Donald Ralph Fry

Donald Ralph Fry age 80, of Ithaca, left this world to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 1, 2023 at Schnepps memory care unit surrounded by family. 

Don was born June 28, 1943 in Muskegon, MI, the son of Ralph and Tura (Burke) Fry. He grew up with his brother Collin(Colleen) Fry and sister Jean(Dick) Mikkelson. He graduated from Muskegon high school, class of 1961 and went on to obtain a Bachelors degree from MSU and a Masters of Divinity from Methodist Theological Seminary of Ohio. He pastored at Methodist   churches all over Michigan including Marne, Marion, Newaygo, Three Rivers, Ovid and Dansville. He loved serving the people of his congregations and communities. He was a Grand Traverse youth coordinator and a dean and counselor at Lake Louise camp for over 20 years. Don was also an EMT and volunteer firefighter for many years in Marne and Marion. 

Don married Bonnie Carter in 1967, had one son Michael (John) Fry-Perrow and one daughter Andrea Fry- Grandson Jack Fender and Grandaughter Margaret Fender. Don married Anna (Hegle) Fry in 1994. He gained a son Neil (Stephanie) Hegle and daughter Gina (Stephen) Barnes. Grandsons Jacob (Maci) Barnes, Aaron (Skylar) Barnes, Benjamin Hegle, Daniel Hegle and granddaughter Hannah Barnes. Great-grandchildren Alice, Aria, Hazel, Elijah and Théoden Barnes.He loved his family, friends, food, a good laugh, summers at the cottage, worshiping Jesus, singing in the choir and Ithaca football. He never missed any of his grandsons games from 6th-12th grade. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister and son Neil. 

 A memorial service will be held at the Ithaca Methodist Church 327 E. Center St, Ithaca MI 48847 on Saturday December 9th at 1pm with a showing preceding the service at 11:30am with Paul Wilson officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to Folds of Honor.

The family is being served by Barden Funeral Home of Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com

Nancy June Flegel

Nancy June Flegel, age 91, of Elsie, died Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at Ashley Care Center in Ashley.

Nancy was born January 30, 1932, in Wood County, Ohio, the daughter of Ralph and Grace (Philips) Perry.  She graduated from Alma High School with the class of 1950, and married Phillip Flegel on February 1, 1952 in Alma, spending 71 years together and raising three sons.  

Nancy was famous for her oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and every kid in the neighborhood knew about them.  Phil would take six of them to work with him.  She was an avid reader, and loved raising flowers.  She loved her petunias, but was never able to successfully grow her favorite flower, the pink rose.  

Nancy is survived by her husband, Phil; her son Steven of Ithaca; two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by two sons, Rick and Thomas; her parents; her brother, Carroll; and her sisters Betty, Mary Lou,Shirley,Peggy,Janette, and Kay Ruth.

Funeral services will be 11;45 a.m. on. Friday, November 17, graveside at Mt. Rest Cemetery in St. Johns, with Pastor Dave Perry officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the organization of your choice.  The family is being served by the BardenFuneral Home in Ithaca.  Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Vada Lee Keyes

Vada Lee Keyes (Carpenter) of Alma sadly passed away peacefully on November 14, 2023. Vada was born on April 24, 1947, in Alma, MI to Raymond and Zora (Sailer) Carpenter.  She was married to Victor Keyes of Stanton and lived in Edmore and Whitehall. She has 33 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.  

Vada is survived by her son Brian (Donna) Shaw of Rothbury, MI; Shane Shaw of St. Louis and Stephanie Linares of Alma, Mi., and several stepchildren. Her sister Janice (Joe) Marcelio of McGregor, Ontario, Douglas (Morris) Carpenter of Sarasota Florida and David (Linda) Carpenter of Palmer, Alaksa.; along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Raymond and Zora Carpenter; Stepfather Gerald Lake of Ithaca; brother Greg Carpenter; stepdaughter Nancy Hubbard; stepson Wayne Keyes along with grandsons Hunter Shaw and Keagan Keyes.

Vada was vibrant and spunky, but always with a side of humor. She held several positions but loved working at the Montcalm College bookstore. She enjoyed her co-workers but adored helping the new students. She enjoyed camping and country music, but her favorite activity was watching her children and grandchildren play sports, even in the pouring rain. Vada will be missed and be forever in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA).  There will be visitation on Saturday, November 18th, 2023, from 1-3pm at Barden’s Funeral Home.  The memorial service will be held directly afterwards. 

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home of Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com

Stanley Jesse Myers

Stanley Jesse Myers, 83 of Midland Michigan, passed away on October 29, 2023.

Stan was the baby of 14 brothers and sisters born in St. Johns, Michigan to his parents Ralph Corwin Meyers and Stella Coe. He is survived by three siblings, brother Gaylord of California, sister Connie of Texas, and sister Kay of Indiana. He is also survived by all their children and grandchildren.

Stanley married Mary Jan Myers and had two children, Tom (Jennifer) and two grandchildren, Madison and Tyler. Stanley resided with his daughter Shelly in Midland Michigan.

In 1961 Stanley enlisted into the Navy buddy plan with his brother Gaylord. He loved the ships, loved going with Marice and his wife up to Sault Ste. Marie to watch the Locks where ships would come and go. He loved toys. His toy as a child was a harmonica., and boy did he know and learn to play it well. Amazing Grace and many other classics. He taught himself well. His favorite singer and song was Johnny Cash Folsom Prison Blues.

Stanley worked for many years at the Oldsmobile plant in Lansing Michigan. From there he worked at Hoogerland, the to Gratiot Community Hospital. He really liked going to his barber Jerry for haircuts in Alma, Michigan. After being in the country from town he grew to love the peace there is in country living.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Dennis Vincent Sierakowski

Dennis Vincent Sierakowski, 83, of Ithaca, left this world to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 15, 2023.  Dennis passed away at MediLodge of Montrose in Montrose, MI with his family by his side. He was born in Lansing, MI on October 21, 1939, the son of Vincent and Ilene (VanHorn) Sierakowski.  On August 24, 1968, he married Ruth E. Fritz in Saginaw.  He held various jobs throughout his working years as a welder before becoming disabled. 

Throughout his life, Dennis had a multitude of friends and family who have cared for him and his family very deeply. He was a member of the Ithaca Wesleyan Church for many years.  Those who knew Dennis can attest that he loved to talk. Dennis would sit and tell stories for hours on end.  Some of the stories were tall tales, but he always enjoyed sharing anyway.  

He is survived by his two daughters, Denise Blohm of Merrill and Dana (Randy) Taylor of Ithaca; two sons, Douglas (Misty) Sierakowski of Ithaca and Dan (Heidi) Sierakowski of Owosso; fourteen grandchildren, Kyle, Cody, Kaitlyn, and Cassidy Blohm; Zak (Sarah), Todd, and Michele Spencer; Ryan, Remington, and Lea Taylor; Rachael and Lillian Sierakowski; Derek and Jordan Sierakowski; two great-grandchildren, Sidney and Jaxson Spencer; three sisters-in-law, Dixie Sierkowski of Owosso, Judy (Jim) Perry of St. Charles, Bert (Joel) Shelden of Freeland; two brothers-in-law, Dick Fritz of Saginaw and John Fritz of West Branch; and numerous nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death eight years ago by his loving wife Ruth; his parents Vincent and Ilene Sierakowski; his parents-in-law Rolly and Mary Fritz;  his brother Larry Sierkowski; his brother-in-law Rolly (Nancy) Fritz Jr.; his sister-in-law Pennie Fritz; one grandchild, Casey Blohm; and one great-grandchild, Dakota Spencer. 

A memorial service will be held at the Ithaca Wesleyan Church 712 N. Pine River St. in Ithaca, Michigan on October 23, 2023 at 4:00 PM. His beloved Pastor Douglas A. Strait will be officiating the memorial service.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in Dennis’ memory be made to the family to assist with funeral expenses.  

The family is being served by Barden Funeral Home of Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.