Gene Waldron

Hiram “Gene” Waldron, 84, of Sumner, passed away November 11, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.

Gene was born August 1, 1940 on Pine Grove Road at the family farm near Crystal, Mi, to Jesse and Doris (Braman) Waldron.  He graduated from, Stanton High School in 1958.  He married Willodean Fisher on December 30, 1960 at Pine Grove Church, a union of almost 64 years.

Gene was a lifelong farmer.  He was an outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing.  He went on several elk hunting trips to Colorado with his son and grandsons, fulfilling a lifelong dream.  He also enjoyed camping and traveling with his family.

Gene loved farming and hunting, but his greatest love was his family and his dog Benji.  He is survived by his wife, Willodean; daughter Fonda (Theron) Waldron of Carson City, son Lyndon (Julie) Waldron of Sumner; grandchildren, Wyatt (Rachel) Waldron of Sumner, Wade (Melissa) Waldron of Indian River, Weston (Brittany) Waldron of Kansas City, KS, Alexandra (Christian) Yaw of Crystal, and Bailie (Drayton) Rock of Maple Rapids; 8 great grandchildren; sisters Dorothy Campbell, Ruth (Bruce) Christensen, Betty Cristensen; brother Robert (Mary) Waldron; and brother in law Lynn Fisher.  He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Darlene Throop; brothers  in law Albert Campbell, Jr., Robert Throop, Ronald Cristensen, Leslie Fisher, and father in law and mother in law Alton and Wilda (Anderson) Fisher.

In lieu of flowers, Gene would want you to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with your loved ones.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.  Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Roger Gantz

A much-loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend, Roger Gantz, 82, of Sumner, Michigan, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2024, in Midland, Michigan. He was born in Ithaca, Michigan, on May 13, 1942, and resided in Sumner for most of his adult life. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carol Holton Gantz of Sumner, son Kevin Gantz (Teressa Yordy) of Sumner, son Daren Gantz and wife Hildy of Belmont, grandson Brad Gantz and wife Sam of Rockford, grandson Ryan Gantz (Lillian Abell) of St. Louis, granddaughter Morgan Lippert and husband Jayde of South Bend, Indiana, granddaughter Kaitlyn Johnston and husband Eric of Chicago, Illinois, granddaughter Courtney Sieracki and husband Cody of Jacksonville, North Carolina, granddaughter Lauren Gantz (Spencer Andrus) of Grand Rapids, brother-in-law Stan Holton, sisters-in-law Shirley Gantz and Cathy Holton, great-grandsons Jackson, Liam, Carter, Cooper, Jude, and Theodore, great-granddaughters Cassidy, Genevieve, and Scarlet, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Harley and Neva Gantz, father-in-law Russell Holton, mother-in-law Bertha Holton, sisters Shirley Gantz Litwiller, Patricia Gantz Miller, and Joan Gantz Martin, brothers Stuart Gantz and Bill Gantz, brothers-in-law Lonnie Holton, Don Martin, Evan Litwiller, and Frank Miller, and sister-in-law Rose Smith.

Roger was a standout basketball and football player at Ithaca High School and graduated in 1960. He loved the Yellowjackets and enjoyed watching his sons play sports at Ithaca and grandchildren play sports at Ithaca and Rockford. Roger met the love of his life, Carol Holton, at a dance in Sumner while attending Ithaca. They were married in Sumner on October 4, 1963, and relocated to Sumner after spending several years residing in Hastings. Roger retired after working many years at Oldsmobile in Lansing.

Roger loved spending time with his family and friends. His wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins meant everything to him, and he thoroughly enjoyed attending all of the family gatherings that were held over the years. He especially liked playing euchre with his grandchildren and giving them advice on how to improve their skills. Roger and Carol loved classic rock and roll music and collected vintage automobiles. They developed many great friendships with other classic car collectors and enjoyed going to car shows and cruise-ins all over Michigan and several other states. Roger helped organize the annual Ithaca Dust Off Car Show for many years.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 12:00pm to 3:00pm on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at the Fred E. Richards VFW Post #3055 located at 1295 West Monroe Road, St. Louis, Michigan 48880.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

David Alan Sanders

David Alan Sanders, 85, departed this world on October 26, 2024, in his home surrounded by family.  Dave referred to his transition as boarding his magic carpet ride to Heaven. Dave was born to Keith and Neva Sanders in Ithaca, MI on 8/12/1939. He was raised in Lansing and graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in 1957. Dave married Dixie Butler in 1958, They shared 51 loving years together prior to Dixie’s passing in 2009.  Together they raised their beloved children, Brenda Perry (Chuck), Brian Sanders (Diane), and Cheryl Girvan (Dave). 

A special joy was his six grandchildren Jaime Perry, Chaz Perry (Liz), Matthew Sanders (Sally), Mitchell Sanders (Samantha), Kyle Girvan (Kaitlynn) and Mark Girvan. Dave was also blessed with three great-grandchildren, Cameron, Zoe, and Georgia Sanders. 

Dave is also survived by three sisters Carolyn Sanders, Marybeth (Tom) Raymond and Melinda (Dan) Carley, great aunt Lois Barden, as well as many nieces, nephews, and long-time friends. 

Dave was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years Dixie Butler Sanders, parents Keith and Neva Sanders, brother Larry Sanders, brother Jim Sanders, sister Sue Milleson, and son-in-law Chuck Perry.  

Dave worked at JC Penney and R.E. Olds before joining General Motors Oldsmobile Division where he enjoyed a 32-year career. Dave enjoyed his summer home on Budd Lake in Harrison, MI. He served on the City of Harrison Planning Commission as well as his self-anointed role of Budd Lake “Harbor Master”. Dave was an avid car show enthusiast and took immense pride in his three classic Oldsmobile’s: 1967 Cutlass Convertible, 1972 Cutlass, and a 1972 Delta 88 convertible.  He often attended car shows in Clare, Farwell, Coleman, Evart and Lake George MI as well as the Old 27 Car Cruise over the course of many years.  His collection of over 100 trophies was a source of pride he loved to display along with his collection of neon signs that he helped design and build with Deke Ulch and Howard Clark.  Dave equally loved snowmobiling and was a member of the Harrison Snow Riders for over 20 years along with good friends Jack McNutt, Kay and Jerry Mcbrien and Geri Hills. He enjoyed riding thousands of miles of trails throughout Michigan with family, friends, and fellow club members. In his later years, Dave enjoyed his winter home and lifestyle in Summerfield, FL. He was active in his community of Spruce Creek and enjoyed taking his collies, Buddy, and Spencer, to the dog park daily, as well as, participating in trivia, themed parties, and social events. Dave was a friend to all and a highly admired man for his zest for life and love of family.  

He lived with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) for 25 years without complaint.  IBM is an irreversible, slow-progressing auto-immune disease that causes severe atrophy of the muscular system. To date, there is no medication or treatment to prevent or treat this disease.  You can learn more about IBM at myositis.org.  In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to The Myositis Foundation in honor of Dave.

A Memorial and Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, December 14th from noon until 4:00 p.m. at the Ithaca Senior Activity Building located at 1011 E. North St. Ithaca, MI. 

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Michael Dale Corder

Michael Dale Corder age 60 of Sumner passed away peacefully in Butterworth Hospital surrounded by family. Mike was born July 4 1964 the son of Donald and Doris (Corl) Corder. Mike was an adventurous man, a man of many words, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, mushrooming and so many other things. Racing was his true passion, along with running NC Liquidation. He thought the world of his grandchildren. Mike married Brandi Halliwill on October 4, 2022, married just 2 years.

Mike was preceeded in death by both his Mother and Father along with his oldest son Nicholas Dale Corder.

Mike is survived by his wife Brandi, 3 sons Travis Corder, Drew Corder and Jesse Peek Jr; 8 grandchildren; 6 siblings Dan(Patti)Corder, Joyce(Doug)Gilbert, Jean Neitzel(Mike Edwards) Judy Corder(Dennis Krick) Jackie(Scott)Moore, William Westbrook; Closest uncle Ronald and Aunt EmmaJean; Several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at New Haven Church of God on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. Viewing will begin at 10am, and the service will start at 11am, followed by a graveside service at the Ithaca Cemetery. Immediately following graveside service all are welcome to join the family for a luncheon at the New Haven Church of God.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Robert Edwin Hagerman

Robert Edwin Hagerman of Alma, passed away October 28, 2024 at Laurels of Mt. Pleasant.

He was born October 12, 1940 the son of Max and Luella Hagerman. He was a meter cop in Alma for several year, then worked retail.

He is survived by two sisters, Mary (Roger) Pendell of Ithaca and Sally Mullet of Alma as well as several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by bother parents, his brother Dick, and a special nephew Bob Elsea Jr.

Cremation has taken place. There will be a family gathering at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by the Barden Funeral Home of Ithaca. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.