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KENNETH BLACKLEDGE
1952-2009
Kenneth Lee Blackledge,
57, of Midland, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at Mid Michigan
Medical Center-Midland. Mr. Blackledge was born April 22, 1952 in
Harrison, Michigan, the son of Jay and Mildred (Price) Blackledge.
Kenneth had resided in Midland since 1974, coming from Harrison.
Kenneth retired in 2000 after thirty years as an Iron Worker. He
was presented his thirty five year Iron Worker certificate. Mr.
Blackledge was a member of Iron Workers Local 25 of Novi, Michigan.
After retirement, Kenneth enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, mushroom
picking and landscaping his yard.
Surviving are two daughters: Heidi Jackson and husband Sonny of
Midland, Lori Blackledge also of Midland, his former wife of thirty one
years, Nadine Blackledge of Midland, his mother, Mildred Blackledge of
Harrison, three brothers: Jay Dean Blackledge and wife Bev of Harrison,
Cliff Blackledge also of Harrison and Douglas Blackledge and wife Sam of
Las Vegas, Nevada, three sisters: Judy Brenner and husband Lon of
Freeland, Michigan, Joy Gierucki and husband Ray of Dearborn Heights,
Michigan and Karen LeRoux and husband Craig of Brownsburg, Indiana, two
grandchildren: Garrett and Taylin Jackson of Midland plus numerous
nieces and nephews. Mr. Blackledge was preceded in death by his father
and one brother, Lonnie Dale Blackledge.
Funeral services for Mr. Blackledge were held Friday, May 22, 2009
at 1:00 p.m. from Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison. Visitation for Mr.
Blackledge will take place Thursday, May 21, 2009 from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
from Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison (989) 539-7810. Memorial
contributions in memory of Mr. Blackledge may be considered to: Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation. To share an online condolence or memory
with Kenneth's family, please visit:
www.stockingfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements for Mr. Blackledge were entrusted with Stocking Funeral
Home, Harrison.
***
ILENE KAY HELMKA
1945-2009
Ilene Kay Helmka, 63, of Harrison, passed away Thursday, May 21,
2009 at Covenant Cooper-Harrison Campus, Saginaw, Michigan. Ilene was
born May 22, 1945 in Owosso, Michigan, the daughter of Joseph Vince and
Mary Agnes (Kusak) Kocur. Ilene was united in marriage to Mr. Roy Helmka
on February 10, 1972 in Owosso, Michigan. Ilene had resided in Harrison
since 1972, coming from Owosso.
Mrs. Helmka was co-owner and operator of Chucks Corner Store of
Marion, Michigan for twenty seven years. Ilene enjoyed playing Bingo,
traveling, visiting with her customers at the store and cooking for her
family and friends.
Surviving is her husband of thirty seven years, Roy Helmka of
Harrison, one son, Jamie Kocur also of Harrison, one sister, Rose Kocur
of Harrison, one grandson, Vincent Kocur and one granddaughter, Vanessa
Kocur, both of Harrison, five step-sons: Jim Helmka and wife Linda of
Swartz Creek, Michigan, Chuck Helmka and wife Michelle of Cadillac,
Michigan, Joe Helmka and wife Sharon of Howell, Michigan, Roy M. Helmka
of Virginia and Keith Helmka and wife Wendy of Cedar, Michigan, two
step-daughters: Maryann Rayner of Iowa and Diann Nowland and husband
Carl of Marion, many step-grandchildren, several step-great
grandchildren, plus numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Helmka was
preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers: Jimmy and Joey Kocur.
Funeral services for Mrs. Helmka were held Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at
11:00 a.m. from Stocking Funeral Home Harrison, with Father Noel Rudy
officiating. Memorial contributions in memory of Ilene may be considered
to: Helmka family, in care of: Jamie Kocur. To share an online
condolence or memory of Mrs. Helmka, please visit:
www.stockingfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements for Mrs. Helmka were entrusted with Stocking Funeral Home,
Harrison (989) 539-7810. *** |
WAINO RUDOLPH NIEMI
1917-2009
Waino (Bud) Rudolph Niemi, 92, of Harrison, passed away Wednesday,
May 20, 2009 at Northwoods Nursing Center of Farwell. Bud was born
January 13, 1917 in Bruce Crossing, Michigan, the son of Gust and Anna (Ranta)
Niemi. Mr. Niemi was united in marriage to the former Elaine Ellefson on
July 17, 1940 in Ironwood, Michigan. Mrs. Niemi preceded Waino in death
on December 24, 2008. Mr. Niemi had resided in Harrison since 1960,
coming from Bergland, Michigan.
Bud was a member of First Congregational Church, Harrison for
several years. Bud was co-owner of Niemi and Son Contracting of Harrison
for many years. Bud enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and at one time
was very active in Boy Scouts of America.
Surviving are two sons: Donald Niemi and wife Marguerite of
Harrison and Jack Niemi and wife Kimberly of Saginaw, Michigan, one
brother, Arvie Niemi of Bruce Crossing, four sisters: Florence Clark of
Bruce Crossing, Eva Young of Virginia, Edith Nebel of Bruce Crossing and
Ann Kananen of Gladstone, Michigan, five grandchildren: Debbie Niemi,
Denise (Doug) Johnson, Beth (Gene) Corlew, Jennifer Hill and Jeron
Bushong, eight great-grandchildren: Kasey Graves, Kalynn Graves, Trisha
Graves, Cassidy Corlew, Olivia Corlew, Kameron Hill, Whitney Johnson and
Morgan Johnson, one great great-granddaughter, Brianna Graves. Mr. Niemi
also was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Rene Niemi in 1977,
two brothers: John and Arnie Niemi and one sister, Martha Johnson.
Funeral services for Mr. Niemi were held Saturday, May 23, 2009 at
11:00 a.m. from Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison, with Pastor Gerald
Baxter officiating. Burial was in Maple Grove Cemetery, Harrison.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Niemi may be considered to:
First Congregational Church Women's Fellowship. To share an online
condolence or memory of Bud, please visit:
www.stockingfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements for Mr. Niemi were entrusted with Stocking Funeral Home,
Harrison (989) 539-7810. ***
WAYNE LEROY DUTCHER
1929-2009
Wayne Leroy Dutcher,
79, of Harrison, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at
Eaton Community Hospice House of Charlotte, Michigan. Wayne was born
August 5, 1929 in Corunna, Michigan, the son of Eugene Wayne and Bernice
(Spiegel) Dutcher. Mr. Dutcher was united in marriage to the love of his
life, Nancy Jean on July 16, 1984 in Harrison. Mrs. Dutcher preceded
Wayne in death on September 12, 2007.
Wayne had resided in Harrison since 1961, coming from Cheboygan,
Michigan. Mr. Dutcher owned and operated Dutcher's Plumbing and
Electrical of Harrison for many years. Wayne was an avid sportsman and
also enjoyed snowmobiling.
Surviving are his loving children: three daughters; Judy Jackson
and husband John of Carrollton, Texas, Pamela Dutcher of Lansing,
Michigan and Carol Arnold of Garland, Texas, two sons; Keith Dutcher of
Harrison and Ron Dutcher of Texas, one brother, Ray Dutcher and wife Dee
of Dimondale, Michigan, one sister, Barbara Pilot of St. Johns,
Michigan, eight grandchildren, Christina Marie Dutcher, Cody Allen
Dutcher, Christopher Dutcher, Charles James Dutcher, Carin Jackson,
Brian Jackson and his wife TamiLynn, Shelly Jackson Warner and her
husband Chris and Tina Jackson, eight great-grandchildren, his step-
children, Rory Bergin and wife Sandy and their children Miranda, Amber,
Philip and Rory II, Dan Bergin and his children David and Julie, Nick
Bergin and his daughter Nicole, Mike Bergin, and Maureen McRae and her
husband Christopher and her children Megan and Kiera plus numerous
nieces and nephews. Mr. Dutcher also was preceded in death by his
parents and three sisters.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on May
30, 2009 at the First Baptist Church of Harrison with Pastor Tim Tanner
officiating. Graveside service will take place at 2:00 pm on May 30th at
the Evergreen Cemetery, Frost Township, Harrison. To share an online
condolence with Wayne's family, please visit:
www.stockingfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements for Mr. Dutcher were entrusted with Stocking Funeral Home,
Harrison (989) 539-7810.
***
May 2009
Obituaries (Page 1)
May 2009
Obituaries (Page 2) |
