Betty Lou Love

Betty Lou Love, 81, a long time Gratiot County resident, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, surrounded by family and friends at Laurels of Fulton in Perrinton, Michigan. 

Betty was born on June 3, 1943, to Mother Virginia Jordan. She was adopted at birth by her grandparents, John and Ida Jordan.

Betty graduated from Ithaca High School and attended college. She married (Arthur) Joe Bancroft when they were both 18 years old. They had four Children together: Joe, Jerry, Virginia and Ida. She and Joe divorced, and Betty blessed another couple with a family of their own through adoption and had 3 more children, 2 girls and a boy.

Betty worked a variety of jobs including waitressing, cleaning, factory/assembly line work and even welding. Her passion was being a caregiver, and she worked at Lasalle's AFC home in Elm Hall, Mi for many years before retiring.

Betty loved picnics, cats, Bingo, playing cards, Karaoke, word search lottery tickets, camping, journaling, reading the Bible, Betty Boop and she was really good at sketching and drawing. Betty enjoyed encouraging the staff and residents at Laurels with just the right scripture. She appreciated and loved each and every one of them. Laurels of Fulton and Residential Hospice served Betty and her family perfectly.

Betty is survived by her children, Joe (Denise) Bancroft, Jerry (Michelle) Bancroft, Virginia Ruedger, and Ida (Jim) Hall. Stepdaughter, Kelly, Grandchildren, Isaac Bancroft, Ann (Matt) Hughes, Charlotte (Jordan) Soto, Sarah (Corley) Piper and Steven Hall. Greatgrandchildren, Chayce, Camoryn and Jeremy Hughes, Magglio, Jake and Alexa Soto. Half-sisters, Linda and Ruth.

Betty was proceeded in death by her mother, grandparents, husband Ferdnand (Fritz) Love, stepson, Fred Love, and grandchildren: Jeremy Bancroft, Jason Ruedger and Jerra Mia Hall.

Betty was cremated as per her wishes.

A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date with a picnic at Reed's Park in North Star, 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.

Paul Warren Hooper

Paul Warren Hooper, the infant son of George and Michaela (Wiesman) Hooper of rural Ithaca passed away on January 18 in his parent’s arms.  His arrival was highly anticipated by the extended family with love for him growing each day.  He will be deeply missed.  

Paul is survived by his parents George and Michaela; sister Wrenley; grandparents Sheri Wiesman and Craig and Susan Hooper; and uncles Matthew Hooper and Nicholas Wiesman.  He was preceded in death by his grandfather Paul Wiesman.

A family service will be held on Saturday, January 25, at 11:00 AM at the Barden Funeral Home with interment following in the Ithaca cemetery, with Fr. Tom Helfrich officiating.

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

George Jerry Skorna

George Jerry Skorna, 81 of St. Johns, MI

It is with a heavy heart we must announce the passing of our father and grandfather, George Skorna.  George was born January 31st, 1943, in an old farmhouse to Paul and Helen Skorna.  George and his eight siblings learned at an early age what hard work was by working on the farm.  However, they always saved time for fun and play.

George left the farm and high school to go to work at F.C. Mason and then on to General Motors where he was a car painter for 32 years before his retirement in 1995.

In 1964, George married Carol Moriarty and together they raised three children:  Sue (Steve) Vitous, Connie Skorna, and Paul (Kris) Skorna in St. Johns, Michigan.

On April 17, 2003, George married Linda Reist Skorna.

George was an avid Detroit Tigers fan and though he called them “Pansies”, he watched every home and away game.  He enjoyed watching his grandson Andreas Skorna groom and maintain the Lansing Lugnuts baseball field before, during and after the games.  He enjoyed watching Andreas play high school baseball and looked forward to his games.  George was a fan of the T.V. show “Naked and Afraid”.  He enjoyed old cars and playing Euchre.  He always looked forward to the Spring and Summer when he could get out and plant his garden, mow the lawn, and feed the birds.  George was a supporter of his granddaughter, Eleni Skorna, and enjoyed watching her play softball.  At times he was an unsolicited umpire at her games.  And he was known as “George Dash” to some for all the meals he would get and deliver.

George will be dearly missed by his family and friends.  Those left to cherish is memory are his three children, his grandchildren Brett Vitous, Andreas Skorna, and Eleni Skorna; his sister Josephine (Ralph) Kridner; half-brothers Gerald Smith, Larry Smith; his half-sisters Eileen (Dave) Peters, and Beverly (Terry) Snow; the mother of his children and friend Carol Skorna; his step children Debbie (Gary) Schestag, Jeff (LeAnne) Reist, Rodney Reist, Joyce Reist, and Courtney (Scott) Beagle; numerous nieces and nephews, step grandchildren and step great grandchildren, and friends. And finally, Theodore, the cat he loved and shared with his daughter. 

George was welcomed into heaven by his father Paul Skorna; his mother and stepfather Helen and Frank Smith; his brothers Steve Skorna and Joe Skorna; his sister Pauline Carman; his wife Linda Reist Skorna; his stepson Glenn Reist and step granddaughter Megan Reist.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025, from 2 – 4PM and 6 – 8PM at Barden Funeral Home located at 225 W Center St., Ithaca, MI

The funeral services will be Thursday, January 23rd, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the New Haven Church of God located at 8102 W Washington Rd Sumner. The burial will take place directly after the funeral services at North Star Cemetery located at 3181 E Johnson Road, Ithaca, MI

Following the burial, a luncheon will be served at the Ithaca Community Center located at 120 North Maple Street, Ithaca, MI

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Home of Lansing, Stoneleigh Residence, 3411 Stoneleigh Dr. Lansing Mi 48910.

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

Joyce Elaine (Roosa) Hodges

Joyce Elaine Hodges, age 88, of Sumner, passed away Monday, January 6, 2025, at Schnepp Health Care Center in St. Louis.

Joyce was born June 1, 1936 in Sumner, Michigan, the daughter of Merton and Josephine (McFarland) Roosa.  She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1955.  She worked for Wolverine World Wide for nine years before working as a display coordinator for J.C. Penney’s for 28 years.  She married Phil Hodges on January 2, 1965.  Through the years she enjoyed sewing, baking, walking and riding her bike.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Phil; her children, Randy (Carla) Martyn of Ithaca, Cheri (Kim) Cramer of North Fort Myers, Fl, Jeff Hodges of Sumner, and Pam (Terry) Fisher of Alma; her grandchildren, Megan Falor, Zachary (Alyssa) Martyn, Brad (Jordan) Martyn, Cullen (Allyson) Cramer, Chloe (Jake) Rhoda, Colby (Nate Tack) Cramer, Brayden Hodges, Breck Hodges, Jean (Gary III) Rose, and Leann (Dylan) Barnes; 10 great grandchildren; and her brothers in law and sisters in law, Robert (Marge) Hodges, Nancy Alexander, Sharon (terry) Klick, Janice Kristin, and Chet (Cindy) Hodges; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Todd Hodges; her brother, Earl Roosa; and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Floyd Alexander, Martin (Buzz) Hodges, Peggy Green, and Dennis Kristin.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, January 11 at Barden Funeral Home in. Ithaca.  Visitation will be 4-8 Friday, January 10.  Memorial contributions may be made to the organization of your choice.  Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

James Clifford Wetzel

July 10, 1952 – January 5, 2025

James Clifford Wetzel, age 72, of Ithaca, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on January 5, 2025, after fighting against a rare and aggressive cancer.

Jim was born July 10, 1952 in Alma, the son of Clifford and Shirley Wetzel. He grew up on the family farm in Ithaca with his three siblings, Chris, Richard, and Jerry. Jim graduated from Ithaca High School with the class of 1971. He then went to Michigan State University where he studied microbiology. It was at MSU where he met and fell in love with his wife Carol. Together they raised four wonderful sons. Fond memories include family vacations to Florida, riding four wheelers at the sand dunes, and going on pheasant hunts.

Throughout Jim’s life, he continued to work on the family farm, where he grew potatoes, carrots, onions, mint, and soybeans. Jim was known to be an extremely hard worker. In addition to farming, he continued his father’s legacy of building and selling soybean roasters. Jim was very determined to learn how to find a solution to any problem. He was mechanically inclined, and this was reflected in his work on the farm, around the house, on many rental properties, and through his work installing many solar panels for his family. 

Jim went back to school at the age of 40 and became a registered nurse. He enjoyed working with his patients in long-term care for 25 years. Jim was a lifelong member of Ithaca Church of God. He served on many missionary trips over twenty years to Jamaca where he would help do concrete work and improve the facilities at the Jamaican Deaf Village through the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf. 

Jim is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carol Wetzel; their four sons: Kurt (Sitti Isha) Wetzel, Sean (Michele) Wetzel, Matt (Becca) Wetzel, and Travis (Madi) Wetzel; two grandchildren: Jacob and Lucas Wetzel; siblings: Christine Calkins, Richard Wetzel, Gerald Wetzel; two nieces: Ginger (Mark Johnson) Wetzel and Rachel (Adam) Chapko. Jim was preceded in death by his parents: Clifford and Shirley Wetzel; and niece and nephew: Melissa and Trevor Wetzel. 

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. January 10, 2025, at the Ithaca Church of God. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 9, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Memorial contributions may be made to the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf where Jim served on many mission trips (https://www.cccdjamaica.org/donate/) or to the Ithaca Church of God (https://www.ichog.com/). Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.