Search Archived Marriage Records
Philip “Phil” V. Shirley
Philip “Phil” V. Shirley, age 82, died Friday, May 7, 1999 in Lansing. Phil was born November 24, 1916 in Minot, ND, the son of Oscar and Mary Christine (Wallin) Shirley (Sjolie). He lived in Albuquerque, NM for 20 years, graduating from the University of NM in 1938, leaving in June of 1938 to accept a 15-month fellowship with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Phil married Jean Branson from Thoreau, NM in December 1938. She predeceased him in October 1962. He earned a Masters degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan in 1947 and was a student assistant with the ASTP program on campus during WWII. His professional career ended in July 1966 after 29 years as a Sanitarian with state and local health departments in Michigan, the last 23 years with the Ingham Co. Health Dept. Phil was an honorary life member of the Michigan Association of Sanitarians and the Michigan Public Health Association serving a term as president of both associations and 8 years as a legislative agent, representing public health interests. For 30 years he developed and managed the Branson Bay Golf Course until it was sold in 1996.
He is survived by sons, Donald T. (Vicki) of Okemos, Jay (Anita) in San Diego, CA, and Samuel P. of Eaton Rapids; daughter, Andrea (Jerome) Chiappisi of Corvallis, OR; he leaves 6 grand-daughters, 1 grandson; 1 great-grandson; a sister, Alice Wilson and brother, Oscar (Gail) Shirley of Albuquerque, NM; and special friends, Donis Haynes and Hazel England.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, May 17, 1999, 11 a.m. at the Robbins United Methodist Church, 6419 W. Bunker Road, Eaton Rapids, with Rev. Marty DeBow officiating. The family will receive friends at a memorial visitation on Sunday, May 16, from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids. Those desiring may make contributions to either the Robbins United Methodist Church or to Hospice House of Mid Michigan in memory of Phil Shirley.
Elmon Shook
Elmon F. “Fred” Shook, 79, of Bellevue, died Friday, Dec. 25, 1998 at Battle Creek Health System.
Mr. Shook was born Oct. 5, 1919 in Calhoun County to Arthur and Elizabeth (Jaquay) Shook. He retired from Air-Way Manufacturing in Olivet in 1983. He served during World War II in the U.S. 815th Engineers from 1941-45. He married Anita VanAlstine on June 21, 1945 in Kalamo. He played the guitar and enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling. He was a member of the Green Arrow Horseman’s Club in Bellevue.
He is survived by his wife, Anita; a daughter, Carol Kilbourne of Bellevue; two sons, Rick Shook of Battle Creek and Alvin Shook of Defiance, Ohio; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two brothers, Bert Barnhart of Olivet and Archie Shook of Union City; a sister, Naida Doty of Charlotte; several nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Alvin VanAlstine of Honey Grove, Texas; sisters-in-law, Iva Lee of Hastings, Peggy Corkins of Nashville and H. Joyce Martin of Battle Creek.
He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Sadie Shook in 1921 and a son-in-law, Larry Kilbourn on Nov. 12.
Services were held Dec. 29 at Shaw Funeral Home with Pastor Steve Olmstead officiating. Interment was at Assyria Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Margaret Sidange
Margaret E. Sidange, 73, of Grand Ledge passed away Feb. 7, 1999, in Lansing.
Mrs. Sidange was an avid reader and bingo player and enjoyed classical music and going to Las Vegas.
Surviving are her son, John (Deborah) of Grand Ledge; grandchildren, Melissa and John Sidange and John, Leonard, Karl, and Sara Mackey; and brother, Clifford Bannister.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John, and daughter, Jinx Margaret Mackey.
Private services were held and committal will take place at Deer Lake, Ontario, Canada. Arrangements were handled by Holihan-Atkin Funeral Home, Grand Ledge. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Louise Smith
Louise Y. Smith of Eaton Rapids and Naple, Fla., died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 1998 at her home in Naples, Fla. Attended by her husband of 43 years, Charles Smith and her daughters, Annette and Sara.
Mrs. Smith was born Sarah Louise Young in Charlotte the daughter of Mary and Bertrand Young. She was a violinist with a bachelor of music degree from Olivet College, class of 1929. She was the mother of three, Annette, Sara and Chalmers and the widow of Charles Miller of Eaton Rapids.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Smith; daughters, Annette Miller Williams of Santa Fe, NM and Sara Louise Miller of North Salem, NY; a stepson, Charles Smith, Jr.; and five grandchildren, Heather, Dennis, and Eric Williams and Andrew and Lynnette Smith.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Miller in 1946 and son, Chalmers in 1940.
Services were held Dec. 28 at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with Pastor Thomas Evans of the Eaton Rapids First United Methodist Church. Interment was at Rosehill Cemetery, Eaton Rapids.
Marjorie Smith
Marjoria Smith, 85, of East Jordan died Jan. 5, 1999 at Charlevoix Area Hospital.
Mrs. Smith was born Feb. 21, 1913 in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Frank and Luella (Wiley) Smitton. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and attended graduate school at Olivet College. From 1935-38, she taught home economics at the East Jordan Public Schools. She married John Smith on Aug. 26, 1938 in Grand Rapids. In 1949, they moved to Charlotte and she taught in the elementary schools in Charlotte and Potterville. She retired in 1973 and moved back to East Jordan. She was a life member of the National Education Association, a Camp Fire Leader for many years, Sunday School teacher in East Jordan and Charlotte, 25-year member of the United Church of Christ in Charlotte, and member and former deacon of the First Presbyterian Church, East Jordan. She was also active in the Felicia Circle of the First Presbyterian Church and East Jordan Garden Club. She enjoyed playing bridge, reading, and sewing.
She is survived by her husband, John of East Jordan; one son, Robert (Mary) of Grand Rapids; two grandsons, R.J. Smith and Mark Smith, both of Grand Rapids; one sister, Florence Smitton of Grand Rapids; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Barbara Jeanne Smith in 1966 and one sister, Elizabeth Dunnewind in 1985.
Services were Jan. 8 at the First Presbyterian Church, East Jordan, with the Rev. David Downton officiating. Interment was in Sunset Hill Cemetery, East Jordan.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Charlevoix County Community Foundation’s East Jordan Rotary Scholarship Fund.
Martin Smith Sr.
Martin Edgar Smith Sr., 81, of Bellevue died Oct. 27, 1999 at the Battle Creek Health System after a long illness.
Mr. Smith was born Aug. 2, 1918 the son of Norval and Charlotte (Terwilliger) Smith in Eaton Rapids. He graduated from Battle Creek Academy in 1936 and worked at the Post Division of Kraft General Foods, Crumpton Auto parts as a counter man and was a Volkswagon engine rebuilder. Most recently he had been employed with the Bellevue Schools, in charge of custodians and steam boilers. He retired from the Bellevue School in 1983. He also operated his own auto repair and welding shop and welded machinery for farmers. He rode and repaired motorcycles most of his life and also built utility trailers and made wood splitters. He built three homes during his lifetime. He was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Tabernacle, Battle Creek, and enjoyed automobiles, mechanical projects, welding and dogs. He married Mary Alice Schoonard in 1938 and they later divorced. He married Joan Iona Capps on June 22, 1962.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Iona; one daughter, Janet Dickhaut of Gentry, Ark.; three sons, Martin Jr. of Ft. Myers, Fla., Randall of Bellevue, and Thomas of Florida; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Vivian Schoonard of Battle Creek.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Thelma Jackson; and two brothers, Kenneth Smith and Robert Collins.
Services were Nov. 1 at the Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel, Bellevue, with Pastor William Cowin officiating. Interment was in the Wilcox Cemetery, Barry County.
Memorial contributions may be made to Battle Creek Academy.
Vidian Smith
Vidian “Vid” Smith, 89, of Jenison, formerly of Charlotte, died July 13, 1999.
Mr. Smith lived in the Charlotte area for 55 years. In 1992, due to failing health, he moved to a retirement home in the Grand Rapids area to be near his family. This past year, he needed assisted care and Hospice. He was a farmer and later an electrical contractor in the Charlotte area. He was very active at both the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Charlotte, and Hudsonville United Church of Christ. He served as president of the Eaton-Barry Milk Producers Assn., was moderator of the county school board, and active in the Farm Bureau. He held a life membership in both the Masonic Blue Lodge and the Horace Maynard Chapter.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Isabelle; two daughters, Janice Wilson and Mary Ellen (Larry) Humphrey; one grandson, Kritley (Jani) Wilson; one great-grandchild, Cameron Wilson; and three step-grandchildren, Larry (Patti) Humphrey, Lora (Ken) Post and Dennis (Lori) Humphrey.
Memorial services are Sunday, July 18 at the First Congregational Church, Charlotte, with the Rev. Eric Thorsen and the Rev. Peter R.K. Brenner officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational United Church, Charlotte, Hudsonville United Church of Christ, or Hospice of Holland Home, Grand Rapids.
Arrangements were made by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Rowena Soligny
Rowena Celesta Soligny, 83, of Potterville died April 23, 1999.
Mrs. Soligny was born August 25, 1915 in Naubinway, the daughter of Henry and Eliza (St. Andre) Wackter. She was a clerk in retail sales, homemaker, and member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Charlotte.
She is survived by two daughters, Elaine O’Neil of Potterville and Eleanor (Francis) Vallier of Portland; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Beulah Siemen of Lady Lakes, Fla.
Services were April 26 at the St. Mary Church with the Rev. Fr. John Vallier officiating. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery in Manistique, Mich. Arrangements were made by the Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
