Losing someone is heavy. It's a weight that doesn't just sit on your chest; it changes the way you look at the whole world. When a neighbor passes away or a lifelong friend from the Eastside finally lets go, you aren't just looking for dates and times. You’re looking for a connection. In Flint, that search usually leads people straight to abc12 obituaries flint michigan.
Honestly, people in Mid-Michigan have a specific way of doing things. We check the weather, we watch the high school football scores, and we check the "Direct Obits" or the news feeds to see who we’ve lost. It’s a community ritual.
But here is the thing: finding these records isn't always as simple as clicking a single button. The digital landscape in 2026 is a bit of a maze. You’ve got legacy sites, news aggregates, and local funeral home portals all competing for your attention.
Where the records actually live
If you go looking for a specific name today—say, someone like Virginia "Ginny" Lee Hollenbeck or Donald John Mraz—you might notice that the ABC12 website often acts as a bridge. They don't always host the full text of every single local obituary directly on their primary news pages. Instead, they partner with platforms like Legacy or provide links to local providers.
It’s kinda like a hub.
You go there because you trust WJRT. You've been watching them for decades. But once you're there, you're usually redirected to a more specialized database. For instance, many of the Flint-area notices are deeply integrated with the Flint Journal and MLive.
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Wait, why does that matter?
Because if you can’t find a loved one on the ABC12 site, it doesn’t mean the obituary doesn't exist. It just means you might need to look at the partner feeds. Most local funeral homes, like Sharp Funeral Homes (the one on Miller Road is practically a landmark) or Swartz Funeral Home on Hill Road, push their data out to these news platforms.
The "Direct Obits" connection
A lot of people search for abc12 obituaries flint michigan because they remember the "Direct Obits" segment. It's a staple.
Basically, it's a dedicated service that lists the most recent passing’s in the area, often accompanied by short televised mentions or a scrolling ticker. In a world where everything feels temporary, seeing a name on the local news feels... official. It’s a way of saying to the city: "This person lived. They mattered."
Recent entries from mid-January 2026 include names like Brendan Stowell from Goodrich and Catherine Connolly from Flushing. These aren't just names; they are families in our school districts and people we saw at the grocery store.
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Why the digital search is different now
A few years ago, you just grabbed the paper. Now? It’s all about the "Memory Wall."
When you find an obituary through a source like ABC12, you're usually looking for more than just the funeral time at Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home. You want the comments. You want to see the photos people uploaded.
Interestingly, the search for "abc12 obituaries flint michigan" has actually increased even as traditional newspaper subscriptions have dropped. People still want that local "stamp of approval." They want to know that the news they grew up with is the one telling the story.
How to actually find what you're looking for
If you’re stuck and can't find a recent notice, don't panic. There are usually three main paths:
- The Direct News Feed: Check the "Obituaries" or "Direct Obits" section on the ABC12 website. This is best for very recent deaths (within the last 48–72 hours).
- Funeral Home Portals: If you know which home is handling the service—whether it's Dodds Dumanois or Plumb-Smith—go directly to their site. They often post the full life story before the news outlets do.
- The MLive/Legacy Aggregate: This is the massive database. If the death happened a week ago or more, this is your best bet for finding the archive.
Subtle details most people miss
Did you know that obituaries are technically "user-generated content"?
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The news station doesn't write them. The families or the funeral directors do. That’s why you’ll see some that are three paragraphs of beautiful prose and others that are just the bare facts.
Also, the "In Memoriam" section is separate. Those are usually posted on anniversaries of a death. If you're searching for someone who passed away years ago, look for the "Archives" link specifically, which is often tucked away at the bottom of the page.
Taking action on your search
Searching for abc12 obituaries flint michigan is often the first step in a very long process. Once you find the information, here is what you actually need to do next:
- Verify the Service Location: Flint has several churches with similar names. Double-check if it's the one in Grand Blanc, Davison, or Downtown Flint.
- Check for Memorial Preferences: Many families now request donations to places like Easter Seals of Michigan or local Flint charities instead of flowers.
- Download the Service Details: Don't rely on the website staying the same. Take a screenshot of the service times so you have it on your phone without needing a signal.
- Sign the Guestbook: Even if you haven't seen the family in years, a simple "Thinking of you" goes a long way. These digital guestbooks are often printed out into "Keepsake Books" for the family later.
Flint is a city that remembers its own. Whether it's through a television screen or a smartphone, keeping these stories alive is how we keep the community together.
To get the most accurate results, start by searching the person's full legal name alongside the funeral home you suspect is handling the arrangements. If that doesn't work, browse the chronological listings on the ABC12 partner sites, as some notices may be delayed by 24 hours due to processing. Always check the "Service Times" section specifically, as these are often updated in real-time if weather or scheduling conflicts arise.