Ruby Mitchell

Ruby Mitchell, age 92, passed away Monday, August 2, 2010, at Masonic Pathways in Alma.

Ruby was born November 24, 1917, in Gratiot County, the daughter of William and Mable (Hoadley) Lidle. She married Dale Mitchell on March 28, 1937, in Sickles, Michigan. He preceded her in death on May 13, 1983.

She loved dancing, often seen at the senior dances 2 or 3 times a week, her Ford Escort, which she learned to drive at age 66, and her cat, Beau.

Ruby worked for many years in the Foster Grandparent Program, helping with 3 to 5 year olds in Mt. Pleasant and Alma. The kids loved “Grandma Ruby” and she adored each of them.

Surviving are her two children, Janet Young of Saginaw and Allen (Denise) Mitchell of Lake Orion; seven grandchildren, Scott Young, Jeffrey (Gwen) Young, Kristine (James) Ferguson, Suzanne (Al) Cox, Jennifer (Kurt) Richter, Matt Mitchell, and Allison Mitchell; 12 great grandchildren; and her sister, Winifred Greenlee.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son-in-law, Kenneth Young; her brothers, Kenneth Lydle and Eldon Lydle; her sisters-in-law, Eloise and Lorene Lydle; and her brother-in-law, Robert Greenlee.

The family would like to thank the staff of Masonic Pathways Health Care Center in Alma for all the loving care she received as a resident. She danced her last dance there. 

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, August 7, at Doig Chapel of Masonic Pathways, with Pastor George Ayoub officiating. Interment will follow in North Star Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, August 6, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Memorial contributions may be made to Masonic Pathways Jack F. Sanders Health Care Center.

William R. Davis

William R. Davis, age 81, of Ithaca, died Sunday, March 27, 2011 in the Cardiac Care Unit of Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.

Bill was born August 7, 1929, in Emerson Township, the son of Jack and Myrtle (Purdy) Davis. He married Rosalie Hayes in Ithaca on September 23, 1951. 

In the 1950‘s Bill operated the Gulf gas station with Norm Godley. He also worked at the Fargo gas station and worked for his uncle Clair Purdy at the Sunoco gas station. In 1960, Bill started working for the City of Ithaca as a police officer, then as Chief of Police. In 1991 Bill retired from the City of Ithaca Department of Public Works after 31 years of service.

Bill was an avid weather watcher and always looked out for family members’ welfare. He loved NASCAR races and always had a biscuit in his pocket for the dogs he met along the way.

Bill is survived by his wife of 59 1/2 years, Rosalie; his children, Diane (Kendall Wood ) Davis of St. Johns and Jim (Nancee) Davis of Raleigh, North Carolina; his grandchildren, Lisa Davis and Matt (Kristi) Davis all of Raleigh, North Carolina; his sisters, Marilyn (Bill) Goodwin of Ithaca and Marlene Bates of Ithaca; and nieces and nephews, Chuck Goodwin, Michelle Beebe, and Marina Crawford.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor James Conn officiating. Interment will follow in Ithaca Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Ithaca Senior Activity Building.

Violet Marie Whitmore Stahl

Violet Marie Stahl, age 90, of North Star, died Thursday, September 1, 2011, at Gratiot Medical Center.

Violet was born in Illinois, the daughter of Harry and Anna Sparks. At a young age, her family moved to North Star. Her elementary education was at the North Star Schoolhouse and, excelling in academics, she skipped several grades and graduated from Ithaca High School early. 

She married Dale Whitmore on November 20, 1940. Together, they raised and showed horses on the family farm. Dale preceded her in death in 1964. Violet kept the farm going in the early years of the Whitmore Dairy, managing, milking, raising two sons, and all bookkeeping; and continued to do so until her passing. Violet was the heart of the farm and family. She married Arlo Stahl in 1966, and he preceded her in death in 1991. 

Violet is survived by her sons, Gary (Shirley) Whitmore and Rod (Brenda) Whitmore; her grandchildren, Dale, Jody, John, Amy, Julie, Kimberly, and Terri; her great-grandchildren, Alissa, Karlee, Thad, Kenzey, Reese, Hayden, and Jaxson; and her cats, Daisy and Ladybug.

She enjoyed square dancing, going out for dinners, visiting with her loved ones and taking care of the animals.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, September 5, 2011, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor Dave Perry officiating. Interment will follow in North Star Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-8 p.m. Sunday, September 4. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ithaca Senior Activity building or to Gratiot Commission on Aging.

Velma Warren-Webber

On Wednesday October 5th 2011, Velma Warren-Webber, age 97, of Alma, Michigan, went to sit at the feet of Jesus. The eldest daughter of Asa and Martha Aldrich Nafe, Velma was born in Ithaca, MI on July 9th, 1914. On April 1st 1934, she was united in marriage to Kenneth B. Warren, who passed June 6th, 1984. In 1985, she married Charles H. Webber who passed away that same year. 

Velma was a member of the Church of God for over 50 years and lived her life a devoted wife and mother. She was a gifted seamstress and loved to garden. In her later years, Velma resided at Warwick Living Center. There she received loving, professional care and enjoyed frequent visits from family and friends. 

Velma is survived by: two daughters, Ann (and Fred) Burlingame, Margaret (and Tom) Van Alstine, nine grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Velma was preceded in death by: a sister, Melba Johnson, one daughter, Shirley (and Roger) Wiles, and grandson James Van Alstine, and four step-sons. 

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, October 8, 2011, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Rev. Brian Wickes officiating. Interment will follow in North Star Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, October 7, at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.

Velma Gladys Drew

Velma Gladys Drew, age 91, went to be with the Lord on November 25, 2011. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Clarissa (Stanton) Pratt; a brother, Clarence Pratt; her sister and brother-in-law, Mildred and Ira Davis.

She is survived by her daughter, Vanda Schneider of Muskegon, her son, Lyle (Barbara) Drew of West Bloomfield, and her daughter, Kay Barnes of Grand Rapids; four grandchildren, Troy (Chasity) Barnes, Lyle “Eric” Drew, Aaron (Jamie) Simpson, and D’Lynn (Jeremy) Wendt; and four great grandchildren, Andrew and Riley Simpson and Caitlyn and Sara Drew.

Velma Retired from Fisher Body in Lansing in December of 1979 after 30 years of employment.

She loved her family and was devoted to them - and her nieces, Joyce Street and Jean (Bill) Bagley and their children also. She loved to travel and just to be on the go with her friends. She loved to laugh and had a wonderful sense of humor.

She came to know the Lord later in her life and was happy when she was able to attend church and worship God.

She was a very generous woman and on Thanksgiving Day her daughter, Vanda, asked her what she wanted for Christmas. She said, “A million dollars.” When asked what would you do with a million dollars, she replied, “I would help people who needed it.” That was Velma Drew, generous, caring, and loving.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, December 1, 2011, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor Wesley Smith officiating. Interment will follow in New Haven Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday beginning at 11a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to either the American Heart Association or to the charity of your choice.