Obituaries – Robert L. Ritz, Robert Alfred Petty, Richard E. Light, Roy A. Matteson, Wayne Purves
Obituaries
Robert L. Ritz
Robert L. Ritz, age 82, died Tuesday, December 31, 2019. He was born at home in Montcalm County the son of Lester and Cecile (Claypool) Ritz. Bob was a graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns, Class of 1955 and is an Army veteran. He enjoyed hunting, fishing at Derby Lake and spending time with his family. In later years he enjoyed driving the countryside looking for deer, mushroom hunting, playing cards, and sitting in his favorite chair watching TV. Bob worked for General Motors for over 35 years retiring in 1991. He married Dorothy Eldridge in 1960 and she survives him.
Also surviving is a daughter, Teri (Cliff) Oles; two sons, Jerry (Sandi) Ritz and Wayne (Vicki) Ritz; grandchildren, Mike Ritz, Amber Beck, Jacob Ritz, Mallory Greenway, Hilary Klok, Dakota Ritz and Morgan Crumbaugh; ten great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews; one brother, Paul Ritz; two sisters, Mary Elsea and Barb (David) Nagengast; sister-in-law, Shirley Eldridge; brothers-in-law, Bill (Linda) Eldridge and Jeff (Jean) Eldridge. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Kay Ritz, parents-in-law, Warren and Helen Eldridge, brothers-in-law, Kenneth Eldridge and Bill Elsea, nephews, Duane Ritz and Josh Eldridge.
A memorial service for Bob will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, January 4, 2020 at Lowe United Methodist Church, 5485 W. Lowe Rd. St. Johns with Mr. Craig Smith officiating. The family would like to give special thanks to Elara Hospice, Warwick Living Center, Vicki Ritz and April Marko for their special care and dedication during Bob’s final months and days. Memorials may be made to Elara Hospice or Disabled American Veterans. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
Robert Alfred Petty
Sgt Robert Alfred Petty, 73 years old, passed away the morning of December 26, 2019 after having been admitted to the hospital for a hemorrhagic stroke. The stroke quickly happened at home, where he was comfortably watching sports and playing on his tablet. It was the best version of a horrible event that could be hoped for. He was not in pain and never even knew that he was back in the hospital.
Robert (Bob) was born September 9, 1946 to Clyde Elliot and Mamie Elmira (Morand) Petty in Bay City, MI. He served our country 1966-1970. On Jan 4, 1969 he married Barbara Elaine Petty. He spent a 46 year career at CBI, climbing to regional office manager, retiring first into consulting, and then truly retiring at the end of 2018.
When not at work, he enjoyed watching sports, reading, puzzles, camping, hunting, fishing, giving (often outright smuggling) candy to the children in his extended family, and bringing bags of Dewey’s Trading Post sausage to the adults whose children he’d just sugared up. He was always just a phone call away for anyone that had a problem or needed a listening ear.
Bob, “the Candyman” is survived by his wife Barb of 51 years; his daughters Jennifer and Katrina (Josh) Gieszer; his brothers Jack, David, and Mike (Beth), nieces Eva and Lauren; and more cousins and extended family than can possibly be counted. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Pete, and his sisters-in-law Ann and Jackie.
Visitation with the family will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns, MI with Father Mike Williams officiating a funeral service afterwards at 1 p.m.
Bob enjoyed finding ways for his wife and himself to help and contribute to those in need. Thus, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Basic Needs Center at 213 N. Clinton Ave, St. Johns, MI (517)230-4618.
Richard E. Light
Richard E. Light died Saturday, December 28, 2019 at the age of 58. He was born October 28, 1961 in St. Johns the son of Earl and Dorothy (Miller) Light. Richard graduated from St. Johns High School, Class of 1980. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns and retired from Sparrow Clinton Hospital, Environmental Services with 33 years of service. On November 8, 1997 he married Debra Paksi and she survives him.
Also surviving is a sister, Ruth (Gary) Zell; nieces and nephews, Bruce (Angie) Zell, Terri (Gary) Chant, John Zell; many great nieces and nephews and parents-in-law, Dave and Sue Paksi. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial mass will be celebrated 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church 109 Linden, St. Johns with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams as Celebrant. The family will receive relatives and friends 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Monday December 30, 2019 with a vigil service at 7:00 PM at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor.
Roy A. Matteson
Roy A. Matteson, age 72 passed away at Sparrow Hospital on Saturday, December 28, 2019. Roy was born on December 9, 1947 in Lansing, MI the son of Ernest L. and Christine (Marande) Matteson. Roy graduated from Waverly High School and earned his Associates degree at L.C.C. He worked as a machinist at Enprotech Welding in Lansing for 47 years. He loved his work, farming and machinery.
Surviving him is his brother, Ralph (Olga) Matteson of St. Johns, niece Kim and nephew Eric.
Funeral services will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home in St. Johns on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Timothy Bayer officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing. The family will receive friends and relatives at the funeral home on Monday, December 30, 2019, 4-7 P.M. Memorials are suggested to St. Peter Lutheran Church, 8990 Church Rd., St. Johns, MI 48879.
Wayne Purves
Wayne “Jody” Purves, age 87 passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family after celebrating the holiday. He was born on April 11, 1932 in Owosso, Michigan the son of Joseph L. and Heloise A. (Washburn) Purves. Jody graduated from Ovid High School in 1949. On September 11, 1954 he married Patricia A. Stanton in Ovid. Jody was a dairy farmer his entire life and retired in 1997.
Jody was a member of Burton United Methodist Church and the Ovid Masonic Lodge. He loved spending time with family, working in his orchard, woodworking, snowmobiling, traveling, fishing and gardening.
He is survived by his wife, Pat; daughters, Maurine Homola of Owosso, Lori (David Jr.) Stechschulte of Owosso, Lois (Lynn) Gruesbeck of Laingsburg and Patty (Lloyd) Peck of St. Johns; grandchildren, Brandon (Nikki) Homola, Jaeson (Christie) Homola, Sarah (Tom) Moore, Amanda (Josh) Atkinson, Meagan (Joe) Merlo, Lindsey (Kevin) Bell, Katie (Joel) Roseberry, Tricia (Ben) Moreno and Tim (Holly) Mead. He is also survived by 14 great grandchildren and step-brother Burt (Sandy) Case of Ovid. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jim Purves and step-sister Betty Case.
The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Sunday, December 29, 2019, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Monday, December 30, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Owosso Township. Memorials may be given to Memorial Healthcare Hospice, 826 W. King St., Owosso, Michigan 48867 or the charity of the donor’s choice.