Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan • Page 10

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 Lansing State Journal www.lsj.com DEATHS FUNERALS Deaths Born in Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana on July 11, 1931, James died in Lansing, Michigan on July 20, 2009 at the age of 78. 1958 he married Phyllis Anne McConnell. Phyllis was the love of his life. ether and and Phyllis enjoyed it treasured up to the their end. time Phyllis togedied February 25, 2007.

Jim and Phyllis traveled widely, including many trips throughout the United States and Europe. Jim was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. He was a lawyer and he the law and the practice of law. He was a strong believer in promoting, and enforcing Civil Rights. He was an enthusiastic advocate for his clients.

He was dogged in his quest for justice. He never gave up until he had achieved victory in his cause or until he sustained an irrevocable and final defeat. He was in every fight for the long run and with the goal of winning. Arranging a graceful surrender was always his last choice and he seldom chose that course of action. Jim was a member of the Michigan State House of Representatives from 1965-1966.

He was the first Democrat elected in Ingham County. He was defeated in 1966. He was a candidate for mayor of Lansing in 1969. Jim was an assistant attorney general in Michigan from 1961 until 1964. He was a special assistant attorney general from 1967 until 2003.

He was a former Lansing police commissioner. After leaving the state legislature he was a lobbyist or "legislative agent" for many different companies and associations. Jim attended Lansing Eastern High School where he graduated in 1949. He attended Michigan State University where he received a BA degree. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University Law School.

While attending Eastern High School he was a member of the swim team, which was inducted into the EHS Hall of Fame in 2007. He was also a member of the state champion debate team for EHS. He was death by his mother, Eleanor Starr and his father, Starr and his brother, Rev. William R. precedeben Starr and his sister, Oweetah Starr.

Jim is survived by many loving family members including his sisters, Gloria Stephens and Phyllis Cornell. His daughters, Pamela Ward, Kimberly Cortez and Debra Starr also survive him. He has four grandchildren, Adam and Rachel Cortez and Dustin and Jenna Ward. Jim served in the U.S. Army.

While in the Army he joined the boxing team. He said he joined the team to avoid unpleasant work detail, but there are those who suspect that he H. James Starr Lansing For paid obituary notices, call 377-1104 Lansing liked to fight. The funeral 1 service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2009 at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel with the Rev.

David D. Stephens officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Community Dream Project. Estes- -Leadleu 63 MID MICHIGAN'S FINEST Ruth Irene Simons Lansing (Jose) Lopez, Charlene Simons, 13 grandchildren and A private family service by the Estes-Leadley Greater Estesco (Melvin) Courser and Ken 18 great-grandchildren. will be held. Arrangements Lansing Chapel. -Leadleu 6) Age 87, passed away July 19, 2009.

was born in Grand Island, Nebraska March 21, 1922 the daughter of Smith Edith (Ross) Campbell. Ruth worked Ingham Medical Center as a ward clerk enjoyed needlepoint. She was preceded in death by her Simons and is survived by her children, Benninger, Shirley, 87, of Lansing, died Saturday. Memorial services noon today at St. Casimir Catholic Church.

Arrangements by J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh. Cox, Careanna of Lansing, died Sunday. Visitation 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Chapel In The Pines Funeral Home. Crosby, Edith Rose, 91, of Lansing, died Friday. Services 11 a.m.

today at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Arrangements by Palmer, Bush and Jensen Family Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel. Higgins, Jean Lorraine, 82, of Lansing, died July 12. There will be no services. Arrangements by Chapel In The Pines Funeral Home.

Lockhart, Jacquelyn 59, of Lansing, state policy analyst, died Friday. Services 2 p.m. Wednesday at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel. McMullen, Albert "Bum," 64, of Lansing, died Saturday. Services noon Wednesday at Estes-Leadley Funeral Homes, Greater Lansing Chapel.

Myers, Dale 85, of Lansing, general contractor, died Friday. Private services already have been held. Arrangements by Tiffany Funeral Home. Watkins, Annie 94, of Lansing, died Friday. Services noon today at EstesLeadley Funeral Homes, Greater Lansing Chapel.

Carson City Wineland, Jeanne 76, of Carson City, retired Carson City Hospital nurse, died Monday. There will be no services. Arrangements by Lux Schnepp Funeral Home, Carson City. Crystal Kelly, Clifton Edward, 85, of Crystal, automotive mechanic, died Wednesday. Private memorial services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Smith Deaths Funerals also appear on Page 5B Death notices also appear on Page 3B Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis. Dimondale Finkbiner, Emma Joan, 78, of Dimondale, formerly of Portland, retired state Ag- riculture Department typist, died Monday. Graveside services 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Portland Cemetery, Portland.

Arrangements by Field Leik Funeral Home, Dimondale. Eaton Rapids Irvin, Charles 85, of Eaton Rapids, formerly of Haslett, retired state Department of Natural Resources employee, died Friday. Services noon Wednesday at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Chapel, East Lansing. Pifer, Walter 88, of Eaton Rapids, Pifer Racing Stables (Eaton Rapids) owner and trainer, died Saturday. There will be no services.

Arrangements by Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids. Haslett Burgdorf, Jason Andrew "Burgs," 24, of Haslett, died Saturday. Memorial July 23-26, MICHIGAN 2009 OWOSSO TRAIN RIDES BIG TRAINS MODEL TRAINS MINIATURE TRAINS CAB TOURS RAILROAD VENDORS SHOP TOURS CABOOSE RIDES CAR RIDES HAND LOTS OF FOOD la Tues or Mac FAMILY FUN MUCH MORE (989) 725-9464 AIR DUCT CLEANING EXCESS DUST? ALLERGIES? ASTHMA? BREATHING PROBLEMS? BEFORE AFTER HOURS: MONDAY SATURDAY 8AM PM 8PM WARNING! Mold Removal High-Powered State-of-the-Art WE ALSO OFFER: SPECIAL INCLUDES: SUNDAY 9AM 3 SAME DAY DUSTMITE WASTE AVAILABLE AND ASTHMA! APPOINTMENTS CAUSES ALLERGIES $4995 Blower Motor HEPA Filtered Cleaning Units Coil Cleaning INCLUDES 8 VENTS, Training and Certified Sanitizing Treatment Technicians (EPA Reg. Bacteriostat) 1 RETURN AND 1 Knowledgeable Staff Furnace Only. Additional vents $10 each, returns $15 each.

Access doors $20 each. Main prices separate. Price for multiple homes may vary. Protective coverings Written estimate and complete system inspection included. Commercial rates are available.

Cannot be combined with other offers or previous work. BREATHE CALL TODAY! OFF FOR SENIORS AND MILITARY! TOMORROW. INDOOR SOLUTIONS MEMBER OF Air CODE LS OPERATED BY MILITARY, Indoor LOCALLY OWNED 1-517-327-2910 Quality VETERANS ASSOCIATION INC. or CALL TOLL FREE 1-877-759-8444 CODE LS VISA services 4 p.m. Wednesday at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Williamston Chapel.

Howell Bauby, Lawrence Charles, 82, of Howell, Shaver Shop died Saturday. Services 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Howell. Arrangements by MacDonald's Funeral Home, Howell.

Leslie White, Kimberly 41, of Leslie, died Thursday of natural causes. Visitation 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at CaskeyMitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge. Mason Wanger, Francis, 71, of Mason, retired Secretary of State employee, died Monday.

Arrangements by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Ball Dunn Chapel, Mason. Morrice Gross, Gerald Bernard "Gary," 58, of Morrice, died Sunday. Services 1 p.m. Saturday at West Locke Wesleyan Church, Largest Celebration of GREAT FAMILY FUN Williamston. Arrangements by Watkins Brothers Funeral Home, Perry.

Okemos Hope, Charlene Gayle, 72, of Okemos, retired automotive secretary, died Thursday. Services noon Wednesday at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel. Ovid Cannon, Gerald Irving, 68, of Ovid, retired General Motors Corp. employee, died Sunday. Services 11 a.m.

Wednesday at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel. St. Johns Herrle, Richard 80, of St. Johns, formerly of Venice, retired executive, died Friday. Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Osgood Funeral Homes, St. Johns. Stockbridge Sortor, Nancy 69, of Stockbridge, retired data processing employee, died Monday. Services noon Friday at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Williamston Chapel. SEE PEOPLE Page 3B festival America's Largest 1225 She on and for and band, Harold husCheryl (Vickie) are Come See the World, Famous Person Var Steam Locomotive Var from Portland, OR 0010585536.