Gloria Jean Sisco

Gloria J. Sisco, age 64, of rural Ithaca, died suddenly, July 27, 2012, at her home in Hamilton Township.

Gloria was born September 9, 1947, in Lansing, the daughter of Oliver E. and Bessie Margaret (Harshey) Sisco.  She had worked as a waitress in Weidman and in her spare time enjoyed reading, cooking and baking.  She loved working in her garden.

Gloria is survived by her sisters, Donna Garza of Lansing, and Nancy DuBoise, and Margaret Sisco.; and her brothers Steve and David of Ithaca.  She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brothers and sisters, Ernest Sisco, Dick Sisco, Terry Sisco, Allen Sisco, Isabella Braylock, Elsie Sisco.

Linda Lou Cox

Linda L.Cox, age 59, of Alma, formerly of Ithaca, died Saturday, July 21, 2012, at Woodland Hospice in Mt. Pleasant, departing this life after having cancer since early 2011.

Linda was born in St. Johns on August 19, 1952, the daughter of Virgil and Helen (Stahl) Olson.  Her childhood was spent in Laingsburg and St. Johns, and as an adult she lived in Flint, Texas, St. Johns, Ithaca, and Alma.  She worked for Genesee County DSS, GTE, and various other jobs before retiring from the Ithaca Post Office where she really enjoyed being a rural carrier.  In later years, she was active in the social activities in the apartments where she lived.

A special thanks to her partner, Karen Gier, for all she’s done over the years, for taking care of Percy and Cookie, the cats who helped take care of Linda.  And for the love she shared.

Linda is survived by three children, her daughter, Betsy Blackmon, and her sons, Nicholas (Vickie) Cox and Kristopher Cox; her ex daughter-in-law, Syvette Cox; twelve grandchildren, Alesondra, Audrie, Justin, Jessica,Louie, Adam, Joey, Nicholas Jr., Nathaniel, Arlene, Katherine, and Logan;  and two great grandchildren, Ben and Brittney.  She was preceded in death by her parents Virgil Olson and Helen Olson Hempsted; three brothers, Kenneth Olson, Harry Olson, and Alvin Olson; and her son, Jarrod Cox.

Linda’s memorial service will be 4pm, August 11, 2012 at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Alma.  Memorial contributions may be made to Pardee Cancer Fund for Gratiot County, located in Alma.

Nancy Ann Litwiller

       Nancy Ann Litwiller was born to Howard and Rhoda Ann (Schlinz) Deyarmond on February 6, 1950, in Foley Alabama.  She peacefully passed away on July 14, 2012, with her husband John by her side.

Due to her father’s occupation as a road construction supervisor, her childhood was spent at various locations in Michigan.  At the age of fourteen years, she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized. 

In 1969, she married John M. Litwiller.  They made their home in Ithaca, Michigan, sharing life’s joys and sorrows for almost 43 years.  To this union three children were born: Chris, Amy Jo, and Michelle (Shelly).

When the children were very young, she reconsecrated her life to the Lord, also seeking a Church home.  She made the Newark Church of God in Christ, Mennonite her home. 

Mother had a deep faith in God and it was of utmost importance to her to instill that faith in her children.  She would call us children from whatever we were doing every evening and have a time of devotions with us.  She often read Bible stories to us and she sang many a song while she worked.  We often found her praying or reading her Bible.  She had a deep concern for her family, that they would each one find a personal relationship with Jesus.

Mother enjoyed being a homemaker.  She also enjoyed the out of doors.  We often went for walks or bike rides, swimming, fishing, camping, etc.  We have many special memories of vacationing “Up North” in Michigan.   After the nest was empty, Dad and Mom still enjoyed many camping/fishing trips together.  In the winter, we often cut wood.  Mom would pitch right in and she’d make sure the rest of us stayed busy, too!  We’d spend the whole day in the woods, having hot dogs to roast and hot chocolate to keep us going.  She always enjoyed time spent together either working or relaxing.  

We often woke up to her singing, “Rise and Shine!”, and that seems to be how she faced life....with enthusiasm and an upbeat attitude.

In 2005, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.  She faced this with courage and tried to keep us encouraged.  Cancer is cruel, but it could not shake her faith in God. 

Survivors include her husband John; their children and grandchildren: Chris A. Litwiller of Ithaca, Michigan, Amy Jo and Craig Inniger, Dustin, Candalyn, Katrina and Marshal of Bridgewater, Maine, Shelly and Chad Peters, Brandon, Monica and Zachery of Ithaca, Michigan; her father Howard; her brother Jim and Robin Deyarmond, Tony, Tammy, Adria and Matthew and their families; brothers-in-law Larry and Esther Litwiller, Marty, Sandy, Mike and Larry Jr., and their families, Jeffery Litwiller, Marvin and Barb Litwiller, Carissa, Brooke, Amber and Maren and their families; sister-in-law Marla and Gary Jantz, Jenae and Cody and their families, along with many other friends and family, too numerous to mention. 

She was predeceased by her mother, Rhoda Ann, her parents-in-law, Evan and Shirley Litwiller, her grandparents and various other extended family members.

Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, July 20, 2012 at 10:30 am at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with burial at the Beechler Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions to the Commission on Aging. 

Erica Ana Fachting

Erica Ana Fachting, 39, of Ithaca, passed away June 26, 2012.  

Erica was born August 28, 1972.  She is survived by her mother, Alice Van Bennekom (Thrush), step-father Robert Van Bennekom, father George Fachting, sister Sarah Gable (Fachting), brother-in-law Chris Gable, grandmother Barbara Thrush (Grossman), 4 nieces, assorted aunts, uncles & cousins.  A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 1:00 PM Saturday, July 14 at Trinity Christian Life Center in Harrison.  

Sharon Lynne Carman

Sharon L. Carman, age 59, of North Star, died Thursday, July 5, 2012, at her home in North Star, with her family at her side.

Sharon was born October 1, 1952, in St. Johns, the daughter of Herbert and Marie (Burlingame) Goodhall.  She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1970.  On June 27, 1970, she married Rodger J. Carman.  

Sharon was a care giver.  In everything she did in life, she used her talents to help others when they were in need.  As an avid sewer and crocheter, she not only made clothing and doilies, but also made stoma coverings and other medical supplies, which she sold on the internet for enough to cover her costs, to people all over the states.  She also volunteered her time to arrange funeral luncheons at the North Star Township Hall, Easter egg hunts, as an EMT with Ashley Rescue, and as a bus aid for special needs children.  

Her biggest joy was gathering at the lake with all of her family, filling the cabin with life.  She enjoyed fishing and being on the pontoon.  Sharon could never do enough for or with her grandchildren, and was an avid fan at all of their activities.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Rodger; her mother, Marie Goodhall; her dog, Archie; her children, Shalon Nieman (David Rozich) of St. Charles, MaLynda (Jeremie) Smith of Vestaburg, Jim (Nikee) Carman of Ithaca, and Shane Carman (Laura Carll) of North Star; 17 grandchildren; one great grandchild; her brother, Rod (Becky) Goodhall of Kyle, TX; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her father; and her sister, Linda Dawn Goodhall.

There will be a gathering at Reed’s Park starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, with a memorial at 7.  Everyone is invited.  Dress informally and bring your memories of Sharon.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Pardee Cancer Foundation.  The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.