Barbara Jean Mepham

Barbara Jean Mepham, 96, passed away Friday, June 16, 2023, surrounded by loving family at the Laurels of Carson City.

She was born February 8, 1927, in Detroit, the daughter of Emory J. and Ruth (Hayes) King.  She married Leland Mepham of Ithaca on June 7, 1947.  She cherished her family and lifelong friendships.  She was a member of the Ithaca First Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by her two children, son, David Mepham of Alma and daughter, Debby (Jeff) Lator of St. Johns; grandchildren Troy (Audrey) Mepham, Brooke (Eric) Falk, Chris Rummer, Jenni (Chad) Hallock, and Nicole Lator; great grandchildren, Paige, Kaden, Kaleb, Selah, Khalib, Natalie, and Parker; and great great grandchildren, Teagen, Willow, and Lucca.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leland; her parents, Emory and Ruth King; sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ann and Ray Sherwood; and brother, Jim King.

Funeral services will be held at the Ithaca First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 11:00 am, with Pastor Phil Maxwell officiating.  Visitation will be at 10:00 am, prior to the service.  

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

Douglas Lee Stoneman

Douglas Lee Stoneman, age 66, of Ashley Michigan went home to be with his savior on Saturday June 3rd surrounded by loved ones. 

Douglas was born in Alma, Michigan on April 13th, 1957 the son of Lloyd Gene and Majorie Jean (Zinn) Stoneman. Douglas graduated from Fulton High School in 1975. Douglas married Karen Sue McElhaney on August 7th,1981 in Saint Johns,Michigan. They celebrated 41 years of marriage and were blessed with 4 children, many grandchildren, and great grandkids. 

Douglas spent many years on the road truck driving, taking many trips from Michigan to Flordia. He loved taking trips up north, going to truck shows, hitting his favorite restaurants, but most of all he loved the time he spent with his family and friends. 

He is survived by his wife Karen Stoneman; son Shawn of Pompeii, Mi; daughter Holly of Ashley, Mi; daughter Tisha of Hudson, Mi; son Ryan & his wife Morgan of Ithaca Mi; grandkids Alexis, Makenzie (Zachary), Byron, Carmen, Grace, Tyler, Lloyd, Destiny, Trenton, Lily, Payton, Rylee, Calvin, Aubree, Lane, Jackson, & Milton. Great grand-kids Asher and Iris. He is also survived by his sister Sharon (Donald) Mayes, along with many nieces and nephews. 

Douglas was preceded in death by his parents, and in laws William and Dorothy McElhaney. 

A memorial service will be held at East Washington Church in Ashley Mi, on Monday  June 26th,2023 at 11:00am, with Pastor Jeff Reaser officiating a luncheon will follow immediately after. 

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

Mellissa Jean Johnson Garcia

Mellissa Jean Johnson, age 43, of Ithaca, passed away unexpectedly early morning, May 30th, 2023. 

Born December 15, 1979 in Carson City, Michigan; Mellissa was the daughter of Scott and late Denise (Fourtney) Johnson of Ithaca. She graduated in 1997, from Ithaca High School. 

Mellissa was a lifelong resident of Michigan but never let that prevent her from having a larger than life personality on top of such a sympathetic and charismatic soul. She was a strong woman with a fierce love for not only her family but also people around her. 

She enjoyed many things in her life including being able to freely express herself through not only drawing, writing, but music as well. No matter the distance that she was at, her art, whatever form it came in always helped convey her heart. What she enjoyed more than anything was  the joy that came from being in nature surrounded by her family. If you ever came to know her, you’d know that she was much, much more. 

Mellissa is survived by many including her Husband of 17 years, Miguel Garcia Hernandez of Ithaca; Her father, Scott Douglas Johnson of Ithaca, her 4 children, Jorge Lorenzo-Delgado Rodriguez of Battle Creek; Alejandro Manuel Rodriguez of Conway, South Carolina; Araceli Annamae Johnson-Gutierrez, of Ithaca; and Giovanni Miguel Garcia, of Ithaca; her 4 Grandchildren, Christian Eric Alexzander McConnell, Aidan Manuel Delgado, Alizé Annamae Delgado, and Malakai Douglas-Lorenzo Delgado. also survived by her are 2 of her siblings, Steven Douglas Johnson, of Ithaca and Brendon Earl Johnson, of Ithaca. and many more loving family members.

Mellissa was preceded in death by her mother, Denise Annamae Johnson (Fourtney) of Ithaca on September 28, 2017, her late Husband, Manuel Delgado Rodriguez who proceeded her in death on May 16, 1998, and her sister Heather Lynn Johnson who proceeded her in death in 1973. 

A memorial service will be held at 11am on June 24, 2023 at the Oasis Community Church (1250 E Washington Rd.f) in Ithaca.

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

Janet Marie (Boyer) White

Janet Marie (Boyer) White, born on January 8, 1931, passed away peacefully in her home on May 21, 2023. She was the youngest of nine children born to Frank Elmer and Lillie Marie (Hegle) Boyer.

In 1949 she graduated from Ithaca High School and married Duane Leroy White in 1955.

Janet was an avid sports person. She played on softball teams as a pitcher. She was also an avid bowler, carrying a 180 average. She also enjoyed playing golf and camping at School Section Lake with many friends and family.  Although she never had children of her own, she enjoyed the company of her furry four legged cats.

Janet is survived by her special friend Helene Knuver, and neighbor Karen Kindel, along with many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Duane; brothers:  Ken and Gert, Lowell and Bernice, Clare, Gwendell and Jean,  Don and Clara; and her sisters:  Audrey and Bob Saxton, Elaine and Deforest Tate, and Clarice Boyer.

A private graveside service will take place Wednesday, May 24, 2023. A Celebration of Life will take place June 24, 2023 from 2-4pm at the Ithaca Senior Activity Building.  A special thank you to Helene Knuver , and Mark and Sue Boyer for all their help.

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

Linda (Crites) Frank

Linda (Crites) Frank, age 83, of Alma, Michigan, formerly of Edwardsburg, Michigan, passed away on May 11th, 2023. 

Linda was born January 19, 1940, in Ithaca, Michigan to Ora and Donna Crites. She attended and graduated from Ithaca High School. Linda worked at Tempo and Fisher Big Wheel in Alma before moving to Edwardsburg, Michigan. She worked and eventually retired from Chase Bank in Elkhart, Indiana where she was a Loan Manager. Linda and her dog, Mac, spent many special years in Oscoda, Michigan with her fiancé, Jerry Frank, until his passing in 2012. In her later years, Linda moved back to Alma. 

Linda was blessed with four children, 9 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren whom she loved with all her heart. Grandma Frank’s (AKA Grandma Too Far) house was the gathering place for many holiday celebrations, birthdays, and awesome family yard sales. She always made sure the cookie jar was filled with her special cookies when family came to visit. 

Linda enjoyed going to thrift stores, yard sales, shopping, and attending grandkids’ events. She loved gardening and had the most beautiful gardens. She also loved to dance and never missed an opportunity to get up and jitterbug whether it be on her front porch or in the garage with the jukebox. 

Linda is survived by three of her children, Debbie (Guy) Braden, Jack Frank Jr., and Rachelle (Vince) Vliet. She is also survived by her sisters Myrna (Rod) Shattuck and Beverly (Gary) Higgins. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jack Frank Sr., brother Howard Crites, her beautiful daughter Rhonda Frank and her loving dog Mac. 

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