Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. & Cremation Services

07/26/2025

Betty Sue Meldrum

Betty Sue Meldrum, born on October 31, 1942, in Bay City, Michigan, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2025, at Huron Woods Nursing Home. She was surrounded by her loving caregivers at the time of her passing, a testament to the deep bonds she cultivated throughout her stay.

Betty was a dedicated nursing assistant and worked at Healthsource in Saginaw, Michigan, until a back injury necessitated her retirement. Her compassion and care for others defined her career, as she dedicated herself to improving the well-being of those she served. Beyond her professional life, Betty was known for her unwavering faith and love for the Lord. She frequently shared her beliefs and often expressed her gratitude and affection for her family and caregivers, instilling warmth and kindness in her spicy way in all her interactions.

In addition to her professional commitments, Betty embraced a variety of hobbies and interests that enriched her life and the lives of those around her. She had a passion for gardening, which allowed her to create beautiful floral arrangements and decorate her home with the fruits of her labor. Betty also enjoyed crocheting blankets for her family, a labor of love that was cherished by all who received them.

Betty leaves behind a loving family, including three children: Vickie Sue (Vincent) Wyant, Daniel Paul (Cheryl) Gage, and Christy Colleen Meldrum. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, who will carry her memory forward.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Owen Hartley and Martha Reeves; sons Richard "Dickie" Allen Gage Jr. and Joseph Dennis Meldrum; and brothers Robert Daniel Hartley (Judy) Paulson, Marshall (Marion)Hartley, Paul Edward (Clara) Hartley, and sister Shirley Ann Dame. Each of these individuals played a significant role in her life, and their memories continue to be cherished by those she leaves behind.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Huron woods for going above and beyond in the care of Betty. From the bottom of our hearts we say thank you for loving and caring for our mother Betty.

Her compassion, faith, and love will be remembered by all whose lives she touched, and her legacy will live on through her family and the countless memories they share.

In honoring Betty’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services are being planned at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wishes of the Family.

View Betty Sue Meldrum's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/24/2025

It’s never too late to see the world. 🌍✈️

Travel isn’t just about sightseeing—it’s about living fully, making memories, and embracing new experiences. Return Assured offers a travel protection plan that brings peace of mind, ensuring that if the unexpected happens, your loved ones can rest easier knowing you'll be returned to them with care and respect.

So, here’s your sign: go confidently, explore joyfully, and let Return Assured handle the “what ifs.” Life is short, and you deserve to pack as much adventure into it as you can!

To learn more about our Return Assured plans, please don't hesitate to reach out to us! www.gephartfuneralhome.com/contact-us

07/23/2025

Patricia A. Puffer

Patricia passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at MyMichigan Medical Center at the age of 91. The daughter of the late Albert and Velma (Baker) Smith was born August 28, 1933 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Patricia was a proud member of Grace United Methodist Church. During her life she enjoyed playing golf, archery, ice skating, camping and blue grass music, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Patricia is survived by her children, Kimberly (Kim) Hubbard, Karen (Phil) Rupp, Kellie Wascher, Kayla Pockrandt, Mark (Marilyn) Puffer and Beckie (Scott) Hoffman; grandchildren, April (Bob) Arndt, Michelle Campbell, Michael Campbell, Haley (Bryce) Gore, Alice Rupp, Barrie Rupp, Alex Wascher, Wesley Wascher, Cory Hearns and Jenny Hearns; great grandchildren, Bobby Arndt, Olivia Arndt, William Livingston, Allen Gore and Ren Hearns and her special niece, Bonnie Koskinen. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Mike Puffer; brother, Albert “Butch” Smith Jr.; sister, Nancy Burghdorf and her brother-in-law, Harvey Burghdorf.

A memorial service will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at the Gephart Funeral Home. Officiating will be Pastor Eric Kieb. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at the Gephart Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to Shelter Angels.

View Patricia A. Puffer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/21/2025

Bradley E. "Brad "Tucker

Bradley E. "Brad" Tucker, born on November 2, 1987, in Bay City, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly at home on Saturday, July 19, 2025, with his wife, Stacy A. (Strieter) Tucker by his side. Their journey together began in 2005 when they met at John Glenn High School. They were then married on August 23, 2014, and in that time, they created a lifetime of memories filled with laughter, adventure, and deep companionship.

Brad was a proud graduate, earning both his bachelor's and master's degrees, which he utilized in his role as the Director of Human Resources for the City of Bay City and member of MPERLA (Michigan Public Employer Labor Relations Association). His remarkable career was marked by his outgoing personality, a genuine fondness for people, and a humorous spirit that attracted friends and colleagues alike. He was not just a leader in his field but also a mentor who inspired many during his eleven years of coaching high school football at Garber High School and as a current football coach at John Glenn High School, sharing his passion for the game with countless young athletes.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Brad was a vibrant soul who cherished life’s simple pleasures. He had a great love for football, which transcended into all aspects of his life, becoming a cornerstone for building friendships and community bonds. He enjoyed working out at local gyms like the YMCA and Old Town Gym, always with a smile and an encouraging word for those around him. He found joy in spending quality time with Stacy and their beloved pets, Cooper, Mac, and Oliver. In his downtime, he loved the tropical destinations they explored together of course, visiting Margaritaville on their travels.

As a dedicated board member of the United Way of Bay County, Brad exemplified a commitment to giving back to his community, embodying the very spirit of generosity and kindness. He was a man rich in relationships, cherished by his mother, Patricia Tucker; his in-laws, Dave and Nancy Strieter; sister-in-law, Samantha Strieter; along with a multitude of aunts, uncles, cousins, and a close-knit group of friends, including his best friends Zach Rowley, Jon Horton, Jonn Mathews, and Jake Coquillard, who will forever hold his memory dearly.

Brad's legacy is one of warmth, friendship, and unwavering support for those lucky enough to have known him. While he is preceded in death by his father, Donald D. Tucker, and brother, Brian Tucker, his spirit will continue to shine brightly among the lives he touched. In the hearts of his family and friends, Brad Tucker will remain a beacon of joy, laughter, and love, forever missed and lovingly remembered.

A celebration of Brad's Life will take place on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Coonan's Irish Hub (1004 N. Johnson St., Bay City, MI 48706) from 3-6 pm. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider donations to wishes of the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.gephartfuneralhome.com

View Bradley E. "Brad "Tucker's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/21/2025

Klaus Herbert Matthes "Herb"

Herb went peacefully home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Toni and Trish House at the age of 85. He was born on August 6, 1939 to the late Herbert and Maria (Hille) Matthes in Eberswalde, Germany. At the young age of 10, he moved to Michigan with his family. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree at General Motors Institute, he went on to work for Saginaw Steering Gear as a mechanical engineer for 33 years until retirement. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Frankenlust where he was an usher and scripture reader for many years.

He met the love of his life, Lois (Nagy), at LWML Retreat at the age of 18. Their 61 years together were full of love, laughter, and cherished memories that will never fade. Once he retired, they would spend several weeks vacationing in Hawaii, one of their favorite places. He tended to her rose garden for many years, continuing to care for them even in his final months.

He had a deep love for the outdoors and the simple joy of camping, a tradition he kept alive for 49 years with his family always by his side. He has passed that love down to his children and grandchildren. Each morning, he could be found walking at Tobico Marsh in the Bay City State Park. During his earlier years, he was often joined by his granddogs and later his dogs, earning a reputation around the park as the friendly face who always had a dog treat tucked in his pocket. He had a passion for shooting and trained himself to be a gunsmith. He was also the captain of the Tri-City Pistol League for decades.

He is survived by his wife, Lois; their four children, David Matthes, Lori (Daryl) Appold, Susan (Michael) Lewis and Daniel (Shannon) Matthes; five grandchildren, Matthew Appold (fiancé, Samantha Scola), Alexandria Appold (fiancé, Joseph Foret), Emily EauClaire, Trevor Matthes and Donovan Matthes and brother-in-law, Ryan (Pat) Nagy.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff at the Toni and Trish House for all the care and compassion they have shown to them throughout this difficult time. The family would also like to thank all of their family and friends for their love and support.

The funeral service for Herb will take place on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Frankenlust with interment to follow at St. Paul Cemetery. The family will be present to receive visitors on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Gephart Funeral Home from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday at the Church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made in Herb's name to the St. Paul Ministry Center or the Toni and Trish House.

Of course, no visit with him was complete without one of his classic Herbisms. Rather than saying goodbye, he’d flash a grin and say, “Come back when you can’t stay so long.”

View Klaus Herbert Matthes "Herb"'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/21/2025

John Gary Wardynski

John G. Wardynski passed away at home on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at the age of 74. John was born in Bay City, on August 23, 1950, to the late Raymond and Angeline (Tomczak) Wardynski. John was the beloved husband of Jan (Dennis) for 53 years. Together they raised Erin John and Wendy (Schram, wife of Christopher) and cherished their grandchildren Drake and Gabrielle. John loved his family deeply and his love of Jesus showed through his interactions with family and friends alike.

John was a lifelong resident of Bay City, graduating from Bay City Central in 1968 and from Saginaw Valley State College in 1982. He retired from Dow Corning Medical Products Plant following a respectable 37-year career as a Senior Mechanical Engineer. He was passionate about many hobbies including hunting, golfing, snowmobiling, boating, doting on his cat, and spending time with his family, church family, and friends.

In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Mr. Wardynski is survived by his brother Gary R. Wardynski, brother-in-law Reggie Norton, sister-in-law Sandra Kukla, and many aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his sister Diane Norton, parents-in-law Melvin and Pearl Dennis, sister-in-law Sherry Wardynski, sister-in-law Karen Martens, brother-in-law Dennis Martens, and brother-in-law Thomas Kukla.

The family of Mr. Wardynski will be hosting a celebration of life in October. Additional details will be shared closer to the event. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the wishes of the family.

View John Gary Wardynski's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/17/2025

We are please to announce we are the area's exclusive provider of CareCredit ,LLC.

Here at Gephart Funeral Home we are always striving to make, thing's as easy and as stress free as possible, for our client families. And make sure they have every option available to them to meet their needs.

Being an exclusive provider it now allows our client families, flexible financing and convenient monthly payments options for cremation and burial services. For further details, please call 989-686-2291 and one of our funeral directors will explain your options to you.

07/15/2025

Grief is a reflection of love, and that love never truly leaves us. While your loved one may no longer be here physically, the love you shared will live on forever within you. That love has become such a meaningful part of who you are, and that is something that death can never take away from you.

If you're navigating loss, know that you're not alone. If you’re looking for resources to help you process your grief after the loss of a loved one, we can help. Reach out or visit our website for helpful resources. 🕊️

www.gephartfuneralhome.com/grief-resources

07/13/2025

Lester E. Howell

Lester passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025 at MyMichigan Medical Center at the age of 83. The son of the late Ancel and Edith (Whitehead) Howell was born January 5, 1942 in Woodstock, IL. Lester retired from Sears in 1995 and enjoyed woodworking, gardening and classic cars.

Lester is survived by his wife of 62 years, Agaytha Howell; three children, William Howell, Kristen (Matthew) Heiman and Sherri Howell; one granddaughter, Andreana Heiman; sister, Marcia Holtz and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his three brothers, Ron, Ken and Ed and one brother-in-law, Dan Litsey.

At the request of Mr. Howell, cremation has taken place and no services are being planned at this time. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the wishes of the family.

View Lester E. Howell's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/12/2025

Jane Marie Williams

Jane passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025 at Symphony Tri-Cities at the age of 97. The daughter of the late Edwin and Helen (Klida) Blissner was born February 29, 1928 in Bay City, Michigan. Jane was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and was a devoted mother, grandmother and family caregiver. She loved gardening, baking and making meals for her family.

Jane is survived by her daughter, Linda (Paul) Reinsch; grandchildren, Elizabeth Sirianni, Nicholas Williams, Jennifer Williams, Nathan Williams, Benjamin (Tammy) Reinsch and Katie (Matthew) Wagner; nine great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; special cousin, Karen Stewart and nieces and nephews, Jeff Dobbins, Brian (Anne) Dobbins, Cathy (Dave) Perez, Tony (Jeanie) Williams and Mark Williams. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Gordon R. Williams; son, Richard Williams and two sisters, Delores (Howard) Dobbins and Sally Blissner.

Funeral and Committal services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at the Gephart Funeral Home. Officiating will be Pastor Seth Kaiser. Private interment will take place at Floral Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will take place at the Gephart Funeral Home on Monday, July 14, 2025 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to Trinity Lutheran Church of Monitor.

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07/11/2025

Randall Orville Noffke

Randall passed away unexpectedly at his residence on July 10, 2025 at the age of 70. He was born to the late Arthur and Florence (Landosky) Noffke on November 10, 1954 in Bay City, Michigan. He was a lifelong member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church. He was an avid Detroit Tigers fan, as well as a Detroit Lions fan. He was able to attend his very first Tigers game last Father’s Day. When he was younger, he enjoyed taking his girls camping and going to Mr. Hot Dog every Sunday after Church for lunch. Randall loved to bowl and loved the American Flag and Bald Eagle. In his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and attended their sporting events.

Randall was such an amazing and loving father, grandpa and papa. He is survived by his three daughters, Sabrina Degaro (fiancé, Philip Kolarik), Becky Billmeier and Helena (John) Burton; grandchildren, Richie Degaro Jr., Robyn Billmeier, Rylinn Billmeier, Lauren Burton and Makenzee Burton; one aunt and several uncles and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Ronald Noffke and numerous aunts and uncles.

Funeral Service for Randall will be taking place on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church with interment to follow at Floral Gardens Cemetery. Officiating will be Pastor James Bare. The family will be present to receive visitors on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at Gephart Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday at the Church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial contributions in Randall’s name may be made out to St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church or St. John’s Ev. Lutheran School.

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07/09/2025

We often think we'll have time to do things later, but the hard truth is that more often than not, big things get pushed aside for later... and then later never comes.

Life doesn’t always give us time to prepare—but you can make planning a priority now. Pre-planning your funeral isn’t just about making arrangements; it’s about easing the emotional and financial burden on your loved ones when they need it most.

Make your wishes known. Give your family the gift of peace of mind. Learn how you can start the process today: www.gephartfuneralhome.com/plan-ahead/pre-plan-form