Mark H. "Coach" O’Donnell
Mark H. "Coach" O’Donnell age 81 of Elsie, Michigan passed away Monday, March 25, 2002 at Memorial Healthcare Center in Owosso, Michigan.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, March 28, 2002 at 10:00 A.m. at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church in Bannister, Michigan. Rev. Fr. Wolfgang Streichardt and Rev. Merlin Pratt will officiate with burial at Riverside Cemetery in Elsie, Michigan. Visitation will be Tuesday 6-8 and Wednesday 2-8 with the family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.m. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.
Mark was born on February 26, 1921 in Norway, Michigan, the son of Edward Thomas and Mary (Hauser) O’Donnell. He graduated from Norway High School with the Class of 1939 and attended Michigan State University on a football scholarship. He received his B.S. Degree in 1951 and his M.A. in 1952.
He served 3 ˝ years in World War II as a crewmember on a Navy B-24 Liberator bomber in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal and the Air Medal with two Gold Stars. He was also a member of the Elsie American Legion Post #502. On November 29, 1975 he married Katherine Knutson in Owosso, Michigan.
Mark was hired into the Elsie High School in 1952, at which time he taught U.S. History, coached all sports and served as Athletic Director. When Ovid and Elsie merged in 1967, Mark continued to teach and serve as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach. In 1977, he retired as Varsity Football Coach and Athletic Director. After sitting in the stands for one year, he decided he wasn’t quite ready to give up coaching and returned to coaching at the J.V. level and coached the freshmen team his last year. Mark was inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 1983, an honor he was proud of and one that was well deserved. Mark was also inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1986, another most deserving honor. He retired from Ovid-Elsie Area Schools after 34 years of teaching. He also taught Drivers Training for 35 years. He was member of St. Cyril’s Catholic Church in Bannister and resided most of his life in the Elsie area.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy O’Donnell of Elsie, daughters, Patricia O’Donnell of Owosso, and Theresa (Mike) Hicks of Midland, grandchildren, Laura, Jonathan, Brian, Andrew, sister, Marguerite Spern of Bloomfield Hills, stepchildren, Arlo (Deena) Knutson of Elsie, Elsie (Rod) Loynes of Henderson, Loretta Knutson of Wacousta, and Larry (Laurie) Knutson of Charlotte, stepgrandchildren, Jamie, Rhonda, Heather, Ross, Rita, Erik, Kelsey, & Kristian, and step-great grandchildren, Alexa, Nicholas, Nathan, Tate & Lacey.
He was predeceased by his parents, Edward & Mary O’Donnell, three brothers, J.C. O’Donnell, Edward O’Donnell, Anthony O’Donnell, four sisters Elizabeth Ahrendt, Eleanor Montpos, Bernice St. Louis, Anna Marie Frost, two sons, Mark A. O’Donnell and Timothy J. O’Donnell, one daughter, Elise M. O’Donnell, and one grandson, Mark E. O’Donnell.
Memorials may be made to O-E Football Program or American Legion Post #502. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.
Beatrice "Bea" Bancroft
Age 96 of Alma, Michigan passed away Sunday, June 2, 2002 at her home. She was a Manager & Assistant Manager for Newberry's Department Store in Alma, Michigan for 36 years.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 5, 2002 at 2:00 P.m. at Smith Funeral Homes, Alward-Carter Chapel in St. Louis. Pastor Jim Hundley will officiate with burial at Pine Grove Cemetery, Emerson Township, Michigan. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.m.
Beatrice was born on December 12, 1905 in Sickles, Michigan to Mr. & Mrs. Marcum. She attended and graduated from Alma High School with the Class of 1923. She married Roland Bancroft in Breckenridge, Michigan. They spent 60 years together as man and wife. Beatrice enjoyed flowers and animals. She also loved to travel and was a good homemaker. She resided most of her life in the Alma area.
She is survived by her husband, Roland Marcus Bancroft of Alma, one son, Arden & Kay Bancroft of Lansing, three granddaughters, Laura Bancroft of St. Louis, Kari Lyman of Concord, MA, and Shelly Nesbet of Florida, also one niece. She was predeceased by her parents, one brother and one sister.
The family is being served by Smith Funeral Homes, Alward-Carter Chapel.
Judy Ann Chalker
Age 54 of Owosso, Michigan passed away Sunday, June 2, 2002 at her home. She worked for American Sun Roof in Lansing, Michigan.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, June 5, 2002 at 10:00 A.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Ovid, Michigan. Rev. Fr. Paul Cummings will officiate. Burial will be held at Middlebury Township Cemetery, Middlebury Township. Visitation will be Tuesday 2-4 and 6-8 P.m. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. A Rosary will be prayed on Tuesday evening at 6:00 P.m.
Judy was born in Saginaw, Michigan on April 20, 1948, the daughter of Fredrick & Opal (Fuller) Beach. She graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School with the Class of 1966. On June 24, 1978 she married Carl E. Chalker in Laingsburg, Michigan. She enjoyed helping other people, riding motorcycle and working in her yard. She resided most of her life in the Ovid and Owosso areas.
She is survived by her husband, Carl Chalker of Owosso, 1 daughter, Angela Marie Schlarf of Owosso, mother, Opal Beach of Ovid, 2 grandchildren, 2 sisters, Patricia & Russell Little of Elsie, and Debra Beach of Ovid, 2 brothers, Fredrick & Katherine Beach Jr. of Ovid, and Kenneth Beach of Baton Rouge, LA, many nieces & nephews, father & mother in-law, Carl & Majie Chalker of Corunna, sister in-law, Wendy Kay Chalker of Owosso, and brother in-law, Tony & Nancy Chalker of Owosso. She was predeceased by her father.
Memorials may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel.
