Duane B. Benner

Duane B. Benner, 84, of Sidney passed away on Sunday, August 14, 2011 in Carson City. He was born in Lyons, MI to Raymond and Ruth (Kilts) Benner. On August 24, 1944 he married Phyllis Wheeler in Ionia. Duane retired from Belco Industries as a pipe fitter and welder. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, and most of all spending time with his family.

Duane is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his children, Diane and John Lahr of Sheridan, Daniel and Marcia Benner of Sidney, Dennis and Edna Benner of Palo, Linda Benner of Stanton, and Joann and Roy Koenig of Muskegon; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; his sister, Shirley Allen of Florida; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Wallace and Verlon Benner; two sisters, Natalie Linebaugh and Beverly Jenks. 

Duane’s family will greet friends on Tuesday, August 16th at the Barden Funeral Home, Stanton from 2-4 and 6-8. A celebration of Duane’s life will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Stanton with Pastor Kurt Hoffman officiating. Memorial Contributions may be made to Michigan Kidney Foundation or Carson City Hospital; envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church.

Doug D. Randall

Doug D. Randall, age 70, lost his battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis at his home on January 19, 2011.

A lifelong resident of Gratiot County, he was born on January 21, 1940 to Frank and Thelma Randall. He graduated from Ithaca High School in 1958. He married Beth Fortner on December 6, 1999.

He spent the past 20 years working for the State of Michigan, Department of Agriculture Horse Racing Division. He had worked at every horse racing track in Michigan. He retired in March of 2009. Doug was an avid bow hunter, enjoyed photography, flea markets, nature and spending time in the Saginaw-Gratiot State Game Area.

He is survived by his wife Beth; 2 daughters, Terri (Steve) Ball of Ithaca and Tammy (Brad) Schaub of Alma; stepdaughter, Staci (Pat) Hurd; stepson, Jimmy (Jodi) Fortner; grandchildren, Brent Cagala, Meggin (Bob) Fall, Mallory Boyle, Kara Schaub, Austin Sutherby, Dylan and Lauryn Ball, Alex, Cristofer, Kelti and Luke; great granddaughters, Isabelle, Carlee, Reaghan and Anika. He is also survived by his only brother, Roger (Sharon) Randall of Parker, Colorado; and 2 nephews, Jim and Matt Randall; inlaws, Jim and Anita Okoniewski, Jimmie (Vickie), Dan (Ann), and Larry (Mary) Okoniewski. He was preceded in death by his parents and his favorite beagle Hank.

He was a funny, loving, caring, generous, intelligent man to family and all that knew him.

A family graveside memorial service will take place in the spring at the Hamilton Township Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.

Dorothy Joan Dougherty

Dorothy J. Dougherty, age 78, of Ithaca, died Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at her home.

Dorothy was born July 3, 1932, in Ashley, the daughter of Joseph and Martha (Skaryd) Maxa. She graduated from Ashley High School in 1950 and continued her education at Lansing Business College, graduating with a bookkeeping degree. She worked for a short time at the County Farm and then for the Masonic Home. She married her high school sweetheart, Lloyd E. Dougherty, on May 31, 1952.

Dorothy enjoyed gardening, reading, and being with her family. She had been active with the Ashley Chapter #86 Order of the Eastern Star and was an Honorary Life Member of the Grand Chapter. She was also active with the Pompeii Honor Lodge #194 of the Rebekah’s.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of 58 years, Lloyd; her children, Aileen (Gary) Waltman of Alaska, Brian (Julia) Dougherty of New Mexico, Susan Dougherty of Ithaca, LuAnn (Keith) Clark of Ohio, and Joan; her grandchildren, Mary, Jennifer, Nathan, Roy, Joseph, Madeleine, Samantha, Joshua, Nicholas, and Angelica; her great grandchildren, Madison, Logan, Blake, and Annalee; her sisters and brother, Martha (Jim) Maddix, Marianne Ward, Diane (Jim) Korienek, and Richard (Karen) Maxa; many nieces and nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Martha Maxa.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Rev. James Conn and Tom Bradley officiating. Interment will follow in North Star Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 12, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the American Heart Association.

Donelda Mae Sova

Donelda Mae Sova, age 80, of Ithaca, died Wednesday, September 7, 2011 as a result of a car accident.

She was born on May 9, 1931 in Alma and graduated from Ithaca High School in 1949. She married Hugh Sova on November 25, 1950 in Alma. She worked at Redmond’s and Wolverine. She wintered in Arizona for over 20 years. She loved golfing and playing Bingo. She was also an avid reader. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren.

Donelda is survived by her husband, Hugh; one son, Richard (Theresa) Sova of Ithaca; a grandson, Jeremy of Lakeview; and a granddaughter, Kaitlynn of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. 

She was preceded in death by her mother Ivah Thomas; a daughter-in-law, Julie Sova, and two granddaughters, Kara Lynn Sova and Leighanne Sova.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, September 12, 2011, at 12:00 pm at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Ithaca, with Father Jules Spleet officiating. Burial will be in the Ithaca Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Thompson Home Library or to the Cancer Society.

Donald Irving Barnes

Donald Irving Barnes, age 75, of Ithaca, died Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at Carson City Hospital in Carson City.

He was born on October 30, 1935 in North Star Township, the son of Irving and Alice (Moon) Barnes. He married the love of his life, Bonnie E. MacLaren on June 24, 1955. They enjoyed 56 years of happy marriage.

Don retired from Alma Plastics (United Technology) and Carson City-Crystal Public Schools. He loved farming, painting, spending time in his cabin in the woods and being with his family. The highlight of each year was the annual family campout. He always said, “I have everything I ever wanted--someone to love me, a home, and a loving family.”

He is survived by his loving wife Bonnie; 6 children: Scott (Valry) Barnes of Sumner, Tamara (Steven) Puffpaff of Ithaca, Beth (John) Berkimer of Wayland, Carrie (James) Hull of Ithaca, Crystal (Curt) McCracken of Carson City, and Mike Barnes of Ithaca; 18 grandchildren: Brandy (Wes) Calvert, Scott Benjamin (Kate) Barnes, Bryant (Jessica) Barnes, Trenton (Emilee) Barnes, Larry (Shelley) Puffpaff, Cliff (Eirka) Puffpaff, Jay (Jamie) Puffpaff, Andrea Berkimer, Chet (Jessica) Berkimer, Garett Berkimer, Blake Berkimer, Jessica (Robert) Arnold, Jason Hull, Thomas Hull, Emily McCracken, Katy (Joe) Gust, Maryann McCracken, and Molly McCracken; 10 great grandchildren: Gideon, Josiah and Lucy Calvert, Reese Puffpaff, Gracie Selleck, Christian and Haylee Puffpaff, Claire Arnold, and Hannah and Lauren Gust.

Donald is also survived by his brothers and sisters: Leon Richard (Doris) Barnes, Levina (Arley) Wright, Robert (Janine) Barnes, Mary Ann (Neil) Strong, Mack (Tau) MacLaren, Margaret (Jim) Kemp, and Brick (Jane) MacLaren.

He is preceded in death by his parents Irving and Alice Barnes, step mother Opal Barnes, parents-in-law Lawrence and Helen MacLaren, and daughter-in-law Betty (Mayes) Barnes.

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 11 AM at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor George Showers officiating. Burial will be in the New Haven Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, July 22, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ithaca Woodland Park.