Obituary:
Virginia "Ginny" Rademacher, age 77, of Alma, passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at Gratiot Medical Center in Alma.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 6th at 1:30pm at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Lux-Moody-Wolfel Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4-8pm with a prayer service to be held Wednesday evening at 7:30pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the wishes of the family.
Ginny was born January 31, 1932 the daughter of Bert and Arlene (Bigler) Towersey. She married Jim Rademacher on August 25, 1952 and worked as a legal secretary for Fortino and Plaxton, Sears and for Consumers Power Co. as their customer service rep. Later she worked for Alma College in their Development office retiring after 15 years of service.
She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and member of the churchs' Altar Society. She also worked at Gratiot Medical Center volunteering in the Gift Shop for many years.
Ginny is survived by her husband, Jim, seven children; Julie (Richard) Kepler of Greenville, Michael (Sheila) Rademacher of Alma, Patrick (Patricia) Rademacher of Dearborn Heights, Jeff (Mary) Rademacher of Waterford, Mark (Kelly) Rademacher of Rockford, Marcia (Tim) Huntoon of Alma, Tracy (Joe) Pazitka of Holt. 20 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Lucille Koutz.
- Lux Funeral Homes

Obituary:
Rademacher, James J,; age 82; of Alma; passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at his home with his family by his side. He was born March 30, 1932 in St. Johns the son of Joseph and Bertha (Motz) Rademacher. On August 25, 1952 he married Virginia "Ginny" Towersey. Jim worked as the Assistant Plant Manager at Alma Plastics for over 30 years before his retirement. Jim was a member of Nativity of the Lord Parish, Knights of Columbus Council 2966 Servants of the Holy Family and a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Alma Elks Lodge #1400. Jim was an avid hunter, fisherman and Notre Dame Fan. He enjoyed golfing, woodworking and carpentry.Jim is survived by 7 children, Julie (Richard) Kepler of Greenville, Michael (Sheila) Rademacher of Alma, Patrick (Patricia) Rademacher of Dearborn Heights, Jeff (Mary) Rademacher of Waterford, Mark (Kelly) Rademacher of Rockford, Marcia (Tim) Huntoon of Alma and Tracy (Joe) Pazitka of Holt; 20 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren; 3 brothers, Richard Rademacher, Al (Nancy) Rademacher, Lee (Lorraine) Rademacher; and a sister, Marleen Hartman.He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Ginny in 2009. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 8, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Nativity of the Lord Parish in Alma. Interment will be held in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Lux-Moody - Wolfel Funeral Home, Alma with a Prayer Service being held at 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the wishes of the family. To view Jim�s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.luxfuneralhomes.com
- Lux Funeral Homes

  

Obituary:
Jamie Alan Oswald, 45, from Ashley, Michigan was unexpectedly reunited with loved ones on Friday, August 23, 2024. Jamie was a man with the softest heart and fiercest love. He had a gift of making strangers feel like old friends and his family and friends like they were his world. His love of life, infectious laugh, and witty humor will live on with the endless memories he has created with so many.
Jamie's life began in Alma, MI on November 9, 1978. His parents, Lonnie and Monica (Ann) Oswald, were blessed with their second baby boy. At that time, they had no idea of the adventures he would take them on, the gray hairs he would cause, but most importantly the joy he would bring to their lives.
Jamie attended Ithaca Schools and was part of the class of 1998. He had always said that after graduation he was moving out of state, would never get married or have children; however, during his freshman year, he fell for a sophomore named Andrea and all those plans changed. Their high school love grew fast and deep. On December 8, 2001, he became the proudest and most loving husband. The next 22 years their love would only grow deeper. No matter if life was throwing confetti or curve balls, they always stood side by side. They were a pair; you couldn't have one without the other.
In 2006, Jamie became a father for the first time to a baby boy named Dirk. In 2009, he became a father again to his baby girl Aubrey. Becoming a dad were Jamie's best two days of his life. His pride in Dirk is insurmountable. Dirk inherited his love of wrenching, cars, and finding that "deal.' His pride for Aubrey was just as deep. He loved the snuggles and daddy daughter time, and teaching her new cheers. She will forever be his Baby Girl. He loved his Bubba and Baby Girl and always had to have one more hug before they left the room. Together, the four of them made a family that was bonded in love, grace, and memories. They were and will always be "The Oswald's."
Jamie's favorite holiday and season were hunting, which made his favorite color camo. He found a sense of calm and serenity sitting in the woods with nature. He could sit in his stand for hours and hours, waiting for that elusive whitetail. His stories were always animated and full of action, but were backed up with some of the most beautiful deer.
Jamie is now the guardian angel to his beloved wife Andrea Yvonne and his children Dirk Robert and Aubrey Yvonne Oswald. He is also looking over his parents Lonnie and Monica (Ann) Oswald Sr. His second mom and dad, Charles and Jody Yelsik. His siblings: Lonnie Oswald Jr. and Bridget Perry. His other brother and sister-in-law, Josh and Kerri Yelsik. His nieces and nephew: Brenna Perry, Maylee Oswald, Ryder and Brenlee Yelsik. There are also many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends that were family.
Although Jamie cannot be with us physically, he is with us always.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, August 29, 2024, with Pastor Dave Perry officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI.
Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.
- Smith Family Funeral Homes

 

 

 

Documents:
Burial monument, Greenwood Cemetery, Vernon, Shiawassee, MI

Documents:
Burial monument, Greenwood Cemetery, Vernon, Shiawassee, MI

  

  

 

Obituary:
Christopher Robert "Chris" Heimberger, age 62, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Friday, February 19, 2021, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center, Alma.
Chris was born in Alma, MI, on December 10, 1958, the son of Robert and Julie (Kinney) Heimberger. He graduated from Ithaca High School.
Chris worked with his best friend and cousin Dave Kinney, Jr. in Alma doing auto body repair for many years. He loved fishing, mushrooming, hunting, and anything else outdoors. He enjoyed taking things apart and repairing them.
Chris is survived by his parents Robert and Julie Heimberger, daughter Cassandra (Lonnie) Oswald of Ashley, and 3 grandchildren: Trey Gurski, Javin McCaul, and Maylee Oswald. He is also survived by his brother Kim (Laurie) Heimberger and their children: Brian and Sara Heimberger, sister Karrie (Roger) Hansen and their children: Brandie (Jason) Yates, and Corrie Hansen; and great-niece Emberly Yates. Chris was preceded in death by infant brother Cory Michael Heimberger.
The family requests that donations be made to Gift of Life - 3861 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
- Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI.

 

  

  

Obituary:
Leslie Eugene Whitford, age 80 of Ashley, MI died Saturday, April 6, 2019 at the Ashley
Care Center surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at Bethel Mennonite Church, Ashley, MI on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Zella Daniel officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.
Leslie was born in Ashley, Mi on March 11, 1939 the first born son of Gene and Dorothy (Slagell) Whitford. He graduated from Ashley High School with the class of 1957 and studied agriculture at Michigan State University. On December 29, 1957 he married Marilyn Joyce Camburn and they raised three children on the farm near Ashley. Marilyn preceded him in death on April 29, 2013 after 55 years of marriage. Leslie worked at MMPA in Ovid for several years then Federal Mogul in St. Johns for 8 years on the midnight shift while farming and milking cows and running Whitford Wrecker Service which he started in the late 60's and continued to present. He also did backhoe work, installing septic systems, drain fields and any projects that involved digging. He sat on several boards, including Washington Township as Clerk, Gratiot County Board of Commissioners, and Gratiot County Road Commission. He was a past member of the Ashley Lions Club, and Volunteer for the Ashley Fire Department. He was proud to host training sessions for the Ashley Fire and Rescue, providing wrecked cars for the Jaws of Life and rescue program. He always wanted to help people.
Leslie was a member of the Bethel Mennonite Church, and also enjoyed attending the Pompeii U.M. Church and Chapin U.M. Church and East Washington U.B. Church.
Leslie will be remembered for playing guitar and singing with family and friends, attending music jams all over Michigan and the UP. Never left his guitar home when traveling. He and Marilyn hosted the 'Whitford Jam' for many years on their farm near Ashley where many came to camp for the weekend and enjoy great fellowship with Gospel and Bluegrass music, great food and hospitality. He will also be remembered for his fun loving pranks, playing jokes and picking on the people he loved. In recent years he truly enjoyed spending time with his special friend, Kathy Vandeusen. He is survived by his children, daughter, Luanne Billings (Jim Dershem) sons, Eugene 'Jose' (Brenda) Whitford, and Kelly Whitford all of Ashley, MI. Grandchildren, Matt Whitford, Sarah and Tony Siecinski, Rachel Billings, Ryan Billings. 4 Great grandchildren, Hannah, Garrett, Addyson and Peyton and a great grandson due in August. Also sister, Barbara Elaine (Gene) Slagel of Midland and brother Eldon (Ann) Whitford of Reed City and sister in laws, Judy Whitford of St. Johns, Lois Emery of Ashley Margaret Saylor of Okemos, and many special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, Parents in 2016, Brother Gary in 2014. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
- McGeehan Funeral Homes

 

Obituary:
Marilyn Joyce Whitford, age 73, of Ashley, Michigan died Monday, April 29th, 2013 at Ashley Care Center.
Funeral Services will be held at Bethel Mennonite Church, Ashley, Michigan on Friday, May 3rd at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Joe Pendleton officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday May 1, 2013 from 6-8 P.M. and on Thursday, May 2, 2013 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, Michigan
Marilyn was born in Ashley, Michigan on July 13, 1939, the daughter of Clare and Marian (Rogers) Camburn. She graduated from Ashley High School with the class of 1957. On December 29, 1957 she married Leslie E. Whitford in Edgewood, Michigan.
Marilyn was the former Washington Township Clerk, and had worked for G.T.E. She enjoyed gardening, playing music and was a Jeff Gordon fan. She was a member of the Ashley Lions Club and served on the Gratiot County Mental Health Board for 20 years. Marilyn was a member of Bethel Mennonite Church.
She loved spending time with her family and friends attending and camping at Music Jams all over Michigan and the U.P. She and Leslie hosted the "Whitford Jams" for many years on their farm near Ashley where many came to camp for the weekend and enjoy great fellowship with Gospel and Bluegrass music, great food and hospitality. Marilyn was a wonderful helpmate to Leslie on the farm, always outside milking the cows and taking care of the animals and doing whatever needed to be done.
Marilyn will always be remembered for her love of animals, raising St. Bernard Dogs and never turning away any strays that may have wandered in.
She always had a big garden, preserving fruits and vegetables for her family. She loved sharing it with family and friends.
She is survived by husband, Leslie Whitford of Ashley, MI; 1 daughter, Luanne Billings of Ashley, MI; 2 sons, Eugene (Jose) and Brenda Whitford of Ashley, MI;
Kelly Whitford of Ashley, MI; 4 grandchildren, Matt and Lacey Whitford, Sarah and Tony Siecinski, Rachel Billings, Ryan Billings, 4 great grandchildren, Hannah, Garrett, Addyson, Peyton, 3 sisters, Lois Emery, Margaret Saylor, Inez Keidel, brother, Bill and Chris Chant. She is also survived by her mother and father in law, Gene and Dorothy Whitford.
She was predeceased by her parents, 3 brothers, Clare Camburn, Merlin McNaughton, Roger Chant. Memorial may be made to Bethel Mennonite Church or a charity of the donor's choice.
Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca Chapel Ithaca, Michigan.