ashley, MI on August 25, 1938, the son of Albert and Matilda (Minarik) Egres. He graduated from Ashley High School with the class of 1956. Al went on to Michigan State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He proudly served his country in the United States Army and spent 18 months in Thailand. Al married Carol Atkins on February 17, 1964 in Detroit, MI.
Al retired as a civil engineer from the State of Michigan after many years of service with the Highway Department and DNR. Al enjoyed hunting, fishing and was known for his garden and the popcorn he grew. Al enjoyed bowling and was past president of the St. Johns Bowling Association. He was an avid sports fan, especially the Detroit Tigers and MSU Spartans. Al loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and supporting them. He was a member of the Pilgrim United Methodist Church where he also spent several years as an usher.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years Carol Egres, daughters: Cheryl and Jeff Crum, Denise and Sanford Worden, grandchildren: Jacob Crum and Maddie Crum, brother Ron and Diann Egres of TN, sister in law Linda Nuhfer of NJ, sister in law Sherry Irwin of PA, and brother in law Jeff and Stacie Atkins of PA. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. Al was preceded in death by his parents, son and daughter in law Mark and Karen Egres, and father and mother in law Carl and Dorothy Atkins.
Memorials may be made to the Pilgrim United Methodist Church or Hospice House of Mid Michigan, Lansing, MI. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Gina Elaine Bacon
Gina Elaine Bacon, age 50, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Monday, July 16, 2018, at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI.
A Celebration of Gina’s life will be held at a later date with family and friends. Friends will be notified of the time and place.
Gina was born in Trinidad, CO on June 24, 1968, the daughter of Robert Hill and Bertha Mae (Moulder) Delong. Gina married Steve Bacon on June 24, 2016 in Charlotte, MI. Gina resided most of her life in Muscatine, Iowa.
She is survived by her husband Steve Bacon of St. Johns, MI; parents Bob and Bea Delong of Muscatine, IA; mother-in-law Carol Atkins of Dana Point, CA; father-in-law Jerry and Janet Bacon of Newport News, VA; and 2 brothers: Troy Delong of Illinois City, IL and Ronald Delong of Letts, IA.
In keeping with Gina’s spirit if you feel the need to send flowers or tributes please make a donation in Gina’s name to a Veterans or animal organization of your choice or sponsor a child from Compassion International. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
William D. Cushing
William D. Cushing died Saturday, July 14, 2018 at the age of 82. He was born July 2, 1936 in Lansing, MI the son of William and Abigail (Steavens) Cushing. William was an active member of South Riley Bible Church where he served as a deacon and was the song leader for over 40 years. He enjoyed painting especially landscapes and was an accomplished wood worker and wood turner. He was a member of the Michigan Association of Woodturners and UAW Local # 652. William retired from General Motors as a toolmaker. On February 15, 1958 he married Marion Doty and she survives him.
Also surviving is a son, Caleb; one niece, Linda Richardson and two nephews, Terry and Steven Cushing. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Barry and Eldon.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns with Pastor Edward Holsworth officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends from 10:00 AM until service time on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the South Riley Bible Church.
Burt Junior Warner
Burt Junior Warner, age 82, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Sparrow Clinton Hospital, St. Johns, MI surrounded by his family.
Funeral Services will be held at Duplain Church of Christ, St. Johns, MI at 12:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 with Mr. Chuck Emmert officiating. Visitation will be held at the Church from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service at noon.
Burt was born in Dimondale, Michigan on October 15, 1935, the son of Burt A. and Josephine M. (Lovette) Warner. Burt married Jackie Ledergerber on February 11, 1977 in Eaton Rapids, MI. He resided most of his life in the Mason and Eaton Rapids areas. Burt enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling. He loved going out to dinner with friends and family. Burt and Jackie lived in New Mexico for many years after he retired. Burt retired from General Motors in 1983 after 28 years of service. He worked in the Truck Repair Plant in Lansing. He attended Duplain Church of Christ, St. Johns.
He is survived by his wife: Jackie Warner of St. Johns, MI; son: Donald Warner of Harrison, MI; daughter: Dorathy and Greg DeLong of Troy, MI; daughter: Dody Olson of Lansing, MI; son: Robert and Marian Ledergerber of St. Johns, MI; daughter: Suzanne Robinson of Eaton Rapids, MI; daughter: Ann and Eric Downing of Greenville, MI; 17 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; sister: Ruth Ann and Richard Ayers of Mason, MI. Burt was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister: Marian Warner, infant brother: George Edward Warner, sister: Alice Schumacher, and also his son-in-law: Terry Robinson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rock Lake Christian Assembly. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Betty Jane Minsky
Betty Jane Minsky, 86, ended her participation in This Life on July 5th, 2018. She was the daughter of Wilbur and Lucille Toebe, born at home in Calumet County, WI (Green Bay), on the 16th of February, 1932. She was the eldest of three children, Kenneth Toebe (deceased) and Janet, surviving. Betty Jane was a 1950 Graduate of Kaukauna High School, in Kaukauna, WI.
She married John Minsky, now of St. Johns; and they had four children, Gregg Minsky (Donnette), Jennifer Lynn (Frank), Kenneth Minsky, and Jack Minsky, (Katherine), who pre-deceased his mother. There are six grandchildren, Lisa Jonas, Nicholas and Daniella Lynn, Solitaire Ayen, and Joshua J. Minsky of St. Johns, and Michael Minsky; there are six great grandchildren. Betty and John owned the Historic Parker House, at French’s Corners north of St Johns until their divorce in 1983. In January, 2000 Betty and Alan F. Smith, of St. Johns, became Life Partners, and he survives her.
Throughout her life, Betty Jane ignored the conventions of her Male-Dominant Era and became the first woman Director of a Chamber of Commerce in Michigan, (Cheboygan). She briely held that post at the Chamber in St. Johns, before starting her career as the first woman Bureau Chief at the Lansing State Journal. Betty’s stories and photography appeared in many popular magazines, and she is a Who’s Who Author of three books on business topics. She served on Economic Advisory Panels for four Michigan Governors, and was the Director of the Clinton Area New Development Organization (CAN DO). She also served on the Clinton County Fair Board, directed “Oklahoma” for the First Night Players in St. Johns, and was active with the Lansing Civic Players for many years. Her photography and writing skills made possible the Bicentennial Revised Edition of the History of Clinton County. Betty Jane did advance publicity for the Marty Robbins Road Show for several ‘years, and sponsored local bands and Country singers. She was a tireless fundraiser for the Clinton Ducks Unlimited chapter, and participated in the founding of the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy, and was the chief organizer for the Maple River Wildlife Area, north of St. Johns.
At her own request, there will be no funeral services or memorials. The family will be served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Osgood Chapel. Betty Jane was a long-time member of Trinity Fellowship Church, of Ovid, MI, and was active in Forgotten Man Ministries, under Chaplain Larry Smith at our county jail.
Patricia M. Hott
Patricia M. Hott, 72, of Haines City, FL, died Friday, July 6, 2018 in Kindred Hospital Bay Area of Tampa, FL. She was born May 24, 1946 in Saginaw to Robert and Vera M. (Flint) Hoadley. She married Stanley Walter Hott November 8, 1974 in East Lansing. Stanley Hott graduated from Rodney B Wilson High School in 1968.
During her childhood years, Pat attended school for the blind in Lansing and later graduated from Cass City High School. She was proudly employed for thirty-six years by Michigan State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital where she worked as the head animal caretaker for small animals. Pat loved listening to all types of music, sports and political talk shows on the radio. She enjoyed her large collection of audio books.
Pat is survived by her husband, Stanley W. Hott of Haines City, FL. She is preceded in death by her parents.
Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery at a later time. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.