At the age of 82, Geraldine Gene (Jeri) Kohler of Parma left to claim
her mansion in Heaven and to see the many other family members and
friends who have gone before her on July 20, 2008. She was born May
24, 1926
in Jackson, Michigan to Ora Spencer and Minnie Adelaide (Davis)
Johnson. In 1933, the Johnsons turned to farming on shares and lived
in three
places before returning to Mackie Road, the first place they had
farmed, and buying it. Jeri attended a number of local country schools
in
those years but in sixth grade was at Campbell School, where she
graduated from the eighth grade and then from Parma High School in
1943. She
started working at age 14 sacking potatoes, sugar and other
commodities
that came in bulk those days; at Woolworth’s 5&10, then into
different restaurant work, always headed for a better job. While
waitressing
at the Parker Inn in Albion, the new Corning Glass factory beckoned,
then other jobs until starting in 1967 at Spring Arbor College (SAC)
where she worked for 18 years, retiring at age 60. However, she had
been
working for the Parma News part time since 1967 as well, and had an
opportunity to buy it in 1981, which she couldn’t resist. She also
served several years as a “stringer” for the Parma area in the Jackson
Citizen Patriot. She continued enjoying meeting and writing about
local
people and events until she sold the paper in 1994 but kept on
contributing to what is now The County Press because it was in her
blood. She
also sold Amway products and greeting cards and held membership in
Michigan Press Woman since 1975, winning a trip to California as the
Michigan
Press Woman of Achievement, and other small awards.
Jeri had many interests she followed through the years including: Den
Mother to Cub Scouts: Leader for Brownie Scouts, then Girl Scouts,
with
girls who often still keep in touch; and 4-H Leader. Having been a
member of the Quakertown 4-H Club herself, she began teaching classes
in
cooking, gardening, flowers and others as needed, then became the
first
to lead the newly-named Campbell Clovers, writing about these
activities along the way. She was an active member and officer of the
Parma VFW
Auxiliary until it closed, when she transferred first to the
Hanover-Horton Auxiliary, then to Auxiliary Post #823 in Jackson. She
was also a
member of the Parma-Spring Arbor Lions Club for a number of years.
Jeri headed up a large Christmas Basket Project for needy folks in
the
Western Schools area for a number of years, first through the Cracker
Hill VFW Auxiliary, then through the Lions Club which continues the
project today. She also served years as a Parma Township Trustee.
A trip to Kenya, East Africa to visit friends who had been students at
SAC while she worked there, brought her home with the knowledge of
American carelessness in disposing of books while the children in
Bunyore
had no books at all, nor did most of the teachers. She started a
non-profit organization to send books and other educational materials
and
began talking to schools about sending discarded books, pens and
pencils
to Kenya instead of destroying them and talking to whoever would
listen
to donate postage for those books. Also, the children had nothing to
play with, rolling up balls of grass to use as a soccer ball and
pulling
toys made of banana tree parts with banana fiber ropes. Some real
toys and ball were also sent.
An only child, her parents lived long and busy lives just around the
corner from where she was raising her family of four offspring, and
she
was not alone until her father died in 1999. She is survived by two
daughters, Mrs. Glen A. (Joianne Dee) Pettigrove Sr. of Merrill, MI,
and
Jeanine M. Kohler of Parma with whom she made her home after becoming
ill two years ago; and two sons, David L. (Lee) Kohler of Ohio, and
Charles G. “Chip” (Kathy) Kohler of Traverse City, MI. There are 11
wonderful grandchildren who have added 16 great-grandchildren, all of
whom are
terrific! She is also survived by a beloved ‘adopted’ daughter
Linda K. Kearbey of Texas.
According to her wishes she was cremated with arrangements entrusted to
J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home of Albion.
A Memorial Service will be conducted by her son-in-law, The Rev. Glen
A. Pettigrove, Sr., accompanied by his daughter Mrs. Brett (Amy)
McEwan
of Chicago, Saturday, July 26 at 11:30 a.m. on the grounds of the
Proud
Veterans Motorcycle Club, 7901 Benn Rd just east of Dearing Road,
Parma, and a country spot she loves.
The club, of which daughter Jeanine is a member and officer, will
receive her memorial donations made in lieu of flowers. The club is
dedicated to helping support the Veterans of Forgein Wars National
Home for
Children near Eaton Rapids. She expressed a wish that all friends
would
attend the service to see how lovely the setting is and that everyone
would feel free to speak up (she hoped kindly) about her in
celebration
of her entry into Heaven, Memorial donations may be made following the
service at the club, or sent to: Proud Veterans Motorcycle Club, c/o
Jeanine Kohler, 1170 Mackie Rd, Parma, MI 49269
For more information, see the website at: www.jktiddfuneralhome.com
Susan Laurel Kosko, age 59, of Battle Creek, formerly of Albion, passed
away Monday, December 31, 2007 at Battle Creek Health Systems of
Battle Creek. She was born July 26, 1948 to John and Alfreda (Sweeney)
Kosko
in Albion. Susan was a resident of Calhoun County most of her life.
She enjoyed music, and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church
of
Albion.
She is survived by two brothers, John W. (Jana) Kosko of Pinckney and
Rev. James D. (Mary) Kosko of Elk Grove, California, and 1 sister,
Cynthia (Gilbert) Cuadro of Venice, Florida.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
According to her wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be a
private memorial service at Albion Memory Gardens Cemetery, Albion
Township.
Arrangements entrusted to the Erie Street Chapel of the J. Kevin Tidd
Funeral Home, 208 West Erie Street, Albion, Michigan 49224. Assistance
with memorials contributions to: Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice or
the
First Presbyterian Church is available at the Erie Street Chapel of J.
Kevin Tidd Funeral Home.
For more information, call (517) 629-9155. Also see the website at:
www.jktiddfuneralhome. com
Posted by kc8emh 
Posted by kc8emh 
Posted by kc8emh 
