Leona M. Utter

Leona M. Utter, 81 of Fenwick passed away in Carson City on Tuesday, August 16, 2011. Leona was born in Lansing on Feb. 2, 1930 to Glen and Edna (Wright) Gallup. On February 28, 1946 she married Russell Utter in Ionia. Leona was a member of the Free Methodist Church of Sheridan. She was a homemaker who loved to cook, bake, work in her flower garden, and play with her dog Perp and her cat Tess. Her greatest pleasure was visiting with her family.

Leona is survived by her husband, Russell; her children, Russell Jr. and Linda Utter of Texas, Randy Utter of Butternut, Bonnibelle and Bill Wright of Stanton, Rudy and Kathy Utter of Texas, and Royce Utter of Fenwick; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren; one brother, Chuck Gallup of Ionia; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Vicilea Brooks; and her other brothers and sisters.

A gathering will be held in Leona’s honor at the Barden Funeral Home, Stanton on Friday, August 19, 2011 from 1-3 p.m. For those desiring to do so, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Animal Shelter of Montcalm County; envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Leola May Wieczorek

Leola May Wieczorek, age 90, of Ionia, died Thursday, March 10, 2011, at United Memorial Hospital in Greenville.

Leola was born May 18, 1920 in Cedar Springs, the daughter of Lewis S. and Florence M. (Ogg) Ferguson. She married Harold J. Wieczorek in Ionia on April 14, 1938. He preceded her in death in January 1994.

Leola worked for Chrysler as an inspector at the Lyons Trim Plant for 17 years. She enjoyed crafts, crocheting many items, was an avid Bingo fan, and loved spending time outdoors tending the flowers in her garden.

Leola is survived by her daughters, Janet Wieczorek of Hubbardston, Nancy (Danny) Arens of Sheridan, and Jacqueline (Gerald) Spencer of Lowell; her grandchildren, Lonnie Arens, Todd (Kelly) Arens, Jason (Laura) Spencer, Jessica (Josh) Olson, Joshua Spencer, and Jared Spencer; and 9 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and several brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, at the Barden Funeral Home in Stanton, with Father Dominic Tirkey officiating. Interment will be in Balcom Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 15.

LaVon N. Hodges

LaVon N. Hodges, 84, of Crystal went Home to be with her Lord on Sunday, November 27, 2011.

LaVon was born May 7, 1927 on the family farm in Stanton to George and Rosetta (Emmons) Young. She graduated from Stanton Schools and married Bobbie Hodges at the Congregational Church in Stanton on October 9, 1948. They lived in Carson City and then moved to Loon Lake in 1955.

LaVon was a member of the First Baptist Church in Stanton for many years. She retired from Data Processing at Hitachi Magnetics and was also an in home health care nurse and a Pioneer Girls leader. She loved to camp, golf, paint, downhill ski, sew, and quilt. She traveled Canada and the United States, going to Alaska twice, with her husband, Bob. Her greatest pleasure was spending time with her family. Please remember her fun loving sense of humor!

LaVon is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bob; her daughters, Krista and Lanny Prout of Rosebush and Robin and Michael August of Sheridan; grandchildren, Steven and Shannon Prout of Mt. Pleasant, Shelly and Mike Nelson of Rosebush, Melissa and Todd Smith of Charlotte and Sara and Rich White of Carson city; great grandchildren, Hailee Kimball, Baylee Prout, Tyler, Cameron, and Kiera White, Nickolas and Olivia Nelson; her Brother, Chuck and Bonnie Young of Stanton, 2 Nieces and 1 nephew, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and two great grandsons, Andrew and Alexander Nelson.

Visitation will be held from 3 pm to 7 pm on Monday, November 28th at the Barden Funeral Home, Stanton. A celebration of LaVon’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Stanton with Pastor Gene Haymaker of the Maranatha Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant officiating. 

For those desiring to do so, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Maranatha Baptist Church or the First Baptist Church; envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church.

Larry Dean Mikus

Larry D. Mikus, age 55, of Ashley, died Friday, November 11, 2011 at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.

Larry was born May 7, 1956 to Steve and Dorothy (Shaw) Mikus in Alma, Michigan. Larry worked in auto body repair for several local body shops. He enjoyed drag racing, going to swap meets and antique auctions, and restoring antique lawnmowers.

Larry is survived by his mother, Dorothy Mikus; brother, Steve Mikus; sister, Carrie (Rick) Murgittroyd; nephews Corey (TIna) Mikus and Josh (Sarah) Murgittroyd; niece Elizabeth Murgittroyd; and grand nephews and nieces Caden, Isaac, Devon, Lexi, Molly, Charlie, and Josie. 

He is preceded in death by his father Steve, and brother John.

Funeral services for Larry will be 2:30 p.m., Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca with visitation starting at 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at North Star Cemetery. Casual dress is requested.

June Marie Powell

June Marie Powell was living proof that angels walk among us.

She was the devoted wife of Hershel Powell for nearly 64 years and the loving mother of two daughters, Ginger Vetter and Barb (Bill) Clark - both of Wheeler. She is also survived by sons, Gerald (Sylvia) Powell from Napolean, Missouri, Douglas (Althea) Powell, and Larry (Pam) Powell both from Perrinton.

She was grandma to 18 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.

June was born March 5, 1928 in Flint, Michigan to Hollis and Ester Skinner. The family later moved to Gratiot County where she attended Ithaca School. She was active (and excelled) in sports as well as journalism.

She worked for Ithaca Schools and retired as a transportation specialist.

June and Hershel raised their family of six in the Ithaca area. Besides working outside the home, she was a seamstress and canned fresh vegetables from their garden. She also loved camping and fishing.

On April 17, 2011, June joined those that have left before her. She passed away at Schnepps in St. Louis where she had been lovingly nurtured for the past 3 years. Surrounded by family she was called home. Per her wishes cremation has taken place.

Waiting to greet her in heaven will be her parents, sisters, JoAnn Acker and Nancy Hall, son Roger, and infant great grandson Jarrett Wing.

The family will meet with friends for a memorial service in celebration of her life on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 11am, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca with Pastor Dale Golden officiating. Visitation will be held from 10am until the time of the service. A luncheon will follow at the Ithaca Senior Center.