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John Lafayette Dunkel
John Lafayette Dunkel died on October 2, 2023. He was born to Edgar and Hazel Dunkel in Ovid Township, Michigan on September 21, 1926. He graduated from Ovid High School in 1943. After graduation, from 1943-1945, John was employed by Bendex Aviation in Owosso, Michigan. John served in the United States Army in World War II from January 1945 to August 1946. John was a long time member of the Ovid VFW.
On October 19, 1946 he married his high school sweetheart, Lyola Yerrick. They had four children: Dennis, David, Diane and Darlene. John worked as a automobile mechanic for Lundy’s Motors and General Motors, where he retired. In retirement they spent their winters in Mesa, Arizona and also traveled to other places including Hawaii, Alaska and Canada. After retiring they moved to their home at Birch Lake, Kewadin, Michigan. John enjoyed snowmobiling, boating, shuffleboard, softball and playing cards with his friends and family.
He is survived by children Dennis (Mary Ann) Dunkel, David (Gloria) Dunkel and Diane (Thomas) Woodhams, 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lyola, parents, three brothers and a daughter, Darlene.
A private family service is planned. The family is being served by McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel.
Jermaine Matthew Jones
Jermaine Matthew Jones, age 2, of Eagle, MI passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, October 16, 2023. Visitation will be held on Monday from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Jermaine was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on November 13, 2020, the son of Brandon Michael and Victoria Marie (Jegla) Jones.
He is survived by his parents Brandon and Victoria Jones, big brother Jrue Allen Jones, grandparents John and Shelly Jones, grandma Margarita Soltis, great-grandpa Roger Miller, great-grandma Josephine Jones, uncles and aunts: Greggory and Robin Jones, Jerrell and Bri Miller, Joanne Barber, and Gracey Barber. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, numerous cousins and many special family members and friends who loved him very much. He was preceded in death by his great-grandmothers: Joanne Soltis, Carolyn Miller, and great-grandfather Steve Turner.
Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Carol M. Frechen
Carol M. Frechen, a long time resident of St. Johns, Michigan, died on October 10, 2023 at the age of 79.
Born on November 9, 1943, the daughter of Herbert A. Armbrustmacher and Marian E (Fox) Armbrustmacher, Carol grew up in Fowler where she was a 1961 graduate of Fowler High School. She enjoyed working with Federal Mogul until her retirement in 2003. On May 25, 1963 she married Robert Frechen in Fowler, and they made their home in St. Johns.
Carol was an avid gardener, and her residence on Ottawa in St. Johns was a testament to her passion. She took impeccable care of her lawn and flower gardens, maintaining them with the utmost dedication and pride. In addition to her love for gardening, Carol had enjoyed the camaraderie of a good card game, whether it was a competitive round of rawhide with her brothers and sisters-in-law or a lively game of bunco with her girlfriends. She also had a fondness for the casino in Mt. Pleasant, where she would often go for a bit of fun and relaxation. She was a loving mother and grandmother and was always at her happiest when she was surrounded by her family, with whom she shared some of her fondest memories.
She is survived by her daughters, Cindy (Mark) Braun and Melissa (the late Ray) Trevino; grandchildren, Brianna (Bobby) Prince, Marcus Braun, and Matthew Herzog; great grandchild, Teagan Herzog; siblings, Paul (Bonnie) Armbrustmacher, Carl (the late Judy) Armbrustmacher, Mark (Diane) Armbrustmacher; sisters-in-law, Irene Armbrustmacher and Donna Goerge, and many extended family members and dear friends. Robert preceded her in death in 2012.
Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns, on Wednesday, October 24, from 2-8 PM with a Vigil Service at 7 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 Linden St., St. Johns on Thursday, October 25 at 11 AM with Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Interment of ashes in Most Holy Trinity in Fowler. Memorials may be made in her name to the Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation.
David Frank Geller
David Frank Geller, age 77, of DeWitt, MI, passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, MI of natural causes.
David was born in St. Johns, MI on July 13, 1946, the son of Stanley F. and Betty J. (Spaulding) Geller. He graduated from St. Johns High School with the Class of 1964. On June 2, 1979 he married the love of his life, Margaret Joyce Cyrus in St. Johns, MI. He lost his beloved wife, Joyce on May 25, 2020. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a Sgt. during the Vietnam War.
David began working at Melling Forging Company in September of 1964; he then served his country in the U.S. Army from 1966-1968, returning to Melling Forging Company from 1968-2002. After he went to work at Farmco from 2002-2009 where he retired in 2009. He looked forward to his monthly breakfast meetings with past co-workers where they could share a meal and stories of the good old days. He enjoyed baking and cooking (you always left his house with cookies in hand). There was never a time he could not sit down and share a story and was sometimes referred to as The Apple King due to his vast knowledge of what every specific apple could be used for. David loved taking rides in the fall to every apple orchard and never left empty handed. David also enjoyed sharing his years of knowledge that he had gained with all that came into contact with him. What David enjoyed most was spending time with his most precious great-grandchildren.
He is survived and will be dearly missed by his loving children: daughter Deb and Gregg Bishop of Harrison, MI; son Scott and Leanne Fischer of Ashley, MI; son Matthew and Janet Geller of Florida; daughter Stephanie Slep of Grand Ledge, MI; beautiful grandchildren: Gregory (AJ) Bishop, Trista (Nick) Price, Elizabeth (Tony) Lyon, Megan (Josh) Broyls, Lukas (Justice) Bishop, Zak (Hannah) Snyder, Benjamin (Rachelle) Fischer, and Zane Snyder; great-grandchildren whom he adored: Nathan, Hailey, Kaden, Austyn, Wyatt, Nicholas, Liam, Lily, Lexie Joy, Kaiyah, Carter, Masonn, Violet, and Collin.
David is also survived by his brother Charles Geller of Arizona; sister Janet and Roy Pline of St. Johns, MI; brother John and Mary Geller of St. Johns, MI; sister Mary Geller of Florida; sister Patty and Tom Stewart of St. Johns, MI; many nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, parents, and brother Paul Geller.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1- 4 P.M. on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the Washington Township Hall 8989 S. Baldwin Road, Ashley, MI 48806.
In David’s memory his family requests that family and friends plant an apple tree in his honor. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Belinda Kay Midkiff
Belinda Kay Midkiff, age 72, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at her home with her sons and family by her side.
In following her wishes, a cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Belinda was born in Gallipolis, Ohio on July 19, 1951, the daughter of James Edgar and Dorothy Corene (McCallister) Fisher. She graduated from Lincoln Consolidated High School in Ypsilanti, MI with the class of 1969. On November 9, 1974, Belinda married Lawrence William Muliett at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ypsilanti. They were blessed with two sons before he passed away on October 30, 1980.
Belinda loved working at Zywicki Greenhouse for many years with her friends and family. She enjoyed her flower gardens, a bottle of wine or Michelob Ultra. She took many cruises and liked visiting the beaches along the way. The friends she made at the Castle were very important to her. The family would like to thank Dianne and the friends at Dershey’s Cafe for their love and support. Most of all, Belinda treasured her grandchildren and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her sons: Daniel (Deanne) Muliett of St. Johns, MI; and Andrew (Rachel) Muliett of Vail, AZ; five grandchildren: Roman Norse, Rhiannon Norse, Emmanuel Muliett, Calvin Muliett, and Nolan Muliett; brothers: Gregory (Denise) Fisher, and Charles Fisher; sister-in-law Beth Fisher, many nieces and nephews, and special friend Tom Sherwood. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lawrence Muliett, nephew Chad Fisher, and great niece Taylor Fisher.
The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the Leukemia Foundation. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Joseph J. Caudy
Joseph J. “Grandpa Joe” Caudy, a longtime resident of St. Johns, died peacefully, surrounded by family on Saturday, October 7, 2023. He was nearly 94 years old.
Joe was born on November 28, 1929 in Bingham Township, the youngest of ten children born to Alphonse and Agnes (Kuchar) Caudy. He served his country from 1950-1955 in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Joe worked for Carrier-Stephens Chemical Company in Lansing, retiring in 1990. On April 28, 1962 he married Bernice Bozung, and she preceded him in death in 2006.
He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and an honorary lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. His sparkling eyes and characteristic smirk were telltale signs that he was either up to something amusing or deeply engaged in thought. Joe loved his family, grandbabies, dogs and birds. He was an avid birdwatcher, often found peace and joy in observing the smallest wonders of nature through his binoculars. He was funny, witty, always smiling, friendly to all and loved by many.
Surviving are his children, Kathleen (Jeffrey) Fowler of St. Johns, James (Cinda) Caudy of Saranac, Joan (Terry) Witt and Joseph Caudy; grandchildren, Heather (James), Matthew (Lindsay), Andrew, Alex, Noah, Reese and other grandchildren; great-grandchildren, his “little buddies”, Carter and Ivy; sisters, Theresa (the late Bill) VanWormer of Lansing, as well as many nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends. In addition to his beloved wife, Bernice, he was also preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Fox, Anna Kusnier, Agnes Brown, Rose Wilson and Margaret Klein and brothers, John, Alphonse “Al”, and Vincent.
Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 from 2—8 PM, Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7 PM. Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 510 Mabbit Rd, Ovid, on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 11 AM. Burial Mount Rest Cemetery, St. Johns. A luncheon will follow at the church.
Memorials may be made in his name to: Holy Family Catholic Church or to Elara Hospice.
Richard Lynne Schrader
Richard “Dick” Lynne Schrader of DeWitt died peacefully after a brief illness on Monday, October 2, 2023 surrounded by his family. He was 71 years old.
Dick was born on September 27, 1952 in St. Johns, Michigan, one of two children born to Vernon and Arlene (Ingalls) Schrader. He was a 1970 graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School. In 1977 Dick met Cindy Cassady and they were married on May 5, 1979. Dick and Cindy were blessed with their son, Brian, and made their home in DeWitt.
He dedicated nearly forty years of his life in the well drilling industry before retiring from Valley Farms Supply in 2017. Dick was a man of few words, yet his actions spoke volumes about his character. His patience, quiet demeanor, and soft-spoken nature made him a comfort to those around him. As a gifted handyman, Dick took immense pride in assisting those around him. His love for reading history books, working in his vegetable garden, and spending time outdoors were some of the simple joys that enriched his life. In his retirement years, he relished assisting on his cousin’s dairy farm, working on the tractor, harvesting, and fixing things.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Cindy; his son, Brian (fiancee Gabbie Salazar) and their children, Vanessa and Julian; sister, Ann Schrader; brothers and sisters-in-law, Roger (Darlene) Cassady, Glenda McKee and Julie (Mike) Heuer, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Arlene (Ingalls) Schrader and in-laws, Glendon and Gladys Cassady, Bonnie Konopka and Mike Cassady.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 1 PM — 5 PM at Reno’s North, 16460 Old U.S. 27, Lansing.
Memorial contributions may be made in Dick’s memory to the CJD Foundation, 3634 W Market St unit 110, Akron, OH 44333 in honor of the Ley family.
For further information visit McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel at 989-224-4422.