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Barbara M. Viers
Barbara M. Viers, of St. Johns, died peacefully at home on October 20, 2023. She was 88 years old.
Barbara was born on May 20, 1935 in St. Johns, Michigan, to Byron and Freida (Ordiway) Lewis, the first set of twins to be born at Clinton Memorial Hospital. She was a 1953 graduate of Ithaca High School and was a hardworking personnel manager at Atlas Drop Forge for over 28 years, where she took immense pride in her work. An avid golfer, she was the 1973 club champion of the Clinton County Country Club. Her love for animals was evident through the numerous horses and dogs she cared for through the years.
Barbara was also known for her social, open, and fun nature, always making her family her top priority. She cherished the nearly fifty years of marital bliss she shared with her husband, James C. Viers. Barbara found peace and serenity in her cottage up north, a place she loved dearly.
She is survived by her son, Jim Viers; her twin sister, Patricia Simmet; her brother, Tom Lewis and sister, Sally (Ken) Brya; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 11 AM with gathering beginning at 10 AM, Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. Interment Union Home Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at Lowe Methodist Church, 5485 W Lowe Rd, St Johns.
For further information please visit McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel.
Carol Ann Thelen
Carol Ann Thelen, beloved daughter, sister, and aunt, was welcomed to her heavenly home on October 21, 2023. Carol was born on May 5, 1945 to Alex and Rosemary (Hengesbach) Thelen of Fowler.
Carol leaves behind six siblings: Marlene (Fred) Martin, Don (Debbie), Dave (Carol), Dan (Lisa), Steve (Beth), and Debbie, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her nephew Steven.
Carol grew up on the family farm in Fowler, Michigan. As a child, she helped her mom run the household and care for her siblings. Carol graduated from Most Holy Trinity School after the eighth grade. As her siblings grew up and began to have families of their own, Carol enjoyed spending time with her nieces and nephews. She really loved babies and enjoyed getting them to smile and laugh.
In 1986 Carol and her parents retired from the farm and moved to St. Johns. This was quite a change, but Carol handled it well. Her parents included her in activities like playing cards and Bingo, and going shopping. They made many new friends in St. Johns.
Carol loved being around people. She was great at remembering names and greeted people with an excited “Hi!” from across the room. She loved to talk and ask people how they were doing. She was quick to laugh and share in others’ laughter, and her laugh was contagious. Carol brought pure, carefree joy to any gathering.
Carol always remembered people’s birthdays, and she made sure everyone knew that her birthday was May 5. She loved to celebrate by going out to eat, having people sing “happy birthday” to her, and receiving lots of birthday cards. She enjoyed looking at her cards and showing them to others. Her 60th birthday was a very special one — her family gathered for a party in her honor.
As the years went by, Carol helped take care of her parents. Her dad passed away in 2008. A few years later, her mom entered the nursing home, and her sister Debbie stayed with her. Debbie and Carol visited their mom almost every day. They also enjoyed going out to dinner and shopping with their niece Shari and spending time with family and friends. Carol especially liked visiting family pets, including Dan and Lisa’s dog Rosie. When Carol had spare time at home, she liked going through her many purses, putting photos in her albums, playing word games, and watching game shows. She also enjoyed going out to eat and shopping with her sister Debbie and niece Shari.
In 2012 Carol was diagnosed with uterine cancer; although she had many rough days, she kept “going and going” as she always did because she had so much energy and she loved life. She met a lot of people during her cancer treatments, and her cheerfulness inspired many others. Everyone admired her strength and courage.
Carol had pain in her hip and back through the years. Eventually it became harder for her to get around, and she began to use a walker. In June 2017, Carol’s mom passed away. A few months later, Carol entered the Hazel Findlay Country Manor in St. Johns so she could get 24-hour care. It was an adjustment for Carol to move there, but she enjoyed being around the residents and nurses every day. She made many friends there.
As time went on, Carol’s mobility and health declined. She kept going until she no longer could, and she passed away in the presence of her sister Debbie and niece Shari. She went to be with her mom and dad in heaven. We will miss her dearly, but we are comforted in knowing we will see her again someday. We are grateful for the gift of knowing her. We celebrate her life, and her spirit lives on in our hearts.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, MI at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, October 26, 2023 with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams presiding. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel. A Vigil Service will be held at 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, St. Johns, MI 48879. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Norrine Kay Penix Bond
Norrine Kay Penix Bond, “Kay”, 83, of St. Johns, went to be with her Lord on October 21, 2022. She passed peacefully at home with her family by her side.
Kay was a twin, born in Caro, Michigan on September 27, 1940, to Florence and Harlan Hutchinson. Following her parents’ deaths, she was adopted at twelve years of age by David and Gertrude McMaster. Kay was married to Keith Penix, and together they raised two daughters and ran the snack bar at Redwing Lanes for many years. In 2015 she married John Bond, and they enjoyed the blessings of a blended and supportive family.
Kay was an avid bowler and enjoyed the out-of-doors, especially fishing and collecting rocks. She had an affinity for owls, amassing a unique collection and found peace and happiness in the art of crochet. Her thoughtful nature shone through in all her handcrafted items and gifts.
She is survived by her husband, John Bond; two daughters, Karen (Marcus Kozan) of St. Johns and Cheryl (Peter) Erickson of Davison; Stepson, Patrick (Kelly) Bond; grandchildren, Gwen Martinez, Jonathon Kelley, Heather Hause, Sarah Lake, Alyssa Osborn, Blake Kozan and Ashley, Dillon and Morgan; great-grandchildren, Keegan, Robert, Jayden, Blake, Kinsley, Logan, Aubree, Laykin, Makai, Silas, Dahlia, Jameson, Quinn and Harrison; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her oldest sister, Mary; twin sisters, Ina and Iva and twin sister, Corrine.
A Celebration of Kay’s life will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 12 Noon at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns. Friends may visit the funeral home on Saturday from 10 AM until the time of the service. A luncheon will follow at the funeral home. Burial North Star Cemetery, next to her twin sister. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Sparrow Hospice.
Lois May Whitford
Lois May Whitford, age 89, of St. Johns, MI passed away on October 20, 2023 at Oliver Woods Assisted Living in Owosso, MI.
Lois was born on March 3, 1934 to the late Ernest and Edna (Birdsley) Henning. She graduated from Rodney B Wilson High School in 1951. Lois married Glenn Whitford on January 14, 1952 in St. Johns, MI. They were married for seventy-one years until his passing in September of 2023.
Lois was a skilled quilter, and family and friends have enjoyed and slept under her “blankets of love” for many years. She was a wonderful cook and baker, and family members agreed her potato salad had a secret ingredient that was hard to replicate.
She drove school bus for St. Johns Public Schools for many years and made many friends in the school community. Lois and Glenn enjoyed taking many driving trips around the country with their fifth wheel camper, especially to the air show in Osh Kosh, WI, vacationing at their cottage at Houghton Lake and spending time during the winters in Florida. They were crossword puzzle fans and also enjoyed the most challenging of jigsaw puzzles.
She is survived by her children: Rick (Marilyn) Whitford of St. Johns, MI; Liane (Lial) Knight of Marshall, WI; Mary (Al Dewey) Prowant of St. Johns, MI; Paula (Bill) Curtis of Richland, MI; and Michelle (Berry) Roll of St. Johns, MI; who will miss her kindness and loving support. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Alison Swain, Kelly Lange, Jamie West, Britney Roll, Gavin Knight, Christin Ankney, Ryan Curtis, Alvin Dewey, Jeremiah Dewey, Becky Gott, Emily Dewey, Shannon Swanson, and Olivia Dewey; twenty-seven great-grandchildren and eighteen great-great grandchildren; and special kitty Cali. Lois also survived by her sister Dorothy Scharnweber, brother-in-law Merritt Scharnweber, brother-in-law Richard Smith, and many nieces and nephews. Lois maintained a special relationship with her quilting besties: Dorothy and Candy Scharnweber and Joanne Zimmerman. She was predeceased by her husband Glenn Whitford, her parents, infant daughter, brother Richard Henning, sister Joan Rennells, brothers-in-law: Gerald and Jack Whitford, sisters-in-law: Margaret Surdenik and Janet Smith.
Special thanks to her wonderful caregivers Erin Csapos, Karla Bradley, Lyla Zell, Tina Sawdy, Stacy Johnstone, and Candace Cramer.
A service for the family will be held at a later date.
The family requests memorial gifts in Lois’s name made to the Capital Area Humane Society. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Daniel Lynn Goodrich
Daniel Lynn Goodrich, age 47, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, MI.
A Memorial Service will be held at Duplain Church of Christ, St. Johns, MI at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 23, 2023 with Matt Barnum officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday at 10:00 A.M. prior to the service at the Church. Burial will take place at a later date at Duplain Township Cemetery, St. Johns, MI.
Daniel was born in St. Johns, MI on February 28, 1976, the son of Edwin A. and Stella L. (Shumate) Goodrich. He was a graduate of Ovid-Elsie High School with the Class of 1995.
Spending time with his children brought him the greatest joy, he was very proud of his children, and their accomplishments. Dan helped all of his family, especially his sister. Dan’s children received a text every night and he was persistent in maintaining the relationships that were important to him. Dan enjoyed putting historical military vehicle models together. He also enjoyed history documentaries, shooting at the gun range, and hunting. Dan was a member of Duplain Church of Christ. He will be remembered as a hard worker.
He is survived by his daughter Amber Goodrich; his daughter Autumn and her fiance Devin Kruger; son Anthony Goodrich; father Edwin Goodrich; sister Diana Goodrich; brother Andy and Erica Goodrich; grandmother Jeanette Shumate; aunt Tammy and Tom Denner; uncle Mike and Sue Shumate; uncle Don and Patti Goodrich; uncle Jay Goodrich. Dan is also survived by many nieces. Dan was preceded in death by his mother, Stella Goodrich, his grandfather Edison Shumate and grandparents Oren and Francion Goodrich.
Memorials may be made to the wishes of the Goodrich Family. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Houghton Chapel, Ovid, MI.