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Victor M. Watson
Victor M. Watson, 72, of Olivet, died Sunday, May 2, 2004 at his residence.
Vic was born Oct. 16, 1931 in Stringham, Ohio, the son of Clarence and Lillie (Stone) Watson and was a life resident of the Lee Township/Olivet area. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a self-employed auto mechanic, operating Vic’s Garage in Partello, and had also operated the former Vic’s Grocery, also in Partello. Vic was a member of the VFW in Albion, the American Legion in Charlotte, the NRA, the AARP and the Coon Hound Club. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, hunting, and had raced stock cars in his younger years.
Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Florence (Courtright) Watson; two sons, Victor (Dot) Watson and Jeffery Watson, both of Olivet; one daughter, Kay (Eugene) Howell of Olivet; eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; and two sisters, Wanda Dailey of Olivet and Linda Crouch of Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Nora Watson; and five sisters, Marion, Barbara, Thelma, Anna and Ella.
Funeral services were held May 5 at Burkhead-Green Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Winford Collins officiating. Interment was at Lee Center Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice.
Kendal K. Wellman
Kendal Keith Wellman, 64, of Charlotte, passed away Thursday, Nov. 18 at Tendercare in Hastings.
Mr. Wellman was born May 3, 1940 in Sunfield Twp., the son of Keith Melbourne and Geraldine Mae (Richard) Wellman. Kendal enjoyed camping, golfing, bowling, and barbecuing. He was a member of the Optimist Club of Charlotte, and the Happy Camper Trailer Club.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia (Byrd) Wellman; mother, Geraldine Wellman; and two brothers, Raymond and Greg Wellman.
Surviving are his children, William (Dawn Haight) Wellman, Wendy (Robert) Grant, and Waverly (David) Wilcox; grandchildren, Anthony Wilcox and Tiffany Wilcox; father, Keith Wellman; and a sister, Myrna Bartlett.
Funeral services were held Nov. 22 at Rosier Funeral Home, Mapes-Fisher Chapel, Sunfield, with Rev. Lester DeGroot of Nashville Baptist Church officiating. Interment was at Sunfield Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bill Wellman, Anthony Wilcox, Dave Lightner, Randy Wellman, Jay Bartlett and Pat Hosey. Honorary pallbearer was Tim Bartlett.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Optimist Club, or for the wishes of the family. Arrangements were by Rosier Funeral Home in Sunfield.
John A. Welsh
John A. Welsh, 75, of Charlotte, died Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004.
Private family memorial services have been held.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hayes Green Beach Hospital or St. John’s Episcopal Church. Arrangements were by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Pauline Strong Wernette
Pauline Strong Wernette, 78, of Eaton Rapids, died Wednesday, June 30, 2004 in Lansing.
Pauline was born July 31, 1925 in Isabella County, the daughter of Roy and Veda (Maine) Strong. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother to her husband, Victor; four children, Myron (Delores) Wernette of Hudsonville, Gail (Janice) Wernette of Elmhurst, Ill., Karen (David Cushman) Wernette of Lake Zurich, Ill., and Alan (Julie) Wernette of Muskegon; 10 grandchildren, Valerie, Nathan and Sarah Wernette of Hudsonville, David, Nora and Linnea Wernette of Elmhurst, Ill., Alex and Kevin Cushman of Lake Zurich, Ill., and Phillipe and Andrew Wernette of Norton Shores.
Also surviving are three brothers, Alson Strong of Remus, Leroy Strong of Grand Rapids and Paul Strong of Ann Arbor; two sister, Lavonne Stamm of Belmont and Louise Henretty of Eagle.
Pauline attended a one-room rural school in Broomfield Township before attending Remus Consolidated High School, and then attended Central Michigan University. She began her career in the fall of 1945, teaching all eight grades at Fouts School in Mecosta County. The following three years (1946 to 1949) she taught second grade at Remus Consolidated Schools. Pauline married Victor Wernette Feb. 5, 1949 and spent the next 15 years being a wife, mother and homemaker. In the mid-1960s, she returned to teaching and completed a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Central Michigan University. She taught fifth and sixth grade at Union Street School in Eaton Rapids for 17 years, retiring in 1981. Pauline loved children and was loved by them. She was a gifted teacher, believing strongly in public education and dedicating her life to that end. Christian education was also important to her and she served as chairperson of education for the Lansing District and West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church and as educational director of Eaton Rapids First United Methodist Church. Pauline was active in the American Association of University Women, Friends of the American Historical Commission, MEA/NEA, Vivian Society of the BOC Elks 196, Apple Blossom Club at CMU, Child Study Club of Eaton Rapids, Rural Extension Club of Eaton Rapids, Eaton Rapids, 4-H Club, Lansing are Les Danseurs and Eaton Rapids Medical Centre Auxiliary. She was loyal to family and friends, always willing to do whatever needed to be done. Pauline was enthusiastic and loved life, was intelligent, creative, hard-working and a crusader for whatever she believed in.
Funeral services were held July 3 at University Methodist Church in East Lansing, with graveside services at Oakwood Cemetery in Eaton Rapids.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pauline Wernette Educational Scholarship of East Lansing University United Methodist Church or the Eaton Rapids Medical Center. Arrangements were by Shelly-Odell Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids.
Phillip A. Wheaton
Phillip Allen Wheaton, 67 of Charlotte, died Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2004 in Lansing.
Mr. Wheaton was born Dec. 11, 1936 8in Chester Township, the son of Myrle and Beatrice (Baker) Wheaton. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1955. His years as a child on the farm developed into a love of farming that lasted his entire life. He was a former 4-H leader and was happiest when he was behind the wheel of his truck or his tractor, or spending time with his family. He drove for 45 years for Allen Packing Company, Community Oil and D & L Fuel.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 48 years, Eleanor Mae (Wright) Wheaton; sons, Bryon (Carol Ann) Wheaton, and Adam (Donyaellie) Wheaton of Charlotte; daughter, Julie (Tim) Meyers of Sunfield; grandchildren, Erin, Kristyn, Glen and Matthew Wheaton; and sister, Janet (Dean) May.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Stan Wheaton, in 1993.
Funeral services were held Oct. 23 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Kathy Smith officiating. Interment was at Gresham Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gresham United Methodist Church or the American Heart Association. Arrangements were by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Bernieta Ruth Wheeler
Bernieta Ruth Wheeler of Eaton Rapids, formerly of Houghton Lake, age 91, died Saturday, December 18, 2004 at her daughter’s home. Bernieta was born June 17, 1913 in Onaway the daughter of Michael and Rosetta (Knapp) Rowe. Mrs. Wheeler taught school in Onaway at the North Allis one room school and in Gregory before retiring from Eaton Rapids in 1973. She was a member of the MEA, Eaton County Retired School Teachers Assoc. and the Houghton Lake United Methodist Church. Bernieta was a former member of the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carmon in 2004.
Surviving are her daughter, Joanne (Ron) Byerly of Eaton Rapids; 4 grandchildren, Kimberly Byerly, Kaye Byerly, Pamela (David) Wigent, Jody (Rick) Strank; 8 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandsons.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004, 11:00 a.m. at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, 518 S. Main, Eaton Rapids. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Eaton Rapids. Those desiring may make contributions to either the Houghton Lake United Methodist Church or the Eaton Rapids Medical Center Foundation in memory of Mrs. Wheeler.
Carmon W. Wheeler
Carmon W. Wheeler, age 93, of Eaton Rapids, died Sunday, April 25, 2004 in Charlotte. Carmon was born March 10, 1911 in Onaway, the son of Edney Wesley and Adeliah Jeanette (Russell) Wheeler. He was a former owner and operator of Byerly and Wheeler Garage in Eaton Rapids. He was a life member of the NRA, past member of Chief Okemos Gun Club and life member (joined in 1956) of the Eaton Rapids Conservation Club. Carmon was a flying member of the Civil Air Patrol during WWII.
Surviving are his wife of 72 years, Bernieta (Rowe); daughter, Joanne (Ron) Byerly of Eaton Rapids; 4 grandchildren, Kim Byerly, Kaye Byerly, Pamela (David) Wigent, Jody (Rick) Strank; 8 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandsons; sister-in-law, Florence Wheeler of Florida; sister, Enid Glee (Mick) McAdams of Onaway and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2004, 11:00 a.m., at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids with Pastor Tom Evans officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 2:00-4:00 & 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow at ‘Oakwood Cemetery, Eaton Rapids. Those desiring may make contributions to the Houghton Lake United Methodist Church or the Hamlin Twp. Fire Dept. in memory of Carmon Wheeler.
Clarinda Whitaker
Clarinda Whitaker, age 87, of Mason, died Monday, February 2, 2004 in Lansing. Clarinda was born April 4, 1916 in Prestonsburg, KY, the daughter of Harrison and Izania (Richardson) Williams. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ollie in 1998 and her son, James.
Surviving are 2 daughter, Wanetta (Chester) Ramey of Eaton Rapids, Joyce (Mike) Martin of Mason; 6 sons, Axley (Claudia) Whitaker of Eaton Rapids, George (Donis) Whitaker of Texas, Oliver (Kay) Whitaker of Lansing, Russell (Becky) Whitaker of Springport, Richard Whitaker of Ohio, Glenn (Jill) Whitaker of Eaton Rapids; 18 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren; 1 step-grandson; 2 sisters, Revis Kritz of OH and Dorothy Lyons of IN.
Funeral services were held on Thursday February 5, 2004 at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids and in Prestonsburg on Friday at the Carter Funeral Home, Prestonsburg KY. Interment followed at the George Whitaker Cemetery in KY.
