Clare Chapel of Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home

On Thursday, May 4, Darlene E. (Lear) Schunk, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away at the age of 89, surrounded by family. She was born June 21, 1933, to Carl and Elsie Lear in Oil Hill, Kansas. The family moved to the Clare area when she was six years old and would later graduate from Clare High School. Darlene met her future husband, Ron, at a friend's gathering. She was fond of saying she saw him from across the room and said to herself, "I am going to marry that man." They married on Oct. 15, 1955, at the Clare United Methodist Church. Darlene learned the role of farmer's wife quickly. Together they raised four sons and one daughter. They loved and were...

Louise (Melnek) Weldon, age 88, of Clare, passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2022, at her home. She was born the daughter of Harold and Sadie (Penrose) Clute on March 20, 1934, near Clare. Louise attended school in Beaverton and Clare and graduated from Clare High School. Louise's work career included working in food service at Central Michigan University and also for several area restaurants. She had married Donald Melnek in 1955. She and Donald divorced in 1979, and in 1989 she married Wilbur "Bill" Weldon. Wilbur passed away in 2011. She lived her entire life in the Clare area and she was a member of the Eagle Church of God. She had also been a member of the Mid Michigan Collectors...

Anna "Kay" Katherine Miller, beloved wife of 56 years to the late Richard Charles Miller, mother, and grandmother passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at the age of 78. She was born the eldest daughter of nine children to the late Peter and Catherine (Dykstra) Dykhouse on May 23, 1943 at home on the family farm in McBain, Michigan. As the eldest daughter on the farm, Anna Kay learned what hard work was all about at a very early age, as well as the strong bond and love of family. Her love of caring for her family led her to her first job of several years as a caretaker for Dr. Benjamin Koepke's wife and home in McBain. Anna Kay graduated from McBain High School and later moved to Cadillac...

Donald Eugene Cobb of Clare, MI formerly of Gladwin, MI passed away Sunday, February 27, 2022 at the age of 79. Donald leaves behind 8 children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom he loved very much. Donald was preceded in death by his wife Mary K. Cobb in 2008. Donald served in the United States Navy for 4 years after graduating High School, and then enjoyed a long career as an Auto Mechanic. Donald will be remembered by family and friends as a kind and gentle man with tons of knowledge that he loved to share. Cremation has taken place with a Memorial Service planned for Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Clare Assembly of God Church, 3557 E. Colonville Road,...

Dawn Lee Chrispell June 17, 1941-November 18, 2021 Dawn Lee Chrispell (n?e Miller), devoted mother and grandmother, of Allegan, Michigan passed away peacefully on November 18, 2021 at 80 years old. She was preceded in death by father William H. Miller and mother Nellie Marie Arthur Miller. She is survived by children Courtney (Tammy) Hamming, William Chrispell, Glenda (Steven) Chrispell, Paula (Dave) Wolters, Glenda Chrispell, Tracy Joseph, and Robbin Chrispell; twelve grandchildren; and twenty-seven great-grandchildren. Family and friends remember Dawn as a hard-working and caring person who wanted those around her to have fun. She was a joy to be around, and even in death she has asked...

Jerry Hamming October 29, 1934-November 3, 2021 Jerry Hamming?beloved husband, father, teacher, and church leader?passed away peacefully on November 3rd, 2021. He was 87. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Anna, sister Roma, brother Percy, and sister-in-law Kay. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Virginia ("Ginny"); three children Courtney, Dana, and Jeanne; three grandchildren Mitchell and Jenna Hamming, and Zachary Callihan; and his brother Leon (Audrey) Hamming. Jerry was born in McBain, Michigan, the oldest child in a farming family. He graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Agriculture and Applied Science in 1957. In 1961, he took a long...

Richard Charles Miller, beloved husband of 56 years, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully at home with family by his side Friday, August 6, 2021 at the age of 80 years. He was born to the late David and Ethel (Green) Miller on November 16, 1940 in Cadillac, Michigan. Two of his three siblings predecease him, Fred and Carol (Tyler). He is survived by his older sister, Carolyn (Fewless). Rich proudly played football for and graduated from Cadillac High School in 1959. He met Anna K. Dykhouse while working for Merrill Taylor at the Gulf Service Station and married her on January 8, 1965. They built their first home together in Cadillac and had 3 children Robyne (Terry Gregory),...

Nancy Dunham Piper, 87, of Daytona Beach, passed away on April 30, 2021 after a long, full life of adventure and love. While myelodysplastic syndrome and a series of falls may have slowed her down in recent years, nothing dampened her indomitable spirit, unflagging optimism, her faith in God, and her love for family and friends. Nancy was born on August 22, 1933 in Lansing, Michigan to Viola Mae (Hendrie) and Arthur Devere Schoonover. She graduated from Adelphian Academy in Holly, Michigan, in 1951. Throughout her life, Nancy managed to find joy in so much, even when life threw challenges her way. She loved hosting big Christmastime family reunions, which featured spectacular feasts and...

Laural Elaine Hildebrandt, age 91, passed away March 26, 2021. She was born July 31, 1929 to Ernest and Lelah Allen. On July 8, 1949 she was united in marriage to Marion Hildebrandt. They lived in rural Clare, where she was a homemaker and known for her great cooking and baking. Laural loved her family and was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She loved doing crafts and spending time with the grandchildren. She was a faithful member of the Arthur Center Church of God where she served teaching Sunday School and playing the piano and organ for many years. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Marion, 4 daughters, Phyllis (Cam) Goetz of Mauston, Wisconsin, Dawn (Joe) Foss...

Harold D. "Butch" Owens, Jr., age 79 of Beaverton, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at the Pioneer Golden Estates Assisted Living of Clare. On May 18, 1941, Harold was born the son of Harold and Marie (Jenkins) Owens, Sr., on the Springer Farm in Coleman, MI and remained a resident of the Central Michigan area his whole life. He was united in marriage to Anna Brokaw on August 1, 1964 in Midland, MI, which was the beginning of a wonderful fifty-six years of marriage together. Immediately following his high school graduation, Harold served in the U.S. Army for four years during the run-up to the Vietnam War. After his enlistment concluded, Harold began working for the...