John F. Mahler

John F. Mahler went to be with his Lord and Savior September 19, 2010, at his home with his family by his side.

John was born to William Cordon and Floy Elsie (Perdew) Mahler on January 26, 1925, in Arcada Township, and resided in Gratiot County all of his life. He graduated from Ithaca High School in 1943 and from MSU Agricultural Shortcourse in 1948. He married Jean Adams of St. Louis and celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in August 2010.

His true life long passion was farming and raising their five children. He also worked at the Alma trailer plant, St. Johns Stock Yards, construction, and Fulton Twp. Board of Review for 23 years. He attended Ithaca Church of God and loved serving the Lord. He also loved hunting, music, wood working, and traveling.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jean; his daughters: Jane Mahler of Nokomis, Florida, Joy (Ed) Mahler Benson of Nokomis, Florida, and Jill (Martin) Lott of Ithaca; his sons: John (Kelly) Mahler of Kansas City, Missouri, and Jan (Tamara) Mahler of Perrinton; 14 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; his sister Nina Fern (Robert) Guild of Ithaca; and his brother Gordon (Mary) Mahler of Saginaw. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 granddaughters.

Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, September 22, 2010, at 11 AM at the Ithaca Church of God, with Pastors James Conn and Dr. Gary Ball officiating. Burial will be in the North Star Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to Ithaca Church of God.

Jessica Lee Macha

Came into the world on January 4, 1991 a little fighter weighing 1 lb 7 1/2 oz. She truly made us a believer in Angels, as she was our first. The Lord took her home on March 31, 2010.

Jessica was a soft spoken, gentle young lady. All her life she was an avid horse lover. At age 14 her Nana and Papa Macha bought her first real horse named Sam. They were buds until she was18 (2009) and then she met her true love Drew. Jessica Graduated Ithaca High School 2009, with future plans to attend MCC to pursue nursing and continuing her training at Ferris as a RN. She attended Alma High Vocational Ed training and received her CNA certificate.

Jessica worked at McDonalds in Ithaca for a year then for Shepler’s Ferry Line and her grandma’s Motel in Mackinaw City.

She loved her country music and going to country concerts. She kept a journal and wrote short stories and hanging out with friends.

Jessica leaves behind her parents Timothy and Kristi Macha, brothers David and Jared. Grandparents, David and Kay Macha of Sumner, Connie Strouse of Mackinaw City, Larry Strouse of Carp Lake. Great Grandmothers Yvonne Seaman, Audrey Robbins, and Betty Grandy. Aunts and uncles, Kimberly Macha Jansheski (Steven), James Macha, Limin Macha Kinsey (Kendel), Jacqualyn Grandy Strouse Garcia (Jesus), Angelia Strouse Wegienka (Richard). Many loving great aunts, uncles, cousins, and special friends. Her best friend and boyfriend Drew Freed.

Jessica was preceeded in death by great grandfathers, Otis Seaman, William Robbins and Lloyd Grandy. Great grandparents Louis and Anna Macha. Great great uncles Leo, Edward, Uncle Jerry Seaman, and cousins Jason Tinson and Kaylee Macha.

A memorial service will be held Saturday 11 a.m. April 3, at Town and Country in Ithaca, with Pastor Charles Lyons officiating. Visitation will be 5 -8 p.m. Friday, April 2, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.

Jean Louise Shuttleworth

Jean L. Shuttleworth, age 84, of Ithaca, died Friday, March 12, 2010 at her home.

Jean was born in Alma on July 22, 1925 to Oscar and Louise (Peterson) Fisher. She married Fredrick James Shuttleworth who preceded her in death in 1991.

Jean was employed by the Gratiot RESD as an aid working with handicapped children. She loved working with those children and volunteering with the Special Olympics. She also enjoyed horses and rode in the barrel races at the rodeo in her younger years. She enjoyed watching the Detroit Pistons and Michigan State basketball and football games. Jean loved her sons and grandchildren. 

Jean is survived by her sons, Joe Shuttleworth of Ithaca, and Martin B. (Lora) Shuttleworth of Edwardsburg, Michigan; five grandchildren; one great grandchild; and brother, Kenneth Fisher of Cadillac. She was preceded in death by her husband Fredrick, son Mark A. Shuttleworth, parents Oscar and Louise, sister Geraldine Romine, and brother Keith Fisher.

A graveside service for Jean will be held 10am Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Pine Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Ithaca Fire and Rescue. The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.

Janet Pauline (Hagerman) Lombard Mojica

Feb. 7, 1931 to March 1, 2010

Janet Pauline (Hagerman) Lombard Mojica, age 79, of Alma, passed away on March 1, 2010 at St. Lawrence in Lansing.

Janet was born in Gratiot County, she is the daughter of Charles and Ivah (McGill) Hagerman. She married Dale Ford Lombard on February 9, 1949 in Ithaca. He preceded her in death on February 23, 1975. She married Joe Mojica on March 19, 1993, and he preceded her in death on March 20, 2001.

Janet worked at Gratiot Community Hospital, retiring after working there for 17 years. Janet really enjoyed eating out at Ponderosa, Sunday drives, going out and visiting, and seeing her little dogs.

Janet is survived by her children, Jean Havens of Alma, Dale Lombard of Ithaca, Mable (Frank) Kremsreiter of St. Louis, Shirley Gross of Alma; and special friends Helen and Tom. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jeff Havens, Jennifer (Rich) Kimmel, Michelle (Rodney) Pettipas, Scott Kremsreiter (and special friend Kathy); great grandchildren, Bridgett, Sarah, and Chelsea Pettipas, and Kennedy Kremsreiter.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Olive Cline, and by her husbands, Dale Lombard and Joe Mojica.

Funeral services for Janet will be 11am Thursday, March 4, 2010 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Pastor Keith Wise will officiate, and burial will follow at Chapel Gardens Cemetery in Elwell. Visitation will be 2-6pm Wednesday, March 3, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Commission on Aging, or Food With Friends.

Jacqueline K. (Gross) Nicewander

Jacqueline K. (Gross) Nicewander, age 73, of Alma passed into God’s loving hands March 16, 2010.

Jacqueline was born April 10, 1936 in Alma. She is the daughter of Pauline (Baker) Gross and James P. Gross.

She is preceded in death by her mother, father, and brother Jack Gross.

She is survived by her husband Arthur Nicewander of Alma; two sons, Arthur II of Molena, Georgia and Timothy of Sunfield, Michigan; six grand children; and one great granddaughter. 

Jacqueline and Arthur were married June 9, 1954 in Ithaca. They lived in various cities throughout the US, and returned to Alma in 1974 where they have resided until the present. Jacqueline worked on various charitable causes. She was a loving wife and a loving mother and a devoted grandmother. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services for Jacqueline will be held 11am Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Pastor Bob Norris will officiate, and burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Alma. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 18 from 6-8pm, and Friday, March 19 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.