Anthony W. Verhey
CADILLAC -- Anthony W. Verhey, 85 of LeRoy, died Sunday, Sept. 3, 2000, at Mercy Hospital in Cadillac. He was born May 30, 1915, in Grand Rapids and lived most of his life in the Waterford area, moving to LeRoy in 1972. He was employed for 31 years with General Motors Truck & Coach in Pontiac, retiring in 1970. He was married June 30, 1939, to Dona McDonald, who survives. He is also survived by three sons, William (JoAnn) of Waterford, Robert (Shirley) of Lancaster, Ohio, and John (Shirley) of Pontiac; two daughters, Janice (Jackie) Ford and Cheryl (Stephen) Traulsen, both of LeRoy; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by three brothers. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Sept. 7, at 11 a.m. from the Pruitt-Livingston Funeral Home in Reed City with Rev. Martin Borton officiating. Burial will be at Maple Valley Cemetery in LeRoy. Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

Florena I. Remus
CADILLAC -- Florena I. Remus, 94 of Reed City, died Friday, Sept. 1, 2000, at Lakeview Lutheran Manor in Cadillac. She was born March 26, 1906, in Reed City to Henry and Ida (Witt) Remus and was a resident of Detroit for many years. She was employed with Wayne State University for over 20 years, retiring in 1971. She had been a resident of the Reed City area since 1981 and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held today (Tuesday) Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. from the Pruitt-Livingston Funeral Home in Reed City with Rev. Robert Baerwolf officiating. Burial will be at Woodland Cemetery.

Lora Gould
GRAYLING -- Lora Gould, 82 of Grayling, passed away Saturday, Sept. 2, 2000, at Mercy Manor in Grayling. She was born April 7, 1918 and lived in Big Rapids until 1950. She married Carroll Fred (Bud) Gould on March 29, 1940. They had four children; Connie, Sally, William and Rick. In 1950, they purchased Leitz Cleaners in Grayling and moved there to operate it. Mrs. Gould also held the Secretary of State office -- a fee office -- until 1970. Mrs. Gould was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She attended the first mass on Christmas at midnight in 1952 in the present church. She was a Eucharistic minister at the church, taking communion to the hospital and Wargo Manor. She was active in C.C.W. and parish activities. She was a member of A.B.W.A. since 1975, a member of American Legion Auxiliary since 1951, and a member of the Grayling Garden Club. Mrs. Gould organized the Crawford County Easter Seal Chapter in 1952 and was chairperson of the board for 25 years. She served on the States Society Board of Directors and provided "free" equipment to use to all who needed it. In 1956 she started planting petunias along the complete length of US-27 through the city, from sidewalk to curb. The Kiwanis spaded and the Women's Club planted the flowers. She solicited the funds for the flowers, chairing the project from 1956 to 1968. On April 1, 1964, Mrs. Gould was appointed Director of Grayling Housing Commission by City Manager Harold Cliff, to develop, build and operate housing. She started projects and programs for elderly with earned income and donations long before area Agencies on Aging came into existence. From 1973 to June 10, 1984, she was the Director for Commission on Aging, which she formed to enable us to get state and federal funds to operate programs. The first Commission on Aging was made up of the president of Grayling Bank, the vice chairman of the Board of Commission Fred Kaufman, county health nurse Mrs. Gormon, a representative of social services, a representative of the board of education and a representative from each of seven townships. In 1980, Mr. Gould spearheaded the first mileage for senior citizen programs. As a volunteer, she wrote grants and started the first rural R.S.V.P. in Michigan and only the third R.S.V.P. in the state. She hired Helen Moon as the first director. Mrs. Gould and Joe Hull of Triangle Motel chaired the Old Fashion Bargain Days celebration and parades for many years, while Lora was still in the cleaning business prior to 1965. It was a "great and fun" week-long celebration. She also chaired the committee to put on the "Clean Up, Paint Up, Fix Up" campaign prior to building housing. They won a national award two years in a row and went to Washington to receive the award from Lady Bird Johnson. The clean up was a necessity before P.H.A. funding from Washington for housing would be given. Mrs. Gould was a past president of St. Mary's Ladys Club and of the Grayling Woman's Club, which won prizes for the outstanding Woman's Club of Michigan. She was vice president for northern Michigan on the Nahro State Organization for 14 years. During that time, Lora hosted three State Housing Conventions in Grayling, one at Polyhendron, one at Chief Shoppengon and one at Holiday Inn. She was on the state board of Gerontology for 10 years and organized and hosted a state convention on Gerontology at Kirtland. Mrs. Gould received her social worker license from the state in Gerontology. Lora was the democratic county chairperson from 1955 to 1965, helping to get many grants for the area during that time. She served as a teller of the state democratic convention and as secretary for one year. She had the secretary of state license office in dry cleaners for 16 years. This was a fee office and a political appointment. She also chaired the city election board for a number of years. As a volunteer, Mrs. Gould wrote grants for funds to purchase buses and developed a Dial A Ride program for Crawford County. For one year, the program was operated from a hall at housing outside the office, and then turned over to the county at airport. Lora oversaw the program for one year without a salary. She wanted the program in the beginning for the seniors so they could go out more freely and feel more independent. It has worked great for all ages. There are active travel programs for the seniors, including one-day trips, mystery trips and extended trips. Lora said she worked hard and long hours but it was such a joy to see all the smiling senior's faces and the fun they had and she loved it. Lora loved to garden and decorate her home. Since her Housing and Commission on Aging projects, she worked five years at the Holiday Inn Gift Shop, sold Mary Kay Cosmetics for 11 years and worked with the third grade at the Grayling Elementary School for five years as a Parapro. She loved the little ones, too. Lora is survived by her four children, Connie Gaylor of Grayling, Sally (Ron) Evans of Broken Arrow, Okla., Col. William D. (Lynn) Gould, stationed at Wright Paterson Air Base near Dayton, Ohio, and Richard (Denise) Gould, an attorney in Grand Rapids, of Rockford; nine grandchildren, Kenneth Vaughan of Grayling, Danny Vaughan of Garland, Texas, Lori McClain of Grayling, Kim Bonham of Tulsa, Okla., Mark Evans of Broken Arrow, Okla., Brett Gould of Dayton, Ohio, Blair Gould of Dayton, Ohio, Zachary Gould of Rockford and Sarah Gould of Rockford; three great-grandchildren, Ashley McClain of Grayling, Danielle Vaughan of Oklahoma, and Hannah Bonham of Tulsa, Okla., one sister, Eleanor Baumunk of Big Rapids; one brother, Lawrence Baumunk of Big Rapids; one step-sister, Lula Spehn of Greenville; one half-brother, Harold Kieft of Michigan City, Ind., and many nieces and nephews. Visitation is today (Tuesday) from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Internment will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Grayling and mass will be at St. Mary's in Grayling on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Robert Nalley celebrant. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the St. Mary's Catholic Church piano fund.

Mary A. "Mitzie" Wiggins
BIG RAPIDS -- Mary A. "Mitzie" Wiggins, 75 of Big Rapids, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2000, at Mecosta County General Hospital. She was born Jan. 18, 1925, in Weston, W. Va. to James and Muriel (Sutton) Wiggins. Mitzie made her home in Big Rapids where she had worked in local shops. For a time she was employed as a bit builder for her sister, Opal McMillin in Reed City. Mitzie enjoyed fishing on her pontoon boat at Boon Lake with her little dog, Blitz. She is survived by sisters, Opal McMillin of Wyoming and Charlene (Glen) Gilbert of San Diego, Calif.; a brother, Ted (Alice) Wiggins of Homestead, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews including James (Pat) Voorheis of Montrose, and Charles (Lillie) Gilbert of San Diego, Calif. Besides her parents, Mitzie was preceded in death by a brother, James Wiggins in 1988. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral home in Big Rapids. Burial will be at Woodland Cemetery in Reed City. Visitations are Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Mitzie's name may be made to the Salvation Army.

Howard Ormel Tefft
Howard Ormel Tefft, 73 of Stanwood, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2000. He was born, with twin brother Harold, on Feb. 7, 1927, to the Reverend Howard and Falice (Butler) Tefft in Sault St. Marie, MI. Formally of Mulliken, he worked as a lieutenant in Jackson State Prison and retired in 1983 to join his wife, Crystle (Hopkins) Tefft on the old homestead farm in Stanwood that previously belonged to Crystle's parents, Arch and Delilah Hopkins. Howard loved to travel the United States and Canada in his motor home with his family and his precious poodle, "Buffy," of whom he "wouldn't take a million dollars for." His other hobbies included hunting, fishing, raising Belgium horses, riding his four-wheeler on the "Back Forty," and working with his hands to build, restore, and remodel many things. He was also graced with the beautiful gift of song that brought enormous pleasure to friends and family alike. Howard was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Harold, Paul and Alvyn; and a sister, Lucille. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 54 years, Crystle; his three lovely daughters, Cheryl Wensloff of Stanwood, Valerie (Dale) Walters of Eagle and Patricia Risk of Sunfield; his precious grandchildren, Amy (Paul) Williams, Gretchen Newman; Scott Tefft and Ben Risk; his two beautiful great-grandchildren, Brooke and Sierra Williams; and his sisters, Arlene (Don) Cecil, Abby (Barry) Bement, and Falice (Don) Bradley. Funeral services will take place 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with Revs. Wayne Bullock and Ron White officiating. Burial will be at the Stanwood Cemetery. Visitation is today (Monday) at the funeral home from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m.

Joyce V. Carr
BIG RAPIDS -- Joyce V. Carr, 79 of Big Rapids, passed away Friday, Sept. 8, 2000 in Big Rapids. She is survived by her daughter, Vivian (Jeffrey) Pattison of Oakland. There will be no public services. Arrangements are by the Daggett-Gilbert funeral Home in Big Rapids.

Nora M. Cable
BIG RAPIDS -- Nora M. Cable, 80 of Barryton, passed away Saturday, Sept. 9, 2000 at Altercare of Big Rapids. She was born April 28, 1920, in Battle Creek to William and Jennie (Green) Moody. Nora married George Cable on Dec. 24, 1940, in her parents Battle Creek home. George and Nora made their home in Battle Creek until George's retirement in 1969 from the Battle Creek fire department. Following retirement, they built a home together in Barryton, where they have spent the past 31 years. Nora was active in the Mecosta County Senior Citizens Program in the Barryton area. She had been a member of America Legion Post No. 298 Auxiliary of Battle Creek, she was active in the Barryton Rod and Gun Club (currently the Barryton Conservation Club), and she volunteered many hours to the Winchester Fire Association Bingo Games. Nora loved to sew, knit and crochet many wonderful things for her family. She was an artist at cake decorating and had a passion for gardening and her flowers. She is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, George Cable of Barryton; her children Norine B. Cable of Victoria, Texas, David S. (Cheryl) Cable of White Cloud; Jaqueline D. (David) Whitmore of Battle Creek; James D. (Maureen) Cable of Battle Creek; one brother, James F. Moody of Battle Creek; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Nora was preceded in death by eight brothers as sisters, Frances, Carl, Ann, George, Claire, Herman, a twin sister Dora, and Florence. funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Daggett Funeral Home in Barryton with Pastor John Mellish officiating. Visitations will be Tuesday at the funeral home from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be Thursday afternoon at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta. Memorial contributions may be made to Home Hospice.

Walter Carlton Wright
MT. PLEASANT, Iowa -- Walter Carlton Wright, 77 of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, formerly of Morley, died Saturday, Sept. 9, 2000 in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. He was born Sept. 4, 1923, in Newaygo, the son of Frank and Inez (Graves) Wright. In 1942, he graduated from Morley High School and lived most of his life in the Morley area. Mr. Wright was an area farmer and mechanic, and also traveled the country installing electrical high wires. On May 8, 1943, he married Beulah Totten, who preceded him in death in September of 1985. On Dec. 11, 1988, he married Arlene Ward Rude in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, who survives. Since that time, he has resided there. Also surviving are three sons, Walter and Wayne, both of Morley, and Warren of Sierra Vista, Ariz., three daughters, Anna Eitniear of Shelby, Carolyn Ego of Cedar Springs, and Doris Freeland of Casnovia; one step-daughter, Jeanette Proenneke of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; 20 grandchildren; three brothers, Clifford, Ernest and Frank; three sisters, Edith Lloyd, Pearl Maurer and Mabel Aymor; 22 great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, at the First Baptist Church in Howard City, with Pastor John Dawson officiating. Burial will be in the Aetna Cemetery in Morley. Memorial contributions to the Baptist Church may be left at the Heckman-Mohnke Funeral Home, where his family will greet friends Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. and at the church prior to services on Friday.

Alex Michael Sirmans
BIG RAPIDS -- Alex Michael Sirmans, infant son of Alex Sirmans and Rebecca Roach, died Friday, Sept. 8, 2000, at Mecosta County General Hospital. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother, Nathaniel King; grandparents Holly and Michael Trubirotta of Wayland, Richard and Marte Roach of Middleville and Terry and Kim Sirmans of Reed City; and several aunts and uncles. Funeral services will be held Sunday, Sept. 17, at 2 p.m. from the Church of God in Reed City with Rev. Char Morrison officiating. Arrangements were made by the Pruitt-Livingston Funeral Home in Reed City.

Justin Michael Dooley
EVART -- Justin Michael Dooley, 49 days old, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000 at Spectrum Health, Downtown Campus. He was born to Christopher Redverse Dooley and Amanda Lee Decator on July 27, 2000, in Grand Rapids. Justin is survived by his mother and father, both of Evart; two sisters, Ashley Marie Dooley and Kristen McKenzie Fenton of Evart; grandparents Aron Decator of Hersey, Trudy (Tim) Crowley of Greenville, Cheryl (Bruce) Wells of Evart, and Robert (Eisha) Wilcox of Worcester, Mass; great-grandparents Francis (Marie) Decator of Haslett, Patricia (Robert) Schaffer of Ashton, Linda (Ray) Lucier of Evart, Emma Gilbert of Pitsfield, Mass., and great-great grandparents Minnie Decator of Hersey and Ella Chipman of Evart. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at Corey Funeral Home in Evart, with Father Joe Fix officiating. Cremation will follow services. Visitation is Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of services.

Cory C. Carlson
REED CITY -- Cory C. Carlson, 25 of LeRoy, died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2000, at Spectrum Hospital in Reed City. He was born Feb. 10, 1975, in Cadillac and was a resident of the Tustin area all of his life. He was a 1995 graduate of Pine River High School. He had been employed the past year with Gingrich Construction. He is survived by his father, Fredic Carlson of Hersey; his mother and step-father, Loreen and Rick Fall of Beaverton; his sister, Darcy (James) Hite of Gladwin; his grandparents, Richard and Eva Carlson on Tustin and Velma Bellinger of Shepard; and his fiancee, Katrina Moore of LeRoy. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2000, at 11 a.m. from the Pruitt-Livingston Funeral Home in Reed City with Michael Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Burdell Township Cemetery in Tustin. Friends may call at the funeral home Monday from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

Evan D. Simpson
STANWOOD -- Evan D. Simpson, 88 of Stanwood, passed away unexpectedly Friday, Sept. 15, 2000, at his home in Stanwood. A memorial service is being planned at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids.

Genelda B. Toman
REED CITY -- Genelda B. Toman, 77 of Reed City, died Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2000, at Spectrum Hospital in Reed City. She was born May 17, 1923, in Detroit and was a resident of the Reed City area most of her life. She was a veteran, serving in the Womens Army Corp. from 1942-45. She was employed with Ferris State University in food service for 25 years, retiring in 1987. She was married Nov. 25, 1967, to Royal Toman who passed away in 1987. She is survived by one son, Dick of Merrick, N.H.; two daughters, Margie (Gerald) Knuth of Rockford and Wendy (Robert) Rolston of Reed City; her brother, Orville Davis of Marion; her sister, Mary Armstrong of Marion, Ohio; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and her sister-in-law, Genevieve Cogswell of Greenville. She was predeceased by one brother, two sisters and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 23, 2000 at 11 a.m. from the Pruitt-Livingston Funeral Home in Reed City with the Rev. David Stansky officiating. Burial will be at Ashton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation and envelopes are available at the funeral home where friends may call Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

Marion Switzer
BIG RAPIDS -- Marion C. Switzer, 94 of Paris, died Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2000, at Metron Nursing Home. She was born March 16, 1906, in Paris, the daughter of Chester and Lucy West and resided is Paris all her life. As a young woman, Marion attended Ferris Institute, where she received a degree in teaching which she utilized for approximately five years before beginning to raise her family of five. In 1951, she returned to teaching until her retirement in the early 1970s after 28 years. Marion was a long time member of the Paris United Methodist Church where she played piano, taught Sunday School and was active in the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed bird watching, flowers, assisting school children with annual Christmas plays and was especially fond of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Surviving are two daughters, Donna (John) Johnson of Grand Rapids and Lucy (Richard) Kailing of Big Rapids; a son, John (Loretta) Switzer of Tampa, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Switzer in 1966 and by two sons, Kenneth in 1993 and Mike in 1995. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Rogers-Mohnke Funeral Home with the Rev. Dawn Beamish officiating. Burial will be in the Park Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions to the Paris United Methodist Church may be left at the funeral home, where her family will greet friends today (Thursday) from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and prior to services on Saturday.

Frederick E. Doughty
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Frederick E. Doughty, 74 of Remus, died Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2000, in the Central Michigan Community Hospital in Mount Pleasant. Mr. Doughty was born July 11, 1926, in Ann Arbor, the son of Ole and Louise (Leicht) Doughty. He served in the Navy from July 8, 1944 to July 6, 1946. He was a veteran of World War II. He retired from General Telephone after 41 years of service. He was a long time member of the Remus Lions Club. He married Lenora Faye Jones on Aug. 30, 1946 in Grand Rapids. He is survived by his wife, Lenora Faye Doughty of Remus; two sons, John Doughty of Sterling Heights and William (Teresa) Doughty of Remus; two daughters, Kathy (Tony) Matthews of Weidman and Deborah (Michael) Behler of Lake Odessa; one brother, Louie (Donna) Doughty of Mount Pleasant; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, two sisters and his son, David Doughty. Memorials may be left at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at the Crittenden-Hansen Funeral Home in Remus. Officiating is the Rev. Peter H. Russell and burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery of Mount Pleasant. Visitation will be Friday from 9 a.m. to the time of the service.

Barbara Lou Colley
SHERIDAN TWP. -- Barbara Lou Colley, 70 of Mecosta, died Friday, Sept. 22, 2000, at her home in Sheridan Township. She was born in Flint to the late Linten and Lilie Caryl Dennis. Barbara lived in the Barryton area for 29 years, coming from Ionia. She worked for Jen-Core Management for 40 years, retiring in 1992. She married Howard Colley in Barryton on Feb. 27, 1971 and they made their home in the Barryton area. She is survived by her husband, Howard L. Colley, of Mecosta; three sons, Frederick Kammeras of Lyon, James Kammeras of Greenville, and Timothy (Debra) Colley of Ionia; three daughters, Bonita Kammeras of Sheridan, Darlene (Don) Lance of Alma, and Connie Kenny of Fenwick; one brother, Gerry (Rose) Dennis of Remus; and two sisters, Florena Maroulis of Ionia and Hazel Howe of Mecosta. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. from the Lake funeral Home in Ionia with Rev. Robert Girdwood officiating. Interment will be in the North Plains Cemetery in Ionia. Friends may call at the Crittenden-Hansen Funeral Home today (Saturday) from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and at the Lake Funeral Home Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to Hospice of Michigan, Big Rapids office.

Carol Belile
BIG RAPIDS -- Carol Belile, 61 of Morley, passed away Friday, Sept. 22, 2000, at Mecosta County General Hospital. She was born July 3, 1939, in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Joseph and Lillian (Hook) Totten. During her working years she worked as a nurses aide as well as working in various factories. Carol had a love for bingo and going to the casinos. In 1973 she married Thomas Belile, who survives. Carol is also survived by her two sons, James (Tami) Brinks of Elkhart, Ind., and Anthony (Laura) Rutkowski of Wyoming; one daughter, Leanne (Brian) Vanderhooning of Cedar Springs; eight grandchildren; one sister, Nancy (Tom) Reed of Byron Center; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Norman Brinks. Friends may call at the Heckman-Mohnke Funeral Home today (Monday) from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. for visitation.

Jerrine Ruth Trimner
REED CITY -- Jerrine Ruth Trimner, 78 of Hersey, died Tuesday, Sept. 26, at Spectrum Health Reed City Campus. She was born April 15, 1922, in Hersey, the daughter of Will and Bernice (Blanchard) Ramy, and was a lifetime resident of the area. On July 3, 1948, she married Edward F. Trimner, who survives. Also surviving are one daughter, Karen Dutescu of Big Rapids; three sons, Gary (Carolyn) Trimner of Howell, Edward L. (Shelly) Trimner of Fort Myers, Fla., and Richard Archibald; six grandchildren, Dax Allen, Eduard Dutescu, Rebeckah Schautz, Nicole Trimner, Darren Trimner and Sarah Trimner; four sisters, Esther Mathia of Milan, Letha Peacock of Morley, Winfred Stocking of California, and Martha Wallace of Frankenmuth; and several nieces and nephews. Private family services and burial will be Friday at the Crapo Cemetery near Paris. Memorial contributions to the Women's Information Service, Inc. (W.I.S.E.) or the Osceola County Commission on Aging may be left at the Rogers-Mohnke Funeral Home, where her family will greet friends today (Thursday) from 4 to 8 p.m.