Gloria Marion Kleinhans

Gloria Marion Kleinhans passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Lansing, Michigan, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Born to Michael and Regina Binfet on January 18, 1944, in Esmond, North Dakota, she was a beacon of light and warmth in the community she loved and happily served. 

Known for her generosity and love for God and her family, Gloria will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Gloria enjoyed visiting her children and grandchildren across the country, especially those in warmer climates. She volunteered her time at the Senior Center, seasonally worked at Godley’s Country Floral, and cultivated her green thumb in any way she could. Gloria’s family asks that she be remembered as the vibrant presence she was: a lover of adventure, new recipes, baking, and fine wine, her joyous presence and infectious laugh, the twitch of her lips when she was making up her mind, her quick feet when she heard a good tune, and her fondness of comfort and pretty things. 

She is survived by her children Roger “Kip” Kleinhans, Stacy (Dane) Longanbach, Melissa Tackitt, Renae Bludworth, Rick (Angela) Kleinhans, and Ana’Lisa (Cody) Bovee, 15 grand children, and 16 great-grand children. 

The family will receive visitors at Barden’s Funeral Home on Saturday, May 11 1:00-3:00 PM and Sunday, May 12, 6:00-8:00. Additionally, the funeral home will provide a prayer service during the visitation on Sunday, May 12 at 7:30 PM. A ceremony will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on Monday, May 13 at 10:00 AM. The burial service will be held Tuesday, May 14 at 10:00 AM at New Haven Township Cemetery, Sumner.  

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

Gordon Ray Ward

Gordon Ray Ward, age 88, of Alma, died Saturday, April. 27, 2024, at Country Friends Assisted Living in Sumner.

He was born February4, 1936 in St. Louis, MI, the son of Ralph and Geraldine (Whitehead) Ward.  He graduated from St. Louis High School and entered the Army in 1959, serving in Germany as a medic. Upon his discharge from the Army he started working for Dow Chemical in Midland where he worked for 39 years.  He married Martha Jane Derby on January 30, 1976.  He coached girls softball at Alma High School for three years along with Dar Peska.  He was always supportive and involved with his daughter’s extracurricular activities, never missing a game or a tournament.  He enjoyed gardening, playing golf, bowling, shooting pool, and playing softball on Cookie’s Repair traveling softball league in the 1980’s.  He was an active member of the Alma Elks Club, and enjoyed taking his family on vacations.

Gordon is survived by 4 daughters, Tamra Ward of Alma, Jenelle Saavedra (Adan Saavedra) of Ithaca, Kristie Gruesbeck of St. Louis, and Denetta Wilcome of Detroit; and his grandchildren Vincent, Madison, Jayden, Jackson, Bryce,and Isabella.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Geraldine Ward; and the love of his life, his wife Martha Jane Ward.  His family will have their own gathering and celebration of his life.

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

Jacqueline (Jackie) Darlene Bowen

Jacqueline (Jackie) Darlene Bowen was 87 years old when she passed from this life.  She and her husband Bill are long time residents of Ithaca.  She is survived by Bill, her two sons Craig (Wilsonville, OR) and Kent, his wife Renata (Gaylord, MI) grandchildren Kyle & his wife Ashley (Plymouth, MI), Katie & her husband Tony (Waltham, MA), Corbin (Wilsonville, OR), Cailyn & husband Mike (Pasadena, MD), great grandchildren Jackson, Olivia, Harrison, Hattie, and Hazel.

She was born in Hicksville, Ohio to Milton and Vera Hamman.  She grew up in Butler, Indiana where she met Bill.  They married there in 1954 and soon after moved to Ithaca.  The Bowen house is filled with the best memories of family, "that hand blown glass bowl belonged to Great Grandma Cannon, that cabinet was Grandpa Hamman's where he kept his hand-made fishing lures, that decorative measuring spoon set in the window was just like the one my Grandma used."  You'll also see furniture made by Bill and finished staining & painting completed by Jackie.  She was a good cook and made it look effortless.  The food was always warm, delicious, and best served at a table surrounded by family and friends.  If your're lucky, there would be a big bowl of baked beans that Jackson calls "special beans," and indeed they were.  Olivia knows how to make the best deviled eggs with Great Grandma's helpful hand and watchful eye and Hattie knows the secret too.  

For years, Jackie bowled on a woman's league in Ithaca and she and Bill enjoyed looking for treasures at flea markets and antique fairs.....they called it "going junkin."  Bill and Jackie have been members of the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca since the 1955 serving in leadership and supportive roles including the church board, food pantry, and community dinners.  Jackie was an aide at South Ithaca Elementary School for many years watching over a couple generations of children.  She was skilled with knitting needles, a crochet hook, and a sewing machine making what will be heirloom pieces for all her grandchildren who she loved to visit.  We will remember and celebrate a life well lived and well loved when the weather turns warm.  

A memorial service will be held at 11am, Saturday April 27 at the First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca with Reverend Joey Nowak officiating. Visitation will take place at the church from 10am until the time of the service. A luncheon will follow the memorial service.

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

Anna May Kench

Anna May Kench, 80, of Ithaca, passed away Friday, April 12, 2024 surrounded by her family at MyMichigan Health in Alma, Mi. 

Anna was born on October 18, 1943 in Alma, Michigan to Donald Lee and Anna May McGill. 

Anna is survived by her husband of 61 years, Gerald, “Butch,” her children Shelly (Alberto) Betancourt, Brian (Tamara) Kench, Karen (Jerry) Cooley, Daren (Elizabeth) Kench. Grandchildren Carl (Kelli), Kayla (Jasen), Curtis (Marcy), Albert (Danay), Lizette (Seth), Cetara, Corbin (Jordyn), McKenzie, McKennah, Madisyn (Travis), Dakota (Olivia), Taylor (Chris), Payne, Jackson, Lucas, and Adam. Great grandchildren Grace, Gavin, Henry, Leo, Harper, Helios, Kal, Braylon, Oaklynn, and Jack. Many nieces and nephews.

Anna was preceded in death by her family members including her father, Donald, mother, Anna, sister, Donna, and brothers Donald II, Robert (Duane), Dale, and Jack.

Anna enjoyed country music, dancing, playing cards, reading, golfing, watching the Detroit Tigers, and working in the yard. Anna’s biggest pride and joy was her family. 

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at the Ithaca Community Center in Ithaca Michigan. Visitation will take place from 10-11 am, funeral service at 11 am, and luncheon to follow.

Donations in her honor may be made to Schnepp’s Rehabilitation and Senior Center Activity Center or Gratiot Commission on Aging.

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

Larrona “Lona” Mae Shaw

Birth: July 20, 1948, - Grand Rapids, MI 

Death: April 5, 2024, - Wyoming, MI

Larrona “Lona” Mae Shaw, age 75, of Ithaca, MI, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior at home in Wyoming, MI, surrounded by her family on Friday, April 5, 2024, after a battle with ALS.

Lona was born in Grand Rapids, MI on July 20, 1948, to Elvis and Erma (Turney) Shook. She graduated from Central Montcalm High School in 1966. Lona married Lawrence Shaw in Ithaca, MI, on May 23, 1970, and they remained dedicated parents to their sons.

Throughout her life, Lona worked as an X-ray technician, a food service worker at Ithaca Public Schools and the Department of Corrections in Carson City, the Ithaca High School head cheerleading coach, and a bus driver for Ithaca Public Schools and Vestaburg Community Schools. After retirement, Lona worked with her friend Mary at 3D Pizza in Vestaburg.

Lona was a strong and independent woman in every area of her life. She was also a mother of four boys whom she protected fiercely and loved very much. Lona loved camping, Hallmark Christmas movies, soap operas, and listening and singing to country music. However, Lona’s greatest pride and joy in her life was her family. Lona was immensely proud of her children, grandchildren, and honorary grandchildren, and was always there to support them at their sporting events and other activities. She loved spending time with her family at family gatherings and visits.

Lona is survived by her children: Brad (Mechelle) Shaw of Ithaca, MI; Chad (Jill) Shaw of Shepherd, MI; Joey Shaw of Punta Gorda, FL; and John (Emily) Shaw of Wyoming, MI; her sister, Cindy (Bob) Whitmill; her sister-in-law Sherry Shook; her sister-in-law Brenda Shook; her grandchildren: Bryan (Renan), Paige, Skylar (fiancée Kennedy), Brayden (girlfriend Joie), Kerstyn, Lilly, Charlotte, and Nora Shaw; her former husband Lawrence Shaw; her honorary family: Linda Flora and Jamey and Heather Conn; her honorary grandchildren: Dallas and Jackson Conn; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers, Jerry Shook, Steve Shook, and Dan Shook.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, April 12, 2024, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, at 11:00 AM with a luncheon immediately following at the Ithaca Community Center. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Barden Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Susan Mast ALS Foundation at https://www.susanmastals.org/donation/. 

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