Betty Jean (Pratt) Cooper

Betty Jean (Pratt) Cooper, 87, of Ithaca, passed away Monday, May 23, 2011, at Carson City Hospital.

Betty was born on August 13, 1922 in Ithaca, the youngest daughter of Albert and Catherine (Quinlan) Pratt. She married Muril L. Cooper on July 21, 1941. She was a lifelong resident of Ithaca and graduated from Ithaca High School. 

She is survived by two daughters and a son, Judy (Jim) Kimmel of Ithaca, Larry (Mary) Cooper of Ithaca, and Jackie (Jack) Kapustka of Perrinton; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and one great great granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Muril; two sisters, Lydia Collins and Dorothy Lau; and two brothers, Elan Pratt and Ervin Pratt.

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Jo Jones officiating. Burial will be in the Chapel Gardens Cemetery in Elwell, Michigan. Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gratiot County Commission on Aging.

Barry L. Moon

Barry L. Moon, age 55, died at his home in Ithaca, on Wednesday, April 6, 2011.

He was born on March 13, 1956 in Alma, the son of Leroy (Smoky) and June (DeVall) Moon. He graduated from Ithaca High School in 1975. He ran track while in school. He joined the Army right out of high school; he served 4 years. He lived and worked in Virginia for 11 years. He moved back to Michigan and went to work for Barry Control.

Barry is survived by his mother, June Moon; brothers and sisters, Kathy Moon, Raymond (Beth) Moon, Cecil Moon, Cindy (Virgel) DeRosia, Anna Marie (Moon) McQueen; sister-in-law, Peggy Moon Atchley; nieces Rhonda Hamp, Stacy Moon, Stephanie Moon, Jessica (Chad) Mullen, and Ashley McQueen; nephews, Shaun Moon, David McQueen and Coltyn Moon; Step Nephews and step Niece, Darren Most, Jeremy Most, and Angie Most; six great nieces; and one great nephew. 

He was preceded in death by his father Leroy (Smoky) Moon, younger brother Mike Moon, and nephew Darrel Fenby.

A memorial service will be held in Barry’s honor, 1pm Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Pastor Steve Gulick will officiate.

Barbara J. Schnepp

Barbara J. Schnepp of Stanton, born April 9, 1950 passed away on Friday April 22, 2011 in Grand Rapids surrounded by her family. 

Barbara will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 29 years, Dana Schnepp of Stanton, sons Kevin Ackley of Stanton and Kenny Ackley of Alma, step-daughters Dana Lynn (Robert) Alexander-Brom of Belding and Amanda (Daniel) Quigley of Rockford, her sister Pamela (Martin) Smith of Madison Heights, brothers Thomas (Suzanne) Burgess of Waterford and Timothy Tucker of Selmer, TN and dear family friend Barbara Mullan of Clawson. Barbara also leaves behind thirteen grandchildren, a nephew and two nieces. 

In keeping with Barbara's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to The American Lung Association. Donation forms and envelopes will be available at the Barden Funeral Home in Stanton.

Audrieanna Jayden Mae Tarket

Audrieanna Jayden Mae Tarket, infant daughter of Cristalena Daniels and Jason Tarket, passed away at home on October 29, 2011. Audrieanna was born in Grand Rapids on October 4, 2011.

Audrieanna is survived by her parents, Cristalena and Jason; 5 brothers; 1 sister; grandparents, Terry and Larry Daniels, Esther Tarket, and Dennis J. Tarket Sr.; great grandmothers, Mary Thompson and Elda Prosac; several aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by 1 sister, Arianna.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2011 at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Stanton. Pastor Kurt Hoffman will officiate. For those desiring to do so, Memorial Contributions may be made to the family. Envelopes will be available at the church and Barden Funeral Home, Stanton.

Arloa Mae Bickford

Arloa Mae Bickford, age 93, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Ithaca, died Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at Isabella County Care Facility.

Arloa was born April 8, 1918, in Fowlervile, Michigan, the daughter of Vern and Beatrice (Sober) Duncan. She graduated from from Corunna High School an then attended nursing school in Traverse City, becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse. She married Merle Bickford on November 18, 1960 in Owosso. He preceded her in death on November 4, 1997. 

Arloa worked for ten years on the medical and surgical floors at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Arloa was also an avid editorial writer, contributing many letters to the editor of the Morning Sun.

Arloa is survived by her children, Sharon (William) Bierschbach of Willis, Texas, and Gary (Frances) Bickford, of Browns Mills, New Jersey; her grandchildren, Mark Rourke, Michael Rourke, Susan (Ceasar) Hinojosa, and Sherri (Cutis) Endsley, all of Texas; 8 great grandchildren; and 8 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Lynn Crutts; her step-son, Charles Bickford; her brother, Vincent Duncan; and her sister, Garnet Kimball.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, May 16, at the Barden Funeral Home in. Interment will follow in North Star Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of service on Monday. Memorial contributions may be made to Ithaca Senior Activity Building.