Clara Elsie Halabis

Clara Elsie Halabis, age 90, passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at Bennett's - A Touch of Home in Caro. The former Clara Ruppal was born June 25, 1922 in Akron to the late John and Marie (Fischer) Ruppal. She was a 1940 graduate of Akron High School. Clara worked first in Saginaw building machine gun barrels as a Rosie the Riveter. She then went to work at the Caro Regional Center as a Cook Supervisor, where she worked for thirty-six years. On August 21, 1956, she was united in marriage with Walter Halabis in Bowling Green Ohio. He preceded her in death on June 23, 2003. For a period of time, she made wedding cakes and was involved in a catering business with Mrs. Sayers. Clara and Walter spent many of their summers in Caseville, and she enjoyed fishing and casinos. She was a member of the Polish American Club, the Women of the Moose, Caseville Eagles, the Caro Community Hospital Women's Auxiliary and the State Retirement Association. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Kay & Elden Hutchinson of Unionville, Tom & Paula Nowland of Caro, and Mark & Melissa Halabis of Cass City; a daughter-in-law, Gale Nowland of Atlantic Beach, Florida; nine grandchildren, Darlene (Mike) Kozak, Jeff (Tina) Hecht, Brian (Shelly) Nowland, Aaron Nowland, Kelly Nowland, David Hutchinson, Ryan Hutchinson, Abbey Halabis, and Brady Halabis; five great-grandchildren, Nicole Nowland, Jocelyn Nowland, Kara Nowland, Kevin and Trent Hecht; one brother, Harold (Norma) Ruppal of Akron; a sister-in-law, Genevieve Ruppal of Akron; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Paula Jo Nowland; a son, Allen Nowland; a daughter-in-law, Carol Nowland; as well as the remainder of her siblings and their spouses. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro with Rev. Ray Karr officiating. Burial will follow at Indianfields Township Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home on Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to Hospice of Michigan, Caro Community Hospital Auxillary, or the Family Discretionary Fund c/o Kay Hutchinson, 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, MI 48723. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro. Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.RansfordCollon.com. Visitation Information Date: Friday, April 12, 2013 Time: 2:00 pm End Time: 8:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map Service Information Date: Saturday, April 13, 2013 Time: 11:00 am Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map Cemetery Information Date: Saturday, April 13, 2013 Indianfields Township Cemetery Address: 989-673-2428 | Map