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Chief Rick L. Wilbur
Chief Rick L. Wilbur, age 56, Eaton Rapids died Sunday, March 28, 2004 in Eaton Rapids during fire ground operations. Rick was born March 26, 1948 in Jackson. He retired in 2002 as an Electronics Meter Specialist for the Board of Water & Light after 32 years. Rich was an EMT for the Eaton Rapids Area EMS; joined the Eaton Rapids Fire Department in 1987 and became Chief in 2000. He was a member of the Michigan Firefighter Instructor Assoc. and owner & operator of R.L.W. Photography in Eaton Rapids. Some of Rick’s passions were camping, snowmobiling, 4-wheeling and he especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Preceded in death by his fathers, David Blackmer & Clyde L. Wilbur and his brothers, D. Allan Blackmer & Randall Moss.
Rick is survived by his wife of 21 years, Linda M.; sons, Thomas (Peggy) Wilbur of Mason, Robert (Becky) Wilbur of Charlotte; daughters, Saunci (Rodger) Steele of MO, Teresa Wilbur of Eaton Rapids; 10 grandchildren; mother, Maxine Blackmer of Eaton Rapids; brothers, Brad (Jan) Wilbur of Albion, Lynn (Julie) Moss of CA, Paull Wilbur of TN, Scott (Alyce) Blackmer of Eaton Rapids; sisters, Kelli (Halsey) Sites of OH, Patricia (Terry) Wing of Mason, Gloria (Rob) Shelton of OK; special friends, Chief Roger & Linda McNutt of Eaton Rapids; and several nieces and nephews.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be prayed at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2004 at the St. Peter Church, 515 E. Knight St, Eaton Rapids with Father Bennett Constantine as Celebrant. There will be time to visit with Rick’s family on Tuesday and Wednesday form 2:00-4:00 & 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Shelly Odell Funeral Home, 518 S. Main St, Eaton Rapids where a Vigil Service will be held on Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Eaton Rapids Township Fire Department in memory of Chief Rick Wilbur.
Ardis Y. Wilkins
Ardis Y. Wilkins, 65, of Hastings, passed away Monday, March 22 while in the company of family members at her residence.
Mrs. Wilkins was born in Hastings on April 19, 1938, the daughter of Cecil and Oneta (Edwards) Wilkins. She was raised in the Nashville area and attended school there. On April 7, 1956 she married Earl Wilkins. The couple moved to the Hastings area shortly after their wedding. They were married for over 47 years. Ardis and her husband Earl would frequent Richies Coffee Shop in Hastings to gather with good friends for a cup of coffee. Ardis loved “just being home”, where she could be close to her beloved family. She enjoyed doing puzzles and collecting monkeys, but was best-known for her terrific sense of humor.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by sons, Robert (Shire) Wilkins, Willie (Lisa) Murray, John (Sandy) Wilkins, Tim Wilkins; daughters, Carla (Garry) McKelvey, Darla (Scott) Schantz; brother, Robert (Carol) Harris; and sister, Sharon (Frank) Crist.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Oneta (Edwards) Harris; stepfather, Virgil Lawrent; son, James Wilkins; sister, Arleen McCrimmon; and a granddaughter, Angela Schantz.
Funeral services were held March 26 at Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, with Pastor Lester DeGroot officiating. Entombment was held at Lakeview Cemetery in Nashville.
Robert W. Wilkinson
Robert W. Wilkinson, age 84, of Dimondale and formerly of Eaton Rapids, died at his residence following a terminal illness on Sunday, October 10, 2004. Robert was born August 15, 1920 in Owosso, Michigan, the son of Frank and Ethel M. (Goodknecht) Wilkinson. Bob w3as a graduate of Grand Ledge High School and attended Michigan State University. He served in the South Pacific with the U.S. Marines during World War II. A member of the Lansing Carpenter’s Union #1104, former member of the Eaton Rapids Senior Citizens and the First Congregational church. Bob worked over 40 years for Hauel-Vance Construction Company in Lansing as a carpenter. Preceding him in death were two daughters, Zetta Zechinato and Susan Cupp.
Surviving are his wife of 39 years, Naomi; sons, Lon (Sheila) Wilkinson of Lansing and Erin Ferrett of Union City, TN; daughter, Martha (Michael) Babcock of Six Lakes; son-in-law, LeRoy Cupp of Eaton Rapids; 9 grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Katherine Wilkinson of Grand Ledge and Martha Burleson of Eaton Rapids.
Graveside services will be Saturday, October 16th at 11:00 a.m. at the Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids with Rev. Craig Britton, Chaplain for the Great lakes Hospice, officiating. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Great Lakes Hospice at 103 S. Jackson St., Jackson, MI 49201. The family is being served through the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids.
Dodge P. Williams
Dodge Philip Williams, 82, of Charlotte, died Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004.
Mr. Williams was born Oct. 15, 1922 in Battle Creek, the son of the late C. Dodge Williams and the late Clara (Guide) Williams. He attained his education at Sherman School, Charlotte High School and Albion College. He married Marcella Jean Minnig in Riverside, Calif., in 1947. He was proud to be a farmer and businessman in Eaton County. He was a dairyman for 50 years and sold Grade A milk for 35 years. He was past president of Eaton County rural Youth, former board member of Union Church of Five Corners; life member of Brookfield Chapter OES #352 for more than 60 years; past director of Charlotte Rural Fire Association; and a member for more than 60 years of the follows: Charlotte Lodge #120 Free & Accepted Masons, Horace S. Maynard Chapter #82 Royal Arch Masons, and Charlotte Commandry #37 Knights Templar.
Mr. Williams is survived by two sons, Dodge (Victoria) Williams and Marshall (Gail) Williams, both of Charlotte; two daughters, Susan Mack of Hart and Patty (Gerard) Petzer of Charlotte; five grandchildren, Christopher Dodge Williams, Emily Williams, Taylor Williams, Patrick Philip Retzer and Alana Retzer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, C. Dodge and Clara G. Williams, and by his wife of More than 50 years, Marcella Jean Williams.
Funeral services were held Dec. 27 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Rev. Karen Wheat officiating. Interment was at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Klyda Ann Williams
Klyda Ann Williams, age 79, of Charlotte, died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004 at the Western Arizona Regional Medical Center in Bullhead City, Ariz., where she was spending the winter.
Mrs. Williams was born in Arkansas, the daughter of Edward and Dorsie (Myers) Dawson and had been a Charlotte resident since 1986, coming from Hartland. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and quilting.
Surviving are her husband of almost 63 years, Ralph; one daughter, Doris (Randall) Douglas of Westland; one son, Kenneth Eugene (Diana) Williams of Nashville; six grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; three half brothers, Paul Williams of Tennessee, Gerrill Williams of Alaska and Ray Williams of Alaska; half-sister, Fay Hicks of Alaska and 42 nieces and nephews.
Graveside services and interment were held Jan. 23 at Washtenong Memorial Park Cemetery Chapel in Ann Arbor, with Pastor Mark Dunlap officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation or American Heart Association. Arrangements were by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home of Charlotte.
Audra L. Williamson
Audra L. (Stadel) Williamson, 87, of Indianapolis, Ind., formerly of New Port Richey, Fla., and Charlotte, died Monday, April 19, 2004 at the Waters Nursing Facility in Indianapolis.
Mrs. Williamson was born Aug. 17, 1916 in Freeport, one of seven children of Warren and Jessie (Helmer) Stadel. She was a retired beautician, having worked in or owned a beauty salon all of her working life. She loved flowers, her family and friends. Mrs. Williamson was an avid bowler, having bowled five days a week in the year prior to her stroke, and had bowled a 200 game at age 78. At age 17 she was married to Paul Williamson; he preceded her in death March 2, 1996.
She was also preceded in death by her son, Phillip Williamson, on April 18, 2004, one day before her own death.
She is survived by her daughter, Arbutus “Boots” Horn of Indianapolis; daughter-in-law, Anna Williamson of Dowagiac; six grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 12 adopted great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held April 23 at Burkhead-Green Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Rev. Steve Matthies officiating. Interment was at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shut In Tape Ministry at Southport Presbyterian Church, 7525 McFarland Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46237.
Max Eugene Wilson
Max Eugene Wilson, age 83 of Eaton Rapids, died Sunday, November 14, 2004 at home. Max was born December 26, 1920 in Eaton County, the son of Charles and Ethel (Mitten) Wilson. Max was a farmer all his life and bought the “Eaton Acres” farm in Eaton Rapids in the Spring of 9145. He was an Eaton Rapids Public Schools bus driver, and was well thought of by many students. He was a member of the First United Methodist church, Eaton Farm Bureau, and served on the Eaton Rapids Township Board of Trustees. Preceding him in death were two sons, Gary and Robert.
Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Arlene; daughter, Dorothy (Howard) Hisler and son, David (Marilyn) Wilson, all of Eaton Rapids, son, Thomas (Sue) Wilson of Las Vegas, NV; 16 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren; sister, Jane Walters of Charlotte, several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 18 at 11:00 a.m. from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with burial following in the Brickyard Cemetery in Eaton Rapids Township. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday form 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to either, Eaton Rapids Medical Center, the First United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Max E. Wilson.
Alfred E. Wittman
Alfred E. Wittman, age e84, of Eaton Rapids died Friday, January 9, 2004 in Charlotte. Alfred was born May 4, 1919 in Graytown, OH the son of Edward George and Laura Augusta (Blasey) Wittman. Mr. Wittman was a life long onion farmer and retired in 1992. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene in 1997 and his half-sister, Elnora Vasquez.
Surviving are his 2 sons, Ronnie Wittman of Eaton Rapids, Jerry (Tammy) Wittman of Charlotte; 3 half-brothers, Lao Kunkel, Dale Kunkel, Ronald Kunkel all of Eaton Rapids; 3 half-sisters, Louisa Nail of Marshall, June (Robert) Johncock of Olivet and May (Harvey) Getter of Eaton Rapids.
Funeral services were held on Monday, January 12, 2004, at the Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, Eaton Rapids and Pastor Mark Eckert officiated. Interment followed at Rosehill Cemetery. Arrangements by the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids.
Fern Irene Wolfe
Fern Irene Wolfe, age 86, of Eaton Rapids, died Monday, November 29, 2004 in Eaton Rapids. She was born October 9, 1918 in Columbia City, IN, the daughter of Joseph and Lavina (Meinika) Hawk. Mrs. Wolfe enjoyed her life on the family farm with her husband, Frosty. She loved gardening, taking care of the livestock and cooking for her family. A devoted Christian, she enjoyed reading and studying her Bible. She was preceded in death by her son Dannie in 1984 and her husband, Forest “Frosty” in 2003.
Surviving are 5 children, Lonnie (Grace) Wolfe of Charlotte, Betty Merriott of Eaton Rapids, Janet (Pete) Sherman of Eaton Rapids, Linda (Joseph) Shihady of Dayton, OH and Dennis (Janie) Wolfe of Hollis, OK; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; 3 sisters and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Wolfe’s request was to be cremated and the burial of cremains will be at a later date. The family is being served through the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to your local Hospice or to a charity of one’s choice, in memory of Fern I. Wolfe.
