William Gene Boone
47, was born May 19, 1957 in Traverse City, Michigan, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 28, 2004. Bill was a 1975 graduate of Charlotte High School, attended Ferris State University and has been a resident of Charlotte since 1971. He was employed with the State of Michigan as a correction officer at Jackson State Prison for 16 years. Bill was extremely involved with his children's wrestling, football, basketball, cheerleading and loved doing things for his family. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener. He enjoyed sharing his garden produce with his family and friends. Bill is survived by his wife Tamela Ruth, son Corbin Joseph, and daughter Erin Emily. Also survived by his parents Wendell Gene and Lou Ann Boone, brother Scott Matthew Boone (Vicki) of Jackson, MS., sisters Wendy Lou Fox (Michael) of Olivet, MI., and Teresa 'Terrie' Sue Halsey of Whitmore Lake, MI., grandmother Lucile A. Boone of Traverse City, and 7 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his Grandparents, Daniel Joseph Boone, Percy Roland Schepers, Geraldine Schepers-Caulkins, and Aunt Nancy Schepers-Coats. Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Friday, July 30, 2004 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 31, 2004 at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church 210 E. Lawrence Avenue, Charlotte, with Rev. Karen Wheat officiating. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to an educational fund for the children.
Lawrence A. Frith
84, of Vermontville, Michigan, died Thursday, August 5, 2004. Mr. Frith was born January 24, 1920, in Vermontville, Michigan, the son of Fred F. and Margaret (Shetenhelm) Frith. Lawrence served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. He was the Postmaster for Vermontville retiring June 3, 1985. He was a member of the Vermontville Farm Bureau, Lifetime Member of the Vermontville American Legion #222, Masonic Lodge 232 and Masonic Lodge #255 F&AM, Royal Arch Chapter 171 of Nashville, National Association of Postmasters and National League of Postmasters. He is survived by his wife Marville (Lindberg), daughters Patricia (Gordon) Swan of Coldwater, Barbara (Jerry) Pixley of Augusta, sons Russell (Sharen) Frith and Bart Frith of Vermontville, 5 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, brother Earl (Arlene) Frith of Lansing, and sister-in-law Lillian Frith of Grand Rapids. He was preceded in death by his brothers Donald Robert Frith & Morris Fred Frith. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 9, 2004 at Vermontville United Methodist Church with Pastor Kathy Smith and Pastor David Johnston officiating. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Vermontville, Michigan. Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Sunday at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Barry County Hospice.
Marlene Joyce Rood
68, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Friday, August 06, 2004. Mrs. Rood was born March 3, 1936, in Lansing, Michigan the daughter of James Trahair and Pearl Christensen. She was a manager at Circle K Convenience Store and Owner of Marty's Limousine Service in Dunedin, Florida. She was known as one of the '3 Musketeers' of Kiwanis Manor in Charlotte. She is survived by daughters Kim (Donald) Trader of Olivet, Carolyn (Steve) Cyphert of Charlotte and Vicky Good of Olivet, 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and sister Dorothea Maggard of Charlotte. She was preceded in death by husband Edmund L. Rood, son Steven Rood, brother James, her parents and her step-father Harold Smith. Memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, August 12, 2004 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan, with Rev. Doug Hammond officiating. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Lupus Foundation or the American Heart Association.
Joseph Daniel Reynolds
50, of Lansing, Michigan, died Friday, August 6, 2004. Mr. Reynolds was born October 5, 1953 in Jackson, Michigan the son of Dan and Arleta Joy (Lemke) Reynolds. He is survived by his parents and sister Vicki Reynolds of Lansing. Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 12, 2004 at Oakwood Cemetery, Hamlin Township, Michigan.
Floyd R. Laird
89, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Tuesday, August 10, 2004. Mr. Laird was born January 29, 1915, in Madison County, Arkansas, the son of Arthur Daniel and Siothia (Dorsey) Laird. He was a journeyman machine repair man for Oldsmobile. He loved fishing, hunting and gardening with a huge flower garden. He is survived by his wife Helen (Sikes), son Gary (Pam) Laird of Overland Park, Kansas, daughter Marjean (Charles) Chapman of Grand Ledge, 4 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and sisters Velma (Kenneth) Shepherd of Hinesville, Arkansas, Wanda Harrison and Helen Steinbarger of Huntsville, Arkansas and special sister-in-law Rea Laird. He was preceded in death by 5 brothers Fay, Marvin, Arlis, Kenneth and Ray and 2 sisters Nona Eastep and Flora Hanley. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 13, 2004 at Chester Gospel Church with Pastor Marc Livingston officiating. Interment will be at Bohannan Cemetery in Huntsville, Arkansas. Visitation will be 3 - 5 and 7 - 9 p.m. Thursday, August 12, 2004 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. Visitation will be 10 - 12 Monday, August 16, 2004 at Brashears Funeral Home, Huntsville, Arkansas with a 2:00 p.m Graveside Service.
Theophile 'Frenchie' Schneider
74, of Charlotte, Michigan, died at his home on Sunday, August 22, 2004. Mr. Schneider was born April 25, 1930 in Epping (Moselle) France, the son of Jean Pierre and Anna (Frumholz) Schneider. Frenchie came to America on November 11, 1952 on the SS United States and went to Saranac, Michigan to help relatives on their farm. He went to work for Fisher Body in Lansing on March 17, 1953 and retired General Motors May 1, 1992. He married Alice Faye Vertz of L'Anse Michigan on July 6, 1957. They had 5 children Mary Ann, John, Michelle, Mark and Renee. He lived in Charlotte since 1959 and was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by son, Mark Steven Schneider of Charlotte, his parents, a brother Albert Schneider 2 sisters Therese Marshall and Claire Brobst, a nephew Ashille Hemmert and a niece Sylvaine (Schneider) Donner all of France. He is survived by his wife Alice (Vertz) and 4 children; Mary Ann Bartlett and fiancée Dean Erickson of Dimondale, John (Sherry) Schneider of Grand Ledge, Michelle (Rick) Wireman of Springport, Renee (Mike) Johnson of Charlotte, 6 grandchildren; Shaun (Jennifer) Bartlett of Charlotte, Nikyta Schneider of Florida, Mathhew and Steven Wireman of Springport, and Nathan and Amy Schneider of Grand Ledge, and 2 great grandchildren Damon and Dakota Bartlett of Charlotte, sisters Elise Hemmert and Anna Schoepp, brother Jean Schneider, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral mass will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 25, 2004 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Denis R. Spitzley officiating. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Tuesday with a 8:00 p.m. Rosary service at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan.
Lawrence Edward Eggleston
77, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Monday, August 23, 2004. Mr. Eggleston was born August 5, 1927, in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Edward and Florence (Cowls) Eggleston. Lawrence served his county in the U.S. Army during WW II. He worked for General Motors retiring in 1988. He enjoyed working on small engines and loved his big garden and helping his neighbors. He is survived by his wife of 26 years Nancy (Stricker) Eggleston, daughter Nancy (Kevin) Wiltse of Charlotte, son Dale (Jewel) Eggleston of Spring Hill, Fl., son Mark (Linda) Martin of Charlotte, daughter Charlene (Dan) Thaxton of Charlotte, son Wayne (Samantha) Moist of Lansing, 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, brothers Robert (Diane) Eggleston of Texas, Garry Eggleston of Lansing, sisters Marge (Dick) Krahn of Wisconsin, and Helen 'Kay' Wells of Charlotte. He was preceded in death by brother Donald Eggleston and sister Pat Hammond. Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 26, 2004 at First Baptist Church, Charlotte with Pastor Robin Crouch officiating. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery, Kalamo Township.
Jimmy Lee Stewart
69 of Charlotte, died Friday, August 27, 2004 at the Eaton Community Hospice House in Charlotte. Mr. Stewart was born September 1, 1934 in Dayton, Tennessee, the son of James and Gladys (Dotson) Stewart. He was a crane operator at General Motors until his retirement in 1984. He was a member of the Sons of American Legion Post #42, and the Holy Roller bowling league, and other Char Lanes leagues in his earlier years. He loved gardening, hunting, fishing and afternoons on his pontoon boat at Thornapple Lake. He was very proud of his cooking and loved to have people enjoy his food. He is survived by daughters Karla (Randy) Ettinger of Olivet and Barbie (Joe) DenHerder of Charlotte, sons Kim Stewart of Charlotte, Jimmy (Louise) Stewart, Jr. of Jackson and Joe Stewart of Charlotte, 21 grandkids, 6 great grandkids, brothers William (Lorena) Stewart and Emmett 'Dewey' (Elaine) Stewart, both of Battle Creek, sisters Margaret (Jerry) Lashley of Charlotte, Martha (Jack) Shay of Hastings and Margie (Don) Dunn of Cadillac. He was preceded in death by his son Jay Stewart in 1995, and wife Wanda Stewart in 2003. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 30, 2004 with Charles Jensen officiating. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice.
Vicki Marie Smith
57 of Charlotte, died Friday, August 27, 2004. Mrs. Smith was born July 25, 1947 in Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of Fen and Elizabeth (McDonald) McCrimmon. She was a member of Chester Gospel Church, liked traveling and camping, and loved kids. She is survived by her husband Phil Smith, brother Michael (Susan) McCrimmon of Muskegon, sisters Mary (Bob) Hamilton of Marion, Faye Charlene (Paul) Zionskowski of Kingsley, Frances (Tony) Maddox of Marion, Teresa (Ron) VanAssche of Evart, and Judy (John) Hatfield of Marion, several aunts and uncles, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 30, 2004 at Chester Gospel Church in Charlotte, with Pastors Marc Livingston and Barry Smith. Burial will be in Millerburg Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 2-4 and 7-9 PM Sunday at the Pray Funeral Home, and 1:00 to 2:00 PM Monday at the Church. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Chester Gospel Church, Sparrow Hospice or the American Cancer Society.
Caroline Cecilia Dooley
84, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Friday, August 27, 2004. Mrs. Dooley was born December 7, 1910, in Winnepeg, Canada, the daughter of Karl Kristian and Magdalina Irene (Jung) Albert. She lived in Chicago, Il., and met and married her husband, Daniel Vincent Dooley on May 5, 1945. She was an opera singer and both she and her husband performed with the Silo Singers in the Lansing area for many years. Before her retirement she worked for the University of Michigan technical services department at the Lansing Library. She is survived by daughter Deborah Drescher, son Brian Dooley, grandchildren, Maia Cheli of Acadia, California, Justin Dooley of Lansing, and two great grandchildren, and loving nieces Loretta Rose of Glenview, Il., Linda Koko of Cleveland, Ohio, and Nancy Prouse of Keysborough, Australia. At the time of her death she was a resident of The Harbor at Charlotte. Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m. Monday at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan with Rector Monique Ellison officiating. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Delta Mills.
Helen Cleyone DePue
95, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Wednesday, September 1, 2004. Mrs. DePue was born July 7, 1909, in Benton Township, Michigan, the daughter of Harry and Lizzie (Austin) Larke. Helen enjoyed gardening, reading and crossword puzzles. She was a member of the Royal Neighbors, Farm Bureau, Needmore Cemetery Society, REA and Charlotte Saddle Club. She is survived by son Dee 'Terry' (Paulette) DePue of Charlotte, daughter Linda K. (Phillip) Austin of Charlotte, 10 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren. She was preceded by her husband Gerald 'Johnnie', grandson Steven, great grandson Lance, sister Jessie and brother Donald. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 4, 2004 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, with Pastor Lester DeGroot officiating. Interment will be at Needmore Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Friday at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice.
Lawrence D. Crozier
95, of Palmetto, Florida, died Friday, September 3, 2004. Mr. Crozier was born March 4, 1909 in Eaton County, Michigan on a farm on Broadway Road next to the Miller School, the son of Dora Jane (Miller) and Charles Crozier. Lula Wehr who would one day be Lawrence's mother-in-law was at the Crozier home the day he was born. Lawrence's mother died when he was a year old and he went to live with his oldest sister and brother-in-law Pearl (Crozier) and Oren Egbert Shumaker. His father died when he was four years old. Most of his growing up years were spent on a farm on Five Point Highway. Lawrence helped to raise money to start the first Charlotte High School Band when he was in high school. One of the things they did was to sell scrap metal. He graduated from CHS in 1927. He also played in the Charlotte Community Band for approximately 20 years. When he became of age (21), he received the proceeds of his parent's trust. With the $1700 he purchased a good team of horses, harnesses, farm wagon with rack, and 6 cows at $60, to go into farming. He married Elizabeth Wehr on July 28, 1934. They purchased the farm across the road from where Lawrence grew up. In 1942 they moved with their 2 daughters to a farm on Packard Hwy. He farmed in Eaton County until the late 50's raising registered Berkshire hogs. He never owned a milking machine. In the 50's he became a janitor working at Fowlers Dealership, the Congregational Church and part time at the Charlotte High School where he became a school bus driver. He was much loved by the students. He was almost always a driver for the band when they attended football games, the Holland Tulip Festival, Interlochen Band Camp, etc. Lawrence and Elizabeth retired in 1972 and sold the farm in 1973. They moved to Florida full time in 1982. Lawrence had been very active. Until June he had shuffled 3 times a week, continued to play his clarinet, cooked his meals, driven his car, etc. He was nearly 90 when he first hired someone to change the oil in his car. For years he patiently, lovingly took care of his wife which allowed her more years of quality life. He is survived by two daughters, Myrna Dehnert of Bradenton, Florida, and Ann Cobb (Preston) Aylesworth of Rockton, Illinois; grandchildren Brenda (Jerry) Stanton and Janet Gearhart of Bradenton, Florida, Steven (SFC Katrina) Cobb of Lacey, Washington, Andrew (Jeanne) Cobb of San Antonio, Texas, his late wife's siblings Maxon (Dorothy) Wehr, Doris (Cal) Fullerton, amd Roland (Charlotte) Wehr. He is also survived by 8 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Elizabeth, his wife of 67 years on February 13, 2002. son-in-law Douglas Cobb on February 13, 1986, grandson Bruce Cobb on January 27, 1990, sisters Pearl Shoemaker and Mildred Price, brother Otto, and niece Juanita (Shumaker) Thompson, who was raised with Lawrence like a sister. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 10, 2004 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Pastor Phil Hobson officiating. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 7 - 9 p.m. Thursday at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Charlotte High School Band Boosters.
