Frieda Barker
age 90 passed away Friday, December 6, 2002. She was born September 28, 1912 in Windsor Township. The youngest of 5 children born to George W. and Viola Oblinger Sauntmon. She graduated from Dimondale High school in 1929. Retired from the Michigan Secretary of State Licensing Dept. She was preceded in death by one daughter Judith C. Bemis, and three husbands James E.Smith, Sr., Paul DeClercq, and Lauren J. Barker. She is survived by one son James (Doris) Smith, Jr., three step-sons Robert (Fran) DeClercq, Tom (Mary) Barker, and Scott (Shirley)Barker. Two step-daughter JoAnn (Bob) Allman and Julie (Ed) Wood. One grand-daughter Patricia (David) Pendarvis. Five grandsons Michael (Deb) Smith, Jeffrey (Brenda) Melton, Todd Melton, Kevin Melton and Dan Melton. Nine great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She has resided for 2 1/2 years at New Haven Foster Care Home in Dimondale. The family wishes to thank Nancy Ness and her staff for their wonderful loving care they gave Frieda. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 9 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with the Rev. Robert Palmer officiating. Interment will follow in the Dimondale Cemetery. The family will receive friends 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 8 at Pray Funeral Home.
Donald H. Chase
82 of Nashville, died early Saturday morning at Pennock Hospital, 12-7-02, from a fall he suffered earlier in the day at home.
Mr. Chase was born on October 21, 1920 in Kalamo Township, Eaton County Michigan to the parents of Ray and Mayme Chase. His parents were deceased early in his life so Lloyd and Evelyn Hill of Vermontville took him in and helped him through the balance of his school years. Donald never forgot that huge act of kindness by the Hill family.
Donald served in the Army Air Force during WW11, having been stationed in several European Countries but primarily in England. He was a sheet metal worker with the 446th Bomber Group, Eighth Air Force Division. He especially enjoyed an opportunity to fly the 'big birds' whenever they were not in active service.
After the war effort was complete, Donald returned home and went to work as a sheet metal fabricator at a Eaton Rapids factory and later at the Owens Illinois glass plant, where he retired some twenty years ago. Donald was also a past member of the Vermontville American Legion.
The past two decades has found him at home enjoying the exotic pheasants and peafowl he raised and showed to any one who visited his Maple Grove Bird Barn. He also loved to spend as much time as he could creating small wood working projects, in his basement. Bird houses were a particular specialty.
Donald and Dora raised four sons between Vermontville and Charlotte. Surviving are David (Ginny) of Vermontville, Danny (Ann) of Columbia, Tennessee, Dallas (Shirley) of Nashville, Donald (Barbara) of Bellevue, 9 grand children, 2 step grand children, 3 great grand children, his sisters Guest "Eddie" Traister and Leota Bradley of Battle Creek. Donald was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Dora. She was his one true love until his death. One grand child, Mayme Jean, passed away in 1988 and his nephew Larry Anderson was lost in action during the Korean Conflict. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 11, at 11:00 AM at the Pray Funeral Home with the Rev. Kenneth Vaught officiating. Interment will be in the Kalamo Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3-5 and 7-9 PM at the Funeral Home.
Stanley Allen Brown
48 of Bellevue, died Sunday, December 8, 2002. Mr. Brown was born October 2, 1954 in Charlotte, the son of Robert and Patricia (David) Brown. He was a medical health technician and was in the U.S. Army. He is survived by daughters Jessica Bess of Vicksburg, Laura Brown of Battle Creek, son Benjamin Brown of Toledo, father Robert (Stepmother, Susan Myers) Brown of Charlotte, mother Patricia Brown of Charlotte, grandchildren Breanne, Bridgette, Brooke, Dezeray, Devon, Trinity, Makenzie, twin brother Steve Brown, brother Donald (Becky) Brown both of Charlotte, many nieces and nephews. A Memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 13 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with R. Raymond Rossell facilitating. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Charlotte Helping Hands.
Cathleen Diane Murray
63 of Charlotte, died Sunday, December 8, 2002. Ms. Murray was born May 8, 1939 in Charlotte, Michigan, the daughter of Reynold and Thelma (Wright) Beals. She had been employed by Hayes Green Beach Hospital for 22 years, retiring in June 2000. She is survived by daughters Cathleen (Bruce) Carmoney of Ionia, Lynn Redfield of Charlotte, son Alfred (Annie) Murray of Decatur, Mississippi, 6 grandchildren, brothers and sisters Shirley (Amos) Ellsworth of Eaton Rapids, Reynold (Joyce) Beals of Florida, Bruce (Elaine) Beals of California, Roger (Yvonne) Beals, Raymond (Mary Ellen) Beals, Stanley (Leetha) Beals, Linda (Ray) Winters all of Charlotte, Judy (Len) Wisinski of Haslett and sister in law Beverly (Russell) Beals of Potterville. She was predeceased by her brother Russell Beals and sister Rosemary Gould. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 12 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Rev. Hugh Burger officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society or the Hospice House of Mid Michigan.
Mary Elaine Bidinger
62 of Charlotte, Michigan, died Sunday, December 8, 2002. Ms. Bidinger was born November 2, 1940 in Eaton County, Michigan, the daughter of John and Thelma (Crandall) Dornan. She has worked for over 20 years as the Word Processing Coordinator at Michigan Miller Mutual Insurance Company. She was a member of the Charlotte Assembly of God Church and very much enjoyed gardening and cats. She is survived by sons Thomas of Charlotte, Charles (Patty) of Athens, Georgia, Stephen of Northville, daughters Laura Kaminski of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Melinda (Pedro) Vasquez of Mesa, Arizona, 5 grandchildren, brother Carleton (Marilyn) Dornan of Scottsdale, Arizona. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 12, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Mark Woodbury officiating. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Missions Program at the Charlotte Assembly of God Church.
Helen Jean Cotton
77 of Mulliken, died Sunday, December 8, 2002. Mrs. Cotton was born December 26, 1924 in Evart, Michigan, the daughter of Harry and Beatrice (Montgomery) Custer. She is survived by daughter Helene (David) Larson of Eaton Rapids, sons Harry (Brenda) Cotton of Montpelier, Ohio, Howard Cotton of Mulliken, granddaughter Michelle Larson, sisters Norma Rice of Rodney and Betty Pederson of Evart. She was preceded in death by husband Harold, grandchildren Dale, Becky and Susan Cotton, sister Kathleen Bingham and brother Forest Custer. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 11 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Brian Sheen officiating. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville. Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Woodlawn Cemetery.
Robert Misener
80 of Ocala, Florida, formerly of Vermontville and Lansing, Michigan, died Sunday, December 8, 2002 at his residence. Mr. Misener was born May 20, 1922 in Grand Ledge, Michigan, the son of Elmer Sr. and Liddie (Griswald) Misener. He was a brick mason for many years with Bricklayers local #31. He is survived by sons Robert L. (Doreen) Misener, Jr. of Marshall, James (Helen) Misener of Lansing, daughters Gloria Gilding (Rod) of Bellevue, Rosiland (Richard) Emery of Albion, 11 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, brother Elmer Misener, Jr. of Grand Ledge, sister Mary Kelly of Grand Ledge, companion of many years, Kay Billis and daughters Bev and Dorothy and families. He was preceded in death by his wife Avis in 1976. Funeral services will be 4pm Tuesday, December 17 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, Michigan with Dr. Roy Backus officiating. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville. Visitation will be 7-9 Sunday, 3-5 and 7-9 Monday at the funeral home.
Nylla Allyn Trachsel
77 of Charlotte, died December 10, 2002. Mrs. Trachsel was born March 29, 1925 in Charlotte, the daughter of Gerald and Thelma (Miller) Parish. She is survived by sons Robert Proctor of Gaylord, Robin Trachsel of Durand, daughter Sharon Bonnier of Sault St. Marie, 9 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. She was predeceased by her husband James Trachsel in 1988. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 13 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Mark Woodbury officiating. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Thursday. If desired memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Marian Ruby Dilger
age 86 of Charlotte, Michigan, died December 10, 2002. Mrs. Dilger was born January 26, 1916 in Benton Township, the daughter of John and Ruth (Hale) McDaniel. She is survived by several nieces and nephews, and dear friend Joyce Webber. She was preceded in death by her husband Peter in 1974. Funeral services will be 10:00 am Monday, December 16, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with R. Raymond Rossell officiating. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be at 9:00 am Monday until time of service.
Paul (Skip) Joseph Hudson, Jr.
64, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Saturday, December 14, 2002. Paul was born September 25, 1938, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Paul Earl Hudson and Mary Portia (Hutting) Hudson. He grew up in the Lansing area and was employed at B.O.C. in Lansing until his retirement November, 1999. He was a member of St. Mary's Church, Charlotte, U.A.W. Local 652, and a driver for the Meals On Wheels Program. He was interested in Photography and Genealogy. He is survived by his wife, Diane; son, Alex of Charlotte, and daughters Mary (Pete) Hudson-Mack of Holland, Chris (Timothy) Pratt of Grand Rapids, Stephanie (Scott) Hall of Grand Rapids, and Carrie (Rae) Dennison; five grandchildren: Lauren, Ethan & Ryan Pratt; and Ellis and Tate Mack; sister, Janet (Bob) Schuster of Little River, SC; brothers Dick of Greenville, MI; Bill of Sun City, FL; John (Debbie) of Cadillac; Mike (Carolyn) and Martin (Judy) both of Lansing. Rosary service will be Tuesday, December 17, at 7 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, December 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Charlotte, Michigan, with Fr. Denis R. Spitzley celebrant. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, December 16, 7 - 9 p.m. and Tuesday, December 17, 3 - 5 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Sheila Mae Palmiter
54, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Thursday, December 19, 2002. Mrs. Palmiter was born June 27, 1948, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of John and Jessie (Parish) Everett. She had been a member of Potterville VFW Auxillary despite many health problems. She made the most of life and loved bingo. She is survived by her husband Larry Palmiter, married August 6, 1978 in Potterville, daughter Jodie Hunter of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, 3 grandchildren Britnie, Brandon, Briana, step-children Theresa, Nina, Angela, Paul and Larry Jr., 11 step grandchildren, and brother Don Everett of Charlotte. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Gerald "Joe" Everett in 1991. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 23, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan with Pastor Marten Saunders officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be Sunday 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation.
Ronald 'Q-Ball' Charles Williams
47, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Sunday, December 22, 2002. Mr. Williams was born March 14,1955, in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Bernard and Elsie (Phillips) Williams. He worked at Oldsmobile and was a member of the UAW. He enjoyed drag racing and had formed Williams Racing Team. He is survived by his parents Bernard and Elsie Williams, sisters Terry (Terry Hansen) Wellman of Charlotte, Jo (Mike) Davis of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, brother Mark (Denise) Williams of Charlotte, 1 niece and 5 nephews, and special kids Chase and Chance. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 28, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan with Rev. Karen Wheat officiating. Interment will be in Bosworth Cemetery in Olivet, Michigan. Visitation will be 3 - 5 and 7 - 9 p.m. Friday, December 27, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Clarence Max Garvie
81, of Bellevue, Michigan, died Wednesday, December 25, 2002. Mr. Garvie was born November 15, 1921, in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Virgil and Arlene (Ling) Garvie. He retired from the assembly line work at Oldsmobile then was a truck driver for Maeward until his retirement. He is survived by his wife Doris (Casler), son Dale (Carol) Garvie of Charlotte, Michigan, daughter Cheri Cain of Olivet, Michigan, son Lynn (Carolyn) Garvie of Charlotte, son Scott Garvie of Bellevue, daughter Gail Alvarez of Florida, 11 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, sister Pat (Art) Lumbert of Charlotte, brother Frank (Mary) Watson of Augusta, Michigan, and sister Wanita Watson of Athens, Michigan. Interment will be in Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.
