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Joseph Peter Mesh
Joseph Peter Mesh, age 84, passed away on Friday, June 24, 2022, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan; just two days after his 59th wedding anniversary to his beloved wife, Joyce (Altvater), who survives him.
A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at 10:00 A.M., with Deacon Eric Elstro. A special memorial presented by his grandchildren will follow the service. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, at a later date. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, from 5-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
He was born on November 27, 1937 in Estey, Michigan the son of George and Eva (Offenbecker) Mesh. He graduated from St. Johns High School and began a ten-year career at Federal Mogul before starting his own business, J.P. Mesh and Sons Residential Builders in 1966. Over the course of twelve years, he built more than one hundred homes throughout the state, including his own.
In 1978 he started Papa Bear’s Woodworks where with his family and Ken Hoffer built many pieces of hardwood furniture and other contract pieces. He was best known for his round oak tables and chairs. He gained a little fame by building one of the largest walnut wood tables for the Michigan Farm Bureau board of directors, as well as making the bar at The Main in Ovid, MI, and making and donating the oak altar, cross and priest’s chair for St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, MI.
Joe was well known throughout the community as “Papa Bear”, or simply “Pops.” He was heavily involved with Michigan Woodworkers Association for many years and hosted events at his shop north of town. He also hosted several educational and informational outings for young people exploring the trade.
He loved going to the Upper Peninsula and staying at Camp Bear Paw with his friends, cooking breakfast on the flat top grill, snowmobiling, playing cards, and drinking beer. He enjoyed watching his sons and friends race motocross and hosted several hare scrambles at the home track. He and Joyce took many trips on their BMW motorcycle to places all over the country with their dear friends: Frank and Jan Glowacki and Jack and Barb Cox.
Together, Joe and Joyce had three children: John Mesh, Joel Mesh, and Jennifer (Chris) Kiel, all of St. Johns, MI, that survive him. He was a grandfather and most recently a great-grandfather with another one expected in December. He is survived by his grandchildren: Joshua Mesh, Elizabeth (Andrew) Rogers, Emily (Tyler) Malkin, who are parents to Tucker Joseph, and step-grandchildren: Victoria (Andre) McDuffey and their daughter Nora; Jessica Kiel, and Hunter Kiel; his siblings: David (Pat) Mesh of Derby Lake, MI; and Jack (Maureen) Mesh of St. Johns, FL; sister-in-law Sharon Altvater. He is also survived by 17 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: Eva (Robert) Miller, and George (Maralene) Mesh, one brother-in-law Robert Altvater.
Pops was quite a character. He had his grave stone engraved to say, “I did it my way.” And that he did!
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or St. Joseph Catholic Church. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Andrew Minarik
Andrew “Andy” Minarik, of St. Johns, died peacefully on June 28, 2022. He was 86 years old.
Andy was born on January 2, 1936 in North Star, Michigan, the third of six children born to Andrew and Anna (Koreni) Minarik. Following graduation from Rodney B. Wilson High School, Andy attended school in Indiana for medical training, and began working in a hospital before enlisting with the United States Army. From 1957-1959 Andy was stationed in St. Louis, Missouri serving in the Army Medical Service Corp.
At the age of twenty-seven Andy met the love of his life, Marjorie Ann Kissane at a polka dance, a past time Andy and Marge would both enjoy throughout their life together. On July 6, 1968 the young couple married at St. Cyril Church in Bannister and settled in St. Johns, Michigan.
He worked in the Metallurgy Lab at Federal Mogul for over forty years until his retirement in 1999. He was a member of the St. Johns Knights of Columbus, the ZCBJ Lodge in Bannister (who also spoke Slovak), and the St. Johns American Legion.
Andy lived regret-free and truly cherished each day. He enjoyed spending time and working at his cabin on Tubbs Lake each weekend in retirement, trips to the casino and traveling. Andy and Marge traveled each year somewhere special and enjoyed trips to Europe, Mexico and nearly every state in the United States. For over thirty-five years Andy and Marge would spread holiday cheer, dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus for their friends and family, toting a large red bag full of wrapped trinkets.
Andy was known for his hard work ethic, his infectious and recognizable laugh, jolly demeanor, and generous spirit.
He will be missed by many, especially his wife of nearly fifty-four years, Marge Minarik; his son, Rick (Ann) Minarik; his daughter, Lisa (Brad) Rozen; beloved grandchildren, Julia, Lauren and Ricky Minarik and Rachel and Katie Rozen; his brother, Vince (Margo) Minarik; sister-in-laws, Judy Minarik, RoseMary (Fred) Eldridge and Marilyn Kissane; brother-in-law, Bill (Judy) Kissane, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his young son, Robert “Bobby” Minarik; his parents; brothers, Joe, Paul and Steve; and sister, Betty Kirby.
Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns on Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 2-8 PM. Rosary 7 PM.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Cyril Catholic Church, 517 E. Main Street, Bannister on Friday, July 1, 2022 at 11 AM, with visitation beginning at 10 AM. Burial and Military Honors will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie. Memorials may be made in his name to St. Cyril Catholic Church, Bannister.
Barbara J. Van Vleet
Barbara J. Van Vleet, died at Hazel Findlay Country Manor in St. Johns on June 26, 2022 at the ago of 90.
Barb was born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 17, 1932, the daughter of Foster Walker Schenck and Evelyn (Smith) Schenck, and grew up in Avon Lake, Ohio where she was a graduate of Avon Lake High School. On October 2, 1960 she married Bruce Van Vleet in Indiana. Together, they made their home for many years in St. Johns, Michigan, where they were long time members of St. Johns Lutheran Church, and where she worked as a clerk at the Ben Franklin store and later Applebee’s Service Station. They loved square dancing, and in retirement enjoyed travel and wintering in Mesa, Arizona.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bruce in 2019, and is survived by children, Brian Van Vleet of Niles, MI, Brad (Robin) Van Vleet and Brenda (Billy) Geer both of St. Johns, and Betsy (Jim) Clark of AZ; three grandchildren, Jacob Van Vleet, Erika Geer and Alexander Clark; brother, John Schenck; in-laws, Gary (Shirley) Van Vleet of St. Johns, Ronald (Iris Jean) Van Vleet of CO, and Janet (Ed) Thompson of CA. She was preceded in death by grandson Samuel Geer, sister, Nancy Coffin, and sister-in-law, Marlene Monfort.
Memorial Service arrangements are pending. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or to St. Johns Lutheran Church. For further information please phone McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, St. Johns, 989-224-4422.
Bert Franklin Howard Sr.
Bert Franklin Howard Sr. of Tustin and formerly of St. Johns, passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at home surrounded by his family. He was 74.
Bert was born on July 17, 1947 to Frank Howard and Pauline Pringle in Terre Haute, Indiana. Shortly after graduating high school, he entered into holy matrimony with Kay Orine Smith on April 2, 1968, just before being drafted for service in the Vietnam War. The two celebrated nearly 53 years together. Upon Bert’s return to the States they began their family adding four sons, and eventually moving from her hometown to Northern Michigan in 1979.
While raising the four boys of their own, Bert stayed busy working for AAR for 22 years until his time of retirement in 2008. He could often be found hunting, fishing, or working outdoors. He was a member of Cherry Grove Church of the Nazarene and former member of Cadillac’s First Church of the Nazarene. He served as a teen Sunday School teacher. He will be deeply missed and remembered for the love he gave to others.
Bert is survived by sons, Bert (Jodi) Howard Jr. of Tustin, Frank (Kristi) Howard of Cadillac, Dale (Toni) Howard of Cadillac, and Peter Howard of Tustin; six grandchildren, Randi, Lexi, Tansen, Dylan, Chase, Shane; great-grandchildren, Hayley, Landon, Talon, and Willarae Grace; siblings, Dianne Doyen, Barb Harris and Janet Hallock; as well as many other loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife and his parents.
Per his wishes cremation will take place and memorial services will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Cherry Grove Church of the Nazarene. Memorial contributions may be made to Cherry Grove Church of the Nazarene. The family is being served by the Hitesman-Holdship Funeral Home.
Dean D. Burk
Dean D. Burk, of St. Johns, died on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the age of 88.
Dean was born on July 23, 1933 in St. Johns, Michigan, the son of Lawrence and Pauline (Stevens) Burk, and grew up in St. Johns where he was a graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School. Following high school he served in the U.S. Navy before beginning his long career as an electrician with General Motors Fisher Body in Lansing. He retired after thirty years with GM.
On January 10, 1953 he married Erma J. Kees and they made their home in St. Johns where they were blessed with the births of three children and many grandchildren. In the summers he enjoyed spending time at the Side-O-Lake Resort on Bass Lake, where he enjoyed family, fishing, watching boats pass by and people watching.
He was preceded in death by his beloved Erma Jean in 2020 and is survived by his son, Larry (Jackie) Burk; daughters, Doreen (Nolan) Johnson and Darlene (Vaughn) Simpson; ten grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald (Vineta) Burk.
Cremation will take place with interment in Union Home Cemetery.
For further information, contact McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, St. Johns.
Patricia Ann Butler
Patricia Ann “Pat” Butler, Pat Butler, as she preferred to be known, passed away on her 93rd birthday, on June 21, 2022, at Burcham Hills Center for Health and Rehabilitation in East Lansing, where she was recovering from a fall.
Patricia Ann Johnson was born in Owosso in 1929. Pat settled with her husband and children in St. Johns when he retired from the Navy in 1965. She remained living in the same house until her death.
She is survived by four sons, four daughters, numerous grandchildren, and countless caring and supportive people who worked hard to allow her to live as she chose. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one daughter.
True to her own spirit, Pat cherished her cats, Gunsmoke, and her independence. She requested that no funeral service be held.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Capital Area Human Society. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.