Arlan G. Showers

Arlan G. Showers, age 90, of Ithaca, died Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at Gratiot Medical Center in Alma.

Arlan was born October 7, 1920 to Harvey and Lenore (Coble) Showers in Emerson Township, Michigan. He married Gwendolyn Woodman April 5, 1947 in Middleton, Michigan.

Arlan is a WWII veteran of the United States Army, serving in England doing maintenance work. After the war he delivered oil products for many years for Gulf Oil Co., Hub Oil, Mobile, Beard, and finally Total. He enjoyed farming and being outside working with the land. He is a member of Ithaca Masonic Lodge #123, as well as the VFW, and American Legion. Arlan was also an active member of the Ithaca Church of God. He loved his family, had a good sense of humor and loved to joke, and loved molasses cookies.

Arlan is survived by his wife of 64 years, Gwen; children Cheryle (Dave) LaVean of St. Johns, and Ken (Glenda) Showers of Ithaca; daughter-in-law Dee Showers of Ithaca; nine grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and brother Paul Showers of Ithaca. He is preceded in death by his son Ron, and sister Dorothy Dodd.

Funeral services for Arlan will be held 11am Friday, June 17, 2011 at the Ithaca Church of God. Pastor James Conn will officiate and burial will follow at Chapel Gardens Cemetery in Elwell. Visitation will be held Thursday June 16, from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.

Amelia (Micky) Reid

The youngest of 16 children, Amelia “Micky” Reid was born to Thomas and Amelia Brzoznowski, Polish immigrant farmers in northern Michigan. Micky graduated from Michigan State College with a degree in Home Economics.

Married to Clayton Reid for 43 years, they had 2 children, David Lee and Jayne Noreen. Micky was predeceased by Clayton, David, Jayne’s husband Monroe, and all her siblings. She is survived by David’s wife Kathryn and daughter Holly of Chicago; Jayne, Jayne’s daughter Sarah and Sarah’s children Brayden (5) and Parker (2), all of Virginia; and many nieces and nephews.

A homemaker all her life, Micky was known for her generous and gracious spirit. She led 4-H clubs throughout her children’s growing up years and often was found judging cakes or canned goods at the county fair. An accomplished seamstress and weaver, Micky also enjoyed gardening and many types of crafts. In addition, traveling and visiting with friends were among her avid interests.

Services for Micky will be 11am, July 30, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in Stanton. Pastor Ryan White will officiate. Visitation will be held at the Barden Funeral Home in Stanton, Friday July 29, 2011 from 6-8pm. Memorial contributions may be made to either Gideons International, the First Baptist Church of Stanton, or the White Pine Library in Stanton. Envelopes will be available at both the funeral home and the church. 

Alfred Allen Spear

Alfred Allen Spear, age 72, of Ithaca, died Friday, September 9, 2011, at Hospice House of Lansing, with his family by his side.

Allen was born July 15, 1939, in Ithaca, the son of R.T. and Doris Ione (Berdine) Spear. After graduating from Ithaca High School he married Joan Marie Marble on June 28, 1958, in Ithaca. Allen worked for six years at Wolverine World Wide in Ithaca and then over 32 years for GM in Lansing. He loved to sing, and played rhythm guitar in a band. He also enjoyed line dancing with Joan.

Al believed in service and in giving to the community . He has been a member of the Alma Elks Lodge for many years and has twice served as Exalted Ruler. Currently he was serving on the Gold Key Charitable Grant Committee. He was also active with the Ithaca Senior Activity Building, currently serving as president of the board of directors of which he has been a member for nine years, and also delivering food to food sites for the Gratiot Commission on Aging. In his spare time, Al enjoyed woodworking and making things out of oak, and making quilts. He was an avid U of M fan.

Allen is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joan; his children, Stephanie (Terry) Marcy of Ithaca, Mitchell (Sue) Spear of Rincon, GA, and Melissa (Steve) Losey of Ithaca; his grandchildren, Nathan, Trevor and Garrett Marcy, Lacey (Chris) Morgan, Bryanna and Dustin Watson, and Garrett Losey; his great grandchildren, Taylor and Trenten Morgan; his brother Robert (Dessi) Spear of St. Johns; his sister, Edith Lytle of Flint; and friend and sister-in-law, Diana Marble of Ithaca.. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Sharon Spear.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, September 13, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Jo Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Ithaca Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 Monday with an Elk’s Memorial Service at 7:30 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ithaca Senior Activity Building.

Albert “Junior” Russell

Albert “Junior” Russell. age 48, of Riverdale, formerly of Wheeler, died Friday, June 17, 2011, at his home in Riverdale.

Junior was born December 14, 1962, in Breckenridge, the son of Albert L. and Ann Marie (Chuba) Russell. He loved driving truck, and drove for Ron Smith for several years. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially cooking at deer camp. 

Junior is survived by his brothers and sisters, Ada Warren of Houston, Texas, Keith Russell of Riverdale, Norman (Carol) Russell of Mt. Pleasant, Steve Russell of Jackson, and Jim (Thelma) Russell of Wheeler; and lots of nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, George and Bill.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Friday, June 24, at Lafayette Cemetery, with Pastor Jerry Sill officiating. The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.

Freida E. Thomas

Freida E. Thomas, age 94, of Wheeler, died Saturday, October 8, 2011, at Schnepp Health Care Center in St. Louis.

Freida was born February 23, 1917, one of eight children born to Otis and Elsie (Markham) Andrews. She married Ernest D. Thomas on June 1, 1938 in St. Louis. 

Flowers, birds, cats, and family were just a few of Freida’s favorite things. She will be remembered by her family for her good nature and wonderful family meals. Her baked beans, chicken and biscuits, and pies were often requested. She and her husband were strongly involved in the Edgewood Church of God, where she taught Sunday School for 40 years , and was active in the Women’s Group. Her neighbors and friends were very important to her.

Due to her mother’s early passing, she welcomed four of her siblings to live in their home at different intervals. She later cared for her father-in-law for several years.

Freida is survived by her children, John (Elaine) Thomas of Ithaca, and Dave (Kathryn) Thomas of Wheeler; her grandchildren, Sheila (Tony) Casey, Neil (Susan) Thomas, Michael (Lori) Thomas, Matthew (Michelle) Thomas, and Cynthia Thomas; and her great grandchildren, Garrett Thomas, Seth Casey, Brandon Thomas, Evan Casey, Ashlyn Thomas, Ethan Thomas, Nolan Casey, Reed Thomas and Holden Thomas.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, October 13, at the Edgewood Church of God. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, October 12, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Memorial contributions may be made to Gratiot Commission on Aging or the Edgewood Church of God.