Lois Louise Nevins Shaw

Lois Louise Nevins Shaw, age 90, of Ithaca, died Monday, December 12, 2011 at the Warwick Living Center in Alma.

Louise was born on October 5, 1921 in Emerson Township, Breckenridge, the daughter of William and Anna (Rolixman) Kuse. She married Clayton Nevins on July 30, 1938 in the Wheeler Methodist parsonage. They were members of the Ithaca United Methodist Church. They owned Nevins Auto Parts, and she worked in the business for a short time. He preceded her in death on November 29, 1988, having celebrated 50 years of marriage. 

Later in her life, after her own children were raised, Louise decided to further her education and attended CMU, graduating with a teaching degree.

Louise enjoyed reading and doing needlework. Quilting was one craft she excelled in, and she won 1st prize at the state fair for one of her creations. She was a gifted artist and painted many lovely oil paintings on canvas. 

Louise loved to help people, and serving in the church, of which she was a lifelong member, gave her an opportunity to do so Exhibiting her talents as an author she wrote a book called “Sister”, which was distributed. She was also musically inclined and enjoyed playing the organ. 

Louise married Orval Shaw on December 27, 1998 in Ithaca. He preceded her in death on January 31, 2009.

She is survived by her children: Victor Thayne (Barbara) Nevins of Taylor, Vincent Neil (Sharon) Nevins of Ionia, and Van Edward (Sharon) Nevins of Ithaca; 14 grandchildren; many great and great great grandchildren; and her brother, Keith Kuse of Saginaw. Besides her two husbands, she was preceded in death by her sister Wilda Fulton and brothers Wayne Kuse and Rollo Kuse; 3 sisters-in-law, Helen, Norma, and Eleanor Kuse; and her brother-in-law, John Fulton.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 Thursday, December 15, at the Ithaca United Methodist Church, with pastor Cindi Greene officiating. Interment will follow in the Ithaca Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 Wednesday, December 14, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Memorial contributions may be made to Gratiot County Commission on Aging.

Larry Dean Mikus

Larry D. Mikus, age 55, of Ashley, died Friday, November 11, 2011 at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.

Larry was born May 7, 1956 to Steve and Dorothy (Shaw) Mikus in Alma, Michigan. Larry worked in auto body repair for several local body shops. He enjoyed drag racing, going to swap meets and antique auctions, and restoring antique lawnmowers.

Larry is survived by his mother, Dorothy Mikus; brother, Steve Mikus; sister, Carrie (Rick) Murgittroyd; nephews Corey (TIna) Mikus and Josh (Sarah) Murgittroyd; niece Elizabeth Murgittroyd; and grand nephews and nieces Caden, Isaac, Devon, Lexi, Molly, Charlie, and Josie. 

He is preceded in death by his father Steve, and brother John.

Funeral services for Larry will be 2:30 p.m., Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca with visitation starting at 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at North Star Cemetery. Casual dress is requested.

June Marie Powell

June Marie Powell was living proof that angels walk among us.

She was the devoted wife of Hershel Powell for nearly 64 years and the loving mother of two daughters, Ginger Vetter and Barb (Bill) Clark - both of Wheeler. She is also survived by sons, Gerald (Sylvia) Powell from Napolean, Missouri, Douglas (Althea) Powell, and Larry (Pam) Powell both from Perrinton.

She was grandma to 18 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.

June was born March 5, 1928 in Flint, Michigan to Hollis and Ester Skinner. The family later moved to Gratiot County where she attended Ithaca School. She was active (and excelled) in sports as well as journalism.

She worked for Ithaca Schools and retired as a transportation specialist.

June and Hershel raised their family of six in the Ithaca area. Besides working outside the home, she was a seamstress and canned fresh vegetables from their garden. She also loved camping and fishing.

On April 17, 2011, June joined those that have left before her. She passed away at Schnepps in St. Louis where she had been lovingly nurtured for the past 3 years. Surrounded by family she was called home. Per her wishes cremation has taken place.

Waiting to greet her in heaven will be her parents, sisters, JoAnn Acker and Nancy Hall, son Roger, and infant great grandson Jarrett Wing.

The family will meet with friends for a memorial service in celebration of her life on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 11am, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca with Pastor Dale Golden officiating. Visitation will be held from 10am until the time of the service. A luncheon will follow at the Ithaca Senior Center.

Janet P. Foote

Janet Patricia Foote, age 65, of Ithaca, passed away at her home with her family by her side on August 29, 2011 after a courageous 11 year battle with cancer.

She was born on July 12, 1946 in rural Ashley, the youngest child and only daughter of Rudolph and Ruby (Morse) Skriba. She attended Dagget Country School in Washington Township and graduated from Ashley High School in 1965. She married Douglas Foote on November 6, 1965 in Ashley.

After the birth of their three daughters, she stayed at home to raise them and help out with the family business, Doug’s Wrecker Service. She began working outside of the home when her daughters were grown and was employed by the Gratiot-Isabella RESD for 15 years.

She enjoyed watching wildlife, reading, listening to old country music, sewing, raising and sharing flowers, and cooking from scratch. She often made kolache nut rolls to share with her family at Christmas time. She loved traveling in the Upper Peninsula, including her cabin on the Little Two Hearted River, and spending time with her family and grandchildren. She coordinated “Grandma Camp” every summer for a weekend together with her six grandchildren.

Janet is survived by her husband, Douglas; three daughters, Karen (Roland) Carman of Sumner, Cheryl (Monte) Reichard of Wheeler, and Jeanne (Brett) Fidler of North Star; her grandchildren, Kennedy and Lottie Carman, Lindsey and Kelby Reichard, and Clare and Jamie Fidler; three brothers, James (Virginia) Skriba of St. Johns, Michiel (Barbara) Skriba of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and William Skriba of Ashley; her sister-in-law, Christa Newton of Fort Smith, Arkansas, along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and sister-in-law, Rita Skriba, and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Foote.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, September 2, 2011, at 11 AM at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Chaplain Christopher Lauckner officiating. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, September 1, at Barden Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be given to Thompson Home Library or your choice.

Gladys Elizabeth Shaw

Gladys Elizabeth Shaw, 97, of Ashley, died Friday, February 4, 2011, at the Ashley Care Center.

She was born in Hamilton Township, on October 31, 1913, the daughter of William and Minnie (Peterson) Ringle. She attended the Ringle School in Hamilton Township. She married Joseph Shaw on July 5, 1930. He passed away on June 5, 1989.

Mrs. Shaw was a homemaker and resided most of her life just outside of Ashley on the family farm. She enjoyed spending time with her family, writing in her diary, crocheting, gardening, crossword puzzles, and playing cards.

She is survived by her son, Keith (Phyllis) Shaw of Ashley; her daughter, Sandra Hull of Roscommon; son-in-law, Melvin (Virginia) Maxwell; seven grandchildren: Gilbert Maxwell of Ithaca, Denise (Ron) Koppleberger of Ashley, Kim Weber of Ithaca, Tami (Ron) Mohr of Rockford, Kelly (Sue) Shaw of Ashley, Chaunda (Curtis) DeVries of Caledonia, and Austin Hull of Roscommon; thirteen great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. 

Mrs. Shaw was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph; two daughters, Connie Shaw and Beverly Maxwell; son-in-law, Dennis Hull; brothers, Ray Peterson, Eli Ringle, Forrest (Jack) Ringle, Birdsey Ringle; and sister, Bessie Shaw. 

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February, 7, at 11:00 a.m., at the Ithaca Church of God, Ithaca, Michigan, with Pastor James Conn officiating. Visitation will be Sunday at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Burial will take place at the North Star Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

The family is being serviced by the Barden Funeral Home, Ithaca, Michigan.