Katherine Dealia Evitts

Katherine Dealia Evitts, age 102, of Ithaca, passed away October 29, 2022, with family at her side at Green Acres in Mt. Pleasant.

Katherine was born in Emerson Township on April 26, 1920, the daughter of Arthur and Lola Pearl (Brown) Evitts.

Katherine worked as a telephone operator, a bookkeeper at Commercial Bank in Ithaca, and as the circulation manager for the state paper of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.  She was also the church pianist at the Sowers Methodist Church for 20 years, and at the Edgewood Church of God for 36 years.  She would also play for the Gratiot County Youth for Christ, the Edgewood Trio, and for many weddings.

Katherine was a caregiver for her parents and her brother in their later years.  She liked gardening, canning, and making flower arrangements.

Katherine is survived by two nieces, Mary McDowell of Mt. Pleasant and Lynette (Bruce) Perry of Manistee, MI; two nephews, Mike (Vickie) Evitts of St. Louis and Lonnie Evitts of Henderson, Nevada; 5 great nieces and 4 great nephews; and several great great nephews and nieces.  She was preceded in death by her brother, Clarence Evitts.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, November 4, 2022 at the Edgewood Church of God, with Pastor Dave Perry officiating.  Interment will follow in North Star Cemetery.  Visitation will be prior to the service from 10-11 a.m.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Edgewood Church of God. 

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

Terry Lee (Ted) Brown

Terry Lee (Ted) Brown, of St. Louis and formerly of Alma, passed away Friday, October 21, 2022 surrounded by his immediate family, at MyMichigan in Alma.

Ted was born in Alma on June 14, 1952, the son of Max and Martha (Sersaw) Brown.  He married Donna Jean McGill on March 24, 1973, and together they had three children; Lori, Jodi, and Chad.  Ted raced many years at Crystal Motor Speedway.  He enjoyed scrapping, picking up treasures, and working on cars in his younger years.

Ted was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, in 2015, his dad in 2017, and his mother in 2013, his brother William (Bill) Brown Sr., and his sister, Patricia Fell.  He is survived by his children Lori Tissue (fiancé Donald Loomis) of Riverdale, Jodi (Jesse) Wonsey of Sumner, and Chad (Wenona) Brown of Sidney; six grandchildren, Kenneth Tissue of Elm Hall, Kendra Tissue of Elm Hall, Jessica (Jason) Jarrard of Ithaca, Jarred Wonsey (fiance Heidi Jones) of St. Louis, Jade Brown (fiance Nick Surovec of Grand Rapids, and Logan Brown of Allendale; two great grandsons, Jase Wonsey and Jackson Jarrard; his sisters, Victoria Bancroft, Sharon Fisher, Michealyn Hawkins, and Cathy Brown; sister-in-law Anna Mae (“Butch” Gerald) Kench; and his brother-in-law, Jack McGill.   

A memorial service will be held for Terry at 11am Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca with Pastor Bob Norris officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 10am until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.

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

Joan McRoberts

Joan McRoberts, of Alma, was called home to be with Jesus on October 17, 2022.  Joan was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and cousin to her family.

Joan was born on August 18, 1942 to a loving Polish Catholic family in Detroit, Michigan.  Joan’s parents, Bernice and Walter Dolney, raised seven children in a home filled with affection and an appreciation for the Lord.  Joan attended a private Catholic school throughout her childhood, which further solidified her profound faith.

In 1962, Joan married Douglas Kuran and they had three cherished sons, Douglas, Brian and Duane.  Joan enjoyed spending time outdoors camping with her children and Joan nurtured her children by expressing and living the values of love, generosity, integrity, compassion and respect.  Later, Joan married Lynn McRoberts and they resided in Ithaca.  Joan and Lynn shared a very special bond and were the devoted parents of their daughter, Sarah Elizabeth.  Joan placed high importance on the value of an education and she always loved attending school.  She instilled this belief in her children and throughout the future generations.  With a desire to serve others, Joan accepted a position at Gratiot Community Hospital, which led to much fulfillment over the years.

Music provided much comfort to Joan and she had an amazing memory for the lyrics to a wide variety of songs.  As an adult, Joan learned to play the piano by ear.  Her children were filled with joy listening to their mom play the piano and sing her favorite songs.  Music continues to be a source of happiness for the entire family.

Joan’s wisdom, physical and mental strength, faith, fortitude, gentle soul, selflessness, clever wit and deep love for her family were all cherished attributes.  Undoubtedly, she always put her children first and supported them unconditionally.  Joan enjoyed visiting her daughter in Southern California and in 2021, she joined her family for a memorable Hawaiian vacation.  Joan always looked forward to spending time with her grandchildren and was eager for their next religious celebration, sporting event and most of all, spending quality time together.

Joan is preceded in death by her husband, Lynn, who passed away in 1987, as well as her parents, Bernice and Walter, and her two sisters, Elaine and Cindy.  Joan is survived by her four loving children- Douglas (Anne) Kuran of Alma, Brian (Terri) Kuran of Vestaburg, Duane Kuran of Alma, and Sarah McRoberts (Edgar) Montes of Orange County, CA, as well as Julie (Andy) Tucker and Susie McRoberts.  Additionally, Joan’s close-knit siblings are Felicia (Joe) Jaskowski, Charmaine Jordan, Dennis (Pam) Dolney and John (Isolde) Dolney.  Joan’s beloved grandchildren include Katherine Kuran, Rachel (Randy) Lederer, Anjelita (Tyler) Garza, Erik Aittama, Zack Kuran, Adam Kuran, Luke Kuran, Elijah Montes and Starlynn Montes, as well as three great grandchildren, Isabel Kuran, Zane Lederer, and Anya Lederer, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.   

Barden Funeral Home will hold a visitation for Joan from 2:00-6:00pm on October 21.  A funeral mass, in honor of Joan, will be held at St. Paul’s Apostle Catholic Church at 11:00am on Saturday, October 22.  A luncheon will follow the mass in the parish hall.  Afterward, a burial service will be held at the Hamilton Township Cemetery.  Flowers may be sent to Barden Funeral Home in honor of Joan.  Memorial contributions may be made, in Joan’s name, to St. Paul’s Church in Ithaca.

As we reflect on Joan’s life, we think of the eloquent words from the hymn, The Old Rugged Cross:  

“So I'll cherish the old rugged cross

Till my trophies at last I lay down

I will cling to the old rugged cross

And exchange it some day for a crown.”            

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

William J. “Bill” Dilts

William J. “Bill” Dilts, age 79 of Sumner, passed away August 15, 2022 in Alma, Michigan.

Bill was born December 13, 1942 in Alma, Michigan to Willard Clayton and Mary Jane (Goostrey) Dilts. Bill graduated from Ithaca High School in 1961 where he played trombone in the marching band. Following high school, Bill attended MSU and graduated with a BS in Agriculture Mechanics and Business intending to enter into the Dilts’ International Equipment Company, which was owned by his father in Ithaca. While at MSU, he was also part of the ROTC Saber Drill Team.

Bill married his college sweetheart, Jeanette Marie Braman, daughter of Lester and Helen Braman of (Middleton) Alpena, Michigan on August 27, 1967. 

Bill also served in the Air Force where he was an Electronics Instructor and Course Writer at Kessler Air Force Base in Mississippi.

Bill was employed in many positions including the MSU Food Service in Brody Hall, MSU Campus Bakery, the International Student Center, and Campus Concessions. He also worked as the U.S. Regional Sales Manager for Andrew Denholm’s Baker Equipment from Scotland and its parent company in England, he was a manager of Computer Sales and Service 2M North Jersey. Bill also held various sales positions upon returning to Michigan. Later, he was the manager of the Alma Branch of Mid-Michigan Industries working with disabled adults, the Prevention Coordinator for Gratiot Community Mental Health, and Director of Collaborative Counsel Gratiot and Isabella Counties.

Bill served on the boards many organizations including the United Way, Community Mental Health, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Gratiot County Board of Commissioners, the Lions Club - where he served as secretary, the American Legion, and the Mid-Michigan Mule and Donkey Club. He was the recipient of the United Way Leadership Award, the Carolyn Thompson Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Volunteer of the Year, and a Resolution of Appreciation from the Gratiot Integrated Health Network.

Family was the most important thing to Bill, and he was always there to help when someone needed a helping hand whether with their many moves or whatever else was needed. Family celebrations were treasured.

Bill had many hobbies and enjoyed wood working and refinishing furniture, he loved music and played the trombone in high school and the harmonica at mule club and the yearly family campouts. He was also an avid and eclectic reader. He enjoyed helping with service projects, especially the Lions Food Wagon Events at auctions, Gratiot County 4-H Fair, and Sumner Days. He enjoyed the mules, donkeys, goats, and other farm animals as well as his house pets - especially Shadrack, his Blue Front Amazon of 30 years, Skipper his beloved mutt, and Diva and Sage of his many Salukis. Bill enjoyed the outdoors, loved bird watching, and wild life, and especially enjoyed his farm life in Sumner. 

Bill was preceded in death by an infant brother Peter Dilts, his father Willard Clayton Dilts, his sister Sue Dilts, his mother Mary Jane Goostrey Dilts, his father-in-law Lester W Braman, his mother-in-law Helen Marie Gilbert Braman and his brother-in-law Charles McKinnon.  He is  survived by his wife Jeanette Dilts, his sister Penny (Jeff) Arnold, sister Dottie (Frank) Hawthorn, Cheri (Phil) Booth, sister-in-law Kay McKinnon, brother-in-law George (Betty) Braman ,brother-in-law Lester (Dutch) (Linda) Braman, sister-in-law MaryEllen (Toni) (Bob) Olmstead, sister-in-law Carol Koch, 30 nieces and nephews, their spouses, many great nieces and nephews, one great, great niece and many cousins in the extended family.

None of this seems to convey that Bill has been his wife’s best friend, and she his, for 55 years plus, and that marriage is a couples’ first and primary job commitment.   He has loved and been loved by his family and community and I hope he truly knew the regard with which he was held by so many for his goodness, his kindness, his greatness both in spirit and as a person and his dedication to the service of his community.

A joint celebration of life service for both Bill and Jeanette will be held 11am Saturday, October 15, 2022 at the First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, with Pastor Mary Anne Evans-Justin officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gratiot County Community Foundation towards a joint scholarship for community service and education in Bill’s name. Checks may be made out to the foundation, please write In Memory of Bill Dilts on the memo line. Cards may be sent to his wife, Jeanette Dilts, 7607 W. St. Charles Rd., Sumner, MI 48889.

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

Jimmie Allen Nusbaum

Jimmie Allen Nusbaum, age 77, of Bear Lake, died Friday, October 7, 2022, with his daughter at his side at Sweet Water AFC in Branch, MI.

Jimmie was born October 20, 1944, in Saginaw, the son of Clifford Vernon Nusbaum and Martha Pauline Nitz.  He worked as a tool and dye maker. He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He enjoyed traveling to places like Africa and Newfoundland, as well as being out west. He also liked to cook and read his bible.

Jimmie is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Stryker (Greg Tyra) of Saginaw; his granddaughter, Amanda (Mark) Jacobi of Saginaw; his nieces,Kim (Brian) Langhorne of Saginaw, and Sue Weatherby of Mt. Pleasant; his nephew, Jon (Louise) Housner of Mt. Pleasant; and several other nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and great nephews.  

Graveside services with be 10a.m. Tuesday, October 11, at North Star Cemetery, North Star, Michigan.  The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.