Rodney R. Shannon
Died Saturday morning May 26, 2001 at Covenant Cooper. Age 97, he was born March 17, 1904 in Fairgrove, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas and Eleanor (Crowley) Shannon. He married Elsie E. LeValley March 24, 1929 . Rodney was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Caro and had been employed for Buick Motor Co. and Defoe Shipbuilding, but most of his life was devoted to working the family farm. In 1960 he built the first all electric house in Tuscola Co. His hobbies included hunting and beekeeping. For the past 29 years he and Elsie spent the winter months in Fla. He is survived by wife: Elsie of Fairgrove; 6 children: Donna and husband Wendell Pafford of Essexville; Douglas Shannon of Fairgrove; Mert Periard of Fla.; Mary Ann Shannon of Bay City; Marie and husband Keith J. Goslin of Gagetown; Sherry and husband Paul T. Vaughn of Mayville; 21 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a granddaugther Marsha, daughter-in-law Delores Shannon and also 2 sisters. Funeral services will take place 11:00 am Monday May 28, 2001 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Caro, Rev. Fr. Kenneth Yaroch will officiate with burial at Brookside Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Martin Funeral Home- Clark Chapel in Fairgrove from 3-9 pm, Sunday and at the church on Monday from 10:00 am until time of service. A Prayer Service will be held at the funeral home at 7:30 pm Sunday. Memorials may be directed to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Caro.
Morris Sowden
Of the Millington and Vassar area, age 69, died Thursday, May 24, 2001 at St. Marys Hospital in Saginaw. Morey was born July 7, 1931 in Cass City, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis and Myrtle B. (Hill) Sowden. He and Elizabeth Thorpe were united in marriage April 9, 1955 at Frasier Presbyterian Church in Cass City. Morris served with the U.S. Army from 1951 until 1954, during the Korean Conflict, and was stationed in the Philippines. Morris was employed at G.M. Truck and Coach in Pontiac as a parts locator from 1965 until 1978. He and his wife Betsy owned and operated Skateway Arena in Vassar from December 1977 until March 1987. Morris was a member of the Roller Skating Rink Operations Association. He was a member of the Vassar First Presbyterian Church where he served as Church custodian since 1985. Surviving are, his wife, Betsy; daughter, Minnie L. and husband Richard Avery of Caro; son, Rayford D. and wife Maureen Sowden of Vassar; grandchildren, Dena and husband Paul Garrison of Vassar, Alaina Garlick of Vassar; Shelley Dziesinski, Kendra Leach, Jill Leach, and Stephanie Leach all of Millington; brothers and sisters, Clifford and wife Glenna Sowden of Yale, Marshall Sowden of Cass City; Myrtle and husband Dean Rabideau of Cass City, David and wife Pat Sowden of Almont, Nancy Lee Brown of Cass City, Arthur and wife Marjorie Battel of Cass City, Lawrence and wife Lillian Neaves of Las Vegas; step-mother Jenny Kappen of Cass City, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one sister. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Sunday at Vassar First Presbyterian Church with Rev. John Becker officiating. Burial services will be 2:00pm Tuesday at the Cass City Cemetery. Family will be present at the Martin Funeral Home, Clark Chapel in Vassar to receive friends 12 noon until 9:00 pm Saturday and 9:00 am until 12 noon on Sunday. There will be visitation at the church on Sunday from 1:00 pm until time of services at 2:00 pm. Those desiring, may consider memorial contributions to the Presbyterian Church or the family. Envelopes are available at the funeral home or at church. Arrangements by Martin Funeral Home, Clark Chapel, top of the hill in Vassar.
Susan Diane Williams
Age 49, of Birch Run, died Thursday, May 24, 2001 at her home. Funeral services will take place 4:00 pm, Sunday, May 27, 2001 from Miles Martin Funeral Home. Pastor Mike Weslock officiating with cremation to follow. Family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 12-4pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the family fund, envelopes are available at the funeral home. Susan was born September 11, 1951 in Flint, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George and Delores (Pfeiffer) Parker. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. Surviving are, 3 children, Bridget Brannan, Rich and wife Shelli Brannan, Brenda and husband Chris McRae, 16 grandchildren, mother, Delores and husband Kenneth Goodroe, father, George and wife Sandy Parker, brothers, Barry and wife Julie Parker, Edward and wife Tammy Parker, George Parker, Martin and wife Tina Parker, sisters, Kathy and husband Johnny Barrett, Sherry Montelongo, step-sisters, Kendra Muelhen and Janel Phillips, grandmother, Verna Bissell, Susan was preceded in death by her grandfather, Carl Pfeiffer and her step-grandfather, Truman Bissell.
John S. Toth
Age 74, of Mt. Morris, died Monday, May 21, 2001 at his home. Funeral service will be held 12 noon, Thursday, May 24, 2001 from St. Mary Catholic Church. Rev. Fr. Raymond Urbanek officiating. Interment in Flint Memorial Park. Family will be present at the funeral home on Wednesday from 11-9pm. Wednesday evening, family, friends, and parish will gather at the funeral home to pray the Rosary at 7:30pm. Thursday morning, John will be taken to church to lie in state from 11 am until the time of service at 12 noon. John was born February 11, 1927 in Holden, West Virginia the son of Mr. Joseph Toth and Mrs. Julia (Kovach) Trites. He graduated from St. Mary High School in 1945. John and Barbara Johnson were united in marriage on July 31, 1948 at St. Mary Catholic Church. He volunteered for the Mt. Morris Fire Dept. for 25 years and he worked for Buick with over 43 years of service, retiring in 1982. John loved hunting and fishing and was an amateur gunsmith. Surviving are his wife Barbara; 3 children: Michael and wife Deborah Toth; Patti and husband William Parrish; Lucinda Toth and fiancé Donald Rowe; 3 grandchildren: Tiffany Hense; Rochelle and Amanda Parrish; brother: William and wife Eileen Toth; his beloved puppies, Maggie and Baby, several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents and brother Joseph.
Peppina Natalie Celeste Mastroeni
Age 37, of Genesee Twp. died Sunday May 20, 2001 at Hurley Medical Center. Funeral Service will take place 2:00 p.m. Wednesday May 23, 2001 at the Miles Martin Funeral Home, Mr. Vernon Lawrence officiating with burial in Pinckney Cemetery at 4:00p.m. The family will receive friends at the Miles Martin Funeral Home Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Natalie was born March 18, 1964 . She is survived by her parents John and Norma Mastroeni of Pinckney, Michigan 2 Brothers and 3 Sisters: Jody Mastroeni and husband Frank Garber of Grand Rapids, Michigan; John and wife Gerilyn Mastroeni of Howell, Michigan; Toni and husband Daryl Wetzel of Pinckney, Michigan; Gina and husband Marv Evans of Pinckney, Michigan; Charles Mastroeni of Pinckney, Michgan; 1 Niece and 1 Nephew Violet and John Mastroeni.
Carmen Frances Spencer
Age 87, died Saturday May 19, 2001 in Genesys Goodrich Hospice Center. Cremation has taken place. She was born September 29, 1913 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the Daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Hammond. Surviving are: 2 sons and 1 daughter: Joseph T. Spencer; Charles W. Nelson Jr. and Christine S. York.
Esther M. Yuhos
Age 72, of Mt. Morris, died Friday, May 18, 2001 at the McLaren Hospice Center. Funeral services will take place 11:00 am, Monday, May 21, 2001 from St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Morris. Rev. Fr. Raymond Urbanek officiating. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Family will be present at the funeral home to receive friends on Saturday from 6-9 pm and on Sunday from 12-9 pm. On Sunday evening, family, friends, and parish will gather at the funeral home to pray the Rosary at 7 pm. On Monday morning, Esther will be taken to church to lie in state from 10 am until the time of service at 11 am. Esther was born July 2, 1928 in Vaga, Czechoslovakia, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John and Mary (Kiacz) Forro. She and Joseph V. Yuhos were united in marriage on April 16, 1955 in Flint at St. Joseph, Church. He preceded her in death on July 27, 1994. Esther was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. Surviving are son: Paul and wife Kelly Yuhos of Montrose; daughter: Monica and husband Ron Howdyshell of Flint; son: Andrew Yuhos of Mt. Morris; daughter: Mary Ellen and husband Rich Garduno of Mesa, AZ,; son: Ronald Yuhos of Lapeer; son: Kenneth and wife Kelly Yuhos of Clio; daughter: Carol and husband Celso Aranjo of Chandler, AZ; 8 grandchildren: Angela Yuhos, Christopher Yuhos, Joseph Yuhos, Matthew Howdyshell, Danielle Yuhos, Jordan Aranjo, Alexander Aranjo, brother, Frank and wife Margaret Forro of Davison, sister, Helen Bourassa, AZ, mother, Mary Forro of Davison. Esther was preceded in death by her father, John Forro, and her husband, Joseph.
