Obituaries 07/10/2008

Dorothy L. Rice, 96, of Davison, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2008 at County Care in Lapeer.

Dorothy was born in Flint on December 3, 1911, daughter of the late Eldon and Elizabeth Grimes. She was a resident of Davison most of her life. Dorothy married William Rice in 1935. William preceded her in death in 1983. Dorothy was a member of the Davison Free Methodist Church serving in the Women’s Missionary Society, as a Sunday school teacher and on other church ministries. She was a homemaker most of her life. Dorothy enjoyed her family, playing the organ, writing family histories and sewing. She will be remembered by her family as a loving and nurturing mother, sister and grandmother.

Dorothy is survived by her sons, Ralph (Carole) Rice of Jackson, Daniel (Judy) Rice of Davison and Dale (Sharon) Rice of Grand Blanc; grandchildren, Rebecca (Matt) Lewis of DeKalb, IL, Stephen (Kristen) Rice of Jackson, Brock (Stephanie) Rice of Davison and Garrick (Jennifer) Rice of Kenilworth, IL; 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Isabell Misuraca of Salem, OR and Catherine Koerber of Grass Valley, CA; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Arlington Grimes and sister, Lois Brock.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Davison Free Methodist Church or the charity of one’s choice.
A Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at Davison Free Methodist Church, 502 Church St., Davison. Rev. P. Thomas Wachterhauser officiated. Burial was in Davison Cemetery.

Dorothy’s family wishes to give a special thanks to the wonderful caregivers at County Care and Heartland Hospice.
Arrangements entrusted to Allen Funeral Home.
 

John Douglas Balser, 65, of Davison, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2008 at Hurley Medical Center.

John was born in Flint on August 15, 1942. He graduated from Missouri Military Academy and was a member of the US Army Reserves. John served on the Flint Fire Department for 27 years, retiring in 1995 as Assistant Chief. He was a member of Masonic Lodge # 23 F. & A. M. John was also a member of the Davison Shrine Club and the Elf Khurafeh Highlanders since 1971. After retiring from the fire department, John worked at Allen Funeral Home from 1995 until his passing. He also volunteered at Bingo for Retired Firefighters and URGE, where he served as First Vice President. John was a representative on the Flint Pension Board for Retired Firefighters. He enjoyed performing for groups as “Carnac the Magnificent” and entertained many with his quick wit and appropriate jokes.

John is survived by his wife of 46 years, Roberta; daughters, Barbara (Shawn) Herzinger of Annandale, NJ and Nancy (Ted) Morse of Dimondale, MI. He also leaves his brother, George (Vickee) of East Tawas, MI and many special relatives and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Maxine Balser and his sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Larry Tunison.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Elf Khurafeh Shriner Transportation Fund, P. O. Box 3261, Saginaw, MI 48605.

A Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at Allen Funeral Home, 9136 E. Davison Rd., Davison. Rev. Wright officiated. Cremation followed the service.

Arrangements entrusted to Allen Funeral Home.
 

Gerald A. “Jerry” Brown, 69, of Davison, passed away Friday, July 4, 2008 at Genesys Hospice Care Center, Goodrich.

Jerry was born in Flint on July 18, 1938, son of the late Bennie and Evelyn Brown. He graduated Flint Central High school in 1956. Jerry proudly served his country with the U.S. Air Force from August of 1956 until August of 1960.

Jerry will be sadly missed by his loving family including his brother, Larry Brown of Hawaii; several aunts and uncles, and, many cousins from the “Root Clan”. He is also survived by very close friends, Dale and Anita Prior, Vern and Dee Cundiff, and, Matthew and Wendy Hargraves.

A Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at Allen Funeral Home, 9136 E. Davison Rd., Davison. Pastor Roger Van Donkelaar officiated. Cremation and burial took place at Sunset Hills Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to Allen Funeral Home.
 

Connie Lee Miller, 59, of Davison, passed away on the morning of Thursday, July 3, 2008, surrounded by her family.

Connie was born in Flint, Michigan, on August 21, 1948, to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and Lavina Conrad. She graduated from Flint Central High School in 1965 and was named the Junior Achievement Secretary of the Year. On June 8, 1968, Connie was married to Al Miller. She worked for Flint Sash & Door, Jim Waldron, MacGillivray Buick, and later ran her own business, “Gift Baskets by Connie”. She also served as a Brownies & Girl Scouts troop leader in Davison. Connie enjoyed her family and loved her relaxing trips to Torch Lake.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 40 years, Al; mother, Lavina Conrad; son, Al (Anjie) Miller Jr. and their children, Payton, Cassy, Keegan, and Emma; daughter, Rebecca (Shaun) Jones-Sirbaugh and their children, Brandon, Bryan, Lyndsey, and James; and son, Andrew Miller and his fiancee, Rebecca Conley. She will also be missed by her brother, Jerome (Mary) Bukowiec; sister, Rose Hardin; sister, Ann Murphy; sister, Violet Pardee; brother, Bill Conrad; and many friends, including Nancy VanSteenburg, Bev Beebe, and Bob & Prudy Jacoby. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Connie was preceded in death by her father, Andrew Conrad; brother, Andrew Conrad Jr.; sister, Belle Conrad; sister, Carol Simons; sister, Mary Stehney; sister, Margaret DeTesta and sister, Judy Grimes.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, July 7, 2008 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 404 N. Dayton St., Davison. Rev. Fr. Andrew A. Czajkowski celebrant. Burial followed in Richfield Union Cemetery.

During her brave battle with diabetes and heart failure, Connie and her family were provided with extraordinary care by the doctors, nurses and staff at McLaren Regional Medical Center and the kind employees at Reliant Renal Care in Davison.
Arrangements entrusted to Allen Funeral Home.