Norman Dick Augustine

Norman D. Augustine, age 77, of Ithaca died Friday, April 30, 2010 at his home.

Norman was born June 5, 1932 to Rollo and Maney (Edgar) Augustine in Ithaca. He married Frances June Hansen, June 8, 1952 in Emerson Township.

Norman got his start working for Hicks at age 14. He later got a job with the Gratiot County Road Commission where he worked for more than 40 years driving plow trucks, operating drag cranes, and front-end loaders.

Norm loved hunting deer in Newberry and fishing for steelhead in Manistee. He also loved his animals, especially his dogs and horses.

Norman is survived by his wife, Frances; children, Nancy Augustine of Ithaca, Betty (Gale) Bush of Ithaca, Lanny Augustine of Ithaca; seven grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and brother Gordon (Marilyn) Augustine. He is preceded in death by his parents Rollo and Maney, and four grandchildren.

Funeral services for Norman will be 11am Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Pastor Doug Strait will officiate and burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, May 2, from 6-8pm, and Monday, May 3, from 2-4 and 6-8pm at the funeral home.

Norman E. Pierce

Norm Pierce, age 70, of Alma, died Saturday, January 30, 2010, at Gratiot Medical Center.

Norm was born east of Ithaca on June 7, 1939, the son of Victor and Mary (Dudash) Pierce. He graduated from Ithaca High School in 1957. Norm then worked as a bartender for the East Side Cafe. He then got a job withe Wolverine Shoe factory as a shoe cutter and worked his way up to foreman before being drafted into the army in 1963. After his discharge in 1965, he worked as a press operator for GM until his retirement in 1993. 

Norm moved back to Alma to be closer to his family, and enjoyed helping other people, especially the elderly. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2000 and the next year needed to have his right lung removed. This changed his life completely. Instead of his being so independent, he was now dependent on others for his care. Norm never had any hobbies, but was an avid reader. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Norm is survived by his sons, Michael of Elwell, and Steven of Ithaca; two grandchildren; and his sister, Marilyn Schaub, of Ithaca.

Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 10, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Interment will be in Ithaca Cemetery.

Neva M. Wineland

Neva M. Wineland, 96, was born September 20, 1913 in Fulton Township, Michigan to Wilbur and Emma (Vroman) Wineland. She was called home to the Lord, January 9, 2010 at Sunrise of Northville, Plymouth, Michigan.

She graduated from Middleton High School in 1931 and Grace Hospital School of Nursing in 1935. She worked as a nurse anesthetist at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan for 40 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Thelma Wineland, Velma Coryell, and Margaret Marcy, and one brother Lyle Ray Wineland. She is survived by three sisters, Doris Helfer of Sandy, Utah, Arlene Shinabarger of Greenville, Michigan, and Dorothy (Giles) Hromadka and husband Gene of Naples, Florida. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and two great-great nephews who were very special to her, Nicholas and Brendan Schmucker of Canton, Michigan. She also leaves behind many dear, long time friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, Michigan on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 12pm, with visitation immediately preceding from 11am to 12pm. Burial will be in Payne Cemetery, Middleton, Michigan. Memorial contributions are suggested to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 28000 New Market Rd., Famington Hills, MI 48334, or Reminiscence@ Sunrise of Northville, 16000 Haggerty Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170.

Milton F. Hoard

Milton F. Hoard, age 74, of Gladwin, formerly of Ithaca, passed away Sunday, February 7, 2010 at home.

He was born the son of Lester and Bernice (McFarlane) Hoard on November 3, 1935 in Ithaca, MI.  He served briefly in the U.S. Navy until he was honorably discharged and returned home to graduate from Ithaca High School in 1956.  He married Marzella Ann Thum on October 6, 1956.  He was employed at Shults Equipment, Inc from 1960 until 1981 when he became the owner, retiring in 1993.  He was a lifetime member of Alma Elks Lodge.  He also enjoyed golfing, boating, fishing, and woodworking.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marzella; one son Mark (Karen) Hoard of Ithaca; two daughters, Michelle (Rick) O’Hara of Ithaca and Melinda Hoard of Traverse City; grandchildren, Scott O’Hara, Mark (Tina) O’Hara, Cindy Hoard (fiancee Tyler Moomey), Matthew and Jared Hoard; great grandchildren, Kimberly, Ian and Lochlan O’Hara; one sister, Beverly Berry of Ithaca; one brother, Carlisle Hoard of Battle Creek; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 

1:00 pm at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Rev. George Showers officiating.  Burial will be in the Ithaca Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm.  An Elks service will be held at 8 pm on Tuesday evening.  In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions to American Heart Association or Sugar Springs Memorial Fund of Gladwin.

Mary Jane Mattson

Mary Jane Mattson, 72, of Stanton passed away Wednesday, December 1, 2010 in Reed City.

She was born May 25, 1938 in Edmore to Orville and Leda (Mangus) Hendrick. On October 10, 1958 she married Herman Mattson in Hinsdale. She worked at Gibson’s for 10 years and enjoyed reading, quilting, photography, shopping, and Bible study.

Mary is survived by her children, Douglas and Kathy Mattson of Belding, Debra and Larry Puffer of Georgia, Della and Ricky Brainerd of Lake City, Herman and Lisa Mattson of Benton Harbor, and Patricia Mattson of New Buffalo; grandchildren, Heather Dixon, Douglas Mattson Jr., Melissa Cazas, Jeannie Ramos, Lisa Puffer, Amy and Eric Dean, Larry Puffer II, Vincent Greco II, Jacob Greco, Joseph Brainerd, Ricky Brainerd Jr., Dawnett Eastway, and Darlene Mattson; great grandchildren, Nicholas Dixon, Markus Dixon, Virginia Dixon, and Alex Mattson; Brothers and Sisters, George Hendrick of Greenville, Margaret “Annie” Reed of Sheridan, Betty Lou Rowley of Portland, and Loren Hendrick of Sheridan; several nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and brothers and sisters, Robert “Bob” Hendrick of Edmore, Maxine Lipp of Flint, Floyd Hendrick of Edmore, Pauline Hendrick of Edmore, Orville “Jr.” Hendrick of Blanchard, Arlene Hendrick of Edmore, and William “Bill” Hendrick of Sheridan.

Mary’s family will greet friends at the Barden Funeral Home, Stanton, on Sunday, December 5th from 5 – 8pm. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 6th at Barden’s. Pastor Mickey Mallory of the Cedar Lake Seventh Day Adventist Church will officiate. For those desiring to do so, Memorial Contributions may be made to the family’s choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.