Stella Francis Adams
In memory of Stella Francis Adams, (Cooley), 86 of Charlotte, who died Saturday, June 29 in Lansing. Mrs. Adams was born May 3, 1916 in Alpena, the fourth of thirteen children of Stanley and Stella (Gutkowski) Toldsdors. Stella always lived life to the fullest. She joined the workforce during World War II and was given the nickname of "Rosie the Riveter" because she worked on B-29 bomber wings at Oldsmobile in Lansing. She retired from General Motors in 1966. Stella always enjoyed her strawberries. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte. Surviving are daughter Joyce Harrington (Bruce) Fillmore of Charlotte, sons Ron Cooley of Wacousta, Robert (Sandy) Cooley of Harrison, 14 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, brothers Harry (Phyllis) Toldsdors of Alpena, Leo (Dorothy) Toldsdors also of Alpena, Edward Toldsdors of Pinegrove, California, sisters, Eleanor Fry of Wacousta, Cecilia Panknin of Florida and sweetheart Forrest Cole of Mason. She was preceded in death by husband Norbert Cooley. A Parish Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 2 at Pray Funeral Home, followed by a memorial service under the auspices of the VFW Auxillary. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 3 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte. Interment will be at Delta Center Cemetery in Delta Township. If desired memorial contributions may be made to St Mary Catholic Church Building Fund.
Ronald "Ronnie" H. Sellen
64, of Nashville, Michigan, died July 1, 2002. Mr. Sellen was born June 23, 1938, in Bellevue Township, the son of Clelle and Ilah (Swift) Sellen. He is survived by his wife Ava (Hyatt) Sellen of Nashville, sons Timothy and Colon of Nashville, Wade of Charlotte, daughter Robin Poyer of Battle Creek, brothers Merlin of Battle Creek, Rodney and Charles of Bellevue, and sister Clella of Bellevue. Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 5, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Lester DeGroot officiating. Interment will be at Kalamo Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Wednesday and 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Pray Funeral Home.
LaGreta G. Tuckey
78, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Tuesday, July 2, 2002. Mrs.Tuckey was born October 2, 1923, in Charlotte, the daughter of Gerald and Hilda (Snyder) Strickland. She is survived by sons Gary Rochester of Grand Ledge, Lance Rochester of Colorado, daughter Linnea (Steven) Bishop of Grand Ledge, step son Zahn Tuckey Jr. of Florida, step daughter Mary Tuckey of Dimondale, 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Zahn Tuckey and step son Joe Tuckey. Private family services will be held. Those who desire may make a memorial contribution to Eaton County Medical Care Facility in Charlotte.
Gale Lee Briggs, Jr.
59 of Charlotte, died Wednesday, July 3 in Lansing, Michigan. Mr. Briggs was born October 29, 1942 in Charlotte, Michigan, the son of Gale and Gladys (Martin) Briggs. He was the owner and operator of Gale Briggs, Inc., the business his father began in 1930. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Betty (Swift) Briggs, daughters Julie Buckner of Charlotte, Laurie (Bruce) Dudley of Wacousta, Jenni Briggs of Ames, Iowa, sons Steven (Lisa) and Robert, both of Charlotte, grandchildren Sasha (Frank), Kasey, Tyler, Adam, Cole, Chase, and Noah and sister Mary Alice (Galen) Tibbett of Charlotte. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 6 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Rev. Patricia Stirling officiating. Visitation will be Friday 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. If desired, contributions may be made to the Heart Association or Arthritis Foundation.
John Thomas Boner
66, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Saturday, July 13, 2002. Mr. Boner was born December 10, 1935, in Battle Creek, Michigan, the son of Raymond Clifford and Jessie May (Houghtelling) Boner. Mr. Boner retired from Demmer Corporation and was a Government OAR Inspector. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He is survived by daughter Julie Harshey of Charlotte and son Alan Wesley Hardy of Texas, brothers Clifford Boner of Copper Harbor, Alaska, Richard Boner of Acoa, Florida, sisters Peggy Hall of Battle Creek, Michigan and Ann Thurman of Urbana, Ohio, 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 19, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan with Rich Mitterling officiating. Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Thursday at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Irene Mable Seamark
91, of Charlotte, Michigan died Wednesday, July 17, 2002. She was loved greatly by her family and friends and will be missed. Mrs. Seamark was born June 8, 1911, in Manchester, Michigan, the daughter of Irving and Elizabeth (Sarah) Knickerbocker. Irene was an active member of the Ruth Circle of the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church. She was a production worker for R.E.O. and Wilcox Gay and worked as a clerk for the Murphy's Dime store in Charlotte. She also enjoyed travel. She is survived by daughter Jean Broskey of Charlotte, son-in-law Jay (Donna) Lea of Charlotte, 7 grandchildren Rick Lea, Randy (Cheryl) Lea, Jeryl Powers, Rodney (Trudy) Lea, Tim (Liz) Lea, Karen Lea, Christopher (Jennifer) Broskey and Heather (Ben) Kestner, 14 great grandchildren, special friend Dorothy Lewellyn, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Fay Seamark in 1992, daughter Patricia Ann Lea in 1984 and sister Beulah Gertrude Marshall. Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Friday, July 19, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan with Rev. Karen Wheat officiating. Interment will be in Bosworth Cemetery in Walton Township, Michigan. Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Thursday at Pray Funeral Home.
Frances A. MacDonald
89, of Freeport, Michigan, formerly of Charlotte and Vermontville, passed on to her rewards Sunday, July 21, 2002 at the home of her daughter-in-law, of natural causes. Mrs. MacDonald was born to J. Milton and Adella (Loomis) Lent on May 28, 1913, in Chicago, Illinois. Frances spent her youth between Chicago and Vermontville graduating from Vermontville in 1930. She married Vernon L. MacDonald of Chicago in 1933. The family moved from Chicago to her family farm in rural Vermontville in 1946. After the passing of her beloved husband in 1985, she moved to Charlotte. She spent 27 years being a snow bird at Ramblers Rest Resort in Venice, Florida either with Vernon or friend/companion Claude Troyer. She was a past Matron and life member of Kalamo O.E.S. #399, a long time member of Vermontville First Congregational Church, the Ladies Christian Association, Women's Club, and was active in many other organizations (Band Boosters, Bismark Community Boosters, Bismark Ladies Fellowship, etc.) over the years. She was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, her husband, Vernon, October 1985, and youngest son Scott in December 1999. Surviving are 2 sons Bryce (Amanda) MacDonald of Vermontville, Michigan, Larry MacDonald of Clearwater, Florida, 2 daughters-in-law Kate MacDonald on Pinellas Park, Florida, Susan MacDonald of Freeport, Michigan, 6 grandchildren; Nika (Randy) Hankins, JoDee (Tony) Pruden, Kent (Teresa) MacDonald all of Charlotte, Kelly (Scott) Hartman of Lansing, Jason and Rachel MacDonald of Pinellas Park, 2 step grandsons David MacDonald of Chicago, Illinois, Terry Lee Ranshaw of Charlotte, 8 great grandchildren; Cassandra, Mark, Padraic, Heather, Gregory, Dallas, Haley, and Meira, a step great grandchild Kristin, and 1 great great grandchild Jeffery. An Order of Eastern Star Memorial Service will be conducted 7:30 Wednesday at Pray Funeral Home under the auspices of Kalamo Eastern Star Lodge #399. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 25, 2002, at Vermontville Congregational Church with Rev. Eric Lison officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville. Visitation will be Tuesday 7 - 9 p.m. and Wednesday 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the church or to Heartland Hospice.
Corbin A. Gardner
14, of Nashville, Michigan, died Monday, July 22, 2002. Corbin was born November 27, 1987 in Charlotte, Michigan, the son of Forrest Allan Gardner and Gail (Miller) Gray. He was a student at Maple Valley School and loved to hunt and fish. He raised ducks and geese and was a Bobby LaBonte fan. He is survived by his father Forrest Allan and step-mother Patty Gardner of Nashville, mother Gail Gray of Battle Creek, sisters Courtney and Hana, brother Jacob, grandparents Lee Joppie of Vermontville, Roger and Diane Gardner of Vermontville, Robert Miller of Texas, great grandmother Dorothy Mahar of Vermontville, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Family Affirmation Service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 25, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan with R. Raymond Rossell officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville, Michigan. Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Wednesday at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Nashville Fire and Ambulance departments.
Catherine Marie Wright
89, of Charlotte, Michigan, died July 24, 2002. Mrs. Wright was born October 28, 1912, in Chester Township, Michigan, the daughter of Roy and Zella M. (Hutchings) Briggs. She lived in Chester Township her entire life. She had been active in Extension Homemaking (NFCE), a member of West Chester Extension group holding many offices over her 70 years plus of service. Mrs. Wright also had been active in the friends of Michigan Schools. She is survived by sons Milo (Karen) Wright and Neil (Darlene) Wright, daughter Eleanor (Phil) Wheaton all of Charlotte, 12 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, sister-in-law DonnaBelle Briggs and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 27, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan with Pastor Kathy Smith officiating. Interment will be in Gresham Cemetery. Visitation will be 7 - 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Friday at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Charlotte Historical Society.
Diane Louise Myers
54 of Charlotte, died Thursday, July 25, 2002. Mrs. Myers was born November 19, 1947 in Charlotte, Michigan, the daughter of Boyd and Jacquelyn (Royston) Welsh. She is survived by her husband Robert, sons Michael of Charlotte, Kevin (Barb) of Lansing, daughter Lori of Charlotte, 7 grandchildren, 1-1/2 great grandchildren, mother Jacquelyn Welsh of Charlotte, brothers Gerald Welsh of Lansing, Kenneth Welsh of Charlotte, and sister Joyce (Dave) Lilly of Charlotte. A memorial service will be held 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 31 at her home in Charlotte. Visitation will be Friday 7-9 p.m. and Saturday 7-9 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Mildred M. Ranshaw
our beloved wife and mother, age 81, died Saturday, July 27,2002, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Mrs. Ranshaw was born September 24, 1920, in Eaton County, the daughter of Leroy and Laura (Stevens) Shaul. She married Laroy Ranshaw in Eaton County, November 2, 1968 and had been a member of the United Methodist Church of Leesburg, Florida. She enjoyed her gardening and her grandchildren. She is survived by her loving husband, Laroy, two sons, Henry (Sandra) Wright, Jr. of Oklahoma, Jack (Carol) Wright of Bloomfield Hills, MI, three daughters, Joan Banner of Charlotte, Karen (Tony) Huesca of Lake Mary, Florida and Karolyn Gonzalez of Holt, step daughter, Julie Ranshaw of Charlotte and step son, Terry Lee Ranshaw, Sr. of Charlotte; 21 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, James Wright and her sister, Helen Bursley.
Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. If desired memorial contributions may be made to Sparrow Hospital. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Edward Johannes Suntken
96 of Olivet, died Monday, July 29, 2002 at his residence. Mr. Suntken was born September 10, 1905 in Mason County, Illinois, the son of Johannes and Mary (Eilers) Suntken. He was an avid deer hunter and trapper until his 93rd birthday and enjoyed many years farming north of Charlotte. Mr. Suntken was also employed at Motor Wheel until his retirement in 1966. He is survived by wife Beulah (Guy) Suntken, sons Lawrence (Jill) of Charlotte, Lavern (Marilyn) of Olivet, Loyal of Brighton, LaGrand of Charlotte, 6 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and sister Marie Shafe of Olivet. He was predeceased by brothers William, George, Paul & Victor. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 1, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Scott Brood officiating. Interment will be at Gresham Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. If desired, memorials may be made to Eaton Community Hospice or Ainger Bible Church.
