{"id":431,"date":"2018-03-29T20:56:07","date_gmt":"2018-03-30T00:56:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/?p=431"},"modified":"2018-03-29T20:56:07","modified_gmt":"2018-03-30T00:56:07","slug":"transitions-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=431","title":{"rendered":"Transitions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Obituaries<\/strong><\/p>\n

Patricia Ann Paksi<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Patricia Ann Paksi age 73 of St. Johns, MI, passed away Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI.<\/p>\n

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI on Monday, April 2, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 1, 2018 from 4-8 P.M. at the funeral home.<\/p>\n

Patricia was born in St. Johns, MI on July 16, 1944, the daughter of Loyal and Hazel (Wanless) Stevens. She was a graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School. On May 20, 1961 she married Richard A. Paksi in St. Johns, MI. Richard passed away on July 15, 1997. Patricia worked for a short time as a secretary at Teresa Merrill School in St. Johns. She enjoyed spending time outdoors with her family and her pets. Patricia resided all of her life in St. Johns.<\/p>\n

She is survived by her son Craig Paksi of St. Johns, MI; brother Blaine and Christine Stevens of St. Johns, MI; sister-in-law Pat Stevens of St. Johns, MI; 4 brothers-in-law: Robert and Joyce Paksi of St. Johns, MI; Larry and Judy Paksi of Fowler, MI; James Paksi of St. Johns, MI; David and Suzanne Paksi of St. Johns, MI; 5 sisters-in-law: Sue and Kerry Bunge of St. Johns, MI; Ruth Powers of St. Johns, MI; Carol and Pat Foltz of DeWitt, MI; Janet and Harold Heath of Lexington, TX; and Nancy Webster of St. Johns, MI. Patricia is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Kim Paksi, and her brother Dennis Stevens.<\/p>\n

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes<\/a> – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.<\/p>\n

\n

Clifford O. Ulrich<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Clifford O. Ulrich died Monday, March 26, 2018 at the age of 57. He was born March 21, 1961 in West Point, NY the son of Van and Joanne (Zachariason) Ulrich. Cliff earned his Bachelor\u2019s Degree from Michigan State University and was employed at Logicalis in IT pre-sales. On April 17, 2004 he married Julie Maples and she survives him.<\/p>\n

Also surviving are two sons, Justin Brown and Zach Ulrich and his parents, Van and Joanne Ulrich. He was preceded in death by his brother, Steve.<\/p>\n

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home<\/a>, St. Johns. Following Cliff\u2019s wishes cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials may be made to his children\u2019s college fund.<\/p>\n

\n

Hazel Worrall<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Hazel Worrall died Monday, March 26, 2018 at the age of 97. She was born June 22, 1920 in Bengal Township, Clinton County, MI the daughter of Martin and Eleanor (Pasch) Epkey. Hazel was a member of First Congregational Church in St. Johns and a charter member of the VFW Auxiliary in St. Johns. Hazel and her husband Richard enjoyed traveling throughout the world, taking many cruises and excursions. She loved her trips to the casino, enjoyed playing cards and taking walks with her family. Hazel was a clerk at the D&C Dime Store in St. Johns for 22 years retiring in 1975. On July 3, 1941 she married Richard Worrall, and he preceded her in death in August, 1994.<\/p>\n

Surviving are two daughters, Judy (Robert) Hackett and Linda (Jim) Wilkie; one son, Dennis (Rebecca) Worrall; two daughters-in-law, Brenda and Barb Worrall; twelve grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. In addition to her husband she was also predeceased by a sister, Myrtle, and two sons, Gary and Douglas.<\/p>\n

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home<\/a>, St. Johns with Rev. Matthew Olson officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Michigan Disabled Veterans 17779 E. 14 Mile Rd. Fraser, MI 48026.<\/p>\n

\n

Gary Lee Worrall<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Gary Lee Worrall, 75, of Chassell MI, man of God and Barb\u2019s best friend and husband, died on December 30, 2017 at UPHS-Marquette, where he was air-lifted after suffering a massive stroke on December 22. He was born to Hazel (Epkey) and Richard Worrall in St. Johns on August 26, 1942. He graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in 1960 where he was interested in science and played the saxophone. He graduated from Michigan Tech, where he played in the band, in 1965 with a degree in electrical engineering\/power. A week later, on June 19, 1965, he married Barbara Luttinen, whom he met on a blind date the first week she was a student at Tech, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chassell. While at MTU he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. He was honored to be accepted into the Looper Management Training Group at Bethlehem Steel Corp. where he worked for 7 years in Buffalo, New York. The rest of his career was spent back in Michigan with Motor Wheel (later Hayes-Lemmerz), an auto parts supplier. As he rose through the ranks, he lived in Ypsilanti, St. Johns, and Howell and retired in 2006. In his work he traveled extensively to Japan, Kentucky, and Mexico. The Japanese management especially appreciated him because of his work ethic and the fact that he ate and enjoyed any ethnic food offered, even live shrimp.<\/p>\n

Through the years Gary was a giving man who served in numerous ways mainly in the churches he and Barb attended, church officer, Sunday School teacher and Supt., Bible student and teacher, elder, and anywhere asked. His intense hobby which he shared with son Mark in over 30 years of rail-fanning (trips to photograph) was railroad history and photography. He volunteered doing computer work for the Soo Railroad archives in Appleton, WI, and spent time there. Mary, his daughter, remembers her many hikes with Dad where he was always fast and ahead as she proudly caught up with him. He also loved classical music, reading, birding, cross-country skiing, and the beautiful Copper Co. he always wanted to return to and did in retirement. Through their 52 years of marriage, he and Barb enjoyed annual car or train trips in Canada and the northern U.S. To celebrate their 50th anniversary they traveled to Alaska via car, train and cruise ship.<\/p>\n

When retiring to the Copper Co. 10 years ago, Gary became an honorary Finn as he celebrated Bar\u2019s heritage by building 4 kanteles (Finnish harps) and playing in the Ilon Kaiku Kantele Ensemble, serving as VP of the Finnish Theme Committee, and working on Heikinpaiva. If you tasted the beef stew there the past 2 years know that he was the chef. Bible studies were important to him through the years and he faithfully attended classes at the Inter-Lutheran Seminary in Hancock and also participated in the Men\u2019s Bible Study at Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Houghton and in the North End Bible study group. Years ago he was trained as a Bethel Bible teacher. Gary followed in the footsteps of Barb\u2019s father and was currently the King Lion of the Chassell Lion\u2019s Club and chaired the Copper Co. Strawberry Festival with the immense help of his fellow Lions. He said that Barb\u2019s father was the greatest man he ever had met. Gary also participated on the Chassell Heritage Organization board, the Chassell Let\u2019s Eat community meal committee, the Pine Mountain Music Festival as committee and headed the grounds maintenance at his church. He was humbled to serve as an elder at church and read aloud Scripture during the services. He might as well have been a member of the Portage Health Auxiliary (Among others of Barb\u2019s groups) for all the computer work he did for them as well as serving as \u201cBarb\u2019s legs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gary is survived by his mother Hazel of St. Johns, Children Mary (Vince Leone) of East Lansing, and Mark (Tina) of Rockford, MI, and dearly loved grandchildren Cecelia, Taavi, Ellie, and Abby. Also surviving are his sisters Judy Hackett (Robert) and Linda Wilkie (Jim), brother Dennis (Rebecca), sister-in-law, Brenda and sister-in-law Mary Luttinen as well as numerous relatives and his beloved Copper Co. friends, including neighbors Jack and Bertha Rossberg and his Sts. Peter and Paul family, including Bea Sutinen whom he loved. He was pre-deceased by father Richard, parents-in-law Uno and Cecelia Luttinen, brother Doug, and brother-in-law Darrell Baker.<\/p>\n

One of Gary\u2019s great joys was making Christmas cookies to share with family and friends. In recent years he and Barb made 20 varieties, his specialty being spritz cookies and he always made sure there were sugar cookies for the grand daughters to frost. Gary was a strong man of faith, a listener not a talker, had a great determination, dependability and integrity. He knew what he believed and stood firm in the faith. However, he could never remember names and Barb always teased him that he called her \u201choney\u201d because he couldn\u2019t recall her name!<\/p>\n

Though Gary loved flowers and did extensive gardens at his home in Howell, we request no flowers. Donations may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Houghton or to the Inter-Lutheran Seminary in Hancock. The family thanks the Chassell First Responders and the caring staffs at UPHS-Portage (ER) and Marquette (ICU) and were sustained in this difficult time by the prayers of people far and wide.<\/p>\n

Funeral services for Gary will be held 11 am Friday January 5, 2018, at Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church of Houghton with Rev. David Weber to officiate. Spring burial will be in the Chassell Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday January 4, 2018, from 6 to 8 pm at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock and on Friday from 9 am until time of services at Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church of Houghton.<\/p>\n

To view Gary\u2019s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net<\/a>
\nThe Memorial Chapel and Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock have been assisting the family with the arrangements.<\/p>\n

\n

Thomas E. Beachum<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Thomas E. Beachum died Friday, March 23, 2018 at the age of 53. He was born April 15, 1964 in Hart, MI the son of Earl and Maxine (Lambrix) Beachum. Tom graduated from St. Johns High School, Class of 1982 and is the owner and operator of Twin Oaks Golf Course just north of St. Johns. On September 22, 1995 he married Tracy Low and she survives him.<\/p>\n

Also surviving are three step-children, Jennifer Salinas (Kurt Willmont), Nicholas Salinas (Kristina McWilliams) and Stephen Salinas; eleven grandchildren; two sisters, Sheila (Jerome) Belligan and Lisa (Scott) Machette; sisters and brothers-in-law, Karen (Roger) Thurston, Michelle (Daniel) Ketchum, Michael Low and Charles Low; many nieces and nephews and his beloved dog, Jazz. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Leon.<\/p>\n

Following Tom\u2019s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Sparrow Hospital, Cardiac Critical Care Unit or the American Red Cross, Blood Bank. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home<\/a>, St. Johns.<\/p>\n

\n

Matthew Jon Skriba<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"It is with great sadness that the family of Matthew Jon Skriba announces his unexpected passing from complications of diabetes on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the age of 39.<\/p>\n

Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI on Friday, March 23, 2018 from 5-8 P.M. with a Rosary being prayed at 7:00 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, MI, on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI.<\/p>\n

Matt was born on December 27, 1978 to Robert and Charlene Skriba, their fourth and youngest child. He spent his childhood in Elsie and worked on the family dairy farm, Skriba Farms. In his youth, Matt enjoyed spending time with family, including his Ladiski cousins and the Starn Family. Matt was a graduate of the class of 1997 from Ovid-Elsie High School. He made many lifelong friends from his days at OE. Following high school, he went on to attend Michigan State University, and graduated a Spartan with the class of 2002 from the College of Engineering, with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Thereafter, he pursued a career in software engineering, working for various companies. Anyone who had known Matt, knew that he was extremely competitive, especially in sports. He enjoyed playing basketball and golf. He hosted the annual Skriba family golf scramble for many years. Matt was an avid fan of Michigan State University, where he enjoyed cheering for the Spartans from the \u201cIzzone\u201d during college. He also was a passionate Detroit Lions fan. He traveled as far as the Czech Republic, Netherlands, Austria and Germany. Matt was a lifelong practicing Catholic and enjoyed participating in the celebration of mass with his daughters.<\/p>\n

Matt is survived by his daughters who were the joy of his life; Lauryn Skriba and Addelyn Skriba, by his father Robert and Helen Skriba, and his siblings: Bob and Judy Skriba, Gary and Laura Skriba, and Jennifer and Tom VerBeek, along with nieces Ashley and Kaia Lounds, and nephews Andrew Skriba (Rebecca), Dayton and Darrin Skriba, Tyler Skriba, Owen and Luke VerBeek and Gryphon Lounds. Matt was preceded in death by his mother, Charlene (Arens) Skriba, and grandparents: Joseph and Jane Skriba, and Valerian and Marion Arens.<\/p>\n

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the education fund for the benefit of Matt\u2019s children. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes<\/a>, Elsie, MI.<\/p>\n

\n

Marriage licenses filed the week of March 19, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jacob Joseph Vermetti, 27 of Lansing and Morgan Nicole Weiss, 27 of Mason
\nJames Joseph Barrett II, 33 of St. Johns and Kaitlyn Bianca Willis, 26 of St. Johns<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Obituaries Patricia Ann Paksi Patricia Ann Paksi age 73 of St. Johns, MI, passed away Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI on Monday, April 2, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-431","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-transitions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/431","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=431"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/431\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=431"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=431"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}