Michelle Jeannine Taylor, born in Pontiac, Dec. 5, 1980, died Thursday AM, Aug. 28, 2008 at the age of 27 years. Preceded in death by her mother, Denise (Parke) Taylor, she in survived by her parents Jay and Joan Taylor of Linden; her brother, Jason (Alana) Taylor of Chicago, IL; step-brothers and sister, Michael (Karen) Pompei of Grand Blanc, Colleen (Mark) Twede of CA, Stephan (Angie) Pompei of Grand Blanc, Jason Pompei of Flint; uncles and aunts Robert and Celina Taylor of Wolverine Village and Ed and Cathy Swan of Lewiston. Visitation will be from 2-9 P.M. Tuesday at the Dryer Funeral Home, Holly. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Fenton Ward at 4285 McCandlish Rd., Grand Blanc with Bishop Craig Hayden presiding. Burial will be in Hillview Cemetery, Clarkston. Michelle graduated from Linden High School with honors and recently received her diploma from Hair Force Academy in Cosmetology. www.dryerfuneralhomeholly v
Gertrude R. Myers, age 85 of Holly died Sun. Aug. 24, 2008. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thurs. Aug. 28, 2008 at the Dryer Funeral Home, Holly. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Holly. Visitation will be from 2-5 and 7-9 P.M. Tues. and Wed. Mrs. Myers was born on Dec. 2, 1922 the daughter of George and Helen Hicks. She was a member of the Holly Apostolic Church. Surviving are 3 children, Edith (Steve) Rodgers of Holly, Gerald Myers of Holly, and Patricia (Keith) Cool of Holly; 7 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law Marge Hicks of Mt. Pleasant. She was preceded in death by her husband Stanley George Myers and her son Bill Myers. Memorial donations may be given to the family.
Lee Michael Millis, age 23 of Holly died Sun. Aug. 17, 2008. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008 at the Dryer Funeral Home, Holly with Father David Blazek officiating. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Holly. Visitation will be from 2-5 and 7-9 P.M. Wednesday. Lee was born in Flint on March 31, 1985 the son of Michael and Marcia (Hall) Millis. He graduated from Holly High School in 2003. He is survived by his parents Michael and Marcia Millis of Holly; sisters Amber and Amanda Millis; brother Lance Millis; grandparents Leroy and Betsy Millis of Holly and Earl and Sharon Hall of Davisburg; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Memorial donation may be made to the Holly Athletic Boosters.
Sharon H. Clark, age 65, formerly of Burton diedAug. 16, 2008 in Palm City, FL after a battle with cancer. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sat. Aug. 23, 2008 at the Dryer Funeral Home, Holly. Visitation will be from 12- 2 P.M. Saturday. Mrs. Clark was born in Detroit on Nov. 21, 1942 the daughter of Alvin and Lucille (Franklin) Shutz. She was a wonderful mother, a rock of support for her family. She is survived by 5 children, Dawn (Kenneth) Ward of FL, Allen Clark of FL, Andrea (Michael) Kennedy of Prudenville, Carl (Barbara) Clark of Zeeland, and Carl William Clark of Temperance; 11 grandchildren; brother Alvin Shutz of KY; and sister Sandra Linn of Burton. She was preceded in death by her husband Carl Clark and her sister Sherry Olson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the family.
Lott W. (Skip) Everly of Fenton/Holly, MI went home to be with his Lord on August 12, 2008. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, August 15, 2008 at the Dryer Funeral Home, Holly with Pastor Ed Pedley and Pastor Jack Harris officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8 P.M. Thursday. Skip was born in Pontiac, Mi on February 5, 1930 to Lott Willard Everly Sr. and Emma Rose (Wolf) Everly. A 1947 graduate of Holly High School, Skip served in the U.S. Air Force from 1948 to 1953 as a Staff Sargeant-Electrician's Mate. He married Charlotte (Jewell) Everly on August 18, 1950. Skip's stories and his sense of humor will be missed by his children; Caryn (Steven) Ellison of Mishawaka, IN; Sherlynn Everly (James) Clark of Holly; and Thomas Lott (Mary) Everly of Garyling, MI; his six grandchildren: Andrew (Laura) Ellison; Matthew (Johanna) Ellison; Benjamin Ellison; Jason and Jim Clark; and Thomas C. Everly; and his three great-grandchildren: Martin, Beatrice, and Flannery Ellison; and "the other sister" Noreen (Koan) Perry. Skip is also survived by two sisters Ellen (Ellis) Studebaker and Lorraine (Enoch) Studebaker, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by sisters Lylah (Eldore) Klender and Jeanne (Harry) Houghton. Skip was employed by Detroit Broach and Machine Co. of Rochester, MI; retired from Sutter Products/George Fisher System/DISA in Holly. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and took many trips in the U.S. and Canada with his wife and grandsons. Active member of the First Baptist Chucrh of Holly for more than fifty years, Skip served as an Usher, Trustee, Deacon, Financial Secretary and Groundskeeper. Always a leader, Skip served the Village of Holly as a Councilmember and Village President. For several years he volunteered with the American Red Cross Blood Bank. Skip and his family were recognized as Holly's Family of the Year in 1997. Memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church of Holly - Missions or Deacons Fund, 15030 N. Holly Rd. Holly, MI 4842; or Avalon Hospice, 2360 Stonebridge Dr., Flint, MI 48532.
Michael Joseph Davis, age 42 of Chesterfield Twp., formerly of Holly and Clinton Twp. died Thurs. Oct. 15, 2009. Memorial services will be held at 6:00 P.M. Wed. Oct. 21, 2009 at the Dryer Funeral Home, Holly. Visitation will be from 4-6 P.M Wednesday. Interment and military honors will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly. Mr. Davis was born in Detroit on Oct. 16, 1966. He served in the US Navy from 1990 to 1994. He was employed as an electrician in automotive automation technology. He is survived by his mother Mary Padot of Fenton; father James (Sharleen) Davis of Clinton Twp.; brothers and sister Jim (Karen) Davis of GA, Shari (Troy) Bridger of Grand Blanc, and Nick Davis of Clinton Twp; nephews and nieces Stevie, Ryan, Brett, Gabby, and Joe. Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Janice E. (Taylor) Miller, age 57 of Holly died in Christ Thurs. April 23, 2009. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Mon. April 27, 2009 at Calvary United Methodist Church, Holly with Rev. Faith Timmons officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at Calvary United Methodist Church. Janice was born October 3, 1951 in Flint, MI the daughter of Milton and Doris (Robinson) Taylor. Janice lived her life in service to God and others. She loved cooking, reading, music, community service and travel. In recent years her adventures included a cross-country drive to Seattle, trips to Arizona and Wisconsin, cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean and Italy, and her trip of a lifetime to Paris and London. She is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 37 years Jeff Miller; 3 children Jennifer (Matt) Hein of Wausau, WI, Morgan (Nicole Gressa) Miller of Issaquah, WA and Matthew Min-Ho Miller of Hazel Park; 2 grandchildren Gideon Matthew Hein and
Miriam Glavin Hein; mother Doris Taylor-Bissell of Mt. Morris; brother David Taylor of Merritt; sister June (Dennis) Cronkright of Gladwin; sister Ellen (Kenny) Williams of Montrose. She was preceded in death by her father Milton “Bud” Taylor. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary United Methodist Church of Holly or Hidden Springs Church of Howell, MI.
Howard L. Cobb, age 87, longtime resident of Holly died Thursday April 16, 2009. WWII Navy veteran, Howard moved from Pawnee City, NE to Holly following the war, where he met the love of his life, Irene Trimmer. He retired from Fisher Body/GM where he was Director of Benefits and Finance. He always remained loyal to American ingenuity and believed in what the auto industry represented. Howard will be remembered, lovingly as a dedicated and wonderful husband of 61 years to Irene, who passed away in November, and as a supportive father to Maureen Cobb of Holly and Alan (Mary) Cobb of Troy. He filled the lives of his grandchildren, Alison (Matt) Murchie, Ian and Elizabeth Cobb with joy and laughter. His great-grandchildren, Claire and Sophie Murchie will never forget his big hugs and warm smiles. Visitation will be held at the Dryer Funeral Home in Holly from 3-5 Sat. and from 2-4 and 6-8 PM Sun. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, April 20, 2009 at the Dryer Funeral Home, with Rev. Audrey Charlton officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Avalon Hospice because of the wonderful care given to Howard's wife Irene.
Ervin E. Freimark
The next time you look into the sky and see the white steam trailing from a jet plane melting into a blue sky, or melding with the other clouds in our small stratosphere, you can remember men like Ervin E. Freimark. And the next time you board for another journey in the sky, and trust that you’ll get there, thank master aircraft mechanics like Ervin E. Freimark. Now this mentor, master, husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, grandfather, and great-grandfather is soaring like an eagle in the Lord’s heavens after passing this earth’s gravity on April 2, 2009 in Holly, Michigan. He had suffered 3 ½ years from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Ervin E. Freimark, Jr. grew up in Carleton, Michigan in a house, in a chicken coop, and on a farm. He was guardian for the rest of his brothers and sisters, the jealous protector of his sweet mother, the reliable Excalibur for his devoted wife of 54 years, and the “Do-Dad” of his five sons and one daughter. He could do anything, even if he couldn’t.
Firstborn child to Ricka (Venzke) and Ervin H. Freimark on December 13, 1934, he adapted into a world of work ethic and responsibility. Baptized the same month at Trinity Lutheran in Monroe, he also confirmed his faith in Jesus as his Savior and the Lord his guide at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waltz. He graduated in 1953 from Airport High School where he met his forever-love Lois. Though his sensibilities touched on the artistic in music and poetry, he was known more for his practicality and common sense. An avid learner, he believed in achieving pie-in-the-sky dreams, and dumped a factory job for schooling in a budding technology, to which he dedicated his life. He eventually earned his FAA inspector’s license, was a speaker, and determined scholarships in aviation at the college level.
He married Lois Yoas on June 5,1954 and finished off a pre-built little pink house in the 50’s while working at Willow Run Airport. Years later he dug a basement underneath it with a tractor and a scoop. Knowing that his brood was growing beyond these frames, he moved his family to Newport and then to Monroe. He was a lead singer in the Floral City Barbershop Chorus and performed on stage in Michigan and England. In Monroe, he worked as chief of aircraft maintenance for Monroe Auto Equipment on their corporate airplane. The executives who flew knew they were going only if Erv said it was ready to fly. When Tenneco bought the Monroe Auto Equipment empire, Erv followed to Racine, Wisconsin and made sure executives made their meetings.
But after less than a year, Erv longed for Michigan again, and his former chief pilot, Art Trowbridge, encouraged him to go into the employ of Volkswagen of America to maintain their corporate aircraft. Erv, Lois, and young son Dennis moved into the Highland, Michigan area, where lakes abounded and Erv was able to treat his entire family entourage to boat excursions and skiing opportunities. Anything with a propeller was his passion. He continued singing and performing with the Milford Barbershop Chorus.
When the economy made it difficult for corporations to employ aircraft departments, Erv began as an entrepreneurial contractor and seasoned inspector as owner of Aircraft Technical Services at Pontiac Airport, serving Volkswagen of America. But when his little brother Ken retired to Canada Creek Ranch in Atlanta, Michigan, Erv also dreamed of retiring to this peaceful wooded setting where he could boat and hunt to his heart’s content. He and Lois bought a home there, and besides beaches and woodlands, they also enjoyed snowmobiling well into their seventies. Erv and Lois remained members at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hillman, Michigan.
Erv made many friends at Canada Creek, including gentle giant Russ and busy beaver Tom. Ervin created many birdhouses and whirligigs for friends and family there. His children and grandchildren and great grandchildren will remember Erv as the boat grandpa, the workboot dad, and the man who was both skeptic and huckleberry. He would stand for you and tell you where you were wrong in the same day. His love for Jesus was evident in that he believed in perfection and that its attainment was only in the next world.
Erv continued his skills working on private aircraft and involvement at the state level with the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association. His crowning glory was receiving the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award from the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration in August, 2006, granted to him for over 50 years in the aircraft maintenance industry. His name was registered in the Smithsonian Institute. He celebrated this award at one of his beginning places, Custer Airport in Monroe, Michigan, and made front page news.
He leaves behind nearly innumerable people to mourn the likes of someone whose strength and character were evident in everything he did, including sons Bruce (Nancy), Glenn (Tobi), Jerry, Scott (Donna), and Dennis (Dawn) and princess daughter Rhonda (Mike) Ziethlow. Grandchildren and great grandchildren remembering the boat-grandpa include in order of appearance: Michael, Curtis, Matt, Rachel, Joel, Rhonda, Justin, Jerralyn, Jeremy, Katelyn, Jessica, Leigh, Paula, Benjamin, Tyler, Skyleigh, Tristan, C.J., Karen, Baby Bob, Jackson, Joshua, and Caden. Sisters and brothers remembering the brother who kept them in line are Rosalie (Henry) Dile, John (Carol), Judith (Hal) Jonas, and Kenneth.
Erv was the patriarch of the family by default, a role he relished at reunions and family gatherings. He will be missed until we meet again and his practical, skeptical, creative, musical, humorous spirit will live on in all of his progeny. Fly on, Erv.
Visitation will be held at Dryer Funeral Home in Holly, Michigan on Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5 from 2 until 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grand Blanc, Michigan on Monday, April 6 at 11 a.m. followed by a luncheon at the church. Burial is at Michigan Memorial Cemetery, Flat Rock, Michigan at 3:30 p.m. that afternoon.
Memorials may be made to Genesys Hospice through the funeral home or to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.
Myron E. "Joe" Goforth, age 85 of Davisburg, died Thurs. March 19, 2009. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, March 23, 2009 at the Dryer Funeral Home, Holly with Pastor Gary Evans officiating. Visitation will be from 2-5 and 7-9 P.M. Sunday. Mr. Goforth was born in Pontiac on May 26, 1923 the son of Charles and Blanche (Massey) Goforth. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the US Navy and Marines. He was a retired wood pattern maker. He was a beloved husband and uncle. Surviving are his wife Jeane; nephews Robert (Teresa)
Goforth of Fenton, niece Ruth Goforth of Davisburg, and nephew John Goforth of Davisburg. He was preceded in death by his brother Charles W. Goforth Jr. Memorial donations may be made to Neighbor for Neighbor.
