Douglas C. Woodley
55, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Friday, September 3, 2004. Mr. Woodley was born November 21, 1948, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Olin and Geraldine (Gottman) Woodley. He was an OTR Truck Driver for 34 years, also he was employed by M.C. VanKampen of Grand Rapids, Michigan and a member of a VFW in Missouri. He enjoyed oldies music, channel surfing and farming. He is survived by his wife Connie (Bartlett) of Charlotte, daughters Tamera (Rich) Murachek of Lewisville, Texas, Robin and Crystal Woodley of Norman, Oklahoma, Lisa Woodley of Waynesville, Missouri, step-son Edward (Rebbecca) Bruce of Vermontville, 5 grandchildren, and sister Virginia Haven of Rolla Missouri. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 9, 2004 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan with Mr. Tom Raymond officiating. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Wednesday at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Dolores Jeanette 'Dee' Mattern
of East Lansing, Michigan, died September 7, 2004. Mrs. Mattern was born July 24, 1930, in Harvar, Illinois, the daughter of Ingolf and Lille (Swanson) Lundstrom. Dee worked as a travel agent. She is survived by her daughter Christine (Scott) Ginkens of Sugarland, Texas, 2 grandchildren, brother Russ Lundstrom of Hinsdale, Illinois and sister Ingrid Christman of Newport, Vermont. She was preceded in death by her husband James Mattern in 1993. A Memorial service was held at the University Club in East Lansing, Michigan.
V. Lucille 'Lou' Thompson
74, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Sunday, September 12, 2004. Mrs. Thompson was born February 28, 1930, in Dresden, TN, the daughter of Willie Franklin and Dessie Pearl (Bolton) Dilday. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Billie Lyle Thompson; daughters Barbara (Ray) Fountain of Lansing, Sherry (Gene) Spitz of Charlotte, and Cathy (Ken) Jones of Eaton Rapids; son Steven (Sandy) Thompson of Battle Creek; sisters Hazel Ward of Lansing and Bonnell Crabtree of Denver, CO; 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Bolinger officiating. Interment will be in Center Eaton Cemetery, Eaton Township. Visitation will be at 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday at Pray Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Lyle Arthur Christiansen
69, of Vermontville, Michigan, died Tuesday, September 14, 2004. Mr. Christiansen was born March 25, 1935, in Hastings, Michigan the son of Lawrence B. and Florence E. (Matteson) Christiansen. Lyle married Catherine Beal on July 14, 1986 in Potterville. He was an electrician for Oldsmobile for 35 years before his retirement in 1990. He was very involved in Potterville, Michigan as a former police officer, volunteer fireman, head timer for track at the school and a school bus driver for 16 years. He was a member of the Capitol Area Sportsman League and was an avid hunter and camper. He also enjoyed woodworking and helping his neighbors. He is survived by his wife Catherine, son William (Sharon) Christiansen of Potterville, daughter Cindy (Greg) Cain of Grayling, sons Dean (friend Tina) Christiansen of Lansing, Kevin (Regina) Christiansen of Potterville, 17 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, step-children Bruce Sherman of Charlotte, Robin (Melvin) Dixon of Pittsburg, Texas, Greg Sherman of Haslett, Camila (John) Grider of Vermontville, Julie (Larry) Julson of Potterville, twin brother Nyle (Mary Lee) Christiansen of Delton, brothers Leland (friend Sandy) Christiansen of Florida, Mason (Jeanie) Christiansen of Hastings, and sisters Maxine (Duane) Jones of Dowling, and Louise (Ron) Cunningham of Hastings. He was preceded in death by daughter Valerie in 1992. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 17, 2004 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Pastor Roger Claypool officiating. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Kalamo Township, Michigan. Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Thursday at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Eaton Community Hospice.
Howard Martin
Born in Chicago Illinois on Nov. 14, 1919, passed away on September 17, 2004. Howard was a 1942 graduate of Michigan State College. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force. He retired after 35 years from the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture. Howard was an avid gardener who maintained beautiful gardens at his home, cottage at Jehnsen Lake, and the Potter Park Zoo; he enjoyed sharing his knowledge with many. He also enjoyed traveling with his family and was proud of the fact that he had visited all 50 states and many foreign countries. He will be missed by his friends at Potter Park Zoo where he was an active docent/volunteer for the past 15 years. Howard attended Mayflower Congregational Church where he helped with the Saturday Night Dinners and caring for the grounds. Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Ina, daughters Chris (Sam) Sinicropi and Jan (Dave) Brigham; four grandsons Greg (Stasia) Sinicropi, Nick (Monica) Sinicropi, Kyle and Geoff Brigham; two great granddaughters, Caley and Mia Sinicropi; two brothers, Ralph (Jane) and Allan (Polly) and many nieces and nephews. His body has been donated to the Michigan State University Anatomy Department. A memorial service will be held at Mayflower Congregational Church on Saturday, October 2 at 11:00 a.m. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the loving caring Howard and the family received at Eaton Community Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations in Howard's memory can be made to the Potter Park Zoological Society, 1301 S. Pennsylvania, Lansing, MI 48912, Eaton Community Hospice, 2675 S Cochran, Charlotte, MI 48813, or Mayflower Congregational Church, 2901 W. Mt. Hope, Lansing, MI 48911.
John A. Welsh
75, of Charlotte, died Saturday, September 18, 2004. Private family memorial services have been held. If desired memorial contributions may be made to Hayes Green Beach Hospital or St. John's Episcopal Church.
Jason 'Jake' Arden Nelson
30, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Monday, September 20, 2004. Mr. Nelson was born February 4, 1974, in Lansing, Michigan the son of James O. Nelson and Sue (Miller) Johnstone. Jake was a fan of country music, and watching the television series Dukes of Hazard. He enjoyed riding along on a golf cart, and his many trips to Cedar Point. He is survived by his mother Sue and step father Dave Johnstone, brother Jim (Neana) Nelson Jr., sisters Ronda (Bill) Alsip, Dondi Hall, Tish Nelson, brother Chris (Sheri) Johnstone, sister Jackie (Jon) Spitzley, aunts Ardis (Pete) Bates of Eaton Rapids, Cindy Nelson of Union City, uncle Larry Nelson of Wimauma, Fl., nieces and nephews and special teacher Loretta Ott. He was preceded in death by his father James O. Nelson, March 7, 2004. Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 24, 2004 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, with Rev. Phil Hobson officiating. Visitation will be 6 - 8 p.m. Thursday at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the United Cerebral Palsy Association or the House of Ruth.
Ethel Mae Shumaker
80, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Monday, September 20, 2004. Mrs. Shumaker was born December 26, 1923 in Senecaville, Ohio. Ethel loved traveling and enjoyed dancing in earlier years. She is survived by sons Bernard (Ana Maria) Stambaugh, Jeff (Daneen) Shumaker, Doug (Katy) Shumaker all of Charlotte, daughter Linda Lee (Gene) Russell of Wisconsin, 7 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband Bernard Russell Stambaugh in 1947 and second husband Orland Egbert Shumaker in 1987. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 24, 2004 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Rev. Tim Olson officiating. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be Thursday 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home.
Ruby A. Smith
77 of Charlotte, died Saturday, September 25, 2004 at the Bay Bluffs Medical Care Facility in Harbor Springs. Ms. Smith was born February 24, 1927 in Charlotte, Michigan, the daughter of Fred Eugene and Beatrice A. (Tripp).Raines. She was a housekeeper for Holiday Inn. She was preceded in death by a great grand daughter, Miranda Dickinson, her sisters, Fern Hastings of Lansing and Maxine Olsen of Eaton Rapids, and brother, Harley Raines of Charlotte. She is survived by children Annetta (Skip) Penix of Nashville, Kathy (Duane) Thompson of Charlotte, Kay (Doug) Babcock of Indian River, son Joseph (Margie) Smith of Gaylord, sisters,Thelma Simons of Charlotte, Valerie Lass of Lansing and brother John Raines of Charlotte, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Graveside service will be 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 29, 2004 at Gresham Cemetery, Charlotte with Mr. R. Raymond Rossell officiating.
Loyd 'Buck' S. Cooper
age 82, of Charlotte, Mich., died Thursday, September 30, 2004, at Moore's Country Living in Charlotte, Mich. Mr. Cooper was born June 14, 1922, in Missaukee County, Michigan, the son of the late Leo Cooper and Abigail (Letts) Cooper. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II and was an Inspector at Oldsmobile before his retirement in 1987. He was a member of American Legion #42, and former member of the Michigan Sheriffs Association and enjoyed puttering around his home and trips up north. He is survived by special friends, Jack and Kimberly Stults of Charlotte, daughters, Sandra Ellen Trussell of Georgia, and Kristie (Leon) Cooper Aldridge of Niles, Mich. brother, Loyal Cooper of Kalkaska, 4 grandchildren, several great grandchildren. He was preceded death by his wife Jeanette in 1998. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at Pray Funeral Home, with R. Raymond Rossell officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. Sunday, and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. If desired memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association or the Alzheimer Association, envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Bruce L. Ellison
age 70, of Saranac, MI, formerly of Charlotte, MI., went home to be with his Lord and Savior after a brief illness on Thursday, September 30, 2004. Bruce was born August 13, 1934, in Lansing, Michigan the son of the late Loren Ellison and of the late Marie (Loomis) Ellison. He was Owner/Operator of a Party Store for many years and enjoyed helping people and working with his hands. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Ilene M. (Sharp) Ellison; Two Sons, Mr. Bruce (Mickie) Ellison, Jr. of Belding, MI., Mr. Brian (Michelle) Ellison of Lowell, MI., daughter, Mrs. Bonna Berge of Maryland, and 6 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by younger brother Robert Ellison who died in the Vietnam War and son-in-law Steve Berge. Graveside service will be at Maple Hill Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 9, 2004 with Pastor Mark Lipscomb officiating. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ebenezer Center of the West Berlin Wesleyan Church 5110 W. Portland Rd. Lake Odessa, MI., 48849 in memory of Bruce.
Geraldine J. 'Gerry' Jones
76 of Charlotte, died Sunday, October 3, 2004 at Moore's Foster Care Home in Charlotte. Mrs. Jones was born March 6, 1928 in Charlotte, the daughter of Elbridge and Irene Ruth (Hubbard) Harmon. She volunteered at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility for many years and enjoyed crocheting, playing cards, crossword puzzles, bingo, and lunch with cousins. She is survived by sons Terry (friend Donna) Jones and Garry (Carla) Jones, both of Charlotte, daughter Joyce Ann Hotchkiss of Las Vegas, step-son Wayne L. (Cathy) Jones of Litchfield, step-daughter Karen (George) Whitcomb of Olivet, 11 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne C. Jones on July 31, 1981. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, with Chuck Jensen officiating. Burial will be in Gresham Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Phyllis Darlene (Schlee) Conroy
49, of Potterville, Michigan, died Monday, October 04, 2004. Mrs. Conroy was born May 10, 1955, in Jackson, Michigan, the daughter of Carl and Sally Schlee. Phyllis loved and spoiled her grandchildren and enjoyed writing letters and always had a listening ear. She loved her cat, enjoyed dancing and crocheting afghans. She is survived by her parents Carl and Sally Schlee of Potterville, sons David Hogarth, Frank Hogarth, and Corey Hogarth, 6 1/2 grandchildren, brothers William Schlee, Dennis Schlee, Kenneth Schlee, David Schlee, sister Carol Schlee, half-brothers Richard and Mike Green. She was preceded in death by first husband Rick Wagner, daughter Alicia Wagner, biological mother Barbara Van Epps, and sister Susan. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 8, 2004 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan with Rev. Gregory Brown officiating. Interment will be at Deepdale Memorial Gardens in Lansing, Michigan. Visitation will be 6 - 8 p.m. Wednesday and 3 - 5 and 7 - 9 p.m. Thursday at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Care Free Medical, Inc. P.O. Box 300 Mason, MI., 48854.
Florence Mural Saylor
92, of Lansing, Michigan, formerly of Potterville, died Monday, October 04, 2004. Mrs. Saylor was born September 15, 1912, the daughter of Frank Clarence and Bertha Anne (Smith) Sheldon. Florence was a homemaker and was a sales lady for Avon, Tupperware, Park Lane Jewelry and a set of China. She was a member of Potterville United Methodist Church and Lioness Club, active in Boy Scouts and coined the Potterville slogan 'City of Helping Hands'. She is survived by 5 sons Richard (Eva) Saylor of Messick, MI., Robert (Linda) Saylor of Las Vegas, NV., Ross (Karla) Saylor of Davenport, FL., Roger Saylor of Battle Creek, MI., Jim (Alison) Saylor of Lakewood, CO., 2 daughters Bertha (Darwin) Maas of Lansing, and Janice (Douglas) Kinney of Lansing, 48 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, many great great grandchildren and sister Frances Brezenski of Amhearst, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband Leo Saylor, brother Ike Sheldon and sister Clara Jenkins. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 7, 2004 at the Potterville United Methodist Church with Rev. Rebecca Morrison officiating. Interment will be at Benton Township Cemetery in Potterville. Visitation will be 3 - 5 and 7 - 9 p.m. Wednesday at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Potterville United Methodist Church.
