Obituaries

Sep 29, 2020

George Vincent Sakalas passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at the Hazel Findlay Country Manor after a long illness.

Born July 19, 1930 in Dayton, Ohio, George came to St. Johns with his wife, Dora (Weimer) to be near their daughter Melody and grandson Lucas Saltman.

George and Dora were both accomplished professional performers...

Sep 29, 2020

Leo Carl Coston, 85, of Alma, MI, passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at his home with his son at his side.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Michael Podeszwa officiating.  Visitation will be held prior to the service...

Sep 27, 2020

Marion Ferne Gibson, 86, of DeWitt, MI, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2020, at Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Jude's Catholic Church, DeWitt, MI, on Friday, October 2, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Rev. Fr. David Speicher officiating.  Burial will follow at Gunnisonville Cemetery, DeWitt, MI.

Marion...

Sep 27, 2020

Carl James Langdon, age 20, of Owosso, MI, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2020, at Covenant Healthcare Center, Saginaw, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Houghton Chapel, Ovid, MI, on Friday, October 2, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Loren Ward officiating.  Burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery, Ovid, MI....

Sep 23, 2020

Frederick Oliver "Fred" Beach Jr., age 70, of Ovid, MI, passed away after a brief illness Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at Spectrum Health Systems - Butterworth Campus, Grand Rapids, MI.

A Private Family Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI. A public Celebration of Life will be held at a later date....

Sep 23, 2020

Cecilia Loydine "Billie" Bird, 77, of Maple Rapids, MI, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at Laurels of Fulton in Perrinton, MI.

Billie was born in Los Angeles, CA on January 18, 1943, the daughter of Lloyd and Marilyn (Polkinghorne) Pennington.  She graduated from Chula Vista High School, San Diego, CA with the class of 1961.

Sep 22, 2020

Larry Lee Grey, age 73, of St. Louis, MI, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 22, 2020.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI, on Monday, September 28, 2020 at 2:00 P.M., with Pastor Gige Snyder officiating.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2020 from 2-8 P.M....

Sep 19, 2020

Joy B.  Woodbury, age 81, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2020 at her home.

A private family graveside service will be held at Union Home Cemetery, St. Johns, MI.

Joy was born in St. Johns, Michigan on September 13, 1939, the daughter of Asa Henry and Vera Ruth (Fry) Bigelow. She...

Sep 17, 2020

Jeffrey A. Ruedger, age 57, of Alma passed away September 17, 2020 at Woodland Hospice, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Per his wishes there will be no service. His ashes will be laid to rest in Salt River Cemetery in Shepherd, MI.

Jeffrey was born November 10, 1962 in Alma, MI, the son of Kenneth and Rochelle...

Sep 16, 2020

Michael Allen Walker, age 47, of Ithaca, MI, passed away unexpectedly while at work Wednesday, September 16, 2020.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 2:00 P.M., with Pastor Jeff Reser officiating. Burial will follow at the North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI. Visitation will be...

Sep 16, 2020

Charles Virgil "Chuck" Coleman, age 63, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital-Carson, Carson City, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating.  Burial will take place at Collier Cemetery, Gratiot County, MI.  Visitation will...

Sep 14, 2020

Ilene Mae Shinabargar, 97, of Fowler, MI, passed away peacefully Monday, September 14, 2020, at her daughter and son-in-law's home.

Cremation has taken place and a Private Service will be held at a later date.

Ilene was born in Ithaca, MI, on September 12, 1923, the daughter of Ray and Alta (Sturgis) McWilliams. She was...

Sep 13, 2020

Stanley Jack Searles, 82, of St. Johns, MI, entered into the arms of his Master Sunday, September 13, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor Keith Stork and Pastor John...

Sep 10, 2020

Artie Martin "Wayne" Brown, age 76, of Ashley, MI, passed away on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital after battling a short term illness.

Memorial Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI, on Friday, September 18, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Jeff Reser officiating. Interment of ashes will take place at...

Sep 4, 2020

William Joseph "Bill" Bushy, age 72, of Alma, MI, passed away after a lengthy battle with throat cancer Friday, September 4, 2020, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center, Alma, MI surrounded by his family's love.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Bill's life will be held at a later time.

Bill was born in Norfolk,...

Sep 2, 2020

Dirk Duane Galehouse age 88 of Elsie, MI, passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at The Meadows Assisted Living, Owosso, MI.

A Graveside Service will be held at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI, on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor JD Paik officiating.

Dirk was born in Elsie, MI on September 2, 1932,...

Sep 1, 2020

Theodore Walter Schlarf age 87 of Perrinton, MI, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at his home.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI, on Friday, September 4, 2020, at 3:00 P.M., with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating.  Burial will take place at New Haven Township Cemetery, New Haven Township, MI.  Visitation will be...

Aug 31, 2020

Ronald Gilbert "Ron" Howard, age 59, of Ovid, MI, passed away Monday, August 31, 2020, at Sparrow Health Systems Sparrow Campus, Lansing, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at New Creation Church, 1800 Corunna Ave, Owosso, MI 48867, on Friday, September 4, 2020, at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor Brian Keesler officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday,...

Aug 29, 2020

John Delbert Carvalho, age 60, of Alma, MI, passed away Saturday, August 29, 2020, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center - Midland, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI, on Thursday, September 3, 2020, at 11:00 A.M.  Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the funeral service...

Aug 28, 2020

Constance Virginia Yelsik, age 97, of Ashley, MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family's love Friday, August 28, 2020, at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital, Lansing.

A Private Family Funeral Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Friday, September 4, 2020, with Pastor Dave Perry officiating. Burial will take place at North...