OBITUARIES
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Thelma I. Ellis
Bronson - Thelma I. Ellis, age 80, of Bronson, died Friday, June 20, 2008 at the Rose Arbor Hospice House following a several day illness.
She was born May 18, 1928 in Mt Morris, MI, daughter of Francis M. and Maude E. (Robinson) Howe and graduated from Mt. Morris High School in 1946.
Her first job was as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone in Flint at age 18.
Thelma married Freeman Ellis on May 7, 1955 in Mt. Morris. The couple made their home in Bronson and Thelma worked alongside her husband at the L.A. Darling Company for a few years. Freeman died May 20, 1992. Thelma was best known for her work with G.T.E. as a customer Service Representative for several years in Coldwater, Sturgis and Three Rivers, MI. She retired in 1990. She was also a former Avon Sales Representative and was the top sales person in South West Michigan for many years.
A very active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burr Oak, Thelma also served as Church Secretary for the last 14 years where she was also a member of the Altar Guild, Ladies Aid, Vacation Bible School, LWML Gateway Zone and the Faith Fellowship.
Thelma also enjoyed quilting and talking with her many friends. Family was a very important part of her life.
Surviving are her sons and daughters-in-law, Mark A. and Diane Ellis of Portage, MI, and Brian P. and Terri Ellis of Howe, IN; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four brothers.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM Monday, June 23, 2008 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burr Oak with Pastor Kurt Kuhlman officiating. Interment will follow in Bronson Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson from 2 – 8 PM Sunday where Memorial Donations may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church or to Hospice.
Marlene L. Sikorski
Bronson - Marlene L. Sikorski, age 74, of Bronson, died Saturday, June 14, 2008 at the Community Health Center of Branch County. She had been in failing health.
Marlene was born August 20, 1933 in Branch County, daughter of William and Clara (Herman) Losinski, Sr., and was a lifelong Branch County resident. She married Floyd Sikorski on August 25, 1951 at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church. Prior to her marriage, Marlene had worked at the former Hunsucker’s Dime Store in Bronson and for Trans-A-Gram in Sturgis.
She was a farm wife and while her children were in school, she worked part time as a cook for the Bronson School System. She was a member of St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church and was well known for her sewing abilities. Over the years, she created many dresses for Weddings, First Communions and other special occasions including many of her own clothes.
Marlene also enjoyed crocheting, baking and cooking for her entire family, especially for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also loved raising chickens.
Surviving are her husband Floyd, her daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Robert Hayes of Bronson, her sons and daughters-in-law, Dwayne and Debra Sikorski and Larry and Janet Sikorski all of Bronson, eight grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; her brother Alvin (Diane) Losinski of Bronson; her sisters, Betty (Epifanio) Aleman and Janet Losinski all of Bronson, Norma Klavinski of Coldwater and Carolyn Lash of Tampa, FL, her sister-in-law Vera Losinski of Bronson and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother William Losinski, Jr. and her grandson Jade Sikorski.
The Funeral Mass will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church in Bronson with Rev. Fr. Richard A. Fritz officiating. Prayers before Mass will be at 10:30 AM Tuesday at the Kolcz Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home from 3 – 8 PM Monday where the Rosary will be recited at 5 PM Monday. Memorial Donations are suggested to St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church.
OBITUARY
Gloria M. Ellinger
Bronson – Gloria M. Ellinger, age 62 of Sturgis, died Saturday, May 3, 2008 at the Community Health Center of Branch County. She had been in failing health.
Gloria was born March 8, 1946, in Coldwater, daughter of Ashley Bud and Geraldine (Waite) Wiser and graduated from Bronson High School in 1964. Gloria married Leon Hoard in 1964 and together they share four children. After 20 years of marriage, they divorced. Gloria then married Arthur Ellinger in 1986 They recently celebrated 22 years of marriage.
Gloria had worked for several companies during her career including Kirsch Company, United Technologies, Precision Speed and Berk Knit (Lamb Knit).
She especially loved being with her children, grandchildren and he great grandchild. Animals held a special place in her heart and she had several cats, loved feeding birds and raccoons on her porch.
Surviving are her husband Art, daughters and sons-in-law, Kelly and Rick Outwater and Amber and Tony Wotta and son Ken Hoard all of Bronson; her sisters, Linda Snyder of Coldwater and Sheila Smith of Florida; nine grandchildren, Karlyn Richards, Mersadie Outwater, Alexsis Outwater, Paris Outwater, Kennedy Outwater, Hudson Wotta, Emerie Wotta, Sayler Wotta and baby-to-be Wotta; a great grandson Jax Richards (whom she loved to take of) and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant daughter Kimberly.
According to her wishes, cremation will take place. A Memorial Service will be held at 6:30 PM Wednesday at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson. A gathering of family and friends will begin at 4 pm Wednesday at the Kolcz Funeral Home until the time of service. Memorial Donations may be made to the CHC Hospice.
Dr. George W. Jeffery
Bronson - Dr., George W. Jeffery, age 87, of Bronson, retired local veterinarian, died late Friday, June 6, 2008 at his home following a short illness.
George was born July 24, 1920 in Detroit, son of Walter and Hazel (Willson) Jeffery. He graduated from then Michigan State College (now Michigan State University) School of Veterinary Medicine in 1942. He married Mary Rendell on July 11, 1942 in Covert, MI. and the couple moved to Bronson to set up the Veterinary Practice, with Mary serving as George’s Veterinary Assistant. He retired in 1980 and has wintered in Florida every year since. Mary died in July, 2003.
George was also a farmer in Branch County and a Pecan Farmer in Paisley, Florida. George was a life member and Past President of the Bronson Rotary Club with over 50 years of perfect attendance and was awarded with the Paul Harris Fellowship.
George was also a Charter Member and Co-Founder of the Bronson Kiwanis Club, a long time member of the Bronson School Board where he served as secretary-treasurer; and he served many years on the Board of Directors of the former Branch County Savings and Loan (now Monarch Community Bank).
Surviving are his daughter Sharon Albright of Bronson, daughter and son-in-law, Mary Lee and Dan Boter of Grand Haven, MI.; sons and daughters-in-law, Ivan and Nina Jeffery of Reading, PA and Alan and Sandy Jeffery of Bronson; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; his special friend, Laura Cattell of Bronson; his sisters, Margaret Mallott and Helen Jeffery, both of Jackson, MI and his sister-in-law, Geri Jeffery of Quincy and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, David George Jeffery in 1945 and his brother Harold Jeffery.
Funeral Service s will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson with Rev. Jim McKelvey officiating. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Orland, Indiana.
The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home from 4 – 8 PM Tuesday where Memorial Donations are suggested to the CHC Hospice.