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Helen Kirby
Helen Mary Mudar Kirby (“Bushie”) passed peacefully in the presence of her family Thursday, Deb. 5, 2009 at Ingham Medical Center, Lansing. She was born July 17, 1939 in Owosso, the daughter of Michael and Antonia Mudar (Tyslicki).
A strong believer in her faith, devout wife of 50 years, mother to 12, Bushie to 28, fun-filled sister, trusted aunt to numerous nieces and nephews, and of course, maker of the world’s all-time best jams, wedding cakes, and assorted other goodies bringing smiles to us all.
Helen graduated from Owosso High School, and received a degree in education from Sienna Heights College. She married Dudley Kirby, on June 6, 1959 at St. Paul Catholic Church, Owosso. In 1965 they relocated to St. Charles, Mich., where together her and Dudley built a successful business and had eight of their 12 children. Helen’s love of teaching led her to work both full and part time at St. Mary Elementary school in St. Charles. In 1980, Helen and Dudley sold their business in St. Charles and moved to Charlotte. Helen’s love of teaching led her to continue teaching at St. Mary Elementary School in Charlotte.
Helen’s greatest joy was her family and friends. Bushie, as she was called by her grandchildren, preferred to serve others in following her calling by our Lord. Cooking and collecting were hobbies and labors of love.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Antonia; brothers, Walter, Thomas, William, Steve, and Leo; and sisters, Sophie, Mary, and Amelia.
Survivors include her loving husband of 50 years, Dudley of Charlotte; 12 children, Leo (Kathy) Kirby of Clarkston, Mich., Theresa (Duane) Hein of Portland, Denise (John) Jasinski of Maryville, Mon., Mark Kirby of Charlotte, Patrick Kirby of Carmel, Ind., Wil Kirby of Columbus, Ohio, Brian Kirby of Seattle, Wash., Kevin (Annie) Kirby of East Lansing, Molly (Jase) Bolger of Marshall, Dudley (Shannon) Kirby of Shelton, Wash., Eric (Niki) Kirby of Seattle, Wash., and Sara Jayne Kirby of Palm Springs, Calif. She also is survived by 28 grandchildren, sisters, Jane O’Dea of Owosso and Virginia Sysak of Mancelona, Mich.
Services were held Monday, Feb. 9, 2009 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte with Father Dennis Spitzley presiding. Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude Hospital Fund, go to http://stj.convio.net/site/TR, then enter Helen Kirby.
Robert L. Kirkpatrick
Robert " Bob" L. Kirkpatrick, 83, of Eaton Rapids passed away Monday, Feb. 9, 2009 in Charlotte. Bob was born Jan. 5, 1926 in Warren County, Ill.
Robert was a veteran of W.W.II, serving in the United States Air Force. He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, and a Charter Grand Knight with St. Peter Council K. of C. 6534.
Bob was a former high school teacher, and retired from the State of Michigan Department of Agriculture in 1987. He was a life member of numerous agriculture professional associations.
Bob was a former Eaton Rapids city councilman and mayor pro tem. He was also active in Boy Scouts.
He was preceded in death by his son, Col. Richard Kirkpatrick in 2005; brother, Raymond; and two brothers-in-law, Paul Laster, and Lester Primm.
Bob is survived by his wife of 61 years, Fran; four children, David (Sharon) Kirkpatrick of N.Y., Dr. Leslie (Don) Reynolds of Okemos, Kerry (Bruce) Linder of Grand Ledge, Julie Kirkpatrick of N.Y.; daughter-in-law, Bernice Kirkpatrick; 10 grandchildren, Michael, Paul and Christina Reynolds, Jessica, David and Daniel Linder, Jules and Alex Febre, Kevin (Cheri) Kirkpatrick, and Robert (Karen) Kirkpatrick; three great-grandchildren, Drew, Lexi, and Wyatt Kirkpatrick; two brothers, Charles (Norma) Kirkpatrick of Ill., and James Kirkpatrick of Calif.; three sisters, Mary Jane Primm of Mo., Martha (Arnold) Case of Calif., Margery Laster of Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
Mass of the Christian burial was prayed Feb. 12, 2009 at St. Peter Catholic Church, 515 E. Knight Street, Eaton Rapids with Father Bennett Constantine as Celebrant.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter Catholic Church or Eaton Community Hospice in memory of Bob Kirkpatrick. www.shellyodell.com.
Melvin Kivela
Melvin G. Kivela, 75, of L’Anse, Mich., passed away Thursday, March 26, 2009 at Bayside Village where he was a resident patient.
He was born in Negaunee on April 23, 1933, the son of the late Uno and Tyne (Suo) Kivela.
Melvin graduated from Nagaunee High School in 1951. He served in the U.S. Army in Alaska during the Korean War and operated a bulldozer helping to build roads. Melvin later attended Northern Michigan University on the G.I. Bill.
He moved to Vermontville in 1960, teaching at Vermontville High School and later Maple Valley High School for a total of 26 years. If you had Mr. Kivela for Michigan History, then you knew Nagaunee was the capital of Michigan. He taught Michigan history, industrial arts and building trades. Melvin was instrumental in starting the “building trades” program, at Maple Valley Schools.
He married the former Patricia J. Dickey (Foote) on June 2, 1962 in Charlotte. They made their home in Vermontville for 29 years, moving to Mel’s beloved Upper Peninsula in 1989.
Mr. Kivela is survived by his loving wife of almost 47 years, Patricia; son, Kenneth (Anne) Poole of Vermontville; daughters, Charlotte (Jerry) Garlinger of Nashville, Mich. and Deborah (Jack) Vineyard of N. Mancherster, Ind.; grandchildren, Julia (Mihaly) Drabik, Brian (Sabrina) Garlinger, Joshua Vineyard and fiancée Theresa Christman and Ben (Carrie) Vineyard; great grandchildren, Jaden and Lauren, Drabik, Grady, Landen and Kaitlyn Garlinger; sister, Gail Gilliland; step-grandchildren, Terralynn (Tim) Lake and Greg (Tia) Trine; step-great grandchildren, Paige and Corey Goordemeer and Trinity Trine.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Marge Thompson and brother-in-law, Richard Gilliland.
A memorial service will be held in Vermontville at a later date. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville.
The family suggests memorials in Mr. Kivela’s honor be directed to the American Cancer Society, the L’Anse Golf Club or the Maple Valley Scholarship Fund. Memorials may be directed in care of the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, PO Box 81, L’Anse, MI 49946, who have been entrusted with the arrangements. Mr. Kivela’s obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at www.rfse.net.
LaVerne Klaver
LaVerne D. Klaver, 83, of Lansing, died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009. LaVerne was born on June 17, 1925 in Lansing.
He was a member of the Disabled American Vets, American Legion #236, VFW #3727, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Lansing #1039 and Mason/Holt #3734. He was a member of the LST Association and the LCI Association, as well as the Oldsmobile Salary Retirees/Outdoor Club.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian; daughter, Carol Dexterhouse; and parents, Daniel and Zelma Klaver.
He is survived by his children, Linda Ridge (Michael), of Lansing, Sandra Hedman (Mickey) of Okla., Sue Fritts (Mark) of Dimondale, Daniel Klaver (Roberta) of Holt, Robert Klaver of Lansing; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 16, 2009, at Holt United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Glenn M. Wagner officiating. Interment followed in Deepdale Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Eaton Community Hospice or Alzheimer's Association.
Linda Klont
Linda Rae (King) Klont, 63 of Dimondale, Mich., died Monday, March 30, 2009 at the Ingham Regional Medical Center in Lansing after a short illness. Linda was born Jan. 20, 1946 in Charlotte, the daughter of Harold “Budd” and Betty Rae (Owen) King and had been a lifelong Eaton County resident. She had been employed at the Fisher Body Division of General Motors in Lansing from where she retired. She was an Auxiliary member of VFW Post #6132 in Lansing.
Surviving are: her husband, Douglas Klont; sons, Chad (Sharon) Suntken of Nashville and Courtney (Missy) Suntken of Charlotte; daughter, Chelsey (Jeff) Wetzel of Vermontville; step-sons, Timothy Klont of Chicago, Ill., Joseph Klont of Denmark and Jeromi Klont of Kalamazoo; nine grandchildren, Justin, Jacob, Joshua, Samantha, DaKota, Caleb, Elizabeth, Hannah and Alex; sisters, and brothers, Lona (John) Houston of Sioux City, Iowa, Ted (Sue) King of Olivet, Loretta (Ezzie) King of Independence, Mo. and James (friend, Cindy) King of Olivet and dear friend, Kim Hubler of Seven Valleys, Penn.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two grandchildren, Gerrit and Briana and step-father, Joe Beck. Funeral services were held Friday, April 3, 2009 at the Burkhead-Green Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Jason Harris officiating. Interment was in the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Mich. Memorial contributions may go to the Eaton Community Hospice.
Keith Louis Klotz
Keith Louis Klotz, 71, of Sunfield, Mich. and Auburn, Wash. passed away Sunday Oct. 18, 2009, at his residence in Auburn. He was born Dec. 24, 1937 in Lansing, son of Mildred and Don Klotz.
He spent most of his life in the Sunfield area. He graduated from Sunfield High School in 1957. Keith married Jacqueline Reed and had two children. Keith worked for General Motors for 12 years then purchased a bar in Lake Odessa and ran this business for five years.
He then became a self-employed contractor until he moved to Auburn in the 1980s.
He worked for the Fred Meyers Retail Stores in Auburn, until his retirement in 2008. His favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing and working with wood.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Forshey; step-father, Morris Forshey; father, Don Klotz; twin brother, Kenneth Klotz; and daughter, Brenda Klotz-Makley.
He is survived by son, Steven (Sheri) Klotz of Vermontville; brother, Gene (Joyce) Klotz of Grayling; sister, Leota Johnson of Auburn, Wash.; son-in-law, Scott Makley of Lake Odessa; four grandchildren and one great grandchild.
A private family graveside service to be held at Sunfield Cemetery on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009 at 11 a.m. with a luncheon immediately following at the Sunfield United Brethren Church in Sunfield.
In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution can be made to the SPY’S (Sunfield Area Sponsors of Programs for Youth): C/O RFH PO Box 36 Sunfield, MI 48890.
Please express your thoughts and memories in the online guest book at www.legacy.com.
The family is being served by the Independent Family Owned Funeral Home in Sunfield, Rosier Funeral Home.
Catherine Knoll
Catherine Joan “Cathy” Knoll, 54, of Bellevue, died Sept. 8, 2009 at home. She was born Aug. 8, 1955, the daughter of Owen D. and Edith C. (Sellen) Knoll, Sr. in Battle Creek.
Cathy graduated from Olivet High School and received a certificate in Business Management and Culinary Arts from Olympic Community College in Washington. She worked as a cook for two years with the Merchant Marines and more recently was the head chef of the Comet Café at Olivet College.
Cathy enjoyed genealogy, knitting, crocheting, flower gardening and her dogs. She provided foster care for many animals through the Eaton County Animal Rescue. She loved entertaining her family and her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her mother.
Cathy is survived by her son, Hank (Jessica) Holliday of Marshall; daughter, Cassie Holliday of Bremerton, Wash.; grandchildren, Bayli, Abigail, Donovan and Chloe; father, Owen D. (Dolores) Knoll of Nashville; brothers, Owen D. Knoll, Jr. of Olivet, Gale (Sharon) Knoll of Olivet, Matt (Regi) Knoll of Charlotte, Neal Knoll of Bellevue and several nieces, nephews, aunts.
Funeral services took place Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 at the funeral home with Rev. Doug Hammond, Olivet Assembly of God Church, officiating. Memorials may go to the family in care of Shaw Funeral Home.
The family is being served by Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel, Bellevue.
Shirlee Kobishka
Shirlee June Barrett (Copen) Kobishka, 71, of Haslett, formerly of Vermontville, passed away on Jan. 2, 2009 at Sparrow Hospital after ongoing health issues surrounded by her children.
She was born on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1937, the oldest surviving daughter of Russell (Red) and Agnes (Palek) Barrett of Vermontville. Her sister Joyce passed on at birth and she had a brother that was stillborn. She also had a surviving brother, Ronald (Red) Barrett of Charlotte.
She graduated from Vermontville High School in 1956. Shirlee was involved in cheerleading, plays, the school paper, sports, showing her horse and working on the family farm with her brother Ron Barrett, her brother at one time who sold his prize farm stock animal to buy her a new prom dress.
She graduated from cosmetology school after high school. She married Frank Copen and had four children from this union. They divorced later. She later married Jay Kobiska of Lake City, MI in 1982. They were married for 14 years until his passing. She was a homemaker, excellent cook and seamstress, making a lot of her children’s clothes.
She loved her dog Cherry. Shirlee also loved the outdoors, especially camping, and looked forward to mushrooming with family and friends each spring. She loved the time spent with her husband Jay near Lake City, MI.
She was preceded in death by her husband and soul mate Jay Kobishka in 1996 and her brother, Ron Barrett in 2001.
She is survived by her four children (in birth order), daughter Toni Copen (Mark Ostrander) of Holt, son, Russell (Rusty) Copen of Hermitage, TN, daughter, Kelly (Jeff) Hamilton of Vermontville, and son, Bill Copen of Jackson, MI; four grandchildren, Tara Copen of TN, Lydia Copen of TX, Kelia Jean Hamilton and Aleena Hamilton of MI; two great grandchildren, two nieces, many friends and close neighbors, and best friend Martha Ostrander. Special thanks to close family friends and care helpers, Cindy and Chelsea Tice and Kathy Thorsen. Because of Shirlee’s wishes, there will be no service and cremation has taken place. She will be laid to rest at Moorestown, MI, beside her beloved husband, Jay.
In her memory, the family requests any money donations be made to the charity of one’s choice. Funeral arrangements by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, Lansing.
