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Maple Grove Township

Age 84, passed away on Friday, November 9, 2007, at the MediLodge Nursing Home of Montrose. Robert Cornelius Birchmeier was born on January 10, 1923, the son of the late Frank and Lena (Schlachter) Birchmeier, in Maple Grove Township. He married Maejett Raleigh on June 25, 1949, and she survives him. Robert retired from the Stanton Seed & Feed in Saginaw in 1986. He also worked for many years at the New Lothrop elevator as a truck driver. Robert was a life member fo the Knights of Columbus in Chesaning. He loved to farm, garden and play cards.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Maejett; three children, Tom and Connie Birchmeier, of Holt, Robert Birchmeier, of Falkville, Ala., and Sandy and Richard Shuster, of Oakley; four grandchildren, Zachary (Emily Crawford) Birchmeier, Eli Birchmeier, Chad Shuster, Erica (Jonathan) Bishop; one sister, Evelyn Bila; many nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Betty Baldwin, of Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and five sisters.

Funeral liturgy was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 12, 2007, at St. Michael Catholic Church of Maple Grove. Rev. Fr. Randy Kelly officiated, with burial in St. Michael Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to the Whelpley-Martin Funeral Home in New Lothrop. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Twin Township Ambulance, Maple Grove Fire Department or MediLodge Nursing Home of Montrose. Please share condolences with the family through www.wmartinfuneralhome.com.

MARTHA BIRCHMEIER

Maple Grove Township

Age 101, passed away Saturday, November 10, 2007 at MediLodge Nursing Home of Montrose. Martha Emmendorfer was born on November 26, 1905, in Maple Grove Township, the ninth of 13 children to the late Martin and Elizabeth (Schneider) Emmendorfer. Martha married Albert Birchmeier on January 13, 1934 and together they raised 11 children. He preceded her in death in 1961. Martha was a current member of St. Michael Catholic Church of Maple Grove and a former member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. She was a charter member of the Chesaning Daughters of Isabella and was active as long as her health allowed. Martha was always close to God, passed her deep faith on to her family and prayed the Rosary daily. She was a great wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. Martha enjoyed many things in life, but a good party was always at the top of her list. She also enjoyed traveling, bowling, crocheting, tatting, playing cards, sewing, making crafts, cooking and baking. She had a wonderful sense of humor.

Martha leaves to cherish her memory approximately 250 family members, including three daughters and eight sons: Albert and Linda Birchmeier, of Chesaning, Dallas and Carolyn Birchmeier, of Chesaning, Sr. Josephine Mary Birchmeier, of Grand Rapids Domincan Sisters, Daniel and Janice Birchmeier, of Ithaca, Frederick "Tony" and Marion Birchmeier, of Oakley, Janice and Dallas Angst, of New Lothrop, Vincent "Winnie" and Eleanor Birchmeier, of Chesaning, Lawrence "Larry" and Elaine Birchmeier, of Owosso, Norbert and Joan Birchmeier, of St. Charles, Carl and Marge Birchmeier, of Chesaning, and Alberta and Peter Young, of Chesaning; 51 grandchildren; 92 great-grandchildren; 26 great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Marcella Wendling; one sister-in-law, Hilda Emmendorfer; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Besides her parents and her husband, Martha was predeceasd by nine grandchildren, seven brothers, five sisters, many in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

Martha's funeral liturgy was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at St. Michael Catholic Church of Maple Grove. Rev. Fr. Randy Kelly officiated, with burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Martha's memory may be considered to Sr. Margaret Mary Birchmeier of the Chimbotte, Peru Maternity Hospital or Twin Township Ambulance. Arrangements were entrusted to the Walker-Martin Funeral Home, Chesaning. www.wmartinfuneralhome.com.

ROBERT E. "BOB" FRIES

New Lothrop

Age 80, passed into the hands of our Lord on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at his residence, surrounded by his family who loved him. He was born in Gladwin on February 9, 1927, the son of Chloe and George Fries. He was the youngest of 13 children. In high school he participated in basketball and football. He was on the basketball team for the 1942-43 winning season. He graduated from Gladwin High School and went into the U.S. Army. After his discharge, he spent the next two years at Central Michigan University, then returned to military service in the U.S. Air Force. He married Dorothy Kutchin, of Pigeon, on May 3, 1958 at All Saints Episcopal Church in Prudenville. They purchased a home in Flint and Bob worked for General Motors until his retirement in 1982. He worked for the accounting department at Fisher Body on S. Saginaw Street in Flint. For fun, he participated in the Flint Community Players, where he made costumes. He made costumes for a number of plays, including "Oliver," "The Princess and the Pea," "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown," and also "I Remember Momma," for which he received an award for best costumes. Bob and Dorothy had six children: Robert, Randy, Rhonda, Ryan, Rachelle and Russell. In December of 1973 they moved the family to New Lothrop. Bob had a strong resolve to help people. He and Dorothy were founding members of Twin Township Ambulance service of New Lothrop, where they worked for a number of years both driving and attending on the ambulance. In 2003, Bob was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and had the determination to fight it, without complaint. Bob really enjoyed his grandchildren. When his first grandchild, Terry, was born, he and Dorothy drove to Georgia to be with his daughter, Rhonda and her husband, Jeff Baryo. Again with his second grandchild, Tracey, he flew out to Washington State and spent a month with Rhonda, Jeff and Terry.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughter, Rhonda Baryo; sons, Robert and Rita Fries, Ryan and Melinda Fries, Russell and Susan Fries; grandchildren, Terry Baryo, Jordan Fries, Jacob Fries, Jeffery Fries and Jennifer Fries. Robert was preceded in death by his son, Randy, daughter, Rachelle, and a grandson, Tracey Baryo.

A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at the New Lothrop United Methodist Church. Arrangements were entrusted to the Whelpley-Martin Funeral Home of New Lothrop. www.wmartinfuneralhome.com.

GEORGE H. DAVIS

New Lothrop

Age 70, passed away Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at St. Mary's of Michigan Hospital. George Henry Davis was born in Flint on August 4, 1937 to Albert L. and Amanda (Bosse) Davis. He married Alma Raleigh on June 8, 1957. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve, was a member of the New Lothrop Nazarene Church and was a licensed builder, whieh he enjoyed very much. In 1998 George retired from Buick in Flint.

He is survived by his wife, Alma; their children, Denise Rieger, of Indiana, David Davis, of Chesaning, and Susan Davis, of New Lothrop; five grandchildren, Joseph (Ginger) Rieger, Jason (Amanda) Rieger, Josh (Kayce) Rieger, Barbara Rieger, Ben Davis; two great-grandchildren, Alyssa Leigh Rieger, Audrey Marie Rieger; one sister, Darleen Hewitt; and several nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Jeanie Marie Rieger and Brooke Emily Davis; four brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at the Whelpley-Martin Funeral Home, New Lothrop. Rev. Jeffrey Williams officiated, with burial at Flint Memorial Park Cemetery. Please share condolences with the family through www.wmartinfuneralhome.com.