James A. Potter I
Age 86 of Durand, formerly of Owosso, Michigan passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2001 at his daughter’s home in Durand. He worked for Flint Chevrolet Manufacturing in Tool jig & fixture repair, retiring in 1976 after 31 years of service.
Funeral services will be Friday, June 1, 2001 at 1:00 P.m. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Corunna Chapel. Mr. David Mogg will officiate. Burial will take place at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Owosso, Michigan. Visitation will be Wednesday and Thursday 2-9 with the family present from 2-4 and 7-9 P.m. There will also be an Eastern Star Service Wednesday evening at 7:30 P.m. and a Masonic Service Thursday evening at 7:30 P.m. at the funeral home.
James was born on March 9, 1915 in Lennon, Michigan, the son of Fredrick J. and Ida May (Boillet) Potter. On June 29, 1935 he married Evie Jane Watson in Bancroft, Michigan. She died on January 4, 1980. He was twice Past Master of Vernon Masonic Lodge #279, lifetime member of Owosso Masonic Lodge #81, lifetime member of the Scottish Rite Consistory, Valley of Bay City, and lifetime member of Abigail Chapter Order of the Eastern Star in Owosso. He resided most of his life in Shiawassee County.
Survivors include two daughters, Marian Goebel of Durand, MI, and Beatrice Chila of Owosso, MI, 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, wife Evie, 1 son James II, 6 brothers, Jerry, Joey, Kenneth, Ray, Raymond, and Roy, and 7 sisters, Opal, Hazel, Della, Helen, Corrie, Minnie, and Onie.
Memorials may be made to the Michigan Masonic Home in Alma, Michigan.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Corunna Chapel.
Heidi R. Mepham
Age 41 of St. Louis, Michigan passed away Saturday, May 26, 2001 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw. She had worked for the Morning Sun.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 30, 2001 at 11:00 A.m. at First United Methodist Church in St. Louis. Rev. Robert Nystrom will officiate. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Louis, Michigan. Visitation will be at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Alward-Carter Chapel, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.m.
Heidi was born in Alma, Michigan on June 7, 1959, the daughter of Robert A. and Florence A. (Plank) Hill. On August 19, 1977 she married Steven Mepham in Alma, Michigan. She was member of the First United Methodist Church, in St. Louis. Heidi was Director of the Heritage Harmony Flute Choir, the Central Michigan Concert Band, and the Gratiot County Players. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilting, writing, and collecting antique Barbie dolls. Heidi was a life long resident of St. Louis, Michigan.
Survivors include her husband, Steven, and two children, Benjamin A. and Jordan D. Mepham all of St. Louis, MI, parents, Robert (Florence) Hill of St. Louis, MI, sisters, Martee (Dennis) Macha of Norton Shores, MI, and Candy (John) Johnson of Shepard, MI, brothers Jeff (Barb) Hill of St. Louis, MI, Mark (Barb) Hill of St. Louis, MI, Brian Hill and Patty Hubbard of St. Louis, MI, and Deborah (Don) Campbell of Gaylord, MI.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or Gift of Life of Michigan.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Alward-Carter, Chapel.
Sophie H. Motz
Age 79 of Ashley, Michigan passed away Thursday, May 24, 2001 at the Ashley Healthcare Center. She was a homemaker.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, May 28, 2001 at 9:00 A.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Ovid, Michigan. Rev. Fr. Bennett Constantine will officiate. Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery, North Star, Michigan. Visitation will be at Smith Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel on Sunday 2-8 P.m.
Sophie was born in Lansing, Michigan on October 28, 1921 the daughter of Peter and Anna (Orzelski) Dembowski. She graduated from Ithaca High School. On April 14, 1945 she married William F. Motz, Sr. in Lansing, Michigan. He died on September 27, 1999. She was raised in the Catholic Faith. She was also a 50-year member of ZCBJ #225 in Bannister, Michigan. She resided most of her life in the Ashley area.
Survivors include one daughter, Patricia & Allen Hatch of Grand Blanc, MI, two sons, William F. Motz Jr. & Donna of Eaton Rapids, MI, and Larry & Ginger Motz of Lansing, MI, eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, one sister, Rosemary & Robert Fretter of Lansing, MI, one brother, Walter & Maggie Dembowski of Lansing, MI, three sister in-laws, Alice Dembowski of Lansing, MI, Mary Dembowski of Warner Robbins, GA, and Vlasta Motz of Ashley, MI, and one brother in-law, Joe & Ann Motz, of St. Johns, MI.
She was predeceased by her parents, one daughter, Donna, three brothers, Ed, Joseph, & Hank, and one sister, Stella Dembowski.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.
