Joan Marie Hollabaugh

Joan Marie (Maudie) Hollabaugh, age 88, of North Star; passed away on February 3, 2021. She was born April 12, 1932 to Leo and Marie Selden in Portland, Michigan. Joan and her husband Bob were residents of North Star for over 45 years. Many good memories were made there with family and friends. Joan loved playing cards, especially Hawaiian Rum, and going out to eat. Her greatest love was having her family around and time spent with her children and grandchildren. She will be loved and missed by all of us for the rest of our days.

Joan is survived by one son Robert (Bobby) Hollabaugh, Jr. (Kris); two daughters Debra (Larry) Croftchik; Brenda Hollabaugh (Andy); six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; one brother Ernie Selden (Marian) of Portland; one sister Mary Lou Lash of Byron Center; sister-in-law Marilyn Selden; and many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Robert Hollabaugh; parents Leo and Marie Selden; brother Howard Selden; sister Alice Sonday; and brother-in-law Leon Sonday, all of Portland; sister-in-law Margaret Gilbert of Ithaca; and many other beloved brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws of the Hollabaugh family.

Kent William Kremer

On Monday, January 18, 2021, Kent William Kremer, 77, went to be with his Savior. 

Kent was born September 23, 1943 in Elsie, MI. Kent was a graduate of Ashley High School and a 40-year member of the Saginaw Gospel Hall. Kent spent much of his life enjoying the outdoors, gardening with his family, and appreciating the beauty of nature. He loved his career driving semi trucks, but also enjoyed his time spent at home woodworking, farming, hunting, and playing with his faithful dog, Lily. He appreciated music and enjoyed playing the saxophone, banjo, and harmonica. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marcus Robert Kremer and Julia Maxine Kremer of Bannister, MI.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Joann (Andersen) Kremer. Together they raised six children: Kent Marcus Kremer, Bannister, MI; Scott Kremer (Olinda), Fairbanks, AK; Dr. Selena Kremer-Caldwell (Adam), Bowie, MD; Vanessa Lura (Tommy), Sandnes, Norway; Aaron Kremer, Saginaw, MI; Lynette Harrison (Timothy), Frostburg, MD. 

Left to cherish his memory are two brothers and one sister, Karl Kremer (Rolayne), Max Kremer (Donna), Joy Coon (Paul). He leaves his precious grandchildren, Stefania Tesema (Ebsa), Briana, Catalina, Ariana, and William Kremer; Zoey and Noah Lura; Trenton, Abigail, Weston, and Natalie Harrison; and great-grandson Roba Tesema.

Funeral services will not be held at this time. A future memorial service will be planned when Kent’s loved ones can be together safely. 

The family would like to thank the health care professionals at St. Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw, MI for their compassionate care and continued efforts to save lives from the ravages of COVID-19.

Phyllis Kaye Thompson

Phyllis Kaye Thompson was born March 23, 1959 in Alma, Michigan and passed away from complications due to COVID, at her AFC home in Ithaca on January 10, 2021.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Keith and Alice Thompson of Ithaca. She is survived by her sister, Ruth Essenberg of DeWitt; brother, Ted (Rae Ellyn) Thompson of Whitehouse, Ohio; nieces and nephews Tony (Lori) Essenberg of Laingsburg, Michigan, Tyler (Kate) Thompson of Milford, Ohio, Camala (Kyle) Ross of Valley View, Ohio; and great grand nieces and nephews Megan, Jacob, and Adam Essenberg, Maddy and Max Powers, Aiden and Emma Thompson, and Mazzlyn Ross.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Phyllis will be held at 3pm, Friday, January 15, 2021, with visitation from 2pm until the time of the service at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Ithaca. Father Edwin Dwyer will officiate and interment will follow at the North Star Cemetery.

A special thanks to the staff at the South Main AFC Home and also Hospice for all their compassionate and loving care of Phyllis.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Olympics of Michigan.

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

Jenna Lynn Evans

July 1, 1986 - January 1, 2021

Jenna Lynn (Emmons) Evans, age 34, of Stanton, Michigan, joined her father and grandparents in heaven on January 1, 2021. Cremation has taken place. Due to the pandemic, there will be a private graveside service for immediate family at a date yet to be determined.

Jenna was born July 1, 1986 in Carson City, Michigan to Dean and Kathy (Shillinger) Emmons. She resided with her parents and her older brother, Jay, in Crystal, Michigan before the family moved to Stanton after her 5th grade year in Crystal Elementary School. Jenna graduated 8th in her class at Central Montcalm High School in 2004. She wrestled on the boy’s wrestling team in high school, and ran cross-country and track, competing at the state championships her last year. She also competed on a travel wrestling team, Team USA, and consistently medaled in her events.

Jenna will be forever remembered by her family as a free spirit with a smile that lit up a room. She loved bonfires, hunting for rocks (pudding stones or heart-shaped stones were her favorites) and simply being outdoors. More than anything, she loved spending time with her beautiful children.

Surviving are her sons, Tyne Scott Evans and Jayden Dean Westbrook; her mother, Kathy Lynn (Shillinger) Emmons of Stanton; her brother, Jay (Kenzie) Emmons of California; grandmother, Joanne Ralph of Arizona; several aunts, uncles, and cousins, and a special friend, Terron Bigelow. She was preceded in death by her father, Dean Emmons, grandparents, Ted and Phyllis Shillinger, John Emmons and step-grandpa, Stewart Ralph.

Those wishing to make a contribution in Jenna’s memory may do so via PayPal—Melody Klock (Kathy’s cousin). The family is extremely thankful for the outpouring of support, prayers, and assistance during the long search for Jenna. There are no words to express the depth of our gratitude. Your kindness and dedication will not be forgotten.

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

Vernon Albert Patz, Jr.

Vernon A. Patz, age 72, of Sumner, Michigan, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at MidMichigan Medical Center Gratiot.

Vern was born February 15, 1948 to Vernon Albert and Melita (LaFreniere) Patz in Manistique, Michigan. He married Sue Anne Brien October 29, 1966 in Hudson, Michigan.

Vern was employed in the Wolverine Shoe factory and later for Federal Mogul, working his way through all the trade positions at the factory from production to quality control. He enjoyed working on cars in his younger years as well as going to flea markets and antiquing with his wife Sue. Vern loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and extended family. Vern always enjoyed a fine debate with just about anyone concerning politics or current events.

Vern is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sue; his son Brian Patz (Kathy Schoenke) of St. Charles, IL and daughter Kristin (Travis) Suderman of Midland, MI; grandchildren Noah, Tanya, and Hannah; and half sisters Julaine Burns and Paris Decker. He was preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Melita, sister Cheryl Smalley, and half brother Richard Hagerman.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in memory of Vernon. 

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