Dale L. Woodhams

Dale L. Woodhams, 60, of Sheridan passed away on July 26, 2011. Dale was born in St. Johns to Eugene and Betty Jane (Cornell) Woodhams. 

Dale was a Jack of all trades and master of many. He was a construction worker, an auto mechanic, motorcycle and auto restorer. He Captained the Grand Valley Research Ship, the Muskegon Paddleboat, and was Captain of his own Charter Boats. He was a Licensed Marine Surveyor, Licensed Insurance Salesman, and Master Instructor in Scuba Diving. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved to travel. He was considered a true biker. He accomplished a lot in a short time and will be sadly missed by many.

Dale is survived by his mother, Betty Jane Woodhams; his girlfriend, Kim Bakos; his brother, Alva “Woody”; sister, Cynthia; nieces and nephews, Adam, Kristie, Aimee, Jeff, and Sandra; several great nieces and nephews, Aunts, Uncles, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene and wife, Linda.

In accordance with Dale’s wishes a “Poop” Memorial Celebration will be held on August 13, 2011. Barden Funeral Home is honored to have served the Woodhams family.

Dale E. Parks

Dale E. Parks 81 of Ithaca passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on Sept 18, 2011. 

Dale was born in Ithaca on June 16, 1930, the son of Henry Lynn and Eva Alice (Helman) Parks. 

He served 7½ years in the US Army spending the last 1½ years at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center recovering from injuries he sustained in the Korean War and was medically discharged with a purple heart.

He worked in trailer plants in Alma and St. Louis before becoming self employed in the heating and appliance repair business for 43 years.

Dale enjoyed going all over to car races. He enjoyed traveling all over the U.S, and expecially Niagara Falls.  He took a memorable trip with his children, granddaughter and grandson to Washington DC to celebrate the 4th of July 2008 celebrating being cancer free.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Bonnie, a son Danny, both parents Lynn and Alice, 4 brothers Clarence, Wayne, Cleo, Lynn Jr. and his second wife Doris.

He is survived by his daughters Debbie (Travis) Branson of  Wasilla, AK, Lori Wymer of Wyoming, MI. and son Steve of Ithaca; Grand-daughter Melissa Bertram of Wyoming, MI; 6 step-grandchildren and 6 step-great grandchildren; and his sister, Katherine (Jerry) Lalonde of St. Louis.

  Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, September 21, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Jo Jones officiating. Interment will follow in in Ithaca Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, September 20 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ithaca Senior Activity Building.

Connie Jo Bowen

Connie Jo Bowen, age 63, of Stanton, passed away at her home.

Connie was born March 25, 1947 to Lyle “Red” Robert and Evelyn (Smith) Gotts in Elsie, Michigan. She had just retired January 1st from the Health Department where she had worked as a Transcriptionist.

Connie enjoyed reading, movies, and crafts.

She is survived by her daughters, Tracey (David “Dak”) Knowles of Virginia and Victoria Smejkal of Connersville, Indiana; grandchildren, Zachery and McKenna Knowles; her father, “Red”; sisters and brother, Carla (Bill) Reus of Florida, Tom (Sue) Gotts of Perrinton, Cathy (Darrell) Currier of Gaylord; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Connie will be 11am, Saturday, March 26, 2011 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Burial will be at North Star Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2-4pm and 6-8pm Friday, March 25, at the funeral home.

Charlotte Rebecca Denniston Lyon

Charlotte Rebecca Denniston Lyon, (62) “Becky Lyon,” went home to be with Jesus on Oct. 29, 2011. She passed peacefully at home (South Pekin, IL) surrounded by husband (K. Douglas Lyon) and family.

Daughter of late Charles and Marjorie Denniston, Becky was native to Ashley, MI and the “baby girl” of a large, loving family. She is survived by Joan Howes, Charles Denniston, Esther Litwiller, Marge Hodges, Helen Manley, Betty Campbell, Mary Harris, John Denniston, Al Denniston and step-mother Mildred Denniston.

Becky graduated from Ashley High school and attended Kansas City Bible School where she met, then married Doug Lyon. Their lovely winter wedding took place in Ashley MI, on Dec 27, 1969. Adventurous years that followed found Becky and Doug: serving as missionaries to Key West, Nicaragua, Taiwan, and the Bahamas; pasturing churches, serving as camp meeting and revival workers, Christian singers, teaching, and oh yes, taking care of six busy children.

Becky is survived by six children: Evelyn Smith, Kenneth Lyon, Esther Lyon, Sam Lyon, Rebecca Wedekind, and Rachel Jones. She also is survived by twelve grandchildren.

Known for a life completely dedicated to God, Becky was also notorious for her quick wittedness, amazing sense of humor, musical talent, and a love for family, friends, and the Lord. Noted for her congregational piano playing, Becky Lyon left a legacy with the recent release of her piano CD “I Just Keep Trusting My Lord.” Deeply loved by many, we celebrate her life. For we “sorrow not, as those that have no hope,” rather we will meet again!

A viewing will be held on Friday, Nov 4, 2011, 5-8 p.m. at Barden Funeral Home, Ithica, MI. The funeral will be held at Saturday, Nov 5, 2011, 1 p.m. at Wesleyan Holiness Church, St. Louis, MI, followed by burial at North Star Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to her husband, K. Douglas Lyon.

Betty J. Ross

Betty Joan (Larsen) Ross, 76, of Fenwick passed away on February 4, 2011 in Greenville surrounded by her family.

Betty was born on October 28, 1934 in Fenwick to Robert and Leona (Lund) Larsen. She attended the Fenwick School and then the Sheridan Rural Agricultural School where she graduated as the salutatorian in 1951 at the age of 16. She was then accepted into the Nursing program at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids and continued at Wayne State University. On March 20, 1954 she married M. Jerry Ross at the Sheridan Congregational Church. They spent time in Chicago while Jerry was in the army and returned to the area in 1957. In 1959 Betty and Jerry bought an 80 acre farm west of Fenwick where they raised their 7 children and lived for the rest of their lives. They raised 7 children on that farm. Betty was a great example of a faithful wife and mother, caring for Jerry with his 20 year battle with MS and always making Carolyn her first priority. Betty was a nurse, an educator for the Montcalm Intermediate School District and was instrumental in starting Little People Land; where she worked until she retired in 1989. She was a valuable member of ARC Montcalm for many years. She enjoyed watching and waiting for her gardens to bloom in the spring. 

Betty was thoughtful of all of her friends and loved ones; always remembering birthdays and sending cards. She was a hard worker but was always ready to give a smile and a hug. She was always there when anyone needed her and for that she will be missed by many.

Betty is survived by her children; Randall and Gaylia Ross of Fenwick, Gregory and Connie Ross of Sheridan, Martin and Laurie Ross of Fenwick, Sheila and Jan Morse of Houghton Lake, Brenda and Dan Bissell of Greenville, Carolyn Ross, and Ann Ross both of Fenwick; grandchildren , Joseph and Lynette Ross, Jennifer and Juan Cruz, Jamie and Doug McKeown, Jason Ross and Sonja Ashbaugh, Adam and Megan Lane, Gavin Lane, Marlayna and Brent Humble, Melinda Ross, Luke Ross, Rebekah Ross, Rachel Ross, Robert Ross, Thomas Ross, Melissa Morse and Jeff Spence, Orion Morse and Donielle Bannon, Jacob Ross and Tasha Byington, Kevin Bissell, Michelle Peak, and Camille Bradley; 11 great grandchildren; sister and brothers, Joyce Tefft of Fenwick, Robert and Kathy Larsen of CO, and Donald and Lois Larsen of Stanton; her brother in law, Ken and Pam Ross of Sheridan. Betty was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Jerry in 1999, a brother, Fred Larsen, and a brother in law, Gene Tefft.

Betty’s family will greet friends on Wednesday February 9, 2011 from 4-7 p.m. at the Barden Funeral Home in Stanton. A celebration of her life will be held at the funeral home on Thursday February 10th at 1:00 p.m. Mr. Gilbert Morris from the Butternut Bible Church will officiate. For those desiring to do so, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or the American Diabetes Association; envelopes will be available at the funeral home.