Search Archived Marriage Records
Gail Aapala
Gail Aapala, 52, of Charlotte, passed away Wednesday, July 28, 2004 after a battle with cancer, at her home surrounded by her family. Gail was born in Wakefield, the daughter of Clarence and Sylvia (Polley) Ryskey and had been a Charlotte resident since 1975. She was a 1969 graduate of Marenisco (Mich.) High School, was a graduate of Gogebic Community College and attended Northern Michigan University.
Gail was employed as office manager for Dr. John B. Faust, orthodontist, of Lansing for 20 years. She was a member of Peace Luthern Church and the Charlotte Athletic Boosters. She will be remembered by those close to her as a strong, loving and caring person who touched many lives.
Surviving are her husband of 31 years, Dick Aapala; two sons, Aaron (Katelyn) Aapala and Jason Aapala, both of Charlotte; her father, Clarence Syskey of Marenisco; four siblings, Gary Ryskey of Marenisco, Gloria (Mike) Keast of Orleans, Gwen (Mark) Piotrowski of Marenisco and Greg (Jessie) Ryskey of Marenisco; brother-in-law, Hank (Susan) Aapala of Wakefield; sister-in-law, Tuula (Dave) Cordy of Cedar River; mother-in-law, Maila Aapala of Marenisco; special friends, Elaine and Ben Thompson of Eaton Rapids; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Sylvia Ryskey, in August 2003.
Funeral services were held July 31 at Peace Lutheran Church in Charlotte, with Pastor Todd Bruning officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Charlotte Athletic Boosters or Peace Lutheran Church. Arrangements were by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home of Charlotte.
Phillip L. Abernathy
Phillip L. Abernathy of Jamestown, Ky., formerly of Charlotte, went to be with the Lord, Feb. 15, 2004, at the age of 53, after a short illness.
He was preceded in death by his son, Phillip Abernathy; father and mother, Joseph and Wilma Jester; brother, Duane Jester; and sister, Nina Lee. Surviving are his wife, Mary Abernathy; children, Heather Abernathy of Olivet and Steve (Jessie) Thompson of Wacousta; brothers and sisters, Jeff (Sandy) Jester of Coloma, Sam (Floyce) Abernathy, Richard (Mary) Abernathy, both of Charlotte, Deb (Walt) Ribby of Eaton Rapids, Lori Keyes (Kevin Frisbie) of Holt, and Lisa Wood of Lansing; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held at his home in Jamestown, Ky., on Feb. 17. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Jamestown, Ky. in memory of Phillip L. Abernathy. Arrangements were by Pray Funeral Home of Charlotte.
Captain Johnny Ables
Captain Johnny Ables, age 56, of Eaton Rapids, MI, formerly of Pensacola, FL, died Saturday, March 6, 2004 in Eaton Rapids. He was born Dec. 19, 1947 in Lake Wells, FL. Captain Johnny was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved to travel. He was a former Sea Captain in Florida.
Surviving are his wife of 4 ½ years, Florence C. of Eaton Rapids; children, Johnny (Claudia) Ables, Steve (Karen) Cummings, Laura (John) Stevenson, Carol (Marilyn) Reid all of Florida, April (Henry Centeno) Thomas, Mathew (Yvonne) Thomas all of Onondaga, Owen (Michelle) Thomas of Fort Hood; 12 grandchildren; 5 brothers, John (Berry-Lou) Vinciguerra of CA, Joe (Shelly) Keller of OH, John (Jean) Sutton of KY, Bob (Jean) Sutton of CA, Vernon (Robin) Sutton of FL; 1 sister, Jan (Jerry) Jodrey of OH; several nieces and nephews; special friend, Kelly Quinn of Holt.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 12, 2004, 2:30 p.m. at the Shelly Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids with Rev. Jeff Martin of Lighthouse Tabernacle, Pensacola, FL, officiating. Interment will follow at Onondaga Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 2:00-4:00 & 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Ele’s Place in memory of Capt. Johnny Ables.
Mildred M. Adams
Mildred Marie Adams, 91, of Charlotte, passed away Friday, March 5, 2004, surrounded by her family.
Mrs. Adams was born in Kalamo on Nov. 18, 1912, the oldest daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Rowe) Keith. She was a life-long resident of Charlotte and Eaton County. On May 17, 1934 she married Donald Lyle Adams. They were together 51 years and spent many seasons at their northern Michigan hunting retreat. In 1941 they became members of the Congregational Church. She and her husband established an electrical and appliance business known as Adams Electric, in 1947. She was an active PTA member during her children’s school years, and after her children were grown she worked at Wilcox Gay and Eaton Stamping in Eaton Rapids, retiring in 1974. In addition to being a loving caregiver and excellent cook, she used her artistic talents in ceramics, sewing, knitting and crocheting. Mildred lover her children and was especially proud of her 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Those who preceded her into Heaven were her husband Donald; her parents, Frank and Elizabeth Keith; two sisters, Bernice Keith and Helen Rockwell; and a brother, Joseph Keith.
Surviving family are four sons, Edwin (Jackie), Larry (Sharon), Robert (Sandra), all of Charlotte, and Philip (Janice) of Jackson; and daughter, Sharon (Ardon) Cronk of Charlotte.
Funeral services were held March 9 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Rev. Phil Hobson officiating. Burial was at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Maple Hill Cemetery or the First Congregational Church.
Arrangements were by Pray Funeral Home of Charlotte.
Alexander “Alex” Allan
Alexander (Alex) Allan was born in Glasgow, Scotland on April 12, 1916, and immigrated, with his parents John B. and Isabella Allan, when he was 5 years of age. He graduated from Centerline High School near Detroit in 1932, in the depths of the great depression. In order to be able to attend college, he learned the barbering trade, became licensed in 1934, moved to Ypsilanti to attend Michigan Normal (now Eastern Michigan University) then transferred to and graduated from the University of Michigan, working his way through. In October 1935 he met Annie Davidson with whom he immediately fell in love and to whom he proposed marriage on their first date. He continued proposing until she finally answered, “Yes,” and they were married-secretly in December 1938, then “officially” in June 1939. Alex had a long and richly varied work career including G.M.-Turnstead Division, Nash-Kelvinator (Lansing), Cardy Jewelry Store (Lansing), Automobile Sales-ending up as Neal-Allan Motors in Eaton Rapids, Real Estate-with development of Burnside subdivision, and in 1958 Eaton Stamping company from which he retired in 1981, at age 65, in the position of Senior Vice-President. In addition to his work, Alex was active in several offices of the 1st Congregational Church of Eaton Rapids, and was involved in the Lions International Club-holding an office of District Governor. In his lifetime he made 15 trips to Scotland and England visiting his relatives and family members of his wife. Alex died on March 28, 2004 at the age of 87.
He is survived by Annie, his soulmate and wife of 65 years; his four children and their spouses: Dr. Christopher (Mary Ellen) Allen of Marietta, GA; Alexanne (Richard) Whitney of Westerville, OH; Julie (Dr. Jack) Lawler of Knoxville, TN; and Kevin C. “K.C.” (Jeri) Allan of Eaton Rapids; grandsons Brian and Roger Allan; granddaughters Jessica and Jaclyn Lawler, Amber, Bridget and Elizabeth Allan, great-grandson Alexander Allan; great-granddaughter Ashley Allan; brother-in-law, Al Cowell; sister-in-law, Mrs. Helen Davidson; special friend Sonja Seaks who lived with the Allans for a year, and many, many other friends. He will be sadly missed by many.
Memorial services will be Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. for those desiring memorial contributions may be made to either the First Congregational Church, Eaton Rapids Medical Center or to Alzheimer’s Association, in memory of Alex Allan.
Caroline Jenett Allen
Caroline J. Allen, age 77, of Eaton Rapids, died Sunday, March 14, 2004 at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility in Charlotte. She was born December 18, 1926 in Lansing, the daughter of Wayne and Ollie (LaRowe) Crippen. Caroline had worked for the Davidson Woolen Mills in Eaton Rapids, was a former baker for Felpausch Groceries in Eaton Rapids, and had retired from Camp Highfields in Onondaga as a cook. She was preceded in death by her husband, Archie in 1993 and her son, Lyle Allen in 1996.
Surviving are 4 children, Chuck (Nancy) Allen of Eaton Rapids, Gary Allen of Colorado, Pat Allen of Colorado and Linda (Glenn) Benson of Eaton Rapids; 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; 8 brothers and sisters, Gordon (Marge) Crippen of Charlotte, Lloyd (Mearna) Crippen of Potterville, Joyce Love of Eaton Rapids, Leon Crippen of Marion, Lester Crippen of Marion, Eunice Frost of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Nancy Crippen of Okemos and Wayne (Kathy) Crippen Jr. of Eaton Rapids; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Visitation will be Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Leora G. Allen
Leora Gayle Allen, age 86, of Charlotte, died Wednesday, April 21, 2004.
Mrs. Allen was born Oct. 12, 1917 in Chester Township, the daughter of the late Harold Phillips and the late Ruby (Sprague) Phillips. She retired from the state of Michigan in 1979 after many years working in the attorney general and treasury departments. She was a wonderful mother who provided for her four daughters after her husband George died in 1959. She was known to family and friends as a crossword puzzle expert. She enjoyed outings with her family ranging from vacations when the girls were young to Sunday afternoons at nearby Thornapple Lake.
She is survived by her four daughters, Jeanne (James) Baird of Charlotte, Jo Anne Bulmer of Charlotte, Jayne (Dan) Whitcomb of Bellevue, Judi (Dave) Baum of Charlotte; sister, Margaret Courtright of Charlotte; brother, Carroll (Marilyn) Phillip of Marshall; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held April 23 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Rev. Rich Mitterling officiating. Interment was at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.
Cecil R. Ames
Cecil Robert Ames, of Charlotte, formerly of Munising, died Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004.
Mr. Ames was born March 20, 1927 in Munising, the son of Henry Reuben and Alice (Chartier) Ames. He served in the Navy during World War II and was a retired electrician from G.E. He was an avid fisherman and hunter of bear, deer and birds. He loved his family and enjoyed being with his grandchildren. His great joy was watching football games and game shows. He also enjoyed watching the squirrels while relaxing on the deck.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ames of Charlotte; daughters, Kim (Bruce) Bailey of Charlotte, Elizabeth (George) Gustack of New Baltimore, Rose Ames and friend Lanny of Ortonville; son, Bill McQuaid of Covington, Ky.; mother, Alice Ames of Renton Wash.; brother, Douglas (Julie) Ames of Brenton, Wash.; sister-in-law, Evelyn Ames of Appleton, Wis.; brother-in-law, Arthur (Vivian) Normand of Munising; and brother-in-law, Lawrence Beauchaine of Ormond Beach, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his faterh, Henry Ames, and a brother, Harold Ames.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Munising.
Arrangements were by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Donald H. Anderson
Dr. Donald Hess Anderson, 91, of Holt, formerly of Portland, passed away at home Monday, Oct. 18, 2004.
Dr. Anderson was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving as a physician in New Guinea; the Philippines, where he was awarded the Bronze Star; and South Korea. In 1946 he opened his family practice in Portland, and in 1980 he received a Distinguished Citizen’s Award from the Portland VFW Post 4090. He later received a special tribute from the Michigan Legislature and the Michigan State Medical Society for exceptional service and dedication to his profession. He was TRW’s plant physician for 40 years and also served as the Ionia County medical examiner for many years. He retired in 1991. He particularly enjoyed growing prize-winning irises and roses, traveling all over the world, fishing, and playing cards with friends. He loved being a part of the Portland community, caring for three generations of its families, and believed that “the greatest pleasure any person can have is knowing they are doing something good for others.”
Dr. Anderson was preceded in death by his first wife, Faye (Hawley) Anderson, and a sister, Virginia Crandall.
He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Jaclyn; two sisters, Dorothy Smith of Dallas, Texas, and Vivian Kinek of Portage; his children, Merlin (Sharon) Anderson of Charlotte, Richard (Beth) Anderson of Lyons, and Sandra (Ronnie) Owens of Plantation, Fla.; step-children, Teri (Jack) Rutter of Horsehead Lake, Craig Allen of Lansing, Cris (Julie) Allen of Eaton Rapids and Brian (Tama) Allen of Dimondale; six grandchildren, 11 step-grandchildren, six great-grandsons and two step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Oct. 23 at Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association (Michigan Chapter), 30300 Telegraph Road, Suite 117, Bingham Hills, MI 48025.
