Obituaries
Sylvia Williams
Sylvia Williams, 86, of Vermontville passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at her home.
Funeral Services will be held at The Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, with Pastor Karen Kinney officiating.
The family will receive visitors on Friday, May 4, 2018, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Daniels Funeral Home. Interment will take place immediately following the funeral service at Freemire Cemetery in Sunfield Township.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Maple Valley Scholarship Foundation or the Lake Odessa Historical Society.
For further details, please visit danielsfuneralhome.net.
Phyllis O. Hollister
Phyllis Ordeilia Hollister, 85, of Bellevue, died peacefully at home Thursday, April 19, 2018. She was born July 27, 1932, the daughter of Orien G. Smith and Eunice (Reed) Smith in Hoopeston, Ill.. She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1950. In that summer she married George Hollister. She was a Chicago city girl that friends teased would probably marry a farmer when she left for the wilds of Michigan in 1948. Indeed, for 62 years she enjoyed life on the farm with him. After their three children were born, Phyllis’ mother passed away and she and George raised her teenage sister and brother. In later years they also helped raise their grandsons at the death of their daughter, Janese. Family was important to them and they embraced life’s tragedies with optimism and hope for the future.
She was a member of the Bellevue United Methodist Church for more than 65 years, served 15 years as Sunday school leader, and enjoyed many years of friendship with the United Methodist Women. She was also church secretary for several years. For over 30 years she was a member of the Women’s 20th Century Club of Bellevue. She was active in the Bellevue Historical Society. She also worked many years as the Bellevue Elementary librarian, as well as librarian for the Township. She and George greatly enjoyed travelling on bus trips with friends and camping. She was a gifted painter, basket maker, and gardener. She made many presents of her crochet; embroidery, and homemade sourdough french bread (known as the Bread Lady). She was also a very avid reader and especially loved American history (thank you book club friends for sharing many of those words on page). Phyllis was a woman of great faith, strength, and determination. Generous with her time and love. Humble and of great character. She will be missed by many, many people whose lives she touched. She will best be remembered as wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Thank you Lord for taking her Home.
Phyllis is survived by daughter, Kathryn Hollister of Carbondale, Ill.; son, David (Jennie) Hollister of Bellevue; grandchildren, Cade W. Rugg, Craig O. Rugg, Janeice (Rick) Little, Eric (Jessica) Hollister; great-grandchildren, Kyle Little, Marissa Little, Caroline Wagner, Cade Rugg, Carson Hollister, and Adam Hollister; special sister, Janet Moon; and brother, Larry Smith.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Janese; son in-law, Stuart O. Rugg; and grandson, Christopher J. Rugg.
The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Bellevue United Methodist Church. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m., with Pastor Gini Heller officiating. Interment will be held at Riverside Cemetery.
Family requests memorial contributions be directed to the Bellevue Historic Society, Bellevue Public Library, or Oaklawn Hospice.
Friends may send condolences or share a memory at kempffuneralhome.com.
Carroll W. Smith
Carroll Wyllis Smith, 84, of Nashville, passed away on April 27, 2018. Carroll was a proud veteran of the United States Army. After his time in the military, he met and married the love of his life, Alexandra Dexter and they were married for 58 years. Together they raised four children.
Carroll enjoyed working with wood and making all different kinds of crafts that he would take to flea markets and sell. He owned and operated C & A Auctions from the years of 1993 until 2005. He especially loved his family and meeting new people at the auctions or flea markets. He had a special place in his heart for babies and little kids. He enjoyed being around the kids as often as he could.
Carroll is survived by his wife; daughters, Alicia (James) Rice of Marquette, Mandy (Joel) Tye of Fort Wayne, Ind.; son, Mark (Teresa) Smith of Nashville; daughter-in-law, Amy Smith; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Alverta (Ron) Lea, and brother Richard (Becky) Smith.
He is preceded in death by his son, Carroll Bart Smith; brothers, Robert and Bruce Smith; and sister, Myrna Avery.
Funeral services were held May 3, 2018 at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Service in Bellevue, with Pastor Jerry Bukoski officiating. Interment was at Maple Grove Township Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Kalamo United Methodist Church. Friends may send condolences or share a memory at Kempffuneralhome.com.
Karen M. Coplin
Karen Marie Coplin, 59, of Nashville, went home to heaven April 28, 2018. Karen was born May 15, 1958 in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., the daughter of Homer and Joan (Squires) Parish. A hairdresser since high school, Karen loved working from home raising her three boys. She was always doing crafts like scrap booking, cross stitch, and sewing. Keeping her house clean made her proud and she loved a fresh coat of paint every three-to-five years. In 2010 Karen began working in the food services department for Maple Valley Schools, continuing her care for the students until she became ill.
Karen was an active member of Nashville Baptist Church, where she was 2018 choir member of the year and played Mrs. Fizzywig in a Christmas play “The Gospel According to Scrooge.”
Karen is survived by her loving husband Steve; sons, Kendrick (Dannielle) Coplin, Micah Coplin, Austin (Sheridan) Coplin; her grandchildren were her pride and joy, Logan, Wyatt, and Aria.
A memorial service at Nashville Baptist Church was held Thursday, May 3, with Lester DeGroot officiating.
Memorial contributions can be made to Nashville Baptist Church.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details, please visit danielsfuneralhome.net.
John P. Maurer
John P. “Pete” Maurer, 89, passed away Saturday, April 28, 2018. He was the fourth of 14 children, of John and Germaine Maurer and graduated from Nashville High School in 1946. He received his BS in Physics from Michigan State University and was a long time resident of Ann Arbor. Working in quality control for many years, his life long passion was physics. He attended a course at Eastern Michigan University when he was 80 years old trying to expand his understanding of modern physics. His additional hobbies included bridge and number theory. As a life long bachelor, he was a colorful character with a unique approach to life who told memorable stories at family gatherings. He will be remembered by many for his beautiful voice and Christmas celebrations singing O Holy Night.
John is survived by four brothers; Julius (Kay) Maurer, Thomas (Sharon) Maurer, Richard (Ina) Maurer and Edgar Maurer; four sisters, Sr. Gertrude Maurer, Martha Maurer, Gerry (Art) Orszula, and Susan (John) Bahs, many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Germaine Maurer; grandmother, Alice Hebert; brothers; Roger Maurer, Donald Maurer, Joseph Maurer, and Victor Maurer; sister, Alice Keeler; beloved aunt, Corinne Drake; brother-in-law, Dean Keeler; sister-in-law, Louise Maurer; sister-in-law, Nancy Maurer and Marcia Bila.
A memorial service will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hastings on May 12, 2018 at 11 a.m. Funeral arrangements were made by Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville.