Phyllis Anne Schleder

Phyllis Anne Schleder, 84, of Ithaca died September 26, 2021.  Born in St. Johns Michigan to Philip and Anne Becker, she was a life- long resident of Gratiot County.  She was a 1955 graduate of Ithaca High School, and from there she attended Bronson School of Nursing where she  gained her Registered Nursing diploma. Later in life,  she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Ferris State University. 

She was employed as a registered nurse in various healthcare settings, including at Gratiot Community Hospital, Mid-Michigan District Health Department, and Michigan Masonic Home.  She was a strong advocate of natural childbirth and infant nutrition through breastfeeding. She took on leadership roles to promote these causes within the La Leche League, as well as other groups. She was involved with the Senior Activity Building in Ithaca for several years.

Phyllis was a dedicated member of the Ithaca First United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the choir and enjoyed the hospitality ministry.  She was involved in numerous Christian activities throughout her entire life.  She also evangelized for her Lord and Savior through Christan summer camps and foreign missions.

Phyllis was actively involved with the Senior Center in Ithaca, and well known for her “bread pudding mission.”  She frequently treated the Seniors and other community shut-ins with this perfectly baked treat.  She enjoyed visiting and feeding friends who were not able to attend social activities.

She was accepting and loving to all people brought into her family, church, and workplace, even those who had different thoughts or values than her own.  She was an avid supporter of her children, and later her grandchildren.  She insisted on not only being present at their activities, but actively participated in anything possible.  She also provided help whenever a need arose.  She and her husband Dick provided an admirable example of a marriage, through their willingness to sacrifice personal wants and desires for the better good of both their relationship, and their children.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother Phillip and Anne Becker, her brother Eugene Becker, and her sister Bonnie Daniel.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years Richard “Dick” Schleder of Ithaca, her sister Patricia “Sue” Holdeman of Elwood, Indiana, her daughter Joelle (Ken) Gibson of Ithaca, and three sons, Scott (Filipa) Schleder of Jesup, Georgia, John (Elisa) Schleder of Port Huron, and Phillip Schleder of Ithaca.  She is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Todd Schleder (Rose), Kara Grech (Kyle), Nichole Urdzela (Zack), Josh Newville (Ashley), Noelle Schleder (Jeremy), Daniel Schleder, Kaitlyn Stapleton (Creed), Caleb Schleder, Richard Schleder (Rebecca), Jenah Schleder (Felicia), Tyler Gibson (Alyssa), Jace Schleder, and Alan Schleder and 4 great grandchildren: Gabrielle Schleder, Bronson Grech, Shepherd Gibson, and Blaine Grech.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 1, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm and 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Ithaca First United Methodist Church.  A funeral service is set for Saturday, October 2, at 11:00 am at the Ithaca First United Methodist Church.  Interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Ithaca Senior Activity Building, 1011 E. North St., Ithaca, MI 48847 or the Ithaca Food Pantry, 218 E. Newark St., Ithaca, MI 48847. 

Barden Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Robert Junior Smith

Robert Junior Smith, age 66 of Ithaca, passed away September 19, 2021 at his home.

Robert was born October 22, 1954 in Alma, Michigan to Robert Henry and Leona (King) Smith. He married Lena Jo Litwiller March 24, 1983 in Muskegon, Michigan.

Robert was an ordained minister. He loved mowing grass, hunting, fishing, and going for car rides looking for deer in the fields. He was also a fun-loving jokester. He will be remembered as a very loving and caring father and grandfather. He loved his grandchildren, especially his grandson Carter. 

Robert is survived by his wife Lena Jo Smith; children Edward Wolfgang, Bobbie Jo Smith, Rebecca Jo Smith, Debrah Jo Smith, Tina Marie Smith, Wendy Lynn Smith; 16 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his siblings Earl Smith, Joyce Molina, Larry Smith, John Smith, Steve Smith; and step-siblings Larry Smith and Ruth Ann Larry. He is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Robert Lee Smith, Louise Gross, Edward Smith, and Raymond Smith. 

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

Charles William Corder

Charles William Corder passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday September 14, 2021, at the age of 83 after a long courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Charles was born in Elsie, Michigan to Emerson Eugene and Anna Corder. He was a graduate of Ithaca High School. Charles was a key component in the first regional trophy in Class C finals on March 21, 1956, in which he held the basketball in one position for over 3 minutes. Charles was drafted in the Army and served his country proudly with a tour in Germany. Charles went on to have a career in truck driving and started is own company in hauling gasoline, oil, and some food products like soybean oil. Charles started with one truck and his business grew to several trucks and trailers. After 20 years in business, he decided to sell it, retire, and move west. After moving to Arizona, he decided he was not done driving and worked for a few years driving for Greyhound. When he received his commercial driver’s license, he was told he could drive anything with wheels. Charles also was a pilot and at one time owned his own plane.  

Charles loved his family. He was a proud father and grandfather. He loved taking care of his grandson and watching him grow. He loved going to his grandson’s school activities and watching him play sports. Charles loved to play golf and developed several friendships over the years.

Charles is survived by his wife, Evelyn (Yelsik) Corder of almost 60 years, his daughter Amy and son in law John Zacarias of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and his grandson Aidan Charles Zacarias.  Charles is also survived by his brother David Corder of Virginia.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents Emerson Eugene and Anna Corder and his sister Frieda (Corder) Hobbins.

Funeral services for Charles will be 11am Friday, September 24, 2021 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca with Pastor EJ Wolf officiating.  Interment will follow at the Ferris Center Cemetery.  Visitation will be held 2-4pm and 6-8pm Thursday, September 23 at the funeral home.                           

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

Clarence John Hahn

Clarence John Hahn, age 96, of Breckenridge, Michigan, died August 31, 2021 at his home, surrounded by his wife and family.

Clarence was born in Sturgis, Michigan, on July 17, 1925, the son of Christian W. G. And Myrtle Marie (Stroup) Hahn.  He served in the Army during WWII, and upon returning home worked for General Motors in Lansing until his retirement in 1983.  He married Joyce Birgy on May 23, 1953 in Angola, Indiana.

Clarence enjoyed fishing, going to auctions, working in the sawmill with his friend Russell, and raising farm animals.

Clarence is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joyce; his children, Gary Hahn of Denver, Colorado, Vicki Hahn of Fife Lake, daughter-in-law, Nancy Hahn of Mason, Dave and Becki Hahn of Davison, Jeff and Sue Hahn of Ithaca; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his son, Don Hahn in October 2020; his parents; his sisters, Lizzie and Margaret; and his brothers, Harold and Paul.

Funeral services for Clarence will be 1pm Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca with Pastor Kim Hough officiating. Interment will follow at Hamilton Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held 3-6pm Tuesday September 7, at the funeral home.

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

Derek Raymond Foster

Derek left this world far too soon to meet the Lord on August 25, 2021.  Derek was born in Mexico City on June 9, 1982 to William B & Marleen J Foster.  He grew up in Texas, Alabama, West Virginia and Michigan.  As a teenager, Derek attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Ithaca Boy Scout Troop.  He graduated from Ithaca High School in 2001 and then obtained an associate degree from Lansing Community College in Computer Networking.  Derek then joined the Family Business, Foster Trenching, Inc, as the Fourth Generation.  He moved from Heavy Equipment Operator to Manager and Operator of the Business and was about to achieve Ownership.  

Derek was a Proud Father.  He is survived by his son Dante Izick Foster, Dante’s mother Elizabeth Moreno and her daughter Skylar Cruz.  Derek also left behind  his parents, William (Ben) & Marleen Foster, his brother William (BJ) Foster (Julie) along with numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents William (Bill) & Lorraine Foster and Raymond & Audrey Goucher.

Derek loved boating, camping and spending time at Townline Lake.  He spent many weekends driving his boat for friends and family.  Derek enjoyed the annual deer hunts with his dad.  He also spent much of his free time going on “adventures” with his son Dante.  Derek taught Dante to ski, fish and they loved playing video games together.

A bright light in our lives has gone out.  Derek Foster loved his family, friends and especially his “lil man” and he will be missed greatly.

Visitation for Derek will be Monday August 30th from 4pm to 7pm at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. The family prefer visitors to be wearing masks. 

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Derek to a GoFundMe account https://gofund.me/53b3fac4 which will be used to support Dante in his collegiate or post high school endeavors.

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