Elgin W. Clinesmith

Elgin W. Clinesmith of Vassar, age 83, passed away on Friday, November 14, 2014 at St. Mary's of Michigan in Saginaw. Elgin was born September 9, 1931 in Caro, the son of the late James and Esther (Leckrone) Clinesmith. On October 11, 1952 Elgin married the former Stella Grabitz at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Reese. A loving soul to those around him, Elgin was committed to his church, country, family and friends. Elgin served in the U. S. Army, enlisting in 1951, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He then returned to the Caro and Vassar area and was employed with General Motors for more than twenty-five years, retiring in 1988, and had farmed for more than thirty years also. Elgin's devotion to his church started when he was young, and as an adult he was an altar server and member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he instructed young people how to be altar servers, and as a teacher for the S.P.R.E.D. program, working with those with special needs, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus #3224 of Caro, joining on February 1, 1989. A love for those who had served their country led Elgin to join the Reese American Legion Post # 139 where he was a life member and former Post Commander from 1996 until 1998. Elgin, a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather is survived by Stella, his wife of sixty-two years; three daughters and their husbands, Debra and Joseph Fessler of Vassar, Lisa and Mike Sopel of Alma, and Sheila and Alan Wisenbach of Caro; two grandchildren, Jacob Wisenbach of Caro and Madison Sopel of Alma; three sisters and their husbands, Edith and Howard Auernhamer of Vassar, Beulah Hughes of Vassar, and Nancy and Tom Hecht of Crystal Falls; and one brother and his wife, Robert and Donna Clinesmith of Vassar. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Eric Clinesmith; a grandson, Joshua Fessler; one sister, Barbara Bushong; and one brother, James Clinesmith, Jr. A Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at St. Christopher Catholic Church in Caro. Burial will follow at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Caro with military honors provided by the Reese American Legion Post #139 and the U.S. Army. The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Elgin W. Clinesmith Family Discretionary Fund, c/o Stella Clinesmith, 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, MI 48723. Visitation Information Date: Monday, November 17, 2014 Time: 2:00 pm End Time: 8:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Service Information Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 Time: 11:00 am St. Christopher Parish, Sacred Heart Campus Address: 140 Atwood Street Caro, MI 48723 989-673-2346 | Map A Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at St. Christopher Catholic Church in Caro. Cemetery Information Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 Sacred Heart Cemetery Address: 350 Ellington St Caro, MI 48723 Burial will follow at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Caro.