STECK, Ruth 93, of Frankenmuth, formerly of Reese, died Tuesday morning, February 15, 2011 at the The Lutheran Home in Frankenmuth. She was born July 28, 1917 in Saginaw County, daughter of the William and Elsie (Pries) Stolz. On June 15, 1940 she was married to Fred Steck in Saginaw. He survives her. Ruth was a former 4H leader and was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Reese and the Ladies Aid where she held various offices including a term as President. She was an accomplished photographer and painter and was instrumental in founding the Reese Central Railroad and Museum with her husband. Her other talents included sewing, crocheting, working in her flower garden and decorating cakes for many family functions. Ruth and Fred enjoyed traveling, toured the continental United States extensively and especially enjoyed going to auction sales involving steam locomotives. Surviving besides her husband Fred, are her two daughters and their spouses; Beverly and Jerry Kabat of Frankenmuth; and Ruth and Larry Trombley of Reese; four grandchildren, Cindy Buetow of Clarkston, Keith Trombley and his wife Bonnie of Saginaw; Greta McClendon and her husband Mark of Loveland, Co; Zachary Kabat of Leadville Co; and her six great-grandchildren, Jason, Erik, Jordan, Jonathan, Marissa and Joseph and her brother, Earl Stolz and his wife Irene of Saginaw. In addition to her parents, Ruth was predeceased by her brother Vernon Stolz who died in action during WWII. Ruth’s family would like to thank the staff at the Lutheran Home of Frankenmuth for their care, love and support for the last two years.  ~Funeral~ Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, February 18, 2011 from the Trinity Lutheran Church in Reese. Rev. Dr. Robert Bennett and Vicar John Henry will both officiate with committal services to follow in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.

~Visitation~ Ruth’s family will receive friends at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 9940 Saginaw Street in Reese on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of services.

DINGEL, Winifred ‘Cleo’ – of Goodrich, age 89, passed away February 14, 2011 at Genesys Health Park. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held 3:00 PM Saturday, February 19, 2011 at Allen Funeral Home, 9136 Davison Rd., Davison; Rev. Robert D. Wright officiating. The family will receive visitors from 2 PM until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Winifred Cleo Dingel was born in Flint, MI on September 6, 1921, daughter of the late William Cleatis Jerden and Matilda Cora Jerden. She grew up in Mt. Morris, Michigan and graduated from Mt. Morris High School. After high school, she was employed at AC Spark Plug Company until she retired in 1975 after 34 years as the comptrollers secretary. She was a member of IBG and TENORMOR. She was active in St. Celelia and the Flint Theatre Organ Club. Cleo and her husband, Harold, enjoyed skiing, golf, playing the organ and also sailed their boats at Holland and later at Port Sanilac, Michigan. On February 18, 2011 she would have been married to Harold Dingel for 50 years. She and Harold were long standing members of Court Street Methodist Church.

COUCH, Ester (Liddle) – Of Flint, age 76, died Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at Select Specialty Hospital. Funeral service will be held 11a.m. Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint, Reverend John H. Grantham officiating. Burial in Crestwood Cemetery. Visitation 1-4p.m. and 6-8p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Ester was born in Flint on May 18, 1934 the daughter of the late William and Siddie (Howlett) Long and was a resident of the Flint area most of her life. She married Stuart (Ernie) Couch in 2007. She was a member of Harmony Baptist Church. Ester enjoyed serving her customers as a waitress at O’Tooles’s, Captain Coty’s and The Pink Garter for several years. Surviving are husband, Stuart (Ernie); 5 children, Wes (Mary) Childers, Dan Childers, Mike (Cheryl) Childers, Diana Chappell, Debbie (A.J.) Faught; 8 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; sisters Myrtle Jane Revere, Monakay Sliger and Siddie Johnston; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Harold Childers and 2nd husband, Robert Liddle, and three brothers, Bill Long, Dick Long and Mark Long.

WILKINSON, Chester J. – of Davison, age 84, passed away February 15, 2011 at Brian’s House Hospice, Davison. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held 12 NOON Saturday, February 26, 2011 at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 7234 Fenton Rd., Gr. Blanc, MI 48439; Pastor William Stenke officiating. The family will welcome visitors from 11 am-12 noon Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Spirit Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.

Chester was born in Flint on July 17, 1926, son of the late DeLoss and Elizabeth (Pixley) Wilkinson. He proudly served his country with the U.S. Air Force from 1944-1946. Chester married Laura White on October 25, 1946. He retired from AC-Spark Plug Division in 1986. Chester loved to play Golf and Badminton. He enjoyed his garden and bird watching.

Chester is survived by his wife, Laura; children, Dean, Diane (Mick) Wilborn, Wendy (Tim) Speckman, Mark (Pam) Wilkinson and Kent (Pat) Wilkinson; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, Leroy (LaNelle) and Larry (Lillian) Wilkinson.Please share your thoughts with the family at www.allenfuneralhomeinc.com.