Walter George Lutge

Walter G. Lutge, age 97, of Ithaca, died Friday, January 8, 2010, at Ashley Care Center.

Walter was born November 19, 1912, in Champaign, Illinois, the son of Fred and Meta (Steffens) Lutge. He married Iva Mae Keck in St. Louis on February 21, 1941. She preceded him in death on May 20, 1996. He worked for Redman trailer Company for 23 years, and also worked on some farms in North Star Township.

Walter enjoyed going up north to the cabin with the family. Walter and Iva always had a big beautiful garden and loved to share all of their goods with friends and family. He also enjoyed going for rides checking on the crops around Gratiot County, going on fall color tours, and spending time with family.

Walter is survived by his six children, Fred Lutge of North Star, Janet (Terry) English of Ithaca, Joan Lytle of North Star, Dale (Helen) Lutge of Ithaca, Frank Lutge of Ithaca, and Randy Lutge of North Star; 13 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Nora Heimberger and Bertha Lutge; two brothers, Raymond Lutge and Harry Lutge; and his grandson, Terry “T. J.” English.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, January 11, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Interment will follow in North Star Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, January 10, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy association.

Lula May Lombard

Lula May Lombard, age 91, of Alma, died Thursday, October 28, 2010, at Masonic Pathways.

Lula was born June 10, 1919, in Hew Haven Township, Sumner, the daughter of Harley and Norma (Winslow) Inbody. She married Daine Wood Lombard on December 24, 1936. He preceded her in death on March 7, 1993.

Lula was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. During the holiday season she would prepare baskets of baked goods for them. She also enjoyed tending her flower garden, and hand crafts such as crocheting, quilting, and ceramics.

Lula is survived by her sons, Richard (Lorna) of Sumner, Theodore (Nancy) of Alma, Arland (Mary) of Riverdale, Niles of Harrison, Duane (Carol) of Riverdale, Gary (Ronda) of Vestaburg, Gale (Darlene) of Lake George, and Roger (Sue) of Ithaca; 33 grandchildren; 63 great grandchildren; 11 great great grandchildren; her sisters, Genevieve Western of Stanton, and Marion Weaver of Ithaca; and her brother, Lyle Inbody of Alma. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Joyce Simonton; and her brothers, Don, Jessie, Allie, and Harly Inbody, Jr.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, November 1, 2010, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor Tim Johnson from the Lighthouse Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow in Riverdale Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8p.m. Sunday, October 31, at the Barden Funeral Home.

Vivian Lucille Emery

Vivian L. Emery, 105, of Ithaca passed away on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at Masonic Pathways in Alma. Vivian was a wonderful, loving mother who worried more about her family and friends than herself.

Vivian was born in North Star Township on April 7, 1905 to Herbert and Maud (Shroyer) Walter. She learned to fly and became the first female to solo in Gratiot County. Always a hard worker, she owned the East Side Cafe, worked at H&H Cleaners and Ithaca Public Schools.

Vivian loved to play bingo and dominoes, to do word search puzzles, and to read. She was well known at the Senior Building for making date-filled cookies. She was a member of the Alma Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Vivian is survived by two sons, Richard (Jackie) Hartsaw of Newnan, Georgia, and Charles (Karen) Emery of Ithaca; six grandchildren, Jeff (Suzanne) Hartsaw of Williamston, Michigan, Jillene (Michael) Belli of Burlington, Massachusetts, Paul (Kristin) Hartsaw of Forest Park, Illinois, April Emery of Ithaca, Bethany Emery of Richmond Virginia, and Matthew Emery of Rockford, Illinois. She also leaves three great grandchildren, Gabrielle Hartsaw, Cole Hartsaw, and Madaline Belli; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Beulah Maxwell and Lottie Schlarf; and two husbands, Lamar Hartsaw and Ivan “Spike” Emery.

Visitation will be Sunday, 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with funeral services on Monday, May 24, at 1pm with Jo Jones officiating and the Rev. Matthew Emery assisting. Burial will be in the North Star Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Ithaca Senior Activity Building.

Vendelin Smolka

Vendelin Smolka, age 77, of Bannister, died Friday, November 19, 2010, at his home.

Vendelin was born December 24, 1932, in Slovakia, the son of Andrew and Maria (Spanik) Smolka. He came to the united States in the mid 1960’s and worked for Wolverine Worldwide in Ithaca and then Massey Ferguson in Detroit. After retiring, he resided in Bannister.

Vendelin is survived by his sisters, Alzbeta Zahorska and Agnesa Mieresova both of Slovakia; many nieces and nephews of Slovakia; and several cousins in Michigan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 30, at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church, with Father Wolfgang Streichardt officiating. Interment will follow in Ford Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-5 p.m. Monday, November 29, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with a prayer vigil at 5 p.m.

Sylvan C. “Gabby” Gavitt

Sylvan C. “Gabby” Gavitt was greeted in heaven by his Lord and Savior on October 12, 2010.

Gabby was born on August 29, 1925 in Stanton to Alvah and Lillion (Luttrell) Gavitt. On July 2, 1948 he married Freda L. Hoisington in Belding. He worked for Gen Corp in Ionia for many years and loved to go fishing. He was proud of his family and friends and shared many good times with all.

Gabby will be sadly missed by his daughters, Sheila Miller of Howell, and Raychell Gavitt of Greenville; grandchildren, Tracy and Pat Hodges of Middleton, Chad and Christina Evans of Indiana, and Troy and Monique Gavitt of Stanton; 6 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandson; sisters, Oleta and Stan Tallman of Tenn., and Jane Gavitt of Belding; brothers, Willis and Connie Gavitt of Jerome, Merel and Christa Gavitt of Florida, and Dick and Kay Gavitt of Traverse City; his wife’s wonderful family; and special friends, Dick and Pat Hotchkiss. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Freda; his parents, and his brother, Al Gavitt of Belding.

The family will greet friends on Friday, October 15, 2010 from 10 – 11 a.m. at the Shiloh Community Church. A celebration of Gabby’s life will be held immediately following at 11 a.m. with Pastor Kenneth Harger officiating. For those desiring to do so, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Shiloh Church Campground Fund or the Carson Home Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the church and Barden Funeral Home, Stanton.