Obituary:
Christopher Robert "Chris" Heimberger, age 62, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Friday, February 19, 2021, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center, Alma.
Chris was born in Alma, MI, on December 10, 1958, the son of Robert and Julie (Kinney) Heimberger. He graduated from Ithaca High School.
Chris worked with his best friend and cousin Dave Kinney, Jr. in Alma doing auto body repair for many years. He loved fishing, mushrooming, hunting, and anything else outdoors. He enjoyed taking things apart and repairing them.
Chris is survived by his parents Robert and Julie Heimberger, daughter Cassandra (Lonnie) Oswald of Ashley, and 3 grandchildren: Trey Gurski, Javin McCaul, and Maylee Oswald. He is also survived by his brother Kim (Laurie) Heimberger and their children: Brian and Sara Heimberger, sister Karrie (Roger) Hansen and their children: Brandie (Jason) Yates, and Corrie Hansen; and great-niece Emberly Yates. Chris was preceded in death by infant brother Cory Michael Heimberger.
The family requests that donations be made to Gift of Life - 3861 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
- Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI.

 

  

  

Obituary:
Leslie Eugene Whitford, age 80 of Ashley, MI died Saturday, April 6, 2019 at the Ashley
Care Center surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at Bethel Mennonite Church, Ashley, MI on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Zella Daniel officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.
Leslie was born in Ashley, Mi on March 11, 1939 the first born son of Gene and Dorothy (Slagell) Whitford. He graduated from Ashley High School with the class of 1957 and studied agriculture at Michigan State University. On December 29, 1957 he married Marilyn Joyce Camburn and they raised three children on the farm near Ashley. Marilyn preceded him in death on April 29, 2013 after 55 years of marriage. Leslie worked at MMPA in Ovid for several years then Federal Mogul in St. Johns for 8 years on the midnight shift while farming and milking cows and running Whitford Wrecker Service which he started in the late 60's and continued to present. He also did backhoe work, installing septic systems, drain fields and any projects that involved digging. He sat on several boards, including Washington Township as Clerk, Gratiot County Board of Commissioners, and Gratiot County Road Commission. He was a past member of the Ashley Lions Club, and Volunteer for the Ashley Fire Department. He was proud to host training sessions for the Ashley Fire and Rescue, providing wrecked cars for the Jaws of Life and rescue program. He always wanted to help people.
Leslie was a member of the Bethel Mennonite Church, and also enjoyed attending the Pompeii U.M. Church and Chapin U.M. Church and East Washington U.B. Church.
Leslie will be remembered for playing guitar and singing with family and friends, attending music jams all over Michigan and the UP. Never left his guitar home when traveling. He and Marilyn hosted the 'Whitford Jam' for many years on their farm near Ashley where many came to camp for the weekend and enjoy great fellowship with Gospel and Bluegrass music, great food and hospitality. He will also be remembered for his fun loving pranks, playing jokes and picking on the people he loved. In recent years he truly enjoyed spending time with his special friend, Kathy Vandeusen. He is survived by his children, daughter, Luanne Billings (Jim Dershem) sons, Eugene 'Jose' (Brenda) Whitford, and Kelly Whitford all of Ashley, MI. Grandchildren, Matt Whitford, Sarah and Tony Siecinski, Rachel Billings, Ryan Billings. 4 Great grandchildren, Hannah, Garrett, Addyson and Peyton and a great grandson due in August. Also sister, Barbara Elaine (Gene) Slagel of Midland and brother Eldon (Ann) Whitford of Reed City and sister in laws, Judy Whitford of St. Johns, Lois Emery of Ashley Margaret Saylor of Okemos, and many special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, Parents in 2016, Brother Gary in 2014. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
- McGeehan Funeral Homes

 

Obituary:
Marilyn Joyce Whitford, age 73, of Ashley, Michigan died Monday, April 29th, 2013 at Ashley Care Center.
Funeral Services will be held at Bethel Mennonite Church, Ashley, Michigan on Friday, May 3rd at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Joe Pendleton officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday May 1, 2013 from 6-8 P.M. and on Thursday, May 2, 2013 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, Michigan
Marilyn was born in Ashley, Michigan on July 13, 1939, the daughter of Clare and Marian (Rogers) Camburn. She graduated from Ashley High School with the class of 1957. On December 29, 1957 she married Leslie E. Whitford in Edgewood, Michigan.
Marilyn was the former Washington Township Clerk, and had worked for G.T.E. She enjoyed gardening, playing music and was a Jeff Gordon fan. She was a member of the Ashley Lions Club and served on the Gratiot County Mental Health Board for 20 years. Marilyn was a member of Bethel Mennonite Church.
She loved spending time with her family and friends attending and camping at Music Jams all over Michigan and the U.P. She and Leslie hosted the "Whitford Jams" for many years on their farm near Ashley where many came to camp for the weekend and enjoy great fellowship with Gospel and Bluegrass music, great food and hospitality. Marilyn was a wonderful helpmate to Leslie on the farm, always outside milking the cows and taking care of the animals and doing whatever needed to be done.
Marilyn will always be remembered for her love of animals, raising St. Bernard Dogs and never turning away any strays that may have wandered in.
She always had a big garden, preserving fruits and vegetables for her family. She loved sharing it with family and friends.
She is survived by husband, Leslie Whitford of Ashley, MI; 1 daughter, Luanne Billings of Ashley, MI; 2 sons, Eugene (Jose) and Brenda Whitford of Ashley, MI;
Kelly Whitford of Ashley, MI; 4 grandchildren, Matt and Lacey Whitford, Sarah and Tony Siecinski, Rachel Billings, Ryan Billings, 4 great grandchildren, Hannah, Garrett, Addyson, Peyton, 3 sisters, Lois Emery, Margaret Saylor, Inez Keidel, brother, Bill and Chris Chant. She is also survived by her mother and father in law, Gene and Dorothy Whitford.
She was predeceased by her parents, 3 brothers, Clare Camburn, Merlin McNaughton, Roger Chant. Memorial may be made to Bethel Mennonite Church or a charity of the donor's choice.
Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca Chapel Ithaca, Michigan.

 

  

  

Obituary:
Jeffrey Crocker passed away November 30, 2022, at Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids Michigan with his family by his side.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Edgewood Church of God, Ithaca, MI, on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Dave Perry officiating.
Jeff was born July 2, 1957, in Saginaw Michigan to Robert and Phyllis Crocker. Jeff graduated from Ashley High with the class of 1975, where he met his wife, Laura (Lori) Stoneman. They recently celebrated 45 years of marriage and were blessed with two children, and four grandchildren.
At a very young age, Jeff knew he wanted to be a farmer and spent his life mastering those skills. He worked most of his life in the agricultural field. Whether it was fertilizer, chemicals or seed � Jeff was the guy to see. He was amazing with his numbers. By memory he could tell farm customers what was planted in their fields for the past ten years, what seed and fertilizer they used and if they needed to spray or didn�t!
Jeff worked long days and years for agriculture businesses becoming a farming expert and still managed to create a small family farm for his family. He worked from sun up to sun down most of his life.
Jeff was an avid deer hunter. This was the first year in fifty-one years that he was not out there on opening day. His son and grandsons all tagged some nice bucks and that made his day. He loved talking to the neighbors on opening day and hearing about what they got (or missed).
Jeff also trapped for numerous years. A tradition that started with his Dad continued with his cousin Kelvin, then son and grandson. He bought Lori her first ring from his fur money.
Jeff loved to coon hunt until he was no longer able to walk the miles in the woods. He was instrumental in keeping the Michigan United Coon Hunters Club (Maple Rapids) going. He loved hearing the dog�s tree.
Jeff cherished his family. He made sure his family�s needs were taken care of before his own. He never missed a ball game, a horse show, or garden tractor pull, always on the sidelines supporting them. He tried to be at most of his grandkids events too. The past few years were difficult for him to walk but if he could be there by driving and watching from his truck or golf cart � he was there.
You could often see Jeff cruising the back roads on his golf cart checking his cattle and crops (neighbor�s crops too). He loved his community and chatting with his neighbors. He spent many hours at his father-in-law's having coffee and farm discussions. He loved a good cup of coffee, auctions and anyplace where he could talk about farming.
He is survived by his wife Laura; daughter Lacey (Derek Elkins) Whitford; son Ben (Stacy Bockheim) Crocker; grandchildren: Hannah and Garrett Whitford, Bailey and Skylar Crocker; bonus grandkids: Ryan, Leslie and Luke Bockheim, Jaden and Emmy Davis; sisters: Judy Miller and Deb Leonard; sisters and brother-in-law: Mary Osborn, Deana Yelsik, Kristy Stahl, Marvin Stoneman Jr., and Karen Bonham; many nephews, nieces and cousins; special friends: Gerry & George Wiard and Conrad Rattay. Jeff was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Phyllis Crocker, niece Katrina Miller, father and mother in-law Marvin and Frances Stoneman Sr., sister-in-law Brenda Hughes, and his dog Katie.
Jeff�s last crop is planted in the field and he is now walking in greener pastures. He left some big shoes to fill and heavy hearts but the family knows he loved them most.
In lieu of flowers, Jeff wanted donations to be made to Ashley FFA in care of Amber McAllister, 104 New Street, Ashley, MI 48806.
- Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.