J. Ernest "Mitch" Mitchell
83, of Charlotte, Michigan, died June 18, 2001. Mr. Mitchell was born September 5, 1917, in Littleton, Colorado, the son of J. Ernest and Nellie (Gill) Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell worked at Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan. During World War II he worked on the synthetic rubber program, then served in the Physical Research Lab. He was assistant manager of the Plastics Department, and then served with Economic Evaluation. He had also been General Manager of Inorganics and Solvents and then was the Director of Functional Materials and retired as Director of Corporate Planning in 1981. He served as President of the Dow Foundation for six years. In 1968, he was selected as an outstanding engineering alumnus of the University of Denver and was listed in Who's Who in Finance and Industry. He served on the Midland Planning Commission, and was a member of St. John Episcopal Church of Midland, the Midland Country Club, the Lakes Club of Sun City, Arizona, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, numerous scientific and business publications and the Midland Rotary Club. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty, son John Mitchell of Lansing, daughter Shirley Potts of Sun City, Arizona, 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Private family services have been held. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan or the National Parkinson's Foundation.
Herald Chester Graham
84 of Charlotte, Michigan, died June 22, 2001. Mr. Graham was born October 14, 1916, in Nashville, Michigan, the son of Seth and Alice (Graves) Graham. He was a machine operator for Motor Wheel and a farmer. He also served in the Air Corps during WW II. He is survived by his wife Margaret (Rounds), son Darian Graham of Charlotte, daughters Alicia (Don) Haynes and Terrie (Mike) Ramsey of Lexington, North Carolina, son Kal (Tiera) Graham of Grand Ledge, 9 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, half-sister Mary Wanda Hamblin of Sparta, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by daughter Michelle Marple, brother Wallace Graham, sister Cora Teeple and half-brother Richard. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 25, 2001 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Rev. Jeffrey Bowman officiating. Interment will be in Gresham Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be Sunday 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home.
Jay Edward Patterson
82 of Potterville, died Friday, June 22, 2001 in Charlotte, Michigan. Mr. Patterson was born July 9, 1918, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Guy and Alyida (Jasperse) Patterson. He was employed by Michigan Bell in 1940 as a repair technician and retired in 1975. He farmed for over 20 years, and had also managed the Country Club Manor. Jay was a lifetime member of Telephone Pioneers of America, Past-President of the Ionia Hunting and Fishing Club and a former member of the Ionia Sheriff Posse. Surviving are his wife Marilyn, daughter Marcia (Carl) Rickert of Saranac, son Bruce Patterson of Ionia, step-children Janet (Tim) Denton, Jane (Tom) Clegg of Charlotte, Donald (Janet) Warner, Jr. of Plymouth, Candice (Jerry) Soldan of Grand Ledge, Tim (Nancy) Warner of Eaton Rapids, 5 grandchildren, 3 Great Grandchildren and 13 step-grandchildren and many step great grandchildren. His sister, Eilene Simmons preceded him in death in 1969. Graveside Memorial services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Mason with R. Raymond Rossell officiating. If desired memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton County Medical Care Facility.
Norma Louise Smith Gaut
87, of Charlotte, Michigan died Saturday, June 23, 2001. Mrs. Gaut was born April 16, 1914, in Kalamo Township, Michigan the daughter of Rue and Hortense (Kelley) Swift. She was a cafeteria worker for Charlotte High School. She is survived by daughter Virginia (Wallace) Wollpert of Mulliken, sons Richard (Anne) Smith of Sacramento, California and Stanley (Judy) Smith of Charlotte, 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, sisters Donna Wood of Charlotte, Vera Ramsey of Pleasant Lake, Michigan, Rosemary Perkins of Kalamo, Michigan, Sylvia Craun of Vermontville, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her first husband Bernard Smith and second husband Phyllip Gaut and daughter Shirley Wollpert. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 28, 2001 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Pastor Donald Woolum officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice or Charlotte Congregational Church.
Kressa A. Brummette
97 of Charlotte, Michigan, died June 24, 2001. Mrs. Brummette was born December 18, 1903, in Traverse City, Michigan the daughter of Charles F. and Minnie E. (VanValkenburg) Calhoun. She was a member of the Charlotte Pentecostal Church of God and the Charlotte Area Senior Citizens. She married Earl Brummette, who preceded her in death February 26, 1977. She is survived by sons Douglas (Joann) Brummette, Eddie (Marlene) Brummette, Richard (Janet) Brummette all of Charlotte, Barbara Bodell of Charlotte, Beverly Geiser of Phoenix, Arizona, Joy Hicks of Charlotte, Shirley (Richard) Crosslan of Charlotte, 21 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren, sister June Morse of Phoenix, Arizona. She was preceded in death by son William in 1933. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at Deepdale Memorial Gardens, Lansing, Michigan with Rev. Elbern Householder officiating. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice or Hayes Green Beach Home Health Care.
Verle Stall
92, of Charlotte, died June 27, 2001 at Marshall, Michigan. Mr. Stall was born September 9, 1908 in Chester Twp., Michigan, the son of Clyde and Grace (Simpson) Stall. He owned and operated his own farm. He was member and former board member of Eaton County Farm Bureau, formerly on Eaton County Board of Commissioners, formerly Chester Township Board of Review, member and former trustee of Gresham United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife Dorathea, son Douglas (Evelynn) Stall of Charlotte, 4 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, 5 step great grandchildren, 9 step great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brother Nelson Stall of Charlotte. Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 2001 at Pray Funeral Home with Rev. Jeffrey Bowman officiating. Interment will be in Gresham Cemetery, Charlotte. Visitation will be 7 - 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Friday at Pray Funeral Home.
Beulah Isabelle Costlow
80 of Charlotte, Michigan, died June 27, 2001. Mrs. Costlow was born July 17, 1920 in Morgantown, West Virginia, the daughter of Charles C. and Dora M. (DeWitt) Casteel. She retired from Sterling Faucet Company after 32 years of service. She is survived by daughters Jean LaBare of Charlotte, Joan (Tom) Holloway of Eutis, Florida, Judith M. Gifford of Tampa, Florida, 8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and sister Freda O'Haver of Stevensville, Michigan. Brother Everett and sisters Agnes Curtis and Deloris Jean Shannon preceded her in death. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 2 at Jenkins Funeral Home, 10 S. High Street, Morgantown, West Virginia with Pastor Alfred Reed officiating. Interment will follow in East Oak Grove Cemetery in Morgantown. Visitation will be at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte 5 - 8 p.m. on Friday, June 29 and Jenkins Funeral Home in Morgantown 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday July 1. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Lawrence Avenue Methodist Church or Alzheimer's Association. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Arrangements by the Pray Funeral Home, Inc.
Keith Frank Seitz
96 of Vermontville, Michigan, died June 28, 2001 in Hastings. Mr. Seitz was born November 21, 1904 in Eaton County, Michigan, the son of Frank and Sarah (Deuel) Seitz. Mr. Seitz was a lifelong farmer in the Vermontville area, and a former member of the Woodlawn Cemetery Board and the Eaton County Farm Bureau. He is survived by step-daughter Beverly (Bill) Lindberg of Lake Odessa, step-son Edward "Jim" (JoAnn) Zemke of Vermontville, 7 step-grandchildren, 13 step great grandchildren, nephew-in-law, Frank Darling of South Lyons, great nephew Tom (Kristina) Darling and great niece Kim (Jim) Frisbie both of Howell and a host of step-great-great-grandchildren, and great-great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife Josie in 1975, second wife Isabelle in 1987, step-daughter Sarah Ames in 1997, brother Donald Seitz in 1954 and niece Connie Darling in March 2001. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 30 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Rev. Eric Lison and Mark Jarvie of Vermontville Congregational Church, officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville. Visitation will be Friday 2-8 p.m. at the funeral home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Woodlawn Cemetery.
David C. Lyons
67, of Charlotte, Michigan, went to be with his Lord on July 1, 2001 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born October 20, 1933 to John J. and Helen B. Lyons. He served in the U.S. Navy, was a journeyman plasterer, served as an Ingham County Sheriff's Deputy and retired from the Michigan Department of Transportation after 33 years. He was also a former member of the Michigan National Guard and the Eaton County 4-H Fair Board. He earned his solo pilots license in 1996. He is survived by his wife Sue (Peltier), daughters Deb (Larry) Nakfoor of Grand Ledge, MI., Shantel (Jim) LoFiego of Grand Rapids, MI., son Rick (Debbie) Lyons of Florida, sisters Elaine Fabiano of Lansing, Pat Gray of Mason, and Kathleen (Steve) Edwards of North Carolina, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, 2001 at Pray Funeral Home with Father Denis R. Spitzley officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Rosary Service at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice or Eaton Community Hospice.
Helen L. King
83 of Potterville, Michigan, died July 2, 2001 at the St. Lawrence Dimondale Center after a long illness. Mrs. King was born April 11, 1918 in South Haven, Michigan, the daughter of Don A. and Ida E. H. (Zessin) Youngs. Mrs. King was a life member of the VFW Post 6034 in Potterville for many years, and was a member of the American Legion in Dimondale. She is survived by son John King, daughter Sally Clarke of Wellston, Michigan, 4 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, brothers Carl (Beth) Youngs of Charlotte, Charles (Marjorie) Youngs of Potterville, brother in law Robert Ray of Sunfield, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Dale E. King in 1973, grandaughter Lori Beth Clarke in 1996, nephew Ray Youngs in 1996, great nephew Don Youngs in 1995, sisters Audrey Estep in 1996 and Frances Ray in 2001. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 6, 2001 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Rev. Tom Peters officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 2-4 and 7-9 on Thursday, July 5, 2001.
Donald Wesley Neil
85 of Charlotte, formerly of Livonia, died Tuesday, July 3, 2001. Mr. Neil was born April 30, 1916, in Detroit, Michigan the son of James W. and Louise (Williamson) Neil. He retired from Livonia Public Schools as a Maintenance Supervisor. He was a member of the St. Mary Catholic Church and owned a cabin for 24 years on Lake James. He was a former member of the St. Priscilla Catholic Church in Livonia for 32 years. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Eleanor (Brown), son James (Diane) Neil of Houston, Texas, daughter Barbara (Leonard) Bochenek of Charlotte, son Jack (Pat) Neil of Tecumseh, MI., daughter Pat (Cal) Underwood of Sarasota, Florida, son Fred (Cathy) Neil of Brighton, MI., daughter Marge McKeon of Charlotte, 25 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, sister Lucille Petry of Lafayette, Indiana, sister-in-laws Dorothy Ward of Farmington Hills, MI., Marie (Nick) Aninos of Port Richey, Florida, brother-in-law Robert (Liz) Brown of Tuscon, Arizona. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 6, 2001 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Denis R. Spitzley officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte, Michigan. Visitation will be 2 - 5 and 7 - 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan.
L. Olean Matheney
84, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Friday, July 13, 2001. Ms. Matheney was born September 17, 1916, in Saffel, Arkansas, the daughter of Alonzo and Minerva (Hybarger) Matheney. She has been a resident of Charlotte, since 1975. Ms. Matheney is survived by sisters Wanda Wells of Charlotte, Ruth (Ralph) Tucker and Bernice Skaggs all of Tuckerman, Arkansas, brother Bill (Virginia) Matheney of Alameda, California, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceeded in death by sister Freeda Wells of Newport, Arkansas and brother Clifford Matheney of Charlotte. She attended First Baptist Church in Charlotte. She also loved bowling, needlework and interacting with children and animals especially Tiffney, or "Baby" her dog, and "Kitty" her cat. If desired, memorial contributions to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan or First Baptist Church of Charlotte. Services will be held at Graceland Cemetery in Tuckerman, Arkansas through Dillinger Funeral Home.
Marjorie E. Munn-Thorne
81, of Bellevue, Michigan died Sunday, July 22, 2001. Marjorie was born June 13, 1920, in Howell, Michigan, the daughter of Lester and Elsie M. (Miller) Huff. She was a retired secretary from Charlotte Public Schools, and was a past member of the Bellevue United Methodist Church, Eaton County Retired Secretary's group and MARSP. She is survived by daughters Margie (Douglas) Murphy of Bellevue; Vicki Porter of Battle Creek, Michigan; son Lynn Patrick McKee of San Francisco, California; step-children Jack and Janet Munn, Carol Pixley, and Charles Munn; 5 grandchildren Aaron and Amanda Murphy, Amy and Andrew McKee, and Jeffery Porter Rogers 2 great grandchildren Alexis Murphy and Jacob Smith, brothers Robert Huff of Howell, Michigan, Kenneth Huff of Chico, California, sister Phyllis Gehringer of Avon Park, Florida. She was preceded in death by husbands Don McKee, L.V. Porter, John Munn and brother Gerald Huff. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 26, 2001, at Bellevue United Methodist Church with Rev. Wendell Stine officiating. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. at Lakeside Cemetery in Howell, Michigan. Visitation will be Tuesday 7 - 9 p.m. and Wednesday 7 - 9 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association or the Bellevue United Methodist Church.
