Eldine Cole

Eldine Cole, age 99, passed away peacefully August 3, 2021 at Rosewood AFC in Ithaca, Michigan. She was born Dorothea Eldine Royce on August 10, 1921 to Elmer J. And Violet K. (Humm) Royce.

Eldine grew up on the family farm and graduated from Ithaca High School before taking classes in piano and music theory at Alma College. She taught piano until her marriage to Basil Cole on June 23, 1946. They were married in the Alma College Chapel and made their life together in Mt. Pleasant, Clare, and Albion before returning to the family farm north of Ithaca after Basil’s retirement.

Eldine became a member of the Beebe Methodist Church as a teenager and continued her membership in the United Methodist Church as they moved from one community to another. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and received her mission pin while in Albion.

Eldine spent her life as a homemaker and enjoyed playing the piano, working in the yard, hosting family gatherings, reading, and feeding and watching the birds. She was also an accomplished seamstress and a champion conversationalist.

Eldine continued to live on the family farm after Basil’s passing in 1990. 

She lived her life with grace and dignity and will be greatly missed by her children: Royce (Marsha) Cole of DeWitt, Valerie Cole of Ithaca, and Reid (Rebecca) Cole of Ithaca; those that fondly called her gram: Dennis (Mary Salazar) Cole, Lynne (Chris) Cole-Lutzke, Amber (Derick) Zellar, James (Lori) Cole, Jeffrey Cole, and great grandchildren Alexis Cole, Coleton Cole, Abby Zellar, Kalianna Cole; and sister-in-law Carola Brown.

Funeral services for Eldine will be at noon on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Mark Monroe will officiate and private family burial will follow at Emerson Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 10am until noon at the funeral home. 

The family would like to thank Rosewood in Ithaca for their compassionate care of our mother for over the past four years. 

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

Virginia Pfeifle

Virginia Pfeifle, 93, of Ithaca, passed away on August 4, 2021, in Ithaca, Michigan.

Virginia Evelyn Shaver was born in Pontiac, MI to Ferne and Blenford Shaver on July 30, 1928.  She went to Emmanuel Missionary College (Andrews University) in Berrien Springs, MI.  She married Robert Gerald Jeffrey on September 18, 1947, in Lake Orion, MI and had two daughters, Cheryl and Carol Jeffery.  She worked as a secretary until her husband passed in 1958.  On December 24, 1961, she was married again to Henry William Pfeifle Jr. in Loveland, CO and moved back to Michigan in 1962.  Virginia worked in Henry’s dental practice in Ithaca, MI for the next 27 years.  After Henry retired, Virginia worked for the Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and served as Michigan’s Community Service Director for 13 years.  After she retired, she continued her work with the Ithaca Community Service Center.

Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, Ferne and Blenford Shaver, as well as both of her husbands, Robert Jeffery and Henry Pfeifle Jr.  

Virginia is survived by daughters, Cheryl Umlauf (Rick)  and Carol Guajardo (Vic), her sister, Betty Johnson, her Grandchildren, Jeff Guajardo, Randy Umlauf (Siran), Janelle Kohtz (Mark), Amanda Umlauf, and her great-Grandchildren, Lucas Guajardo, Rilynn Kohtz and Samantha Umlauf.

Memorials may be made to the Ithaca Seventh-day Adventist Community Service Center at 935 North Pine River, Ithaca, MI. The family of Virginia wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the Heartland Hospice Organization, Dr. Donald Prouty, and her Ithaca church family. 

There will be a family graveside service at the Ithaca Cemetery with burial following.  The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Bradley Fuhrman

Brad, age 66 of Perrinton, MI passed away at his home Sunday, July 18, 2021.

Brad was born in Carson City, MI on October 25, 1954. Son of Fred and Mae (Shock) Fuhrman. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Juli Fuhrman. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Sue, son Andrew Fuhrman of Ithaca, MI, daughter Katie (Steve) Rose of Perrinton, MI, grandson Brody Rose, and brother Jason (Donna) Fuhrman of Pulaski, Tennessee. Brad retired from General Motors after 30 years of service. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, watching old western shows, sports, playing cards and marbles. Most of all he loved spending time with his grandson Brody and family. There will be a private celebration of life.

There will be a private celebration of life. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com. The family is being served by Barden Funeral Homes of Ithaca, Michigan. 

John Newton Allen Jr., O.D.

John Newton Allen Jr., O.D. passed away at his home, on April 26, 2020. Surrounded by family and loved ones, and serenaded with hymns and scripture, he passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Newton Allen Sr. and Dorothy Mae Allen, of Wilmington OH, his father and mother-in-law Richard and Marjorie Goostrey of Ithaca, MI and brother-in-law Jeff Goostrey.  

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Nancy, as well as his daughters and sons-in-law Brandi and Matthew Derby and Jenna and Josh Lienhardt, his much loved grandchildren Selah Grace, Ryah Jeanessa, Katarah Marie, Ezekial John, Judah John Philip, Isaiah James and Zemirah Mae. He was much loved by his brother and sister-in-law, Hal and Sue Allen, niece Krista (Dane) Ashbaugh and nephew Ken (Melanie) Allen. He was a beloved brother-in-law of Don Goostrey, Stephen (Arlene Baby) Goostrey, Susan (Tim) Greear and Lisa Goostrey. He was a loving uncle (and second dad), to many nieces and nephews from the extended Goostrey family.   

John was born in Flint, MI, September 18, 1941. At age five his family moved to Wilmington, OH, where his parents opened Allen Photography Studio. John attended Wilmington High School; he led the marching band as Drum Major and played saxophone for a “Big Band”, which toured the surrounding area. Graduating high school in 1959, he then attended The Ohio State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Optometry. He earned his Doctor of Optometry from University of Houston in 1965. In 1966, he began practicing Optometry in Hillsdale, MI. He moved to Ithaca, MI to practice with Dr. Norm Blizzard in 1968, later purchasing the practice.  

Before settling in MI, he traveled around the country with classmate Palmer Cook, interviewing optometrists regarding best practices. Shortly after moving to Ithaca, John became friends with Don Goostrey and a part of the weekend wedding photography crew with Dick’s Studio. He was active in the Ithaca Jaycees, the MI Optometric Association and the Lansing Jug n’ Mug ski club. 

John and Nancy married on October 13, 1973. They were members of the Ithaca First Presbyterian Church, where John served as treasurer and clerk of session, hosted a unique “Sailboat Ministry” and served during monthly chicken dinners. John loved being a husband and father, experiencing many life adventures with his family. They enjoyed traveling around the US, skiing and sailing as many weekends as possible, attending MSU and OSU football games and camping in the “Big Brown Van”. 

He was an excellent “girl dad”; being a staple in the dance carpool and french braiding the girls’ hair for class. He loved serving as “tech crew” for both Children’s Ballet Theater “Nutcracker Ballet”, and various Gratiot County Player productions, and also as the “sound man” for Academy of Performing Arts recitals. A congenial host for many friend and cousin overnights, he could be counted on for morning waffles and evening stovetop popcorn. He had a servant heart; he was patient, witty, smart (math whiz), unafraid to show his “dance moves” and cause a room full of giggles and fun for his girls and their friends. John loved Nascar and Indy cars, trains, the Kentucky Derby, “Big Bands”, Red Hot candies, licorice, ice cream and craft beer. Over the past 12 years, his grandchildren became the light of his life.

John would not want a few special people to go unmentioned… Thank you Pat Simmet, Peggy and Larry Arbanas, Charles Claibourne, Edie Beck, Diane Mikalski and Amy Sebring for being faithful and caring friends. Thank you also to the Warwick Living Center and Heartland Hospice staff for your amazing care and attention over the past two years. 

Services for John will be 11:30am Saturday July 31, 2021 at the Ithaca Church of God with Pastor Matthew Derby and The Reverend Christina Jensen officiating. A luncheon will follow at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to The Ohio State University School of Optometry, Heartland Hospice, or to the Northside Church of God in Muncie, Indiana. 

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

Phyllis June Crocker

On July 14, 2021, Phyllis Crocker, surrounded by her family passed away peacefully in her daughter’s home at the age of 85. Phyllis was born to Anna Alverda Coleman on June 9, 1936. She was raised in the Wheeler area on the family dairy farm. 

Phyllis went to high school in Ithaca where she met the love of her life “Mr. Honey,” also known as Bob Crocker. They got married on November 19, 1954. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Crocker, her mother and stepdad Anna & Clinton Coleman, brother and sister-in-law Burt and Marion Miller, brother Lloyd Coleman, brother-in-law William Stadler, brother-in-law Richard Tilot, her mother-in-law Frances Crocker, brother-in-law Harold Crocker, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Warren and Margaret Sadler, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Verle and Kiyoko Crocker, and granddaughter Katrina Miller.

She is survived by her children Deb (Carl) Dolloff, Jeff (Laura) Crocker, Judy (Steve) Miller, her sisters Dorothy Stadler and Evelyn Tilot, sister-in-law Sherry Coleman, her grandchildren: Jeremy (Gloria) Dolloff, Mike (Sheila) Dolloff, Lacey (Derek) Crocker, Nick (Stephani) Dolloff, Ben (Stacy) Crocker, Joe (Amy) Dolloff, Troy (Lacy) Miller, Holly Dolloff, Todd (Jessica) Miller, and Kirstie (Ryan) Miller, great grandchildren: Taylor (Nick), Scott, Brooklyn, Colin,  Alexis, Hannah, Angel, Garrett, Harley, Brayden, Bailey, Jordyn, Trevor, Emma, Austin, Logan, Skylar, Riley, Cade, Seth, Danika, and Ethan, several nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friend Martha Powelson, and her family at the Edgewood Church of God. 

Phyllis and her family lived on a farm in the Ashley area. She loved to garden, including flowers and vegetables, their family processing much of their own food. She was a seamstress who sewed for many people in the community. She sewed for everything including weddings and horse shows. She had her own sewing room in her home. Her daughters can remember being excited about having a dress that was actually bought at the store because their mom sewed all of their clothes. 

Phyllis and Bob loved to play cards. They often had family members over for card night. The family continued on the tradition playing cards at the family Christmas held in the garage at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. In her later years, Phyllis still loved playing games with grandkids. 

In her final years, after Bob passed away, she spent every winter living with and be cared for her daughter Judy.  Phyllis enjoyed being around her grandkids and great grandkids.

Phyllis will be remembered for her faithful Christian heart, her cooking, her smile, her love for watching birds, and especially her love for her family. Her family remembers her butter horns, baked beans, and “Grandma’s Cookies.” 

Visitation will be at Barden’s Funeral Home in Ithaca, MI Thursday, July 15, 2021 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. The funeral will be Friday, July 16, 2021, at Edgewood Church of God in Ithaca, MI, at 11 AM, with Pastor Dave Perry officiating. 

Memorial Contributions can be made to the Edgewood Church of God.

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