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Karen S. Gierman
Karen S. Gierman, 65, of Potterville died Wednesday, Dec. 5 at a Lansing Hospital. Mrs. Gierman was born May 24, 1942, a daughter of Kenneth D. and Elva R. (Dickerson) Ankney.
She was a retired tour guide at the State of Michigan Capitol Building. Mrs. Gierman was also a member of Bretton Woods Lions Club.
Surviving are her daughter, Heather Gierman of Potterville; two step-children, Gina (Harold) Austin and James Michael (Becky) Gierman; six granddaughters, three great grandchildren; two sisters, Ellen Jones of Eaton Rapids and Vicki (Bill) White of Charlotte; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; special friend, Diana Boyce; three sisters-in-law, Carol Ankney of Charlotte; Margaret Gierman of East Lansing and Marie Gierman of Grand Ledge and brother-in-law DuWayne Trimmer of Potterville.
A celebration of life was held Dec. 8 at the Potterville United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Bretton Woods Lions Club or the charity of your choice.
Glendon H. Gifford
Glendon H. Gifford of Spring Arbor formerly of Springport, went to be with the Lord May 23, 2007 while in the loving care of family and Arbor-Manor care-givers. He was born June 21, 1908 to Ethel (Butler) and Forrest H. Gifford in Albion, Michigan. Preceded in death by his wife of seventy years, Ruth, on May 29, 2006; deceased siblings, Alice Griffin, Everett, Robert, James, and Thelma Gifford.
Glendon is survived by six children, Neil (Sonja) Gifford, Wayne (Sandra) Gifford, Janet (Dan) Mergener, Rose (Robert) Moore, Kaye (Fred) Herriff, David (Carol) Gifford; siblings, Gerald and Donald Gifford and Doris Deadman; 20 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; brother-in-laws, Henry Linn, and Bruce (Patricia) Klett; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. After graduation from Springport High School he attended Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo, where he earned a provisional teaching certificate and later earned a BS and MA from WMU. Glendon retired from Harper Creek Schools, Battle Creek, after 30 years in education. He is a lifetime member of MEA-NEA-R, Michigan Association Retired School Personnel, and Calhoun County Association Retired School Personnel. He was an active member of the Springport United Methodist Church, loved to do woodworking and was a handy do-it-your-selfer. Glendon was a very avid reader and encouraged his grandchildren to read. He enjoyed a good political discussion, followed world events with great enthusiasm, was interested in genealogy, and was a contributing writer for the book, History of Clarence Township: Then and Now, published in 1994. Glendon was loved by his family and many friends, he will be truly missed by many.
Services were held on Saturday, May 26, 2007 at Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, 518 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids. Interment followed at Clarence Center Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Springport United Methodist Church, P.O. Box E Springport, MI 49284.
Robert Gillett
Robert August Gillett, 82, of Bellevue, died Feb. 25, 2007 at Eaton County Medical Care Facility. He was born March 27, 1924, the son of August and Julia (Sule) Gillett in Bellevue.
Robert served in the Merchant Marines during World War II and in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked as an assemblyman at Clark Equipment Company for 40 years, retiring in 1982. Robert was a member of V.F.W. Nashville Post, and enjoyed fly fishing, deer and pheasant hunting. He also enjoyed farming when he was younger.
Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Gillett in 1996; and his brother, Ed Gillett in 2006.
He is survived by son, Gerald M. (Cathy) Gillette of Bellevue; daughter, Sandra Sherman of Leslie; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; two step grandchildren and three step great-grandchildren; brother, Bill Gillett of Bellevue and sister-in-law, Evelyn Gillett of Bellevue.
Services took place at 3 p.m. March 1 at Bellevue United Methodist Church, with Pastor Virginia Heller, officiating. Interment was at Hillside Cemetery, Kalamo Township. Memorial donations may be made to the Eaton Community Hospice or Nashville VFW.
The family is being served by Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel, Bellevue.
Ellen Goetz
Ellen Goetz of Northridge, CA, formerly of Eaton Rapids, died on February 10, 2007, at the Brighton Gardens Retirement Home. She was 93 years old.
She is survived by her son John Goetz (Bonnie) of Woodland Hills, CA, grandson Johnny Goetz (Heidi) of Mammoth Lakes, CA, grandson Jim Goetz (Assia) of Los Angeles, CA, granddaughter Krissie Goetz of Santa Barbara, CA, and great grandson, Nick Goetz of Los Angeles, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years in 2001, Ward Goetz, a son Danny and a daughter Kathy.
Jasper Graham
Jasper “Jap” L. Graham, 78, of Springport, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007 in Jackson. Jasper was born March 20, 1929, the son of Jasper Arthur and Welthia Eliza (Webber) Graham.
He was a member of Operating Engineers #324, life member of the Parma Outdoor Club, and very loyal NASCAR fan. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Douglas; and brother, Richard Graham.
Jasper is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joyce (Taylor) Graham; daughters, Linda (David) Higelmire and Teresa (Bob) Hobbins, all of Onondaga; sons, Larry (Carleen) Graham of Springport and David (Sandy) Graham of Olivet; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; two brothers, Gerald “Jake” (Barbara) Graham of Parma, Robert “Bud” (Christine “Jeannie”) Graham of Holt; sister, Margaret (Francis) Artz of Parma; sister-in-law, Nancy Graham of Springport; many nieces & nephews; and best friends, Ron and Susie Jakubas.
Memorial services were held Friday, Aug. 31, 2007 at Pope Church, Springport. Arrangements are by the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids.
Memorial contributions may be made to Relay for Life in honor of Brandy Hobbins and Sandy Graham, and in memory of Jasper Graham.
James Grenawalt
James Henry Grenawalt, 73, of Charlotte, died Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007 after a courageous battle with illness. Mr. Grenawalt was born Dec. 14, 1933, in Muskegon, MI, the son of James F. and Margaret (Barr) Grenawalt.
He retired in 2001 from managerial positions in the dairy industry after 30 years of service. He served in the Navy during the Korean War. He loved to be with his family, children, grandchildren and friends. He loved an audience, was a fan of MSU sports, and active in golfing and boating.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara.
He is survived by sons, Mychal (Becky) Grenawalt of Haslett and Rick Grenawalt of Florida; daughter, Julie “Sis” Clayton of Higgins Lake; three grandchildren, Jessika Remackle, Travis James Clayton and Taylor Grenawalt; two great grandchildren; brother, Robert (Kay) Grenawalt of Charlotte; and sister, Marilyn (Ray) Feher of Haslett.
Funeral services were held Nov. 14, 2007, at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan, with Rev. Phil Hobson officiating. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.
The family would like to sincerely thank Arshad Majid, M.D. for his compassionate care for their father.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Robert Grier
Robert W. Grier, 32, of Sarasota, FL, died June 10, 2007. Mr. Grier was born Sept. 18, 1974 in Charlotte, the son of the late Robert and Ann (Bartolacci) Grier.
Mr. Grier worked as a production manager at a fish oil manufacturing facility in Florida. He enjoyed walking Siesta Key Beach, writing poems and playing with his dogs, Khaki and Saydee. Mr. Grier was an adventurer who rode four wheelers and dirt bikes. He loved spending time, shopping with and making his daughter, Kayla Ann, the center of his life. Mr. Grier was a graduate of Charlotte High School class of 1993.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jeffrey Grier and daughter Kayla Ann.
He is survived by his sister, Amy (Stephen) Ford of Sarasota, FL; brother, Richard (Krysti) Grier of North Port, FL; nieces and nephews, Sean Flowers, Kathryn Flowers, Mason Gray, Melany Grier, Skylar Ford, Brian Ford and Keith Ford all of Florida.
Funeral services were held June 16, 2007 at Pray Funeral Home with Reverend Father Denis R. Spitzley officiating. Interment was at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
James Griffith
James Griffith, 35, of Charlotte, died Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007. Mr. Griffith was born Aug. 22, 1972 in Coldwater, MI, the son of Roger Griffith and Wanita (Smith) Clark.
Mr. Griffith was a carpenter who worked in construction. He enjoyed hanging out with friends, hard rock music, watching football and hockey and he was a U of M fan. Some of Mr. Griffith's most memorable times were with his daughter, playing cards and having BBQ's with his family.
He is survived by his daughter, Mackenzie Griffith; parents, Roger Griffith and Wanita (Arthur) Clark; sister, Cheri (Brad) Cook of Charlotte, brothers, David Griffith of Lansing and Travis Griffith of Charlotte; step-brothers, Travis Clark of Charlotte and Adam Clark of Detroit, step-sister, Kelly Clark of Charlotte; numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and special friend, Katrina Willoughby.
Funeral services were held Nov. 3, 2007 at Pray Funeral Home with Rich Mitterling officiating. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to a fund for his daughter, Mackenzie's, education.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Merwin Grimes, PHD
Merwin Grimes, PHD of Eaton Rapids, formerly of Califon, NJ, age 83, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 13, 2007 in Eaton Rapids, after a brief struggle with cancer. Merwin was born in Jackson County, grew up on a farm in Eaton Rapids, graduated from Eaton Rapids High School (Class of 1940), and pursued a higher education in biochemistry. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, married and began a family. Merwin received his Masters from Vanderbilt University (Nashville), and PhD from Michigan State University where he became a professor and researcher. He moved to University of Montana (Missoula) and was a Professor of Biochemistry. Merwin left academe in 1961 and moved to New Jersey to follow a career in research with Ortho Pharmaceuticals. He lived in Somerville and Bridgewater, later moved to Califon where he became the Mayor for 13 years. During retirement Merwin enjoyed painting houses. He returned home to Eaton Rapids in March of 207 and resided in Riverview Apartments. Preceded in death by his parents, David and Lela (Sova) Grimes; brothers, Anson and Max Grimes; sister, Vivian (Grimes) Parsons.
Merwin is survived by 1 daughter, Peggy (Patrick) Wolf of East Lansing; 1 son, Jim (Roberta Martinez) Grimes of Pasadena, California; 4 grandchildren, Thomas & Theresa “Terry” Wolf, Kate (Matt) Eide, and Matthew Martinez-Grimes; 1 great granddaughter, Liliana Eide; brothers, Alfred Grimes of Lansing, Donald (Delores) Grimes of Eaton Rapids; sisters, Virginia (Leo) Gruesbeck of Perry, Minnie Klink of Saranac; special niece “daughter”, Hope Grimes; many other nieces & nephews; and former wife, Marya (Dzialowski) Grimes of East Lansing.
Memorial services were Sunday, December 16, 2007 at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids, with Rev. Stephen Klink officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to “Friends of the Island Park”, c/o Donald Grimes 1305 West St, Eaton Rapids in memory of Merwin Grimes.
