Obituaries
Robert F. Symanzik
Robert F. Symanzik went to be with our Lord and Savior Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at the age of 77. He was born May 1, 1941 in Sylvan Lake, MI the son of Fritz and Frieda Symanzik. Bob was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church and served honorably in the United States Army. He worked in data services at MSU for 7 years, then at the State of Michigan until he retired in 1997. In addition, he spent 50 years at MSU as a worker at athletic and special events, and at the Law School as a proctor. On January 22, 1966 he married Naomi Hine and she survives him.
Also surviving are two daughters, Laura Symanzik and Eva (Bryan) Luce; two sons, Edward (Tracy) Symanzik and Joseph Symanzik (Kathleen Walters); grandchildren, Daniel, Joshua, Noah, Rachel and Charles Symanzik, Hannah and Cooper Luce, and Taylor (Ross) Drescher; a great grandson, Nico Drescher; two sisters, Elsie Mischung and Rosemarie Rivette and a brother, Gerald (Mary Ann) Symanzik. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law, John Mischung and Timothy Rivette.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, November 3, 2018 at St. Peter Lutheran Church 8990 Church Rd. St. Johns with Pastor Paul Clark officiating. Interment will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 1:00 PM Wednesday, November 7, 2018. The family will receive relatives and friends 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM Friday, November 2 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to St. Peter Lutheran School.
Neil R. Harte
Neil R. Harte, born July 6, 1922, died October 28, 2018
It has been said that every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one from another. Neil Russell Harte’s life and legacy is one that celebrates the value of family, perseverance, hard work and never forgetting the importance of a good laugh. In many ways, Neil’s life reflects the lives of so many of the Greatest Generation.
He was born in the small town of Bath, Michigan on July 6, 1922, the second child to LeVere and Florence Sweet Harte. The smile on his face and twinkle in his eye in childhood family pictures tells you most of what you need to know about Neil’s approach to life, but what it doesn’t tell you is about the pain he carried with him well into his 90s that was borne from the loss of his older brother Robert, who was killed at age 9 in the Bath school explosion of 1927.
In 1943 Neil left his mom and dad, his younger brother David, and his sweetheart, Jean Ballinger of St. Johns, and headed to the Pacific as a private in an amphibious squad that would make 22 landings on islands from New Guinea to the Philippines. Along the way he was promoted to Staff Sargent and commanded 3 amphibious units that transported troops to the island beaches. In 1946 he came home and went back to work at GM and helped his dad run the family farm.
Later that same year he had the good sense to marry Jean. Together, the two of them built Harte Dairy Farms, raised six kids, including Gail Wadell (Charles), Robert (Barbara), Bruce (Janice), Barbara (Harley Aylor– dec.), Jim (Ellen), and Sheri Willis (Steve). While Neil’s primary school report cards don’t reflect the marks of an overly committed scholar, he and Jean imprinted the value of a higher education on their children, sending all six to Michigan State University. In addition to serving his country he also served his community as trustee and clerk of Olive Township for over 29 years. Neil lived an incredibly full life – he loved to tease and enjoyed the give and take of a good negotiation. We will remember him driving tractors (something he did in to his 80s) doing calf chores, dancing with Grandma, poking fun and joking with his grandkids, sitting in the kitchen feeding his dog, (Rusty and then JR,), eating cookies, playing cards, fun at Higgins Lake and all the other countless memories and moments that Neil created for all of us during his 96 years.
Neil is survived by his children, 12 grandkids, 17great grandkids, his brother David, and his very special friend and companion Esther Tice.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Friday, November 2, 2018 at the Catholic Community of St. Jude 801 N. Bridge St. DeWitt with Rev. Fr. Robert Irish as Celebrant. Interment will take place at 2:00 PM at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns with military honors provided by the St. Johns Honor Guard. The family will receive relatives and friends 5:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, November 1 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 2111 University Park Dr. Suite 200 Okemos, MI 48864 or City Rescue Mission of Lansing 607 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing, MI 48912.
Helen Ann Thompson
Helen Ann Thompson, 76, of Farwell, MI formerly of St. Johns died Saturday, October 27, 2018 with her loving husband and family by her side, after a courageous battle with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Helen was born July 19, 1942 in St. Johns, Michigan to Albert and Wilma May (Kieffer) Malek. She was adopted and raised by Parley and Jennie (Howard) Gardner. Helen graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School with the class of 1960 and married Harry Thompson July 1, 1961 in St. Johns; and he survives her.
Helen is also survived by her children; daughter, Coby Thompson and son, Chad (Theresa) Thompson, grandchildren; Chelsie, Zachary, Makenzy, Jaden and Haden, great grandchildren; Bailey, William, Lexi and Aiden; her Siblings; Dan Malek, Chuck Malek, Albert Malek, John Malek, Carol Reed, Cathy Louise Barone, Bob Dale Westphal and Chris Malek, as well as her many cousins, nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her siblings Lorena Mae Patterson, David Lee Malek, Wilma May Jones, Larry Malek and Clare Malek.
Helen worked for 18 years at the former Andy’s IGA in St. Johns, where she was an assistant manager. She then went to work for State Farm Insurance for over 10 years, first for Ron Henning in St. Johns and then in Okemos for Betty Guenther. Helen Enjoyed Collecting Antiques, little chairs, Christmas plates and baskets, at one time she had over 300 baskets in her collection. She enjoyed being with people and was involved in bowling and pool leagues around St. Johns for many years. First and foremost, Helen cherished time spent with family, especially on camping and fishing trips and being together at the holidays. Her presence will be deeply missed.
A time of remembrance and a celebration of Helen’s Life will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2018 from 2-6 p.m. with a dinner from 3-5 p.m. at the VFW Post #4113, 2497 Old U.S. 27, St. Johns, MI 48879. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family to cover medical expenses. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, 1500 Waterford Parkway St. Johns, MI 48879.
Anne V. Byrnes
Anne V. Byrnes, 88 of Ovid, MI passed away on Saturday, October 27, 2018. Anne was born on July 16, 1930 in Ovid the daughter of John B. and Blanche (Metherd) Vaniman. She graduated from Ovid High School and on October 18, 1952 she married Lawrence Byrnes in Lansing, MI. He passed away on December 31, 2009. Anne worked for several years at the bank in Ovid and retired from there. She loved fishing trips in the UP, reading, Notre Dame Football, Detroit Tiger games and spending time with her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Surviving her are her four sons, Larry J. (Peggy), David (Sandy), Brian (Kristie) and Eric and Holly Byrnes; grandchildren, Christopher (Chelsea) Byrnes, Ryan (Dayna) Byrnes, Erin (Charlie Rieck) Byrnes, Ashley Byrnes, Madalynn Byrnes, Jack Byrnes, Canlon Bruer and Nicolette Bruer; great grandchildren, Caitlyn Byrnes, Coltyn Byrnes, Easton Byrnes, Connar Byrnes, Kinsley Byrnes and Caleb Byrnes and sister-in-law, Anna Hurst along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by sisters and brothers-in-laws, Maurine (John) Stanton, Elnore (LaMott) Field, Frances (Robert) Gumaer, Ilene (Joseph) Clark, Donna (Herbert) Smith and John (Barb) Vaniman.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Raymond Urbanek officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ovid. The family will receive friends at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, 989-224-4422, St, Johns on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. The Rosary will be prayed Tuesday evening at 7:30 P.M. Memorials may be given to Holy Family Catholic Church or Ovid Public Library.
Divorce decrees filed October 29, 2018
Moore, Jamie Lynn and Brian James
Upton, Michelle Lenore and Frank Duane
Honkanen, Sarah Elizabeth and Christian Duane
Smith, Amy Sue and Michael Paul
French, Michael James and Julie Ann