Obituaries
John M. Ernst, Jr.
John M. Ernst, Jr. went to his eternal home on Wednesday December 19, 2018. How many people can say they had celebrated 98 Christmases, seen the election of 16 presidents over 25 elections, and buried 9 brothers and sisters?
He was a great man with a huge heart who will be missed by his 5 children: Terri Bentley and her husband Tom, Paul Burnham and his wife Melody, Roy Burnham and his wife Jan, Gary Ernst, and Alan Ernst. His spirit will be carried on by them and his 10 surviving grandchildren and many great grandchildren. His wife Laura Deane and special friend Gladys Ruestman preceded him in death as well as his son Gale and granddaughter Marci.
He had a gentle strength and touched so many lives. He worked hard all of his life doing many jobs. He was retired from General Motors, worked on farms, and loved to tinker. He made unique handmade hangers for his family and friends. He kept very busy the first 90 years of his life. He was never old but rather young at heart. Everyone always thought he was much younger than his age. He also loved spending time with his family and watching the Detroit Tigers, the Lions, and MSU Spartans. Nothing beat playing a good game of euchre.
John was a man of strong faith and was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, St. Johns, MI where his services will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 10:00 A.M., with Rev. George W. Brinley officiating. Burial will take place at South Bingham Township Cemetery St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 21, 2018 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church or to Great Lakes Caring Hospice. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Raymond Marvin Armbrustmacher
Raymond Marvin Armbrustmacher, age 83 of Fowler, MI, passed away Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard officiating. Burial will take place at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, Fowler, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 21, 2018 from 2-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home.
Raymond was born in Denver, CO on August 28, 1935 the son of Roman and Helen (Brandt) Armbrustmacher. He was a graduate of Fowler High School with the class of 1954. Raymond married Janet C. Fox on October 15, 1960 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler, MI. She passed away on October 6, 2018.
Raymond retired from Simon Brothers Trucking in Fowler after nearly 40 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and mowing his lawn. Raymond loved attending his grandchildren’s events, telling stories and playing cards with them. He was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler and a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Raymond was a past president of the Fowler Conservation Club and a member of the Fowler Athletic Boosters. He resided most of his life in Fowler.
He is survived by 4 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; 5 great-grandchildren; 4 brothers-in-law: Mark Myers, Lee Fox, George and Theresa Fox, David and Rose Fox, 3 sisters-in-law: Ruth Lucas, Kathy Kramer, and Ernestine Fox. Raymond is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Janet Clara Armbrustmacher, brother Robert Armbrustmacher and sister Linda Myers.
Memorials may be made to Most Holy Trinity Educational Trust Fund or Cure SMA. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI.
Beverly Kay Prowant
Beverly Kay Prowant, 82, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her children on December 14, 2018. Beverly was born in Gratiot County, Michigan on December 27, 1935, the second daughter of William L. Williams and Marian McKeage Williams. Bev graduated as Salutatorian of the Ithaca High School Class of 1953. She married C. Gene Hinton on May 5, 1955 in Beebee Township, and their three children survive her. She later married Edgar B. Prowant on February 13, 1974. She was the Controller/Business Manager of St. Johns Public Schools for many years. Ed and Bev owned a cottage at Littlefield Lake and wintered in Eustis, Florida. They also enjoyed seeing our country in their motorhome.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Janie (Brad) Quinn, Mary Jo (Werner) Bartels, and Gary Hinton; her grandchildren Carrie (Justin) Ross, Chad (Heather) Quinn, Celeste Bartels, Leah Bartels, Andrew Hinton, Gary Brandon Hinton, Jillian (Cody) Grover and children, Anthony Hicks, Daniel Hicks and family, and Jordan Prowant Messer and her sons; her great grandchildren Connor and Emmrie Ross; her beloved daughter-in-law Mary Prowant; her sister Carol Tracy and brother Bruce (Bonnie) Williams, many nieces and nephews and special friends, both in Michigan and Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband Ed in 2007; by her three step-sons Ron, Jon and Sam Prowant; and her brother-in-law Bill Tracy.
A memorial service will be held in the Spring of 2019.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.
We would like to offer our sincere thanks to Dr. Kay McLaughlin, Dr. Ali-Ahmad, the awesome wonderful nurses at Sparrow Clinton Chemo Clinic – Marcy, Rachel, Regina, Sally and Paula, and Sparrow Home Hospice – Karen, Erica, Christy and Liz, for all their tender loving care of our Mom.
Shirley M. Baese
Shirley M. Baese died Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at the age of 82. She was born April 25, 1936 in Lansing, MI the daughter of Floyd and Cathryn (Allen) Bulock. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ladies Altar Society and a former Old Kent Bank employee. On April 28, 1979 she married Robert O. Baese and he preceded her in death on February 23, 2002.
Surviving are two daughters, Peggy (Steve) Marek and Cathy (Art) Gallegos; five grandchildren, Chad (Cindy) Marek, Brent Marek, Matthew (Marisa) Marek, Lindsay Gallegos (Kevin Bryant) and Monique Gallegos (David Benavides); eight great grandchildren, Chelsea (Jared) Marble, Cody, Haley, Ethan, and Juliette Marek, Jesten Gallegos, Brad Sandlin and Tyson Bryant; one sister, Linda (Bob) Kirby. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Nancy Mixon.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday, December 21, 2018 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Interment will take place at 2:00 PM at Deepdale Memorial Gardens, Lansing. The family will receive relatives and friends 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, December 20 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Compassus Hospice 810 S. Waverly Rd. Suite 200 Lansing, MI 48917.
Margaret D. “Marge” Koenigsknecht
Margaret D. “Marge” Koenigsknecht died Sunday, December 16, 2018 at the age of 90. She was born August 29, 1928 in Fredericktown, PA the daughter of Andrew and Mary (Dunay) Stay. Margaret moved to Michigan at the age of 18 and she met her beloved husband Nick at a dance in St. Johns. They fell in love and were married on February 28, 1949. Together they raised eight children. Margaret was a wonderful mother, instilling in her children a strong faith, a hard work ethic and a never give up attitude. Faith and family were always first, and this legacy continues with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Margaret was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns serving on several church groups and activities as well as Past President of the Altar Society. For several years she served as a volunteer at St. Johns High School in the special education room.
Surviving are five daughters, Janet (Michael) Sinke, Susan (Bob) Rehmann, Connie (Kurt) Conley, Mary (Mark) Geller and Karen (Doug) Lawrence; three sons, Ron (Darlene), Gary, and Nick (Rita); 26 grandchildren and 58 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Nick, infant son Gerard, a sister, Angie Haney and three brothers, Michael, Albert and Andrew Stay.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church 109 Linden, St. Johns with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams as Celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends 2:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday, December 18 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic School or St. Johns High School Sports Boosters.
Ronald C. Falor
Ronald C. Falor died Thursday, December 13, 2018 at the age of 69. He was born February 7, 1949 in St. Johns, MI the son of Clare and Lena (Dalton) Falor. Ron was a graduate of Fowler High School, Class of 1967 and a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Carson City. He is a Navy veteran and a member of the American Legion.Ron enjoyed hunting, fishing, bird watching, gardening and watching sports. Later in life he took up the game of golf. Ron retired from Dana Corp. as a machine operator in 2007. On April 24, 2010 he married Tracy Zamarron and she survives him.
Also surviving are his children, Todd (Amanda) Falor, Dan (Kristie) Falor, Jordan (Austin Hiebert) Messer, David Falor, Maggie (Tim Cojocar) Falor, Andrea (Pat) Murphy and Bobbie (Lee Fabela) Shinabargar; 18 grandchildren; two sisters, Norma Fitzpatrick and Ruth Ann Feldpausch; one brother, Don (Edna) Falor; parents-in-law, Theodore and Carol Zamarron and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Kimberly, daughter Addie Falor and brother-in-law, Tom Fitzpatrick.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Monday, December 17, 2018 at St. Mary Catholic Church 404 N. Division, Carson City. Ron’s wishes were to be cremated after Mass, and his cremains will be interred at East Plains Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive relatives and friends 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM Sunday, December 16 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of Kim Falor and Brian Shinabarger.