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Helen Lena Mitosinka
Helen Lena Mitosinka, age 95, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Thursday, December 29, 2022, at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, St. Johns, MI.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 31, 2022, with Pastor Andy Croel officiating. A private burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022, from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. and Saturday from 12-2 P.M. prior to the service, at the funeral home.
Helen was born in Clinton County, MI on July 28, 1927, the daughter Ralph Paseka and Mary (Temple) Paseka. She married Thomas J. Mitosinka on April 26, 1945 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, MI. They were blessed with forty-seven years of marriage; prior to his passing on March 2, 1993.
Helen will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh with others. She enjoyed sewing and made quilts for everyone, every grandchild and great-grandchild have one of her quilts. Helen was an excellent cook and loved to travel. One of her favorite pastimes was wine day with her family. She loved trips to the casino. Spending time with her grandchildren brought joy to her heart. She loved anything outdoors; mushroom hunting, camping, fishing and a campfire was always a necessity. Helen had a love of cats.
She is survived by her daughter Rose Wesner of St. Johns, MI; son Bob and Jackie Mitosinka of Marquette, MI; grandchildren: Angie Mitosinka of St. Johns, MI; Jennifer and Doug VanBelkum of St. Johns, MI; Marty and Melissa Wesner of Hubbardston, MI; Michael and Buffy Wesner of St. Johns, MI; Troy and Breanna Wesner of St. Johns, MI; and Wendy and Chris Sutter of Marquette, MI; great-grandchildren: Jessica, Brooke, Russell, Zander, Mariah, Olin, Gracie, Mason, Clayton, and Rowan; great-great-grandchildren: Gabriel and Esther. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Jack Mitosinka, son-in-law James Wesner, granddaughter Christa Mitosinka, six brothers and two sisters.
Memorials may be made to North Shore Animal League. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Douglas Arthur Williams
Douglas Arthur Williams, age 80, of St. Johns, MI, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022, at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring, and details are forthcoming.
Doug was born in St. Johns, Michigan on May 17, 1942; he was the eldest son of Arthur and Leona (Strouse) Williams. He was a graduate of Ithaca High School and Ferris State University. On May 27, 1967 he married Sharon Teegardin in Ithaca, MI. They were very happily married for 55 years.
Doug is survived by his wife Sharon Williams of St. Johns, MI; son Steve and his wife Jolynn Williams of Mason, MI; daughter Jennifer Liakos and her husband Chris O’Brien of Redondo Beach, CA; son Mark Williams of Ovid, MI; six wonderful grandchildren: Jakob, Olivia, Emma, Elizabeth, Grace, and Zackary; two step-grandchildren: Brayden and Jalee; two great-grandchildren: Annabel and Claire; brother Dennis and his wife Mary Williams of Wheeler, MI; and sister Dianne and her husband Richard “Bud” Buell of Flushing, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Doug served his country in the U.S. Army as a Drill Sergeant during the Vietnam War. He retired from General Motors where he worked as a Process Engineer. Doug was an avid fan of racing; he especially loved sprint cars and NASCAR – traveling the country to watch races with his loyal friends, Rick, Phil and DC. Doug loved to travel; he lived and embraced his motto “not all who wander are lost.” His favorite travel spot was the family cabin in Wyoming where he loved spending time with his family and friends.
More than anything Doug loved his family. He taught the importance of putting family first, having a little fun every day, and exploring the world with wonder and curiosity. He was the keeper of the fun light.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rogel Cancer Center at the University of Michigan. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.