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Emma Jean VanDenBerg
Died: Tuesday, February 26, 2002
Age: 90
Imlay City
Emma Jean VanDenBerg, 90, of Imlay City, died Feb. 26, 2002 in Holly.
She was born Jan. 6, 1912 in Kalamazoo. She married Marinus Rene VanDenBerg in Imlay City on Feb. 18, 1935.
She lived most of her life in Imlay City. She was employed as a nursing aide in homes around the area as well as being a home maker. She was a member of the West Goodland United Methodist Church and a former member of Imlay City Christian Reformed Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Marcia (Doug) Werkema of Holly; sons, James (Rena) VanDenBerg of Imlay City, Roger (Bonnie) VanDenBerg of Dryden, Robert (Dolores) VanDenBerg of Imlay City; sisters, Effie Linders of Kalamazoo, Ann Cramer of Kalamazoo, Gertrude (Tony) Bax of Grand Junction, and Etta (Peter) Bloemsma of Bradenton, Fla.; 18 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rene VanDenBerg; parents, John and Fannie Stryker; two sisters, Hattie Dieterman and Tjabiena De Vries; and four brothers, Hank Stryker, Evert Stryker, John Stryker and Pete Stryker.
Funeral services were Friday (March 1, 2002) at West Goodland United Methodist Church, Imlay City. The Revs. Jimmy Barnett and Pamela Barnett officiated. Burial was in Imlay Township cemetery, Imlay City.
Arrangements by Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Imlay City.
Ardis M. Waggoner
Died: Tuesday, February 26, 2002
Age: 67
Dryden
Ardis Waggoner, 67, of Dryden, died Tuesday (Feb. 26, 2002) at William Beaumont Hospital, Troy.
She was born April 9, 1934, in Dryden, to J.H. and Mildred (Whitbeck) Foot.
She attended Dryden High School. She was the founder of the Dryden Historical Society and headed the efforts to save the Dryden Railroad Depot and have it moved to its present location to be used as the Dryden Historical Museum. She was a life-long member of the Dryden Library Association, a member of the Lapeer County Park Board, the Dryden United Methodist Church and had been a Girl Scout Leader.
She is survived by her husband, Clement Tiny Waggoner; children, Fran (Perry) Revell of Dryden, Diane (Tom) Sadler of Almont, Denise (Dana) Harper of Ann Arbor, Gari (Patti) Middleton of Allenton and Robin Burkel of Rochester Hills; grandchildren, Jonathan (Nancy) Tank of Riley Center, Brian (Tara) Tank of Capac, Rod (Teara) Polanecki of Allenton, David (Jennifer) Thibodeaux of Attica and Jeremiah Middleton of Brighton; great-grandchildren, Daniel Polanecki, Kayla Tank, Adam Tank and Cade Tank.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Curtis Middleton Jr.; brothers, John Leslie Foot, Bernard Foot and Dayton Foot; sister, Mary Francis Foot.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dryden Historical Society or the Dryden United Methodist Church.
Funeral services were Thursday (Feb. 28, 2002) at the Dryden United Methodist Church. The Rev. Fred Timm officiated. Burial was in Dryden Center cemetery.
Arrangements by Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Almont.
Gordon L. Houghtaling
Died: Monday, February 25, 2002
Age: 29
Lapeer
Gordon L. Houghtaling, 29, of Lapeer, died (Feb. 25, 2002).
He was born Aug. 18, 1972, in Lapeer, to George and Louise (Hotchkiss) Houghtaling. He married Jaime Borre in Frankenmuth on July 13, 2001.
He was a mechanic for Thomas Ford. He was an avid outdoor sportsman.
He is survived by his wife, Jaime Houghtaling of Lapeer; parents, George and Louise Houghtaling of Lapeer; siblings, Brenda (Brad) Martin of Lapeer, Ron Houghtaling of Lapeer; parents-in-law, Robert and Connie Borre of Lapeer; brother-in-law, Michael Borre of Lapeer; sister-in-law, Angela (Patrick) Sparr of Columbiaville.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Funeral services were Friday (March 1, 2002) at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer. The. Rev. Randy Hotchkiss officiated. Burial was in Stiles cemetery, Lapeer.
Arrangements by Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer.
Gladys M. Bass
Died: Monday, February 25, 2002
Age: 87
Metamora
Gladys M. Bass, 87, of Metamora (formerly of Richmond and New Haven area), died Feb. 25, 2002.
She was born Nov. 22, 1914, in Russo, N.D., to Ike and Martha (Blough) Dunwoody. She married Archie Bass.
She was a waitress and cashier.
She is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Ron) Jones of Metamora; granddaughters, Julie Jones and Ellen Jones.
Arrangements by Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer.
James Groves
Died: Monday, February 25, 2002
Age: 76
Lapeer
James Groves, 76, of Lapeer, Flushing and Florida, died Monday (Feb. 25, 2002) in Florida.
He was born Jan. 23, 1926, in Pontiac, to James W. and Ruth (Ellwood) Groves.
He lived in Lapeer his entire life. He enjoyed genealogy and had retired from Flint Osteopathic Hospital as a maintenance painter.
He leaves his loving wife, Joan; children, Carol (Kenneth) Richards of Novi, Patrick (Patricia) of Merrill, Jan (Steve) Hunt of Swartz Creek, Mary Lou of Norwalk, Calif., and James (Karen) of Grand Blanc; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Ben, Tonya, Bernard, Josh, Jacob and Audrey.
Funeral services were Saturday (March 2, 2002) at Baird-Newton Funeral Home, Lapeer. The Rev. Todd Smith officiated. Burial was in Green Corners cemetery, Hadley.
Arrangements by Baird-Newton Funeral Home, Lapeer.
James Groves
Died: Monday, February 25, 2002
Age: 76
Lapeer
James Groves, 76, of Lapeer,Flushing and Florida, died Monday (Feb. 25, 2002) in Florida.
Please call Baird-Newton at 664-8282 for further arrangements.
Arrangements by Baird-Newton Funeral Home, Lapeer.
Richard Nicholas Balabon
Died: Monday, February 25, 2002
Age: 95
Imlay City
Richard Nicholas Balabon, 95, of Imlay City, died Monday (Feb. 25, 2002) at Lapeer County Medical Care Facility.
He was born April 18, 1906 in Russia. He married Ethel May Miller in Detroit on July 10, 1926.
He had been employed by Ford Motor Co. in Detroit for 18 years. He also had a vegetable farm and retired in 1962. He lived for 20 years of his retirement in Mesa, Ariz. He was a member of the Imlay City United Methodist Church and former member of the Imlay City Lions Club.
He is survived by his sons, David (Bonnie) Balabon of Petosky and Gulf Shores, Ala., Richard (Yvonne) Balabon of Connecticut; grandchildren, Joe (Charlene) of Attica, Rick (Vicki) of Lapeer, Jason (Wendy) of Dryden, Matthew (Lisa) of Elk Rapids, April (Jon) Morrison of Elk Rapids and Cheyenne Balabon; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Joshua, Jeremy, Cara and Cambrie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Nicotina Balabon; wife, Ethel on Jan. 27, 1998; 2 brothers; 2 sisters; 3 step-brothers; and 1 step-sister.
Visitation will be held 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., Thursday (Feb. 28, 2002) at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Imlay City.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Friday (March 1, 2002) at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Imlay City. Burial will be in Imlay Township cemetery, Imlay City.
Arrangements by Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Imlay City.
David W. Smith
Died: Friday, February 22, 2002
Age: 59
Florida
David W. Smith, 59, of Florida (formerly of Lapeer), died Feb. 22, 2002 at the Regional Medical Center, Bayonet Point, Fla.
He was born Dec. 28, 1942 to Orville Smitty and Bertha (Haynes) Smith. He married Diane Nugent.
He was a general contractor and developer. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Faith Baptist Church in New Port Richey, Fla.
He is survived by his wife, Diane; mother, Bertha Smith of Lapeer; sons, Steven of Kingsland, Ga., Kevin of Hudson, Fla.; daughters, Pamela (John) Smith and Brea of Kentucky; grandson, Jeremy; granddaughter, Valecia; sisters, Linda (Russ) McLaughlin, Vicky (fiancee, John Ayers) of Lapeer; brother, Rick (Marcie) of Lapeer.
He was preceded in death by his father, Orville R. Smitty Smith.
Funeral services were Monday (Feb. 26, 2002). The Rev. Douglas Davis officiated. Burial was in the National cemetery, Bushnell, Fla.
Arrangements by Faupel Funeral Home, Port Richey, Fla.
Donald Lee Filkins
Died: Friday, February 22, 2002
Age: 37
Georgia
Donald Lee Filkins, 37, of Georgia (formerly of North Branch), died Friday (Feb. 22, 2002).
He was born May 2, 1964, in Lapeer, to Earl and Lucille (Atkins) Filkins.
He graduated from North Branch High School in 1982. He attended Michigan State University for two years and the Chicago Institute of Art for one year. He was a carpenter in Georgia. He enjoyed fishing and was an exceptional artist.
He is survived by his parents, Earl and Lucille Filkins of North Branch; brothers, Leroy (Cheryl) of Lapeer, Kenn (Marti) of Sault Ste. Marie, Douglas (Mary Lou) of Stone Mtn., Ga.; sister, Michelle (Amico) D' Amico of Attica; many nieces, nephews; and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family for use at their discretion.
Visitation was Wednesday (Feb. 27, 2002) at Blackburn-Martin Funeral Home, North Branch, and 11-1 p.m., Thursday (Feb. 28, 2002) at Country Christian Church.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Thursday (Feb. 28, 2002) at Country Christian Church. The Rev. Roger Keur will officiate. Burial will be in Westlawn cemetery, North Branch.
Arrangements by Blackburn Chapel-Martin Funeral Home, North Branch.
