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Austin, Pauline J.
Formerly of Lansing
Age 99, passed away on April 3, 2004. She was born on June 19, 1904 in Laingsburg, and lived in Lansing most of her life. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church. She attended Western Michigan University, Northwestern University, and earned BM and MM degrees from Michigan State University. During her 42 years as a kindergarten, elementary music teacher, and administrator with the Lansing School District, she reached thousands of children. Pauline was one of the pioneers in the musical growth of Lansing’s elementary schools. She organized and directed a 600 voice elementary choir as part of an all city music festival. She started the children’s concerts that the Lansing Symphony Orchestra still has each year, and she began the instrumental music program in the elementary grades. But more importantly, Pauline instilled a love for music in the hearts of thousands of elementary school youngsters. She was a volunteer at the Sparrow Hospital Gift Shop for many years and delivered “meals on wheels for over 30 years. Surviving are: sister, Clarice Semans of Fremont; niece and nephews, Ann (Ken) Robar of Grand Junction, CO, Richard (Lorna) Semans of Ovid, Bill (Bunny) Semans of Hesperia, MI; 7 great nieces and nephews; 11 great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Guy Austin. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 2004, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, with The Rev. Dr. Russell F. McReynolds, of Central Untied Methodist Church, officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Sunday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Central United Methodist Church, or to Sparrow Hospital Foundation in memory of Pauline Austin.
Peller, Francis Charles “Chuck”
Lansing, MI
Age 63
Went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 2, 2002. He was born January 30, 1939 in Sault Ste. Marie, MI the son of Francis H. and Elsie K. (Kelly) Peller. Chuck graduated from Loretta H.S. in the Sault and received his bachelors degree from M.S.U. in 1990, at the age of 50. He worked for the State of Michigan, Family Independence Agency, as a communications specialist for 30 years, before retiring in 1994. Following that, he served as the Director of Operations for Med Bell Corp. up until April of this year. Chuck was a long-time member of Our Savior Lutheran Church and had served on various committees over the years, including: the elder’s committee, President of the Board of Education, Board of Stewardship, the accreditation committee, P.T.L., the building campaign, and also sang in the church choir for many years. Survivors include his loving wife of 31 years, Shirley (Burger); three children, Charles F. (Bonnie) Peller of Lansing, Kristi A. (James) Casey of Sault Ste. Marie, and Meghan J. (Joseph) Sollner of Lansing; four grandchildren, Michael Peller, Matthew Casey, and Nathan Casey all of Sault Ste. Marie and Cynthia Peller of Lansing; his mother, Elsie K. Peller of Sault Ste. Marie; two brothers, Richard (Sylvia) Peller Lapeer and Patrick (Mary Jo) Peller of Shelbyville, TN.; three sisters, Laura Norton of Lena, WI., Verna Parth of Shelbyville, TN., and Kathleen (David) Smithers of Sault Ste. Marie and several nieces and nephews and other extended family members. Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Francis H. Peller. Funeral Services will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1601 W. Holmes, Lansing on Tuesday, August 6, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor David P.E. Maier and Associate Pastor Robert Appold co-officiating. The family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Lyn Gibson and the Sparrow Home Hospice staff for their compassionate care and assistance. Those who wish may make memorial contributions, in loving memory of Chuck, to Our Savior Lutheran Church or Sparrow Home Hospice.
Austin, Earl Charles
Holt
Age 56, passed away on February 15, 2005. He was born on November 13, 1948 in Lansing. Mr. Austin graduated from Everett High School in 1966 and was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the U.S. Marines. He was a zookeeper at Potter Park Zoo for 25 years, working with the Elephants and Rhinos. He retired in 2000. His hobbies included traveling, playing golf, and sports, especially softball. He was a member of the Buck Reasoner Post #238, American Legion, the 40 et 8 Chateau and the Eagles. Surviving are: son, Jay (Shanna) Austin of Dearborn Heights; mother and step-father, Eleanor and James Tostevin; sister, Deloris (Benny) Matthews of Lansing; brother, Steve Austin of Lansing; 2 half-brothers, Kenny and Timmy Tostevin. He was preceded in death by his brother, Phillip “J.J.” Austin in 2002. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 18, 2005, at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel, with The Rev. H. Randolph Morgan officiating. Interment will follow in Maple Ridge Cemetery, where military honors will be provided by the U.S. Marines. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Buck Reasoner Post #238, American Legion in memory of Earl C. Austin.
Nelmark, Aune S.
Williamsburg, MI
(formerly of Lansing, MI)
Age 85, passed away on June 5, 2002. She was born on March 23, 1917 in Palmer, MI, the daughter of Matt A. and Amelia (Luoma) Lahti. She was a life member of the Order of Eastern Star Arbutus Chapter #45, a member of the Scandinavian Society, a member of the State Employees Retirees Association, Lansing Chapter, a former member of University Lutheran Church in East Lansing and St. Marks Lutheran Church in Battle Creek, where she was a former member of the Altar Guild at both churches. She married Arne A. Nelmark on December 19, 1936 and he preceded her in death in 1992. She was also preceded in death by 4 half-sisters and 4 half-brothers. She is survived by: daughter, Nona (Mrs. Ronald) White of Williamsburg and 2 grandchildren, Lynsey and Ryan. There will be a private memorial service later.
Sheathelm, Edwina Havens
East Lansing, MI
Age 93, died November 18, 2002. A loving and beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, Edwina Havens was born May 14, 1909 to Herbert L. and Katherine (Marsh) Havens in Lansing, MI. Edwina was married to Russell William Sheathelm Oct. 25, 1929. She was a longtime active member of Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ. She retired July 12, 1974 after 29 years of service to the State of Michigan. She was the first woman to head a division in the insurance bureau of the Michigan Department of Commerce, serving as Director of Policy Approval and Marketing. She was interested in all sports at all levels and she and her husband closely followed MSU events. She loved fishing and spending time with her family at their summer home in Ontario. Edwina is survived by 2 sons, Dr. Herbert H. (Beverly) Sheathelm of Tucson, AZ and R. William (Norma) Sheathelm of East Lansing; 3 granddaughters, Kristine (Dr. William T.) Gerson of Charlotte, VT, Karen Sheathelm of Stockbridge, Mary (Glenn) Warfle of Dansville; grandson, Kurt D. Sheathelm of Rocky Hill, CT and 8 great grandsons; sister, Lynelle Lehman of Mt. Pleasant. Also survived by close friend and former daughter-in-law, Shirlee Sheathelm of Windham Center, CT; and many nieces and nephews. Her husband preceded her in death in 1995. Funeral services will be held at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 21, 2002 with The Rev. Peter N. Robinson, Pastor of Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ officiating. Interment will follow at Deepdale Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday. Edwina’s family wishes to thank the wonderful people at Burcham Hills and Hospice of Lansing for their kind and compassionate care. Those desiring may make contributions to a memorial fund in Mrs. Sheathelm’s name at the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, 125 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI 48912.
Cohen, Gerald E. (Jerry)
East Lansing, MI
Our dear husband and father, passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family on November 3, 2002. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on February 7, 1942. He was preceded in death by his mother, Edna; father, Philip; daughter, Lori; and stepmother, Ethel Wolfe, all of whom he has joined. He was a courageous person with a great sense of humor even while fighting complications from diabetes over the last seven years. He was a graduate of Okemos High School, class of 1959 and was instrumental in organizing the class reunions. He retired after 32 years from the Michigan Department of Transportation Design Division. He was a well-known local wedding and portrait photographer and a member of Professional Photographers of America, Wedding and Portrait Photographers of American and the Mid Michigan Triangle Professional Photography Association. He enjoyed custom cars and drag racing. He truly loved his 1958 Chevy and was heartbroken when he had to sell it. Many thanks to those who brought it to the hospital and took him for a ride in it again. He was also an avid bowler and a lover of fifties rock and roll. Jerry will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 31 years, Phyllis (Kaplowitz); daughter, Renee of Seattle, WA; son, Matthew (Shannon) of East Lansing; his brother, David (Carol) of Burke, VA; step-brother, Alan (Gail) Wolfe of Okemos; and special friends, Cantor Pamela Schiffer, Vicki Rayl and Daralyn Brody. He is also survived by loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Many thanks go to the caring nurses and staff of Ingham Regional Medical Center and the staff at Mid-Michigan Regional Dialysis Center and Hospice House of Mid-Michigan. Thanks also to Dr. Hourani, Dr. Miskell-Simmons and Dr. Woltman, who helped over the last 15 years. Pall bearers are Gary Boynton, Forest Fickes, Ronald Horowitz, Edward Kessler, Gordon Toffler and Alan Zohott. Honorary pallbearers are: Richard Dunham, Marty Farrel, Mark Kaplowitz, Paul Love, Al Rubin, Mike Schreiner, Bob Zuver and the Okemos High School Class of 1959. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 5, 2002 at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 1924 Coolidge Road, East Lansing, with Rabbi Morton Hoffman and Cantor Pamela Schiffer officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. There will be no funeral home visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Shaarey Zedek in memory of Jerry Cohen. Arrangements by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Those whom we love go out of sight, but never out of mind.
Terrill, Virginia L.
Lansing, MI
Died Monday, September 10, 2001, at the age of 87. Virginia was born on June 11, 1914 in Portland, to Floyd and Allena (Kenyon) Bishop, the oldest of five children. Virginia peacefully and serenely joined her husband, Jim, who preceded her in 1984. She will be greatly missed by: her children, Jim (Rita) Terrill of Bloomingdale, Pat (Tom) Smith of Indianapolis, Sandra White of Lansing, Jack (Pat) Terrill of Harbor Beach, and Melody (John) Seymour of Lansing; 16 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; sisters, Vera Ross and Dorothy Silky, both of Lansing, and Gwen Fenton of Florida; brother, Paul Bishop of Grand Ledge; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Virginia will always be remembered for her love of flowers and gardening, her infectious giggle that still echo's in our ears, and her keen sense of humor. She has left us with many wonderful memories that we will treasure always. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Mid-Michigan for their wonderful care of Virginia and her family. Funeral services were held at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, September 13, 2001 at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Interment followed in Deepdale Memorial Gardens. The family received friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Mid-Michigan.
