.
Adele Marie Bancroft
Adele Marie (Zamarron) Bancroft, of Eureka, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on May 16, 2023 after a valiant battle with cancer. She was 72 years old.
Adele was born on October 7, 1950 in St. Johns, Michigan, the eldest of four children born to Robert and Donnavere (Abbott) Zamarron. She was a 1968 graduate of Fulton High School and earned an Associates Degree from Lansing Community College. It was in high school that Adele met Kurt Bancroft, and on June 27, 1969 the couple married at St. Joseph Catholic Church, nine days before Kurt was called to serve his country in Vietnam. They made their home in Eureka for over fifty one years and were blessed with two children, Michelle and Justin. Adele worked as a supervisor for the State of Michigan liquor control for over thirty one years until her retirement in 2009.
Adele was kind, loving, faithful, and the most positive person you could meet.A devoted grandmother, she never missed a football game or band event and was their biggest fan. She also cherished her 1998 Corvette, attending car shows, participating in the Old 27 Car Cruise and gambling with her girlfriends in Michigan casinos. Her dedication to her family and friends and her unfailing dedication for her grandchildren will be deeply missed.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Kurt; her daughter, Michelle (John) Olin and their children, Michael and Nicholas; her son, Justin (Kerrie Krampe) Bancroft and their children, Brooklyn, Brystol and Ava; brothers, Alan (Teri) Zamarron and Mark (Jackie) Zamarron; sister, Christie (Terry) Romanczuk; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and dear friends. Adele’s family would like to express a special thank you Courtney and Emily of Alara Caring Hospice, and to friends Mary Jo, Mary Jane, Colleen, Debbie and Vicki for all of their wonderful care.
Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns, on Friday, May 19, 2023 from 3—7 PM. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 11 AM with burial in Beach Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the Lowe United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Elara Caring Hospice.
Mary Louise Henning
Mary Louise Henning, age 90, of St. Johns, died at Mission Point Nursing Home in Ann Arbor on May 12, 2023.
Mary Lou was born on September 30, 1932 in St. Johns, one of 12 children born to Leo Henning and Bertha Anderson Henning. She worked a variety of jobs over the years including at Clinton Memorial Hospital as a cashier and in food prep. But most importantly she was the loving caregiver for her niece Keri Henning Hudec and nephew Craig Henning for three years supporting her brother Leo. She was also a beloved Aunt to over 50 nieces and nephews. Mary Lou lived a challenging life due to mental illness. But her love of family was foremost and she was a companion to her mother for many years. In her final years she shared many vivid memories of her childhood growing up on the family mint farm.
During her life Mary Lou loved shopping and up until her last weeks she applied makeup every day and had her nails done, usually in a bright color!
Mary Lou is survived by her brother Dean Henning, St. Johns and sisters Rita (Rich) Nowland , Ann Arbor; Joyce (Tom) Wilson, Howell; Janet Light (Harry Thompson), Carmel, IN. She is also survived by sister-in laws Ruth (Paul) Henning and Barb (Leo) Henning and many nephews and nieces. She is preceded in death by her parents, and siblings Leone Powers, Gertrude Beechnau, Jerry Henning, Paul Henning, Pauline Gion, Leo Henning, and Elizabeth Hall.
Mary Lou was blessed to be part of a large caring family especially her sisters and niece who were her guardians after her mother died, to ensure she was well taken care of. We all know that Mary Lou is now at peace and with her mother.
A visitation will take place on Monday, May 22, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m. both at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns. Interment will take place at Mt.Rest following the funeral. A luncheon will follow at Columbian Hall.
We ask that memorial donations be made in Mary Lou’s name to NAMI Washtenaw County at www.namiwc.org/donate. Or donations may be mailed to NAMI, Washtenaw County, 1100 N. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
For further information please contact McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, St. Johns, at 989-224-4422.
Jane Ann Ankrum
Jane Ann Ankrum, age 48, of Hubbardston, MI, passed away Sunday, May 14, 2023, at her home.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date with visitation prior at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, St. Johns, MI 48879.
Jane was born in Grand Rapids, MI on January 19, 1975, the daughter of Terry Lee and Anita K. (Barton) Ankrum. She graduated from Ionia Schools.
Jane had a great love for cats and dogs. She enjoyed writing, sewing and playing games on the computer. Jane loved listening to all kinds of music and watching baseball, especially the Atlanta Braves. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, St. Johns, MI and the Red Hat Society.
She is survived by mother Anita and John Wood of St. Johns, MI; her son: Ryan and Maggie Schnyders of Hudsonville, MI; her brother Terrence and Elisabeth Ankrum of Grand Rapids, MI; half-sister Jakia Felton of Florida; nieces: Alana Ankrum, Sara and Calvin Bonner, and Lydia Ankrum, great-nieces: Hannah & Emerson Bonner all of Grand Rapids, MI. She is also survived by her aunts: Hollie and Gary Childers of Wyoming, and Roberta Dell Baskerville of Greenville, MI. She was preceded in death by her father Terry Lee Ankrum and step-mother Brenda, grandparents: Robert O. and Jeanne H. Barton, Ivan and Norma Jean Ankrum and her uncle Bradley Baskerville.
Memorials may be made to the Ionia County Animal Shelter, 3853 Sparrow Dr., Ionia, MI 48846. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Frederick Raymond Schmitz, Sr
Frederick Raymond Schmitz, Sr., age 72 of St. Johns, MI, passed away Saturday, May 13, 2023 at his home.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Frederick was born in Lansing, Michigan on April 2, 1951, the son of Frederick A. and Rosie (Cook) Schmitz. He was a graduate of Pewamo Westphalia High School. He served in the U.S. Army. Frederick married Gale Ruthruff on June 5, 1982. Gale passed away on April 23, 2019.
Fred played in the Bluewater Band. He enjoyed many different hobbies including music, hunting, movies, martial arts, sunbathing, and fitness. Anything he did, he gave it his all. Fred served his country in the U.S. Army. He retired from General Motors. Fred’s grandchildren brought great joy to his heart.
He is survived by his children: Theresa Schmitz, Frederick Schmitz Jr., and Amber Pearce; his grandchildren: Kyra, Sasha, Sierra, Zander, Kal-El, and Zeak; his great-grandchildren: Renzo, Kynleigh and Kash; sisters: Rosemary Schmitz, Jackie Fall; brothers: Tom and MaryKay Schmitz, Dan and Val Schmitz, John and Tina Schmitz, Luke and Lorraine Schmitz, and brother Bob and Patty Schmitz; sisters-in-law: Debbie Cornell and Dawn Ruthruff; brother-in-law Terry and Judy Ruthruff. Fred is also survived by many nieces, nephews and a very, very special nurse Pam Neumann who has been part of the Schmitz Family for many years and caregiver Jean Yordy. He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law Richard and Jean Ruthruff; wife; grandchild Payton Reese Axtell; also his brothers-in-law Rick Cornell and Robert Fall.
Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Divorce decrees filed the weeks of April 17 and April 24, 2023
Demmers, Christopher / Demmers, Kellie
Bailey, Larry / Bailey, Threasa
Mehney, Jamie Lynn / Mehney, Andrew
Hebekeuser, Nathan / Hebekeuser, Cassandra
Densmore, Karen / Densmore, Russell
Smith, Duane / Smith, Jennifer
Carman, Megan / Carman, Justin