Helen Ruth Lutge

Helen R. Lutge, age 70 of Ithaca, passed away November 24, 2019 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.

Helen was born March 16, 1949 to Lawrence and  Eleanor (Felton) Leach in Birch Run, Michigan. She married Dale Walter Lutge on October 26, 1974 in Edgewood, Michigan. 

Helen loved to play cards and listen to old country music. She also enjoyed sewing, baking, and camping with her husband Dale. She will be remembered as a great mother and as someone who loved to help people.

Helen is survived by her husband Dale; daughters Sebrina Taylor (Michael Love) of Ithaca and Robin (Raymond) Martyn of Alma; five grandchildren; and several brothers and sisters.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Family funeral services were held November 26, 2019 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca with burial immediately after at Hamilton Cemetery. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Barbara Joan (Rogers) (Bowen) Hodges

Barbara Joan (Rogers) (Bowen) Hodges, age 95, of Ithaca, Michigan, passed away peacefully at Rosewood AFC on November 3, 2019.  Her family and friends will celebrate her life at the Ithaca United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 11:00 am with Pastor David McBride officiating.  Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 am on the day of the service, and interment will follow the service at the Ithaca Cemetery.  Following the service and interment, a luncheon will be served at the Ithaca United Methodist Church.  

    “Jo” was born on May 14, 1924 to George Edward and Gwendolyn Grace (Sevey) Rogers in Ithaca.  She grew up in Lansing.  On June 25, 1949, Barbara Joan married Elijah “Lige” Milton Bowen in Lansing, Michigan.  In 1952, Lige opened a veterinary practice in Ithaca. Much of Lige’s business was large animal, so Jo became his dispatcher for farm calls. However, Jo considered being a mother of five her most important job. School, church, and the business kept her busy. Jo loved to needlepoint, cross-stitch, and quilt, creating lasting treasures for her children and grandchildren.  July 4th neighborhood parties were an annual tradition that Jo enjoyed.  Also important were the camping trips with family and friends.   Later, after her children were grown, she enjoyed antiquing in Canada with her sister and friends and traveling. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.  After Lige passed away in 1980, Barbara Jo married John Hodges on January 26, 1985 in Ithaca.  Jo and John continued the tradition of hosting family 4^th of July parties.  The pool was always open. Jo loved the Christmas season.  If she had had her way, the tree would have been up all year. Jo and John enjoyed wintering in Gulf Shores Alabama with many other Ithaca friends.

    She is survived by her children Nancy (Dan) O’Boyle of Ashley, Jim (Cecille) Bowen of Sumner, Tom (Ulrica) Bowen of Zeeland, Mike (Kim) Bowen of Logansport, Indiana, and Margaret (Pat) Lott of Suttons Bay.  Grandchildren Patrick (Tiffany) O’Boyle of Cologne, MN, Kelly (Seth) Stapleton of Bad Axe, Michael O’Boyle (Lily Cruz) of Prescott Valley, Arizona, Joe (Andrea) Bowen of Ithaca, Chris (Cara) Bowen of Jenison, Paul (Jillian) Bowen of Marshall, Rachel Bowen of Chicago, Illinois, Emma Bowen of Logansport, Indiana, Elijah Bowen of Logansport, Indiana, Ryan (Stephanie) Lott of Lake Leelanau, Jaime Lott of Paw Paw, Jeff Lott of Interlochen.  Jo had fourteen great grandchildren and one on the way, Abby and Tucker O’Boyle, Matilda and Evelyn Bowen, Melia and Brady Bowen, Drostan and Conlan Stapleton, Landen and Jayce O’Boyle, Marshall, Sonora, Ivan and Conan Lott.  Special nieces Carol (Larry) Johnson of Eaton Rapids and Kathy Ochander of Lake Isabella, step-children Bill (Deborah) Hodges of Harbor Springs, Julie (Dan) Evitts of Ithaca also survive Jo along with many step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.  Barbara Joan was preceded in death by  parents George and Gwendolyn Rogers, sisters Kay Larry and Jean Landis,  husband Elijah Bowen, husband John Hodges, step-daughter Jill Hodges, step-granddaughter Kaitlyn Hodges, niece Kay Eckhardt and nephew David Ochander.  

The family would like to offer sincere thanks to Rosewood AFC for the wonderful care “Jo-Jo” received while living there.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Barbara Joan to the Ithaca United Methodist Church or Rosewood Adult Foster Care of Ithaca. 

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

Allen Earl Cook

Allen was born October 3, 1947 in Alma, MI the son of William E. and Ruth (McPherson) Cook.  

Allen was raised on the family farm in rural Gratiot County, MI which he loved dearly.  He was a 1965 graduate of Ithaca High School.   Allen was drafted into the United States Army in 1966 stationed in Vietnam.  After his discharge in 1973, Allen attended San Antonio Community College where he met Edna Biggs.  Allen and Edna were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church, San Antonio, TX on September 27, 1975 and enjoyed 43 years of marriage and had one son, Kevin.  

Allen also served in the Texas National Guard until 1992. He was a long time member of the King of Kings Lutheran Church in San Antonio where he served as Trustee, Usher, Human Care, Sunday School Teacher and helped where ever needed. He was a member of the Lutheran Layman’s League (LLL) serving as Congregational Ambassador and Honorary Member of the Board of Directors of the Lone Star District.  Outside of the church Allen was a Lifetime member of American Legion Post 592 and the North East Senior Citizens group.

More recently he attended Chapel of the Cross Lutheran in St. Louis County and Zion Lutheran in Staunton, IL.  His Faith and family were most important to him.  

Allen enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and attending his grandchildren’s activities.   He was an avid sports fan and especially liked watching Detroit Tigers, San Antonio Spurs and St. Louis Cardinals.

Allen is survived by his wife, Edna Cook of Staunton, IL:  his son, Rev. Kevin (Kristi) Cook  and 2 grandchildren Leah  and Lucas all of Staunton, IL.  Also, sisters Lillian (Robert) Merdler of Saginaw, MI; Cheryl Cook of Alma, MI; Christine (Kevin) Lombard of Ithaca, MI; Valerie (Scott) Snyder of O’Fallon, MO; and Michele (Raymond) Rettig of Findlay, OH; and many nephews and nieces.  In addition, close family friends John and Linda Beetle of Houston, TX; Erin (Ben) Solomon and Jaden of San Antonio TX, Christopher (Katherine) Beetle and Morgan, James and Daniel of Houston, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents William E. and Ruth Cook; granddaughter Madelyn Cook; brother David Cook; and sister Beverly Cook.  

Graveside services with military honors will be held 11am Saturday, November 9, 2019 at North Star Cemetery in North Star, MI. A luncheon will follow at the Ithaca Church of God.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, St. Louis, MO  63141, www.lhm.org; or a church of your choice.

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

Arlene Gearhart

Arlene Gearhart, age 94 of Ithaca, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at Rosewood Adult Foster Care in Ithaca.

Arlene was born February 12, 1925 in Ithaca to George and Beatrice (Wiles) Fortney. She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1943. She attended one year at Lansing Business University and then worked at Roseville Packing in Grand Ledge, Michigan in the office. She met Bill Gearhart there.

Arlene decided to enlist in the US Army WAC program and served as a medic. She was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, Percy Jones in Battle Creek, and Long Island, New York. She married William R. Gearhart on January 6, 1946 while they were both serving in the military during World War II.

After she and Bill were both honorably discharged from the military, they returned to settle in Ithaca where she worked for the Wolverine Shoe Factory. Arlene loved being a wife, homemaker, and mother. In 1956 she and Bill owned and operated Gearhart’s Oak Grove Resort in Houghton Lake until selling it in 1972.

Arlene is survived by her daughter, Karen (Terry) Nestle; son, Scott (Kathy) Gearhart of Twin Lake; grandchildren Stephanie (Kevin) Howes, Sarah and Tess Gearhart; great granddaughters Madelyn and Britney Howes; and two special nieces Cyndi (Fortney) Roslund and Mary Kay (Woodbury) Dicken; and many other nieces and nephews.

Arlene is preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents George and Beatrice Fortney, her sister Margaret, two brothers Donald and Earl Fortney, and her grandson Kyle Nestle.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Visitation will be 2-6pm Thursday, October 31, 2019 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be 11am November 1, 2019 at the Ithaca Church of God, visitation will be held prior to the funeral at the church from 10am - 11am. Pastor Tom Whitsel will officiate and burial will follow at Ithaca Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to either the Ithaca Senior Activity Building or to the Ithaca Church of God. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Phyllis Loraine Baublitz

Phyllis Loraine Baublitz, 78 years of age, passed on Sunday September 22, 2019, at Schnepp Senior Care after a short battle with cancer.  

Phyllis was born on January 10, 1941 in Alma, Michigan to the late Roy and Leona (Battley) Cameron.  She was the middle child of three girls.

Phyllis married the love of her life, John Barry Baublitz, on June 29, 1966.  Phyllis attended Northwood University and began working at Dow.  She decided to dedicate the rest of her life to her sons Bradley Edward Baublitz and Brett Cameron Baublitz.   As a family, they enjoyed their vacations at Eight Point Lake, and spending time with lifelong friends and neighbors playing cards

Once her boys were grown, Phyllis longed to be back in the work force and enjoyed being around people.  She spent time working with Doctor Dale Nester and then for Miracle Ear.  Phyllis loved to spend her free time at the Soring Eagle Casino where she met many people she considered a friend.

Phyllis had five grandchildren, Jacob Baublitz, Kaleb Baublitz, Morgan (Maxwell) Cullinan, Jared Baublitz, and Jaden Baublitz.  Her grandkids will remember her most by her eye rolls when she laughed, her sarcastic jokes, and stubborn ways, but most importantly the love she had for her family and friends.  There was never a short supply of chocolate shakes, ice cream and Coca-Cola.

Phyllis is survived by her sons, Bradley (Sandy) Baublitz and Brett (Angela) Baublitz, her sister Kay (Roger) Wells, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

Phyllis was proceeded in death by her husband, John Baublitz, her parents Roy and Leona Cameron, and her sister Bonnie Madison.

A memorial service will be held 11am Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the First Baptist Church in St. Louis with Pastor Phil Maxwell officiating.  

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