All Obituaries

William J. Petitt, age 58, of North Branch passed away peacefully June 1, 2023, with family by his side.  Bill was born on September 15, 1964, in Lapeer MI, son of Carl and Lequita (Godwin) Petitt.  He was a 1983 graduate of North Branch High School. On September 13, 1986 he married his high school sweetheart Natalie Kay, in Mayville Michigan at the Pleasant View Free Methodist Church. Throughout his life Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, horseback riding and wood working.  He...

Victor “Vic” Alvin Rhoda, age 75 of North Branch went to be home with his heavenly Father, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at the United Hospice Service of Marlette Regional Hospital. Vic was born on December 3, 1947 in Ottamwa, Iowa, the son of Victor Wayne and Pauline (Simmons) Rhoda.  On August 4, 1971, he married Gwendolyn Sanborn.  Vic proudly served our country in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era. He worked many years at Production Threaded Parts in North...

Mary Schwerin Hall of Arcadia Township/Kings Mill went home to be with her Lord on May 3, 2023. Mary was born on June 22, 1924, to the late George Sr. and Josephine (Vielhaber) Schank. Mary was born in the family farm house, fourth of eleven children. She graduated 8th grade from Oak Grove School. Mary helped out at home, watched the children for her mother and helped her dad with the cows and farming in the fields when she was needed. At the age of 14, she began working for a local family,...

Cleo Viola Hilts, age 90, of North Branch passed away at her home on Sunday, April 30, 2023 with her family by her side. Cleo was born in Deerfield Township on November 24, 1932, the daughter of Earl and Verna (Butterfield) Coe. Cleo grew up in North Branch area and attended North Branch Area Schools.  She retired from AC Spark Plug/Delphi.  Cleo enjoyed doing ceramics, stained glass, tending to her flower gardens, feeding and watching the birds. She loved spending time with her...

Judith Yvonne McDowell, age 88, of Fostoria passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Judy was born on October 20, 1934, in Decatur, IL. to Hugh and Evelyn (Suddith) Manning.    Judy grew up in Flushing.  On August 15, 1953 Judy married Carl McDowell in Flushing, MI. Judy always had an open heart and an open door to whoever wanted to stop by, which usually ended up being 9 to 15 people for a casual unplanned visit.  She was an amazing baker, and we will forever keep her...

Brennen G.Zimmerman, age 26, of North Branch passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at his home.  Brennen was born on January 26, 1997 in Grand Rapids, the son of Kim Colon Brooks (Ty Walker). He grew up in the North Branch area and was a 2015 graduate of North Branch High School. He owned his own construction business, BZ Construction. He enjoyed building and remodeling homes and pole barns. Brennen was a true outdoorsman. He loved riding snowmobiles, dirt bikes and water fowl...

Marjorie M. Orr, age 98, of North Branch, passed away peacefully, Saturday, April 8, 2023 with her family by her side. Marge was born on October 15, 1924 to Guy and Lepha (Leavens) Ross in North Branch, MI.  She grew up in North Branch graduating from North Branch High School in 1942. On October 18, 1947 she married Daniel S. Orr at the First United Methodist Church in North Branch. Marge worked at the Post office in North Branch for over 30 years.  She was very active in the...

Mark A. DeGroat, age 56, of North Branch, passed away on April 5, 2023, at the United Hospice Services of Marlette Regional Hospital. Mark was born on May 29, 1966, in Lapeer, the son of Clark and Beverly (Ball) DeGroat. Mark grew up in the Brown City Area and was a 1984 graduate of Lapeer East. He was a construction worker. Mark married Lorrie Daniels in Brown City on July 10, 1993.  Mark enjoyed hunting, fishing, running his beagles, woodworking. He loved nature, planting trees and...

Bonnie Sanford, age 68, from North Branch passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital. Bonnie was born on April 11, 1954, in Marlette, the daughter of John “Jack” and Margaret (Gorde) Sanford. Bonnie grew up in the North Branch area and was a 1972 graduate of North Branch High School.  She worked in the clothing department at Wal-Mart.  Bonnie enjoyed tending to her flower garden, her vegetable garden and feeding the birds. Bonnie is...

Marvin Dale Thompson, age 65, of North Branch passed away March 28, 2023 at his home.  Marv was born on October 7, 1957, in Lapeer, MI; the son of Jack and Ethel (Abbey) Thompson.  Marv grew up in the North Branch area and was a 1977 graduate of North Branch High School.  Marv worked for Production Threaded Parts in North Branch for many years.  He enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and riding his side by side.  He was also a faithful member of the First Baptist...