Timothy John Dowling
Timothy John Dowling, age 58, of Fennville, Mich. passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2006. Timothy was born in Detroit on April 12, 1947 to Warren Robert Dowling and Marie L. (Gerdes) Dowling. He married Jane Ann Kurbis on September 10, 2005 in Fennville, Mich.
Timothy was a Computer Analyst working for Intier Automotive in Novi, Mich. He was the Past Commodore and member of the Clarklake Yacht Club and was a member of MI Miata Auto Club.
He is survived by his wife, Jane Dowling of Fennville; son, Scott (Sherry) Dowling of Jerome; daughter, Michelle (Jay) Fernamberg of Brooklyn; six grandchildren Raleigh Poxson, James and Travis Fernamberg, Cameron, Allan, Evan Dowling; mother, Marie Keraudren of Fenton; three step-sons, Ryan (Crystl) Peterson of Saugatuck, Kevin (Heather) Peterson of San Marcos, Texas, Kurt Peterson of Whitehall, Mich.; two step grandchildren, Tyler and Faith Peterson; sister, Susan (Martin) Neighbors of Hartland, Mich.; mother-in-law Anne Kurbis of St. Joseph, Mich.; and one niece and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Warren Dowling and Step father Gean Keraudren.
A celebration of Timothy’s life was held on Saturday, February 25, at the Chappell Funeral Home in Fennville, Mich., with Rev. Joel Kruggel officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Holland.
Dale Alan “Clyde” Smith
Dale Alan “Clyde” Smith, age 58 of Clarklake passed away February 20, 2006 at his home. Dale was born in Detroit on July 28, 1947 the son of Holly and the late Donald Smith. He graduated from Cody High School in Detroit in 1965 and served in the U.S. Army in the Honor Guard. He married Laura (Nash) on May 9, 1981 in Aspen Park, Colo.
Dale was the founder/owner of Eagle Docs in Brooklyn, a member of the American Legion and H.O.G. He will be remembered by those who knew him as someone who followed his dreams, was caring, generous, loving, and had a terrific sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 24 years, Laura and family.
Survivors include his wife, Laura; children, Jennifer (Chris) Gowan of Brooklyn, Alexis, Grant and Holly Smith of Clarklake; mother, Holly Smith of Clarklake; sisters, Carol (David) Stenstrom of Marshall, Minn., Susan (Sean) Whalen of White Lake, Mich.; many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his father; cousins, Bill Bascom and John Schorr.
A celebration of Dale’s life took place on Saturday, February 25, at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel, Brooklyn, with Reverend Robert H. Walton officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to Jackson County Special Olympics or the American Heart Association. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
James C. Decker
James C. Decker of Addison, passed away at his home, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2006 at the age of 72, under the loving care of his family.
He was a life long resident of the Addison Community and enjoyed a special time living at Burt Lake in Northern Michigan. He owned and operated Decker & Sons Insurance Agency of Addison and Somerset Center for over 45 years. During those 45 years, he also was the sales manager for Hickory Hills Mobile Home Park and later sold real estate in the Cheboygan area.
He assumed a very active life in his community, including member and President of the Addison School board for 12 years, member and trustee of the Addison United Church, Past Commodore of the Devils Lake Yacht Club, Vice President of the Cheboygan Country Club, Secretary/Treasurer of the Addison Defense and Gun Club and former member of the Addison and Cheboygan Kiwanis Clubs. His personal interests include hunting, fishing, golf, local area sporting events, and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Albert L. Decker, and his mother, Harriet ( Hickory ) Decker and sister-in-law Mary Lou (Brown) Decker.
Survivors include his wife, Beth (Boley) Decker of 54 years, a brother, John A. Decker of Hudson, Michigan, two sons, John (Stacey) Decker of Addison, James II (Kathy) Decker of Onsted, three daughters, Marcia (Philip) Rubley of Addison, Lisa Bellfy of Addison, Jane (Kendall) Branch of Addison, nine grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
According to his wishes cremation has taken place.
Memorial services will be held Sat. February 25, 2006 at the Addison United Church at 1:30 pm with Pastor Will Snyder officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Addison Community Schools James C. Decker Memorial for the purchase of a defibrillator. Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Addison.
Charles B. Brown
Charles B. Brown, age 72, of Brooklyn passed away on Friday, February 10, 2006. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn Brown; children, Darlene Brown and Teresa (James) Oldenburg; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Charles was a custodian for 20 years in the Columbia School District.
Per his request, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at N.A. Miller Elementary School, 130 E. Jackson, Cement City, on Saturday, February 25, at 2 p.m. with the Reverend Ed Ross officiating. The family will receive friends at the school from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service. Expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family for final expenses. Arrangements were handled by Wetherby Funeral Home, Jackson.
Geraldine E. “Gerry” Begeman
Geraldine E. “Gerry” Begeman, age 84, passed away February 17, 2006 she lived at Port Charlotte, Fla. and Clarklake, Mich. and was formerly of Trenton. She was the beloved wife of the late Elton and the loving mother of Tom ( Nancy ), Mary Begeman and Jill (Michael) O’Donohue. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
An expression of sympathy may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Doreen P. Berm
Doreen P. Berm, 91 of Crystal Lake, Cement City, passed away on Monday, Feb. 20, 2006 at her home.
Marion Louise Thorpe
Marion Louise Thorpe, age 88, of Jackson and Brooklyn, entered Heaven’s gates on Thursday, February 9, 2006. Marion was born on August 6, 1917 in Jackson to Harry and Mary Myers.
Marion was a mother who worked on the family farm and later drove test cars for AMC at the Michigan International Speedway. Thirty-three days ago Marion was preceded in death by her husband Ralph; also preceding was her son Clayton. Surviving Marion are children, Maxine (Dave) Scheevel of Seattle, Wash., Carolyn (Dale) Chatfield of Rives Junction, Bonnie (Bill) Senters of Ft. Wayne, Ind. and Ardith (Jack) Caudill of Albion, Charles ( Nancy ) Thorpe of Jackson and Calvin Thorpe of Dana Pt., Calif. ; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Thorpe was at the Watson Funeral Chapel where services were held on Monday, February 13, at 1 p.m. Reverend Jerry Bailey officiated. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Grace Church, 2692 Dettman Rd., Jackson, Mich. 49201.
William James (Bill) Kaiser
William James (Bill) Kaiser, age 70, of Brooklyn, passed away February 8, 2006, at home, under the loving care of his family and Hospice of Jackson and Oaklawn. Bill was born February 10, 1935, in Manchester, Mich.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Esther Kaiser, his uncle Carl Kaiser, sisters Juanita and Alice, and granddaughters Mariah and Lauren. Surviving are his beloved wife of 50 years, Lillie, and seven sons, Gary (Barb), Garrett (Linda), Gordon (Cathy), Jeff (Suzanne), Charlie, Glenn (Patsy), and Mike (Amy). Bill has 16 surviving grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Surviving siblings include Art (Lois) Kaiser, June (Frank) Wellman, Bob Kaiser, and Kay (Art) Dingee.
On July 9, 1955, Bill married Lillie Farrington. They made Brooklyn their lifelong home. Bill and Lillie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last summer with friends and family, and a very special hot air balloon ride over the Brooklyn area.
Many will remember Bill from his years of working at Elliott’s Sporting Goods, Mac Steel, the Star Theater, and R & B Machine. He was especially known for his abilities as a gifted mechanic and he could fix almost anything he set his mind to. Bill had a quiet sense of humor, and always had a good story ready to tell.
A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Bill always made time for his family. He kept his boys busy in their younger years, tending to their very large garden, teaching them to enjoy the fruits of their labors. Bill was a man of few words, yet he set a stellar example of how to live a wonderful and productive life. He instilled in his boys his unwavering work ethic, and taught them to take pride in their accomplishments. Whenever there was a car problem, the boys knew they could rely on their Dad to help them figure it out. In his later years, Bill was always available to help his sons with various projects. He usually knew what to do to repair or build whatever needed to be done. He freely gave to others the gifts of his talent and patience. All who love him, and those whose lives he touched will miss Bill Kaiser.
Per Bill’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service was held on Monday, February 13, 2006, at Unity Church of Jackson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Hospice of Jackson and Oaklawn in William Kaiser’s name.
Jennie Fay Holland
Jennie Fay Holland, age 89, of Brooklyn, passed away on February 12, 2006 at W.A. Foote Memorial Hospital under the loving care of her family and Hospice of Jackson & Oaklawn. She was born December 31, 1916 in Greenville, Ohio the daughter of Fremont and Lottie (Miller) Heck. She married Leslie “Joe” Holland on October 8, 1937 and he preceded her in death on March 4, 1987. She was also preceded in death by eleven brother and sisters.
Fay was a member of the All Saints Episcopal Church, life member of the Fraternal Order of the Eastern Star and enjoyed oil painting and sewing. She and her husband co-owned and operated Bill and Joe’s Market and she later worked at the National Bank of Jackson until her retirement. Fay is survived by her son, Doug (Sue) Holland, of Brooklyn ; grandsons, Mark (Darlene) Mead, of Onsted; Warren Mead, of Onsted; and Bryan (Kim) Mead, of Clarklake and five great grandchildren.
According to Fay’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private burial of ashes will be held at Highland Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel.
Blanche E. Bruen
Blanche E. Bruen, age 96, of Manitou Beach, died on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 at her home.
Haroldean Timm
Haroldean Timm, age 87, of Clinton died February 9, 2006. Haroldean was born November 15, 1918 in Detroit, the daughter of Harold and Frances (Riopelle) Hogan. On January 15, 1937 she married Clarence Timm. He preceded her in death on June 9, 1991.
Haroldean was a resident of the Clinton area since 1990 coming from the Irish Hills. She was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of the Irish Hills.
Haroldean is survived by three daughters, Toots (Ed) Hadden, Laurie (Dr. Richard) Gascoigne, and Marie (Dean) Kirkland ; two sons, Frank (Carol) Timm and Clarence “Mooch” (Gayanne) Timm, Jr.; one sister Frances Jarrett; 18 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband Clarence she was preceded in death by one son Tim Timm and two granddaughters Tracie Palmer and Carla Hadden.
Funeral services were held on Monday, February 13, at the Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh with the Rev. Kelly D. Smith, Sr. officiating. Burial followed at Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens, Tecumseh. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee.
