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Ellis LaVerne \u201cAl\u201d Hicks<\/strong><\/p>\n In the Spring, Graveside Services will be held at Lowe Cemetery, St. Johns, MI.<\/p>\n Ellis was born in Greenbush Township, MI on October 8, 1923, the son of Leon F. and Carrie (Gilson) Hicks. He was the Salutatorian of the Maple Rapids High School class of 1943. Ellis proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, serving across Europe and participating in the Battle of the Bulge. He actively supported the Vets and was a proud member of the Mid-Michigan Chapter, 82nd Airborne Division Association. On February 17, 1946 Ellis married Letha Jane Fillhard in Letha’s parents’ backyard, Alma, MI. Together they celebrated their 74th anniversary this month.<\/p>\n Ellis was happiest when outdoors fishing, hunting and gardening. He was always proud of his lush green lawn and sweet red strawberries. He began working for General Motors in 1949 and retired as a machine repairman in 1979 after 30 years of service.<\/p>\n Ellis is survived by his wife Letha Hicks; 4 daughters: Cheryl (Jim) Naffziger of Mecosta, MI, Jennifer French of Kingman, AZ, Krystal (John) Chapman of Page, AZ, and Katrinka Fetzner of St. Johns, MI; 4 grandchildren: Jodie (Aaron) Ballow, Alan Fetters, Carrie (Phil) Ramirez, and Matthew (Crystal) Fetzner. He is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren: Zachary Ballow, Oscar Ramirez, Isaiah Ramirez, Mia Ramirez, Riley Fetzner, and Keira Fetzner; and many nieces and nephews. Ellis was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sons-in-law: John Fetzner and Jim Ellery; infant great-grandson Rafe Ramirez, and siblings: Robert, Ruth, Irene, Orval, Oral, and Harold.<\/p>\n In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Honor Flight – 4601 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 1200, Arlington, Virginia 22203, www.honorflight.org<\/font><\/a>. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes<\/font><\/a> – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.<\/p>\n Joyce T. Simon<\/strong><\/p>\n Joyce is survived by her nephew, Joseph M. Simon of Ovid, brothers Norbert Simon of Bath and Mark Simon of St. Johns and sister Mary Simon of Ohio. She was preceded in death by her brother, Jerry Simon.<\/p>\n At her request there will be no services. Arrangements are made by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home<\/font><\/a>.<\/p>\n Yvonne M. Dzurka<\/strong><\/p>\n She was an active member at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns and served as a volunteer for several nonprofit organizations in Mid-Michigan. Yvonne was a member of the Saint Monica Ladies\u2019 Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus #3281, the DeWitt Moose Lodge #2291, and the Mid-Michigan Parrot Head Club. She was an avid golfer, enjoyed bowling in a league, and was a passionate fan of the Michigan State Spartans. Yvonne worked for the Michigan Association of Counties for 35 years, serving county commissioners and administrators statewide.<\/p>\n Surviving is her husband, Scott; one son, Jason (Amanda) Simon; two grand dogs, Franklin and Aretha; her father, John Wright; sister, Rebecca Wright; two brothers, John (Tracy) Wright and William (Lisa) Wright; sister in law, Brenda Wright; father and mother in law, Bob and Jan Dzurka; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Yvonne (Tokey) and a brother, Seth Wright. Special thanks to Dr. Christopher Lao and the entire medical team at the University of Michigan for their care and support.<\/p>\n The family will receive relatives and friends for a celebration of her life on Friday, March 6, 2020 from 3:00 to 9:00 PM at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home<\/font><\/a> in St. Johns, with a tribute at 7:00 PM. Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear bright, flowered clothing; Spartan attire; or Hawaiian shirts.<\/p>\n At 9:30 AM on Saturday, March 7, 2020 a Knights of Columbus Rosary prayer will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church (109 Linden St., St. Johns, MI 48879), with a memorial Mass to be celebrated afterward at 11:00 AM led by Fr. Michael Williams as Celebrant. The family will receive attendees from 10:00 AM until service time at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Court Appointed Special Advocates: The Voice for Clinton County\u2019s Children<\/a> (1207 N. Old U.S. 27, St. Johns, MI 48879) or St. Joseph Catholic School\u2019s Educational Trust Fund.<\/p>\n Mary Jane (Beck) Larsen<\/strong><\/p>\n Mary married Robert Neil Larsen on June 22, 1958, and he predeceased her on November 22, 1976. After the death of her husband, Mary moved back to Michigan and lived for a time in the converted one room schoolhouse where her mother taught at one time. Mary was also an art lover and taught art in public schools as well as doing painting and other modes of art herself. Mary taught English as a second language at LCC and worked for the US Postal Service as a rural mail carrier.<\/p>\n Mary is survived by her son Christopher (Elaine) Larsen and grandson Andrew Larsen as well as her brother John (Carolyn) Beck and sister Donna (Patrick) McCormick and many nieces and nephews.<\/p>\n Per Mary\u2019s request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at Uncle John\u2019s Cider Mill, 8614 N US 27, St. Johns, Michigan 48879 on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. The service will be officiated by Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck.<\/p>\n Robert L. Moore<\/strong><\/p>\n He began his floral career at Ebert\u2019s Bo-Kay Flowers in St. Johns before moving to Alma with Tom Billig Flowers. He worked briefly for Ardern Whitney Flowers in Saginaw before opening Bob Moore Flowers in Alma in 1979 and owning the business until 1998. He loved the outdoors, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.<\/p>\n Bob served his community in many ways. He was member of the First United Methodist Church and was active in the Methodist Men. He served on the Alma Planning Commission before being elected to the Alma City Commission for twelve years, eight years as Vice-Mayor. Bob was a past president of the Michigan Floral Association and was a member of the Alma Lions Club and Alma Masonic Lodge #244.<\/p>\n Bob was survived by his wife of 62 years, Martha (Heibeck) of Alma, three children, Timothy (Janet) Moore of Sterling, VA, Jennifer (Jeffrey) McKee of Phoenix, AZ and Jonathan Moore of Richmond, MI; two grandchildren, Mark McKee of New York, NY and Emma McKee of Chicago, IL; brother, Roger (Alice) Moore of St. Johns; sisters in-law, Nancy Moore, Mary Moore, Patricia (Dennis) Koenigsknecht all of St. Johns, and brother in-law, James (Donna) Heibeck of Howell, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Wayne and Larry Moore and sister, Patricia Zimmerman.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/hicks_ellis.jpg\")
Ellis LaVerne \u201cAl\u201d Hicks, 96, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at Grace Haven Assisted Living, St. Johns, MI.<\/p>\n
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Joyce T. Simon, age 67, passed away at Hospice House in Lansing on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Joyce was born on August 29, 1952 in St. Johns the daughter of Victor and Adelwina (Thelen) Simon. She graduated from St. Johns High School and had worked at K-Mart, St. Johns Egg Station and the former Magic Market all in St. Johns.<\/p>\n
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Yvonne M. Dzurka died peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, February 23, 2020, at the University of Michigan Hospital at the age of 56. She was born January 15, 1964, in Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of John and Yvonne (Thurston) Wright. Yvonne graduated with the Fowler High School class of 1982.<\/p>\n
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Mary Jane (Beck) Larsen passed peacefully into eternal life on Friday, January 31, 2020 in Palm Bay, Florida. Mary was born on January 10, 1935 in St. Johns, Michigan. She was the oldest of three children of Maynard John and Ella Mae (Johnson) Beck. She graduated from Rodney B Wilson High School in St. Johns, Michigan in 1953, and Alma College in 1958 with a BA In English. She then attended North Central College in Naperville, Illinois where she took many classes in Religious Education. This was a time in our history when women were discouraged from going into the ministry. A dedicated Christian from a young age, she was faithful to do volunteer work in the churches she attended as she moved from place to place, teaching Sunday School classes, Bible Study classes, Bible School and in various Women\u2019s groups. She led classes in the Community living locations in Florida after moving there. She also served in the Church of the Dunes United Methodist Church in Grand Haven.<\/p>\n
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Robert L. Moore, age 81 of Alma, MI, passed away on February 21, 2020 at Masonic Pathways in Alma. He was born on March 4, 1938 in St. Johns the son of Theodore and Sophie (Prorak) Moore. He was a 1957 graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns and earned a commercial floriculture degree from Michigan State University in 1962.<\/p>\n
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Kathryn L. Lance, 67 of Ashley, MI passed away on February 14, 2020 at Ashley Care Center. She was born on May 2, 1952 in Owosso MI the daughter of Richard and Lucille (Schautz) Brickhan. She graduated from Owosso High School in 1970 and had worked as an administrative assistant at RAVE.<\/p>\n