Gary Dale Jones

Gary Dale Jones, age 70, of Ithaca passed away at home Monday, May 4, 2020. He was born February 6, 1950 to Emrow and Violet (Hatfield) Jones in Clare, Michigan. He married Barbara Gross September 20, 1969.

Gary is survived by his wife Barbara, daughters Kelly (Scott) Hipolite of Ithaca and Kerry (Judd) Anderson of Sheridan; honorary adoptive daughter Becky Anderson of Ithaca; grandchildren Brandon (Paige Kyser) Hipolite of Sumner and Addyson (Ethan Wood) of Sheridan; great-grandson Madden Hipolite of Sumner; sisters Bonnie (Duane) Bartlett of Florida, Connie Clarke of St. Louis; brother-in-law Bud (Evangeline) Gross of Henderson, Nevada; sister-in-law Kerry Gross of Clarkston; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Ronnie and Larry Jones; father and mother-in-laws Kenneth and Naomi Gross; brother-in-law Larry Gross; and sister-in-law Grace Myers.

Gary was truly one of a kind. He was the most generous husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend anyone could ask for. He had a huge heart and it was made of gold. He proudly served his country in the Army. In his younger healthier years he was very active with hunting, fishing, golfing, softball, bowling, and volleyball. Any given Saturday you could find Gary sitting in the stands of Crystal Motor Speedway. He enjoyed playing cards and Yahtzee with friends. He had a crazy sense of humor and it was always a surprise (or shock) as to what he would come up with to say. He loved spending time with his family and especially loved seeing his “little guy” Madden. He retired from the Gratiot County Road Commission. 

A private burial will be held at graveside with immediate family. His family would like to thank Sparrow Hospice for the exceptional care they provided, especially his RN Kay Robertson and SW Mary Cavanaugh. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Sparrow Hospice Services, 1210 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48915.

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

Betty Louise (Hawkes) Hicks

Betty Louise Hicks of Ithaca, passed away April 27, 2020, at Masonic Pathways in Alma.

Betty was born to Marie Hawkes on May 31, 1922, and spent her first 18 years living in Ithaca.  She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1938 at the age of 16.  She later married Roger Hicks of Dubuque, Iowa, who made a career of the U. S. Air Force and flew 27 missions overseas.  Betty followed him wherever he was stationed, so together they saw much of the world and the U. S.  Betty enjoyed playing cards, and reading with a passion.  She led a full life.  Roger preceded her in death on March 26, 2000.

She leaves behind four cousins, Mary Peters, Fred Hawkes, and Robert Hawkes, all of Ithaca, and Darla Kappus of Stafford, VA.

Robert W. Merdler

Robert W. Merdler, 78, of Saginaw passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at Covenant Healthcare Harrison 6th Floor ICU after a lengthy illness. His wife was his caregiver for over four years.

He was born in Saginaw on January 25, 1942 to Henry and Miriam (Rothner) Merdler.On August 6, 2000 in Saginaw he married Lillian Cook Chisholm after courting her for 11 years. Robert attended Webber Junior High and was active in their amateur radio club. He graduated from Saginaw High School with the Class of 1960. He attended Bay City Junior College and then attended Delta College.

He was a licensed HAM radio operator with the American Radio Relay League most of his life. His call letters were K8AQA. He enjoyed working with electronics and later building his own computers. Robert worked at Saginaw County starting in the maintenance department and worked his way up to the Saginaw County Emergency Service Coordinator.

Robert is survived by his wife Lillian; his brother. Michael Merdler; his sister Margo (Robert) Walker; Step-son Scott (Gennine) Chisholm; Step-granddaughter Jackie (Joe) Lamont; Sister-in-laws Edna Cook; Cheryl Cook; Chris (Kevin) Lombard; Valerie (Scott) Snyder; Michele (Ray) Rettig and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law William and Ruth Cook; brothers-in-laws David Cook and Allen Cook.

Due to the limitations imposed by the Coronavirus, a memorial service will be held in Saginaw at a later date. Family services will be held on Saturday April 11, 2020 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Burial will follow at North Star Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the wishes of the family to be determined at a later date.

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Clara Jean Adams Mahler

Clara Jean Adams Mahler went to be with her Lord and Savior, April 6, 2020, while wintering at the home of her daughters in Nokomis, Florida.  Jean was born to Henry Clifton and Ethel Louella (O’Bryant) Adams in Alma, Michigan, February 11, 1930.  Jean resided in Gratiot County all of her life.  She graduated from St. Louis High School and married John F Mahler of Ithaca, August 21, 1949.  

Jean’s lifelong passion was being a helpmate to her husband on the farm and being a loving mother to her children and grandchildren.  She was a 4-H leader, quilter, trophy winning bread maker, and crocheted beautiful doilies.  She won state awards for her bread making and provided generous samplings at the family gatherings.  Jean was very creative, writing plays for her children to perform, and encouraging their love of music with piano lessons and school band participation.  She was musical herself, singing and playing piano that she taught herself.  

Jean was very active in the North Star Nazarene Church, then the Ithaca Church of God, holding several different roles over the years.  She also enjoyed socializing at the Senior Friendship Centers in Ithaca, Michigan and Venice, Florida.  Jean never met a stranger.  She would light the world wherever she was, always with a sense of humor and love of people.  Her kindness and compassion were her trademark along with her generous giver of time and baked goods.  

Jean is survived by her five children: daughters Jane Mahler of Nokomis, Fl, Joy (Ed) Mahler Benson of Nokomis, Fl, Jill (Martin) Lott of Ithaca, MI; sons John (Kelly) Mahler of Kansas City, MO, and Jan Mahler of Perrinton, MI; 14 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; sister Patricia Haney of Houghton Lake, MI; brother Henry Clifton (Bud) Adams of St. Louis, MI and many special nephews and nieces.  

She was preceded in death by her husband John of 61 years, seven sisters, one brother and two granddaughters.  A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.  Memorial donations may be made to the Ithaca Church of God or Senior Activities Center, Ithaca, MI  

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

Susan Lynn Munro

Susan L. Munro , age 66, of Ithaca, went home to be with her Heavenly Father, where she was reunited with her mom and dad, and is walking with her granddaughter, Kathryn, on March 31, 2020, at Mid Michigan Medical Center Gratiot, in Alma.

Susan was born on December 20, 1953, in Jackson, Michigan, the daughter of Richard and Gladys (Russell) Pritchard.  She married David Munro on June 11, 1971, and became co-owner with him of Statewide Interiors.  She became a mom at a young age, and her children were her life.  In addition to raising her own family, Sue cared for and changed the lives of countless foster kids for over 10 years, all of whom she held close to her heart.  She also owned and operated Oil City Small Mall Pizza for many years.  She enjoyed cooking, especially for family gatherings, and planning and hosting holiday gatherings, where she could sit back and enjoy her family.  Working in her flower garden outdoors, brought her much happiness, but her family was her greatest joy.  

Sue is survived by her husband of 48 years, Dave; her children, Tonya Ball of Ithaca, Matt (Angela) Munro of Ithaca, Amy (Albert) Lombard of Allegan, MI, and Kristin Hensel Munro of Midland; her grandchildren, Emily (Geo) Reeves, Cortney Ball, David, Ben, and Abigail Munro, Hannah and Lucas Lombard, and Savanah, Aurora, Kristina, and Tyler; her great grandchildren, Morgan and Marley Reeves; and her siblings, Karen Treesh, Mike (Tanya) Pritchard, Cathy (Erv) Carll, Vickie Gibson, Rhonda Gibson, Jeff (Robin) Gibson, and Bobbie Jo Gibson; and several nieces, nephews, and foster children.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Gladys; her father, Richard; and her granddaughter, Kathryn Elizabeth.

Due to current circumstances and restrictions, a private funeral service will be held for the family at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor Tom Whitesel officiating.  Interment will follow in Ithaca Cemetery,  A public celebration of Sue’s life will be scheduled for a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Royal Family Kids Camp, 1250 E Washington Rd., Ithaca, MI 48847.