January 2009 Deaths

Steven E. Bowen, 54, of Fowlerville, died Mon. Jan.2,2009 peacefully at home, surrounded by his children. He was born Jan. 5, 1954 in Howell to Carl & Frances (Reynolds) Bowen. He married Nancy Green, who preceded him in death on Sept. 22, 2008. Steve retired from the Wixom Ford plant and was a member of Williamston Baptist Church. Surviving are 3 children: Steven C. Bowen, David Bowen and Sarah Bowen, 3 Grandchildren and 3 sisters: Sally (Richard) Wilson, Charlene (John) Kenney and Elana Lewis and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother: Timothy. Services 11 AM Tuesday at Williamston Baptist Church with Pastor Dan Cavin officiating. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation 2-4 & 6-8PM Monday at Niblack Funeral Home, Dillingham Liverance Chapel

Rosa M. Oliver, 89, of Fowlerville, died Tues. Jan. 6, 2009 in Lansing. She was born Oct. 31, 1919 to George & Anna (Wendel) Sweeten and was married to Ivan E. Oliver in 1936, he preceded her in death in 1970. Rosa was a bus driver for Fowlerville Public Schools for 34 years, retiring in 1995, she then was an active volunteer at Kreeger Elementary School and was active in all the admissions events for athletics. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Webberville and was formerly active with Antrim Baptist Church Surviving are her 4 children: Larry (Gloria) of California, Tom (Carol) of Webberville, Bob (Janice) of Byron and Janet (Dave) Short of Boston, 14 Grandchildren and 19 greatgrandchildren. Visitation will be Thursday 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Services 11:30AM Friday at Calvary Baptsit Church with Pastor Scott Gardziella of Calvary Baptist Church and her Son- in- Law: Pastor Dave Short officiating. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Anthony J. "Tony" Carusi, 91, of Fowlerville, died Thurs. Jan. 15, 2009 at home. He was born July 26, 1917 in Detroit to John & Eleanor (Bruno) Carusi. He maried Lucille Tefft in Fowlerville on July 26, 1952, she preceded in death July 14, 1998. Tony retired from Oldsmobile, was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, was active in the Fowlerville Senior Center and loved to camp. He was a veteran of the US Army, serving during WWII. Surviving are 2 daughters: Susan Hath of Webberville, Brenda (Glenn) Sheridan of Fowlerville, son: Todd of Howell 5 Grandsons: Andrew Hath, Jason Hath, Joel Cathey, Ryan Carusi and Branden Cathey, 2 stepgrandchildren: Summer Sheridan and William Sheridan,2 sisters: Carol Saunders and Cecilia Braun and brother: Sam. He was preceded in death by his daughter: Michelle Amy Carusi, 3 brothers: Junior, Sandy & Bruno and 3 sisters: Rose, Concetta and Lucy. Services 11AM Monday at Niblack Funeral Home, Dillingham Liverance Chapel with Pastor Charles Krueger of Great Lakes Hospice officiating. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery with military honors provided by VFW Post #6464. Visitation 2-4 & 6-8 Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Great Lakes Hospice.www.niblackfuneralhome.com

Matthew Near, 38, of Fowlerville, died Fri. Jan. 16, 2009. He was born Nov. 17, 1970 in Livonia to Richard & Pauline (Floyd) Near. He was a 1989 graduate of Fowlerville High School. Matt married Crystal Hutchins at the United Brethren Church on May 17, 2003. He worked for CTI & Assc for 20 years. He loved to hunt and enjoyed the outdoors. Surviving are his wife Crystal, 2 daughters: Matilyn Joy & Morgan Grace, Mother: Pauline Near, father: Richard Near, 2 brothers: Richard (Susan) and Robert (Theresa), sister: Deborah (Ronald) Eagle, Mother in law: Joyce Hutchins, Father in Law: James Raisigel, Sisters in Law: Charlene (Dave) Bramble and Jennifer Hutchins, 11 nieces and nephews brother in law: John HutchinVisitation will be held at Fowlerville United Brethren Church on Sunday from 3-8PM and Monday Noon-2PM with services 2PM Monday at Fowlerville United Brethren in Christ Church with Pastor Tim Flickinger officiating.Memorial contributions may be made to the Near Family Trust at 1st National Bank. Arrangments by Niblack Funeral Home, Dillingham Liverance Chapel

Elizabeth Grace Dibble, 99, of Fowlerville, died in East Lansing on Tues. Jan. 20, 2009.  She was born in Fawn Twp., York Co., Penn. on Sept. 25, 1909 to Fred & Charlotte (Seitter) Jenkins. She married William Harold Dibble, who preceded her in death on Dec. 27, 1982. Grace was a teacher for Lansing Public Schools and a member of Fowlerville First United Methodist Church.  Graveside services will be held                 at Greenwood Cemetery with Pastor Tom Tarpley of Fowlerville First United Methodist Church officiating.  Arrangements by Niblack Funeral Home, Dillingham Liverance Chapel (www.niblackfuneralhome.com)

Dorothy Louella Hacker, age 86 of Trufant died Wednesday January 28, 2009. She was born May 6, 1922 in Detroit to William & Margaret (Van Horn) O'Brien.  She married Howard Edward Hacker on May 3, 1942 in Fowlerville, She was a bus driver for Howell & Greenville Public Schools and an American Legion Auxiliary member for 55 years.  Surviving are her husband: Howard Edward Hacker
 6 Children: Mike (Anita) Hacker, Craig (Sharalene) Hacker, Verta (Mike) Beaudet, LuAnn Hacker, Jim (Sally) Hacker, Steve Hacker.  12  Grandchildren and 13 Great-Grandchildren.   She was preceded in death by her son: Howard, brother: Everett O'Brien and 2 sisters: Helen Struble & Crystal King.Services at Niblack Funeral Home on Sunday ,February 1, 2009 at 2 PM Officiated by Pastor Tim Flickinger . Interment at Sanford Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan.