Larry Darwin Porter

Larry Darwin Porter, age 83; of Ithaca and Greenville, Michigan ran into the arms of his savior, Jesus, on Friday, February 21,2025 at Vista Springs Timber Ridge, East Lansing. He was born at home in Lafayette Township, Gratiot County, Michigan on January 26, 1942, the son of Clifford E. and Ruth C. (Howd) Porter. He lived most of his life on the family farm in Hamilton Township.

Larry was a cheerful and generous man who worked very hard with farming with his brother, Ed. He found people who needed help and he was ready to give to them.

They worked together for most of their lives farming. Larry worked at times at Federal Mogul in St. Johns. Farming was his life. He and Ed were both mechanically adept with all of the faming machinery and often created their own solutions. They fabricated stainless steel fertilizer spouts to sell.

Larry was in the National Guard from 1963 to 1969. In July 1967 he and other men from the Alma National Guard unit served in Detroit during the Detroit riots.

Larry enjoyed traveling in the winter time with family. His first time traveling was going to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for the National Guard. He also traveled to North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Louisiana, Virginia and Hawaii.

In 2014 he enjoyed his first cruise to the Bahamas. Later he cruised to Honduras, Belize, Mexico and Grand Cayman. Another cruise to the Bahamas was his last cruise in 2022. He was always amazed at all of the beautiful countries. He always found someone to talk to everywhere he was.

He attended elementary school at Sickles, Michigan. He attended high school in Ithaca, Michigan until he was 16 years old on his birthday. He was responsible for farming with his brother when their father was disabled. Later he earned his high school GED. He met his perfect sweetheart and married Charlotte Fidler on

March 19, 1977 at Edgewood Church of God, Ithaca. They were married for 47 years. He served on the Board of Trustees at the church

and volunteered for several projects, including manufacturing a safety barrier for the hall balcony.

They moved to Greenville, Michigan in 2019 to be closer to family.

Larry enjoyed visiting his relatives and talking to everyone about his life. He spread the word of God whenever he could with kindness. He cherished his wife, sons, daughter-in-law and grandson. Being with his grandson was a joy, as well as all of his family. He gave his family everything they needed. He planned to prepare for the future. Larry is survived by his wife, Charlotte (Fidler) Porter, his sons, Jonathan, Jason (Michelle) and grandson, James, his niece, Susan (Fidler) Aaron Athearn, other nieces and nephew, cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother.

There will be a celebration of life on June 21, 2025 at 11am at the Edgewood Church of God, 160 S. Barry Rd., Ithaca, MI 48847. Visitation will take place from 10am until the time of the service at the church. A dinner will follow. Chaplain Dan Thompson will be officiating.

A cremation was done. His remains will be interred in Hamilton Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Edgewood Church of God, Veterans Affairs, or a food bank in Ithaca.

 The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.

Suzanne (Sue) Marie Martin

Suzanne (Sue) Marie Martin, of Ithaca, MI, was born on August 17, 1949, in Lansing, MI. She passed away peacefully at her home on June 4, 2025 in Ithaca, Michigan.

She is survived by her three children: Annette Martin Mallon (Dan Mallon) of St. Peters, MO; Robert Martin of Ithaca, MI; and Kenneth Martin (Carla) of Dublin, VA.

She was a proud grandmother to nine grandchildren: Elaine, Nick, Erin, Luke, John, Megan, Lexus, Matthew, and Connor; and a loving great-grandmother to seven: Mackenzie, Payton, Aiden, Alie, Bex, Henry, and Sully.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Christopher Martin; her parents, John and Charlene Michalek (Gulick); her brothers, John Michalek and Dennis Michalek; and her daughter-in-law, Penny Martin.

She and Christopher were married on December 1, 1967, in Morrice, MI, and shared 55 wonderful years together. They were inseparable and enjoyed a life full of shared passions — golf, snowmobiling, square dancing, bowling, gardening, fishing, and spending winters in Florida with friends and family for 22 years. They especially cherished time with their grandchildren, often taking them camping and making lifelong memories 

Sue was strong in her faith and lived it daily. She was a devoted and active member of the Catholic Church, and her spiritual strength was a source of comfort and guidance for her and those around her. Later in life, she took organ lessons and went on to serve as the organist at St. Mary’s Church in Alma, MI — a role she cherished deeply.

Sue was a determined and strong-willed woman who met life’s challenges with quiet strength and grace. She was deeply caring, hardworking, and loving — a steady, compassionate presence in the lives of all who knew her. Whether raising her children, offering a listening ear, or sharing a laugh over a card game, Sue gave her whole heart.  She enjoyed painting, sewing, crafts and gardening.  A true bird lover, she found peace and joy in watching and caring for birds, always appreciating the simple beauty of nature.

Sue will be lovingly remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and woman of unwavering faith — someone whose love, strength, and spirit will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Visitation will be held at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, MI, on Friday, June 6, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with the Rosary at 7:00 PM.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Morrice, MI, on Saturday, June 7, at 11:00 AM, followed by a luncheon.

Betty McConkey Lawther

Mrs. Betty McConkey Lawther, 85, passed away Thursday, October 24, 2024, at her home in Bermuda Run, NC. Betty was born in Alma, Michigan on December 19, 1938, to the late John William and Dorothy Harrod McConkey. She raised 4 children in the Forest Hills area of Grand Rapids. 

Betty was an avid gardener and received her Master Gardener designation from Michigan State University. She volunteered at Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids Michigan. Betty was recognized for volunteering for over 8,000 hours in the Horticulture Department and was involved in the annual Butterfly Release Project. Preceding her in death was a son, John Scott Lawther and a sister, Harriet Peska.

Surviving is her husband of 64 years, John Lawther; three daughters, Mary Lawther Thompson (Dale), Laura Lawther Hinson (Scott) and Nancy Lawther O’Neil (Jack); seven grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

A graveside service will be held at the Ithaca Cemetery on June 14, 2025 at 11:00, where Betty’s ashes will be laid to rest. The family welcome friends and family at the service and immediately following at the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Pancreatic Cancer Research

Garold F. Browne

August 19, 1930 - May 30, 2025

Garold F. Browne, of Sumner, passed away on May 30, 2025 at Masonic Pathways in Alma.  He was 94.

Born August 19, 1930, Garold was the son of Ois and Eva (Hoffer) Browne.  Throughout his life he worked many jobs, but farming was his favorite.  He most enjoyed family gatherings on the farm and making homemade ice cream with his children and grand children.

Garold is survived by his sons, David (Vicky) Browne and Michael (Marci) Browne; his daughter Connie Roslund; seven grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 70 years, Doris Jean; his daughter, Diane Beard; his grandson, Shawn Beard; his great grandson, Hendrick Haddad; two brothers; and four sisters.

A private service is planned.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a local non-profit organization in Gratiot County.

The family would like to thank Dr. David Freestone and Masonic Pathways fo the support and care they provided for Garold.

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

Helisha Marie Schaub

In loving memory of Helisha Marie Schaub, age 45, of Ithaca.

She leaves behind her husband, Dan; son, Charlie; her mother and father, John and Sherry Brown; her sister, Heather Waters (Nick Franklin) and their children Janessa Franklin and Nickolas Franklin; her brother, Grant (Virginia) Beck and their children, Andre and Juliana; her uncle, Bob (Janice) Brown; and five aunts, Terry, Vicki, Bobby, Kathy, and Linda.

Helisha loved flowers and everything beautiful.  She was kind and always ready to help others.   She had a big heart and loved to laugh, showing grace through years of illness.  Helisha was a blessing to her family and her husband, Dan.  She will be dearly missed by all.

For all wishing to honor her life, the family is requesting contributions in her memory to the Breast Cancer Society

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