Christopher Ellis Martin

Christopher Ellis Martin of Ithaca, MI, was born on October 24th, 1946 in Lansing, MI. He passed away peacefully on March 2nd, 2023 in St. Lawrence Hospice Lansing, MI.  

He is survived by his loving wife, Suzanne; his 3 children Annette Martin Mallon and her husband Dan of St. Peters, MO, Robert Martin and his wife Penny of Ithaca, MI, and Kenneth Martin and his wife Carla of Dublin, VA.  He has 9 grandchildren: Elaine, Nick, Erin, Luke, John, Megan, Lexus, Matthew, and Connor. He has 5 great-grandchildren: Mackenzie, Payton, Aiden, Alie, and Bex.

He was proceeded in death by his parents Lawrence and Lois Martin (Rundel).  

He grew up in a close family of 10 children: Joyce, Mary Lucille, Lauris, Ruth, Joe, Margarett, Elaine, Anne, and Barb.

Christopher and Suzanne were joined in marriage on December 1st, 1967 in Morrice, MI. and shared 55 wonderful years together. They enjoyed playing golf, snowmobiling, square dancing, bowling, gardening, and fishing, amongst other interests; they were always together. They enjoyed winters in Florida with friends and family for 22 years.

He attended and received an associate degree from Lansing Community College. He joined the Michigan State Police in 1968 and retired as a Sergeant in 1996 after 28 years of service

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was a man of integrity, example of strength, consistency, and faithful. He was a man of few words, sincere, and kept to his word. 

Visitation will be held at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, MI on Sunday March 5th from 2 pm to 5 pm. There will be a Rosary from 5 pm to 6 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Morrice, MI. at 11 am Monday March 6th with Monsignor George Michalek officiating.  Interment will be in Bethany Cemetery.  Luncheon will follow.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Nancy L. Riker

Nancy Riker passed away Monday February 20th 2023 at her home after a battle with liver cancer. She was 80 years old. She was born December 8th 1942 in St. Louis Michigan to Howard and Gladys (Studebaker) Oman’s. 

Nancy was a nurse for most of her career in the city Lansing Michigan.

She was a kind, humble and forgiving soul. Those who knew her have their own stories to tell. Nancy had many sides. One was the stubborn fiercely independent side. The other was a funny wit that always saw the humorous side of life. She was also an amazing caregiver and advocate, she took over guardianship over her niece Marilyn Omans who was disabled and cared for many others in her lifetime with a beautiful loving heart.

She is survived by her children, Larry Van Sickle, Floyd Van Sickle, and daughter Tammy Stair (Van Sickle). She will be missed by her grandchildren Mathew, Kyle, Joshua (deceased) Johnathon, Amber, Michael, Kierien, and Aira along with many great grandchildren. To her children she leaves her unique green eyes, a stubborn streak with an unselfish giving heart.

Funeral services for Nancy will be 2pm, Friday, February 24, 2023 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca with Pastor John Hagerman. Visitation will be held prior to the service at 1 pm until the time of the service. Burial will be in Chapel Gardens Cemetery. Her legacy will carry on forever reminding us that we control our attitudes. We choose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service, like Christ modeled for us.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Wendell Charles Boyer

Wendell Charles Boyer was born on June 12, 1931, in Newkirk, Oklahoma. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on the morning of February 16th, 2023 in Alma, MI. 

He is survived by his wife, Helen; his two children Becky Hartman and her husband Blaine of Ithaca, Michigan, and Brad Boyer and his wife Stacy of Independence, Kansas. He has seven grandchildren; Autumn, Maggie, Bethany, Keegan, Caleb (who preceded him in death), Seth, and Quinlan. He has eight great-grandchildren; Blake, Brody, Patton, Cora, Mabel, Everett, Blythe, and Riley. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Oma Maggie (O’Dell), and his eight brothers and sisters; Harold, Johnny, Victor, Lucille, Lorene, Richard, Rosemary, and Jimmy. 

Wendell and Helen were united in marriage on November 20th, 1954 in Independence, Kansas, and spent 68 wonderful years together. They enjoyed many vacations during that time throughout the United States and around the world. He enjoyed spending time with his family and playing with his grandchildren. He left us with so many memories that we will always cherish and have a good laugh. 

He served in the United States Army and is a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the 7th cavalry and received two purple hearts, and was a prisoner of war. 

After the war, Wendell attended and received an associate's degree from Independence Community College in Independence, KS. He then went to work for Kansas Gas & Electric as a lineman and retired after 30 years of service on November 1, 1990. 

He will be remembered for his mischievousness, his love of a good steak, chasing squirrels, and as a great storyteller, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. 

In lieu of a funeral service, a private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital online at giftfunds.stjude.org/wendellcharlesboyer or mailed to: 

ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105

 The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Lowell Raymond Becker

Lowell Raymond Becker, age 88, of Pewamo, died Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at Portland Assisted Care in Portland, Michigan.

Lowell was born January 25, 1935, in Breckenridge, Michigan the son of Paul and Beulah Ellen (Bassett) Becker. He married Betty Smith July 2, 1955 in Freeland. Betty preceded him in death on November 9, 2009.

Lowell worked at Fisher Body in Lansing for 30 years. He enjoyed traveling, gambling, and playing cards.

Lowell is survived by two sons, Roger (Betty) Becker of Comstock Park, MI and Jim (Josefina) Becker of Harlington, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and two sisters Lena and Margaret. He was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters.

Funeral services for Lowell will be held at 11am on Monday, February 20, 2023 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Pastor Larry Mepham will officiate and burial will follow at Chapel Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 10am until the service begins at 11am.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Reaneta May Taylor

Passed away in her sleep Tuesday January 24, 2023 at Masonic Pathways in Alma.  Reaneta was born on September 23 of 1938 in Alma Michigan to Mateland E. and Arvella Frances McCormick.  She grew up in Alma and graduated Alma High School in 1955.  She met her love Robert Taylor and married him on July 12 of 1956.  She is predeceased by Rusty, Robert, and Rodney Taylor as well as her son in law Jerry Abell, sister Sandra Myers, and brother Jim McCormick.  She is survived by daughter Teresa Abell, and grandchildren Justin Abell, Haley Abell, and son Randall and Dana Taylor, and grandchildren Ryan Taylor, Remington Taylor and Lea Taylor, and grandchild Nicole Taylor, and brother Jerry McCormick and sister Sheila Quinn and two great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

She loved life and her family.  She loved to dance, roller skate, watch football and all sports, camping, traveling, and trying to take care of everyone.  She loved crafts and had a lot of hobbies and working around the house.  She was a “mom” to everyone that she came into contact with.  

There will be a memorial service held at 1pm on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at the Ithaca Wesleyan Church 712 N. Pine River, Ithaca MI  48847 with a luncheon immediately to follow.  There are no contributions needed but if you would like to contribute, plant a tree in remembrance of Reaneta.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.