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Arthur Slade
Arthur R. Slade, 69, of Charlotte, died Sunday, April 13, 2008. Mr. Slade was born Aug. 23, 1938 in Wacousta, MI, the son of Otto and Dora (Hart) Slade.
Mr. Slade was a weighmaster for the Eaton County Road Commission for 36 years.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Harvey Slade of Kalamazoo.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Jane; son, Jerry Slade of Lansing; daughter, Donna (Allen) Tilford of Springport; three grandchildren, Cassey, Trevor and Shelby; sister, Sandra Shepard of Detroit and brother, Otis (Louise) Slade of MO.
An affirmation service was held Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Frederick L. Smith
Frederick L. “Fred/Smitty” Smith, formerly of Lansing, died August 30, 2008 at the age of 81 from Alzheimer’s disease at Moore’s Adult Foster Care in Charlotte, where he had been a resident for 29 months. Born on June 7, 1927 in Harbor Springs to Edgar and Reva (Harrison) Smith.
He was a speed skating champ, winning many awards racing across Little Traverse Bay from Harbor Springs to Petoskey. Fred moved to Lansing at 14, driving his mother and younger sisters in a Model T. After a three month courtship he married Ilo Joan Arter (Joann) on December 14, 1945 at Mt. Hope United Methodist Church in Lansing with Laurence and Dora Salisbury, the only people at their wedding. The lights went out in the church delaying the evening. Fred had to go to work in the morning, a die repairman at Melling Forging Plant for 39 years. They celebrated at Wimpie’s where the entrees were hamburgers and chili. Marsha, their first daughter, was born 12 months later, followed by Vickie, Jackie, and Sandy. Mom and Dad were devoted to each other for 59 years, until her death in May 2005.
Fred was a camper, motorcycle rider and fisherman, spending many winters at Tavares, FL and summers in Alanson, MI on the Crooked River. Although he lived 67 years in the Lansing area, his heart was always at Harbor Spring and “Ma” Smith’s farm, where he spent much of his childhood with his cousin, Harold.
In addition to his wife, Joann, he was preceded in death by his baby daughter Sandra; his brother Robert J. “Jim” Smith; and brother-in-law, Dale Wardell. Surviving are: his daughters, Marsha (Al) McDonald of Charlotte, Vickie (Sam) Releigh of Corunna, Jackie McLean of Delton and Lynn McLean of Troy; 7 grandchildren, Kurt Kesler, Sidney McDonald, Kristi McDonald, Amme Knight, Kylan Shaffer, Melanie Garden and Kyle McLean; 12 great grandchildren, Joseph and Jordon Head, Blaine and Jerriell Kesler, Seth, Jaron and Rachel Bowden, Caleb and Peyton Shaffer, Lauren and Sam Knight, and Avery Garden; 1 great-great grandchild, Brady Head; sisters, Nelda Wardell and Norma (Loyal) Shepler; sister-in-law, Emma Smith; and dear cousin, Harold (Millie) Harrison.
The family cannot fully express their gratitude and love for the kindness and care given to Dad by Carole Moore Kidder and her grandchildren/caregivers at Moores Adult Foster Care in Charlotte. God bless you Carole, Shelby, John-Michael and Heather Moore and Ryan Schneckenberger as you continue to care for the most innocent and fragile among us.
At Dad’s direction he has been cremated. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. at Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, 210 E. Lawrence Avenue, with the
Rev. Karen Wheat officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donation to your local food bank or shelter. If you asked Dad his favorite color, he always said “sky-blue-pink” like the sunset. He’s finally walked into his beautiful sunset, where Mom has been waiting.
Gloria Smith
Gloria A. Smith, 69, of Hastings, formerly of Charlotte, died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008. Mrs. Smith was born Dec. 1, 1938 in Charlotte, the daughter of Ion and Anna (Semenski) Baker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll Smith in 1994.
She is survived by her son, Randall Smith of Hastings; daughter, Christine Smith of Phoenix; daughter, Anna Smith of Dorr; son, Chad Smith of Grand Rapids; son, James (Laura) Smith of Middleville; 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Jan. 18, 2008 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Reverend George Brand officiating. Interment was at Maple Hill Cemetery, Charlotte.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
LaRae Smith
LaRae May Smith, 62, of Eaton Rapids, died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, after a long struggle with liver disease. LaRae was born April 26, 1945 in Battle Creek, the daughter of Evison and Beverley (Lord) Beck.
She was a former Service Club Manager for the Charlotte American Legion and enjoyed organizing special events for others. Her mission in life was to give to others. The joy of her life was her three loving granddaughters.
She was preceded in death by her husband Roger Smith in May 2001 and her parents.
She is survived by her children, Shelli Long (Kurt McCarrick) of Eaton Rapids and Philip Long (Mark Bauer) of Lansing; beloved granddaughters, Margeaux Long, Maci Heintz and Morgan Heintz; sister, Brenda and John Bly of Charlotte; brothers, Michael and Betsy Beck of Sharon, CT and Joseph Beck of Cadillac and many loving nieces and nephews.
Services were held Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, with Pastor Rockney Wing officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Liver Foundation and/or the Gift of Life Foundation and please consider registering with the Gift of Life.
LaVern H. Smith
LaVern H. Smith, 91, of Charlotte, died peacefully on Saturday, May 31. Mr. Smith was born November 19, 1916 in Fowlerville, the son of Henry and Edna (Livingston) Smith.
He served as a Marine during WWII, and then worked as a truck driver for C & J Haulaway/Auto Delivery.
He was preceded in death by first wife, Marian, in 1988, and second wife, Betty Lou, in 1996.
He is survived by his life companion of 12 years, Erma Merritt; children, Jack (Lila) Smith of Ala., Wayne (Peggy) Smith of Texas, Patricia (Melody Sowers) Smith of Lansing, and Pastor Joene (Peter) Herr of Ohio; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and sister, Martha Whitehead of Calif.
A memorial service was held Tuesday, June 3, at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Joene Herr officiating. Interment was in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Lansing.
If desired, memorial contributions may e made to Eaton Community Hospice. Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Lena Lavina Smith
Lena LaVina Smith, 79, of Eaton Rapids passed away Friday, June 27, 2008 in Lansing
Lena was born Oct. 1, 1928 in Mason, the daughter of Orlo and Mary (Colman) Hanes. She was a loving mother and grandmother.
Preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Smith, Lena is survived by daughters, Jill Smith of Eaton Rapids, Melissa Ewing of Raleigh, N.C.; son, Dean (Melissa) Smith of White Pigeon; eight grandchildren, Stanley Ewing, Eric Ewing, Adam Ewing, Lena Trayer, LaVina Kay DaVilla, Steven Smith, Kearra French and Crystal Smith; and six great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at Maple Grove Cemetery, Mason. Arrangements are by the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids.
Robert C. Smith Sr.
Robert C. Smith Sr., died Monday, January 7, 2008. He was born in 1932 and was a Korean War veteran. He retired from Miller Tool and Die in Jackson, member of the Eaton Rapids community for 47 years before moving to Largo, Florida. He was preceded in death by Bobby Smith and Kenny Robert Denman.
Robert is survived by 2 sons, Robert C. Jr. (Linda), Jack; 1 daughter, Marie (Dave) Denman, all of Eaton Rapids, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ronald Smith
Ronald E. Smith, 72, of Charlotte, passed away Sept. 12, 2008. Mr. Smith was born Dec. 14, 1935 in Ithaca, Mich., the son of Frank and Ruth (Stannick) Smith.
Mr. Smith was a carpet installer and cleaner. His hobbies included farming, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. He was hard working, loyal and honest. He will be remembered for his warm loving heart. He was a very giving and caring individual giving love and help when needed.
He is survived by his daughters, Rhonda (Steven) Pifer and Jennifer (Jason) Wells both of Vermontville; step children, Kim Morrow and Yolanda Morrrow, both of Nashville, Jane Morrow of Manistee and Tonya (Wayne) Moore of Middleville; 20 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life was held Sept. 20, 2008 at his residence.
Evelyn Smrchek
Evelyn Carol Smrchek, 89 of Rogers City, MI, formerly of Charlotte, died Dec. 18, 2008 at Sally’s Care Home in Alpena, MI. Mrs. Smrchek was born Aug. 4, 1919 in Frankfort, MI the daughter of Charles and Cora (Mann) Gaul.
She is survived by her husband, Daniel; son, David (Carol) Smrchek of Rogers City; daughter, Janeann (John Dennis) Snider of Loma Linda, CA and grandchildren, Anne Marie Smrchek, Kristin (Carols) Demiranda, Kimberly (Matthew) Lane and John Dennis Snider IV.
Memorial services will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
