Nathan Alaska Threet

Nathan Alaska Threet died Sunday, May 7, 2023.

Nathan was born in Orem, Utah January 30, 1985, and has lived in Midland, Michigan since he was two years old. Nate loved learning and was an avid reader. He was attending Northwood University and was on the President’s list. 

Nate was always quick to help his friends and family whenever there was a need. He was fiercely loyal to those he cared about. Some found him annoying, much to his liking, but he was loved by anyone who got to know the guy under the off-putting antics.  Nate was a volunteer firefighter for several years and loved it. He was especially beloved by his nieces and nephews, who had so many fun outings to his house to play with his doggies, target shoot at his backyard range, ride his 4-wheeler, and try out his flame thrower. 

Nate had a strong love for doggies and kitties, whom he termed "floofies". He loved ALL the floofies. Nate served in the army right out of high school, serving our country overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was so very loud, especially when sharing jokes- some funny, some downright terrible. The more terrible the joke, the more it amused him, and he would laugh so loud and so hard. 

Nate is survived by his parents, Toby and Karma Threet, siblings Anthony (Jennifer) Threet, Katee (Cory) Baldwin, Krystee (Ryan) Keyes, Kendra (Brandon) Wood, and Jonathan Threet, plus nieces and nephews Dominik, Alexa, Sam, Madeline (with whom he shared a special bond), Max, Elliot, Claire, Alexander, Rowan, Desmond, Andrew, Lianna, and Meredith, and of course his floofies, Kitty Baby and Dummy.

Nate will be missed terribly for his larger-than-life personality and generous heart.  

Funeral services will be held 3PM Saturday May 13, with visitation starting at 2pm.  Services will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (corner of Eastman and Sugnet in Midland). Burial will follow in the Lee Township Cemetery. 

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

Bethel Jerome

Our beloved Bethel Evey-Jerome, age 94, of Sumner, passed away May 6, 2023 at Schnepp Senior Care and Rehab Center in St. Louis, Michigan, where she resided since November 2022.

Bethel was a life-long resident of Michigan.  She was born in Elm Hall on September 16, 1928, the daughter of Walter and Opal Evey.  As a child, she lived in Sumner with her family, which included her parents, brothers Dale, Bernard and Elmon, and her sister, Betty.  She graduated from Crystal High School in 1947, and during that same year, married Lyle Jerome, also of Sumner. 

In 1953, after renting in Alma and Sumner during the first few years of their marriage, Lyle built the family their first forever home in Sumner.  Here they raised their family of six children, Gayla, Carla, Denise, Robin, Rod, and Wendy.  Although their children married and moved to their own homes to raise their children, Lyle and Bethel continued to provide the perfect ingredients for creating new memories in their home with their many grandchildren and their great-grandchildren.  The home was packed with family members during many Christmas and birthday celebrations, and in their later years, camping in the back yard was a fun-filled family event.  After Lyle passed away in 2017, Bethel remained in the home until 2022.

With the exception of teaming with Lyle during his par-time job as a custodian of the Sumner school during the late 1960’s through the early 1970’s, Bethel made her role as a wife and mother her lifetime career.  It was important for her and Lyle to provide a safe and nurturing home for their family by working tirelessly every day.  Without a doubt, they lovingly provided for their family an environment consisting of the comforts of nourishing meals, clean and mended clothes, and a calming sense of security when they all went to bed each night.

In her younger adult years, Bethel enjoyed many activities such as yard work, growing flowers, playing croquet, and bowling.  It was a well-known fact to those who knew her that she was an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers.l

Lyle and Bethel were members of Ferris Church of Christ in Vestaburg, Michigan, for several years.  They truly enjoyed the fellowship and worship while serving the Lord with their church family. 

Bethel is survived by five of her children, Gayla (Gary) Wilkinson, Denise (Richard) LaPaugh, Robin (Joe) Lepley, Rod (Shelly) Jerome, Wendy (Darrel) Rauch, and son-in-law, Steve Smith.  Her many grandchildren include; Jamie Hunt, Mary (Lonny) Shook, Cary (Amy) Wilkinson, Dawn (Steve) Schmid, Lance Smith, Bret (Aubrey) Smith, Tammy (Jeff) Coe, Kristy (Pat O’Boyle) Smith, Heather (Dan) Wright, Daniel (Wendi) Lepley, John (Amanda) Ripley) Lepley, Alison Jerome, Kristyn (Chris) Roethlisberger, Joshua Jerome, Derek (Crissy) Rauch, Britt (Jodi) Rauch, Scott (Jeniffer) Rauch, Ryan Jerome, Ashley (David Bonner) Rauch, and Corey (Kaylan)  Rauch.  She is also survived by several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.  

Preceding her in death were her husband, Lyle, in 2017, and her daughter, Carla Jerome-Smith in 2004.

The family of Bethel Jerome would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this time.  Thank you to the medical staff of Schnepp Senior Care and Rehab Center and Mid Michigan Hospice for their services and care for Bethel over the past few months.  Thank you, also, to Ferris Church of Christ, pastor Keith Mitchell for officiating the funeral services and to the church family for providing a luncheon for the attending guests.  For overseeing and coordinating all fo the aspects of the funeral service, we thank Barden Funeral Home.

The visitation and funeral service will be on Friday, May 12 at the Ferris Church of Christ, 3443 North Crystal Road in Vestaburg, Michigan.  Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m.  A luncheon art the church will be provided after the funeral and followed by a graveside service at the Sumner Cemetery.

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

Richard “Dick” Ira Maxwell

 Richard “Dick” Ira Maxwell of Ithaca, MI, passed away Saturday, April 23, 2023, at Rosewood AFC in Ithaca, where he resided and had received care for the past several years.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 28, 2023, at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor Phil Maxwell officiating.  Interment will follow in Ithaca Cemetery.  Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday, April 27.

Richard was born July 5, 1937 in North Star Township, Michigan, the son of Raymond Ted and Angeline (Tugen) Maxwell.  He graduated from Ithaca High School with the class of 1956.  He served in the Army Reserves and worked for Seal Power over 30 years.

Richard enjoyed hunting and fishing during his younger years, but most of his time was spent working on the family farm in the morning and his day job in the afternoons.  Richard was an integral part to the success of the Maxwell farm that was located on Begole road in Ithaca.  During his years of service on the farm, he enjoyed cutting hay, chopping corn, and getting the cows ready to sell.  Richard had a real love for raising beef cattle and caring for the day to day activities. especially after his retirement.

Richard loved his nieces and nephews and was always interested in what they were doing with their families.  Before his health began to decline, he enjoyed gathering with family for holidays and birthdays.  One of the things that many people will miss is his smart-aleck antics.  Richard liked to get things started with people in fun, as he enjoyed seeing smiles on peoples faces and making them laugh.

He is survived by his brother, Phillip (Linda) Maxwell; his sister, Ruthann Wymer; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Phyllis Heathcock; and his brothers-in-law, Richard Heathcock and Carl Wymer.

Memorial contributions may be given to Amara Hospice which had been instrumental in his recent care.  The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.  Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Antoinette Yvonne (Fache) Chandler

Antoinette Yvonne (Fache) Chandler, age 85, of Ithaca, Michigan, passed away at Woodland Hospice House in Mt. Pleasant on April 22, 2023. 

Funeral services will be 11 A.M. Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor Bob Norris officiating.  A reception will follow at the Ithaca Baptist Church.

“Toni” was born in San Pedro, California on June 13, 1937, the daughter of Antone Henri Fache and Lois Frances (Hitchcock) Fache.  She graduated form Polytechnique High in Long Beach, California, with the class of 1954.  She later attended Long Beach City College and Cal State University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. 

“Toni” was united with Don Carlton Chandler in 1966 in Long Beach, California.  Don Passed away in 2009.

“Toni” enjoyed traveling and backpacking.  In her younger years she enjoyed roller skating with her daughter, Fran, on the Boardwalk in California.  She also enjoyed playing golf.  She loved all animals, especially cats.  “Toni” worked for GTE/Verizon for 35 years.

Antoinette is survived by two daughters, Ellen Hopkins of Missouri, and Frances Kingham of Ithaca, Michigan; a niece, Nora Witt of Arizona; and three close friends, Ruth Jourdan of Ithaca, Mi., Cheryl Betcher of Lansing, Mi., and Jan Conlin of Tennessee.  “Toni” was preceded in death by her husband, Don Carlton Chandler (2009) and her brother, Albert Fache (2009).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ithaca Baptist Church.

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

Larry S. Fisher

6/14/1952-04/08/2023

A devoted, caring and loving son, husband, father, grandfather and friend, Larry Sherman Fisher, 70, passed away at his home in Cadillac on April 8, 2023.

He loved his family unconditionally and would do anything to make their lives fuller and easier.  If he saw something that needed fixing, he would collect his tools to fix it on his next visit.  His grandkids were his world and he would literally light up when they were around.  It was common for them to pile on top of Pa in order to read them book after book.  He loved going to their games and was the principle fan, encouraging them and inserting his familiar laugh during the common antics of young ones learning the game.

Larry was a US Navy Veteran serving 2 years active duty and 2 years active reserve.  It was not uncommon for him to approach a perfect stranger wearing a veteran hat to thank them for their service and striking up a conversation.  In that way he was much like his dad.  He loved his time in the Navy, stationed in Holy Locks Scotland and was never at a loss for stories about his experience.

Camping with family was his love and he looked forward to trips up north on the shores of Lake Superior finding all the agates he could carry.  He would choose each rock for its particular color and shape keeping in mind how he was going to incorporate them into his art form.  He did art shows around Michigan with his wife Chris selling stone lamps, boxes, and jewelry.  He also loved going to second hand stores finding cool boxes,  antique knives and memorabilia and he could never go anywhere without finding a new hatchet.

Traveling was also a love of his, traveling around the United States with Chris visiting every national monument he could find.  Going out of the way to view some of the gorgeous sites he’d seen in travel magazines, never disappointed.  Sharing those moments with Chris brought him so much joy.  

Golfing with Kenny, his best friend Bruce, John-David and the grand kids were also highlights in his life.  Playing on courses from Scotland, Maryland, and South Carolina to local clubs brought him joy.

Larry found humor in just about every facet of his life.  He would laugh at his own jokes and his infectious laugh would naturally bring everyone in to enjoy the moment.  We will miss that love of life he carried with him every day.

His children, Kenny and Sarah were lights of his life.  He was so proud of them and how they have built their lives and families.  Ashley and John-David were the perfect choices for them and he loved them as if they were his own children.  

He is preceded in death by his loving parents, Kenneth and Phyllis Fisher of Ithaca.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Chris, daughter Lori, daughter Sarah (John-David) of Traverse City, adopted daughter Alyssa (Jason), son Kenny (Ashley) of Portage, and 12 grandchildren.  

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor Tony Pasquino officiating.  

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.