Obituaries
L. Kathrine Minsky
L. Kathrine Minsky returned to the house of our Lord and to the arms of her loving husband on Tuesday, May 21, 2019.
In following Kathrine’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Kathrine was born on April 17, 1959, the daughter of Robert and Grace (Stabile) Tisdale, in Lansing, MI. She graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 1977 and received a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1982. Kathrine retired in 2017 after 22 years in the mortgage industry due to having stage IV Colon Cancer.
Kathrine married the love of her life John “Jack” Minsky on December 17, 1994 in St. Johns, MI and they spent the next 22 years raising a loving family, enjoying gardening, home improvements, golfing which she was not very good at, and spending as much time as possible in Sault Ste Marie, which they considered their second home.
Kathrine is survived by her children who she loved more than life itself: Solitaire (Adam) Ayen and Joshua Minsky; her grandchildren: Leon, Colton, and Alexa Ayen. Also surviving Kathrine is her father Robert Tisdale, her siblings: Patricia (Ivan) Beal, Theresa Hubbell, Carol McGowan, Roberta (Craig) Sparks, Mark (Vicky) Tisdale, and John (Angie) Tisdale; many nieces and nephews, her best friend Genny Keener, and mother-in-law Arline Minsky. Kathrine is preceded in death by her husband Jack in 2015, her loving mother Grace in 2016, brother-in-law William McGowan in 2017, brother-in-law Robert Hubbell in 2018), and father-in-law John Minsky in 2019.
At Kathrine’s request, in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org/gmc) or the Autism Association (https://www.autismspeaks.org/michigan-0). The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Robert L. Miller
Robert L. Miller, age 90 passed away at Hazel Findlay Country Manor on Monday, May 20, 2019. He was born on October 8, 1928 in Fowler, MI the son of John and Martha (Sommer) Miller. Bob graduated from Fowler High School and was married to Eva M. Mesh on April 15, 1950 in Angola, Indiana. She preceded him in death on June 13, 2014. Bob worked at Federal Mogul for 38 years, and was a member of Duplain Church of Christ. Bob loved hunting, fishing, watching birds, being a Little League Coach and at one time he had an Archery Shop in Ovid.
Survivors are daughters Susan (John) Gilpin of St. Johns, Sally (Dave) Long of Elsie and son Robin (Ann) Miller of Bancroft, MI; Grandchildren, Shelley Gilpin, Tina Saltsman, Eric Gilpin, Mike, Brad, Travis, and Heidi Long, Katie Nance, Robert Miller, Molly Morgan, Linda Bancroft, James and Robert Blunt, 51 great grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren and Brothers, Hugh Miller of Fowler and Royal Miller of Ovid. He was preceded in death by 6 siblings.
At his request there will be no services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rock Lake Christian Assembly, 7389 E. Vestaburg Rd. Vestaburg, MI 48891 or the Duplain Church of Christ, 5565 E. Colony Rd., St. Johns, MI 48879. Arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home.
Robin Sue Redman
Robin Sue Redman, age 58, of Crystal, MI passed away Saturday, May 18, 2019, at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI.
A Memorial will be held at a later date.
Robin was born in St. Johns, MI on May 13, 1961 the daughter of Russell and Leatrice (Beals) Bender. Robin married Martin Redman on March 24, 1979 in Carson City. She resided most of her life in Crystal, MI.
Robin is survived by her husband Martin Redman of Crystal, MI; 2 sons: Michael James Redman of Greenville, MI; Rex B. Redman of Ithaca, MI; grandson Kolton Joshua Lee Redman; brother David and Kimberly Bender of Middleton, MI; and sister Cathy Bender of Ionia, MI. Robin was preceded in death by her parents, and 2 sisters: Jolee and Cheryl.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.
Stephen Arthur Bakita
Stephen Arthur Bakita, 81, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2019, at his home in Gaylord, Michigan. Steve was born April 13, 1938, in Elsie, Michigan, the son of Mildred (Loznak) and Steven Bakita. He graduated from Elsie High School in 1956 and Central Michigan University in 1960, with a Bachelor’s degree. He followed with a Master’s in School Administration, also from CMU, and did further graduate work at Michigan State University.
On September 12, 1959 he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Bates. They began their education careers in Stanton, Michigan. While teaching at Pewamo-Westphalia Public School, he became their first head football coach starting the Pirates gridiron program in 1961. He then turned to administration and was principal at Sheridan Road School in Lansing before becoming an educational consultant for Shiawassee and Clinton Counties.
In 1966 he became assistant Superintendent for St. Johns Public School and retired as Superintendent in 1997, ending a 37 year career in education. The highlight of his career was over-seeing the multi-million dollar bond issue for building and modernizing the St. Johns School system before he retired.
After retiring, they moved to their cottage at Higgins Lake and he worked part-time as a school consultant for Clark Construction for several years. In his retirement, he continued to enjoy golf, skiing, biking, boating, traveling and attending grandchildren activities; eventually spending winter months in Florida.
He was an avid sports fan, as both a participant and spectator, being a passionate fan of the Chippewas and Spartans. He particularly enjoyed golf (both playing and instructing) and was the recipient of 5 holes-in-one, all at different courses.
Most of all, Steve cherished time spent with family, always involved in his children’s, grandchildren’s, and now great grandchildren’s extra-curricular activities, as well as their academics. He took great pride in their accomplishments, always encouraging them to work hard and do their best. He was extremely proud of all of them.
He was a member of St. Johns Jaycees., St. Johns Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Clinton Co. (Chairman), St. Johns Rotary Club (President), Clinton Co. Country Club, Life member of MEA and MASA. He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and other civic projects.
He lives on through the family that he loved so dearly including spouse, Dorothy, Gaylord, MI; son, Todd (Lisa) Bakita, Bellbrook, OH; daughter, Dawn (Dr. Robert) Mee, Gaylord, MI; grandchildren: Ryan (Kristin) Bakita, Westerville, OH; Allyson (Matthew) Geis, Kettering, OH; Erica (Troy) Hart, Hudsonville, MI; Erin (Jacob) Mallekoote, Golden, CO; Alex Mee, Hudsonville, MI. Also, 5 great grandchildren: Noah and Hannah Geis, Melanie and Madelyn Hart and Connor Bakita. Steve is also survived by brother, Richard (Sue) Bakita, Rockford, MI; sister, Jeanne (James) Butler, St. Johns, MI., several nieces and nephews. Steve was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Ann and brother-in-law, Gerald Passmore; and brother, Thomas Bakita.
He was a brain donor to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, Boston University, Boston, Mass. Cremation has taken place and family graveside services will be held. Interment will be at the Ford Cemetery, Elsie, Michigan.
A Celebration of his Life will take place at The Emerald Golf Course, St. Johns, from 11:30 – 2:30 on June 30.
For those wishing to make a contribution in his memory, the family is suggesting: St. Johns Public Schools Foundation for Excellence, Att: Steve Bakita Vocational Scholarship Fund, PO Box 96, St. Johns, MI., 48879 or Hospice of Michigan, Donation Processing Center, 145 N. State Ave., Alpena, MI 49707-2835.
Family is being served by Gaylord Community Funeral Home, Gaylord, Michigan.