Daniel Desmond Zamarron

Daniel D. Zamarron, age 97, of Middleton, died Sunday, March 1, 2020, at his home in Middleton, with his family at his side.

Dan was born December 5, 1922 in Hamtramck, MI, the son of Trinidad Lamar and Amelia (Martinez) Zamarron.  He was the fifth of their twelve children.  He married Dalice H. Mitchell in 1950.  She preceded him in death in 1985.  He worked as a millwright for GM, retiring in 1988.  He also enjoyed farming. He lived in Gratiot for most of his life, leaving for a short time to serve his country in the U.S. Army during WWII.  He was a life member of the Alma V.F.W., and a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Ithaca.  Dan was a loving, caring person, who cared deeply for his family.

Dan is survived by five children: George “Dick” (Susan) Zamarron, Daniel Zamarron, Jr., Terry (Debbie) Zamarron, Jackie (Doug) First, and Helen (Barney) Brown; his grandchildren: Ryan (Melanie) Zamarron, Kori (Joshua) Howell, Erin (Frank) Oros, Ashley (Tim) Landrus, Trinity (Kurt) Blair, Jessica (Charles) Eldridge, John (Crystal) First, Trent (Aimee) First, Patrick First, Daniell (Michael) Bigard, and Stacy Brown; 20 great grandchildren; and his sisters-in-law, Pat, Mary, and Sarah Zamarron.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and his eleven brothers and sisters: Amelia, Juanita, Louise, Benny, George, Thomas, Robert, Ralph, David, Theodore, and Mary Ann.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Ithaca, at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 6, concluding with Military Honors.  Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, and on Friday, March 6, from 10 a.m. until the start of the service at the church.  A luncheon will follow immediately after the service.  The family requests memorial contributions to Gratiot County Commission on Aging or to Residential Hospice at ResidentialHealthCareGroup.com.

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

Nellie M. Litwiller

Nellie Marie Litwiller, age 96, passed away February 15, 2020 with family by her side.  She was born in Gratiot County on January 22, 1924, the daughter of Martin S. and Mable Fern (Lincoln) McRoberts.  During World War II, she moved to Detroit to work in the factory building planes that would be used by the military.  On September 3, 1948, she married Willard E. Litwiller in Ithaca.  He preceded her in death in June 2003.  Together they worked the farm land, raised livestock, harvested acres of fruit and vegetables, blueberries and apples. For many years she worked at Masonic Home in Alma caring for residents on the nursing floors.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her family.

Survivors include; daughters Cheryl (William) Davis and Robin Litwiller.  Grandchildren; Autumn and Christopher Davis.  Sister-in-laws; Marie Litwiller, Waneta Bender, and Evelyn (Wayne) Miller.  Brother-in-law Bryon (Louise) Hiebert.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Willard (Bill), sisters Mable Smith, Ruth Fidler, and Elizabeth Ferguson and sister and brother-in-laws.

Per her wishes, no service will be held.  Memorials may be made to the Gratiot County Commission of Aging and the Gratiot County Animal Shelter.

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

Rose Marie Taylor

Rose Marie Taylor age 89 of Masonic Pathways Alma, passed away on Wednesday February 12, 20.  She was born to the late Otto and Martha Mae Jorgensen on February 24, 1930 in McBrides, Michigan.

Marie attended Edmore High School before attending Beautician school in Lansing Michigan. She owned and operated a home beauty shop for 16 year before attending Central Michigan University where she earned a B.A. in English Education.  She then took a job as Case Manager for the Gratiot County Commission On Aging, moving to Program Director before her retirement in 1988, where she assisted in securing a building for the Gratiot Senior Center and established the Food With Friends Program.  Marie was active in the community serving on the Gratiot Hospital Board and as a member of the League for Women Voters.

She married William Taylor on March 5, 1950 with whom she raised two daughters, Susan and Linda.  She loved spending time with her family at their cottage at Higgins Lake and spending winters at Gulf Shores, Alabama after her retirement.  Marie was an avid reader and enjoyed attending productions by the Gratiot County Players.

Marie was proceeded in death by her beloved husband, William, in 2017.  She is survived by her daughters, Susan Taylor (Waino Pihl), Linda Taylor (Robert Smith), four Grand children Anne Pouch (Aaron), Hugh MacDowell (Alyssa Beavers), Kari Wallis (Micah), Dane Pihl, and Great granddaughter Elizabeth Larson. She is also survived by her sister in law, Enna Jorgensen, nephews, great nephews and niece.

A memorial service will be held at Masonic Pathways, Doig Chapel on March 7, 2020 at 11AM. 

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

Robert (Bob) Herman Chaffin

Robert (Bob) Herman Chaffin of Ithaca passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at the age of 94.  Bob was born at home May 16, 1925 in Arcada Township, Gratiot County the son of Helen (Reeb) and Wesley Chaffin.  He married Susan (Krum) in 1953.  They had three children: Mark, Mike and Julie.  Bob graduated from Alma High School in 1943.  He began farming with a team of horses, but soon had a Ford tractor, “to get the work done”.  After graduation from Michigan State University in 1952, he became known as a farmer who tried new ideas such as “no till” drilling and irrigation.  Governor Milliken appointed Bob to the Michigan Commission of Agriculture (1975-1986).  Bob was active in the Ithaca United Methodist Church and was involved in farm-related activities, serving on several agricultural boards.  As a young man Bob loved to play baseball with his brothers and was part of the Pompeii team. In 2019 Bob was inducted into the Gratiot County Baseball League Hall of Fame. 

Bob is survived by his wife Sue of 66 years, son Mike Chaffin and Wynne Wright, daughter Julie (Reza Mohkami), and daughter- in-law Jeanne Chaffin; grandchildren:  Ben (Alyssa) Chaffin, Josh (Wendi) Chaffin, Halley Chaffin, Wyatt Chaffin, Sara Mohkami and Jessie Mohkami; great-grandchildren: Asher, Titus, Zeke, Glee and Vivian Chaffin, brother-in-law Roger (Mary) Krum and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers: Justin (Ada), Francis (Gerri), and Lee and son Mark. According to his wishes, Bob was cremated and his ashes will be spread over his parents’ graves and the farm where he was born.  

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 22^nd at 11 AM at the Ithaca United Methodist Church, with Pastor Josh Chaffin presiding.  Visitation will be at the church Friday, February 21^st from 5 – 7 PM and at 9:30 AM until time of service.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Ithaca United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund. 

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

Arthur David Moore

David Moore, age 54, of Alma, died Sunday, February 9, 2020, at Mid Michigan Medical Center Gratiot in Alma, having fought a long hard battle with Parkinsons Disease and other ailments.

David was born February 28, 1965, in Carson City, the son of Perry Thomas and Lavina Evelyn (Nelson) Moore.  He was a loving, caring man who would do anything for anybody if he could.  He worked as a welder all of his life, and was very good at it.  In his spare time David loved working on vehicles, watching NASCAR and WWE, fishing, hunting and going on vacations.  He was a wonderful grandfather who loved all of his grandchildren, and was very fond of his dog, Skipper.  He will be missed very much.

David is survived by his son, Anthony David Moore of Alma; his grandchildren, Layla Swanson, Kayanne Swanson, Dustin Becmer, and Aria Moore; his sisters, Faith (Andy) Mikulka of Ashley and Eva Cecil of Middleton; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Virgil Olson, Dick Olson, Perry Moore, Jr., and Clyde Dale Moore; his sister, Arlene Flegel; and his dog, Snoopy.

Graveside services for the family will be held at a later time.

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