Richard Lee Cornwell

        Richard (Dick) L. Cornwell, age 78, of Stanton,MI (Formerly of Holt, MI), died Wednesday, January 16, 2013, at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital.
        Richard was born September 24, 1934 in Holt, the son of Clayton Donald and Thelma (Simington) Cornwell.  After graduating high school, he served his country in the US Army in Korea.  He married Mary M. Marks on April 19, 1957 in Holt.  For several years he worked as a mason and brick layer in Lansing and Holt.  Dick was a proud member of The American Legion, Post 238, in Holt and the VFW in Sheridan, MI.
       Richard is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary;  his children, Tara Cornwell of Lansing, Lorrie (Darrell) Polinkus of Bellingham, WA. Clayton Cornwell (Dna) of Stanton, Lance (Sarah) Cornwell of Holt; his grandchildren, Brook, Holly,Christopher, Samantha, Alexandra, Melissa and Christine; and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by sister-in-laws Della Altscheffel, Jane Cummings and Losia Marks and many nieces and nephews.  Richard was preceded in death by his parents, brother (Merle), and sister (Barb).
        A memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, January 24 at the Barden Funeral Home in Stanton, with Berniece R. Sorrels, Associate Ministry Pastoral Leader at Faith Lutheran Church in Sidney, officiating.  Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until time of service.

Freda Mae Coston

Freda Mae Coston, age 83, of East Lansing, died January 7, 2013.

 Freda was born February 14, 1929 to Wayne and Martha (Patterson) Coston in Breckenridge, Michigan. Freda will be interred in Ithaca Cemetery.

Ardis Aldena (White) Bohn

   Ardis A. Bohn, age 84, of Sheridan, died Wednesday, January 10 2013 at the Laurels of Fulton.

   Ardis was born March 29, 1928 to Victor and Lela (Bush) White in Sheridan, Michigan. She married LJ Bohn December 25, 1946 in Sheridan.

   Ardis was a school bus driver for Central Montcalm Schools, where she retired after 24 years of service, she also worked at Ruppert’s Bakery in Sheridan for five years. She enjoyed working with LJ on their farm, gardening, puzzles, cats, and was an avid reader. She also enjoyed her grandchildren and telling bus driving stories.

   Ardis is survived by her children, Dale (Denise) Bohn of Sheridan, Karl (Vicki) Bohn of Sheridan, Marilyn (David) Erskin of Vestaburg; grandchildren, Jamie (Chad) Wernette, Michael (Alicia) Bohn, Ashley and Nicole Erskin; great grandchildren Kalika and Kiara Wernette and Cadence Bohn; sister-in-law Berniece White of Carson City; several nieces and nephews; and caregivers Carol Randall and Vanessa Fuller.

   She was preceded in death by her husband LJ, brother Dewey White, and sister Phyllis White.

   A memorial service will be held in honor of Ardis, 11am Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Barden Funeral Home in Stanton with Pastor Roger Day officiating. There will be visitation from 10am until the time of the service at 11am Saturday morning.   Memorial contributions may be made to either the Laurels of Fulton or the Montcalm County Commission on Aging. Envelope will be available at the funeral home. 

Lavonna Jean (Hodges) Patterson

Lavonna J. Patterson, age 77, of Sheridan, died Monday, January 7, 2013.

Lavonna was born February 18, 1935 to D.L. and Sylvia (Smith) Hodges in Sheridan, Michigan. She later married Alfred Patterson who preceded her in death. She worked for GM in Muir as well as Gibson’s in Greenville. She was also a devoted homemaker who loved her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, LaVonna and Bob Greenhoe; sons Ace Patterson of Florida, Dean and Sandi Patterson of Grand Rapids, Rick and Sheila Patterson of Arizona; sisters Katherine and Norman Dow of Greenville and Leona Patterson of Greenville; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Alfred, sons Craig and Jim Patterson, brothers Donald and Larry Hodges, and sister, Donna and Norman Peterman.

Funeral services for Lavonna will be 11am Friday, January 11, 2013 at the Barden Funeral Home in Stanton. Pastor Jerry Carlson will officiate and burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-6pm, Thursday, January 10, at the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Paula Marie Lake

Paula M. Lake, age 86, of Ithaca, died Saturday, January 5, 2013, at Covenant Hospital in Saginaw.

Paula was born November 5, 1926, in Breckenridge, the daughter of Archie and Nellie (Carlson) McCallum. She married Leroy George Lake on October 24, 1948 in Breckenridge. Leroy preceded her in death on November 2, 2001, after 53 years together.

Paula was a wonderful farm wife and cook. The farm workers would look forward to Paulaʼs meals as she would invite them into her home and feed them a real hearty meal as they helped with the harvesting. She would bake cookies and pies, and provide these to other families at times of loss and also at times of births. She had a wonderful sense of humor which served her well even in the most difficult of times.

In her early years she worked as an aid in the country schools, but as the schools consolidated she would help out at the North Elementary school. She also worked summers at the North Star Golf Course, and a couple years as the secretary for John McLoughlin.

Along with their family, music was the great love of Paulaʼs and Leroyʼs life. Each attended college studying music, and together they sang at many weddings. They were members of the Sweet Adelineʼs and Barbershopperʼs for many years. The family would sing barbershop tunes as they would drive in the car. Together they sang in the choir at the Ithaca United Methodist Church. Paula sang in the choir over 60 years, her beautiful voice ringing out as recently as three weeks ago, as the choir sang for Christmas.

Paula is survived by her children, Connie (Will) Lauer, Nancy (David) Harger, Ann (Mike) Hirschman, and Dennis, (Marta) Lake, all of Ithaca; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren, with number 12 due in April. She was preceded in death by her sister, Carol Hooper.

Funeral services for Paula will be 11 a.m. Saturday, January 12, 2013, at the Ithaca United Methodist Church, with Pastor Cindi Greene officiating. A luncheon will follow the service. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 11, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ithaca United Methodist Church.