George Jerry Skorna

George Jerry Skorna, 81 of St. Johns, MI

It is with a heavy heart we must announce the passing of our father and grandfather, George Skorna.  George was born January 31st, 1943, in an old farmhouse to Paul and Helen Skorna.  George and his eight siblings learned at an early age what hard work was by working on the farm.  However, they always saved time for fun and play.

George left the farm and high school to go to work at F.C. Mason and then on to General Motors where he was a car painter for 32 years before his retirement in 1995.

In 1964, George married Carol Moriarty and together they raised three children:  Sue (Steve) Vitous, Connie Skorna, and Paul (Kris) Skorna in St. Johns, Michigan.

On April 17, 2003, George married Linda Reist Skorna.

George was an avid Detroit Tigers fan and though he called them “Pansies”, he watched every home and away game.  He enjoyed watching his grandson Andreas Skorna groom and maintain the Lansing Lugnuts baseball field before, during and after the games.  He enjoyed watching Andreas play high school baseball and looked forward to his games.  George was a fan of the T.V. show “Naked and Afraid”.  He enjoyed old cars and playing Euchre.  He always looked forward to the Spring and Summer when he could get out and plant his garden, mow the lawn, and feed the birds.  George was a supporter of his granddaughter, Eleni Skorna, and enjoyed watching her play softball.  At times he was an unsolicited umpire at her games.  And he was known as “George Dash” to some for all the meals he would get and deliver.

George will be dearly missed by his family and friends.  Those left to cherish is memory are his three children, his grandchildren Brett Vitous, Andreas Skorna, and Eleni Skorna; his sister Josephine (Ralph) Kridner; half-brothers Gerald Smith, Larry Smith; his half-sisters Eileen (Dave) Peters, and Beverly (Terry) Snow; the mother of his children and friend Carol Skorna; his step children Debbie (Gary) Schestag, Jeff (LeAnne) Reist, Rodney Reist, Joyce Reist, and Courtney (Scott) Beagle; numerous nieces and nephews, step grandchildren and step great grandchildren, and friends. And finally, Theodore, the cat he loved and shared with his daughter. 

George was welcomed into heaven by his father Paul Skorna; his mother and stepfather Helen and Frank Smith; his brothers Steve Skorna and Joe Skorna; his sister Pauline Carman; his wife Linda Reist Skorna; his stepson Glenn Reist and step granddaughter Megan Reist.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025, from 2 – 4PM and 6 – 8PM at Barden Funeral Home located at 225 W Center St., Ithaca, MI

The funeral services will be Thursday, January 23rd, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the New Haven Church of God located at 8102 W Washington Rd Sumner. The burial will take place directly after the funeral services at North Star Cemetery located at 3181 E Johnson Road, Ithaca, MI

Following the burial, a luncheon will be served at the Ithaca Community Center located at 120 North Maple Street, Ithaca, MI

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Home of Lansing, Stoneleigh Residence, 3411 Stoneleigh Dr. Lansing Mi 48910.

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

Joyce Elaine (Roosa) Hodges

Joyce Elaine Hodges, age 88, of Sumner, passed away Monday, January 6, 2025, at Schnepp Health Care Center in St. Louis.

Joyce was born June 1, 1936 in Sumner, Michigan, the daughter of Merton and Josephine (McFarland) Roosa.  She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1955.  She worked for Wolverine World Wide for nine years before working as a display coordinator for J.C. Penney’s for 28 years.  She married Phil Hodges on January 2, 1965.  Through the years she enjoyed sewing, baking, walking and riding her bike.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Phil; her children, Randy (Carla) Martyn of Ithaca, Cheri (Kim) Cramer of North Fort Myers, Fl, Jeff Hodges of Sumner, and Pam (Terry) Fisher of Alma; her grandchildren, Megan Falor, Zachary (Alyssa) Martyn, Brad (Jordan) Martyn, Cullen (Allyson) Cramer, Chloe (Jake) Rhoda, Colby (Nate Tack) Cramer, Brayden Hodges, Breck Hodges, Jean (Gary III) Rose, and Leann (Dylan) Barnes; 10 great grandchildren; and her brothers in law and sisters in law, Robert (Marge) Hodges, Nancy Alexander, Sharon (terry) Klick, Janice Kristin, and Chet (Cindy) Hodges; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Todd Hodges; her brother, Earl Roosa; and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Floyd Alexander, Martin (Buzz) Hodges, Peggy Green, and Dennis Kristin.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, January 11 at Barden Funeral Home in. Ithaca.  Visitation will be 4-8 Friday, January 10.  Memorial contributions may be made to the organization of your choice.  Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

James Clifford Wetzel

July 10, 1952 – January 5, 2025

James Clifford Wetzel, age 72, of Ithaca, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on January 5, 2025, after fighting against a rare and aggressive cancer.

Jim was born July 10, 1952 in Alma, the son of Clifford and Shirley Wetzel. He grew up on the family farm in Ithaca with his three siblings, Chris, Richard, and Jerry. Jim graduated from Ithaca High School with the class of 1971. He then went to Michigan State University where he studied microbiology. It was at MSU where he met and fell in love with his wife Carol. Together they raised four wonderful sons. Fond memories include family vacations to Florida, riding four wheelers at the sand dunes, and going on pheasant hunts.

Throughout Jim’s life, he continued to work on the family farm, where he grew potatoes, carrots, onions, mint, and soybeans. Jim was known to be an extremely hard worker. In addition to farming, he continued his father’s legacy of building and selling soybean roasters. Jim was very determined to learn how to find a solution to any problem. He was mechanically inclined, and this was reflected in his work on the farm, around the house, on many rental properties, and through his work installing many solar panels for his family. 

Jim went back to school at the age of 40 and became a registered nurse. He enjoyed working with his patients in long-term care for 25 years. Jim was a lifelong member of Ithaca Church of God. He served on many missionary trips over twenty years to Jamaca where he would help do concrete work and improve the facilities at the Jamaican Deaf Village through the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf. 

Jim is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carol Wetzel; their four sons: Kurt (Sitti Isha) Wetzel, Sean (Michele) Wetzel, Matt (Becca) Wetzel, and Travis (Madi) Wetzel; two grandchildren: Jacob and Lucas Wetzel; siblings: Christine Calkins, Richard Wetzel, Gerald Wetzel; two nieces: Ginger (Mark Johnson) Wetzel and Rachel (Adam) Chapko. Jim was preceded in death by his parents: Clifford and Shirley Wetzel; and niece and nephew: Melissa and Trevor Wetzel. 

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. January 10, 2025, at the Ithaca Church of God. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 9, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Memorial contributions may be made to the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf where Jim served on many mission trips (https://www.cccdjamaica.org/donate/) or to the Ithaca Church of God (https://www.ichog.com/). Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com. 

Deborah Mitchell Muscott

Deborah Mitchell Muscott was born in Detroit on February 26, 1954, the daughter of Thomas and Martha Jane (Euler) Mitchell.  Debby was married to Ronald Muscott on October 2, 1993 in Cascade, Michigan.  

She attended Western Michigan University and worked as a commercial lines insurance broker.  

Debby’s hobbies included collecting dolls, beanie babies, Tinker Bell figurines, and Jim Shore Christmas figurines.  She loved to shop and watch the Home Shopping Network.

Debby is survived by her husband, Ronald Muscott; her children Eric, Chad, and Paul Muscott; and her cousin Gary Middlekauf.  She was preceded in death by her brother, William Mitchell.

A graveside service will be held in the spring.  The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.  Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Sam George Wiederhold Jr.

Sam George Wiederhold Jr., 92, of Alma, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Masonic Pathways, surrounded by his loving family.

A visitation will take place on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at the Alma Church of God in Alma, Michigan, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of his funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Ben Kreider will officiate, with interment following at Riverside Cemetery in Alma.

Sam was born on December 1, 1932, in Deanville, Texas, to Sam and Lillie (Albrecht) Wiederhold. A proud veteran, Sam served his country honorably in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Following his military service, he answered a higher calling to ministry in The American Lutheran Church. On June 23, 1963, he was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at Faith Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas.

On September 3, 1960, Sam married Wilma Grasley at Zion Lutheran Church in Summerfield, Michigan. They enjoyed 57 years of marriage until Wilma’s passing in 2017. Together, they raised four children and built a legacy defined by unwavering faith, love, and dedication to family.

Sam will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, whose life was marked by deep faith and a steadfast commitment to serving others. His kindness, wisdom, and compassion touched countless lives.

Sam is survived by his beloved children: Trent Wiederhold of Breckenridge; Mark (Marla) Wiederhold of Rochester Hills; Heidi (Ron) Davis of Livonia; and Eric Wiederhold of Clio. He also leaves behind six cherished grandchildren: Bradley, Benjamin, Allison, Andrew, Matthew, and Noah; three great-grandchildren; his brother Edwin Wiederhold; and his sister Bertha Smith. He was preceded in death by his wife Wilma; parents, Sam and Lillie Wiederhold; his brother William Wiederhold; and his sisters Lillie Ferrell and Minnie Schlameus 

In honor of Sam’s life and ministry, memorial contributions may be made to the Alma Church of God.

The family is being served by Barden Funeral Home of Ithaca. Sam will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for the profound impact he had on all who knew him.