You are currently browsing the monthly archive for October 2010.
Mr. John Eldon LaPree, Jr., Age 55 of Grant, died Saturday, October 30, 2010 in Fremont. He was born John Eldon LaPree, Jr. in Grant, Michigan the son of Joyce Ann (Mitchell) and John Eldon LaPree on March 24, 1955. He married Sally Pascoe on March 31, 1994 in White Cloud. He was a supervisor for the City of Grant Department of Public Works for 31 years. He loved hunting, fishing, camping and all outdoors and was an avid fan of the Grant High School Tigers Football. He is survived by his wife Sally LaPree of Grant, his children Vicki & Jack Campbell of Grant, Doug & Annie Pascoe of Grant, Amy & Dan Lynch of Wyoming, Shelly & Larry Perciful of Miamisburg, OH, Lyle & Sherry Pascoe of Grant, 14 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, his brother Timothy & Terese LaPree of Newaygo, sister Tamra LaPree of Fremont and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Vicky Scott. Memorial services will be held at the McKinley Funeral Home, Grant Chapel on Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 1:30 PM with Pastor Mike Connell officiating. Visitation will be held from noon to the time of the service.
‑ McKinley Funeral Home, Grant, 231‑834‑5613. http:\\mckinleyfuneral.com
Mrs. Maxine "Welch" Michels, age 77 of Howard City, died Sunday, October 24, 2010 at her home in Ensley Township. She was born Maxine Louise Mowrey in Boon, Michigan the daughter of Melissa Ann (Davis) and Herbert Irving Mowrey on October 7, 1933. She married Alfred Franklin Welch on October 13, 1951 in Hart and he preceded her in death on April 26, 1988. She then married Howard Samuel Michels on October 7, 1989 in Fremont and he preceded her in death on June 15, 2009. She was a Home Maker and attended Bill’s Lake Baptist Church.
She is survived by her children Elaine Welch of Howard City, Vera Giffen of Howard City, Kay Felde of Lake City, Arlene Welch of Howard City, Alfred, Jr. & Cathy Welch of Howard City, Kathy Welch of Grant, Linda & Doug Cook of Greenville, Beth Welch of Howard City, Mark Welch of Howard City, Robert & Lera Welch of Kent City, her step children Dave & Yolanda Michels, Teddy Michels, Yvette Michels all of Riverside, CA, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, her sister Mabel & Morris Langworthy of LeRoy, and her brother Herbert & Char Mowrey of McBain.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM from the McKinley Grant Chapel, on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 with Pastor Elmer Kooienga officiating. Interment will be in the North Ensley Cemetery near Howard City. Visitation will be held 7‑9 PM Tuesday & one hour prior to service Wednesday. For Memorials please consider the Charity of your Choice. Please send condolences thru www.mckinleyfuneral.com.
McKinley Funeral Home, Grant, 231‑834‑5613. http:\\mckinleyfuneral.com
Mr. Lloyd Emory Pickelsimer, Age 86 of Newaygo died Sunday, October 24, 2010 at home. He was born Lloyd Emory Pickelsimer in Nalto, North Carolina the son of Lucy Inez (Morgan) and George Emory Pickelsimer on July 28, 1924. He married Mary Frances Way on June 1, 1963 in Allen Park, Michigan. He was an inspector for General Motors until his retirement in 1983. He was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church ‑ Ypsilanti. He is survived by his wife Mary Pickelsimer of Newaygo, his daughter Belinda & Ken Husse of Milan, his sons Robert Alan Tipper and Emory Pickelsimer both of Newaygo, and 6 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents George & Lucy Pickelsimer, his brothers Willie, Claude, Ralph and Carson and his sisters Magdalene and Pauline, and a special niece Carolyn Hayes. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM from the McKinley Funeral Home, Newaygo Chapel on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 with Dr. Roger Sikkenga & Chaplain Judy Corey officiating. Interment in Michigan Memorial Park, Flat Rock, Michigan. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM before the service. For memorials please consider Hospice of Michigan or Elders Helpers or Commission on Aging.
‑ McKinley Funeral Home, Newaygo 231‑652‑5613. http:\\mckinleyfuneral.com
FITZPATRICK – Alta (Peg) Halpin Ferguson Fitzpatrick age 89, of Newaygo, died in her sleep Wednesday, Oct 20, 2010 at the home overlooking the Muskegon River which she helped build. She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, George (Jack) Fitzpatrick; previous husband Carl J Ferguson; son Jerry J Ferguson; daughter-in-law, Delores J Ferguson; and her brother Theodore (Ted) Halpin. Peg is survived by her sisters Donna Halpin Engle and Alma (Polly) Halpin Johnson – both of Muskegon; step-son Richard G. Fitzpatrick of Henderson Nevada; and Delores’ children: James D. Newfer of Hesperia, Ricky Newfer, Martin Newfer, Mary Newfer Franklin, Delores Newfer Lafontsee – all of Newaygo, Andrew Newfer of White Cloud, Harold Newfer of Muskegon; 19 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren. Peg spent many years helping operate and expand the mail room operations of Gerber Products Company in Fremont. She was an avid outdoors person, hunting and fishing all of her life. Peg was an excellent golfer, achieving top finishes in competitions at many area courses and a hole-in-one at the Briar Hill Golf Course. She was a Life Member VFW Auxiliary #4249, Newaygo. Visitation will be held 6:00 -7:30 PM Monday, Oct 25th, at the McKinley Funeral Home in Newaygo, (231) 652-5613. Those wishing to make a donation in Peg’s honor are asked to give to: Newaygo County Meals on Wheels, PO Box 885, White Cloud, MI 49349.
Mr. Charles "Chuck" O. Pontious, age 84 of Grant, went to the Lord on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at his home in Grant. He was born August 2, 1926 in Alpine, Michigan the son of Mary Elizabeth (Showers) and Halleck Pontious who have preceded in death. He graduated Shelby High School and enlisted in the US Navy serving in the Pacific Theater. He later attended Muskegon School of Business. He married Marjory Louise Roberts on June 12, 1953 in Grant. Charles spent many years in the insurance business, opening the Pontious Insurance Agency in 1969. Over the years he worked for the Grant School System as custodian and bus driver, served as Treasurer for the City of Grant and in 1995 retired from Clarke Memorial Home. After his retirement Charles served as Newaygo County Chaplains. Charles was active in Grant United (Community) Church of Christ serving in may capacities over the years. He was ordained as a lay-minister and had an active jail ministry and ministered to others throughout the community. He was an active member and sponsor of Alcoholics Anonymous, live member of the VFW, Boy Scouts of America Commissioner, Jaycee, and City of Grant Council member.
He is survived by his wife Marjory Pontious, his children Halleck & Shirley Jankuski of Jackson, Hollie & William Ricards of Sanford, Todd & Carol Pontious of Maryville, TN, Kimberlee Harp of Coffeyville, KS, Tracey & Michael Krauss of Spring, TX, 13 grandchildren, 13 great‑grandchildren, his brother Bill Pontious of Florida. He was also preceded in death by brothers Halleck, Jerry (Doris), Steve (Margaret), sisters Pauline (Norman), Beatrice (Ben), and son-in-law Norman Harp (Kim).
Memorial services will be held at 12:00 noon from the Grant Community Christ, on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 with Pastor Steve Vander West & Pastor Doug Bennett officiating. Visitation will be held 10:00 AM ‑ Noon Wednesday prior to services. Interment will be in the Parkview Cemetery in Grant. Military Honors will be under the auspices of the Newaygo VFW Post #4249. For Memorials please consider the Grant Community Church and/or the Newaygo County Honor Guard of the VFW Post #4249 of Newaygo. Please leave condolences at http://www.mckinleyfuneral.com.
McKinley Funeral Home, Grant, 231‑834‑5613. http:\\mckinleyfuneral.com
Mr. Larry Wayne, Age 68 of Newaygo, died Thursday, October 14, 2010 in Grand Rapids. He was born Larry Wayne in Oakland County, Michigan the son of Marie Ruby (Albright) and Harold Henry Sperry on May 20, 1942. He was a builder.
He is survived by his son Vincent & Monica Sperry of Hesperia, his daughter Virginia Marie Linden of Texas and his nephew: Jim & Sara Cooper of Newaygo. In accordance with Mr. Wayne’s wishes, there will be no services held.
‑ McKinley Funeral Home, Newaygo 231‑652‑5613. http:\\mckinleyfuneral.com
Mr. Jose Castaneda, age 63 of Grant, died Sunday, October 3, 2010 at his home in Grant Township. He was born Jose Castaneda in Jalisco, Mexico the son of Abigail (Collado) and Angel Castaneda on October 22, 1946. He married Rosalba Oceguera on December 20, 1977 in Grand Rapids.
He is survived by his wife Rosalba Castaneda, his sons Jose & Simona Castaneda of Lakeview, Ricardo & Abrianne Castaneda of Rockford, 4 grandchildren, his brother Arnulfo & Elvia Castaneda, his sisters Maria & Jose Vergera, Rosa & Manuel Garza all of California.
The Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11:00 AM from the St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, Newaygo on Thursday, October 7, 2010 with Father Pete Schafer officiating. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery near Grant. Visitation will be held 7‑9 PM Wednesday at McKinley Funeral Home, Grant. Please send condolences at www.mckinleyfuneral.com.
McKinley Funeral Home, Grant, 231‑834‑5613. http:\\mckinleyfuneral.com
Mr. Ritchie A, Johnson, age 53 of Newaygo, died Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at his home in Croton Township. He was born Ritchie Alan Johnson in Grant, the son of Betty Lou (Castle) and Nylan Leonard Johnson on March 13, 1957. He was a Roofer for Grand Rapids Roofing.
He is survived by his brothers & sisters Gary & Judy Johnson of Newaygo, Gail Keech of Sand Lake, Vickie Skaggs of the U. P., Connie Johnson of Grand Rapids, Tracy Johnson of LA, Dana Johnson of FL, Jame & Robert Dean of Bailey, Scott & Kari Johnson of Grant, his step mother Afrieda Johnson of Grant, step sisters Marily Dreyer of White Cloud, Pauline & Kevin Musgrave of Sheridan, Diann Lewis of Lakeview.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 PM from the McKinley Grant Chapel, on Saturday, October 2, 2010 with Pastor Dan Fullmer officiating. Interment will be in the Hillside Cemetery near Grant. Visitation will be held 12:30 ‑ 2:30 PM Saturday prior to the services. For Memorials to the family for funeral expenses C/O McKinley Funeral Home.
McKinley Funeral Home, Grant, 231‑834‑5613. http:\\mckinleyfuneral.com
