Eleanora Honora Harris

Eleanora Honora Harris passed away November 9th, 2011 with her family by her side. Ellie was born in Putnam County, Indiana on Jun 26th, 1918. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and in her younger days loved to cook.

Ellie is survived by her only daughter Barbara VanWye of Alma; grandchildren Michale (Debra) Miller of Riverdale, Diana (Eric) Sanger of Merrill, Andrea Sternhagen of Riverdale, Darcia (Shannon) Daley of Vestaburg; and many great grandchildren.

Ellie was preceded in death by her husband Frank Harris, grandson David Miller, granddaughter Eleanora Ann Miller, and grandson John Sternhagen.

Graveside services and interment will be 1 p.m. Saturday, November 26, 2011, at Elm Hall Cemetery.

Edna Scott Failing Kaufman

Edna Scott Failing Kaufman

Edith Emma Owen

Edith Emma (Edwards) Owen passed away Friday, June 3, 2011 at the age of 86 at Gratiot Medical Center in Alma.

She was born on February 26, 1925 in St. Louis, the daughter of Otto and Flora Edwards. She enjoyed singing with Bob Crist and the Sunshine Gang; she especially loved singing “Bill Bailey, Won’t You Come Home?”

She is survived by two sons, Bill and Becky Owen and three children and their families from Gaines, Michigan and Ken and Nola Owen and three sons and their families of Ithaca, Michigan.

Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 2:00 PM the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11:00 AM to the time of service.

Duane B. Benner

Duane B. Benner, 84, of Sidney passed away on Sunday, August 14, 2011 in Carson City. He was born in Lyons, MI to Raymond and Ruth (Kilts) Benner. On August 24, 1944 he married Phyllis Wheeler in Ionia. Duane retired from Belco Industries as a pipe fitter and welder. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, and most of all spending time with his family.

Duane is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his children, Diane and John Lahr of Sheridan, Daniel and Marcia Benner of Sidney, Dennis and Edna Benner of Palo, Linda Benner of Stanton, and Joann and Roy Koenig of Muskegon; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; his sister, Shirley Allen of Florida; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Wallace and Verlon Benner; two sisters, Natalie Linebaugh and Beverly Jenks. 

Duane’s family will greet friends on Tuesday, August 16th at the Barden Funeral Home, Stanton from 2-4 and 6-8. A celebration of Duane’s life will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Stanton with Pastor Kurt Hoffman officiating. Memorial Contributions may be made to Michigan Kidney Foundation or Carson City Hospital; envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church.

Doug D. Randall

Doug D. Randall, age 70, lost his battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis at his home on January 19, 2011.

A lifelong resident of Gratiot County, he was born on January 21, 1940 to Frank and Thelma Randall. He graduated from Ithaca High School in 1958. He married Beth Fortner on December 6, 1999.

He spent the past 20 years working for the State of Michigan, Department of Agriculture Horse Racing Division. He had worked at every horse racing track in Michigan. He retired in March of 2009. Doug was an avid bow hunter, enjoyed photography, flea markets, nature and spending time in the Saginaw-Gratiot State Game Area.

He is survived by his wife Beth; 2 daughters, Terri (Steve) Ball of Ithaca and Tammy (Brad) Schaub of Alma; stepdaughter, Staci (Pat) Hurd; stepson, Jimmy (Jodi) Fortner; grandchildren, Brent Cagala, Meggin (Bob) Fall, Mallory Boyle, Kara Schaub, Austin Sutherby, Dylan and Lauryn Ball, Alex, Cristofer, Kelti and Luke; great granddaughters, Isabelle, Carlee, Reaghan and Anika. He is also survived by his only brother, Roger (Sharon) Randall of Parker, Colorado; and 2 nephews, Jim and Matt Randall; inlaws, Jim and Anita Okoniewski, Jimmie (Vickie), Dan (Ann), and Larry (Mary) Okoniewski. He was preceded in death by his parents and his favorite beagle Hank.

He was a funny, loving, caring, generous, intelligent man to family and all that knew him.

A family graveside memorial service will take place in the spring at the Hamilton Township Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.