Obituaries
Linda Sue Thompson
Linda Sue Thompson, age 62, of Perrinton, MI, passed away Thursday, October 4, 2018, at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, Michigan.
According to Linda’s wishes, a cremation has taken place.
Linda was born in St. Johns, Michigan on April 6, 1956, the daughter of Walter and Irene (Schultz) Cogswell. She attended St. Johns Public Schools.
Linda dearly loved her family. She was a loving mother and always enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Linda was very generous and caring for all her family and friends. She enjoyed collecting antiques. Linda was a member of the St. John’s Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Linda is survived by son Mark Lobdell of Perrinton; 3 grandchildren: Alexis, Drake, and Michael; and one great granddaughter Macy. She is also survived by 2 sisters: Diane Wilson, and Ellen Gorman, and several nieces and nephews. Linda is preceded in death by her mother Irene Cogswell, and brother: Dennis Cogswell.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
Geraldine Joyce Pope
Geraldine Joyce Pope (Jeri), age 91 of DeWitt, formerly of St. Johns, MI and Pensacola, FL, went home to be with her Lord and Savior and to join her husband Darrell on Sunday, October 7, 2018. She was born in Howell, MI October 13, 1926 to Richard and Rhea Pease Faussett and was the oldest of nine children. Raised by her grandparents from the age of 3, she grew up in the Holt and Lansing, MI area. Known for her humor and for her exceptional secretarial skills, she graduated from Eastern High School in 1944 with the goal and desire of becoming a private secretary, which she did indeed achieve.
She held many positions through the years, among which were personal secretary for Michigan’s Secretary of State, Frederick M. Alger Jr., and later for the Director of the Michigan State Police, Col. Fredrick Davids. Jeri married Darrell H. Pope on January 21, 1967 and they were married for 42 years.
She came to know Christ as her personal Savior in 1963 through the ministry of Pastor Dick Burgess and his wife Vida during their years at Inter City Bible Church in Lansing, MI. She continued serving the Lord for many years as a Sunday School teacher, counseling and serving in the Bethel Bible Camp ministry, and working for the Abeka Book ministry at Pensacola Christian College. She also had a special place in her heart for her husband Darrell’s Criminal Justice students at the college. She was a wonderful and giving Mom and Grandma, always keeping track of and checking in on her kids and grandkids—and they all loved her deeply!
Through her years of working in Government, she developed a special interest in politics and was an example to her family, always keeping on top of current events and staying personally involved with a heart to do her part in helping to preserve the principles our nation was founded upon.
Surviving are Jeri and Darrell’s children, Jill (Ron) Keilen of DeWitt, Holly Forehand of Pace, FL., Duncan (Daniella) Pope of Burnaby, British Columbia, and Paula Pope of Simi Valley, CA. Grandchildren, Angie Keilen, Heidi (Steve) Brown, RJ (Heather) Keilen, Elijah Muscott, Alison Keilen, Craig Keilen, Zachary Pope, Becky Keilen, Brent Keilen, Catherine Pope, Cara Keilen, Brandon Keilen, Christy Keilen, Amber Keilen and Seth Forehand. Great-grandchildren, Victoria Long, Tyler, Treston, and Trace Muscott, and Kensington, Kardigan, and Rocco Keilen. Jeri was preceded in death by her husband Darrell, her parents, and her eight siblings.
The family will receive friends and relatives at First Baptist Church, 512 S. Whittmore St., Old US-27, St. Johns on Friday, October 12, 2018, 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. with services at 11:00 A.M. Pastor Tim Knaus will officiate. Burial will be at Mt. Rest Cemetery. Memorials may be given to The Gideons. Arrangements are being made by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home.
Janet Clara Armbrustmacher
Janet Clara Armbrustmacher, age 80, of Fowler, MI, passed away Saturday, October 6, 2018, at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Lansing,
Janet was born in Fowler, Michigan on March 24, 1938, the daughter of Clemens and Martha (Motz) Fox. She graduated from Fowler High School with the class of 1956. Janet married Raymond Marvin Armbrustmacher on October 15, 1960, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler, MI.
Janet worked at Portland Veterinary Clinic, in Fowler for 15 years. She enjoyed crocheting, weaving, crocheting towels and making hangers she loved to give as gifts. She was known for her love of baking and sweets. Janet loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s events and playing games with them. She was a lifetime member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic church, a member of Confraternity of Christian Mothers, and the Catholic Order of Foresters.
She is survived by her husband Raymond M. Armbrustmacher of Fowler, MI; children: Jeff and Wendy Armbrustmacher of Fowler, MI; Jill and Glen Feldpausch of Fowler, MI; Ken and Cindy Armbrustmacher of DeWitt, MI; Tim and Cindy Armbrustmacher of Edina, MN; 14 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren; siblings: Lee Fox, George and Theresa Fox, Ruth Lucas, David and Rose Fox, Kathy Kramer; sister-in- law Ernestine Fox, and brother-in-law Mark Myers. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Alvin Fox, Richard Fox, Kenneth Fox, brother-in-law Robert Armbrustmacher, sister-in-law Linda Myers.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI, at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, October 10, 2018, with Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard officiating. Burial will take place at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 8, 2018 from 6-8 P.M at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel. Visitation will also be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Most Holy Trinity Educational Trust Fund, Fowler, MI or Cure SMA. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, Michigan.
Mary Elizabeth Bruin
Mary Elizabeth Bruin, age 85, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Thursday, October 4, 2018, at her daughters home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, Michigan, at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, October 12, 2018, with Rev. Fr. Mike Williams officiating. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 12, 2018 from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the funeral mass at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel. Before the mass, a prayer will be held in her son Marty’s honor at the funeral home.
Mary was born in Albion, Michigan on February 24, 1933, the daughter of Paul V. and Mavel Martel (Haskins) Kintz. Mary married Wayne G. Bruin on July 3, 1955. Wayne passed away on November 30, 2007. Mary was a playground supervisor at St. Joseph Catholic School and a member of Red Hat Ladies. She loved volunteering at St. Vincent De Paul, and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
She is survived by her children: Michael, Mark, Mary, and Martha Bruin; sister: Rita Anderson; sister-in-law: Lois Miller. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Christopher and Ryan Bruin, Veronica Jerome, Jacob &andJoshua Bruin and 7 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Marty Bruin, and sister Teresa Hilton.
The family would like to give a special thanks to: Anne Rademacher, Carolyn Geller, Marc Hufnagel, for all of their help and support during this time. They would also like to thank St. Vincent’s DePaul for all the cards and good well wishes!
Martin Wayne Bruin
Martin Wayne “Marty” Bruin, age 61, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Wednesday, September 5, 2018, at home.
Martin was born in San Antonio, Texas on December 18, 1956, the son of Wayne Gilbert and Mary Elizabeth Bruin. Marty attended St. Johns High School. Marty enjoyed the outdoors and animals. He worked at General Tire in Lansing, MI and he was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He is survived by his daughter Veronica Jerome, one grandson, his siblings, and nephews.
Memorials may be made to St. Vincent De Paul St. Johns, MI 48879. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.