Janet P. Foote

Janet Patricia Foote, age 65, of Ithaca, passed away at her home with her family by her side on August 29, 2011 after a courageous 11 year battle with cancer.

She was born on July 12, 1946 in rural Ashley, the youngest child and only daughter of Rudolph and Ruby (Morse) Skriba. She attended Dagget Country School in Washington Township and graduated from Ashley High School in 1965. She married Douglas Foote on November 6, 1965 in Ashley.

After the birth of their three daughters, she stayed at home to raise them and help out with the family business, Doug’s Wrecker Service. She began working outside of the home when her daughters were grown and was employed by the Gratiot-Isabella RESD for 15 years.

She enjoyed watching wildlife, reading, listening to old country music, sewing, raising and sharing flowers, and cooking from scratch. She often made kolache nut rolls to share with her family at Christmas time. She loved traveling in the Upper Peninsula, including her cabin on the Little Two Hearted River, and spending time with her family and grandchildren. She coordinated “Grandma Camp” every summer for a weekend together with her six grandchildren.

Janet is survived by her husband, Douglas; three daughters, Karen (Roland) Carman of Sumner, Cheryl (Monte) Reichard of Wheeler, and Jeanne (Brett) Fidler of North Star; her grandchildren, Kennedy and Lottie Carman, Lindsey and Kelby Reichard, and Clare and Jamie Fidler; three brothers, James (Virginia) Skriba of St. Johns, Michiel (Barbara) Skriba of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and William Skriba of Ashley; her sister-in-law, Christa Newton of Fort Smith, Arkansas, along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and sister-in-law, Rita Skriba, and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Foote.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, September 2, 2011, at 11 AM at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Chaplain Christopher Lauckner officiating. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, September 1, at Barden Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be given to Thompson Home Library or your choice.

Jack Randall

Jack Randall, 79, of Sheridan passed away on Monday, June 20, 2011 in Grand Rapids. He was born on June 28, 1931 in Ann Arbor to Milson and Hazel (Mills) Randall. He joined the United States Air Force in December 1950 during the Korean Conflict where he was an Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief in Alaska.

In 1958 he married Pauline Hall who had 4 sons; and together they had 2 more sons. Pauline passed away in 1986. He married Margaret Adams in Stanton in 1988. Jack had a commercial pilot’s license and attended Ferris State College for 2 years to learn diesel and heavy equipment maintenance. He worked road construction for 20 years and retired as a maintenance worker from Kalfact Plastics. 

Jack enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and gambling. He and Margaret traveled together and have been to all but 1 of the United States. He enjoyed puttering in his work shop and could make almost anything from nothing. Jack belonged to the American Legion Greenville Post 101 and was a member of the Silver Wings Fraternity. He had a warm smile and a great sense of humor.

Jack is survived by his wife, Margaret, two sons, Jack and Margaret Randall of Texas and James Randall of Blanchard; stepsons John and Theresa Hall and Bob Hall, all of Ft. Wayne; Margaret’s children, Debra and Don Prost of Dubai, Jodi and Brad Browning of Ohio, and Jeff Adams of Greenville; 10 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; a sister, Marilyn and Tom Bober of Midland, hunting buddies and special cousins, Lyle and Ann Mill of Stanton and Bryan and Kathy Mills of FLA.; many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother in 1968, his father in 1988, stepsons, Dayle Hall in 1971 from injuries suffered in Viet Nam and Tedd Hall in 2005.

In compliance with Jack’s wishes no services will be held. For those desiring to honor Jack’s life, contributions may be made to the American Lung Association. Envelopes are available at the Barden Funeral Home, Stanton.

Gladys Elizabeth Shaw

Gladys Elizabeth Shaw, 97, of Ashley, died Friday, February 4, 2011, at the Ashley Care Center.

She was born in Hamilton Township, on October 31, 1913, the daughter of William and Minnie (Peterson) Ringle. She attended the Ringle School in Hamilton Township. She married Joseph Shaw on July 5, 1930. He passed away on June 5, 1989.

Mrs. Shaw was a homemaker and resided most of her life just outside of Ashley on the family farm. She enjoyed spending time with her family, writing in her diary, crocheting, gardening, crossword puzzles, and playing cards.

She is survived by her son, Keith (Phyllis) Shaw of Ashley; her daughter, Sandra Hull of Roscommon; son-in-law, Melvin (Virginia) Maxwell; seven grandchildren: Gilbert Maxwell of Ithaca, Denise (Ron) Koppleberger of Ashley, Kim Weber of Ithaca, Tami (Ron) Mohr of Rockford, Kelly (Sue) Shaw of Ashley, Chaunda (Curtis) DeVries of Caledonia, and Austin Hull of Roscommon; thirteen great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. 

Mrs. Shaw was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph; two daughters, Connie Shaw and Beverly Maxwell; son-in-law, Dennis Hull; brothers, Ray Peterson, Eli Ringle, Forrest (Jack) Ringle, Birdsey Ringle; and sister, Bessie Shaw. 

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February, 7, at 11:00 a.m., at the Ithaca Church of God, Ithaca, Michigan, with Pastor James Conn officiating. Visitation will be Sunday at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Burial will take place at the North Star Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

The family is being serviced by the Barden Funeral Home, Ithaca, Michigan.

Georgiana E. Spohn

Georgiana E. Spohn, 42, of Crystal passed away at home on March 17, 2011.

Georgiana was born in Pontiac on July 7, 1968 to Leon and Dorothy (Sheldon) Adams. On April 27, 1990 she married Dennis Spohn in Ithaca. She traveled the United States with the carnival and enjoyed seeing all the new sights. She was saved at the First Baptist Church of Evart. She liked to be outside sunbathing, mowing lawn, canoeing, or relaxing. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she decorated their entire yard to the point that her driveway looked like a landing strip. She would even go up in the front end loader bucket to light up her trees. She was an avid collector of Angel figurines and beautiful wind chimes. She loved to play euchre with her husband and Uncles, Jr. and Art; and could often be found sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee and watching her birds and squirrels. Georgiana loved family gatherings but was most excited about her granddaughter, Makayla. She will be missed by many.

Georgiana is survived by her loving husband, Dennis; children, Nathen (Jessica) Spohn of Fort Bragg, NC, and Tammy (Mike) Correa of Fenton; granddaughter, Makayla; brothers and sisters, Fred (Laurie) Adams, Stan (Jan) Adams, Leon (Stephanie) Adams, Randy (Jeanine) Adams, Robert Adams, Forrest Adams, Ron (Judy) Adams, Wanda (James) Hannan, Delores Reynolds, Cindy (Don) Ross, Esther (Al) Simon, Kim (Richard) Elliott, Kathy (John) Preston, Deanna Wilcox, and Christie (Brian) Austin; mother in law, Doris Spohn; sister and brother in laws, Pamela and Bruce Rivard, Douglas Denslow, Korissia Gordon, Vanessia (Mark) Dalton; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Thomas; mother in law, Anna Denslow; and father in law, Marvin Spohn.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 21, 2011 at the Barden Funeral Home, Stanton. Pastor Ried Martin of the Crystal Congregational Church will officiate. Visitation will be on Sunday, March 20 from 2-5 p.m. and again on Monday from 9 a.m. until time of service.

Gary Lynn Grigar

Gary L. Grigar, age 60, of Ithaca, died Monday, May 23, 2011 at Gratiot Medical Center surrounded by his family.

Gary was born November 28, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan. He married Sue Ellen Stahl November 13, 1971 in Ithaca. A graduate of Ithaca High School, he lived in Gratiot County all of his life. 

Gary worked for the City of Alma in the Streets Department, retiring after 30 years of employment in April of 2004. He had a passion for history, loved to read, and to listen to all kinds of music. Gary adored his granddaughter, and loved his children unconditionally.

Gary is survived by his wife of 39 years, Sue; his son, Nathan Grigar of Ithaca; daughter Jessie Grigar of Ithaca; granddaughter Morgan; brothers Dennis Grigar of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Jerry (Elizabeth) Grigar, Jr. of Ithaca; sister Cheryl (Tim) Liberty of Ithaca. He is also survived by a large extended family including many close brothers and sisters-in-law; and his special buddy - his dog Benny.

A memorial service will be held in Gary’s honor, 11:30 a.m., June 11, 2011 at the East Washington United Brethren Church , 8051 S. Crapo Rd., Ashley. Memorial contributions may be made to the Beebe United Methodist Church or to the family. 

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.