All Obituaries

Paula Deane Bridges, age 63, of Columbiaville, passed away on Saturday, September 18, 2921 at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. Paula was born in Detroit on November 22, 1957, the daughter of Ray and Irene (Morrison) McGrath. She was a graduate of Oxford High School. Paula was a hair stylist. She owned and worked at the Hair Stable and Sun Corral in North Branch. Paula loved the outdoors. She enjoyed rock hunting and spending time with family and friends at Barnes Lake. Paula is survived by her...

Christine (Christy) Smith, age 56, of Royal Oak, passed away at her home on Sunday, September 12, 2021 with her family by her side. Christy was born on May 20, 1965, in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Charleen Biebel and James Smith. She grew up in the Royal Oak area and was a graduate of Dondero High School. Christy worked as an Inventory Supervisor. She enjoyed hiking, traveling, photography and ancestry.    Christy is survived by her step-mom, Renee Smith,...

Julie Ann Hoffman, age 57, of North Branch passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at McLaren Lapeer Region.  Julie was born on September 7, 1964 in Lapeer, MI, the daughter of William and Helen (Conn) Noakes. She grew up in the Dryden area. Julie was a homemaker. She loved to spend her time at home taking care of her family and having family time together. She enjoyed reading and cooking, feeding the birds and tending to her flower gardens Julie is survived by her daughters,...

John (Chuck) Colman Burnette, age 72  of North Branch  passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021.  Chuck  was born on July 3, 1949, in Flint, MI, the son of John Colman and Ida Julia (Reynolds) Burnette. He was a 1967 graduate of North Branch High School. Chuck proudly served in the United States Marines during the Vietnam era.  On April 21, 1989, he married Marcia Klauka in Lapeer, MI.  Chuck retired from GM Truck & Bus after 31 years. He enjoyed hunting,...

Ernest Fantin, age 83, of North Branch, passed away on September 1, 2021 at  McLaren Lapeer Region.  Ernie was born on August 30, 1938 in Fanzolo, Italy, the son of Natale and Edevige (Miatello) Fantin. The family came to the United States when he was just a child. He grew up in the North Branch area and was a 1959 graduate of North Branch Area Schools. On April 29, 1961, he married Patricia Traubenkraut at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in North Branch, MI.  Ernie...

 Marian Taylor, age 93, of Marlette passed away on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at her home with her family at her side. Marian was born on February 5, 1928, in Paris, Ohio, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Dres.  She grew up in the Hazel Park, MI area.    Marian worked since the age of 14 as a waitress, from Detroit to Florida.  In Florida she owned her own catering business. Marian enjoyed sewing, crafts, her flowers and playing euchre with her friends in...

John Linck, age 84, of Lapeer, passed away on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at his home with his family at his side. John was born February 16, 1937, in North Branch, the son of Clarence and Florence (Bruman) Linck.  John grew up on the family farm on Hasslick Road in North Branch. He proudly served in the United States Army. John worked at Stroh’s Brewery in Detroit, MI. On October 17, 1969 he married Joanne Blair in Detroit, MI.   John enjoyed farming, gardening, playing cards...

Sheila W. Ragatz , age 88 of Imlay City passed away on Tuesday, August 31, 2021  with her family by her side. Sheila was born in Kings Mill on March 29, 1933 the daughter of George and Hazel (Spencer) Mack Sr. She grew up in the Kings Mill area and attended Kings Mill Country School. She married the love of her life, Max Ragatz, who preceded her in death.  She worked at Oakdale State Home for many years before retiring.   Sheila’s time spent with her family was special...

Sandy M. Lake, age 91, a life-time resident of North Branch passed away on August 28, 2021 at her home.  Sandy was born on October 28, 1929 in North Branch to Sandy and Florence (Tietz) Rutledge.  She grew up in North Branch and graduated from the University of Michigan – Flint with a BA in elementary education.  She taught in the Lakeville School District for 20 years before retiring.  She married Clare E. Lake in 1949 and had 4 children, Kathy (David) Coleman,...

Mary Kay Johnson, age 62, of North Branch passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw, MI. Mary Kay was born in Marlette, MI on September 14, 1958, the daughter of Willard and Catherine (Yaklevich) Bader. She lived in North Branch all her life. She attended North Branch Area Schools and was a 1976 graduate.    Mary Kay married her high school sweetheart, Al Johnson on July 16, 1977 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in North...