In Memoriam
Pam Walker
9-25-48 to 2-20-07
Pamela K Davis, 58, of North Branch, passed away February 20, 2007, at home.
She was born September 25, 1948, in Lapeer, to Richard and Marie Walker. She married Larry E. Davis on November 13, 1971.
Pamela attended North Branch High School, graduating in 1966. She was a housewife and mother. She had also worked at Lear Corp. in Marlette and Hamblin in Imlay City. Pam loved music, laughing and working in her garden.
She is survived by her children: Bill Davis, Diana Davis, Sharon (Jason) Baker, David (Krissy) Davis and Michelle Davis; grandchildren: Izabella, Hannah, Ashley and Ethan; her parents, Richard and Marie Walker; stepchildren: Larry Lyons, Cheryl Lyons, Tim Lyons; numerous step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers: Jack and Mark Walker.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday (February 24, 2007) at Carman Funeral Home in Brown City. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery, Brown City.
Larry Bader
8-18-48 to 11-11-15
Larry Bader, age 67 of North Branch passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at Marlette United Hospice Service Residence. Larry was born on July 18, 1948 in Lapeer, the son of Willard and Catherine (Yaklevich) Bader. Larry grew up in the North Branch area and graduated from North Branch HS in 1966. Larry retired from M K Chambers as a machinist. He was a member of the SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Larry was a big collector: he enjoyed collecting trains and old coins. He loved John Deere tractors, woodworking and taking pictures.
Larry is survived by his sisters: Ruth Ann (Robert) Bostick and Mary Kay (Al) Johnson, both of North Branch, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother Paul.
The Funeral Mass will be 11:00 AM, Monday, November 16, 2015, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Larry will be laid to rest next to his parents at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery. Fr Mark Prill will officiate.
Linda Curell
4-8-48 to 1-2-2009
Linda Ann Crawford, age 60, of Lapeer/North Branch, passed away Friday (January 2, 2009).
She was born April 8, 1948 in Flint to Remy and Gladys (Hobson) Curell. She married Arthur Crawford in Lapeer on March 9, 1974.
Linda was a medical secretary at Ferguson Convalescent Home in Lapeer. She was a member of the Beulah Church of the Nazarene. She enjoyed reading, ceramics and she had a large key chain collection.
She is survived by her husband, Art Crawford of Lapeer/North Branch; children Amamda May (Lenny) Payne of Florida, James Crawford of Flint, Tiffany Crawford of Flint, A.J. Davis of North Branch; grandchildren Joseph, Ashley, Danny, Tommy, Lenny Jr., Cory, Christopher, William, Adrianna and Krystal; brother Charles (Connie) Curell of Vassar.
She was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Stanfield; parents, Remy and Gladys Curell; brother, Robert Curell and sister, Jewell Curell.
Funeral services were held Monday (January 5, 2009) at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer. The Rev. Hugh Donnelly officiated. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery, North Branch.
Wanda Sutherland
5-20-48 to 7-14-87
Wanda May Sutherland, 39, of Pontiac, formerly of North Branch, died July 14, 1987, in Pontiac.
She was born May 20, 1948, in Lapeer to Francis and May (Jean) Sutherland.
She was raised in the North Branch area and was a member of North Branch Methodist Church. She graduated from North Branch High School in 1966. Wanda was a licensed dental hygienist and a graduate of a business college in Royal Oak. She was employed as supervisor of key punch at Dempsey Key Punch, Pontiac and was co-owner of Sisters Cleaning Service, Clawson.
She is survived by her parents, Francis and May Sutherland; one son, Drew Collins of Chicago, Il: five sisters, Linda Burrows of Mt. Pleasant, Donna Woodward of Clawson, Wendy Edwards of Muskegon, Cheri Brown of Flint, and Terri Sutherland of North Branch; friends, Quincy Ross of Lapeer and Richard Collins of Clarkston; several aunts and uncles; many nieces and nephews; many friends and loved ones.
Services were held Saturday at Blackburn Funeral Home, North Branch, with the Rev. Roger Gedcke officiating. Burial was in Westlawn Cemetery.
Doug Matheson
11-17-48 to 5-23-69
Sgt. Douglas R. Matheson, of 2577 Conifer Dr., Columbiaville, age 20, died Friday, May 23, 1969, at the Republic of Viet Nam.
Sgt. Matheson was born November 17, 1948 the son of Guy and Edna (Lamphier) Matheson. Doug was a 1966 graduate of North Branch High School and had lived most of his life in the North Branch and Columbiaville area. He married Joyce Henderson on Sept 23, 1967.
Surviving are wife, Joyce; parents, Mr. and Mrs Guy Matheson of Columbiaville; sister, Mrs. Robert (Janice) Kerckaert of Lapeer; grandmother, Mildred Lamphier of North Branch; niece, Tracey Kerckaert of Lapeer; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
The funeral will be this Friday at 2 pm in the Blackburn Funeral Home, North Branch, with Rev. Fred Becknell officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery.
Leo Mietz
11-22-48 to 3-29-15
Leo R Mietz, Jr. age 66 of Midland passed away March 29, 2015, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center in Midland.
Leo was born on November 22, 1948 in Saginaw to Leo and Betty (Wells) Mietz and grew up in the North Branch area, graduating from North Branch High School in 1966. He worked at Pontiac Motors and later as a house painter. He also worked at a greenhouse and after that at a uniform manufacturer.
In 1967 Leo married Paula Lay and together they had five children: twins Casey and Becky and three other daughters.
Leo was preceded in death by his father, Leo Mietz, Sr and a brother, Gordy Mietz.
He is survived by his children: Casey Mietz of Bay City, Becky Mietz of Bay City, Trischa Zumbach of PA., Stephanie Mietz of Gladwin and Marcy Hills of Essexville; his mother, Betty Mietz of Mayville; and brothers: Elezar Mietz of Mayville, Gary Mietz of Mt Morris and Dennis Mietz of Georgia.
Leo loved the open water and wide open spaces. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place and his ashes were scattered over Lake Huron.
Randy Carlisle
2-13-48 to 7-1-97
Bonnie Hill
9-23-1947 to 5-25-1999
Randolph Lee (Virgil T.) Carlisle died July 1, 1997 at U of Tenn Hospital in Knoxville, TN. He was 49.
He was born on February 13, 1948 to Donald Ray and Emma Jean (Judd) Carlisle. He was a 1966 graduate of North Branch High School.
He married Paula Elaine Simons on November 20, 1990 in Burlington, Kentucky.
He was a journeyman carpenter for Carpentry One in Burton and a member of the Carpenter Local 1234 in Warren. He was also a member of the Tribesmen M/C in Fostoria.
Survivors include his wife Paula; two daughters and two sons: Marci Carlisle of Davison, Karrie Carlisle of Frankenmuth, Kevin (and wife Sherry) Kilbourn of Lansing, and Michael Lee Kilbourn of Wixom; one brother and two sisters: Sandy Carlisle (twin brother) of Fostoria, Barbara and husband Dennis Kuchar of Montrose, and Linda Carlisle of Lapeer; two step-children: Tina Brank of Flint and Jason Brank of Flint; two grandchildren: Devin Kilbourn of Lansing, and Breana Lyn Petrie of Davison; three grandsons by marriage: Aaron Brank of Flint, Brandon Laporte of Holly, and Cameron Brank of Flint; his children's mother, Clara Carlisle of Davison; an uncle, Bob Daniels of Fostoria; five half-brothers and three half-sisters: Donnie, Gary, Tommy, Jimmy, Brian, Patty, Chris and Kathy, and their families.
Funeral service was held Wednesday, July 9 at 11 am at the Tiffin Funeral Home of Mayville with Rev Bonny Lancaster of the Mayville United Methodist Church officiating. Internment was in West Burlington Cemetery, Silverwood.
Bonnie S. Muxlow, 51, of North Branch, died May 25, 1999, at Lapeer Regional Hospital.
She was born on September 23, 1947, in Pontiac, to Lawrence and Valma (Dexter) Hill. Bonnie married Larry Muxlow on November 6, 1965, in Lapeer.
Mrs. Muxlow lived in North Branch for thirty-three years. She was a member of the Bethel Church of C.M.A. in Marlette, MASH group and graduated from North Branch High School in 1988. She was employed as a C.E.N.A. at Marlette Community Hospital for the past four years.
Bonnie is survived by her husband, Larry; sons, Jason and Chris Muxlow of North Branch; daughters, Becky and Alan Howard of Marlette, and Amanda Muxlow of North Branch; mother, Valma Hill of Lapeer; brother, Laurence and Kathy Hill of Summerfield, Florida; sisters, Barbara Schank of Lapeer, Lorraine and Gary Kitchenmaster of Cimi Valley, California and Ethel and Joe Pearson of Lapeer; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Lawrence Hill.
Funeral services were held on May 29, 1999, at Marsh Funeral Chapel in Marlette. Reverend Jim Case officiated. Burial took place in Dawn Memorial Estates Cemetery, Lapeer. Casket bearers were Dan Ruckman, Kenny Wilcox, Bill Harden, Roman Mast, Joe Prather and Ken Goss.
Beth Knox
10-29-48 to 10-8-96
Beth Ann Knox, 47, of Mt Morris, formerly of Rochester Hills and Fostoria, died October 8, 1996 at Hurley Medical Center, Flint.
She was born October 29, 1948 in Lapeer to Charles Floyd and Emmi (Forester) Knox.
Ms Knox attended North Branch High School and Mott Community College. She worked as a paralegal for attorneys in both the Caro and Davison areas. She enjoyed genealogy and making crafts.
She is survived by her mother, Emmi Peacock; daughters: Tammi (and husband, Ronald) Leix of Montrose, and Denise (and husband, Matthew) Mallia of Davison; sons: Darrin (and wife, Jackie) Walts of Huntington Beach, California, Brian (and wife, Holli) Walts of Mayville, and Douglas Ostrander of Davison; brothers: Charles Knox of Fostoria, Robert Knox of Toledo, Ohio, and Lanny Baker of Vassar; sister Ursula (and husband, Jim) Kramer of Vassar; grandchildren: Sarah Walts, Nicholas Walts, Haleigh Walts, Taylor Mallia, Jesse Ostrander and Alex Leix. She was preceded in death by her father Charles.
Services were Saturday at Tiffin Funeral Home, Mayville; the Rev Dale Parsons officiated.
Burial was in West Deerfield Cemetery, Otter Lake.
Catherine Smith
3-26-48 to 3-9-04
Catherine M. Hartley, 55, of Lapeer, died Tuesday, March 9, 2004.
She was born on March 26, 1948, in Marlette to Anthony and Bernice (Schwerin) Smith. She attended North Branch High School, graduating in 1966. Catherine married Larry Hartley on April 22, 1967, in North Branch.
Mrs. Hartley was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and daughter. She collected teapots and giraffes of all shapes and sizes. Catherine loved Elvis Presley music and her dear cats. Mrs. Hartley enjoyed working as a bus driver at Lapeer Community Schools and worked many years as a Head Maid for Molly Maid.
Catherine is survived by her husband, Larry Hartley of Lapeer; children: Tina (LaVern) Freeland of Lapeer and Tony Hartley of Lapeer; mother, Bernice Smith of North Branch; grand-children: Amber Douglas, Brandon Douglas and Jordan Hartley.
She was preceded in death by her father, Anthony Smith.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
A memorial service was held on March 16, 2004 at the Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer.
Leslie Dziduch
8-24-48 to 12-30-93
Leslie Danial Dziduch, 45, of North Branch died December 30, 1993 in Marlette.
He was born August 24, 1948 in Marlette to Theodore and Theresa (Turcsak) Dziduch. He grew up in the North Branch area, graduating from high school in 1966.
He is survived by one daughter, Jodi Dziduch of North Branch, and one son, Danial Dziduch of North Branch; parents, Ted and Theresa Dziduch of North Branch; two brothers: Ted (and wife Jean) Dziduch of North Branch and Lynn Dziduch, also of North Branch; nephews and nieces: Lee Dziduch of North Branch, and Japhe and Cheyenne Boivin of Holly. He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan.
Services were held Sunday at Blackburn Chapel-Martin Funeral Home, North Branch. Pastor Richard Whittenburg officiated. Burial was in Rich Township Cemetery.
Evan Bradley
12-1-47 to 9-4-1985
Evan A Bradley, 37, of North Branch died Sept 4, 1985 in Florida.
Evan was born on Dec 1, 1947 to Ivan and DeVona (Podvin) Bradley. He grew up in North Branch and graduated in 1966. He was a member of American Legion Post 457 and a veteran of the Viet Nam war.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie (Sieh) Bradley; a son, Evan Bradley, Jr; a daughter Wendy Bradley; parents Ivan and DeVona Bradley; grandparents Mr and Mrs Arthur Podvin; brothers: Ivan of Imlay City, Allen of Birmingham, and Kevin of North Branch; a sister, Kathy Curtis of North Branch; father and mother-in-law Merrill and Mary Ann Sieh of North Branch; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Sunday, Sept 8, 1985 at Blackburn Funeral Home, North Branch. Burial will follow in Westlawn Cemetery.
Terry Ostrander
12-11-47 to 8-13-94
Terry Denver Ostrander, 46, of Fremont Twp died August 13, 1994 at home.
He was born December 11, 1947, and attended North Branch high school, graduating in 1966. He married Diane Stoddard in 1971; she preceded him in death in 1989.
Mr Ostrander served his country in the US Navy for four years. He was a member of St John's Lutheran Church in Hemlock.
He is survived by his mother, Dorothy (Ostrander) Ekstrom; three sons: Terry, Tod and Wesley Ostrander; three brothers and five sisters: Carl Ekstrom Jr of Columbiaville, Sandra (and husband Gene) VanAlen of Bay City, Gary Ekstrom of Columbiaville, Judy (and husband David) Scott of North Branch, Bonnie (and husband Walter) Smith of North Branch, Jennie (and husband Ray) Hagemeister of North Branch, Helen Felk and her fiance, John Forest of Columbiaville, and John (and wife Dottie) Ekstrom of Columbiaville; many other loving family members from the Ostrander and Ekstrom families.
Services will be today, Wednesday, at 11 am at the Reitz Herzberg Funeral Home in Saginaw. The Rev T. F. Zarling will officiate. Burial will be in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens.
Karen Gallagher
10-6-48 to 11-5-73
Karen F Scott, 25, of Mayville, died Monday, November 5, 1973, the result of an automobile accident.
Mrs Scott was born in Flint, October 6, 1948, the daughter of Arthur and Barbara Gallagher. She graduated from North Branch High School. She had lived in Mayville for one month.
Survivors are her husband Cary Scott; a daughter, Kimberly Kelch, and two sons, Daniel and David Kelch at home; her mother, Mrs Barbara Potter of Hadley; three brothers: Lyle Gallagher of Lapeer, Duane Gallagher of Hadley and Dean Van Wagoner of North Branch; two sisters, Mrs Barb (Bob) Chambers and Miss Judy Skinner of North Branch; grandmother Mrs Harold Haupt of Columbiaville; great grandfather Eugene Groesinger, also of Columbiaville; and grandparents Mr and Mrs William C Gallagher of Mt Morris.
Services will be this Thursday, Nov 8, 1973, at 1:30 pm in Baird-Newton Funeral Home in Lapeer. Burial will be in Mt Hope Cemetery with the Rev Arnold Bracy officiating.
LeRoy Hunter
9-21-48 to 1-2-11
Orrie "LeRoy" Hunter, 62, of Charlotte, MI died Sunday, January 2, 2011.
Mr Hunter was born September 21, 1948 in Jackson, Michigan, the son of Charles Greensley and Bertine Hunter. He was raised in North Branch and graduated from the high school in 1966. He later moved to Lansing where he met and married Kathy Nurenberg on August 31, 1973. He worked at Motor Wheel for 27 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Hunter; sons: David (Candy) and Bill (Nikki), and daughter, Traci (Brian); and grandchildren: David, April, Nikki, Marissa, Abi, Brianna and Levi.
He loved his family very much, and took excellent care of them all. He also loved going up North, especially to Houghton Lake and Mackinac. He worked very hard on his yard and flowers, and was known to give away his plants. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Wednesday, January 5 at St Mary Catholic Church, Charlotte, MI with Rev Father Francis Mossholder officiating. Internment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm with a Rosary service at 4 pm Tuesday.
Nancy Stoneburgh
1-22-48 to 10-13-16
Nancy D Rogers, age 68 of Clio, died October13, 2016 at her home.
Beloved wife of the late Guy Rogers and dear mother of Timothy (Julianne) Stoneburgh, Michael (Lisa) Garety and Robin Parks. Loving grandmother of Robert (Jazzmen), Thomas, Nicholas and Christopher. Sister of Guy Stoneburgh, Donna Morse, Ellen Hornback, Kathy Severn and Sue Messing. She is also survived by her step-children Justin, Phillip and Michelle Rogers; mother-in-law Anna Rogers, special son-in-law Timothy Parks and many nieces, nephews and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorland and Leona Stoneburgh; siblings: Donald, George and Patricia Rudd; and nephew Todd Stoneburgh.
Nancy was a 1966 North Branch High School graduate who worked for several different agencies, including Oakdale, as a caregiver and was also a security guard for Citizens Bank-Downtown.
She loved the Flint Generals, wrestling, playing cards and crocheting. Nancy was a member of the East Side Neighborhood Watch and was extremely proud of her 36 years of sobriety.
A memorial service is being planned for a later date. The family would like to thank Anne Ketchum and Absolute Hospice and Healthcare for their tender care and affection for Nancy and her family. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association or Eastern Michigan Food Bank.
Sally Locklin
6-7-1948 to 6-7-2017
Sally Ann Locklin, 69, of Lapeer passed away suddenly and peacefully at her home on June 7, 2017. She was born at home in North Branch Township to Lester and Marion (Youngs) Locklin on June 7, 1948. Sally attended North Branch schools and graduated in 1966; she later attended hair dresser school.
Sally married Don McLaughlin in August of 1966 and in July of 1967, her only child, a son, was born.
Sally and Don divorced in 1969 and she went to work at Chaso-Royco in North Branch where she met her second husband, Ron Smith of Lapeer. They married in 1970 but later divorced in 1988.
Sally then worked at the Lapeer County Bank & Trust from 1988 until 1994. In January of 1995 Sally began working for the city of Lapeer in the water billing department; she retired from there in June of 2008.
Although she suffered from MS, Sally enjoyed bowling, sewing, working out with her friends at the Rec Center and she especially loved to read. She also did volunteer work at Lapeer County General Hospital.
Left to cherish her memory are one brother, Gary Locklin of Lapeer, and two sisters: Barbara Lewis of North Branch and Cindy (Stan) Solon of Clifford. She also leaves a son, Scott (Marie-Annick) McLaughlin of Flint, one grandson, Bilal McLaughlin and several nieces and nephews.
In accordance with her wishes, her remains have been cremated. There will be a private family service at a later date and her ashes will be interred next to her parents in Rich Township Cemetery.
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Robert "Bob" Wells
5-7-1948 to 9-30-2018
David Howland
2-8-1948 to 7-7-2017
David Lee Howland, 69, passed away on July 7, 2017, in Foley MO.
David was born on Feb 8, 1948 in Lapeer, MI, to Robert and Gladys (Barton) Howland. He grew up in North Branch and attended North Branch HS, graduating in 1966. David married Bonita Johnson on July 2, 1970, in Lovington, NM.
David enlisted in the US Air Force in 1967 and retired as a Master Sergeant in 1988. He served two tours in Vietnam, receiving the Airman of the Year award his first year in the Air Force. He also received three Commendation medals and the Meritorious Service medal.
David later went on to become an F-15 representative in Integrated Avionics Speciality for 27 years at Boeing Aerospace, St Louis, MO. He was a Master Integrated Avionics instructor. David was an expert on F-15 fighter jets, teaching pilots and maintainers. David was a member of the American Legion in Elsberry, MO. He loved working with his hands; he especially enjoyed woodworking, mainly making furniture.
David is survived by his wife, Bonita Howland of Foley, MO; 2 sons: David (Theresa) Howland Jr of Fort Worth, TX and William Howland of Foley, MO; 2 daughters: Kathy (Eddy) Salinas of San Antonio, TX and Rebecca (Michael) Gentrup of Shackopee, MN; 3 brothers: Robert (Iris) Howland, Chris (Sherri) Howland, and Pat Howland, all of North Branch, MI; sister, Bonita Ramirez of Lapeer, MI; 3 grand-daughters: Ashley Hunter Howland, Loren Howland and Sarah Gentrup and two grand-sons: Steven Gentrup and Collin Gentrup.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Howland, mother, Gladys Murray, and brother Mike Howland.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. There will be a memorial service on Friday, July 21, 2017 at Blackburn's Funeral Home in North Branch, MI. Doors will open at 10:00 with the service starting at 11:00. A luncheon will be served immediately afterward at the NB American Legion Hall.
Karen Young
4-6-1948 to 2-1-2019
Karen Kreiner, 70, passed away at home surrounded by her family on February 1, 2019.
Karen was born in Brown City, on April 6, 1948 to Lawrence and Viola Young. Karen grew up in North Branch and was a graduate of NB High School in 1966. Karen attended U of M in Flint and worked as a registered nurse. On July 30, 1971, she married David Kreiner at Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church in North Branch. Karen enjoyed camping at Higgins Lake with her family. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Karen enjoyed watching her grandchildren at their sporting events.
Karen is survived by her husband, David; son Joshua (Heather) Young: daughters Sara (Bill) Racine, and Laura (Jason) Burack; and nine grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers, Robert (Gayle) Young and Donald (Lynn) Young, and sister Mary Ann Young. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials may be directed to United Hospice Service of Marlette.
Family will be present for visitation on Thursday Feb 7th with the rosary at 7:00 pm at Blackburn Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial will be on February 8th at 11:00 am at St. Mary's with Fr Muma officiating. Karen will be laid to rest at St. Mary's Burnside cemetery.
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