Battle Creek Enquirer from Battle Creek, Michigan • Page 4

4A LOCALSTATE FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1990 BATTLE CREEK ENQUIRER More obit information. 4C OSteiftuaries Fygffiw inmuirdleir syspodt to 7 people Elwood M. 'Mike' Slocum E.W. Bliss retiree, of Wilkinson Lake, drowns By BILL MILLER Regional Editor i i mriii friends of the family. "They were letters explaining.

why the events of that weekend happened," Loss said. He would not identify the recipients or discuss the contents of the letters. However, Ann Dunkel, a high school counselor who had worked with DePue, said she received one of the letters and immediately turned it over to Legion Post 45, Delton VFW Post 422 and Hastings and Woodland Eagles. Surviving are his wife, the former Helen Davis; sons, Don Slocum of Louisville, and Dan Slocum of Hastings; a daughter, Barbara Hughes of Hastings; four grandchildren; two stepgrandchil-dren; sisters, Helen Burr, Anna Rainwater and Doris Naylor, all of Hastings, and Avis Sunless of Otsego; brothers, William Slocum of Lake Placid, and Glenn and Gaylord Slocum of Hastings. Services will be at 1 p.m.

Saturday at Wren Funeral Home, Hastings. Memorial donations may go to Elwood M. "Mike" Slocum Memorial Fund. COLDWATER The ex-husband of a woman who was shot to death last week near Branson has mailed letters to seven people in the area since he disappeared after the killing. Dennis DePue, 46, also took $4,000 in cash with him when he disappeared, said Sgt Pat Loss of the Branch County SherifFs Department DePue is the only suspect in the slaying of Marilynn DePue, 48, of Coldwater.

The body of the Coldwater High School counselor was found April 16 in a wooded area near Branson. Relatives reported that the divorced couple had been fighting the day before. Warrants have, been issued for DePue's arrest charging him with an open murder count, felony firearms, and interstate flight to avoid prosecution. The FBI is assisting in the search. The letters were mailed on one date April 1 7 from one location in the southeast United States, Loss said.

They were sent to some school officials and only saw part of the letter, but said to shift blame (for the killing) from people involved." letters had been turned over to the and that the recipients had been about the contents. of the letters gave any indication be found or where he might be headed. believed to have driven away in a 1984 van. Dennis Depue Police Suspect apprehended: No one was injured when an armed suspect was barricaded in a home at 1 78 N. Fremont Road in Branch County's Quincy Township for two hours Thursday.

Branch County sheriffs deputies and Michigan State police troopers from Coldwater were called to the scene about 9:30 p.m. on a felonious assault report. Before police arrived, witnesses said, shots were fired inside the home. Police said the armed suspect was found in the home, lured out after two hours and arrested. The case is under investigation.

Women assaulted: Two Battle Creek women were assaulted by two men, one carrying a handgun, about 1 1:40 p.m. Thursday in McCrae Park. One of the women, 28, told Battle Creek police she was walking with another women, 24, in the park when two men in their 20s confronted them. They told the women to stop and grabbed the older woman. The man with the gun stuck the weapon in her face, asking her if she had any money and threatening to shoot her friend as the friend was ninning away.

He then hit her in the side. The woman screamed, and the two men fled the area. The women went to a residence in the 100 block of Burr Street to call police. The area was checked, but the suspects could not be found. Burglar drives at man: a 19-year-old Battle Creek man was arrested by Emmett Township Public Safety officers after he allegedly broke into a storage building about 3:20 p.m.

Wednesday in the 6000 block of Drive North and men tried to run over the building's owner as he and another man fled from the scene. Police said the Loss. She said she in it he was "trying himself to other Loss said all the sheriffs department, asked not to talk Loss said none where he could DePue is full-size Chevrolet and Fire victim tried to flag the men down when they drove at him. The suspect was arrested about an hour later in his vehicle near his residence on Pennwood Street He is being held on charges of breaking and entering and felonious assault Police said they expect to arrest his companion. Woman hurt in hit-run: a 20-year-old Battle Creek woman was treated at Community Hospital and released after she was hit from behind by an unidentified car about noon Thursday on North Division Street at Jackson Street Traci L.

Thurston, 17 Elm St. Apartment 4, was southbound on Division and stopped at a red light when other car hit hers, forcing her head into the windshield. The other car fled the scene. Break-ins: (Values in parentheses) Goodwill Retail Store, 15383 Helmer Road: Damage to trailer door (amount undetermined). Riverside Drive, 300 block: Lawn mower ($250) from a shed.

Thefts: West State Street at Michigan Avenue: Two cassette tape cases, 33 tapes ($330) damage to van window. West Michigan Avenue, 1500 block: Two rings, glasses, cash, change, purse ($1,815) damage to car window. Kellogg Community College, 450 North Cash ($200) from a wallet in gym locker. East Columbia Avenue, first block: Fender skirts ($100) from a car. Vandalism: East Emmett Street, 300 block: Car body, porch railing, outdoor light East Emmett and Harvard streets: Car window Lathrop Street, first block: Clothing Compiled by Staff Writers Mark Schwerin and Jackie Ryniak Cleveland Jones Sr.

ALBION Cleveland Jones 70, of 505 Dalrymple St, died Wednesday, April 25, 1990, in Grand Rapids at the home of his daughter. He was born in Vicksburg, and came to Albion in the early 1950s. He was employed by Brooks Foundry and was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. His wife, Beatrice, and a son, Lee Floyd Jones, preceded him in death. Surviving are sons, Cleveland Jones Jr.

of Battle Creek and Charles Wardley of Albion; a daughter, Sophronia Blevins of Grand Rapids; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Jake Jones Jr. of Albion; and sisters, Mary Bell Davis, Margaret Spicer and Mary B. Smith, all of Vicksburg, and Georgia Reese of Richmond, Calif. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Bethel Baptist Church, Albion.

Arrangements are by Perry Funeral Home. Ellen L. Ritsema Hoagland SHERWOOD Ellen Louise (Fuller) Ritsema Hoagland, 85, of Sherwood, died Wednesday, April 25, 1990, at Leila Hospital after a short illness. She was bom in Battle Creek and lived in Sherwood most of her life. She worked at Post Division of General Foods Corp.

for 27 years, retiring in 1970. She was a member of Post 25-Year Club and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She was an avid Tiger baseball fan and enjoyed crocheting and fishing. Surviving are a daughter, Betty J. Davis of Battle Creek; a son, Samuel Ritsema of Ceresco; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-greatgrandchildren.

A daughter, Mary Ann Burgett, and sons, Jimmy and Russell, preceded her in death. Services will be at 1 0 a.m. Saturday at Spencer Funeral Home, Athens. Flora R. Griffin Flora R.

Griffin, of Arrowood Nursing Home, died Thursday, April 26, 1990, in Leila Hospital Arrangements are pending at Perry Funeral Home. Forrest L. Johnson HASTINGS Forrest L. Johnson, 82, of 406 W. Woodlawn died Thursday, April 26, 1990, at Metropolitan Hospital, Grand Rapids.

Arrangements are pending at Wren Funeral Home. Compiled by Mark Glubke, Jim Dean and Stephanie Boyd Setting It Straight In reference to an April 21 story about Sandra Kalvin's preliminary hearing, Terry Conklin has been charged with no crime. Elwood M. Slocum, who drowned Wednesday in Barry County's Wilkinson Lake, was from Hope Township. An incorrect location was given.

The workshop "Clearing the Way to a Drug-free Workplace" at Stouffer Battle Creek Hotel begins with registration and breakfast at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday. Incorrect information was provided. It is the intention of the Battle Creek Enquirer that its news reports be fair and accurate in every aspect If you have a question or comment about news coverage, write to Ellen Leifeld, executive editor, 155 W. Van Buren St, Battle Creek, MI 49016, or call 964-7161 between 8 ajn.

and 4 pan. Births OAKLAWN, MARSHALL diaries and Candy Swafford, 14932 18'Mile Road, a daughter Thursday, April 26, 1990. PENNOCK, HASTINGS Anthony and Kathleen Hayward, Wayland, a son Thursday, April 26, 1990. BRONSON, KALAMAZOO Tim and Lori dark, 177 Wheaton, Battle Creek, a daughter Thursday, April 19, 1990. BORGESS, KALAMAZOO Mark and Naomi Snyder, Galesburg, twin daughter and son Thursday, April 26, 1990.

Births Elsevvhsre Bryce and Dollie (Carey) Cain, Norfolk, a daughter Monday, April 23, 1990. Both parents are former residents of Battle Creek. DELTON Elwood M. "Mike" Slocum, 65, of 46 NadelL Wilkinson Lake, drowned Wednesday, April 25, 1990. He was bora in Castleton Township, Barry County, was raised in the Nashville area and attended schools there.

He served with the Army during World War II. He was employed 29 years by E.W. Bliss Hastings, retiring in 1979. He previously was employed by Goodyear Brothers in Hastings. He had lived on Yeckley Road, near Hastings, for 40 years, moving to Wilkinson Lake in July.

He was a member of Hastings Moose Lodge 628, Legion of the Moose 108, Hastings American Dale C. Walbeck MARSHALL Dale C. Walbeck, 70, of 322 S. Eagle St, died Thursday, April 26, 1990, at Leila Hospital after a long illness. He was bom in Marshall and was a lifelong resident He was a 1938 graduate of Marshall High School and served with the Army Air Corp during World War II in India, Burma and the Central China Theatre.He was employed by the City of Marshall in the powerhouse from 1956 until retiring in 1983.

He and his sons also owned and operated Marshall Maintenance from 1966-83. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and enjoyed dealing in antiques. His wife, the former Frances Bicknell, died in 1 989. A daughter, Elizabeth Walbeck, died in 1957.

Surviving are sons, Thomas John Richard Timothy and Robert H. Walbeck, all of Marshall, and Michael P. Walbeck of Tekonsha; daughters, Anna Walbeck-Stevens and Teresa May Walbeck, both of Marshall; 17 grandchildren; and sisters, Dora Hall of California, Peg Gardner of Battle Creek and Marion De-France of Florida. Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Craig K.

Kempf Funeral Home. Memorial donations may go to Boy Scouts of America. Pablo C. 'Paul' Meza MARSHALL Pablo C. "Paul" Meza, 74, of Marshall Manor, died Thursday, April 26, 1990, at Oaklawn- Hospital.

He had been ill one year. He was born in Texas and moved to Marshall in 1942. In 1969, he moved to Charlotte, returning to Marshall 10 months ago. He worked at Johnson Foundry in Charlotte from 1966 until he retired in the mid-1970s. He was also employed by the old Stout Foundry in Marshall for a number of years.

He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. His wife, the former Velia Tre-vino, died in 1986. Surviving are daughters, Mary Hunt of Marshall and Dora "Dee" Barber of Lansing; sons, Paul J. Meza of Marshall, Daniel Meza of Battle Creek and David Meza of Lansing; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sisters, Anita Hernondez and Socorro Gonzales, both of Del Rio, Texas, Consuilo Geurrero of Georgetown, Texas, and Aurora Flores of Car-rizo Springs, Texas.

Services will be at noon Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church. Memorial donations may go to Marshall Manor Activities Fund. Arrangements are by Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home.

Willis V. Buehrer MARSHALL Willis V. Buehrer, 70, of 320 S. Madison died Wednesday, April 25, 1990, at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo. He was born in Scipio Township and lived in Marshall the past eight years.

He served with the Army during World War II and was employed by Miller Tool and Die, Jackson, retiring in 1984. He was a life member of Disabled American Veterans in Hillsdale, past trustee of Michigan Fiddlers Association and a member of Original Michigan Fiddlers Association, Harrison Fiddlers Association, Uncle Carl's Dulcimer Club, Palmyra Musicians, Original Dulcimer PA. and Thornapple Valley Dulcimer Club. He made his home with Isabell Miller of Marshall. Surviving are a daughter, Janice Johnston of Litchfield; sons, Douglas and Allan Buehrer, both of Jonesville; five grandchildren; and a sister, Verna Rogers of Jonesville.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Eagle Funeral Home, Jonesville. Memorial donations may go to American Heart Association. Ralph Osborne CHARLOTTE Ralph Osborne, 74, of Charlotte, died Thursday, April 26, 1990 in Ingham County Medical Center in Lansing. Arrangements are pending at Pray Funeral Home.

Daniel T. Wood Daniel T. Wood, 42, of Jackson, and formerly of Battle Creek, died Wednesday, April 25, 1990. He had been ill since Christmas and seriously ill six weeks. He was born in Battle Creek, was a 1965 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School and received a bachelor's degree in business and computer science at Western Michigan University.

He was working on a master's degree in computer science at WMU. He served with the Air Force from 1969-76, including service in Vietnam. Since 1 982, he was a systems analyst with Computer Science Environmental Protection Agency, Ann Arbor, where he worked on emission control and fuel economy. He enjoyed volleyball and golf. Surviving are his wife, the former Virginia L.

Sims; sons, Robert W. Wood of Battle Creek and JefT A. and Daniel T. Wood II, both of Jackson; a daughter, Stephanie A. Wood of Jackson; and three grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. Memorial donations may go to Hospice of Jackson. Paul M.

Schauder Paul M. Schauder, 67, of Ashe-ville, N.C., and formerly of Battle Creek, died Tuesday, April 24, 1990, at home. He was bom in Tiffin, Ohio, was a 1939 graduate of Fosteria (Ohio) High School and studied accounting at Toledo University for two years. He served with the Army Air Corp during World War II. He was a personnel manager with Defense Logistics Services Center for 25 years and worked 1 5 of those years at the Battle Creek Federal Center, retiring in 1977.

He held several machinery patents. He enjoyed coin collecting and gardening. He had lived in Asheville four months. Surviving are his wife, the former Julia Knaggs; daughters, Sandy Schauder of Dowling and Patricia Schauder of Warsaw, Ohio; sons, Martin Schauder of Chelsea and Steven Schauder of Dearborn; and three grandchildren. Services will be at 2 p.m.

Saturday at Bachman Hebble Funeral Service. Memorial donations may go to United Cerebral Palsy Fund. Richard A. Langdon COLDWATER Richard A. Langdon, 55, of Ionia, and formerly of Coldwater, died Monday, April 23, 1990, at home.

He was bom in Boston and he moved to Danville, as a child and was raised there. He served with the Navy during the Korean conflict before coming to the Cold-water area in 1966. He worked for Midwest Foundry and Coldwater Regional Center and last worked for the State of Michigan. He enjoyed fishing and painting. Surviving are his wife, the former Virginia Durr of Union City, sons, Robert A.

Langdon of Montgomery and Kevin M. Langdon of Union City, daughters, Michelle Yarbrough of Channel View, Texas, Darla J. Lynch of Quincy, Krystal K. Langdon of Pasadena, Texas, and Tracy L. Langdon of Union City, four grandchildren; one brother, and four sisters.

Cremation has taken place. No services will be held. Arrangements are by Putnam Funeral Home, Coldwater. Lula J. Williams Lula J.

Williams, 65, of 23949 Bedford Road, died Thursday, April 26, 1990, at Tendercare of Hastings. Arrangements are pending at Wren Funeral Home. Jessie A. Brown Jessie A. Brown, 74, of 231 Springview Drive, died Thursday, April 26, in Leila Hospital.

Arrangements are pending at Shaw-Estes Funeral Home. Hazel E. Pray CHARLOTTE Hazel E. Pray, 89, of Charlotte, died in Isla-morada, Thursday, April 26, 1990. Arrangements are pending at Pray Funeral Home.

Kids' concern for ecology afters menu By FRANCES FRANKLIN Marshall Editor MARSHALL Ecology-minded Madison Elementary School fourth-graders must decide whether to put their eating habits where their consciences are. They have gained some ground on demands to purge plastic products from the school's lunchroom, but the victory comes with a qualifier. Kay Davis, Marshall Public Schools food service director, has offered the students a reusable basket lined with one sheet of paper as an alternative to the throw-away molded plastic trays used for lunches. Davis can start the basket lunch program next week, said the students teacher, Sandy Kuhn. "It means no mashed potatoes and gravy and may mean no pizza, and it still doesn't solve using Sty-rofoam cups on (milk shake) days.

It doesn't do anything for the plastic forks," Kuhn said. "They have to decide now if that's what they want to do." The ecological movement ed last month when a class discussion brought the pollution issue to a head. Some of the students are members of Junior Girl Scout Troop 243 and were involved in collecting plastic milk jugs for recycling. The class talked about recycling and other ways to control waste, and decided to push for biodegradable or reusable products in the lunchroom. They suggested using washable dishes and cutlery or allowing diners to bring their own tableware.

When they learned the school has no money to buy a dishwasher or pay staff to do the work, they suggested putting students on the job. Whatever it takes, they said then, they would do to get rid of the plastic foam. They vowed to push for students to refuse to buy school lunches until the issue is resolved. Jury selected in robbery, murder trial The Associated Press CORUNNA Eight men and six women were selected as jurors Thursday in the murder trial of a Shaftsburg man accused of robbing a Perry bank, kidnapping four employees and then killing one in Barry County. Opening arguments were scheduled for today, said Jan Foltz, secretary to Circuit Judge Gerald Lostracco.

William McAlister, 21, faces an open charge of murder, four counts of kidnapping and three counts of assault with intent to commit murder. If convicted, he faces life in prison without chance of parole. A gun-wielding man robbed the First Federal Bank of Michigan in Perry shortly before it opened Sept 26, 1989. He forced four employees to drive to Barry County's Assyria Township, where he ordered them to He behind the car and backed over them. Marilyn Parks, 57, of Owosso was killed.

The other three workers escaped with injuries. matched Wednesday's winning numbers, 3, 10, 19, 25, 30 and 34. The jackpot was worth $4 million. Seventy players matched five of Wednesday's numbers to qualify for $1,165 each. No one matched the Zinger number, 666557.

Save $1.00 on Joam State's Marimted Chicken. Special savings on six delicious Chicken dishes. Come to Bill Knapp's for your favorite Chicken entree and we'll take $1.00 off your check. Enjoy tender, boneless Chicken Breasts marinated in Joan Stutz's honey-ginger the one she created just for us with her blend of apple juice, garlic and natural spices with the juiciest, plumpest Chicken she can find. At Bill Knapp's we cook from scratch.

So come for dinner soon. We'll treat you to friendly service and Joan's homestyle Chicken, both at $1.00 savings Save $1 on your favorite Chicken entree. Barbecued Chicken Southern Fried Chicken Picatta Marinated Breast Chicken Parmesan Daily Chicken Feature Please present coupon to server. Good Not Meal check. for all guests on a single guest check.

valid with other coupons, discounts, specials, Green Gift Certificates or Complete No cash value. One coupon per guest Good through May 16, 1990. 2810 Capital Ave. S.W. (at 1-94) Lotto jackpot climbs to $6 million rA mn The Associated Press LANSING The jackpot for Saturday's Michigan Lotto 47 drawing will be worth at least $6 million after no one matched all six numbers in the most recent game, lottery officials said.

None of 2.3 million plays FAMILY RESTAURANT We cook from scratch.8.