George French Jr.
Nov 27, 2009
George French Jr., 88 years and six months, peacefully left this world to be with his Lord, Friday November 27th, 2009. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Lucille of 61 years. He is survived by his daughter Norma (Bob) Patterson of Comstock Park MI, two sons, Ron (Jane) French of Hessel MI, Doug French of Traverse City...
Harold Arthur Pickell
Nov 26, 2009
Harold Arthur Pickell, age 84, of Evart passed away on Thursday, November 26, 2009 at Country Care AFC in Barryton. He was born May 29, 1925 to Ralph and Martha Pickell in Horton, MI where he was raised. In 1947 Harold married Leah Lytal and they made their home and raised their family in Pinckney. After retiring in 1988, from...
Eva Larrison
Nov 26, 2009
Eva L. (Lenon) Larrison, age 82 of Hersey, passed away Thursday, November 26, 2009. She was born December 1, 1926 in rural Weidman the daughter of Frank and Lillian (Williams) Thompson. Eva married Donald Lenon Sr. They raised their family in the DeWitt and Laingsburg communities. Eva focused her earlier years being a loving and devoted wife and mother, she...
Julia A. Dutcher
Nov 25, 2009
Julia Ann Dutcher, age 66 of Remus passed away at home Wednesday, November 25, 2009 with her loving family at her side. She was born October 14, 1943 in Flint, MI to Glenn and Phyllis (Mercier) Owen. While living in Midland Julia met and married Robert Dutcher on April 13, 1962. They made their home in Midland before moving to...
Mary Loretta Fredenburg
Nov 23, 2009
Mary L. Fredenburg, age 68 of Big Rapids, formerly of White Cloud passed away, Monday, November 23, 2009 at her home. She was born December 19, 1940 to William and Maryellen (Passmore) Francis in Lowell, Mich. Mary graduated from Big Rapids High School and made her home in the White Cloud area for many years before moving back to Big...
Arthur V. Mueller
Nov 22, 2009
Arthur V. Mueller, age 89 of Hersey, formerly of Detroit, passed away November 22, 2009. He was born December 31, 1919 in Detroit the son of John and Rose (Berlick) Mueller. Arthur was honorably discharged from the United States Army Air corps, serving during World War II in the European Theater where he was awarded 6 bronze stars and the...
Velma F. Wernette
Nov 22, 2009
Velma F. Wernette, age 96 of Zephyrhills, Florida, formerly of Remus, passed away Sunday, November 22, 2009. She was born June 9, 1913 in Mecosta County the daughter of Edward and Myrtie (Sears) Jarrett. As a 16 year old girl Velma went to live with Vern and Linda Crittenden where she cared for their children and was considered a member...
Odette "Pat" B. Walworth
Nov 18, 2009
Odette B. "Pat" Walworth, age 88 of Big Rapids, passed away Wednesday, November 18, 2009. She was born September 4, 1921 in Millington the daughter of Frank and Germaine Parker. Pat married Ford C. Walworth on July 26, 1942 in Owasso. They were both avid aviators; while Ford pursued his career as a pilot in the United States Air force,...
Lela Freiberg
Nov 16, 2009
Lela Freiberg, age 97 of Big Rapids, passed away Monday, November 16, 2009. She was born May 22, 1912 in Osceola County to James and Phebe (Truax) Marsh. Lela went to school in LeRoy and Reed City, graduating from Reed City High School in 1929. She then attended and graduated from Davenport Business College in Grand Rapids. Lela married Edward...
Ina C. Christensen
Nov 11, 2009
Ina Christensen, age 100 of Big Rapids, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at her home. She was born February 18, 1909 in Detroit to Niels Peter and Mathilde (Knudsen) Andersen. Ina was very proud of her Danish Heritage; she had been a member of the Danish Sisterhood Lodge #125 of Detroit since 1927. She enjoyed gardening and working on...
Jayne V. Hampel
Nov 7, 2009
Jayne V. Hampel, age 94, passed away Saturday, November 7, 2009 at Altercare of Big Rapids. She was born September 11, 1915 in Big Rapids to Frank and Fern (Offterdinger) Duffey. She married Lawrence "Stub" Hampel on July 15, 1939 and they had 50 years of joy and happiness together. He preceded her in death on June 21, 1990. She...
Lt. Thomas Henderson
Nov 5, 2009
Lt. Thomas Henderson, age 67, retired, Harper Woods Fire Fighter of 25 years passed away on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He was born in Detroit, MI on May 7, 1942. Tom was an avid wood worker, hunter and taught hunters safety classes in the Big Rapids area. He is survived by his wife of...
Russell O. Reams
Nov 2, 2009
Russell O. Reams, age 70 of Big Rapids, a popular local artist passed away Monday, November 2, 2009 at his home. He was born August 30, 1939 in Manila, Arkansas to Orville and Flora (Hood) Reams. As a young man Russell taught himself to solder and weld. He crafted sculptures from scraps of metal he collected from garbage dumps, automotive...
Luella M. Thomas
Nov 1, 2009
Luella M. Thomas, age 79 of Big Rapids passed away Sunday, November 1, 2009 in Grand Rapids. She was born October 13, 1930 in Barton Township, Newaygo County to Asa and Edith (Essex) Cook. Luella lived most of her life in the Big Rapids area. As a young girl Luella worked at the Linten Department Store in Big Rapids. Later...
Willard "Bill" L. Bongard
Oct 29, 2009
On Thursday, October 29, 2009, Willard Leroy "Bill" Bongard departed his grandson's home to spend eternity with family, friends, and his Lord Jesus. Bill was born February 3, 1912, to George and Nellie (Kellogg) Bongard in the Stanwood house which would later become the home for his own family. On December 9, 1939, Bill married Edna Crandall and for almost...
Peter Mudel
Oct 19, 2009
Peter Mudel, age 84 of Canadian Lakes passed away Monday, October 19, 2009 at his home with his loving family at his side. He was born November 8, 1924 in Hamtramck to Peter and Stefania (Solswinska) Mudel Sr. Peter and Ann raised their family in Bloomfield Hills, MI before moving to Canadian Lakes in 1995. He is survived by his...
Joanna Marie Westover
Oct 19, 2009
JoAnna Marie Westover age 22 of Big Rapids passed away unexpectedly Monday, October 19, 2009. She was born December 1, 1986 in Big Rapids the daughter of Daniel L. and Patricia M. (Monica) Westover. A lifelong resident, JoAnna graduated from Big Rapids High School in 2005. She was currently a 4th year student at Ferris State University majoring in food...
George I. Cady
Oct 18, 2009
George Iwrin Cady, age 74 passed away Sunday, October 18, 2009 at his home with loved ones at his side. He was born November 21, 1934 in Big Rapids to George and Edna (O'Neil) Cady. George had lived and worked in Big Rapids most all his life, with the exception of a few truck driving jobs that briefly took him...
Jimmie L. Verburg
Oct 16, 2009
Jimmie L. Verburg, age 66 of Stanwood passed away Friday, October 16, 2009 at his home. He was born February 18, 1943 in Grand Rapids the son of Harold and Grada (VanHoven) Verburg. Jimmie learned the skill of plastering from his father and was self employed as a skilled plasterer and drywaller for over 40 years. Jim and his wife...
Stephen Jennings Peter
Oct 15, 2009
Stephen Jennings Peter of Mecosta, Michigan died Thursday, October 15, 2009 in his home after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Kingston, Michigan, May 21, 1940, to Francis and Maxine Peter. Steve was a popular student and a talented professional; he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1963 from Central Michigan University majoring in Mathematics...
