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Lucille A. Fisher
Died: Monday, August 12, 2002
Age: 79
Brown City
Lucille A. Fisher, 79, of Brown City, died Monday (Aug. 12, 2002) in Clarkston.
She was born May 2, 1923, in Brown City, to Albert and Ethel (Seaman) Martus. She married Norman Fisher in Burnside Township on April 14, 1945.
She was a 1940 graduate of Marlette High School. She and Albert operated the Burnside Drive-In for many years. She taught school for several years and was a substitute teacher in Brown City. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Burnside Township and the Altar Society. She was an avid card player, bowler, dancer and sports enthusiast. She liked watching football and especially the Detroit Tigers.
She is survived her children, Ronald (Dianna) Fisher of Missouri, Nancy Ward of Clarkston, Joanne (William) Welch of Big Rapids and James (Ruth Ann) Fisher of Indiana; sister, Helen (George) Marsh of Marlette; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman on Oct. 18, 1998; parents, Albert and Ethel Martus; brothers, Clayton, Clare and Lealand Martus.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association.
Funeral services were Friday (Aug. 16) at St. Mary Catholic Church. The Revs. Larry Dunn and Rich Schmidberger officiated. Burial was in St. Mary cemetery in Burnside.
Arrangements by Marsh Funeral Chapel Inc., Marlette.
Kenneth S. Ayotte
Died: Monday, August 12, 2002
Age: 77
Lapeer
Kenneth S. Ayotte, 77, of Lapeer, died Monday (Aug. 12, 2002) at Ferguson Convalescent Home in Lapeer.
He was born May 10, 1925 in Detroit.
He was 17 when he joined the Marine Corps Reserve on Aug. 14, 1942. He was awarded the Purple Heart medal for a serious back injury suffered in World War II battle. On the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, he was presented the Silver Star for gallantry. After his honorable discharge from active duty in 1945 he served another eight years in the Marine Corps Reserves, Naval Reserves, Air National Guard and Army Reserves.
He is survived by his wife, Martha of 59 years; sons, Charles (Judy) of Fenton Michael (Rhonda) of Brooklyn; daughter, Carole (James) Belleville; grandchildren, Kenneth, Kirk, Lisa, Cheryl and James; step-grandchild, Jonathan; three brothers and six sisters.
He was preceded in death by his son, Carl "Chico;" parents, Simon and Mable Ayotte.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Ferguson Convalescent Home, 239 S. Main St. Lapeer, MI 48446.
Military honors were Friday (Aug. 16) at Fort Custer National cemetery, Augusta.
Arrangements by McConnell Funeral Home, Deighton Chapel, Fenton.
Karen L. Smith
Died: Monday, August 12, 2002
Age: 54
Lapeer
Karen L. Smith, 54, of Lapeer, died Monday (Aug. 12, 2002).
She was born Oct. 26, 1947, in Lapeer, to Kenneth and Mary (Albrecht) Morningstar. She married Thomas E. Smith in Lapeer on May 27, 1967.
She had been a bus driver for Lapeer School for 18 years, retiring in 1993. She was a member of the Eagle Auxiliary in Mayville. She enjoyed camping and doing crafts with her grandkids.
She is survived by her husband, Tom Smith of Lapeer; children, Brenda (Daniel) Mallett of Lapeer, JoAnn Smith of Metamora, Richard Smith of Lapeer and Lori (Patrick) Sawatzke of Lapeer; grandchildren, Cassie Jo Lynne Smith, Corey Lawrence Smith, Marhiya Lynne Sawatzke, Maranda Lynne Sawatzke, Chelsea Lynne Smith and Ricki Lynne Smith.
She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth E. Morningstar; and brother, Jimbo F. Morningstar.
Visitation will be1-8 p.m., Wednesday (Aug. 14) at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday (Aug. 15) at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer. The Rev. Todd Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Arcadia Township cemetery, Lum.
Arrangements by Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer.
Martin John Hillman
Died: Monday, August 12, 2002
Age: 79
Imlay City
Martin John Hillman, 79, of Imlay City, died Monday (Aug. 12, 2002).
He was born March 15, 1923, in Romeo, to Julius and Louise Hillman. He married Lorraine E. Hardenburg on Oct. 13, 1945.
He was the fourth oldest of 11 children. He graduated from Romeo High School in 1942. He was a farmer all of his life, a carpenter for 16 years and a welder at Champion Home Builders for 16 years before retiring in 1985. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the 320 Regiment, 35 Division of "L" Company. He also served in the Battle of the Bulge in Germany. He was a member of American Legion Post 135, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2492, Imlay Township Planning Commission and St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Imlay City.
He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Hillman of Imlay City; daughters, Nancy (Robert) Franzzini of Warren, Kathy Hillman of Marysville and Dawn (Jim) Moses of Dryden; grandchildren, Niki Franzzini of Eastpointe, Gregory Gwyn II of Byron, Ga., Dana Boos of Flint and Krista Boos of Flint; sisters, Dorothy Kleinhans of Romeo and Edna Fistler of Richmond; brothers, Howard (Mary) Hillman of Imlay City, Walter (Mary Ann) Hillman of Lapeer, Alfred (Shirley) Hillman of Madison Heights, Robert (Norma) Hillman of Lakeland, Fla., and Charles (Janice) Hillman of Almont; sister-in-law, Elaine (James) Thayer of Attica; numerous nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Louise Hillman; brothers, John and Edward; sister, Elizabeth; sister-in-law, Gladys Hillman; and brothers-in-law, James Kleinhans and Melvin Fistler.
Visitation will be 1-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 14, 2002) at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Imlay City.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday (Aug. 15) at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Imlay City. The Rev. Alan Casillas will officiate. Burial will be in Imlay Township cemetery, Imlay City. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church Building Fund.
Arrangements by Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Imlay City.
Mildred Jane Kellerman
Died: Sunday, August 11, 2002
Age: 83
Grand Rapids
Mildred Jane Kellermann, 83, of Grand Rapids (formerly of Huntington Woods), died Sunday (Aug. 11, 2002).
She was born April 6, 1919 in Marion, Ohio. She married the Rev. Garfield H. Kellermann.
She was very active in her church and the United Methodist Women.
She is survived by her children, the Rev. William Arthur (Jeanie) Wylie-Kellermann, the Rev. James Garfield (Polly Strosahl) Kellermann, Stephen John (Carol) Larzelere-Kellermann and Paul Eugene (Pat Hartsoe) Kellermann; grandchildren, Noah, Emily, Abigail, David, Lydia and Lucy; sisters, Katherine (William) Keller and Elizabeth (Dick) Slack; and sisters-in-law, Clarabelle and Margaret Zachman.
She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Garfield H. Kellermann in 1997; and a son, David L. in 1947.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church, Clark Retirement Community or Kent County Habitat for Humanity.
Visitation will be 3-9 p.m., Wednesday (Aug. 14) at Kinsey-Garrett Funeral home, 420 S. Lafayette, Royal Oak.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday (Aug. 15) at the First United Methodist Church, 320 W. Seventh St., (at Washington), Royal Oak.
Arrangements by Kinsey-Garrett Funeral Home, Inc.
Bryan J. Thrower
Died: Friday, August 09, 2002
Age: 44
Monroe
Bryan J. Thrower, 44, of Monroe (formerly of Lapeer), died Aug. 9, 2002.
He was born May 21, 1958, in Pontiac, to Homer and Mary (Miller) Thrower.
He is survived by his children, Christy Thrower of Lapeer and Tom Thrower of Lapeer; grandchildren, Destiny and Trinity Thrower; parents, Homer and Mary Thrower of Alger; brother, Rodney (Shawn) Thrower of Ida; sister, Ann (fiancˇ, Scott Beattie) Thrower of North Branch; his ex-wife, Muriel of Lapeer; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Wednesday (Aug. 14) at Baird-Newton Funeral Home, Lapeer. The Rev. Tim Lambert officiated. Burial was in Dawn Memorial cemetery, Lapeer.
Arrangements by Baird-Newton Funeral Home, Lapeer.
Frances McIntosh Swailes
Died: Friday, August 09, 2002
Age: 93
North Branch
Frances McIntosh Swailes, 93, of North Branch, died Friday (Aug. 9, 2002).
She was born in Burnside Township to Delos and Gussie Hunt McIntosh. She married Marshall Herrick in 1930 and then married Bert Swailes, her high school friend.
She graduated Valedictorian of her class in North Branch and attended Central Michigan University, University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University receiving double master's degrees. She taught at Empire and Northville High Schools after graduating from CMU. She later returned to school and studied occupational therapy and became the first OT at Detroit Goodwill Industries. She then became the director of OT at Eastern Michigan University and held that position for 25 years, retiring as a full professor. She and Bert moved to Oxford, Ohio, after they were married. She loved to travel extensively in the United States and Europe. Even though she had no children of her own, she was close to all her nieces, nephews and grandchildren of her second marriage.
She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Beth Swailes of Oxford, Ohio; several grandchildren; sisters, Drusilla Redmond of Oxford and Bonnie (Clinton) McCallum of Lapeer; and several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Marshall Herrick in 1938; her second husband, Bert Swailes in 1995, and his son, Keith; a sister, Eva Smith; and a brother, Kenneth McIntosh.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eastern Michigan University Foundation 61180, 1349 South Huron St., Ypsilanti, MI 48197 or charity of choice.
Arrangements by Blackburn Chapel-Martin Funeral Home, North Branch.
Jerome I. Schmitt
Died: Friday, August 09, 2002
Age: 71
Lapeer
Jerome I. "Jerry" Schmitt, 71, of Lapeer since 1979 (formerly of DeWitt), died Friday (Aug. 9, 2002).
He was born Sept. 5, 1930, in Westphalia to George and Marian (Koenigschecht) Schmitt. He married Mariea Johnson in East Lansing on Oct. 8, 1977, at St. John's Student Center.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He received his master's degree in counseling at Michigan State University. He worked for the State of Michigan, serving as a vocational rehabilitation counselor in Lapeer County for 20 years, retiring in 1997. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, the Knights of Columbus, and Lapeer Council 1987 where he was a past grand knight. He was a member of the Cardinal Edward Mooney Assembly 2032 and a former Faithful Navigator, known as Sir Knight Jerome. He was past district deputy of the Knights of Columbus of Michigan and currently membership director of the Council 1987. He had a master's degree in theology from St. John's Seminary in Plymouth. He served in the Catholic priesthood in the Lansing Diocese, 1957-1976, serving parishes in Niles, Battle Creek, Morrice, Howell and Dewitt. He was a member of the board of directors for Teamwork and chairman of the board of Lapeer County Citizens Probation Council, where he was a volunteer counseling sponsor. He was involved with the Food Pantry and Food Bank at the church. He cared for everybody and was always there for everyone in need.
He is survived by his wife, Mariea Schmitt of Lapeer; sons, Christopher (Susan) Veihl of Lapeer, Richard Veihl of Mount Clemens and Jonathan (Paige) Veihl of McKinney, Texas; grandchildren, Lindsey, Emily, Sawyer, Nicholas, Marc and Joel; siblings, Robert (Mary Ann) Schmitt of Portland, Leon (Neva) Schmitt of Grand Ledge, Reynold (Florence) Schmitt of Grand Rapids and Joseph (Helen) Schmitt of Portland; sisters, Helen Schmitt of Lansing, Theresa (Gerald) Patterson of Lansing, Mary Ann (Terry) Allen of Lansing and Germaine Schmitt of Lansing; parents-in-law, Leo and Ruth Johnson of Benton Harbor; brother-in-law, Jack (Susan) Johnson of Loveland, Colo.; sisters-in-law, Janet Varney of St. Joseph, Nancy (Richard) Bookwalter of Benton Harbor, Kathy (Lyle) Ott of St. Joseph, Kris (Paul) Schmitt of Stevensville, Debbie (Roy) Nelson of Irving, Texas; and many, many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, James Schmitt; parents, George and Marian Schmitt; and brothers-in-law, Robert Johnson and James Johnson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church Food Pantry, Knights of Columbus, Council 1987 or Mass Cards.
Funeral services were Tuesday (Aug. 13, 2002) at Immaculate Conception Church, Lapeer. The Rev. Douglas Terrien officiated. Burial was in Mount Loretto cemetery, Lapeer.
Arrangements by Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer.
