Gladwin County, Michigan obits:
Gordon S. Stockton, 80, of Beaverton, died Tuesday, May 23, 2000 at MidMichigan Medical Center-Clare after a long illness.
Born May 27, 1919 in Gladwin County, he was a lifetime resident of Gladwin County.
Gordon worked for The Dow Chemical Company in Midland as a laborer, retiring in 1982 after 25 years. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army.
Surviving are two sisters, Violet McGowen of Flushing, and Mary Stockton of Beaverton; one brother, Kenneth 'Speed' Stockton of Roscommon; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.
Services were held at 11 a.m. Friday at Hall Funeral Home, Beaverton, with Rev. Dr. Deane Wyllys officiating. Burial was in Beaverton Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Jan "J.J." Johnson, 42, of Gladwin, died suddenly from an automobile accident, Sunday, May 28, 2000 at Detroit Receiving Hospital in Detroit.
Born Nov. 24, 1957 in Myra, Ky., he was the son of Jesse Sr. and Audrey (Greer) Johnson. He lived in Gladwin County since 1989 and previously lived in Belleville.
He was a trucker for FLT Liquid Transport in Richmond, and a member of Secord Eagles Aerie 4121.
Surviving are one son, Brian P. of Gladwin; two daughters, Shannon R. Johnson of Brighton, and Shawntae Brisendine of Gladwin; his parents, Jesse Sr. and Audrey Johnson of Gladwin; one brother, Jesse E. Jr. of Gladwin; his fiance, Sherry Dawley of Gladwin; and several nieces, nephews, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by a his grandparents, and one sister, Vonda Johnson.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Hall Funeral Home, Gladwin with Michael Meyers officiating. Visitation will be tomorrow (Thursday) from 1 to 9 p.m.
Alberta Rae "Bert" Hilliard, 73, of Coleman, died Sunday, June 4, 2000 at her home.
Born Jan. 14, 1927 in Mt. Pleasant, she was the daughter of Ray Owen and Vera Gertrude (Hardgrove) Foster. She lived in Coleman for 10 years, and previously lived in the Midland and Mt. Pleasant areas.
She was a homemaker and member of the Black Creek Conservation Club, the VFW Post 3033 Ladies Auxiliary, and she enjoyed playing cards.
Surviving are one daughter, Carmen and husband Steve Tolman of Sanford; three sons, Dennis and wife Denise of Florida, Dana and wife Mindy of Coleman, Robert and wife Sharon of Auburn; one brother, Roger Foster of Birch Run; one brother-in-law, Joseph Hastings of Luther; two sisters, Cora and husband Buhl Billsby of Shepherd, and Trudy Gable of Evart; 14 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a lifelong friend, Hope Keys of Berrien Springs.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Raymond and Joseph; four sisters, Lucretia Morford, Mary Hastings, Edith Fullerton, and Helen Foster; and one son, Michael Allen Foster.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday) at the Helms Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant. Friends may call at the funeral home, today (Wednesday) from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association. The family gives a special thanks to Steve and Linda Thrush.
Clive S. Howell, 67, of Gladwin, died Sunday, June 4, 2000 at MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland after a short illness.
Born Nov. 20, 1932 in Flint, he was the son of Gordon and Catherine (Gryzmala) Howell He lived in Gladwin County since 1990 and previously lived in Flint.
Clive married Deanna Taylor, Dec. 4, 1954 in Bethlehem, Pa. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving with the U.S. Navy. He worked as a laborer for General Motors in Fling, retiring in 1988 after 30 1/2 years.
besides his wife he is survived by three sons, Ronald and wife Sharon of Fenton, Kenneth and wife Tonya of Sylva, N.C., and Robert and wife Lisa of Flint; one daughter, Wendy and husband Neal Bentley of Byron; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Hall Funeral Home, Gladwin with Pastor Rick Story officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home today (Wednesday) from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit.
Donald S. Rigg, 75, of Gladwin, died Saturday, June 3, 2000 at the Saginaw Veterans Hospital in Saginaw after a short illness.
Born may 14, 1925 in Saginaw County, he lived in Gladwin County since 1956 and previously lived in Merrill.
Donald married Bernice (Stryker) Jan. 30, 1953 in Hemlock. She preceded him in death in 1998. He was a veteran off World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He was a farmer, retiring in 1989.
Surviving are one brother, Gary and wife Wendy of Beaverton; three sisters, Donna and husband Robert Nohel of St. Charles, Wilma and husband Frederick Eurich and Marjorie and husband Ervin Neuenfeldt, all of Merrill. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Marion Shively and Alice Bucholz.
Services were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Hall Funeral Home, Gladwin with Rev. Henry List officiating. Burial was in Butman Cemetery, Gladwin. Military honors by VFW Post 7303.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Saginaw VA Voluntary Services.
Dorothy Helen Gardner, 73, of Swartz Creek, died Wednesday, May 31, 2000 at McLaren Regional Medical Center.
Born Oct. 3, 1926 in Swartz Creek, she was the daughter of Harlow and Elizabeth (Parker) Nimphie and had resided in Swartz Creek most of her life.
Dorothy married Abner A. Gardner, Oct. 21, 1944 in Durand. She was a member of Swartz Creek United Methodist Church.
Besides her husband she is survived by two sons, Gary and wife Debi of Flushing, and James and wife Diane of Salem, Ohio; two daughters, Denise and husband Ben Staley of Wichita, Kan. and Kimberly and husband Christopher Kubik of Flint; two brothers, Paul and wife Donna Nimphie of Alger, and Dave and wife Leann Nimphie of St. Charles; seven grandchildren, Amy Krause, Jennifer Schmidt, Ryan and Rachelle Staley, Mellay Gardner, Jillian Kubik, Melissa Myrick; two great-grandchildren, Brian Schmidt and Grace Eaglen; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Doris Yeager.
Services were held at 11 a.m. Monday at Sharp Funeral Homes, Swartz Creek with Rev. James Thomas officiating. Burial was in Flushing Cemetery. Those desiring, may make contributions to the Shriners Cripple Children's Fund.
