Jack Purdy Sherwood
Jack Purdy Sherwood, age 94, lifelong resident, born, raised and died peacefully with his family around him on February 26, 2020. Born to JC & Vance Sherwood of Fowlerville on February 16, 1926. Married for 74 years to Lucille (Klein) Sherwood. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother George Sherwood and George’s wife, Charlotte and granddaughter Amanda Sherwood of Fowlerville. Jack graduated from Fowlerville High School in 1944. After graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy and served during WW2.
After being honorably discharged, he married the love of his life, Lucy Klein. Then worked at the GM Proving Grounds for a few years before he decided to start his own, small excavation company. In the late 1960’s he partnered with Harold Parsons of Howell, MI. and became co-owner of Parsons Construction Inc.
In 1975, Jack and Lucy purchased his father-in-law’s dairy farm in Conway Township. After a devastating barn fire, they decided to rebuild and created one of the most state-of-the-art dairy operations, at the time, in Livingston County and renamed it Maple Grove Farms—where it’s still a family-operated cash crop farm.
Jack loved to read and collect movies. He also loved aviation. So much that after becoming a pilot, he and his business partner Harold Parsons built an airport on his property in Conway Township. Which is now registered as Maple Grove Airport. The local Fowlerville Rotary has held it’s yearly Dawn Patrol breakfast every September for nearly 50 years. A fundraising event that Jack was happy to host and looked forward to every year. Jack Sherwood was a kind and generous man, loved and respected by everyone who knew him. He will most definitely be missed.
He is survived by his loving wife Lucy; children, Jacqueline Hunt and Dana (Ellen) Sherwood, both of Fowlerville; grandchildren, Brian (Jackie) Sherwood of Caledonia, MI, Cody (Shannon) Sherwood of Saginaw, MI, Travis (Nichole) Hunt of Fowlerville and Dylan Hunt of Fowlerville; great grandchildren, Ayden, Aliana, Chase and Natalie; siblings, Doris Cypher and Mary Alice Vidito, both of Fowlerville.
Visitation was being held at Herrmann Funeral Home on Saturday, Feb. 29, at 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Tom Tarpley officiating. Burial followed at Benjamin Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to American Kidney or Hospice of Lansing. Arrangements entrusted to Herrmann Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at pjherrmannfuneralhome.com
Ronald Lewis Miller
On Saturday, February 22, 2020, Ronald Lewis Miller, loving husband, father, and grandfather passed away from a massive stroke at age 74.
Ron was born on January 22, 1946 in Lansing, MI to Halsey and Mary Louise (Worsfold) Miller. He graduated from Fowlerville High School in 1964, and worked at Oldsmobile final assembly until 1965 when he joined the U.S. Navy. He played trombone in the U.S. Navy show band, entertaining troops both stateside and in Saigon, Vietnam. On May 16, 1975, he married Alice Lynn (Belz) Miller. Together they raised one son, Michael Shane Miller. Upon returning from his military service he worked for General Motors in Lansing and then retired from the Milford Proving Grounds in 2002. In his retirement, he enjoyed 10 years of shuttling customers for Champion Chevrolet.
Ron’s greatest joy was raising his son and being blessed with twin granddaughters. Madison and Marissa were the fuel that brought him through many surgeries and treatments. He lived for his family and enjoyed every moment he spent with them. Ron also loved to play and coach softball in earlier years. He coached his son and many of his friends on a Babe Ruth travel baseball team for years. He also coached a women’s church softball team (that was the bigger challenge, but he loved it and carried a sense of humor through it all.)
He loved to snowmobile and spent many winters touring the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and covering large parts of Canada with his friends and family. He enjoyed camping with family and friends, particularly laughing around the campfires. Anyone that ever met Ron knew he was an avid University of Michigan sports fan; win or lose he loved following the football and basketball teams.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Halsey (1990) and Mary Lou (2000) Miller; his twin brother, Bobby Miller (1954); his brother, Halsey Miller Jr. (2015); and a sister, Susan (Miller) Hargrove (2010); and three brother-in-laws, Howard Majtyka (2003), Jack Hargrove (2020) and Jim Belz (2009).
He is survived by his wife Alice, his son Mike and twin granddaughters Madison and Marissa. He also has surviving siblings: Carol (Miller) Kirkland, Jon (Michelle) Miller, Nancy (Miller) Majtyka, Judy (Miller) & Joe Wise, as well as sister-in-laws Barbara (Firebaugh) Miller, Mary (Belz) Bitten, and Carol (Bielby) Belz. Ron had 22 nieces and nephews, 19 great nieces and nephews and eight great, great nieces and nephews. He loved them all!
The family hosted a time for visitation, with family and friends sharing their favorite anecdotes about Ron, on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at Herrmann Funeral Home, 1005 East Grand River, Fowlerville Michigan from 2– 4pm and 6–8pm. There were U.S. Navy military honors rendered at 4pm.
If anyone would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers in Ron’s memory, we have named the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. If you have an alternate charity that is near and dear to you we would be honored to have a donation in Ron’s memory to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be expressed at pjherrmannfuneralhome
Douglas L. Wilcox
Douglas L. Wilcox, 73, of The Villages in Florida, passed away on February 19, 2020. Douglas was born on May 21, 1946 in Pontiac, Michigan to Arthur and Gurnith (Shippey) Wilcox. Douglas married Loretta Britt and she preceded him in death in 2004. He married Mary Wyka on August 31, 2006 and she survives.
Douglas was a business teacher at Fowlerville High School for several years until his retirement in 2003.
He was a member of the Village of Faith Church in The Villages. Douglas and his wife founded the Michigan Club South, ran a Euchre Club, and a Table Shuffleboard Club. He served as a volunteer in Florida as a Red Cross bell ringer, at the Wildwood Booster Club, and also at the Gleaners Food Bank in Michigan.
Douglas is survived by his wife Mary; son Marcus (Stacey) of Michigan; daughter Gail (Craig) Backus of Texas; step-daughters Michele (Dennis) Anscombe of Michigan, Laurie Wyka of Arizona, Nisha Wyka of Arizona; grandchildren Jace, Etta, Nate, Curt; step-grandchildren Cody and Nick; and sister Darlene (Jim) Garver of Michigan.
There was a Memorial Service at Village of Faith Church in The Villages on Saturday, February 22, at 11:00am. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, March 8, at 2pm with a Visitation one hour prior to service at the Dexter United Methodist Church, 7643 Huron River, Dexter, Michigan. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Howell, Michigan.
Memorials may be made to Village of Faith Church, 8653 County Road 127, Wildwood, Florida 34785. On-line condolences may be shared by visiting www.bankspagetheus.com.
Mary (Spagnuolo) Moody
Mary Rossini Spagnuolo Moody went home to be with her heavenly father on January 31, 2020.
Mary was born in Fowlerville, MI and was the daughter of George and Ellen Spagnuolo, who predeceased her. As a youngster, she could often be found working at the famous Spagnuolo Confectionary Store where they made homemade candy and ice cream. She attended Fowlerville High School and enjoyed singing, drama, and reading.
Mary graduated from Lansing Community College with an Associate’s Degree, Acme Business School and also earned her paralegal degree with honors. She spent most of her career in the insurance and banking industries. Later in life, she spent several years working with Capital Area Community Services where she made many lifelong friends, including special friend Blendena Dormer.
Mary was a longtime member of the St. Gerard Church and choir, Lansing Business Women’s Association, the Italian American Club, the Red Hat Club, and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Aurora, IL.
She will always be remembered for her enthusiasm, passion and kindness for others. Her greatest achievement was being the mother of her four children.
Mary is survived by her four children, George (Sonja), Steve (Tammy), Mary Jo/Shanti (Jeff), and Greg (Sharon). She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Becky Powell (Brian), Brian Moody, Beth Young (Rob), Benjamin Moody, and Adam Moody; and seven great-grandchildren; her sisters, Dorothy Capurro (Pete-deceased), Ann DeRose (Paul), Lenore Coscarelli (Pete), special cousin Betty (Wayne) Miller; and special God-Daugher, Micheline Johnoff. She is predeceased by her brother, Frank Spagnuolo (Sue).
Later in life, she was blessed to develop very special relationships with her cousin, Rosalie Zois; and friend, Sandy Sadio (Tony). Special thanks to Sharon (her angel) who helped so much during her later years.
Funeral Mass was held at 10:30am on Friday, February 7, 2020 at St. Gerard Catholic Church, 4437 W. Willow Hwy, Lansing with Msgr. Bernard Reilly officiating. Visitation was help prior to the service at the church.
Oak Grove United Methodist Women taking orders for beef pasties
Oak Grove United Methodist Women are making their delicious beef pasties this spring. We will take orders beginning Monday, March 9. To order, call or text Andrea at 810-923-8546, or order by email at denanjust@gmail.com. Please leave your name, phone # & quantity you would like. Cost is $4.50 each. Place your order early - quantities are limited!
Proceeds go to support the mission work of the United Methodist Women. Pasty order pick-up is Thursday, April 2, 12-7p.m. at the Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 6686 Oak Grove Road, Howell (5 miles north of M-59).
Support Group for Dementia caregivers being held this Tuesday, March 3
The Support Group for Dementia caregivers is meeting at Be Our Guest Adult Day Center (a program of Livingston County. Catholic Charities), 2020 E. Grand River #103, Howell on the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 4:30–6pm. The next meeting is this Tuesday, March 3.
Join the group to learn the latest techniques to care and support your loved one suffering with dementia and related diseases, as well as tips on how to care for yourself and grow your support system. With prior notice, they also offer care for your loved one while you attend. Please call Suzi or Katie at 517-546-9910 for information or to notify staff that your loved one will be in attendance.
Howell Nature Center hosting Owl Prowl Program on Friday, March 6
The Owl Prowl Program this Friday, March 6, at the Howell Nature Center is fun for the whole family. Learn about your mysterious neighbors with a presentation starring their very own owl ambassadors, then adventure into the woods to call for wild owls. Enjoy cookies & cocoa. Recommended for ages 5+. Children under 17 must be accompanied by a participating adult. Pre-registration is required. Also offered an adult only night on March 7th. Visit www.howellnaturecenter.org for more details.
Howell United Methodist Church holding euchre party on March 7
A Euchre Party is being held on Saturday, March 7, at 2pm at First United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall on Bower Street in Howell. A $10 donation suggested, with light snacks included along with prizes. Proceeds go toward the church’s Senior High Youth Program
Livingston Centre Historic Village committee holding meeting on March 5
The first (February) monthly committee meeting of the Livingston Centre Historic Village for 2020 was cancelled due to weather. The new date is: Thursday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the fairgrounds office. In the event of bad weather, call the fair office to confirm.
The agenda has been held over: the general activities calendar for 2020 will be discussed. The first event of 2020 will be the primary fundraiser of the year, annual Gramma's Attic Sale on May 14, 15 and 16. The committee hopes community members will consider donating items for the sale. Please remember the Historic Village as you find items you no longer want or need in the coming months, as you begin spring cleaning. Donations can be dropped of on Tuesday and Wednesday preceding the sale. Please watch for more details in coming months. Volunteers are needed for set up.
Members will also receive a report of repairs underway including the completion of heat installation in the Green Church. Weddings and other events can now be planned year-around.
