Obituaries

April 2, 2013

Frank Joe Chapko, age 85, of Elsie, MI passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Cyril's Catholic Church, Bannister, MI on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 10:00 A.M., with Rev. Fr. Marcel Portelli officiating. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery, Gratiot County, MI....

April 1, 2013

Virginia Mae Jastram, age 87, went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 30, 2013, in Bay City, Michigan. She was born on 0ctober 10, 1925, the daughter of Elmer and Doris (Chant) Marten. Virginia worked along with her husband Leonard, on their family farms in Watertown Township. She married Leonard Jastram on October 18, 1944 in...

April 1, 2013

When a person dies, it's presumed to be the end - but each time they're remembered, they live again.

An obituary should tell the age of the deceased, where born, the life highlights and number of children. Actually, most obituaries are way too long.

Gerald Newman Wright was born November 25, 1925, lived most of...

March 30, 2013

Debra Sue Nesen, age 53, of St. Louis, MI passed away Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Woodland Hospice House, Mt. Pleasant, MI, surrounded by her family. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI on Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 2:00 P.M., with Rev. John Wood officiating. Burial will take place at Chapel Garden Cemetery...

March 30, 2013

Diane K. Lavigne, age 64, of St. Louis, MI passed away Saturday, March 30, 2013 with her family by her side. A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Louis, MI on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 3:00 P.M., with Pastor Ron Landenberg (Diane's brother) and Pastor Terri Bentley officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday...

March 28, 2013

Roy Joe Smith, age 73, of Brant, Michigan died Thursday, March 28, 2013 at his home. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, Michigan on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 11:00 A.M., Pastor John James will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 29, 2013 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8...

March 27, 2013

Marion E. "Coach" Craig, Jr., 66, of Fowler, Michigan passed away Saturday, March 23, 2013. Mr. Craig was born December 7, 1946 in Leesburg and wintered there since 2006. He was of the Baptist Faith but attended the Catholic Church with his wife, Penny. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in both Vietnam and Iraq, a retired corrections...

March 25, 2013

Beryl M. Muscott, age 95, of Breckenridge, died Monday, March 25, 2013, at Hearts Content AFC in Breckenridge.

Beryl was born June 18, 1917, in Breckenridge, the son of Harvey and Blanche (Martin) Muscott.  He married Ruth Feitchenbiner in  April 1943.  She preceded him in death on November 9, 2002.

Beryl truly loved his career...

March 25, 2013

Bruce A. Gove passed away on March 25, 2013 at the age of 58. He was born in St. Johns on April 11, 1954, the son of Gerald and Marguerite (Mesler) Gove.

Bruce is survived by his brother, Ralph (Priscilla) Gove of St. Johns, sisters, Norma (Richard) Crowell of St. Johns, Donna (John) Ballinger of St. Johns,...

March 19, 2013

Jeffrey Dennis Prewitt, age 53, of Haslett, Michigan, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at Sparrow Hospital Lansing, MI. There will be a graveside service in Hinesville, Georgia. Jeffrey was born in Orleans, France on September 9, 1959, the son Delbert and Barbara (Morris) Prewitt. On September 5, 1982 he married Angel Kerr at Maggies Lake, Georgia. Jeff was a computer...

March 18, 2013

Donna Rae Douglas, age 86, of Hinsdale, IL, formerly of St. Louis, MI died Monday, March 18, 2013 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, IL. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Louis Chapel on Friday, March 22, 2013 at 11:00 A.M., Pastor Terri Bentley will officiate. Burial will take place at Cherry Grove Cemetery,...

March 14, 2013

Denver Dale Moore, Age 87, of Vanceburg, Kentucky passed away Thursday March 14, 2013 with his family by his side after an extended illness. Graveside Services will be held at the Oak Grove Cemetery St. Louis, MI, with full military rites on Tuesday March 19, 2013 at 1:00 PM. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:00 AM...

March 13, 2013

Verna Jeanne (Howell) Most, age 81, of St. Louis, MI died Wednesday, March 13, 2013 after a brief illness. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Phil Maxwell officiating. Burial will take place at Chapel Garden Cemetery, Elwell, MI. Visitation will be held on...

March 13, 2013

Walter Frank Komperda, age 95, of St. Louis passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at Pine River Healthcare Center, St. Louis, MI. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 12:00 P.M. at Mt. St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Louis, MI with Rev. Fr. James Bessert and Deacon Al Oliver officiating. Burial will take...

March 12, 2013

Sharon Marie Pavlik, age 57, of DeWitt, MI went to be with her heavenly family on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 3:00 P.M. Visiting will be held from 1-3 P.M. prior to the service at the funeral home. Sharon was born in...

March 12, 2013

LeOna M. Karber, a feisty, loving, and very classy lady left this world peacefully March 11, 2013 to join the Lord, family, and many special friends in heaven. She was born April 30, 1919 in St. Johns, Michigan the daughter of George and Vi Lettie May (Crandell)Purvis. LeOna married Joseph Karber on July 29, 1944 in St. Johns and...

March 11, 2013

Arlene Dionise, age 93, of Ithaca, born March 26, 1919, in Ithaca, the daughter of Paul and Mary (Fortino) Dionise, died Monday, March 11, 2013, at her home in Ithaca.

Ms. Dionise graduated form Ithaca High School in 1937.  She worked with her father, brother, and sister operating Dionise Market for the next 50 years, until their...

March 7, 2013

Michael D. "Mike" Johnson II, age 42, of St. Johns, MI died Thursday, March 7, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family after a very courageous battle with cancer. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns, MI, at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 9, 2013 with Pastor Russ McCoy officiating. Visitation will be held...

March 6, 2013

William A. Gray, age 82, of Ithaca, MI died Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at Ashley Care Center in Ashley, MI. Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 2:30 P.M., with Jo Jones officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 8, 2013 from 1:30 until time of service with...

March 5, 2013

Don Arens passed away on March 5, 2013 at the age of 91. He was born July 12, 1921 in Westphalia, the son of Albert and Philomena (Nau) Arens. Don married Gertrude (Schueller) Arens in Fowler on November 20, 1950 and she survives him.

Don is also survived by three children, Ann (Tom) Rademacher of Eagle, MI,...