Jane Chenoweth Nielsen

Jane passed away at home on August 1st 2022 while holding her husband Randy’s hand. She was born in Paw Paw Michigan on February 24, 1957, to Bob and Lois (Klingbeil) Chenoweth. The Chenoweth family moved to Stanton, Michigan in 1962 where they attended Trinity Church.

Jane graduated from Central Montcalm High School in 1975. Following her high school graduation, she attended Central Michigan University, with plans to become a social worker. However, she changed her game plan and got married instead. When her son Jarad was born, she was so excited to be his mother. She was always proud of Jarad and his family.

During the following years, Jane worked at Jerry’s Drive-In, Gibson’s, and Christiansen Nursing Home. Eventually, she became a real estate agent and broker, owning and operating the Chenoweth Agency in Stanton for fifteen years. She also served as a past President of Montcalm Board of Realtors before selling her business. She later worked with Bluebird Cleaning Service and Birdy’s Antiques where she was very popular with the customers.

On February 25, 1994, Jane married her love, Randy Nielsen, at the Botanical Gardens in the Bahamas. Jane and Randy had many adventures—traveling, motorcycling, fishing, camping, and exploring new places, going to concerts and the Wheatland Festival. Like her mother and grand-mother, Jane usually caught the first fish, the biggest fish, and the most fish. She also enjoyed solving Wheel of Fortune puzzles and was very good at it. Jane was happy doing anything or nothing, as long as Randy was there.

Jane enjoyed taking care of flower arrangements and decorating New Life Church in Lakeview as well as, being in their bell choir. It has been said that Jane never met a bell she didn’t ring. She was a great hostess and cook. She loved music and flowers and created beautiful gardens. She was quick-witted and funny, able to see humor in all kinds of situations. She always looked good, whether she was going to church, going out to dinner at a Caribbean resort, or cleaning the house.

Jane was a true friend, one of those people you like immediately and continue to like forever. Jane saw value in every person she met and took time to listen to people, and help them whenever she could. She was truly compassionate. Jane was grace personified. She always handled any issue politely and without drama.

As her friends know, beneath Jane’s perfect, ever-polite exterior, she had a little rebellious streak, which she put to good use. In 7th grade, she petitioned the school to allow girls to wear slacks instead of dresses. The school policy was changed prior to her 8th grade year. Her motto was “never quit!” and she never did quit. She continued praying for a miracle until the end.

Jane is survived by her husband Randy Nielsen, of Six Lakes; son Jarad (Traci) Stone, of Carson City; and by her brother, John (Teresa) Chenoweth, of Greenville; her mother-in-law and second mother Doris Nielsen, of Lakeview; three step-daughters Heather, Alicia, and Nikki; sister-in-law Alice Straughen; brothers in-law Allen, and Bruce Nielsen; fifteen grandchildren; aunts and uncles; nieces and nephews; cousins; and so many friends & prayer warriors in the “Jane’s Gang Group”.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her grandparents; father-in-law Morey Nielsen; and her step-grandson, Chauncey.

Visitation will be held August 8th, 2022 10:00 am. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 am at Trinity Church, Stanton, Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be made to Kickin Cancer-David N Schaap, Inc., or The Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA), or Trinity Church. Envelopes will be available at the church or at Barden Funeral Home Ithaca, 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.

Alice Margaret Schafer

Alice Margaret Schafer, 79, of Ithaca, MI, passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Saturday, 7/30/2022 after battling cancer for more than 26 years.  

Alice was preceded in death by Audrey Schafer (daughter), Agnes & Lyle Kenney (parents) and survived by Alan Schafer Sr. (husband), her 3 sons and their wives Alan & Pam Schafer, Andrew & Nicole Schafer, Aaron & Claudia Schafer, Anne Barton (sister), Howard Kenney (brother), & Daniel Kenney (brother).   Surviving grandchildren Erik & Melissa Schafer, Dakota Schafer, McKenna Schafer, and great grand-daughter Margaret Schafer… and many other relatives and friends.

Alice was a true pillar of her community (Ithaca’s Person of the Year in 2017) and always saw and brought-out the best in everyone around her as Mother, Cub-Scout/Girl Scout-leader, Sunday-school teacher, neighborhood baby-sister, teacher, Ithaca’s first woman council member & Mayor, Board member at Thompson Home Library, Gratiot Commission on Aging, & Gratiot Community Credit Union.

Alice completed her teaching degree at CMU after her kids could be at home alone and started the Alternative Education School in Ithaca then retired from Ithaca Public Schools where she touched many lives.

Alice loved to volunteer, read, garden, cats, to listen and talk to everyone, advocate for under-dogs, genealogy, & family history. Alice always saw the good in everyone. Her front porch became the meeting place.

A memorial service will be held in honor of Alice at 11am on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca with Mark Monroe officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gratiot Commission on Aging or to the Thompson Home Library.

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

Diane Janette May Tester

Diane Tester, age 78 of Ithaca, passed away July 30, 2022.

Diane was born on August 29, 1943 in Mills Township in Ogemaw County, Michigan to Vera Belle Conway May and William Curtis May.

Her dad drowned when she was 1 1/2 years old. Her mom later married Benjamin Cooley.

The family moved to Ithaca in 1951 where she attended grade school and graduated with the class of 1961. 

She has three children, Lisa (Steven) Heimburger of Ithaca, Teressa Tester Yordy (Kevin Gantz) of Ithaca, and Gene (Toni) Tester Jr. of Alma. She also has five grandchildren, Brandon (Anea) Brzak of Breckenridge, Brittany Heimburger, Taylor (Chris) Carrow of Alma, Ryleigh Gates of Alma, Tyler Gates; two great granddaughters Ava Le Brzak and Shiloh Terese Austin; four great grandsons Dante and Dominic Buccilli, Gibson Brzak,  Brantley Carrow; two brothers Bill May of St. Johns and Ed (Lorie) Cooley of Ithaca; seven nieces; nine nephews; many cousins; and her dog Zeke.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William May and Vera May Cooley; her stepdad Benjamin Cooley; grandson Jade Michael Tester; sisters Ina Jean Carvalho and Joyce Marie Stambersky; brother Donald May; brothers-in-law John Carvalho and Donald Stambersky; sisters-in-law Caroline May, Shirley May, and Connie May; nephews Bill May and John Delbert Carvalho; niece Carolyn May;

Diane loved her family and was totally dedicated to them. She retired in 2005 after working a combined 35 years in different automotive component companies. 

Diane enjoyed writing poetry, reading and writing in her Bible. She also loved watching and feeding her little finches and squirrels. She loved watching the images made by clouds going across the sky Nature is so awesome. Diane also loved her soap opera The Young and the Restless and loved the Detroit Tigers - especially Miguel Cabrera. Diane also enjoyed the game shows Jeopardy! and the Wheel of Fortune, as well as watching CNN. Her main enjoyment was just being content in the quiet time of her own comfort zone.

A memorial service will be held in honor of Diane at 11am on Friday August 5, 2022 at the Seville Church of God in Elwell with Pastor Bob Fall officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Gratiot County Commission on Aging or to the Gratiot County Animal Shelter

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

Carol Ann Merchant

Carol Ann Merchant has gone home to be with her Lord on July the 27th. 

Carol Ann was born to Paul Dawkins and Lorna Charlotte (Burnham) Petro on November 7, 1942 at their home outside of St Louis, Michigan. She was educated at Mull School (corner of Van Buren and Bagley) through the 6th grade then went to Alma Schools. Carol graduated with the class of 1960 from Alma High School. 

In 1960 Carol was married to Lee Joseph Kennedy and they welcomed their first son, John Paul that year. Leann Marie followed in 1962, James Patrick in 1963 and Elizabeth Susan in 1968. 

Carol was married to Scott Merchant in 1980. Scott brought a sweet son Eric. 

John married Laurie Bauwens and Laurie brought a smiling Michelle. Born to John and Laurie are Bryan and Shawn. Michelle married Gary Foco, they bore Jenna and Tory, Bryan (Victor) Kennedy and Shawn (Michelle) Kennedy who have Logan and Addison.

John then married Letitia Thrush who added Devin and Emily. Devin (Troy) Everingham who have Gavin, Jayden and Raymond and Emily (Randy) Thrush who have Zane. 

Leann married Todd Reichel. Their children are Joshua (Jolynn) Reichel who have Emma and Molly and Kevin Reichel. 

Jim married Diana Ruiz Their children are Ayden and Bentley. 

Elizabeth Married Mark Shultz. They have two boys, Nicholas (Kelsey) who have Atlas and Micheal.

Eric married Elizabeth Laney, Their children are Madysen and Masen. Eric later married Tina who blessed our family with five more boys, Austin (Stephanie) Buffin who have Rhea Jane and Sterling Nova, Tyler (Alison) Buffin, Kyle Buffin, CeJay Jones and Alex Jones.

Carol is also survived by Scott, her husband for 42 years, brothers Roger Petro and Ted (Jane) Dershem sisters Nancy (Mike) Shotick, Kathy Grass, JoElla Beckman and Cindy (Joe) Daigle. She also has many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be on August 13th at the United Methodist Church in Ithaca. Visitation with family from 9am to 11:30 with a celebration service at 11:30. Lunch to 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.

James Lee McVeigh

James Lee McVeigh, 82 of Ithaca, Michigan, passed away on July 28th at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan surrounded by family.

James was born on July 2, 1940 in the home to Clifford and Nellie McVeigh.

He married Peggy Clark on October 22, 1971 and was married for 50 years. He worked at General Motors for 30 years before retiring.

He was an avid hunter and looked forward to Deer season every year. He had a passion for getting kids involved in hunting, whether directly related or not. He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing cards, tractors, and driving his ORV’s around.

He cherished the tradition that he and his Great-Granddaughter, Addison, created, of celebrating their birthdays together, since she was born on the same day.

James is survived by his wife, Peggy; three children Jeff (Pam) McVeigh of Sumner, Jenelle (Keith) Aten of Sumner, and Jeremy (Angela) McVeigh of Canadian Lakes; eight Grandchildren Jaimi, Jadd, Casey, Kelli, Jozlyn, Jilliyn, Jenden and Jai; and thirteen Great-Grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his Parents and Great Grandson, Lealin. 

There will be a Memorial Service at a later date.

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