Helen Mary Miller

Helen Mary Miller, 79 of Stanton, went to be with her Lord April 23rd, 2021 surrounded by family.

By her side was her husband or 62 years, Monty “Butch” Miller. Helen and Butch were married July 11th, 1959. They would had celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this coming July. Helen was an amazing wife to her childhood sweetheart and loved him dearly until the end.  

Helen was born February 2nd, 1942 in Ann Arbor MI to Frances and Beulah Michelsen. Helen had a twin sister Ellen Kuznicki, one brother Marvin Michelsen and a sister Marlene Botma, the only surviving sibling.  

Helen went to High School in Ionia MI and later in life finished her education at Montcalm Community College. She also became a CNA and worked in long term care facility; she later went to work at Gibson’s in Greenville Michigan where she retired.  

Helen is survived by her husband Butch two sons Roger  and (Rachel) of Crystal and John (Jennifer)  of Sidney. Several grandchildren, Courtney  (Dereck) Miller  of Crystal, Justin ( Michelle ) Miller  of Grand Rapids who is currently overseas. Hoyt Ferris of Crystal.  Brandon (Carin) Miller  of Fenwick, Brittany (Kyle) Andrews  of Sidney, Madison, and her Brother Dylan Miller also of Sidney. 

Helen was preceded in Death by two of her Grandchildren John Joesph Miller Jr & And Blake Stephen Miller and a son Robert Lee Miller. Helen has many great grandchildren whom she truly adored and loved being around.   

Helen enjoyed many things but mostly being in the  outdoors. She was an avid fisherman who loved to bass fish the most, and at the age of 74 entered and won her first bass tournament with her grandson Brandon. 

Helen also enjoyed working in her flower garden and was also an amazing cook. Helen loved teaching all her granddaughters ( and even some grandsons ) many of her amazing family recipes. Helen loved to play cribbage, go hunting with the guys and sitting around the table visiting over a cup of hot coffee, and doing puzzles with her husband. 

Growing up many of the neighborhood kids as well as friends of her children called Helen “mom,” no one was ever a stranger, and everyone was always welcome at her table. Helen had many friends and always made sure everyone who met her felt welcome and at home.     

If you ever had a chance to meet Helen you met a truly genuine, caring, kind and soft-spoken woman who would help anyone at anytime who was in need. 

In Helens last days she was happy to be going home to be with her Lord. She was ready to see her son, her grandsons, and her twin sister Ellen  whom she was extremely close to. As well as her parents that she missed dearly. 

Helen is now home, and at peace. She will be truly missed but anyone who knew her was blessed and now the blessing is hers.                                                                                                                                          

Graveside services for Helen will be held at 2pm Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at the Sidney Township Cemetery in Sidney, Michigan. 

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

Frederick “Fred” Dean Hoard

Frederick D. Hoard, age 89, of Ithaca passed away Thursday, April 15, 2021.

Fred was born to Claude and Louisa (Zimmerman Moore) Hoard in Gratiot County on February 26, 1932. He married Helen Martin October 25, 1958 at the Edgewood Church of God in Hamilton Township.

Fred was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving aboard the USS Manchester during the Korean War. Following his discharge from the Navy, he worked as a spot welder at Lobdell-Emery for many years until his retirement. Fred served as the Post Commander for the Ithaca VFW Post #7805 for 25 years.

Fred is survived  by his wife of 61 years, Helen; children Tamberlee Sue (Jerry) Rose and Bruce Allen (Michele) Hoard; grandchildren Jimmy, Alex, Sheila, and Natalie; and great grandchildren Malachi, Janelle, and Jaden. He is also survived by his brother Russell (Carol) Hoard; sister Merna Thompson; and brothers and sisters-in-law Sally Martin; Jerry Martin, Nancy (Howard) Crites, LaDaun (Dave) Longanbach, Arthur Burch; Betty Reeves, Donald (Sherida) Burch; and dear friends Alice Schleder and family and Sondra Schaub.

Fred is preceded in death by his parents Claude and Louisa; brothers Cardwell Hoard; Duane and Betty Hoard; and brothers and sisters-in-law Richard Thompson; Jack and Eunice Martin; Glen and Doris June Martin; Virginia and William Ball; Murle Larry and Carol Martin; Malvelene Martin; and Kathy Burch.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11:30am, Friday, April 30, 2021 at the Edgewood Church of God with Jo Jones officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Senior Activity Building or to VFW Post #7805. 

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

Steven Wayne Cronk

Steven Wayne Cronk, 55, of Ithaca passed away unexpectedly from an automobile accident on April 5, 2021.

Steven was born on October 20,1965 to Richard and Christine (Holbrook) Cronk in Hillsdale, Michigan. 

He was an avid Michigan fan and was a welder by trade.

Steven is survived by his wife Koren; 3 step children, Joshua, Jared, and Spencer: 7 grandchildren; father Richard, sister MaShell; brother Greg (Deb); brother Bob; and sister Dawn (John Fee); mother and father in law Jim and Billie Kench; sister in law Danette Kench; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his mother Christine.

A private family memorial will be held 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.

Lola Frances Manofsky

Lola Frances Manofsky, age 100, of St. Augustine, Florida passed away peacefully at home on April 2, 2021.

Born of humble beginnings to Benjamin E. Warren and Lola E. Johnson Warren, Lola Frances (known as Fran), one of 15 children, 14 of which (7 boys and 7 girls) lived to adulthood. The years growing up were a struggle but she was able to live her entire life with following her much loved Jesus and her “One day at a time” motto. She often told stories of walking barefoot to school after caring for the farm animals and helping her mother with household chores. A lot fell on Fran’s shoulders being the oldest girl, with brother Arthur and her father often gone and busy. She would assist in caring and even helping birth her younger siblings, Fern (Clements), Margaret McKigney, Wayne, Charlotte (Ervin), Gene, Leola (Summar), Rowena (Kirist) Lyle, Lee, Barbara (Archer), Carroll and Ronnie. Only sister Leola remains living with her daughter, Sharon. Lola has always been a very accomplished homemaker and artist, and won many bowling and domino tournaments. She was a pretty good pool player and singer, participating in church plays in younger years. She bowled until age 95 and won domino tournaments until she was 98.

Although Lola Frances has survived her immediate early family, God has blessed her with not only many nieces and nephews but also her two marriages produced much in the way of family and friends. Early on she met and married Harold C. Watson who worked in oil fields and with Hushpuppy. Remembering her first ride in a model A and electricity and luxuries of such we take for granted, made this young bride excited when the adventure of motherhood began.

She was blessed with 4 boys, Harold was first who later married, Yvonne and gave her 2 grandsons, Edward Dwayne (Cindy) and Jeffery Watson and 2 greats, Corey and Jake and 3 great greats, Jason “JT”, Paislee and Kyle. Her Next son, Lester F. Watson married to Carol (Deceased) gave her grandson, Gregory (Lois) and 2 greats, Stephen and Sean. Lester married Pat and she received Ronnie (Sonya) and Mike. Her next son was Jerry married to Darlene (Deceased), brought her grandchildren, Stephen, Belinda and Jennifer and great grandchildren, Brandon, Michelle, Mathew, Andrew, Bret, Katie and Addison. And then came her youngest son, Carroll Lee Watson affectionately called “Lil Beaver” who with wife Sharon presented her with more grandchildren, Richard, Randy (Johanna), Rob (Judy), Roger (Tammy), Deana Kay (Joe) McDaid and Raymond (Tonya Lynn) and greats, among these are Gunner, Harper, and Bonnie. Beaver’s marriage to Debby H. gave more grandchildren, Tina and Jonathan. And you thought her life’s adventure was complete, think again. After her time in Michigan and Illinois, when her beloved Harold passed on she moved to Florida to be near her sister, Margaret and while working for Publix was introduced through her sister to Edward Manofsky. After 32 years married to her first husband, soon married again and began another almost 32 years with Edward.

When she and Edward (an entrepreneur and engineer) she began a full life of travel adventure and more family. With this marriage she included his 3 children, Edward, Jr. “Ted”, Stephanie “Stevie" and Mark. And from her only girl (who cared for her in her last over a dozen years) came 2 more grand children, Thomas Lague (Anna) and Michelle Givens, Owens and one great, Dylan. When Stevie married Tom Lague (deceased), his daughters Cheryl and Laura became her granddaughters too. From Mark (Linda) she received, Cathy, Sean and Mark, Jr. and greats, Christina MacKenzie and Addison.

Her last years, after the 2004 passing of her husband Edward, has been spent traveling with “her girl” Stevie and many gatherings with family and friends, like Annette, Flo, Jan, Desi, Barb, Andre, Gary, Dr. Ray, Bill, Bob, Ester, St. Cloud Seniors Club, Borrillo's family, Joseph family, Dr. Morrow, Phil, Jane, Gus, Elizabeth, Tiffany, Tony and Fisher Family, Chrissy, Givens and Gowens and too many others to mention, who affectionately called her Grandma.

So when you wish for a “full life” look no farther than Lola Fran and always remember take it “one day at a time” with God’s help. And she still would talk, sew, sing and dance with her friends. Remembered with love always.

Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, at Ithaca Cemetery. She was a parishioner of St. Augustine Cathedral Parish, the oldest parish in the United States, and Father will preside in Michigan.

Ronald Jack Williams

Ronald Jack Williams 77, of Stanton, passed away at his home on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.

Ron was born on June 28, 1943 in Stanton, Michigan to Archie and Agnes (Hallock) Williams. He graduated from Stanton Union in 1961. After graduating he worked at Adams’ Ford in Stanton as a mechanic. He went on to work as a parts salesman, and then later retried. He enjoyed golfing, doing wood working, and riding the EZ-GO with his family. He was a life member Master Mason.

Surviving Ron is his wife of 38 years, Joanne Erridge; daughters, Ronda (Al) Myers of Stanton, Karen (Aaron) Garcia of Salem, Oregon, Ann Williams of Fenwick; brother, Gary (Norma) Williams of Ionia; sister, Lois Christensen of Carson City, and sister-in-law Joan Williams of Grand Rapids; 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be at a later date. 

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