Connie Jo Bowen

Connie Jo Bowen, age 63, of Stanton, passed away at her home.

Connie was born March 25, 1947 to Lyle “Red” Robert and Evelyn (Smith) Gotts in Elsie, Michigan. She had just retired January 1st from the Health Department where she had worked as a Transcriptionist.

Connie enjoyed reading, movies, and crafts.

She is survived by her daughters, Tracey (David “Dak”) Knowles of Virginia and Victoria Smejkal of Connersville, Indiana; grandchildren, Zachery and McKenna Knowles; her father, “Red”; sisters and brother, Carla (Bill) Reus of Florida, Tom (Sue) Gotts of Perrinton, Cathy (Darrell) Currier of Gaylord; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Connie will be 11am, Saturday, March 26, 2011 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Burial will be at North Star Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2-4pm and 6-8pm Friday, March 25, at the funeral home.

Charlotte Rebecca Denniston Lyon

Charlotte Rebecca Denniston Lyon, (62) “Becky Lyon,” went home to be with Jesus on Oct. 29, 2011. She passed peacefully at home (South Pekin, IL) surrounded by husband (K. Douglas Lyon) and family.

Daughter of late Charles and Marjorie Denniston, Becky was native to Ashley, MI and the “baby girl” of a large, loving family. She is survived by Joan Howes, Charles Denniston, Esther Litwiller, Marge Hodges, Helen Manley, Betty Campbell, Mary Harris, John Denniston, Al Denniston and step-mother Mildred Denniston.

Becky graduated from Ashley High school and attended Kansas City Bible School where she met, then married Doug Lyon. Their lovely winter wedding took place in Ashley MI, on Dec 27, 1969. Adventurous years that followed found Becky and Doug: serving as missionaries to Key West, Nicaragua, Taiwan, and the Bahamas; pasturing churches, serving as camp meeting and revival workers, Christian singers, teaching, and oh yes, taking care of six busy children.

Becky is survived by six children: Evelyn Smith, Kenneth Lyon, Esther Lyon, Sam Lyon, Rebecca Wedekind, and Rachel Jones. She also is survived by twelve grandchildren.

Known for a life completely dedicated to God, Becky was also notorious for her quick wittedness, amazing sense of humor, musical talent, and a love for family, friends, and the Lord. Noted for her congregational piano playing, Becky Lyon left a legacy with the recent release of her piano CD “I Just Keep Trusting My Lord.” Deeply loved by many, we celebrate her life. For we “sorrow not, as those that have no hope,” rather we will meet again!

A viewing will be held on Friday, Nov 4, 2011, 5-8 p.m. at Barden Funeral Home, Ithica, MI. The funeral will be held at Saturday, Nov 5, 2011, 1 p.m. at Wesleyan Holiness Church, St. Louis, MI, followed by burial at North Star Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to her husband, K. Douglas Lyon.

Betty J. Ross

Betty Joan (Larsen) Ross, 76, of Fenwick passed away on February 4, 2011 in Greenville surrounded by her family.

Betty was born on October 28, 1934 in Fenwick to Robert and Leona (Lund) Larsen. She attended the Fenwick School and then the Sheridan Rural Agricultural School where she graduated as the salutatorian in 1951 at the age of 16. She was then accepted into the Nursing program at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids and continued at Wayne State University. On March 20, 1954 she married M. Jerry Ross at the Sheridan Congregational Church. They spent time in Chicago while Jerry was in the army and returned to the area in 1957. In 1959 Betty and Jerry bought an 80 acre farm west of Fenwick where they raised their 7 children and lived for the rest of their lives. They raised 7 children on that farm. Betty was a great example of a faithful wife and mother, caring for Jerry with his 20 year battle with MS and always making Carolyn her first priority. Betty was a nurse, an educator for the Montcalm Intermediate School District and was instrumental in starting Little People Land; where she worked until she retired in 1989. She was a valuable member of ARC Montcalm for many years. She enjoyed watching and waiting for her gardens to bloom in the spring. 

Betty was thoughtful of all of her friends and loved ones; always remembering birthdays and sending cards. She was a hard worker but was always ready to give a smile and a hug. She was always there when anyone needed her and for that she will be missed by many.

Betty is survived by her children; Randall and Gaylia Ross of Fenwick, Gregory and Connie Ross of Sheridan, Martin and Laurie Ross of Fenwick, Sheila and Jan Morse of Houghton Lake, Brenda and Dan Bissell of Greenville, Carolyn Ross, and Ann Ross both of Fenwick; grandchildren , Joseph and Lynette Ross, Jennifer and Juan Cruz, Jamie and Doug McKeown, Jason Ross and Sonja Ashbaugh, Adam and Megan Lane, Gavin Lane, Marlayna and Brent Humble, Melinda Ross, Luke Ross, Rebekah Ross, Rachel Ross, Robert Ross, Thomas Ross, Melissa Morse and Jeff Spence, Orion Morse and Donielle Bannon, Jacob Ross and Tasha Byington, Kevin Bissell, Michelle Peak, and Camille Bradley; 11 great grandchildren; sister and brothers, Joyce Tefft of Fenwick, Robert and Kathy Larsen of CO, and Donald and Lois Larsen of Stanton; her brother in law, Ken and Pam Ross of Sheridan. Betty was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Jerry in 1999, a brother, Fred Larsen, and a brother in law, Gene Tefft.

Betty’s family will greet friends on Wednesday February 9, 2011 from 4-7 p.m. at the Barden Funeral Home in Stanton. A celebration of her life will be held at the funeral home on Thursday February 10th at 1:00 p.m. Mr. Gilbert Morris from the Butternut Bible Church will officiate. For those desiring to do so, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or the American Diabetes Association; envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Betty Jean (Pratt) Cooper

Betty Jean (Pratt) Cooper, 87, of Ithaca, passed away Monday, May 23, 2011, at Carson City Hospital.

Betty was born on August 13, 1922 in Ithaca, the youngest daughter of Albert and Catherine (Quinlan) Pratt. She married Muril L. Cooper on July 21, 1941. She was a lifelong resident of Ithaca and graduated from Ithaca High School. 

She is survived by two daughters and a son, Judy (Jim) Kimmel of Ithaca, Larry (Mary) Cooper of Ithaca, and Jackie (Jack) Kapustka of Perrinton; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and one great great granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Muril; two sisters, Lydia Collins and Dorothy Lau; and two brothers, Elan Pratt and Ervin Pratt.

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Jo Jones officiating. Burial will be in the Chapel Gardens Cemetery in Elwell, Michigan. Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gratiot County Commission on Aging.

Barry L. Moon

Barry L. Moon, age 55, died at his home in Ithaca, on Wednesday, April 6, 2011.

He was born on March 13, 1956 in Alma, the son of Leroy (Smoky) and June (DeVall) Moon. He graduated from Ithaca High School in 1975. He ran track while in school. He joined the Army right out of high school; he served 4 years. He lived and worked in Virginia for 11 years. He moved back to Michigan and went to work for Barry Control.

Barry is survived by his mother, June Moon; brothers and sisters, Kathy Moon, Raymond (Beth) Moon, Cecil Moon, Cindy (Virgel) DeRosia, Anna Marie (Moon) McQueen; sister-in-law, Peggy Moon Atchley; nieces Rhonda Hamp, Stacy Moon, Stephanie Moon, Jessica (Chad) Mullen, and Ashley McQueen; nephews, Shaun Moon, David McQueen and Coltyn Moon; Step Nephews and step Niece, Darren Most, Jeremy Most, and Angie Most; six great nieces; and one great nephew. 

He was preceded in death by his father Leroy (Smoky) Moon, younger brother Mike Moon, and nephew Darrel Fenby.

A memorial service will be held in Barry’s honor, 1pm Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Pastor Steve Gulick will officiate.