Mecosta County Obituaries

Blett, George M. George M. Blett, 67, Morley, died Friday afternoon at his residence there. He was a former Pioneer employee, working in the printing department some years ago. Mr. Blett married Virgie Skinner, September 25, 1927. He was a member of the IOOF of Morley and the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints. He also worked for the Lake County Star, Newaygo Republican and the Cedar Springs Clipper.

Buckley, Mrs. Ida A. Mrs. Ida A. Buckley, 85, Morley, died Sunday at Greenridge Nursing Home, Big Rapids Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Thomas Ryan, Big Rapids; three sons, Raymond, Reed City; and Earnest and Hubert, both of Morley; two brothers, Richard Seffen, Alanson, George Steffen. Rockford, four sisters, Mrs. Tina French, Morley; Mrs. Freda White, Saranac; Mrs. Leslie Brown, Greenville and Mrs. Irene Doustraw of Grand Rapids; 14 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Rogers Germain funeral home, Howard City, Rev. Bruce Brown officiating. Burial will be in the Aetna Cemetery, Morley. Published 25 July 1971 The community extends sincere sympathy to the family of Mrs. Ida Buckley, 85. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 27, at Rogers Fermain Funeral Home, Howard City with burial in Aetna Cemetery. Mrs. Buckley had been a resident of Morley for many years. A luncheon was served at the Aetna Township Hall after the services for relatives and friends.

Davis, Mrs. Sarah 8 Aug 1912 Mrs. Sarah Davis died at her home in Green Township Monday forenoon at 10 o'clock of cancer of the face. Mrs. Sarah Davis was born in Canada in 1850, when she moved with her parents to Holland, where she resided until her marriage to James Davis at Big Rapids, living in Green Township for 38 years. She was a kind and loving wife and mother and was loved by all who knew her. She is survived by a husband and one son to mourn her loss. Contributed by Fran Upshur

Chester C. Hangstafer Nov. 22, 1975 Chester C. Hangstafer, 80, 121 Second Ave., died at Community Hospital Saturday. He was a retired city police officer having served on the local police force over 25 years. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Doreen Graboski, of Big Rapids, and one sister Mrs. Lloyd Earl, Big Rapids. His first wide Doris Gage Hangstafer died in 1941. He married Oakel Franklin in 1951. She preceeded him in death in 1974. He was a veteran of World War 1 serving in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the DAV, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and life member of the Modern Woodmen of American. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Rogers Funeral Home with the Rev. Burton Erickson officiating. Burial will be in Highland View Cemetery. Friends may call until the time of services.

Former Market Operators Dies August 6, 1966 Charles H. Hangstafer, 95, a resident of 114 N. Second, who for 40 years operated Hangstafer's Meat Market on the corner of Second and /east Maple Rd., died suddenly Saturday afternoon at the Billings Convalescent Home. A life member of the Big Rapids Masonic Lodge, he was its oldest living member at the time of his death. He was born October 20, 1870, at Marshall, moving to Big Rapids when seven years old. Surviving are one son, Chester Hangstafer, one daughter, Mrs. Lloyd Earl, and one granddaughter, Mrs. Alfred Graboskey, all of Big Rapids.

Hangstafer, Oakel 25 Jan 1974 Oakel Hangstafer, 78, 121 Second Ave., Big Rapids, died Friday evening at the Community Hospital. She was born in Big Rapids, April 6, 1895 and lived her entire life in the area. She was a member of the United Church, the Big Rapids Women's Club, the Big Rapids Garden Club, Third Ward Extension Club, Community Hospital Auxiliary and a life member of the Ferris State College Alumni Association. Surviving are her husband, Chester; two daughters, Barbarajoan Franklin, New York City; Mrs. George (Beth) Calvert, Cincinnati, Ohio; one son Jack Franklin, Western Springs, Ill; one step-daughter, Mrs. Alfred (Doreen) Graboski, Big Rapids; three granchildren; four great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Hazel Roosa, Brandenton, Fla.; and one brother, Kenneth Davis, Sandusky, Ohio. Contributed by Fran Upshur

Hunt, Theophilus C. Theophilus C. Hunt, whose death took place Monday afternoon at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. John London, was born at Holliston, Norfolk county, Mass., March 25, 1891. His father, William HUnt was a dececendant of English ancestry, and a native of Vermont. His mother also came from British ancestry. Mr. Hunt resided on a farm in Massachusetts until he was eighteen years of age, when he engaged in the hardware business along with a broither-in-law, the business being located for a time at Simcoe, Canada. After the death of his brother-in-law, which occurred about fifteen years after they went into partnership, Mr. Hunt engaged in the clock business in Connecticut, in which business he was engaged about five years, and then he went to importing teas, subsequently purchasing a steam saw mill, which he managed until 1859, in which year he came to Big Rapids from Greenville. this State, where he resided a short time. Upon coming to this place he purchased forty acres of land on section 22, where he engaged in farming and also managed a shoe shop for a time. About the year 1864 he embarked in the kumber trade, buying two hundred and eighty acres of standing pine, which was cut and placed in Lazell's mill yard. Lazell's saw mill was was then they only establishment of its kind in Big Rapids. Mr. Hunt carried on the lumber traffic four years, operating quite extensively most of the time and employed a number of men. In 1870 he bought the Waldron House, then known as the Rose House, and managed it one year, when he rented it for a year and then resumed management of the same. In 1879 his affairs became embarrassed, and he suspended active business. About the same time he was elected justice of the peace, and has held the office almost continuously ever since. He was supervisor of the fifth ward in 1880 and 1882, and was defeated for Alderman in said ward at the late spring election, at which time he caught cold, the effects of which caused his death. He was married in Canada in 1839 to Martha A. Harris, and three of the children born to them are now living -- W.A. Hunt and Mrs. John London, of this city, and C.G. Hunt, of Minneapolis, Minn. Mrs. Hunt is also living, and as of this writing quite ill. The funeral will take place from the residence of Mr. London, on Osceola street, next Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Big Rapids Pioneer, Thursday April 10, 1891.

Richardson, Cyrus F. Cyrus F. Richardson, one of the oldest residents of this county, died last Monday at his residence three miles west of town, after an illness of about two months. Mr. Richardson was born in Ohio April 11,1838, and removed with his parents to Grand Rapids, this State in 1843. At the age of 22 years he came to this county and engaged in lumbering, which business he pursued one season. In the spring of '61 he bought 80 acres of land on section 8, Big Rapids township, where he established his hojme and resided up to the time of hisdeath. He served in the war as private in Company L. First Mich., Engineers and Mechanics, and was a member of the M.E. Church a number of years. He held the office of township treasurer four successive years , and was also justice of the peace two or more terms. He was married in 1860 to Miss Maria Younard, of Grand Rapids, and was the father of six children, four of whom are now living. Mr. Richardson was greatly respected and beloved by all his acquaintances , being regarded as a remarkably upright man in all of his dealings, and a man f intelligence and refinement. He will be greatly missed in the community in which he has so long resided. Big Rapids Pioneer, Thursday April 10, 1891.

Seaman, Fred 26 Feb 1971 Fred Seaman, 72, R. 4, Big Rapids, died Friday in Community Hospital. He was born October 1, 1898 in Barton Township, Newaygo County, and has lived in the area all his life. He is survived by his wife, Lillian, three sons, Ellis, Paris; Glen, R. 4, Big Rapids; Orville, R. 2, Reed City; two daughers, Mrs. Ilene Cain, Stanwood; Mrs. Edna Sunquist, Paris; two grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; one brother, Orrie Seaman, Ypsilanti; two sisters, Mrs. Mildred Martiny, Rodney and Mrs. Lens Gilbert, New York. One daughter, Dorothy preceeded him in death. Funeral services will be Monday at 2:30 p.m., from Rogers Funeral Home, the Rev. Michael Steer officiating. Burial will be in Davenport Cemetery. Contributed by Fran Upshur

Smith, Mrs. Eliza (Barry) Pioneer - Monday evening February 28, 1910 Mrs Eliza Smith ( Barry ) a Former resident of this City, died at St Joseph Saturday. The Body is expected here tomorrow forenoon on the 9:25 train and will be taken to the cemetary. She was mother in law to Ben Coleman, who was at one time a mill wright for the Darrah-Milling company. Her daughter Mrs Coleman will accompany the body here. Contributed by Mary

Steinke, Fred F. 17 Mar 1974 Fred F. Steinke died Sunday at the Greenridge Nursing Home at the age of 90. He was born on Sept. 25, 1883 in Germany and came to Michigan as a small child. He lived in the Howard City area, Morley, the Muskegon area and White Cloud before coming to Big Rapids in 1973. He worked most of his life as a carpenter and farmer. Mr. Steinke is survived by three sons; Walter, Stanwood, Alfred and Vernon of Big Rapids; two daughters, Mrs. Wsley (Laura) Morrison, Rogers Heights, Mrs. Donald (Edith) McCuliffe, Sparta; one sister, Mrs. Lena Hacker of Ionia; five brothers, Ferman, Detroit Lakes, Minn., Albert, Saranac, Rudolph, Indian River, Arnold, Kalamazoo, Adolph of Morley; several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Contributed by Fran Upshur

Wallsteadt, Bernice A. Mrs. Bernice A. Wallsteadt 70, Morley, died Friday morning in Southfield after an extended illness. Cremation followed. She was born Sept. 15, 1903 in Newberry, she was a member of the Morley Senior Citizens, Northland Methodist Church of Stanwood and the WSCS of the church. Surviving are her husband Carl, Morley; three daughters Mrs. Betty Havlick, Alpena; Mrs. Dela Granstrom, Warren; and Mrs. Mary Hellem, Mount Clemens; 17 grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Frances Pope, Colorado; one brother George Reno, Grand Rapids; and five step-children, John Wallsteadt. Springfield, Ohio; Donald Bloomfield, Midland; Duane Bloomfield, Mrs. Marie Welton, and Mrs. Marge Dufee, Farmington. Memorial services will be Monday at 2 p.m. at the Northland United Church in Stanwood with the Rev. Nolan Williams officiating. Memorial contributions may be made at the Northland Methodist Church. Arrangements are being made by the Bliss Funeral Home in Ceder Springs. Publshed: 5 April 1974

Young, Emma G. It is seldom that we are called upon to record a more sad and afflicting death than has occured in our city, Miss Emma G. Young died of typho-malarial fever at the residence of Dr. W.A. Whitney, at 2:30 o'clock this morning. We naturally expect the aged to leave us, but youth,, with all its coming years of happiness, and apparently a bright future before it, we cannot spare. On the 9th of December last, Miss Young, daughter of Henry and Mary Young, of Oswego, N.Y., came to this city on a visit to the family of Alfred L. Clark, and if possible to regain her health, which not not admit of her attending school. Mrs. Clark is a sister of her mother, making the young lady a cousin of Mrs. Dr. Whitney, with whom she has been visiting several weeks. Miss Young attended the Old Settler's party on Friday evening, the 13th inst, and it is thought may have taken cold, as she was complaining of not feeling well the day following. Noi serious result was apprehended, even as her illness continued. All symptoms seemed to the physician to point to a favorable recovery until last night, when a rapid change took place with the sad and fatal termination. Miss Young, who was twenty years old, was an educated and accomplished young lady, who since her coming among us, has endeared herself to, and won the love and affection of, her companions, and the high esteem of all with whom she came in contact. Her death comes with a crushing blow, and casts a gloom over a large circle of her new made friends in Big Rapids. She has previously attended a female seminary in Philadelphia two years, and had she lived, expected to have returned and graduated at that institution. A son and daughter, both her seniors are left to the family. Letters and telegrams have gone to the afflicted parents, and they are expected to arrive tomorrow. We would glady draw a veil over the terrible reception which awaits the coming of that sorrowing household, who may at this moment yet cherush a hope for their daughter's recovery. LATER - We are able to announce that a telegram from Mr. and Mrs. Young requests that the remains of their daughter be sent home and the body will therefore be placed in its casket and accompanied to New York tomorrow. Pioneer News - February 25, 1885.