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Gary Lee Conklin
Gary Lee Conklin, age 80, of St. Johns, MI passed away Monday, October 30, 2023.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, November 3, 2023, with Pastor Andy Croel officiating. At a later date, burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
Gary was born in Elsie, MI on March 11, 1943, the son of Bernard W. and Lucille Marie (Loynes) Conklin. He was a graduate of Elsie High School. He married Sharon Kay (Searles) Conklin and would have been married for 21 years in November of this year.
Even when distance separates us we can keep images close to our hearts, such as a happy face and big smile. Gary greeted family with a glimmer in his eyes, a big bright smile and a hug that felt like a vice grip. For many years, Gary and Sharon loved spending winters down south together. He was an avid sportsman, and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He did enjoy watching his boy’s dirt track racing, going to semi-truck shows and was excited about Ken and the boy’s trucks. Gary had a huge sweet tooth and knew the best places to get homemade pies and donuts, but nothing compared to desserts made by family. He was passionate about sharing stories of his early life in Elsie and loved hearing about new things discovered in the research of their family tree.
Gary retired from General Motors. He passed away doing what he loved, hunting. On his last day, he finally got that 10-point buck that he had been waiting for which surely brought that big smile to his face.
Gary is survived by his wife Sharon Conklin; daughter Lisa Marie (Matt Meyer) Conklin; daughter Deborah (Brad) Hinken; daughter Angela (Matt) Yeager; son Christopher Smith; daughter Melody (Ricardo) Palacios; daughter Nancy Smith; son Kenneth (Tracy Carson) Smith; grandchildren: Zechariah, Caleb, Nicole, Sarah, Sam, Travis, Jarred, Amber, Branden, Myranda, Chandra, Ashton, Erica, Tyler, Lindsey, Ethan, Ryan, Jacob, Marissa, Toni, Crystal, and Megan; 15 great-grandchildren; sister Carol (Ed) Polack; several nieces and nephews; devoted pet Tilly. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dora Mae Linman, brother Terry Conklin, son Shaun Conklin, son Mark and Pauline Smith, and great-granddaughter Ann Marie Palacios.
Memorials may be made to Kids Hunting Foundation, website: kidshuntingfoundation.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI.
Rev. Lawrence Richard Ammons
Rev. Lawrence Richard “Dick” Ammons moved to a new home on October 29, 2023. Dick was the only child of Glenn and Nellie (Nee-Henry) Ammons and was born in Fairmont, West Virginia, on April 19, 1938. He graduated from West Fairmont High School and Ottawa University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
During his lifetime he received many honors and awards. He was an Eagle Scout, a Mason for 60 years, received the Keyman Award from the Campbell County, Kentucky Jaycees and was Jaycee of the year. He was a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board in Newport, Kentucky, and was a chaplain for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce twice receiving the president’s award from the Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining the Downtown Rotary Club of Lansing in 1983, Dick had been a member of the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Missouri. While a Rotarian he received the Paul Harris award 4 times.
Rev. Ammons retired in 2004 as the Senior Minister of Unity of Greater Lansing. Following retirement, he presented workshops in church management and was often a guest speaker at Unity churches.
He is survived by his wife Betty Ammons of St. Johns, MI, children: Rick and Julie Ammons of Blue Springs, MO; Jeanneane and Jack Nartker of Shepherd, MI; Kippy and Pat Franks of Brooklyn, MI; Randy Ammons of Huron Twp., MI; and his grandchildren: Ian, Brandon, Hope, Lee, Stephanie, Nathan and John. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, November 2, 2023, with visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. Kathy Raymer will officiate. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI.
Memorials may be made to Honolua United Methodist Church, 5110 Kohi Street, Lahaina, HI 96761, or to the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation, 1200 Wright Ave., Alma, MI 48801. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Robert Nurenberg
Robert (Bob) Nurenberg, age 89, of St Johns died on Friday October 27, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.
Robert was born on March 8, 1934 to Alfred and Alvina (Pline) Nurenberg in Westphalia, MI. Being one of Nine siblings Bob had an adventurous and fun filled childhood. On May 5, 1956 Robert married the love of his life Germaine (Schneider) in Westphalia. Together they enjoyed over 57 years of marriage and were blessed with four wonderful children before Germaine’s passing in 2012.
Bob was known as being a hard worker as he worked the land on his farm on Townsend Road in St. Johns. He worked at General Motors for 18 years while he also farmed. He was a faithful member of St Joseph Catholic Church for many years. He enjoyed playing baseball, bowling, playing cards and attending any sporting event that his grandkids were a part of. More than anything else he found great joy in being with his beloved family, which he cherished to the end.
Robert is survived by his children; Carol (Dean) Peterson, Linda (Russ) Shivley, and Mark (RaeDeane) Nurenberg; grandchildren, Joe Peterson, Kate Peterson, Steven (Lauren) Peterson, Jenna Peterson, Justin (Emily) VanEffen, Mike (Sara) VanEffen, Zac VanEffen, Jared Nurenberg, and Jordyn (Colin) Wilson; seven great grandchildren with two on the way; brothers and sisters Colleen Heiden, Jim (Jane) Nurenberg, Janet (Jack) Dailey, Tom (Ann) Nurenberg, Dick (Judy) Nurenberg, and Kathy Hunter; brother and sisters-in-law Edwin (Monica) Schneider, Agnes Schneider, Helen Schneider; as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife; Germaine, daughter; Debra Nurenberg, his parents; Companion Barbra Minarik, Brother; Dennis (Geraldine) Nurenberg, sister Donna (Jerry) West; brothers and sisters in law; Ben Heiden, Leroy Hunter, Alfred Schneider, Melvin (Margaret) Schneider, Donald (Alice) Schneider, Sister Adeline Schneider, Gerald (Therese) Schneider, Leonard (Pat) Schneider, Rich Schneider, Stanley Schneider, Marie (Jack) Martin.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 Linden St, St Johns, MI 48879 on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with an hour of visitation before the service. Visitation will take place at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns, MI 48879 on Monday October 30 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary service taking place at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Following mass, burial will take place at Mt Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. After burial the family invites everyone to a memorial luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1108 Old U.S. 27, St Johns, MI 48879.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Joseph education trust fund, St. Vincent, or Sparrow Hospice.