Ronald A. Daniel

Ronald A. Daniel, 76, passed away peacefully at home in Ithaca with his family by his side on Sunday, April 24, 2011. Ron was born on October 22, 1934 to the late Bruce and Hazel (Palmer) Daniel. He was married to Karen Daniel. Ron was a supervisor at Lobdell Emery in Alma for over 30 years. He enjoyed woodworking, traveling, fishing, and hunting. Ron especially treasured the time he spent with his family.

Ron is survived by his wife of 54 years, Karen Daniel; son, Randy Daniel; daughter, Michelle Schlappi and her husband, Derrick Thelen; grandchildren, Nick (Amber) Daniel, Heather (Gene) Badder, Amber (Josh) Bloss; great grandchildren, Claire, Bryle and Bayli; sister, Mavis Lippert; nieces and nephews; and special extended family, Noah (Jesse) Shetler and children, Owen and Amanda. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

A graveside service will be held on June 11, 2011 at 1:00PM at the New Haven Township Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the service at the New Haven Church of God, 8102 Washington Road, Sumner. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family.

Roger Keith Lombard

Roger Keith Lombard, age 62, of Ithaca, passed away Friday, April 15, 2011, at the Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit.

Roger was born December 24, 1948 in Alma, the son of Daine and Lula (Inbody) Lombard. He graduated from Vestaburg High School in 1968, and was drafted by the Army in 1969, proudly serving his country in Vietnam. He worked as a fork lift driver for Lobdell for 34 years until 2004 when the company closed.

On December 11, 1971 he married Sue Baker, and together they raised three wonderful daughters, Donna, JoAnna, and Daina.

Roger enjoyed fishing and camping, especially with the grandchildren, going to flea markets along the way. He would make hills for the kids to slide on in the driveway. Fuzzy, Bear, and Missy, his dogs, were always at his side, indoors and out. He enjoyed hunting with friends from Canada at his sister-in-laws farm. He loved to sit at the kitchen table talking with Sue and looking out of the sliding doors, watching the birds, and identifying them. 

Roger is survived by his wife of 39 years, Sue; his daughters, Donna Lombard (Terry Cyphert), JoAnna (Gary) Budek, and Daina (Joe) Wallen; his grandchildren, Aaron (Anna) Lombard, Tracey Cyphert, Tori Shattuck, Daine Budek, Sophie Budek, Kera Wallen, Joseph Wallen, Trevor Cyphert, and Tyler Cyphert; his brothers, Dick (Lorna) of Sumner, Duane (Carol) of Riverdale, Ted (Nancy) of Sumner, Art (Mary) of Riverdale, Gary (Rhonda) of Vestaburg, Gale (Darlene) of Farwell, Niles of Harrison; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his granddaughter, Olivia; his sister, Joyce Simpson; his father-in-law, Leo Glenn Baker; and his brother-in-law, Gary Baker. 

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 19, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor Dale Wolfe officiating. Interment will follow in Fulton Center Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 18. Memorial contributions may be made to Relay for Life.

Riley James Adams

Riley James Adams, infant son of Ryan and Cassandra (Foster) Adams, was born and passed away on January 3, 2011, at Spectrum Hospital in Greenville.

Riley is survived by his parents, Ryan and Cassandra Adams; his sister, Breanna Adams of St. Louis; his grandparents, Tina and Robert Foster of Sheridan, Karen Revoldt of Stanton, and David Adams of Sault Ste. Marie; his great grandparents, Leo and Ruth Phenix of Sheridan, Dorothy Revoldt, and Charlotte Rarick of California; his uncles, Mike Adams and Paul Adams, both of Sheridan; and his aunt, Brandy Robbe of Sheridan.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, January 6, at Central Montcalm Community Church in Sheridan, with Pastor Wayne Otto officiating.  Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.  At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, please send or bring teddy bears.

Phyllis Claire (Barden) Whaley

Phyllis Claire (Barden) Whaley 91 of Ithaca died peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, November 29, 2011.

Phyllis was born on May 22, 1920 in Ithaca, Michigan where she spent her entire life. After graduating from Ithaca High School, she attended Central Michigan University where she received her baccalaureate degree in elementary education. 

She taught elementary education in several area Mid-Michigan school districts in her early professional years. Her career in education flourished when Phyllis joined the teaching staff at Hillcrest Elementary School in Alma Michigan where she taught for 26 years.

Phyllis was the daughter of Charles Donald Barden, Sr. and Helen Russell Barden. She is survived by her loving children Rebecca (Garry) Frisbey, Steven (Anna) Whaley and Deborah (David) Spencer, 6 grand children, 4 great grand children and her sister Nancy (Barden) Patterson.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Jack Whaley and son Michael Scott Whaley. Phyllis also was preceded in death by her brothers Charles Barden Jr., John Barden, Joseph Barden and sisters Jean Barden and Jacquelene (Barden) Heath.

Phyllis enjoyed traveling and camping at School Section Lake in Mecosta Michigan with her family and friends. She also was accomplished at quilting, crocheting and sewing. 

The family requests donation consideration be directed to The Seventh Day Adventists Community Center at 935 North Pine River Street, Ithaca, Michigan 48847.

A celebration of Phyllis Whaley’s life will be held during a memorial service at the Ithaca United Methodist Church at 327 East Center Street, Ithaca, Michigan on Saturday December 3, 2011 at 11:00 am. 

Patricia “Patti” Esch

Patricia “Patti” Esch, 43, of Edmore, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 01, 2011. She fought a long hard battle with cancer and showed tremendous faith and strength.

Patti was born in Hudson, MI to John and Patricia (Thompson) Blaker. On October 18, 1998 she married Tony Esch in Sheridan. Patti loved to sing, play the piano, saxophone, and write poetry, stories, and songs. She was a wonderful wife and mother and had a large servant’s heart.

Patti is survived by her husband, Tony; her children, Alicen (Esch)Chaffin, Lindsey Esch, Stephen Gregory, Kelli Gregory, Danielle Esch, Mikayla Esch, Isaac Esch, and Erika Esch; her parents, John and Patricia Blaker; sisters and brothers, Royal Taylor, Helen Taylor, Susan and Jim Dickerson, Suzanne and Timothy Lee, Mike Woodford, Tammy and Mark Richards, and Jay and Tonya Blaker; Tony’s family including, his Mother and Father, Nancy and Bob Esch; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandma, Maxine Blaker.

Patti’s family will greet friends at the Barden Funeral Home, Stanton on Thursday, Nov. 3rd from 5 – 7 p.m. A celebration of Patti’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 at the funeral home. Pastor Kurt Hoffman of the Trinity Evangelical Free Church will officiate. For those desiring to do so, Memorial Contributions may be made to ­­­­Breast Cancer Research.