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Entries by Jason L. Barden (985)

Sunday
Feb132022

Erma Stone

Erma Stone, age 101, passed away at The Willows of East Lansing on February 10. 

She enjoyed a very happy childhood with her siblings Wayne, Bette (Greening), and Howard and born on the family farm in St. Louis to parents Ira and Dora Comstock on May 26, 1920. They all attended Harrison Country School down the road. Their Grandma Comstock lived with their family and aunts, uncles and cousins all lived nearby. Family remained extremely important to Erma all her life.  

She went to business school after graduating from St. Louis High School in 1937, and worked as a secretary for an insurance company.  She married Phil Stone in 1941, and had four children: Pat, Ron, Janet and Marty. Phil and Erma lived in Lansing in 1942, planning to be there while Phil worked in tool and die during the war, but his father Stanley Stone died suddenly in 1944 and they moved back to Ithaca to help his mother, Bernice, who still had children in high school.  They remained there for 18 years. Erma was close to her own and Phil’s families, and her children remember a happy childhood and close relationships to grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. 

Moving back to Lansing in 1957, Erma cared for her family and made friends all around her. She was always busy, never missed PTA meetings, collected for the March of Dimes, took school census, worked on the election board, used her sewing skills to make clothing for her children and herself, did alterations for others, and made drapes for Palmer Stone Paint Company customers. After her children were grown, she worked as a sales clerk at JC Penney, later becoming a teacher’s aide at Holmes Street School until she and Phil retired.  Phil died in 1997 after 56 years of happy marriage.  

She had an encyclopedic mind and was often consulted on details that people couldn’t remember about their own lives.  She sent 60 birthday cards a year to her siblings, children, 14 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and their spouses.  She could remember the entire year’s list of birthdays in sequence until very recently. She was an avid reader, but began losing her vision in her 70s. She continued to listen to books on tape from the State Library for the Blind for many years.  She began using a cane at 95, a walker a few years later, and moved into The Willows in 2021. Remarkably, she never complained about anything.   She was recently badly injured in a fall that she could not survive. 

Erma was a believer in Jesus Christ and her family is comforted that she is now with the Lord in heaven, where the lame will walk and the blind will see.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Wayne, sister Bette, and in 2020 by her dear son Marty. She is survived by her brother Howard (Delores) Comstock, her children Pat (Jack) McWilliams, Ron (Judy) Stone, Janet (Steve) Slater, Marty’s wife Jeanie Stone and all those wonderful grand and great grandchildren.   

Her funeral will take place on Wednesday, February 16 at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, Michigan at 1:00 pm, with Rev. Steve Slater officiating.  Burial will be in North Star cemetery next to Phil.  Visitation will be held 2-4pm and 6-8pm on Tuesday, February 15 at the Barden Funeral Home. 

The family wishes to thank her former aide of three years Felicia Thomas; dear friend, neighbor and aide Rhonda Bowers, as well as the many doctors, nurses and staff who cared for her all through the years until recently. Memorial donations may be made to the Gratiot County Historical Museum. 

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

Monday
Feb072022

Carl Arthur Robbennolt

Carl A. Robbennolt, age 93, of rural Ashley, passed away on February 7, 2022 at Mid-Michigan Hospital in Alma.

Carl was born in Davison, MI, on April 8, 1928, the son of Chester Arthur and Leota Daphane (Morse) Robbennolt.  His family moved to Ashley where he met Marjorie Ackels whom he married on January 24, 1948.  Together they had three children, Linda (Bernard) DeVuyst, Carl E. “Mick” (Jeannie) Robbennolt , and Brian (Jeanette) Robbennolt. 

Carl lived in Ashley all of his life and retired from the railroad after 40 years.  His passion for hunting, fishing, mushrooming, and golf is only surpassed by his love of his family. 

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Marjorie; his children; 6 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and his sister, Darlene Evans.  He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Bambi Eckelbarger.

There will be no services.  The family would like any contributions in his name be given to the Gratiot County Community Foundation Bambi Eckelbarger Memorial Scholarship in honor of his beloved granddaughter.

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

Monday
Feb072022

Gerald Richard Beck

Lifelong Ithaca resident Gerald Richard Beck passed away on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at the age of 87 after a long battle with dementia. He was surrounded by loved ones at his home during the time of his passing. 

Jerry was a longtime truck driver and mechanic over the course of his career. He worked as an automotive mechanic for Clare Bare's Service Station as well as the Ford Dealership for many years and then drove semi trucks for Matlack, Moulder, AC Carriers and Michigan Chloride for many years. 

When he wasn't working, Jerry had several interests including mushrooming, snowmobiling, boating, and fishing, just to name a few. He and wife Edith enjoyed these hobbies together and over the course of their marriage travelled to many parts of the state while enjoying these hobbies. 

Jerry was born to Julia (Cowdrey-Beck) and Leon Beck on February 5, 1935 in Gratiot County. Jerry also has a younger sister Connie (Beck-Will). 

Jerry and Edie were married in 1955, and had 3 children during their 66 year marriage. Steve is the eldest of their children followed by Sheryl and then Scott. They also have 5 grandchildren, Rob Mason, Jessie Mason and Josh Mason, all children of Sheryl and Bob Mason, and Ashli Cryderman and Casey Beck children of Scott and Rhonda Beck. 

Their great grandchildren are Brennon and Kaylee children of Jessie Mason, and Levi, Ethan and Ayden, children of Ashli and Marque Cryderman and Brayden, son of Josh and Nicole Mason. 

He was preceded in death by his mother Julia Beck, father Leon Beck, stepfather Neil Bish and grandson Rob Mason. 

Jerry is survived by his wife Edith, sister Connie, brother in law Chuck, children Steve (Donna), Sheryl (Bob), and Scott (Rhonda), grandchildren Jessie, Josh (Nichole), Ashli (Marque), Casey and great grandchildren Brennon, Kaylee, Levi, Ethan, Ayden and Brayden. 

Jerry and Edie were both baptized at their home on Jerry's birthday, February 5th. Edith would like to thank friends and family that visited and passed along their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 

A viewing is scheduled for Wednesday February 9th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. The funeral service will be 11 am Thursday, February 10th, at Barden's Funeral Home in Ithaca, MI. Burial service follow in North Star Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Edith is asking that everyone consider donating to Promedica Heartland Hospice, 1320 Waldo Ave, Siite #300, Midland, MI 48642.  

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

Sunday
Jan232022

Nolan L. Anderson

On Friday, 21st of January 2022, Nolan L. Anderson, with his daughter by his side, answered the Lord's call to come home. Nolan was born, January 30th, 1947 in Alma, MI to Lyle (Red) and Caryll Anderson of Ithaca, MI. 

Nolan graduated from Ithaca High School in 1965; He was soon drafted into the United States  Army,  where he honorably served during the Vietnam War. For the last 20 years, Nolan lived at Pine Point AFC, where he was loved by both that worked there and those who resided with him over that time. 

Nolan was a devoted Father and Grandpa. He was an avid fisherman. He would consider himself a car enthusiast, whether it be collecting small cars or collecting classic car magazines. He also enjoyed road trips, whether it be five minutes away or five hours away. He enjoyed watching good war movies and loved movies with Clint Eastwood. He loved listening to classic rock music, as well. Nolan enjoyed many pastimes, golf, euchre, hunting, bowling, and bird feeding. He cherished the time he spent with his family. Nolan's selflessness is a true reflection of who he really was.

Nolan is preceded in death by his Father and Mother, Aunt Jane and many other Aunts and Uncles. Nolan is survived by his Brother, Tim Anderson; Children, Timothy Anderson, Sarah Anderson-Sisco, Kevin Ramsey and May Ramsey; Grandchildren, Mattea, Mili, Aubryn, Mason and Aspen, as well as many cousins.

Nolan will come to rest at North Star Cemetary on Tuesday, January  25th, 2022.  The family is being served by Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com. 

On a final note, as Nolan would say, "Watch for Deer."

                        

 

Monday
Jan172022

Jeremiah Johnson Beres

 Jeremiah Johnson Beres, age 39, passed away Thursday, January 13, 2022, at his home that he shared with his mother and brother.

“Jay” was born July 11, 1982, in Alma, MI.  He is the son of Cynthia Smith and Thomas Beres.  He grew up in California enjoying life swimming and fishing in the ocean, hiking in the mountains, skateboarding and snow boarding, and having great times with his friends.  He was a kind and caring person.

He will be missed by his mother, Cynthia Smith; his step-father, Randy Smith; brothers, Ron, (Brandy) Hicok, Greg Beres, and Jeremy (Allison) Smith; sisters, Lea Beres and Misty Smith; his nieces, Ella Beres and Kennedy Smith; his nephews, Bryson (Kenna) Ritchey, Dylan (LeAnne) Barnes, Dakota and Devon Smith, Kyle and Kaeden Greer; his great niece, Palmer Ritchey; his great nephews, Kai and Silas Ritchey, and Atlas and Liam Barnes; also his aunts, uncles, and cousins.

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