Madelyn Lucille Wood

 Madelyn Lucille Wood, age 94, of Alma, died Wednesday, April 5, at Schnepp Senior Care in St. Louis.

Madelyn was born October 26, 1928 in Ithaca, the daughter of Clark Battles and Florence Lucille (Fisher) Olson.  She married Owen L. “Bud” Wood on Dec 2, 1950 in Alma.  He preceded her in death on February 3, 2013.

Madelyn worked at the Gratiot County Register of Deeds for six years before working for Gratiot Abstract Company for 25 years.  She was on the Women’s Committee for Farm Bureau and enjoyed handiwork and embroidery.  She was an avid reader, taught Sunday school at Alma Methodist Church, and was proud of her flower gardens and rock collection.  Madelyn and Bud enjoyed traveling all over the United States and throughout Europe.

Madelyn is survived by her daughter, Becky Stellow of Freeland; her son, David (Pamela) Wood of Georgia; 4 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and her sister, Lorene Warba of Mt. Pleasant.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Robert Olson; and her sister, Marjorie Soule; and her son-in-law, John Stellow.

Memorial services for Madelyn will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 14, at the Lincoln Road United Methodist Church, with the Reverend Steven Young officiating.  A luncheon will follow.  Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Alma.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lincoln Road United Methodist Church or to ELARA Caring Hospice, PO Box 58, Jackson, MI 49204.

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

Jeffrey James Washburn

DOB 12/21/1995-  

Jeffrey died unexpectedly at age 27, on March 15, 2023, at his home in Mt. Pleasant Michigan.  Jeffrey was living with Jodi and Patty Hutson two women who were so dear to Jeff that he considered them his mothers.  Jeffrey was born 12/21/1995 Jeffrey Ashley in Clare Michigan, son of Debbie Ashley and Sid Tutwiler and grandson of Idella Mogg.  Jeff was later adopted by Sean Washburn and Dawn Bohjanen.  Jeffrey graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School and worked for Stargazer as a dispatcher.  He loved his job.   

Jeffrey was preceded in death by his brother Keegan Beerens (Keegan Ashley) and his beloved uncle Jimmy Lane.  Jeffrey’s siblings are Preston Maloney, Keegan Maloney, Amanda Washburn (Miranda Ashley), Sean Washburn, Brendan Hunn, Miranda Hutson, Matthew Beerens (Storm LaForge), Adam Beerens (Adam LaForge), Hailey Andreo-Ashley, Raina Andreo-Ashley, Morissa Andreo-Ashley, and Tomas Jr. (Poppy) Andreo-Ashley. 

If you were lucky enough to be loved by Jeff, you were considered his family.  He was known for his wit, intelligence, and loyalty.  Jeffrey was not afraid to tell you exactly what he thought.  He demonstrated a great deal of tenaciousness and bravery in the face of challenges.  He will be missed.  

Donations may be made to the Isabella Day Treatment Program in lieu of flowers:

Isabella Day Treatment Program

2007 E. Preston

Mount Pleasant, Mi 48858

A Memorial Service will take place on April 15th 2023 at 11AM.  The location will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1404 S Crawford, Mt Pleasant Mi. 48858. A second Memorial will be held early in May further information will be made available when these plans have been solidified.  

If you would like to share pictures of Jeffrey with the family, please download them to the following link:

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Gwendolyn E. Showers

 Gwendolyn E. Showers, age 98, of Ithaca, passed away on March 23, 2023 at Rosewood AFC in Ithaca.

Gwen was born April 6, 1924, in Charlotte, MI, the daughter of Fred and Letha (Rawson) Woodman.  She married Arlan G. Showers on April 5, 1947.  He preceded her in death in 2011.

Gwen is survived by her daughter, Cheryle (Dave) LaVean, her son, Ken (Glenda) Showers, and her daughter-in-law. Dee (Lorin) Cook; 13 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and 9 great great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her oldest son, Ron; her parents; and her brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Mary Woodman.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, at the Ithaca Church of God, located at 624 Barber St.  Pastor Jim Conn will officiate.   Visitation will be at the church prior to the service from 10-11 a.m.  Interment will be in chapel Gardens Cemetery in Elwell.

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

Robert F. Merchant

Robert F. Merchant (Bob) was a lifelong resident of Ithaca, Michigan, and passed away unexpectedly on March 12, 2023, in Providence, Rhode Island, at 83.  Robert was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend.   

Robert was born on July 6, 1939, to Dale and Opal Merchant and was the youngest of three boys.  He lived at the family homestead, farming with his family until creating a life of his own with Sharon Barnes on September 24, 1960, at the age of 21.  Robert was a hardworking man who worked two jobs his whole life, as a forklift operator/machinist for Lobdell Emery in Alma, Michigan, for over 30 years and as a farmer.   He never considered farming as a second job; it was his passion.  He loved farming with the love of his life Sharon and their two daughters, Cheryl, and Danette.  Robert, also known as Uncle Bob and Grandpa Bob to so many, was always there for his immediate and extended family.  When on the farm, you could find him in the fields working the land, planting, and harvesting crops, bailing hay and straw, or in the barns tending to the livestock, dehorning cattle, cleaning the barns and helping Sharon with the delivery of baby pigs late into the night.  Even though it was demanding and challenging work, Robert could still find time to be witty, laugh, and have fun with his family and friends.  He loved dancing with his wife and friends, taking long weekends with the camper and his family to Cedar Point, camping at School Section Lake, and going to Drummond Island for a week of fishing.  He also enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, and sports.  He was known to coach through the TV and yell louder than ANY official.  Upon his retirement, Robert and his wife Sharon would spend their winters in Arizona and return to the farm every spring.  

Robert is survived by his two doting daughters, Cheryl Ann Merchant, and Danette Kim (Dani) McDermott; her husband, Tom McDermott, and grandchildren Andrea, Remy, and Ethan McDermott, Devon and Samantha Merchant Soehnge. Sister-in-law Patricia (Barnes) and Jack Paul, sister-in-law Nancy (Barnes) and Pat Stearns, sister-in-law Christine (Fraker) Barnes, brother-in-law William and Jill Barnes, his beloved nieces and nephews, and side-kicks Tye (Sharon’s dog) and Fred (his bird and personal security guard).

He is preceded in death by his admired and adored wife, Sharon Kaye (Barnes) Merchant, to whom he was married for over 60 years, his parents, Dale and Opal Merchant, and brothers Wayne and Larry (his sister-in-law Pauline) Merchant, his in-laws Hubert and Mildred Barnes, his brother-in-law Danny Barnes, and his nephew Jeffery Smith.

Robert’s family will receive extended family and friends on Friday, March 17, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Barden’s Funeral home in Ithaca, MI.  A service will be held in Roberts's honor on Saturday, March 18, at 10:00 AM at Barden’s Funeral home, followed by graveside services at New Haven cemetery.  A luncheon will be held at the New Haven Township Centre for those attending the graveside service. 

In Robert's memory, all donations can go to Future Farmers of America (FFA).

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

Tim Endter

Tim Endter, age 77, originally of Menasha, WI, passed away surrounded by loving family on Thursday, March 9th from complications of a recent illness. He was born on July 25, 1945, to his parents Emil and Phyllis (Grode) Endter, who preceded him in death. In recent years, he struggled with Parkinson’s Disease and was living under the attentive care of his eldest son and the amazing staff at Rosewood AFC in Ithaca, MI. Those who knew him will say that he finally succumbed to the broken heart he suffered in 2007 with the passing of his beloved wife of 43 years, Sharon (Eckes). He was further preceded in death by his sister Barbara (Abramson), and two brothers, Daniel and Kenneth.

He is survived by his son Robert (Rhonda) of Ithaca, MI, son William (Sarah) of Appleton, WI, brother Phillip (Mary) of Menasha, WI, brother Steve (Laureen) of DePere, WI, sister Mary Gaertner (Chris) of Waupaca, WI, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tim worked most of his life for Hoffer Glass in Appleton, WI, and was proud to have worked on many of the area’s landmarks. He moved to Seymour, WI in 1990 to a beautiful, secluded property where he, Sharon, and their cherished cats were as happy as anyone could be. In true Wisconsin fashion, he enjoyed golfing and shooting in the summer, and bowling during the winter. Tim made many friends throughout those endeavors. He was a fun-loving man who always tried to make people laugh with his many voices and facial expressions. He was a joy to be around and will be greatly missed by many.

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