Search Archived Marriage Records
John Raymond (Ray) Sherburn
Died March 18, 2000
John Raymond (Ray) Sherburn, age 89, of 312 N. Rowe St., Ludington, and 117 W. Meisenheimer Road, Scottville, passed away at 9:45 p.m. Saturday at the Oakview Medical Care Facility, following a lengthy illness.
Mr. Sherburn was born Dec. 11, 1910, in Eden Township to D.E. and Kate (Reese) Sherburn, and was the youngest of nine children. He attended school at the Wiley School and graduated from Scottville High School in 1930. He attended Mason County Normal School, graduating in 1932. He later attended Central Michigan University and received a bachelor of arts degree in education in 1960.
Mr. Sherburn was a dedicated educator, working as a teacher in one room schools in Mason and Oceana counties, including St. Mary’s Lake, Fern, Center Riverton, Freeman, Nickerson and Buck’s Corners. He concluded his career with Mason County Central Schools, teaching primarily at Riverton Elementary, retiring in 1976. He had also been very involved in the development of the Riverton consolidated K-8 school and had served a number of years on various school boards and committees during his years of residence in Riverton Township.
Although he loved teaching, his first love was farming. His work was his recreation. In later years he enjoyed gardening, traveling, history, genealogy, woodworking, winters in Arizona and above all, his large and noisy family. He was a member of Victory Trinity Lutheran Church, and had served several times on the church council.
Mr. Sherburn lived his entire life in the community of Wiley within view of his boyhood home. He was married to Florence I. Clemensen on June 15, 1941, and they enjoyed 39 happy years together before she preceded him in death in 1980. He then married Phyllis Benson on Feb. 20, 1981, and she survives.
In addition to his wife, Phyllis, Mr. Sherburn is survived by one son, Ivan E. (Jane) Sherburn of Sadorus, Ill., and four daughters, Mrs. Jay (Diane) Silhanek of Mt. Airy, Md., Mrs. Wayne (Kathleen) Weisner of Paw Paw, Mrs. Gerald (LeAnn) Lyewski of Ludington and Mrs. Thomas (Linda) Clapper of Scottville.
He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Robert (Bekki) Weisner, Michael Weisner, Tom (Jackie) Silhanek, Kimberly Silhanek, Tim Sherburn, Brenda (Scott) Davis, Andrew Clapper, Daniel Clapper; and six great-grandchildren, Sidney, Shelby and Aaron Weisner, Christopher and Katelynn Davis and Delaney Rose Silhanek, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Florence, Mr. Sherburn was preceded in death by a son, Donald Anton in 1974, his son-in-law, Gerald Lyewski, his parents, D.E. and Kate Sherburn, his brothers, George, Floyd, Paul, Dale and Joseph, sisters, Grace and Marie, and a sister who died in infancy.
Services for Mr. Sherburn will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Alexander-Rye Funeral Home with the Rev. B. Douglas Niemi officiating. He will be laid to rest beside his wife, Florence, at South Victory Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorials for Mr. Sherburn may be directed to the family at 117 W. Meisenheimer Road, Scottville, MI 49454 for establishment of a scholarship fund in the name of J. Raymond and Florence I. Sherburn, with envelopes available at the funeral home.
Carl Robert Rahn
Died Feb. 3, 1999
Carl Robert Rahn, age 92, of 1144 W. Chauvez Road, Scottville, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 3, at Oakview Medical Care Facility, Ludington.
Services for Mr. Rahn are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Scottville, with the Rev. James Schroeder officiating. Interment will follow in Center Riverton Cemetery.
The family will be at Our Savior Lutheran Church to receive friends from 10 a.m. Saturday until the time of the service.
Richard G. McLain
Richard G. McLain, age 75, of 2825 Lena, Tamarac Village, Ludington, died Friday, Aug. 31 at his home following an extended illness.
Richard Gerald McLain was born Nov. 4, 1925, in Free Soil, the son of Joseph and Irma (Cameron) McLain. He grew up in Mason County attending Free Soil and Ludington schools.
He was married Dec. 8, 1972, in Ludington to Evangeline Mary Stewart and she survives.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. Following his military service Rich worked on the Great Lakes with the Merchant Marines and then for the carferries in the engineering department. He retired in 1991 after almost 40 years of service.
In his free time he enjoyed hunting, fishing and watching western movies.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Ann (Ken) Fortin of Manistee, Kathy (Randy) Engblade of Midland, Ellen (Duane) Kissell of Ludington; two sons, Joseph (Lucinda) McLain of Ludington, Tim (Tish) McLain of Kentucky; two step-sons, the Rev. Ralph J. (Judy) Wheaton and Terry Vernimo, both of Ludington; one brother, Robert (Miriam) McLain of Ludington; and sister, Gertrude Bentz of Virginia; 29 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
The funeral for Richard G. McLain will be conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4 at the Dorrell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mike Pelfrey of the Lighthouse Baptist Church officiating. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery. The family will be present at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of service to receive friends.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Michigan with envelopes available at Dorrell Funeral Home.
James F. Johnson
James F. Johnson, 36, of Reed City, died Wednesday, Aug. 29 in Chase. He was born Sept. 7, 1964, in Ludington and was a resident of Branch before moving to the Reed City area 15 years ago. He was co-owner of J & J Auto Salvage in Chase.
He is survived by his mother and step-father Marsha (Peter) Merklinger of Reed City; his daughter, Jenni Johnson of Custer; life mate Judy McCain of Reed City; stepdaughter Becky (Jeff) Miller and stepson Brandon Couture, both of Reed City; his brother, Jeffrey (Jackie) Johnson of Reed City; stepbrothers Randy Merklinger and Kevin Myall, both of Florida, Marty Myall of Baldwin, Eric Myall of Nashville, Loren Merklinger and Lonnie Merklinger, both of Reed City; stepsisters, Tammy Merklinger of Reed City and Theresa Myall of Baldwin; three nephews.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 at the Pruitt-Livingston Funeral Home, Reed City, with the Rev. Jack Kleeves officiating. Burial will take place at the Wilson Cemetery.
Funeral home visitation was held Friday evening.
Ruth Ann Bettys
Ruth Ann Bettys, 91, of Walkerville, died Aug. 7 at Memorial Medical Center, Ludington.
She was born Nov. 5, 1909, in White County, Ind., the child of Benjamin S. and Ethel J. (Whisler) Bond.
She was a homemaker and lived in Walkerville most of her life. She was a member of the Walkerville United Methodist Church.
She was married to George Bettys Nov. 28, 1930, in Walkerville and he died Nov. 11, 1982.
Surviving are two daughters, Harriet Lathrop of Walkerville, and Helen and Harold Cronk of Scottville; three sons, Charles “Bob” and Sally Bettys of Walkerville, George “Ben” and Susan Bettys of Ovid, and David and Linda Bettys of Grand Ledge; 23 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George; two great-grandsons, Jack and Joe Lathrop; a brother, Albert Bond; and a sister, Beulah Drum.
The funeral for Mrs. Bettys will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 10 at the Walkerville United Methodist Church with the Revs. Roger Warmuskerken and Kenneth Tabor officiating. Burial will be in Abson Cemetery.
Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. Friday until the time of services.
Memorials may be directed to the church. The Tate Funeral Home of Hart is in charge of arrangements.
John D. Shaffer
John D. Shaffer, age 83, of Custer, died Sunday, July 29 at Memorial Medical Center in Ludington.
He was born Oct. 3, 1917, in Custer to John and Cecilia (Pleiness) Shaffer and graduated from Custer High School in 1937.
John married Rosalyn Macksam on Dec. 7, 1941, in Scottville. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Scottville and owned and operated the Custer Barber Shop for 37 years.
John was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Rosalyn; his children, Rodney (Sharon) Shaffer of Custer, Leola (Stanley) Gajeski of Free Soil, and Christine (Richard) Weinert of Ludington; grandchildren, Michael (Cindy) Shaffer and Lori (Robert) Knutsen of Ludington, and Devin Weinert of Grand Rapids; and his great-grandchildren, Christina and Spencer Knutsen and Cody Shaffer.
A memorial service for Mr. Shaffer will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Scottville, with the Rev. Mark Rosenberg officiating.
Those who wish to make memorial contributions may direct them to the charity of their choice. Arrangements are being cared for by the Stephens Funeral Chapel of Scottville.
