Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan • Page 8

Databank 2B Monday, August 23, 1999 Lansing State Journal Obituaries W. Robertson, Peoples Church pastor emeritus By Sally Tato Lansing State Journal GRAND LEDGE They are memories of a seven-year courtship, college, traveling, sermons in movie theaters and watching Michigan State University sporting events. The thoughts will fill a completed memoir Irene Robertson has been with credit for two days, work release granted, $60 to Crime Victims Rights Fund, $10 per month supervisory fee, $300 costs, restitution. Eaton County Sentences Judge Thomas S. Eveland James Patrick Flynn, 30, 600 block of Allen, Lansing, third offense of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor, 270 days in jail with credit for 79 days, $500 fine, $250 costs, $60 to Crime Victims Rights Fund, 50 hours community service.

Gregory Reid Milligan, 41, 8300 block of Spicerville Highway, Eaton Rapids, delivery or manufacture of marijuana, possession of less than 25 grams of a controlled substance and habitual offender, 24 months probation, 365 days in jail with credit for four days, $100 fine, $200 costs, $60 to Crime Victims Rights Fund, $150 forensic lab fee. Robertson (Mary), Richard Robertson (Pat), Ann Robertson Orwin and Mary Robertson Zino (Ken); seven grandchildren and one sister. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Peoples Church, 200 W. Grand River East Lansing.

A reception for family and friends will take place after the service in the Robertson Room of the church. The room was named for him when he retired in 1976. Expressions of sympathy may be directed in Wallace Robertson's memory to Peoples Church, East Lansing, 48823, or the Ralph Young Scholarship Fund, Michigan State University, Development Office, 4700 S. Hagadorn Road, Suite 220, East Lansing, MI 48823. Baird, editor at State Journal By John B.

Albright Lansing State Journal EAST LANSING Writer and editor Virginia Rose Baird blended civic participation with a newspaper and university career that spanned half a century. Baird died Saturday at age 87 at "She was a consummate reporter and editor, always a working journalist, in and out of the field," Van Ness said. Baird was born Virginia Willitts in Eckford. She graduated from Hastings High School in 1928, and from Western Michigan University in 1932 Working out of Hastings, she was a correspondent for several newspapers from 1932 to 1941. During World War II she worked for the U.S.

War Department in Dayton, Ohio. From 1945 to 1952 she worked as an editor for the Michigan Department of Health. The Michigan Women's Press Club named Baird its Woman of Achievement in 1977. She was named woman of the year by the Past Presidents Club of the Lansing Business and Professional Women's Club in 1959. She was active in community programs for the aged, families and children.

In 1956, she helped found the Michigan Society of Gerontology. Her interests included travel and antiques. A daughter, Johanna Baird, died in 1965. Baird's survivors include a sister, Maurene Hamp of Hastings. Funeral services will be at 1 1 a.m.

Tuesday at Wren Funeral Home, Hastings. Runciman DeWitt Chapel. Dansville Hughes, Sue (Prater), 54, died Thursday. Services 2 p.m. today at Gorsline-Runciman Ball-Dunn Chapel, Mason.

DeWitt Sebrell, Kellie, 19, died Sunday of natural causes. Services 11 a.m. Thursday at Catholic Community of St. Jude. Arrangements by Gorsline-Runciman DeWitt Chapel.

Dimondale Hedges, Gertrude 84, died Friday. Services 1 p.m. today at Es-tes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Eaton Rapids James, John Robert, 18, Eaton Rapids High School senior, died Saturday as the result of an automobile accident. Services 1 p.m.

Tuesday at Eaton Rapids Wesleyan Church. Arrangements by Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids. Moore, Laura 78, retired Eaton Rapids school system secretary, died Saturday. Services 1 p.m. Wednesday at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids.

Howell O'Hara, Lynn Patrick, 58, died Sunday. There will be no services. Arrangements by MacDonald's Funeral Home, Howell. St. Johns Lewis, Freda 90, died Saturday.

Arrangements by Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns. Elsewhere Stenberg, Mildred 90, formerly of Pleasant Lake, died Sunday. Arrangements by Gorsline-Runciman East Chapel, East Lansing. no left turns onto Mt.

Hope until mid-August. Ingham County Haslett Road: Meridian Road to Shoe-s man Road, reconstruction, road closed and detour marked until late August; also Meridian Road to Van Atta Road'i resurfacing, temporary lane closures and intermittent traffic delays. Kalamazoo Street: U.S. 127 to Harri- son Road, bridge replacement, road closed and detour marked. State of Michigan Mid-Michigan 1-96: M-52 to Livingston County line in Ingham County, nighttime lane closures until early August.

1-96 Business Loop: In Ingham and Clinton counties, preventive mainte- nance work, intermittent lane closures until mid-September. 1-96 Business Loop: 1-96 to Airport Road in Clinton County, intermittent reductions to one lane until late September. M-43: Northview Street to west of Pad- dock Drive in Okemos, one lane traffic 1 with flag control during daylight hours. M-43 (Oakland Avenue): Ballard Street to Marshall Street in Lansing, "i closed to through traffic and detour "--r marked until early November. i-r M-43: Jenne Street to M-100 in Grand Ledge, one lane each direction weekdays and weekend work at intersection of M-'.

43 and M-100 until late August. M-50: M-79 (Lawrence Highway) to; Packard Highway near Charlotte, inter- mittent reductions to one lane during 'f. daylight hours until late M-52: In Shiawassee County, one lane each direction with lane width restric- tions on bridge over Shiawassee River 02 until early November. M-52: North and south of 1-96 near Web- AT berville, daytime lane closures each di- rection until early August. M-66: Sprague Road to Grand River in Ionia, traffic shifts and flag control until early September.

M-7 1 Bridge over Shiawassee River in Shiawassee County closed and traffic de-" toured until early October. M-79: M-66 to Ainger Road in Charlotte, one lane in alternating directions with 1 flag control. M-99M-50: Spicerville Highway to Kimburk Avenue in Eaton County, lane with flag control during daylight hours or one lane each direction until mid-November. Burcham Hills Health Center in East Lansing. "She was very insistent she was women's editor and not society editor," recalled Hal Fildey, former executive editor of the Lansing State Journal, where Baird worked from 1952 to 1962.

Baird, he said, didn't want to be tagged a chronicler of the parties and balls of Lansing notables, as she honed news of general interest to women. As years passed and attitudes changed, newspapers turned away from news sections devoted to what was supposed to be women's interests. Baird was the State Journal's women's editor and food editor until she joined the Lansing-based Greater Michigan Foundation in Lansing as a writer and editor in 1962. In 1963, she began a 17-year career with the Continuing Education Service of Michigan State University Information Services. Marcia Van Ness, former reporter and former assistant editor of the State Journal's editorial page, knew Baird as an MSU news source.

'J Marriages Marriage licenses applied for: Ingham County Wolfgang Demetrios Tsoutsouris, 29, and Tomara Susan Kaufman, 30, both of New York, N.Y. Calvin Bernard Williams, 31, and Shelby Marie Serr, 23, both of Lansing. Robert Norman Steffensen, 52, and Ruth Carol McMillen, 44, both of Lansing. Casey Steve Lamb, 25, of Ithaca, NY and Lauren Gabrielle Wolfe, 22, of Okemos. Christopher Jon VanWyck, 31, and Corinn Renae DuBois, 32, both of Lansing.

Zwalee D. Mixaykham, 37, and Maria E. Trochez, 34, both of Lansing. David Paul Ball, 40, and Linda Sue Bigelow, 29, both of Lansing. James Lawrence Anderson, 26, and Rosalee Yvonne Reed, 28, both of Lansing.

Divorces Clinton County Parks: Joel Dean and Catherine Sue. Christmas: Jerry and Mary Kirkey: Daniel Charles and Julie Marie. Road work City of Lansing Cleo Street: Willow Street to Oakland Avenue, resurfacing, closed to through traffic until end of August. Grand River Avenue: Cedar Street to Turner Street, combines sewer overflow work, one lane each direction with access maintained to all businesses and all on-street parking eliminated throughout the summer. Jolly Road: Dunckel Road to Collins Road, closed to through traffic until fall, detour marked.

Ottawa Street: Grand Avenue to Capitol Avenue, building construction, closed until January, parking and one lane of traffic on Capitol Avenue near construction area also closed. Pine Street: Saginaw Street to Genesee Street, resurfacing, closed to through traffic until late August. South Pennsylvania Avenue: Northbound from Mt. Hope Avenue to Health Care Court, one lane each direction with Deaths and Funerals Births Lansing Perry: To Dwayne and Tonya Perry, a son, Anthony Jose Perry, at Sparrow Hospital, Aug. 18.

Rodriguez: To Dargel and Mari-cela Rodriguez, a son, Giovanni Rodriguez, at Sparrow Hospital, Aug. 18. Payne: To William E. Payne Jr. and Lolisha Aikens, a son, William Kobe Payne, at Sparrow Hospital, Aug.

19. Courts Ingham County Sentences Judge Carolyn Stell Hope Evelyn Grimes, 44, 700 block of Michigan Street, Eaton Rapids, failure to return rental property, one year probation, 100 hours community service, $60 to Crime Victims Rights Fund, $500 fine, $200 costs. Brody Wayne Woodman, 28, 200 block of North Canal, Lansing, uttering and publishing (bad check), three years probation, six months in jail with credit for 14 days, work release granted, $60 to Crime Victims Rights Fund, $200 restitution, $600 costs. Clifton Duane Hath, 49, 400 block of West Grand River, Webberville, second degree criminal sexual conduct, five years probation, one year in jail with credit for 91 days, $60 to Crime Victims Rights Fund, $10 per month supervisory fee, $150 lab fee, $1,000 costs. Kevin Roy Simison II, 18, 300 block of Peachtree Place, Mason, attempted malicious destruction of property valued at more than $100, three years probation, seven days jail 1 1 Kim 1 NFS Mm working on for years at the request of her children who wanted a keepsake of the lives their parents led.

Finishing that memoir took on a special mean ing recently. Wallace Robertson, pastor emeritus of Peoples Church in East Lansing, died Thursday. He was 85. "He was an amazing person," said Irene, his wife of 61 years. "He had so many talents." A native or Milwaukee, Wallace Robertson moved to East Lansing to serve at Peoples Church from 1960 to 1976 and hosted the daily devotional show "Thought for the Day" in the 1960s and 1970s.

He most recently lived in Grand Ledge. He was ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian Church in 1938. He's known for boosting membership at Peoples Church and rebuilding the sanctuary after it was destroyed by an electrical fire in 1965. Church services were held in a now-closed movie theater in East Lansing during construction. Peoples Church Rev.

Keith Pohl remembers Robertson and said one of his skills was knowing each church member by name. "He had the ability to focus directly on every individual that came into this church," Pohl said. An avid MSU sports fan, Robertson was able to travel with the Spartan football team as its chaplain during his time at Peoples Church. He was named an honorary alumnus of MSU in 1970 and was awarded the doctor of divinity degree by Carroll College, his alma mater in Wisconsin, and Olivet College. In addition to his wife, Robertson is survived by four children: David WILSON, MELVA MAE Mason Age 77, born September 21, 1921, in Rives Junction, MI; she passed away August 21, 1999.

She married Bernard E. Wilson on November 22, 1941. In addition to helping develop and run Bernard's State Farm Insurance Agency, Mrs. Wilson was active in the Mason Baptist Church, Mason Child Study Club, and the Mason Community Hospital Pink Ladies Auxiliary. Predeceased by her parents, Nettie Burt Phelps; in-laws, Emmons and Ruth Wilson; sister and brother-in-law, Charlotte Ellery Skinkle; brothers, Burt Phelps, Jr.

and Russell Phelps; sister and brother-in-law, Madeline and Edgar Manley, and brother-in-law, Peter Ketchum. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Bernard; one daughter, Kathy (Paul) Allaire; 3 grandchildren, Eric (Leeann) Allaire, Carrie (Steve) Tourangeau, and Monty and C.B. Mitchell; sister, Virginia fram-mell; and her sisters-in-law, Olalah Phelps, Thelma (George) Ketchum- Miiiara, Barbara (Lee) bhmn, and Dorthea (William) Bloomer; as well 1 1 -1 as many nieces and nephews. Fu neral services win be held Wednesday, August 25 at 2 p.m. at the Gorsline-Runciman Ball-Dunn Chapel, 621 S.

Jefferson, Mason with the Rev. Dyke Cyphers, Pastor of Rives Baptist Church, Rives Junction, officiating. Interment will follow in Jones Cemetery, Rives Township. The family will receive friends at the Chapel Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Martin Luther Holt Home, 5091 Willoughby Road, Holt 48842 in memory of Mrs.

Wilson. For paid obituary notices, call 377-1104. Memoriams and Cards of Thanks appear in classification 067 in the Classified section. Death notices Lansing Ensley, Evert W. "Bill," 79, died Sunday.

Memorial services 4 p.m. Friday at Gorsline-Runciman Lansing Chapel. Harger, Arthur 58, died Aug. 2. Memorial services 1 1 a.m.

Friday at Church of the Resurrection. Arrangements by Gorsline-Runciman Lansing Chapel. Hart, Lucile (Adams), 87, died Friday. Services 11:30 a.m. today at Chapel in the Pines Funeral Home.

Johnson, Caryl 65, died Thursday. Services 2 p.m. today at Gorsline-Runciman Lansing Chapel. Piper, Mildred 94, died Friday. Graveside services 1 p.m.

today at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Gorsline-Runciman DeWitt Chapel. Bannister Schmidtfranz, Glen 62, retired Conklin Trucking employee, died Friday. Services 1 p.m. Tuesday at Smith Funeral Homes, Elsie.

Bath Sawyer, Dora 78, died Friday. Services 2 p.m. today at Gorsline- MOORE, LAURA V. Eaton Rapids Age 78, of Eaton Rapids, died Saturday, August 21, 1999 in Charlotte-Born March 16, 1921 in Hamlin Township, the daughter of Thomas and Kate Hillard. Laura was an Eaton Rapids High School graduate class of 1938.

She was a retired secretary for the Eaton Rapids School system, a life member and Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Lodge 241, Eaton Rapids, V.F.W. Auxiliary and a member of the First Congregational Church. Surviving are her husband of 53 years, Murray; son, Marvin (Mindy) Moore of Halifax, Nova Scotia and daughter, Melissa (William) Hass of Charlotte; 4 grandchildren, David nnA DM1 1 Au and Sam Moore and Bill and Anita Hass; brother, James and Myrtle Hillard of Eaton Rapids and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 25 at 1 p.m. from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with the Rev.

Max Williams officiating. Burial will be in the Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. Visitation will be Wednesday trom 24 and 7-9 p.m. with an O.E.S. memorial service being conducted at 7 p.m.

For those desiring, a memorial contribution may be made to either the O.E.S. 241, Eaton Rapids or the First Congregational Church in memory of Laura V. Moore. Funeral ROBERTSON, DR. C.

WALLACE Grand Ledge Formerly of East Lansing Memorial services for Dr. Robertson will be held at Peoples' Church, 200 West Grand River on Tuesday, August 24 at 2 p.m. with a reception for the family and guests following the service in the Robertson Room of the Church. Expressions of sympathy may be directed in Dr. Robertson memory to Peoples' Church, East Lansing, 48823, andor the Ralph Young Scholarship Fund, co Michigan State University, Development Office, 4700 S.

Hagadorn Ste. 220, East Lansing, MI 48823. The family is being served by Gorsline-Runciman Co, East Chapel, East Lansing. 1 sjcngp 5 i-fT)b ut Your Trus State Lottery Saturday Michigan Lotto: 02,03, 16,21,35,48 Six-number winners: none This Wednesday's jackpot: $2.2 million Midday Daily-3: 850 Evening Daily-3: 21 1 Midday Daily-4: 0551 Evening Daily-4: 0697 Last Friday Big Game: 05, 15,27,44,47 Gold Number: 07 Winners: One $20 million Tuesday's jackpot: $5 million From staff writers Hugh Leach and Sally Trout. For lottery results 24 hours a day, call 485-5463 and press 9031.

Palmer Bush Funeral Homes Delta Chapel 6020 West Saginaw (517)323-7890 Thomas P. Klein, Managi er 000 Our Family At Palmer-Bush Funeral Homes we believe in the bond of trust created between families serving families. PRATT, RAYMOND L. Mason Born November 18, 1920 in Holt; went to be with the Lord August 20, at the age of 78. Mr.

Pratt was a 1939 graduate of Holt High School and a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy. He retired from Oldsmobile Corpo- ri 11 io 5 lauun auer oc i years 01 service and was a member of U.A.W. Local 652. Surviving are his wife, Irene fBrown); 2 daughters, Sharon (Russ) Rae and Sue (Larry) Nims; 1 son, Steve (Lora) Pratt; and 3 grandchildren, Mike Nims, and Rusty and Carrie Rae.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 25, 10 a.m. at the Gorsline-Runciman Ball-Dunn Chapel. 621 S. Jefferson Mason, with the Rev. Wayne G.

Reece, Pastor of the First united Methodist Church of Mason, officiating. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Mason. The family will receive friends at the Chapel on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Those desiring may make contributions to the American Heart Associ ation of Michigan, Mid-West Affili ate, Memorial Tributes Program. )) IWlfO 1L! 1 Afmn uepi.

u-ovoo, inicago, il dudo-3968, in memory of Mr. Pratt. JAMES, JOHN ROBERT Eaton Rapids Age 18, of Eaton Rapids, died Saturday, August 21, 1999 as a result of an automobile accident. Born June 5, 1981 in Eaton Rapids, John was a senior at the Eaton Rapids High School. He loved all sports, especially football and motorcross racing.

He was a member of the Eaton Rapids Wesleyan Church. Preceding him in death were his grandparents, William and Patricia Shepardson. Surviving are his parents, Frederic and Sheryl James of Eaton Rapids; brother, Andrew: grandparents, Fredrick and June James of National City, MI; great-grandpa, Willard Des- range; aunts, Jodey Shepardson, eannie (Ben) Dancer, Elizabeth (Steven) Pell, and Shelley (Mike) Castagnasso; several great aunts and great uncles and cousins and many many special friends. Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 24, at 1 p.m. from the Eaton Rapids Wesleyan Church with Rev.

Dennis Perkins officiating. The family will receive friends at the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids on Monday from 24 and 7-9 p.m. For those desiring a memorial contribution may be made to either the Eaton Rapids Wesleyan Church Building Fund or the Eaton Rapids Medical Center Building Fund in memory of Jorm Robert James. 4 1 TV I ft 1 Lansing Chapel 520 East Mt. Hope Ave.

(517)484-5349 Allen R. Jensen, OwnerManager fi oQdffi 't.