Obituaries

Mar 11, 2025

Robert R. "Bob" Tanton Sr., a cherished pillar of the Deckerville community, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2025, at the age of 85, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Born on August 23, 1939, in Deckerville, Bob was a man of the earth, both in his profession and his passions.

Bob's early years were spent...

Mar 8, 2025

David Cecil Anderson, age 79, of Sandusky, passed away Saturday March 8, 2025, at Stonegate Senior Assisted Living, Sandusky after many years battling Parkinson’s disease.

David was born May 5, 1945, to the late Walter and Marguarite (McFarlane) Anderson. He graduated from Deckerville High School and stayed on the family farm, becoming a lifelong farmer. He was...

Mar 6, 2025

L. Diane Gibson, age 74, of Carsonville, died Thursday March 6, 2025, in Autumnwood of Deckerville.

She was born August 9, 1950, the daughter of the late James and Margaret (Ross) Winkley. She attended Carsonville Schools and graduated in 1968. On October 10, 2019, she married Doug Gibson in Sandusky. Diane enjoyed arts and crafts and particularly...

Feb 28, 2025

Malcolm David Williams, 97, of Minden City passed away with his family by his side on Friday February 28,2025. He was born on March 3, 1927, in St. Johns, Michigan to the late Foster and Hilda Williams.

Malcolm moved to Minden City in the late forties to become a Mint Farmer. He cleared his original 40 acres...

Feb 25, 2025

Charles Henry LaFore, 87, of Richmond, passed away February 25, 2025 at Blue Water Hospice Home. Charles was born November 25, 1937 to the late George and Saima LaFore. Beloved husband of the late Carol LaFore; adored father of Carrie (Russell) Francis, Curtis LaFore and Caren (Kenneth) Campbell; caring grandfather of Travis, Curtis, Carlie, Candice, Aurora, Noah and Owen;...

Feb 22, 2025

The Thumb area lost a 50-year mainstay of high school sports when Nort Schramm passed away unexpectedly at home on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Norton Douglas Schramm was born on June 23, 1943, in Hart, Michigan, to the late Florence and Frank Schramm.

After graduating from Hart High School in 1961, Norton attended MSU where...

Feb 20, 2025

Eileen (Michel) Burlingame August 14, 1952 – February 20, 2025

Born in Detroit, MI to Gabriel and Margaret “Peggy” (Barton) Michel, the oldest of 15 children, Eileen

Michel Burlingame of Port Sanilac, MI went home to be with Jesus on February 20, 2025, at the age of 72after a lengthy illness. Eileen was in a...

Feb 20, 2025

Elisabeth Busemann, 96, of Columbus Township, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Lake Shore woods Assisted Living in Fort Gratiot, Michigan surrounded by her loving family. Elisabeth was born January 15, 1929 in Germany. The daughter of the late Franz and Elizabeth Gockel. She married Josef Busemann on March 2, 1957. In 1958 they gave birth to...

Feb 18, 2025

James Walter "Jim" Marley of Sandusky passed away on Tuesday February 18, 2025, in Saginaw, Michigan at 62 years of age.

He was born in Baltimore, Maryland to James  Sr. and the late Linda (Snyder) Marley.

Jim is survived by his children; Brandon (Jamie) Marley, Jamie (Jeremy) Gadomski, Taylor (Jonathan) Chase, and Tyler (Kortnie) Marley,...

Feb 18, 2025

Russell J. Franzel, age 70, of Harbor Beach, died Tuesday February 18, 2025, in his home after an extended illness.

He was born on September 3, 1954, in Deckerville, the son of the late Lincoln and Pearl (Oswald) Franzel. He grew up in Minden City and attended school in Ubly graduating in 1974.

Russell lived...

Feb 16, 2025

Sally Ann Jerore, 87, of Columbus Twp., passed away peacefully February 16, 2025 at Medilodge of Richmond. Sally was born January 25th, 1938 to the late Harry and Charlotte Parsons. At the Michigan State fair, she met the love of her life, Edward Jerore. In 1959, they married and moved to St. Clair Shores where they went on to...

Feb 16, 2025

Brenda C. Merriman, age 63, of Deckerville, passed away unexpectedly Sunday February 16, 2025, in Port Huron McLaren Hospital.

She was born on May 16, 1961, in Mt. Clemens the only daughter of the late Charles and Marilyn (Auer) Musu.

Brenda moved to Deckerville when she was sixteen and attended Deckerville Community School, graduating in...

Feb 9, 2025

Patricia Joyce Force, 82, of Richmond passed away February 9, 2025 at McLaren Macomb Hospital. Patricia was born November 6, 1942 to the late Raymond and Lollie Hicks. Beloved wife of Dennis Force, devoted Mother of Lisa Curley, Michele (Mike) Anulli, Matthew (Tammy) Force. Cherished Grandmother of Alex and Nicholas Anulli, Bryn Brooklyn, and Colton Force. Caring Sister of...

Jan 28, 2025

Phillip J. Messman passed away peacefully at his home in Deckerville on January 28, 2025, his 60th birthday. A cherished father, dedicated businessman, and loving son.

Born on January 28, 1965, in Deckerville, Michigan, to Jeanette and Jacob Messman Jr., Phil grew up on the family farm alongside his sister, developing a deep appreciation for agriculture that...

Jan 28, 2025

Richard T. Burlingame, known affectionately to all as Rich, was a man whose wit could outshine the brightest star in the night sky. Born on the 24th of August, 1951, in the bustling city of Detroit, Rich's laughter-filled journey through life came to a peaceful close on the 28th of January, 2025, in the serene town of Deckerville. Rich's...

Jan 10, 2025

Glen Edward Bilderbeck (88) died on January 10, 2025, from heart complications. He is survived by his wife, Ada Bilderbeck (nee Willis), and his sons, Nigle and Martin Bilderbeck along with their respective wives Denise Bilderbeck (nee Crowder) and Stacey Jeup-Bilderbeck (nee Fowlds), and eight grandchildren. The deceased was preceded in death by his mother Pearl Odle (nee Forrester)...

Jan 8, 2025

Jean F. Gibbs, age 79, of Carsonville, died January 8, 2025, in the Deckerville Community Hospital.

She was born June 27, 1945, in Detroit, the daughter of the late Donald and Elsie (Bates) Reaume. Jean grew up in the Deerfield/Ida area and attended school at the Ida High School, graduating in 1963.

On November 28,...

Jan 7, 2025

Darene Ida Martin, 83, of Lenox, passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Darene was born August 25, 1941 to the late Nicholas and Madeline Zenick. Cherished mother of Jane (David) Bishop, Gerald (Susan) Martin Jr. and Kelly (Dawn) Martin; adored grandmother of Gerald (Mary) Martin III, Kelly (Kara) Martin II, Marlana (Jason) DeVergilio and Shelby (Joshua) Lesinski; great...

Dec 23, 2024

Kathryn A. Boice, age 70, of Deckerville Mi went to be with her Lord on December 23, 2024. Kathryn “Kathy” lost her long battle with cancer at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, NC.

Kathy was born February 28, 1954 in Deckerville, Mi. After graduating from Deckerville High School in 1972 she went on to graduate from Grand...

Dec 21, 2024

Bernice June Callahan, 71, of Richmond, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, December 21, 2024 after a hard fought battle with cancer. Bernice was born July 26, 1953 in St. Clair, Michigan, to the late Wallace and Beatrice Teltow. She was a 1971 graduate of Richmond High School. Marrying her husband of 50 years Michael Callahan on April...