Rickie Lee Hoffman, 76, of Big Rapids, passed away Tuesday, February 15, 2022, with family at her bedside.

The only child of Stanley and Norma (Patten) MacKellar, Rickie was born on March 8, 1945, in Reed City, and graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1963. In her youth, she enjoyed the countless hours she spent playing with her cousins, Terry and Mike Symon, who were like brothers to her. As a teenager, she loved roller skating and often recalled fond memories of her years competing locally. She began working at the Mecosta County General Hospital as a teenager and continued her service there into her adult years. This is where she met the love of her life, Orville C. Hoffman, Jr.

The two married on August 6, 1966, in Big Rapids and so began the pursuit of a lifetime. She was a proud patriot who supported her husband and our country as a United States Naval officer’s wife, including during wartime deployments. It was during this time in the service that their two children, Chad Hoffman and Stacie (Hoffman) Langworthy were born. After the Naval service, they continued to serve their community through Orville’s local CPA practice, with Rickie assisting close at his side.

Throughout her adult years, Rickie was an avid knitter, artist, and reader. She enjoyed sharing the love of these arts with the youth around her, often volunteering in classrooms, children’s summer Bible camps, and with neighborhood youth.

Rickie will be remembered for her years of dedication to her family as a stay-at-home mother and grandmother. She was passionate about her family and cherished her God-given role. Rickie always valued the time she spent with those around her and considered it an honor to be a blessing in their lives. Her spirit of kindness and generosity towards others will continue to live on through the lives of her family members and those she reached during her lifetime.

Rickie is survived by her mother, Norma MacKellar; two children, Chad Hoffman and Stacie (Richard) Langworthy; two grandchildren, Dakota (Langworthy) Jones and Sierra Langworthy; and five great grandchildren, Lilliana, Adonia, Levi, and Elijah Jones, and Faith Dennis. She was preceded in death by her husband Orville, her father, her aunt Leona Symon, and cousins Terry and Mike Symon.

A private family service will be held at a later date, and Rickie will be laid to rest next to Orville in the Highland View Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to Elara Caring Hospice. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Garnett Mary Brandt, 80, of Martiny Township, passed away Monday, February 14, 2022, at her residence.

She was born July 20, 1941, in Owosso, the daughter of Garney and Leona (Dumond) Patterson, and graduated from Corunna High School.  For many years, Garnett was a caregiver for special needs individuals in Shiawasee and later Mecosta County.

Garmett was preceded in death by her husband Paul H. Brandt in 2009, and a son John Brandt.  She is survived by 4 children, Cindy Brooks of Rodney, William (Deb) Brandt of Corunna, David (Amy) Brandt of Owosso, and Ann Brandt of Flint; daughter-in-law Cassandra Brandt; 13 grandchildren, Nathan, Kurt, Josh, Danny, Dustin, David Lee, Emily, Amber, Travis, Madison, Brennan, Paul Michael, and Jacob; her sisters Carol and Janet; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.     

Graveside services will be later in the spring at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Corunna, where Garnett will be laid to rest next to her husband.   Memorial contributions in her name may be made for Special Olympics.   Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids.  Share a memory or express condolences at www.mohnkefuneralhome.com.

 Elmer R. Van Alstine, 95, of Grant Center, passed away Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born September 6, 1926, in Grant Center, the son of Bud and Mary (Thumser) Van Alstine, and graduated from Hersey High School in 1945.   Elmer served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, stationed in Germany. And while stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC for basic training he married Maxine (nee VanWestrienen) on Feb. 8, 1951. 

Following his discharge, Elmer returned to the area, and worked as a carpenter for several area builders for 25 years until retiring in 1977.  He continued working on their farm for many years after, raising first dairy and then beef cattle.  Elmer loved the farm, and more importantly his family and especially his grandchildren. 

Elmer is survived by his wife Maxine;  their children, Nancy (John) Holdsworth, Larry Van Alstine, Brian Van Alstine, and Shery (Mike) Rubicz all of Big Rapids; 14 grandchildren, Jeff (Tammy), Cheryl (Andy), Renee (Tim), Tim (Pam), Karen, Kevin, Maryann (Steve), Sally (Justin), Julie (Alex), William, Alexandria (Cody), Jacob, Jorden, and AnnEliza; sister-in-law Patricia Skipper; brothers-in-law, Paul Ottobre and Roger Dalstra; and many great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Bert, Lyle, Donald, and Raymond, and sisters Lois, Helen, and Marjorie.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 12, 2022, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, with Pastor Ken Dunn officiating.  Burial will be in the Grant Center Cemetery. Elmer’s family will greet friends beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions in his name may be made for Grant Center United Methodist Church.  Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com

Virgil Thomas Galer, 86, of Mecosta, MI passed peacefully on Sunday, February 6, 2022, with his daughter Pam by his side.

He was born July 23, 1935, in Mecosta, the son of Harley and Bertha (Whitscell) Galer.

Virgil is survived by his daughter Pamela (Scott) Graham; daughter-in-law Barb Galer; eight grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Donna (Bushre), and son Robert Galer.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, February 11, 2022, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Virgil’s family will greet friends beginning at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Mecosta. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Michael Thomas Candler, 50, of Stanwood, passed away Tuesday, February 2, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family. 

Michael was born  August 30, 1971, in Stanwood, the son of Michael Candler and Wynn Barnett, and graduated from Morley Stanwood High School in 1989.  He then went on to earn an Associate’s degree in printing from Ferris State University.  Michael loved his job as an Automotive Technician at Rightway Automotive until he was unable to work because of his health.

After being together “forever” Mike married Geneen Anderson on April 1, 2017. He loved to tinker, fixing just about anything he could. Mike enjoyed cars, building and painting miniature models, to be outdoors, and had a green thumb, actually growing a jasmine tree in his house. He had a sweet soul, taking care of everyone else before himself. Michael was the jokester in the family, always had a joke to tell, or a good one-liner to come back with. Most of all he loved spending time with family, and he will be dearly missed by them all.

Michael is survived by his wife Geneen; children Ashley (Brent) Friedrich, Samantha Dahlberg, and Deven (Taylor) Dahlberg; grandson Jaxton; his mother Wynn Barnett; siblings, Jarret (Ashley) Parson, Kyle Blemann, Brett (Amber) Blemann, Tiphani (Andy) Parmeter; Val (Dennis) Myers, Angela Blemann, and Isaac Blemann;, aunts, Janell and Tess Moreland; uncle Robert Barnett; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Yvonne and Chano Rivera.

There are no services planned at this time. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at www.mohnkefuneralhome.com.