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Ernestine Fox
Ernestine (Fandel) Fox, a long time resident of Fowler, Michigan died peacefully in the care of her family and Hospice House of Mid-Michigan on February 28, 2023 at the age of 93.
Ernestine was born in Westphalia, Michigan on June 22, 1929 the daughter of Herman and Hildegard Fandel. She was a long time member Most Holy Trinity Parish in Fowler, the Christian Mothers Society and the Daughters of Isabella. She was a 1947 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Westphalia.
She married Alvin Fox on June 28, 1949 and they made their home in Fowler. Together they both worked at Minor Walton Bean Co. and later at Agri Sales, before retiring in 1992.
She is survived by children Brenda Fox, Dan (Tracy) Fox, and Doug (Lisa) Fox; grandchildren, Brian (Lissa), Mindy (Will), Lindsey (Rob), Trevor (Monica), Levi (Madison), Josh (Megan), Alesha (Alex), Kayla (Kyle), Brooklyn; twenty great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Fandel, Kathy Kramer, Ruth Lucas, brother-in-laws, George (Theresa) Fox, David (Rose) Fox.
She was preceded in death by Alvin, her beloved husband of over sixty years in 2009, an infant daughter Cindy, her parents, father and mother-in-law, Clemens and Martha Fox, sister, Jean Bengel, brothers, Bud and Denis, sisters and brothers-in-law, Richard (Marilyn) Fox, Bernadine Witgen, Ken Fox, Mike Kramer, Dick Lucas, Bernie Bengel, Leon (Susie) Fox, Janet (Ray) Armbrustmacher, and a very special aunt, Mae.
Ernestine had a passion for baking and taking her goods to shut-ins. She enjoyed playing cards for forty plus years including every Sunday morning with George, Ken, Jim and whoever else felt like playing cards which were many.
Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns on Friday, March 3 from 3-8 PM with Rosary at 7 PM and on Saturday, March 4 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church from 9:30 AM until the time of Mass.
Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 545 N. Maple St., Fowler on Saturday, March 4 at 10:30 AM with Fr. Eric Weber presiding. Rite of Committal will follow at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery. Memorials may be made in her name to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Charities.
Norman George Geller
Norman George Geller was born on July 8, 1946 in St. Johns, Michigan and passed away peacefully on February 27, 2023 after a long day of close family and friends visiting. He was 76 years old.
Norm was the fourth of ten children born to Carl and Florence Geller. On October 11, 1995 he married the love of his life, Carolyn Grandy; together they were partners for over forty-two years and made their home in Laingsburg. Norm was a man that anyone could count on, especially after he retired.
In retirement he enjoyed helping at the car wash and meeting up with friends at 2 PM at Ryan’s Roadhouse before making his way home to see Carolyn when she got home from work. Whether it was picking up his grandkids or great grandkids from school, waiting for repair persons at his family’s homes or taking people to the airport, he was always ready to help out. In the winter he enjoyed plowing for Northside Towing and Service, and in the summers he was an avid NASCAR and Finley racing fan. Norm was a devoted husband and ‘cat man’ and his wife and his cat, Tigger, were his world.
Norm is survived by Carolyn, his beloved wife of forty-two years; his children, Andrew Swarthout, Mary Pierce (Russell), Bill Swarthout, Cristy Swarthout, and Kari Weaver; grandchildren, Ryan Robinson (Arin), Christopher Robinson (Kristofer), Adriann Simison (Graysen), Max Swarthout (Elissa), Addison Swarthout (Calli), Michael Hannah (Kara), Xavier Weaver (Alexis), Jared Weaver (Hannah), and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ron and Joe and niece, Dana.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at St. Johns VFW Post 4113, 2497 Old US 27, St. Johns, with a meal and sharing beginning at 2 PM. Memorials may be made in his name to the American Heart Association.
For further information please visit McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel.
Glenn Richard Hills
Glenn Richard Hills, a long time resident of St. Johns, died peacefully in the care of his family and Grace Haven on February 27, 2023 after a four year battle with vascular dementia and Parkinson’s. He was 84 years old.
Born on April 24, 1938, the son of Paul and Eleanor Simpson Hills. Glenn grew up in Ovid on his family’s Centennial Farm which is now a part of Sleepy Hollow State Park. He was a 1956 graduate of Ovid High School and later attended Ferris State University and Lansing Business University where he obtained his Real Estate degree.
He served as a real estate broker with Campus Real Estate in East Lansing, Century 21 in St. Johns, and operated Glenn R. Hills Realty for several years. In 1961 he founded Hills Cheese in Lansing and was a fixture at the Lansing City Market with his cheese products. In 1994 he expanded Hills Cheese into the Flint Farmer’s Market, in 2014 the Davison Farmer’s Market, and was known by many throughout Michigan as “The Cheese Man”. Cheese was his life, and he loved his work and his family business dearly. His son Paul, and wife Bekah, continue the tradition today and proudly operate Hills Cheese company.
Glenn enjoyed music, played the banjo, loved following the Tigers and the stock market, watching Spartan basketball and football, trips to Cedar Point, and travelling, especially to Saugatuck and East Tawas. Glenn was a devoted husband, generous father to his children, beloved papa to his grandchildren, and beloved Cheese Man. He was a man of deep faith, enjoyed fellowship with the First Baptist Church where he served and served as an usher for many years. He always counted his blessing and recounted to others how much he had to be thankful for. He had a great sense of humor and was a gifted storyteller who had a wonderful story for everything. He will be dearly missed.
In addition to Ruth Ann Remus Hills, his beloved wife of over forty-four years, he is survived by his daughter, Holly (Anthony) Cinzori; his sons, Glenn Jr. (Alissa Roeder) and Paul (Bekah) Hills; grandchildren, Grace Cinzori, Winter Hills, and Henry Hills; sister, Beverly (Al) Hayes; nephew, Chad (Judy) Hayes; great nephews, John and Jack Hayes; in-laws, Anita Iocco (the late Ralph), Rosemary Smith (the late Fred), Frank (Kathy) Remus, and many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Baptist Church of St. Johns, 512 S. Whittemore, St. Johns, on Friday, March 3 at 11 AM. Friends may gather from 10 AM until the time of service. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ovid. Memorials may be made in his name to Beacon of Hope at First Baptist Church. For further information please visit McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, St. Johns.
Harold F. Foster
Harold F. Foster, a longtime resident of St. Johns and a native of Lansing, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Friday, February 24, 2023 following complications from heart surgery. He was 74 years old.
Harold was born on February 15, 1949 in Chicamauga, Georgia, the third of five children born to Claud Clark and Margaret Elaine (Rhodes) Foster. The Foster family moved to Lansing when Harold was six, and Harold graduated from J.W. Sexton High School in 1967. On October 14, 1967, Harold married his high school sweetheart, Sherry Smyth. Harold was Sherry’s rock, confidant and fiercely loyal partner for over fifty-seven years. They settled in St. Johns in 1982 and together raised their two sons, Jeremy and Jody. He loved his family dearly and was ever proud of his two sons and their accomplishments. To his grandchildren he was “papa” and their biggest fan and advocate.
Harold was instrumental in many committees and organizations, and inspirational to many. A man of humble origins, Harold grew to become the epitome of a public servant, was a talented speaker and proactive listener. He was an advocate for facts, transparency and choices and could positively influence people. Harold never complained – he took action, would work diligently to seek a solution that was in the best interest of everyone and was an example of a positive, influential leader.
Harold began his work at General Motors in 1968, working on the line and quickly advanced to become a Benefit Representative who was highly respected and known by many as the “Union Godfather”. He retired in February, 2023. He was the Board President for LAFCU for thirty seven years, nearly four decades, where he was able to make a difference in the community, help others and build relationships. Harold planned annual LAFCU outings to benefit the Greater Lansing Food Bank, and was a proponent of the Lansing State Lugnuts partnership and the LAFCU fireworks display, which thousands of people enjoy annually. He was Past President of the General Motors Credit Council and the editor and business manager of Lansing Labor News. In 1991, Harold organized and co-founded the St. Johns Youth Athletic Association (SJYAA) and coached basketball, football and golf. He earned the Douglas Griffith Award and the Walter Campbell Local Hero Award over the years.
Harold and Sherry wintered in South Wind, Florida, and Harold helped organize the annual GM Snowbirds Banquet. They loved the warm weather and walking the beach. He collected frogs, adored his red jeep, took meticulous care of this three acre lawn, enjoyed a cup of coffee (at any hour of the day) and loved to hum and sing melodies. Harold often let the sport schedule, whether it was MSU basketball, the Lions or WWE, dictate his weekend schedule. In recent years, Harold built a “general store” out-building to house his treasures from auctions and antiquing. Harold was kind, caring, and loving to all, cherished time spent with his family and lived life to the fullest, making an impact and difference in everything he touched.
Harold is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-five years, Sherry Foster; sons, Jeremy (Julie) and Jody (Jennifer); grandchildren, Taylor, Kayl and Zoe (Justin), Bailey, Kaylee, Owen, Kloe, Sophia and Caroline; great-granddaughter, Oakley Mae; his sister, Mary (Jon Briggs) Mabie, as well as extended family members and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claud and Margaret (Rhodes) Foster and brothers, Bob, Denny and Freddie.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 3, 2023, 11 AM at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns. Pastor Andy Croel officiating. Burial Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Lansing. A luncheon will follow. Friends may visit the funeral home on Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 2—8 PM and on Friday, March 3rd from 10 AM until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Lansing Food Bank.
Kevin Patrick Daly
Kevin Patrick Daly, age 76, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Saturday, February 25, 2023, at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital, Lansing, MI.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, MI at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, March 3, 2023, with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams presiding. Burial will take place at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery, Shepherd, MI at a later date. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the Memorial Mass.
Kevin was born in Lansing, Michigan on November 26, 1946, the son of Martin Edward and Eileen Elizabeth (Daly) Daly. He graduated from Eastern High School, Lansing, MI with the class of 1964. On June 2, 1979 Kevin married Sue Ann Conroy at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Shepherd, MI. They were married for forty-three years.
He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and pool player. He loved the outdoors and belonged to the Lansing River Rats Fishing Club, Moose Lodge and the “Take a Kid Fishing” program for many years. He went to coffee every morning with the “Men’s Coffee Club” at the Wheel Inn. He loved his children and grandchildren dearly.
He is survived by his wife Sue, three children: Lisa Moser of Hickory, NC; Sean Daly of Conover, NC; and Cody Daly of St. Johns, MI; three grandsons: Billy (Amber), Ryan (Mandy), and Alex Reavis; two great- grandchildren: Madison, and Liam Reavis; and two sisters: Carol (Bill) Narmore and Sharon McDuffee; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Martin Daly, mother Eileen (Dick) Krouse, brother Martin Daly and sister Eileen Case.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Divorce decrees filed the week of February 20, 2023
Wegener, Andrew / Wegener, Emily
Andrzejewski, Thomas / Andrzejewski, Maureen
Preston, Peter / Preston, Michelle
Howland, Eric / Howland, Sarah
Philo, Abbe / Philo, Chad