Lauer Funeral Home http://lauerfh.com en Lee J. Hurless [07/06/1952 - 02/16/2012] Lee J. Hurless departed his earthly life of Thursday, February 16, 2012 to spend life eternally will his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Lee J. was born July 6, 1952 to Keith and Susan (Jane) (Wedmore) Hurless in Hastings, Michigan. Lee J. is one of God’s special people. Lee J. lived his childhood, teens and early adult years with his mother and father at their farm north of Hastings. His later adult years were lived in adult foster care homes in the Hastings, Battle Creek, and Delton areas. He attended school and participated in the EBI Workshop and Positive Directions Programs. Lee J. was a man of prayer, his prayers reached God in heaven and touched the soul of all those for whom he prayed. Lee J. was preceded in death by his mother and sister Karen R. Hurless. Surviving Lee J. are his father; a sister Rabecca (Donald) Richardson, nieces, Valerie, Mary Jane, Annettea, Vanessa A. Hurless; nephew, Christopher S. Hurless. Funeral services will be held at the Lauer Family Funeral Home-Wren Chapel 1401 N. Broadway in Hastings on Thursday February 23, 2012 by invitation only. A private interment will take place in Rutland Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association 3940 Peninsular Drive SE Suite 108 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546 or Barry County Mental Health Positive Directions Program 915 West Green Street, Hastings Michigan 49058 would be appreciated. Please share a memory with Lee J’s family at www.lauerfh.com.

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]]> Glen Ora Thornburgh [02/26/1930 - 02/11/2012] Glenn O. Thornburgh of Hastings passed away on Saturday February 11, 2012 at the age of 81. He was born on February 26, 1930 in Three Rivers to Roy L. and Elva E. (Youngman) Thornburgh. He graduated from Schoolcraft High School and immediately went into the Army where he served in Labrador during the Korean Conflict. After leaving the service, he spent several years working at a paper mill in Three Rivers. He then met and married Barbara Anne Cairns in 1957 and began a lifelong career with General Motors where he worked at the Kalamazoo Plant. As a stopping point to and from work he became well known at Arlene’s Truck Stop. He loved driving his car and playing Uno. He was a member of Quimby Church where he was very active and his faith was a very important part of his life. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara; children, Mary Ellen Guy of Hastings, Robert Glenn (Angela) Thornburgh of Hastings and Lisa Marie (Joe) Hunter of Senica, SC; grandchildren, Adam Guy, Sarah and Ryan Thornburgh, Joseph “Seph” and Morgan Hunter; sister, Marian Erwin of Colorado Springs, CO, brother, Morse Thornburgh of Marcellus, MI; several nieces and nephews. Glenn is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Grace Westfall, Violet Peake, Vivian Nussell and Ruth Northrup. Glenn’s family will receive friends on Thursday February 16, 2012 from 6 until 8 PM at Lauer Family Funeral Homes – Wren Chapel 1401 N. Broadway in Hastings. Funeral Services will be held on Friday at the Funeral Home at 2 PM with Rev. Bryce Feighner officiating. According to his wishes, cremation will follow. For those who wish, the family would appreciate contributions to Quimby Church Box 63, Hastings, Michigan 49058 or the charity of your choice.

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]]> Joseph Michael Chropowicz [10/30/1954 - 02/06/2012] Joseph Michael Chropowicz, 57, born on October 30, 1954 died February 6, 2012 loosing his fight against cancer. He was living in Florida since 1990 working as a fiberglass finisher and electrician helper. Survivors include his mother, June Chropowicz of Venice, FL; brothers, Robert of Jackson, Daniel of Albion and James of Jackson; sisters, Susan McGehee of Texas and Deborah Houghton of Englewood, Fla; many nieces & nephews and great nieces and great nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Norman Chropowicz and his brother, Lawrence Chropowicz. A memorial service will be held Monday February 20, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Lauer Family Funeral Home in Jackson.

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]]> Kay B. Pierce [09/22/1939 - 01/16/2012] Kay B. Pierce of Albion passed away on Monday January 16, 2012 at Oaklawn Hospital. Age 72. Surviving are her husband of 52 years, Robert; daughters, Caryn (Nick) Brandonisio of Concord and Becky (Mark) Ketchum of Albion; grandchildren, Alex, Derek and Gabby; sister, Judy (Donald) Kidder of Springport; step-brother, Neil (Yvonne) Causie of Hanover; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marge Causie, Marguerite (Frank) Smith, Johan (Tom) Reed and Rae (Linda) Pierce; special cousins, Earl and Liz Schultz, Janet and Bob Raymond, Susan and Jerry Jones; many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Fern Causie; step-father, Herbert Causie; brother, Jack Causie. As a graduating valedictorian from Concord High school in 1957, Kay was known for her expert skill in spelling. She retired from United South Central as a bookkeeper and then went to work for Albion College where she retired as a secretary and helped her husband run the family farm. Kay was a 4-H leader where she taught the next generation her love of hand work. She was talented in sewing, knitting, quilting and crocheting. She once was even asked to refit a wedding dress that was over 100 years old which had to be done all by hand. She enjoyed traveling up north with her husband. Kay was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister where she enjoyed life behind the scenes. She was happy being a spectator…letting others have the spotlight. Kay is at the Lauer Family Funeral Home in Concord where her family will receive friends on Thursday 2-4 & 6-8 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Friday 11 AM at Concord United Methodist Church. According to her wishes, cremation will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Oaklawn Hospice 122 High St, Marshall, MI 49068 or Hubbard Memorial Museum Foundation P.O. Box 463 Concord, MI 49237.

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]]> Lorena May Friend [05/29/1914 - 01/10/2012] Lorena May Friend age 97 of Hastings, passed away on January 10, 2012 at Pennock Health Services. She was born May 29, 1914 in Battle Creek, Michigan the daughter of Gabriel D. and Addie M. (Holcomb) Rau. Lorena graduated from Battle Creek High School in 1933. She married Ross O. Fruin in 1936. After 50 years of marriage, Ross passed away from cancer. May 1990 Lorena married Wesley C. Friend. Lorena worked for Barry County Friend of the Court for 20 years. She was a member of the Nashville United Methodist Church. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, bowling and taking lots of trips to Texas. Lorena was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Ross in 1986 and Wesley in 1996. Lorena is survived by the three children; Phillip O. (Carolyn) Fruin of San Antonio, TX, Paul R. (Marian Sue) Fruin and Phyllis L. (George) Lietz of Hastings, MI, sister Loretta M. (Bernard) Hammond of Banfield, MI; step daughter, Dorothy (Russel) Kelly; step son, Wesley (Kaye) Friend; 9 grandchildren, Barbara (Rick) Dyke, Betty Fruin of Texas, Terese (Benjamin) Woodward of Belize, Mark (Laura) Purchis, Martin (Pamela) Purchis of Texas, Ross Fruin, Steven Fruin, Terry Fruin, Angela (John) Palacios of Michigan; 10 great grandchildren, 14 step grandchildren, 4 great great-grandchildren and 8 great-great step grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Thursday January 12, 2012 from 5-7 PM at Lauer Family Funeral Homes – Wren Chapel located at 1401 N. Broadway in Hastings. Services will be held on Friday January 13, 2012 at 11 AM at the United Methodist Church in Nashville located at 210 Washington in Nashville with a short visitation held prior to the services from 10 to 11AM. Burial will take place at Union Cemetery.

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]]> Lena Marie Reppert [12/11/1915 - 01/10/2012] Lena Marie Reppert, age 96 of Hastings passed away January 10, 2012. She was born on December 11, 1915 to Jeremiah E. and Anna O. (Collige) Andrus at their family home in Carlton Center. She graduated from Hastings High School in 1934 after high school she attended nursing school at Nichols Memorial Hospital in Battle Creek where she graduated in 1937 as a Registered Nurse. Lena worked as a Night Supervisor at Nichols Memorial Hospital from 1937 to 1941 then went to work for Clark Equipment Company as an Industrial Nurse from 1941 to 1945; the company was a producer of military machinery during World War II. In 1952 she went to work for the Battle Creek Health Department until 1964, she then moved on to work for Barry County Medical Facility (now called Thornapple Manor) in 1964 as the Director of Nursing until taking her retirement in 1982. Lena was a member of the Hastings Seventh Day Adventist Church and Michigan State Nurses Association. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ross R. Reppert; sister Aline (Rex) Frisby; brothers, Charles (Elise) Andrus, Jeremiah Harold Andrus and his ex-wife, Doris Andrus; Clifford (Lois) Andrus. Lena is survived by her daughter, Jean Weber of Destin, Florida; granddaughters, Tracey Oxley and Amy (Tom) Severson all of Athens, Georgia; 14 nieces and nephews; many grand nieces and nephews and great- grand nieces and nephews. Lena is at the Lauer Family Funeral Homes-Wren Chapel 1401 N. Broadway in Hastings where her family will receive friends on Sunday January 15, 2012 from 5-7 PM and on Monday January 16, 2012 from 10AM until Funeral Services at 11 AM with Pastor Michael Wise officiating. Interment will take place at Fuller Cemetery.

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]]> Grace M. "Gee" Van Sumeren [02/04/1927 - 01/10/2012] Van Sumeren, Grace M. “Gee” Passed away January 10, 2012 after a long illness with family by her side. Grace was born on February 4, 1927 to John and Anastasia Zielinski of Bay City, MI. She was preceded in death by her husband, James, two children, Tom and Terry and eight siblings. She is survived by eight children, Anne (Joe) Gray, Jeanne (Gordy) Hatt, Diane Bingman, Kathy (Dave) Gardner, Amy (Randy) Van Wagoner, Jim Van Sumeren, Jack (Teri) Van Sumeren and Ron (Pam) Van Sumeren. She also leaves behind 15 grand and 11 great- grandchildren as well as one sister, Betty (Lou) Schmidt; and two sisters-in-law; Florence Van Sumeren and Grace Zielinski. Grace graduated from The Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, MI. as part of the Cadet Nursing Corps that was established during WWII. She worked at Mercy Hospital in Jackson as a registered nurse for 31 years. Grace was a devoted wife, mother, nurse and friend who always put the needs of others before her own. After retiring from nursing, Grace volunteered for the American Red Cross organizing an annual blood drive at her parish, St. Joseph Church in Jackson. Grace’s faith was very important to her. She volunteered as a Eucharistic minister, sang in the church choir and took communion to the sick. Grace enjoyed camping with her family, walking and traveling with her sisters. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Dawn Richie and her staff at the Greenleaf Care Home, as well as, the North One Staff of the Arbor Manor Nursing Center and special nurse assistant, Amber Heim for providing care to Grace with kindness and dignity. Per Grace’s request she has been cremated. A Memorial Mass is scheduled for Friday, January 20th to celebrate Grace’s life at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Church, 707 N. Waterloo Ave., Fr. James Shaver presiding. The family will receive visitors at the church from 10:15 until the beginning of the Mass. For those who wish, donations can be made in Grace’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 780 New York, NY 10004. Lauer Family Funeral Home in Jackson has been entrusted to care for the family’s needs.

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]]> June C. Jordon [05/12/1916 - 01/08/2012] June C.Jordon of Jonesville passed away on Sunday January 8, 2012 at Hillsdale County Medical Care Facility. Age 95. Surviving are his children, Don (barb) Jordon of Concord, Duane (Evelyn) Jordon of Tyler, TX, Doug (Fonda) Jordon of Tucson, AZ, Dale (Cathy) Jordon of Hanover and Darlene (Roy Jr.) Kittle of North Adams; step-son, Ken (Pat) Shaw of Pittsford; 20 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren; brothers, Gerald “Doc” Jordon of Spring Arbor and Elwin “Dutch” Jordon of Clark Lake. Preceded in death by his parents, Trude and Rozella (Wernet) Jordon; wives, Cora Alice (Edwards) and Ellen (Shaw); 4 brothers. June was the most generous, gentle and caring person and was a lifetime farmer. He even raised a lot of children that were not his own. He was a fan of the Detroit Tigers, restoring old tractors and loved his grandchildren, great grandchildren and milking his cows. He is at the Lauer Family Funeral Home in Concord where his family will receive friends on Friday 2-4 & 6-8 PM. Funeral Services will be held Saturday at 11:00 AM at the funeral Home with Rev. Jim Willhoit officiating. Interment will follow in Pulaski Cemetery. For those who wish memorial contributions may be directed to The ALS Association Development Department 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250 Calabasas Hills, CA 91301.

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]]> Lyle F. Endsley [02/17/1913 - 12/30/2011] Lyle F. Endsley of Hastings passed away suddenly on December 30, 2011. He was born in Barry County on February 17, 1913 to Fred and Jennie (Mead) Endsley. He married Velma M. Rayner in February 13, 1937. He was a farmer for a short time in the Coats Grove area and worked for E.W. Bliss for 30 years until his retirement and then went to work as a self employed painter. Lyle enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing Euchre. Lyle is survived by his wife of 74 years, Velma; daughters; Joan (Ray) Ward, Janet (Robert) Lord and Sharon (David) Sixberry; 18 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter; Judy; 9 brothers and sisters; and a granddaughter, Colleen. Visitation for Lyle will be held on Monday January 2, 2011 from 1 PM until time of services at 2 PM at Lauer Family Funeral Home – Wren Chapel 1401 N. Broadway in Hastings. Private interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Lyle’s family suggests making donations to a charity of one’s choice.

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]]> D. Pamela Smith [12/16/1932 - 12/29/2011] HASTINGS - D. Pamela Smith of Hastings passed away after a courageous 4 ½ year battle with cancer on Thursday December 29, 2011 at the age of 79. She was born on December 16, 1932, the daughter of Stephen Pratt and Dorothy May (Seely) Goddard. She graduated from school in Pakenham, England and moved to the States in 1952. She met her “Valentine” Donald E. Smith on Valentine’s Day in 1951 and was married on January 19, 1952. Pam enjoyed gardening and birds, and loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her working career included working for Buehler Chiropractic, Hooks Drug Store and assisting Don to coach the Hastings High School Cross Country Teams, where she was known as “Mrs. Coach”. Pam was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Donald Surviving are her sons, Forest Smith of Indiana and Daniel Smith of Grand Rapids; daughters, Linda (Alan) Conrad of Hastings and Felicity (Tim) Laurie of Hastings; grandchildren, Jennifer (Chris) Stafford, Jill (D.J.) Lajoye, Donny (Nicole) Smith, Silas Smith, Stephanie (Robbie Lee) Conrad, Nate Smith, Jake Smith, Scott Conrad, Trenton (Erin) Smith, Teresa (Patrick) Healey, Craig Laurie, Ryan Smith, Eric (Ida Botten) Laurie and Zach Smith; great grandchildren, Ben, Nick, Carter, Cohen, Colten, Donnie, Logan, Abella, Riley, Brayden, Konner, Gabe, Abbie and Parker; sisters, Betty Stutters, Vivian (Bahram) Jolly; brother, John (Ann) Goddard all of England; and her puppy dog, Lilly. Visitation will be held on Monday January 2, 2011 from 10 AM until time of services at 11 AM at Lauer Family Funeral Home – Wren Chapel 1401 N. Broadway in Hastings with Chaplin Joyce Zaagman officiating. Interment will follow in Woodland Memorial Park. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be directed to Pennock Foundation Hospice Fund, 1230 W. State St. Hastings, MI 49058 or Lack’s Cancer Center Center at St Mary's 250 Cherry Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 .

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