Fred Gordon West
86 of Charlotte, Michigan, died Tuesday, May 7, 2002 in Charlotte. Mr. West was born February 29, 1916 in Detroit, MI., the son of James & Vivian West. He was the chaplain for VFW Post 2406 & Dads Post 2406, drove for both mobile meals and meals on wheels program, active in local Bowling Leagues, and many volunteer activities including Eaton Clothing Bank and was a former Boy Scout Leader in Detroit and in the local Boy Scouts Units. He was involved with Peace Lutheran Church. He is survived by 2 Daughters, Sally Rose of Battle Creek, and Patricia & Jerry Evans of Westland, Son Robert West of Charlotte, 2 grandchildren, Cherie Brothers & Jerry Evans Jr. 2 great grandchildren. Haley & Michael Brothers. Funeral services will be Friday, 12:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church with Pastor Noel R. Hall-Niemann officiating. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte, MI. Visitation will be Thursday 2 - 4 & 7 - 9 P.M. at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Fred West Fund at Peace Lutheran Church.
Robert L. Johnson
83 of Potterville; our loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, went to be with the Lord on May 8, 2002. Mr. Johnson was born February 15, 1919 in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, the son of Alfred and Emma (Anderson) Johnson. He was a Seaman first class in the U.S. Navy, the retired business owner of Johnson Furniture and was employed by Clark Foundation Company until his death. He is survived by his wife Edna, daughter Ann (Harry) Wiersma of Grand Ledge, sister Edrian Hanley, brother Lloyd Johnson, granddaughters Marie Nelsen of Florida, Rebecca Boone of Mississippi and Deborah Piotrowski of New York and 4 great grandchildren. Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. No other services are planned at this time. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Trauma Unit at Sparrow Hospital.
Marie K. Applegate
91 of Charlotte, died May 9, 2002 in Holt, Michigan. Mrs. Applegate was born April 30, 1911 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the daughter of John William and Clara Feller. Marie worked for Somerville Tax Office for 40 years, retiring to Lauderhill, Florida and then to Charlotte. She was a Past Matron of Century Chapter #100 Somerville and Tri-Gate Chapter #276 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is survived by sister-in-law Lillian Feller of Charlotte, nieces and nephews, Sharon Mensing of Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, Jon B. Feller of Clinton, New Jersey, Jean Martin of Olivet, Chris Feller of Lead, South Dakota and Susan Galloway of Florida. She was preceded in death by husband Clifford Applegate. Funeral services will be held at a later date in Somerville, New Jersey.
Neal Frederick Priesman
81 of Charlotte, died Friday, May 10, 2002. Mr. Priesman was born November 7, 1920 in Eaton County, Michigan, the son of Frederick and Lillian Priesman. He was a machinist at Aluminum Extrusions and the former owner of Farmers Gas and Oil in Charlotte. He served as an Army Staff Sergeant in the Aleutian Islands in World War II, was a former gunsmith with his own shop, and a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association. He is survived by daughters Suzanne (Richard) McClure, Angela Priesman, both of Charlotte, Sandra (Robert) Wells of Engadine, sons Lynn (Diane) Priesman of Charlotte, Rodney (Annie) Priesman of Hawaii, Gary (Kris) Priesman of Hastings, Jack Priesman of Charlotte, 10 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, brothers, Edward (Kate), Fritz Priesman, Richard (Jean) Priesman, sisters, Betty Smith and Patsy (Sam) Spagnuolo. He was preceded in death by wife Leah 1/9/2001 and brothers John and Larry. Funeral services will be 12:00 noon Tuesday, May 14 at Pray Funeral Home with Martin Saunders officiating. Interment will be at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek. Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the National Rifle Association.
Rande Thomas Barrett
48 of Charlotte, died unexpectedly Wednesday, May 15, 2002. Mr. Barrett was born August 5, 1953 in Charlotte, Michigan, the son of Jack and Phyllis (Heinze) Barrett. He worked as a mechanic at Spartan Motors in Charlotte. He is survived by his wife Betty, daughter Mindy Barrett of Kentucky, sons Michael and Joey Barrett of Kentucky, stepdaughters Lisa Simmons of Eaton Rapids, Heather Simmons of Lansing, mother Phyllis Barrett of Charlotte, 4 grandchildren McKenzie, Brendon, Jordaine, and Maxwell, sister Ronda (Robby) Rosenbrook of Charlotte, niece Kristi (Roy) Kunkel, nephew Ben (Jeannine) Morris. He was preceded in death by his father Jack in 1988 and brother Ron in 1972. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Rev. Arthur Salisbury officiating. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be Friday 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Hayes-Green Beach Hospital or to the Barrett children's college funds.
Julia C. (Berg) Buxton
87 of Charlotte, Michigan, died May 17, 2002. Mrs. Buxton was born February 10, 1915 in Vermontville, Michigan, the daughter of Daniel and Etta (VanVleet) Smith. Julia had been a caregiver her entire life and had over 60 foster children that she helped along the way. She attended Chester Gospel Church. She is survived by her husband Lyle Buxton of Charlotte, daughters Dianna Dye of Charlotte, Dixie Berg of Florida, sons David Berg of California, Kevin Berg of Charlotte, Step-Daughter, Sharon Bos of Virginia, 3 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and sister Bessie Glossop of Grand Ledge, Michigan. Funeral services will be 1:00 pm, Monday, May 20, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, with Pastor Marc Livingston officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte, Michigan. Visitation will be Sunday 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 pm at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan.
Stanley Earl VanSplintern
71, of Charlotte, Michigan, died May 19, 2002, in Charlotte, Michigan. Mr. VanSplintern was born July 16, 1930, in Charlotte, Michigan, the son of Roy VanSplintern and Edith (Taylor) VanSplintern. He was a member of the Charlotte Eagles, and an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman and enjoyed stock car racing and pool. He is survived by his wife, Edna; son Robert (Sandy) of Charlotte; daughters Debbie Butts and Jodi VanSplintern, both of Charlotte; five grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; and sister, Tonya (Mark) Cook of Charlotte. He was preceded in death by daughter Susan in 1992. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2002, at Pray Funeral Home with Chuck Jensen officiating. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Monday, May 20 and 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Michigan Heart Association. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Mae Edna Nichols
86 of Springport, formerly of Lansing and Potterville, died Tuesday, May 21, 2002. Mrs. Nichols was born May 11, 1916 in Mecosta, Michigan, the daughter of John Roy and Grace (Thorne) Hart. Mrs. Nichols was the head of the hot lunch program at Potterville Schools, taught Vacation Bible School and was a member of the Oneida Gospel Church. She is survived by sons Donald Gilman of Springport, Douglas Gilman of St. Petersburg Florida, Stepson Dick Nichols of Minnesota, 8 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and sister Ruth Oberlin of Lansing. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Lee Nichols in 1996. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 24 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Rev. Larry Schrauger officiating. Interment will be at Deepdale Memorial Gardens in Lansing, Michigan. Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 Thursday at the funeral home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Oneida Gospel Church and Hospice of Jackson.
Esther Arlene Grant
74, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Wednesday, May 22, 2002. Mrs. Grant was born May 3, 1928, in Chester Township, Michigan, the daughter of Donie E. and Veda E. (Larabee) Wright. She was a member of the Chester Gospel Church. Mrs. Grant worked at Scheib Industries until she and Ray started Grants Woodshop in 1972 retiring in 1991. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Raymond Grant, son Paul Grant of Charlotte, daughter Pam (Nelson) Appelman of Nashville, son Don (Marcia) Grant of Vermontville, Michigan, son Rob (Wendy) Grant of Vermontville, daughter-in-law Cindy Grant of Charlotte, 9 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, sisters Betty (Vern) Gilding of Charlotte, Phyllis (Stanley) Bothwell of Fountain, Michigan, Patty (Max) Butler of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, brothers Wendall (Dema) Wright of Vermontville, Larry (Patti) Wright of Charlotte, sisters-in-law Bonnie (Ray) Harper of Charlotte, Alice (Paul) Edwards of Grand Ledge, Michigan and Barbara Wright of Charlotte. She was preceded in death by son Randy, daughter Sandy, 3 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, brothers Carroll, Dewayne and Lester. Funeral services will be 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, with Pastor Marc Livingston officiating. Interment will be in Gresham Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be Thursday 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 pm at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Chester Gospel Church Camp Fund, Youth Haven Ranch or Eaton Community Hospice.
Lois Jackson Heinze
87, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, formerly of Lansing, died Thursday, May 23, 2002. Mrs. Heinze was born August 31, 1914, in Eaton County, Michigan, the daughter of Walter and Ethel (Jackson) Fast. She is survived by daughter Sandi (John) Bement of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, granddaughters Holly Lynn (Ron) Lott of Eaton Rapids, Michelle Marie (Michael) Endres of Grand Ledge, Michigan, great grandchildren Cody Alan and Chelsi Marie Lott. She was preceded in death by her husband Leon Heinze in 1975, brother Bruce Fast and sister Esma Vance. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan with Rev. George Fleming officiating. Interment will be in Deepdale Memorial Park in Lansing, Michigan. Visitation will be 6 - 8 p.m. Friday at Pray Funeral Home.
Mariah Kay Whitten
2 weeks, 2 days, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, died Saturday, May 25, 2002. Mariah was born May 9, 2002, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the daughter of Terry Whitten, Sr. and Belinda Jaseph. She is survived by her parents, Terry and Belinda; brothers Brandon, Scott, and Terry Jr.; grandmother Dorothy Whitten of Pennsylvania and grandparents Roger and Scherry Jaseph of Marcellus, MI. She was preceded in death by grandfather Richard E. Whitten, Sr. and sister Michelle Lynn Whitten. Private services will be Tuesday, May 28, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan, with Rev. Arthur Salisbury officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Holden N.I.C. Unit Mott Childrens & Womens Hospital at University of Michigan Hospital. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Mary Margaret Hill
83, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Sunday, May 26, 2002. Mrs. Hill was born September 25, 1918, in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Franklin Sylvester Hubbell and Marie Elyane (Bone) Hubbell. She was a 33-year member of the Charlotte Country Club. She worked at Kellogg's for 25 years, retiring in 1977. She is survived by husband, Merritt; daughters Sue Ellen (Roger) Haughey of Battle Creek, Sandra (Roger) Grundmann of Ormond Beach, FL, and Mary (Jim) Johnson of Cedarburg, WI; son John (Robbie) Hill-Otto of Saugatuck, MI; 6 grandsons and 2 great-grandsons. Family and friends are invited to join the family Tuesday, May 28, 2002, for visitation at 3:30 p.m. and a Family Affirmation Service at 4:30 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or the Eaton Community Hospice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home.
James Edward Hicks
64, of Conroe, Texas, died Tuesday, May 28, 2002. Mr. Hicks was born February 26, 1938, in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Jesse A. and Edna (Palmer) Hicks. He is survived by his wife Jackie, daughters Jodi (Jim) Lincoln of Charlotte, Michigan, Kim (Jim) Owen of Sheridan, Michigan, sons Rod (Lisa) Hicks of Charlotte, Ed (Murielle) Hicks of San Antonio, Texas, 11 grandchildren, brother William (Mary Lou) Hicks of Lansing, Michigan. Funeral service will be 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 31, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan with Rev. Mark Woodbury officiating. Interment will be 2:00 p.m. Friday in Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Richard Eugene Thompson
77, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Wednesday, May 29, 2002. Mr. Thompson was born May 25, 1925, in Charlotte, the son of Allen A. and Bessie L. (Russ) Thompson. He served in the U.S. Navy and was retired from Dart Container working with silver solder and brazing. He was a member of the Eagles Aerie #3552, American League Bowling and Top of the Hill Bowling League. Richard is survived by his wife Tammy (Rugg), sons Phillip T. (Dale) Thompson of Nashville, Michigan; Michael L. (Wende) Thompson of Bradenton, Florida; Lyle K. (Cindy) Thompson of Charlotte; daughters Linda J. (Jay) Johnson of Howell; Pamela K. Huffman of Charlotte, and Penny L. Thompson, 14 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and sister-in-law Eloise Thompson of Charlotte. He was preceded in death by sisters Bernice Dykwietz, Beatrice Wietzke, brothers Russ Thompson, George Thompson, and Lyle Dean Thompson. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan with Rev. Rich Mitterling officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville, Michigan. Visitation will be Thursday and Friday 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 pm at Pray Funeral Home.
