Thomas Walter Kora
Thomas Walter Kora, 81, of McMillan and formerly of Seney, passed gently into the arms of his Lord Saturday morning January 16, 2021 at Maple Ridge AFC Home in McMillan. Tom was born April 13, 1939 in Hamtramck, Michigan son of Walter and Lillian (Ahola) Kora. Tom is preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Lillian and Elmer Nelson, his father Walter Kora, his brother Richard Kora, his sister Barbara Curtis and his nephew Art Curtis. Survivors include his brother Kenneth (Penny) Nelson of Midland, his sister-in law Sally Kora of Ovid, his brother-in-law Russel Curtis of Dafter and their families which include many nieces and nephews. After graduation from Rudyard High School, Tom served in the United States Army. Shortly afterward he was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and embarked on a lifelong struggle with this disease. Tom devoted his life to serving the Lord. He attended church, distributed Christian tracts, and shared the gospel with his friends and family. Tom was never without his well used bible with it’s folded and worn edges and he wore out many bibles throughout his life. We want to thank Charlotte and Crystal at the Seney AFC Home for all their love and care for Tom. When he was no longer able to walk the stairs at their home they helped move him to the Maple Ridge AFC home in nearby McMillan, Michigan where Tom was able to spend the last years of his life. We are thankful to all the staff there who were so kind and cared for him so well including staying nearby and reading scripture to him his final days in hospice care. Graveside services will be held in the spring of 2021 at the Kinross Lakeview Cemetery in Kinross, Michigan. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Margaret Mary Hilliard Fredricks
Margaret Mary Hilliard Fredricks, 93, of Newberry, died Saturday evening January 23, 2021 at Newberry Assisted Living in Newberry, under the care of Northwood’s Home Health and Hospice. She was born on December 4, 1927 in Lansing, Michigan, daughter of the late William and Alma (Loesch) Stortz. Margaret graduated from Lansing High School and furthered her education at Wheaton College where she received her teaching degree. She put her education to use by teaching Adult Education, English as a second language, and Adjunctive Therapy at the Kalamazoo Regional Mental Health Center. On July 10, 1954 she married Earl Hilliard. They made their home in Oshtemo, outside of Kalamazoo, where they raised four children. Earl preceded her in death on October 24, 1984. Margaret later married Otto Robert Fredricks. He preceded her in death in 1997. Margaret is also preceded in death by her siblings; Shirley Robbins, Dawn (Miles) Deimling and her grandson Christopher Hilliard. Margaret was an active member of the Epworth United Methodist Church in Brethren, Michigan. She was also involved in the Lions Club in Kaleva. In her spare time, she enjoyed completing crossword puzzles, quilting, knitting and cross stitch. Survivors include her children: Thomas (Karen) Hilliard of Collinsville, Illinois, Holly (Buddy) Owen of Key West, Florida, Joseph (Debra) Hilliard of Newberry and James (Judy) Hilliard of Mattawan, Michigan. Surviving grandchildren include Andrew and Matthew Hilliard of Collinsville, Illinois, Zachary (Nicole) Hilliard of Newberry, Erica Hilliard of Farmington Hills, Amanda (Dakota) Martin of Mattawan and Anthony Owen of Key West, Florida. Margaret is also survived by her great grandchildren Spencer, Briel, Madelynn, Persia, Mackenzie and Sadie. The family would also like to extend special thanks to the Newberry Assisted Living Community for providing Margaret with loving care during the past five years.
A private family graveside will be held at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Kaleva, Michigan in the Spring of 2021. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Joan Antoinette (Furlan) Ferrell
Joan Antoinette Ferrell (nee Furlan), 80, of Newberry, Michigan was called home by her Lord on January 20, 2021 when she passed away peacefully at home with her loving husband Rick by her side. Joanie was born June 12, 1940 to Charles J. and Alma E. Furlan in Hartford, Michigan. Along with her husband of 42 years, she is survived by her brother, Charles J. Furlan, Jr. (Renee) of Hartford, MI and her three children, Richard (Lisa), Victoria (Michael), and Matthew (Lynn). She had seven wonderful grandchildren Leland, Brooklyn, Reese, Emma, Joseph, Max, and Abbey. She also had two adorable great-grandsons Oliver Thomas and Miles Henry; all will miss her deeply. She grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan and was a 1958 graduate of Benton Harbor High School. Joan had a long career with Michigan Bell starting in her teens as a switchboard operator and retiring as a business manager. She enjoyed reading, cooking for her family, spending time outdoors, creating and caring for her flower garden, and building doll houses. Joanie battled inoperable stage 4 lung cancer since March of 2018. She had an unbelievable support team from the Helen Newberry Joy Hospital in Newberry. Daniel Netherton PA-C, Angie Fossitt LPN, and Steve Vix MD provided both her and Rick with exemplary care and compassion. The oncology staff at Munson Cowell Family Cancer Center in Traverse City also provided unequaled knowledge, planning and treatment to help Joanie fight with all she had for almost three years. She had many close friends and family members that provided her with unceasing prayers, encouragement and comfort during her struggle. She was so very grateful to all of them. A memorial service for family and friends will take place at a later date. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or at donors@stjude.org. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Clifford Nels Engman
Clifford Nels Engman of McMillan, Michigan, passed away at home on Thursday morning January 21, 2021, at the age of 95. He was born December 24, 1925, in Newberry, son of the late Nels and Mildred (Marlett) Engman. Clifford attended school in McMillan until he was enlisted on March 10, 1944 into the United States Army. Clifford served in World War II as a medic and was a recipient of several citations including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart of Valor and was honorably discharged on January 2, 1946 attaining the rank of Private First Class. Clifford was a resident of the Lakefield area most of his life with brief opportunities to work in Oregon and the Munising area. He was a woodsman most of his working days, cutting, skidding, etc. He was well known for his skill in the woods and his hard work ethic. After retiring from the woods in his sixties, he continued “working” on snowmobiles well into his nineties. Besides his parents, Clifford is preceded in death by his wife Shirley, daughter Jean Nisonger and his siblings Eldon (infancy), Eric (a child), John, Fred, Lenora Saunders and Shirley St. John and their spouses. He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Cheryl (Dave) Webster of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada, Burl of Kalamazoo, and Ken (Cathy) of Arlington, WA; grandchildren LeAnna Engman, Krista (Josiah) Hollingsworth, Kyle, Laurisa and Candice Webster; two greatgrandchildren Joseph and Anne Hollingsworth; siblings Jerry (Lila) Engman of Comstock, Michigan, Lois Puckett of Lakefield and Betty Gage of Curtis; sisters-in-law Ruth (Leon) Hebert and Karen (Wally) Schultz; several nieces and nephews who thought he was pretty special. As requested, cremation services were accorded. A memorial service will be held at a later date with interment with full military honors at the East Lakefield Township Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Jill (Caudell) Stark (Death Notice)
On January 2, 2021, Jill Stark (Caudell) of Fairbanks, AK (formerly of Newberry) asked God to take her, and He did. Jill was 63 years young and passed from stage 4 ovarian cancer. A full obituary will follow later. Due to COVID-19, a celebration of Jill’s life will be held later this summer. Condolences can be sent to Hannah Stark at P.O. Box 81117, Fairbanks, Alaska 99708. Donations can be made in Jill’s name to Interior Cancer Association at 1560 Cowles St., Fairbanks, Alaska 99701.
