FLORENCE A. GERE
Mrs. Florence A. (Flo) Gere of Millington, died on Monday, May 24, 2004, at the Genesys Health Park in Grand Blanc, Michigan. She was 91 years old.
Mrs. Gere was born, August 20,1912, in Tuscola, Michigan, the daughter of Owen and Hannora (Putnam) Gere. She was a Millington resident her entire life.
She married Maurice Gere on November 18, 1933. The couple celebrated 49 years of marriage before Maurice died in September of 1982.
Mrs. Gere was employed for 30 years with General Motors, at the AC-Spark Plug Division in Flint. She was a member of the UAW Local 651. She also was a member of the Vassar Fraternal Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary Aerie 2380, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the St. Helen American Legion Post #416 in St. Helen, Michigan.
Mrs. Gere loved to bowl. She bowled for 43 years on the Thursday Night Ladies League in Vassar. She loved playing cards, shuffle board and spending time with her family and friends.
Surviving are one son, Larry and Lori Gere of Millington; two granddaughters, Melanie Gere of Lexington, Kentucky and Kristen Gere of Millington; along with several nieces and nephews and many friends.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Myrtie Lee and Edith Withers, along with two very dear friends, Helen Jobson and Curt Hampel.
Funeral services were held at the Hanlin Funeral Home on May 27 at 1 p.m., with internment to follow at the Millington Township Cemetery.
Gifts of remembrance can be directed to the family.
MARY ANN MCCRUMB
Mrs. Mary Ann McCrumb of Vassar, died on Saturday, July 3, 2004, surrounded by her family. She was 69 years of age.
Mrs. McCrumb was born on November 26, 1935 in Detroit, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lorne and Marie (Weidenhamer) Monkhouse. She was raised in the Silverwood-Mayville area where she attended school in Mayville. She had lived in Vassar for the past 52 years where she and Robert McCrumb were united in marriage on July 26, 1974 at the First Presbyterian Church of Vassar. She retired in the summer of 2003 from Zehnder's of Frankenmuth where she was a dedicated and loyal supervisor with 38 years of service. She was completely devoted to her family and friends and will be greatly missed.
Survivors include her husband, Bob; her nine children, Penny Germain of Vassar, Doug and wife Laura Bellamy of Fenton, Rod and wife Cinde Bellamy of Grand Blanc, Becky and husband Jim Gorleski of Vassar, Chuck and wife Rene Bellamy of Vassar, Todd and wife Denise Bellamy of Vassar, Don and wife JoAnn McCrumb of Vassar, Diane German of Reese, Dean McCrumb and Roxanne of Millington-Vassar; 25 grandchildren, Scott and wife Julie Germain of Vassar, Dan and wife Chris Germain of Vassar, Bill Germain of Vassar, Jeremy Bellamy of Fenton, Melanie and Brian Sheppard of Fenton, Rachel Babcock of Fenton, Mara Lee Babcock of Fenton, Ron Bellamy of Grand Blanc, Bob and wife Brenda Nancarrow of Corunna, Autumn and husband Chris Lamb of Traverse City, Malissa and husband Wayne Mansueto of Vassar, Mary Gorleski of Vassar, Mason Gorleski of Vassar, Trent Bellamy of Vassar, Haley Bellamy of Vassar, Trevor Bellamy of Vassar, Lindsay Bellamy of Vassar, Mack Bellamy of Vassar, Loren Bellamy of Vassar, Wendy and husband Andy Heinrich of Vassar, Cheri and husband Rich Zietz of Saginaw, Alana and husband Doug Eckenswiller of Reese, David and wife Erin German of Clio, Bobbie and wife Tracy McCrumb of Frankenmuth, Michael McCrumb of Caro; 22 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Gwen Rose of Warren, Lorna and husband Dave Wiljanen of Farmington Hills; several nieces and nephews; her extended family and friends throughout her living and work at Zehnder's.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 7, 2004 at the Martin Funeral Home-Clark Chapel. Pastor John Becker officiated.
Memorials may be directed to Lutheran Hospice.
SHELLI A. EDGINGTON
Shelli A. Edgington of Vassar, died Sunday, July 4, 2004 at her residence. She was 40 years of age.
Shelli was born February 19, 1964 in Owosso, the daughter of James and Joyce (White) Bowles. She is a 1982 graduate of Corunna High School. She received an Associate's Degree in the Executive Secretarial department from Baker College in Flint. She was a proud member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. She was employed at Nash-Finch Super Food in Bridgeport as a merchandising clerk.
On September 23, 1989 she married Dale K. Edgington in Owosso. She was a member of the Holiness Missionary Church in Vassar. She enjoyed working hard and being at home spending time with her husband, her son and her family.
Survivors include her husband, Dale; son, Brandon at home; two sisters, Kim Dewey of Lansing, Robin (Ron) Durepo of Bancroft; her parents, James and Joyce Bowles of Owosso; nieces and nephews, Kristin Klump, Rylie and Ryan Durepo; grandmothers, Marjorie White-Koch and Lucille Bowles, both of Owosso; many aunts, uncles and cousins; father and mother-in-law, Larry and Margaret Edgington of Jonesville; brother-in-law, Neal Edgington of Hillsdale; and special friend, Peggy Hall of Vassar.
She was preceded in death by two grandfathers, Herbert T. White and William R. Bowles; and two uncles, William W. Bowles and Richard A. White.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, July 8, 2004 at the Nelson-House Funeral Home in Owosso. Pastor Mary Grimshaw and Pastor John Amstutz officiated.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Shriner's Children's Hospital.
MARY ESTHER BOYLE
Mrs. Mary Esther Boyle of Vassar, died Wednesday, June 23, 2004 at the Lutheran Home of Frankenmuth. She was 84 years of age.
Mrs. Boyle was born on June 25, 1919 in Vassar to the late E.C. and Mary (Wilson) Brainerd. She graduated from Vassar High School and then attended Michigan State University. She married Wayne E. Boyle on August 16, 1941 in Vassar. She had resided in the Vassar and Bay Park area since 1972.
Before returning to Vassar, Mrs. Boyle resided in Detroit with her husband and daughter. She was very active in the Alumni group of Kappa Delta, her college sorority in Detroit and held many high offices within that group. She was also active in the Detroit area Girl Scouts and was a leader for 11 years, in addition to being active in many of her church groups while in Detroit. She was a member of the Red Cross Grey Ladies for 20 years at Mt. Carmel Hospital in Detroit. Most recently she was very involved in the Emens Scholars Program at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, which is named for her late sister Aline and her husband Dr. John R. Emens, president emeritus of Ball State University.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Marianne and Ronald Roblin of Vassar; many nieces and a nephew; and great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne and her three sisters, Dorotha, Aline and Ruth.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2004 at 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Vassar, Pastor John W. Becker will officiate. Immediately following the service a meal will be served in the lower level of the church.
In lieu of flowers those who would like to remember Mrs. Boyle with a donation may wish to consider the Emens Scholars Program. Envelopes will be available at the church at the time of the memorial service.
Funeral arrangements were in the care of Penzien-Steele Funeral Home/Hanlin Chapel in Vassar.
BIRDIE H. LEWIS
Birdie H. Lewis of Vassar, died on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at Frankenmuth Lutheran Home. She was 93 years of age.
Mrs. Lewis was born on March 14, 1911 in Vassar, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison and Harriet (Ratcliff) Haskin. She and Hubert M. Lewis were united in marriage on October 10, 1928. He preceded her in death November 15, 1969.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Vassar, the Huldah Rebekah Lodge #168 and the American Legion Auxiliary #117. She enjoyed spending time with her family, crocheting, sewing and playing cards.
Survivors include her two daughters, Youtha (Stanley) Jacot of Ft. Meyers, Florida and Sharon (Jack) Hoornstra of Vassar; grandchildren, Scot (Carol) Jacot of Grayling, Roxy (Kim) Alvesteffer of Beaverton, John L. Hoornstra of Vassar, James (Vicki) Hoornstra of Grayling, Susan (Brian) Godde of Mt. Pleasant; great-grandchildren, Kristen (Stephen) Garber, Jason (Jamie) Jacot, Kevin Jacot, Eric and Jeanne Bublitz, Monica and John H. Hoornstra, Trudy and Christi Godde; great-great-grandchildren, Allen, Isaiah, Logan and Jeton Jacot; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Hubert and a great-grandson, James Hoornstra.
A memorial service will take place on Sunday, July 11, 2004 at 2 p.m. at the Vassar First Presbyterian Church with Reverend John Becker officiating. Family will be present to receive friends at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Those desiring may consider memorial contributions to the Vassar First Presbyterian Church.
Arrangements were made by Martin Funeral Home, Clark Chapel of Vassar.
ARLENE L. KNORR
Arlene L. Knorr of Swartz Creek, Michigan, died on Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Medilodge in Montrose. She was 93 years of age.
Mrs. Knorr was born on March 1, 1911 in Vassar, the daughter of Albert and Maud (Maxwell) Warner. She had resided in Vassar and Otter Lake for many years and also Swartz Creek.
She was a member of the Vassar Baptist Church and the Otter Lake Nazarene Church. She was a member of the Blue Star Mothers. She was a Red Cross volunteer and a member of the F.O.E. Ladies Auxiliary, where she had served as President and Chaplain.
Survivors include four children: William D. and wife Carolyn Dayton of Swartz Creek, Michigan, Katherine and husband Dale Staley of Burton, Michigan, James and wife Colleen Dayton of Putnam Station, New York and Richard Alexander; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Ruth Fraser of Burton and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, in Swartz Creek. Pastor Bob Coen officiated. Interment followed at Riverside Cemetery in Vassar.
ETHEL ESTHER BLACKMER
Mrs. Ethel Esther Blackmer of Vassar, formerly of Gaylord, died on Monday, July 19, 2004 in Saginaw. She was 84 years of age.
Mrs. Blackmer was born on April 20, 1920 in Detroit. She was a resident of Gaylord for approximately 25 years and then moved to Vassar in 1999. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Gaylord, the Altar Guild and the First United Methodist Women Hope Circle. She enjoyed reading and crocheting.
Survivors include her children: Keith O. of Gaylord, Kenneth C. (Connie) of Millington, and Krystal Hoy of Saginaw; seven grandchildren: Robert, Terry, Jodie Hascall and Stephen, Sherrill, Scott Blackmer and Michele (Jeff) Szilagyi; eight great-grandchildren; son-in-law: Gerald Hascall of Watrousville.
Mrs. Blackmer was preceded in death by her husband Leeman in 1998 and her daughter Marilyn Joy Hascall in 1989.
Memorial services were held on Monday, July 26, 2004 at 11: 30 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Gaylord with Revered Dr. John H. Bunce officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Church in Gaylord, for the maintenance of the memorial garden, through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, Michigan, 49734.
