Obituaries
Janet L. Eagle
Janet L. Eagle, age 76, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at Sparrow Health Systems, Lansing, MI.
A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at 12:00 P.M., with Pastor Sharon Ketchum officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the funeral service at the funeral home.
Janet was born in Stockbridge, MI on September 22, 1942, the daughter of Eldrin and Minnie (Clark) Stanfield. Janet graduated from Stockbridge High School with the class of 1960. She went on to attend Eastern Michigan to receive her bachelor’s degree. Later she went on to the University of Michigan to receive a master’s degree and also to Eastern Michigan to receive a second master’s degree.
In 1965, Janet’s friend Carol LaFleur introduced Janet to her brother Paul. They became engaged six weeks later and set a June 1966 wedding date. Sadly, both Janet and Paul’s mothers’ passed away before their wedding. Janet married Paul M. Eagle on June 25, 1966, in Ypsilanti, MI.
Janet enjoyed volunteering at local libraries. When Janet’s husband Paul retired, they spent many summers traveling the United States and Canada. She loved nature and animals, especially cats; clearly from caring for so many barn cats on the farm.
Janet was raised on an 80 acre farm with her sister Helen. Her parents taught her to respect nature and to share all of the fruits of her labor. She was an avid 4-H Club member in her youth and earned numerous ribbons over the years.
She had an incredibly positive attitude and sense of humor that no one around her could deny. She knew how to bring light to the darkest moments. She was a pillar of strength and inspiration to so many of the children she taught. Janet authored the federal grant submissions for many years to have the Reading is Fundamental program in her schools. She looked out for everyone else first. For all of you that knew her, you know that was how our beloved Janet lived her life.
She is survived by her husband Paul Eagle; children: Julie and Michael Mosley, Paul M. Eagle, Douglas Eagle, and sister Helen Maron. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials in honor of Janet may be made to your local humane society or to the Briggs District Library, St. Johns, MI. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Maridell Nelson
Maridell Nelson, 92, of St. Johns, MI passed away on September 26, 2018 in Durango, Colorado surrounded by her family. Maridell was born on September 10, 1926 in New York the daughter of Frank and Jessie (Pierce) Goldner. After her parent’s divorce and mother’s remarriage, Frank H. Clark honorably stepped into the role and she considers him her “daddy”.
Maridell grew up in Lawton, OK and graduated from Lawton High School. She was married to Albert Nelson, O.D. on March 10, 1946, in Lawton. Maridell worked as a banking Book Keeper to help put him through school. They moved to St. Johns, MI where they began their family and Dr. Nelson’s optometry business. During this time she was a member and also served as president of the Hospital Auxiliary, member of the American Legion Auxiliary, leader for the Boy and Girl Scouts, and was an active member of the First Congregational Church. She was also active in the Bridge Club. The family enjoyed many camping, fishing and hunting outings, and most of all, spending time with the extended family in Cadillac. The marriage ended in divorce and she remained in St. Johns to continue lovingly raise her children and worked at the Colonial Restaurant and Clinton County News. Later she moved to Lawton, OK to care for her aging parent and be near her many beloved Pierce relatives. While in OK she worked in food services at Taliaferro Mental Health Center where she eventually retired in 1995.
Maridell and her precious companion dog, Bam Bam moved back to St. Johns in 2006. There she enjoyed time with her son’s (Alan) family, her many friends and volunteering at the Basic Needs Food Bank. She was especially fond of meeting up with her morning coffee groups. Most every year she would travel to Colorado to spend time with her daughter, Sandy and family. She was also fortunate enough to travel to Oklahoma many times to visit her daughter, Nancye, granddaughter Heather and their families as well as her many Pierce relatives. Being “Grandma Goggy”, she was called by her 11 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild was the highlight of her life. She loved her family dearly.
In 2017 after being diagnosed with cancer she moved to Durango to be cared for by her daughter Sandy and family. Maridell was known as the Postcard Lady while living in Clinton County, Mom to many youth, was instrumental in starting the St. Johns Youth Center, active in the Clinton Capers, avid Bingo player always looking forward to her Bingo Date with her grandson the last two years, She loved crossword puzzles, playing games and cards and the grandkids remembering her as the Yahtzee champ., collecting angels, vacations in the desert sun with family in Utah and she was one of the friendliest people you would ever meet.
She is survived by daughters Nancye Pumfrey and Sandy (Larry) Turner; son Alan (Tami) Nelson; 9 Grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her adolescent brother, Bertram Goldner; grandchildren, PFC Andrew H. Nelson and Sarah Pumfrey.
Funeral services will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives at the funeral home on Friday, October 5, 2014, 6-8 P.M.
Divorce decrees filed September 17, 2018
Mahoney, Sabrina E and Phillip P
DeLaurier, Nicole and Jason
Havard, Tera M and Keith D
Mina, Jennifer Kathryn and Michael Anthony
Body, Terri and Bobby
Weiderer, Cindy Sue and Michael Arthur