Edith (Edie) May French

Born to Darwin A. Richards & Neoma M. Richards on September 18, 1941 and passed away on November 3, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Fred E. Richards and Elizabeth Richards Hartman. She married Jerry French on September 13, 1958.

She is loved and will be missed by her children; Marlyn (Lisa) French, Lezlie (Steve) Anderson, Jerry (Pamela) French, Michelle (Jim) Kennedy, and Neoma French and her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was a St. Louis, MI graduate and was a receptionist for Dr. Knowles in her hometown for many years, as well as a local artist and teacher of arts and crafts.

For many years during her retirement she and her loving husband spent time traveling across the US and visiting many places. 

Leona Elaine Newberg

Leona Elaine Newberg, age 91, of Roscommon and Stanton, passed away October 29, 2020 in Carson City, Michigan. She will be missed by her family and friends. Leona is preceded in death by her husband, Bill Newberg. She is survived by her children Rua, Joe, Mona, Phyllis, Alice, Grace, and Brenda. Leona’s family has chosen to remember her privately at this time.

Lois Matilda Chenoweth

Lois Matilda Chenoweth 86, passed away on October 7, 2020 in Greenville.  Lois was born on March 19,1934 in Harrietta, MI to Clarence and Myrtle (Chandler) Klingbeil.  She was the youngest of 8 children. She married Robert L. Chenoweth on January 19,1952 in Arizona. Together they raised two children, Jane (Randy ) Nielsen and John (Teresa) Chenoweth. 

Lois retired from the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District, with 26 years of service in the media department. She served on the White Pine Library board for several years. Lois was a member of Trinity Church in Stanton since 1963.  She was a Sunday School teacher for many years, served as the Church Treasurer for several years and was also the Church Librarian until she retired in 2016.

Lois loved her family and holidays. She always celebrated special occasions  with family traditions and great recipes.  She loved to garden, crochet and read.  Lois and Bob loved to travel and were both avid fishermen. Lois was seen many times tapping her toes while she listened to Bob play the harmonica and accordian in Church. She was always a positive and patient influence on her family and friends.

Lois is survived by Bob, her husband of 68 years; her 2 children, 8 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren; her sister, Patricia (Arvid) Mannor; sister in law, Bonnie Klingbeil; brother in law and sister in law Orman and Charlotte Chenoweth and many nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Lois was preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws, Howard Chenoweth, Lowern & Ellen Goldsmith; her brothers, Ray, Arnold, Leo, Howard & Merle; her sister, Arlene; sisters in law, Kathryn, Margaret, Maxine & Roberta; and brother in law, William Romsec.

Following current health regulations a private family service will be held with Pastor Mark Edwards officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Stanton.  

Her strong faith in God was evident to all who knew her, as she lived it daily.  Lois was very kind, giving, full of grace, and tough when she needed to be.

For those wishing to honor Lois' memory, her family suggests contributions to Trinity Church, Stanton, Alzheimer's Association of MI, and/or do something nice for someone in need. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Barden Funeral Home, Stanton. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Joan Phyllis Keck

Joan Phyllis Keck, age 90, completed her journey here on earth, surrounded by her daughters, at her home on October 5, 2020.

Joan was born just outside of Ashley, Michigan on January 2, 1930 to Orla & Sylvia Kerr (Thompson). She attended the Kennett Country School & graduated in 1947 as Salutatorian from Ashley High School. She went on to work at the State Police Post in Lansing, MI. In 1950, she married Kenneth L. Wang with whom she had 3 children with. They later divorced & Joan went to work as a clerk in the Ashley Post Office. That’s where she met the charming Post Master, Charles Keck, Jr.

After tricking her into their first date, they were married on December 10, 1964. Charlie had 5 children from a previous marriage & along with Joan’s 3, they quickly became a very large & blended family. There’s wasn’t any “step” anything, just family... loved as if they were their own. Six & nine years later, adding 2 more daughters for a total of 10 kids.

Joan was active in many activities, mostly in Ashley, throughout her life. She volunteered for various school activities. She chaired fundraisers for cystic fibrosis. For many decades, you could find her working at every election in Elba Township. Her husband, Charlie was a volunteer firefighter for AVFD for 37 years. So in the 70’s, Joan became a dispatcher for EMS. The calls would come directly to the house since it was prior to 911 being implemented. So once again, they found themselves working together. Every since she was young, Joanne love to attend dances, especially the polka dances since her father was of Scottish and Irish descent. She attended Sherwood Music School by mail as a young girl. She learned to play the piano and the accordion. Her family, takes comfort in knowing Joan and Charlie are now waltzing through heaven, together once again.

Her family is forever grateful that her wishes of being at home & surrounded by family were fulfilled. A huge thank you to the staff at Elara Caring Hospice for giving us the means & ability to do so.

Joan took much pride in her big family. She knew every single birthday & anniversary. She has dedicated her life to helping others & is the epitome of a grandma, or Smallz as she was lovingly called by many. When asked how she would like to be remembered, Joan said she would like people to know she’s been so thankful for her big family and how nice everybody has always been to her. She said that she is thankful she had the chance to see all of the kids grow up. She would also want memories of her life to give them joy and not sorrow.

Joan is survived by her brother Larry (Helen) Kerr, daughters: Sherry (Terry) Zabel, Pam (Claud) Felton, Sheila Keck (Gary Allen), Sharon Keck, Connie (Sam) Sopocy, Cathie Keck, Carla Cooper, daughter-in-law, Cathy Wang & sons: Roger (Kathy) Keck & Robert (Kay) Keck. Joan is survived by grandchildren: Michelle, Valerie, Chad, Shannan, Brittany, Blake, Maddy, Jacob, Nate, Kyle, Eric, Tammy, Shawn, Trina, Courtney, Jessica, Tyler, Jennifer, Jason, Kellen, Allison & Adam. Her great-grandchildren: Elliot, Jessica, Alexis, Jared,, Timyah, Bailey, Brennan, Collin, Sheldon, Xaena, Eric B., Ezra, Xander, Reese Ryan, Taylor, Nicholas, Jamie, Kelsey, Colton, Logan, Keegan, Joe, Carla Jean, Reese Irene, Madeline, Ryan, Kenzie, Easton, Carter & Layla. Great-great grandchildren: Hunter, Jaycie Lynn, Saint Michael, Aiden & Scottlyn. Joan was Predeceased by her husband Charles Keck, son Randy Wang, grandchildren Michael & Randi Lynn, great-great grandchild Paisley Grace.

A graveside service for Joan will be held at North Star Cemetery on Friday, October 9, 2020 at 11am. The family is requesting those attending practice social distancing and to please wear masks.

Memorial Contributions can be made to the Ashley Fire Department, Multiple Sclerosis Society or the Ashley Methodist Church.

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

Sharon Marie Beck (Burke)

Sharon Marie Beck (Burke), 81, peacefully passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 5th in Portland, Michigan, where she had been a resident of Country Living Senior Care. 

Sharon was a sweet and gentle soul, having asked Jesus into her life as a very young girl. She was born July 27, 1939,  the youngest of six children and grew up in Alma, Michigan on River Street, where her parents, Rudolph and Teacel Burke owned a small grocery store during the depression. All six Burke children worked in the store, which became a neighborhood “favorite”. After Sharon graduated from Alma High School, she studied to become a nurses aide and worked at Alma Hospital. 

In 1969 she married Loren Beck and began her life as a hard-working farmer’s wife in Ithaca. She was an excellent housekeeper and enjoyed cooking, cleaning, knitting, helping on the farm, and serving on the Women’s Missionary Association at her church. She especially loved being the mother of her two children, Ted Beck (Michelle) of Ashley, and Cindy (Vernon) DuMond of Lake Odessa. Sharon is also survived by six grand-children; Levi, Hunter, Cody and John Beck, Tyler and Clay DuMond. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents (Rudolph and Teacel), her two sisters (and their husbands) Josephine Miller (Nelson), Julia Swett (Wayne), her two brothers Rhinehart and Theodore Burke and her late brother-in-law retired pastor Ward Sipes who entered into eternity only one day ahead of her. She is survived by her sister Bonnie Sipes of Jackson, Michigan, two of her sisters-in-law Becky Burke of Noblesville, Indiana and Barbara Burke of Brady, Nebraska and by her loving sister-in-law and friend Margie Drummond and husband retired Pastor Jerry Drummond of Ithaca, and Loren Beck of Ithaca. 

Sharon will be grieved by her nineteen nephews and nieces from all over the United States and by so many supportive and loving friends in the Ithaca area. She will be especially missed by the residents and the devoted staff of Country Living Senior Care and by owners Kelly and Mike Grys, who treated her with such compassion and gave her the best loving care possible over the past few years. 

A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 9th at East Washington United Brethren Church, 8051 S Crapo Road in Ashley with Pastor Roy Atherton officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. with a celebration of Sharon’s life to follow. In lieu of flowers, it was Sharon’s wish for donations to be made to the American Heart Association or to Samaritan’s Purse.

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