Search Archived Marriage Records
Mildred Bottomley
Mildred English Bottomley, 94, of Portage, died peacefully at home Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003.
Mrs. Bottomley was born Oct. 2, 1908, raised in Gratiot County, Washington Township and was the daughter of Henry and Cornelia English. In her lifetime, she worked in the family bed and breakfast in Pompeii, the 5 & 10 cent store in Lansing, and the dress department in Montgomery Ward in Dearborn. Before her retirement at age 82, she was co-owner and office manager for Bottomley School Equipment in Dearborn. She and her husband of 73 years, Harry maintained a family home in Dearborn for 60 years before moving to Portage in October of 2000. During her lifetime, Mrs. Bottomley enjoyed family, children, friends, travel, reading and gardening.
She is survived by two sons and one daughter and their spouses, Robert and Edna Bottomley of Macedonia, Ohio, Roger and Robin Bottomley of Denver, Colo. and Donella and Ennis Laskowsky of Portage; nine grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Eileen English of Lansing; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Harry and by four brothers.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. with the Rev. Richard Liggett officiating. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.
Alice Boyer
Alice Louise Boyer, 92, of Charlotte, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003. Mrs. Boyer was born May 7, 1910, in Traverse City, the daughter of Lewis L. and Minnie (Shepler) Fuller.
Louise was always available to look after family and friends in need. She was an office worker for the Stockyards for 30 years and spent her life farming with her husband on the family farm northwest of Charlotte. She is survived by daughters; Wilma Hogle of Charlotte, Lola Mae Smith of Jefferson, Georgia, Mary (John) Hall of Charlotte, Martha J. Swift of Sunfield, Donna Belle (Paul) Thayer of Plainwell, son Jorum J. (Jeannette) Boyer of Sunfield, 26 grandchildren, and 40 great-grandchildren. She married Lowell Arthur Boyer on Sept. 22, 1928 who preceded her in death in 1979. She was also preceded in death by granddaughter Karen Thayer in 1989 and son Donald Boyer in 1941.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, with Pastor Brian Sheen officiating. Interment will be in Meadowbrook Cemetery in Mulliken. Visitation will be 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at Pray Funeral Home.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of choice.
Donald R. Branch
Donald R. Branch, 84, of Charlotte, died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2003.
Mr. Branch was born Aug. 25, 1918, in Royal Oak, the son of Archie and Matilda (Gouine) Branch. He was a cartographic draftsman for the state of Michigan Department of Natural Resources, retiring after 39 years in 1984. He fostered sportsmanship as a Little League coach years ago and was a two-time champion bowler for State Highway Bowling League.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth (Thompson) Branch; sons, Douglas (Dianne) Branch of Holt, David Branch of Dimondale and Thomas Branch of Lansing; daughter, Janice (Kevin) DeFrates of Ionia; son, Phillip Branch of Charlotte; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; brothers, Charles (Jean) Branch of Zephyrhills, Fla. and Robert Branch.
Funeral services were held Jan. 15 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Rev. Darrell Hodge officiating. Interment was at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army. Arrangements were by Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Larry J. Brester
Larry J. Brester, age 64, of Olivet, died Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2003 at his residence after a six-month illness.
Larry was born Nov. 10, 1938 in Laurel, Mont., the son of Fred and Lydia (Frickle) Brester. He was employed as a truck driver for motorcycle stunt driver Evil Knevil for many years and later was employed at the Maeward Couplings Co. in Olivet.
Surviving are his wife, Cherri (Dowding) Brester; one son, Fred Brester of Olivet; two daughters, Lydia Brester and Kassie Brester, both of Olivet, three sisters, Sally Brester, Judy Pease and Betty Pease, all of Billings, Mont.; and three brothers, Dick Brester, Bob Brester and Kenny Brester, all of Laurel, Mont.
He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Jerry Brester on March 4, 2001.
At Larry’s request, cremation has taken place. Memorial services were held Sept. 8 at Olivet Congregational Church, with Rev. Roy Backus officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice House or the family. Arrangements were by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home of Charlotte.
Lynn R. Brown
Lynn R. Brown, of Lansing, died Oct. 14, 2003.
Lynn was born in Charlotte Nov. 6, 1936. He was known for his positive outlook and keen sense of humor. Lynn was grateful to the Pulmonary Transplant Team at Henry Ford Hospital for all the care, encouragement and assistance he received.
Lynn was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth G. Brown.
Surviving are his mother, Evan McBride Brown; his wife, Joyce Sindall Brown; children, Cheri (Rob) Fender, Linda (Ivan) Diersen, Lori (Paul) Devitt, Sandi Troutt, Wendy (Bill) Clancy and Mervin Brown; brothers, Bob, Dan and Jerry; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Lynn willed his body to the Michigan State University Medical School. There will be no services.
Arrangements were by Gorsline-Runciman Co. Lansing Chapel.
Steve L. Brown
Steve L. Brown, 48, of Charlotte, died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003.
Mr. Brown was born Oct. 2, 1954 in Charlotte, the son of Robert and Pat A. (David) Brown. He was a bar tacker at Peckham Manufacturing.
He is survived by his son, Peter Brown and Charity; son, Joseph Brown and Tracy; grandson, Kyle Brown; brother, Donald Brown; father, Robert and step-mother Susan Myers-Brown; mother, Pat. A. Brown; stepbrother, Kevin (Lisa) Myers; stepsister, August (Bob) Mellios; and four nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by twin brother, Stan Brown on Dec. 8, 2002.
Funeral services were held Feb. 14, 2003 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with R. Raymond Rossell officiating. Interment was at Perry Cemetery in Brookfield Township.
Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands of Charlotte. Arrangements were by Pray Funeral Home of Charlotte.
Shirley A. Brumm
Shirley A. Brumm, 80, of Vermontville, died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003.
Shirley was born Oct. 23, 1923 in Eaton County, the daughter of H. Dorr and Gertrude (Briggs) Andrews. She was the deputy Eaton County drain commissioner from 1977 to 1984 and the assistant to the Eaton County drain commissioner from 1985 to 2002. She was a member and past matron of the Vermontville O.E.S. Chapter 342.
She is survived by son Roger Brumm and friend Norma, of Nashville; son, Chris (Penny) Brumm of Charlotte; eight grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; sister, Agnes Lake of Vermontville; brothers, Edward Andrews of Charlotte and Ion Andrews of Vermontville.
Funeral services were held Dec. 31 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Marc Livingston officiating.
Interment was at Lakeview Cemetery in Nashville.
Allyce D. Brunk
Allyce D. “Ally” Brunk, age 4, of Grand Ledge, passed away Nov. 18, 2003 in Lansing.
Though we’ll miss your smile and the joy it brings, our bravest angel now has wings. In four short years Ally taught us more about love, patience, sacrifice and the value of small success, than most learn in a lifetime.
She was predeceased by her grandfather, Dean McConnell.
She takes with her to heaven a piece of the hearts of all who knew and loved her, parents Dan and Julie Brunk; baby sister, Laynee; Nana and Papa, Philip and Dee Brunk; grandma, Mildred McConnell; grandfather, Jack O’Donnell; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many special friends.
Special thanks to the Dorian family of Potterville for all your loving care.
“Run, play, laugh and sing Ally with Sarah, Poppy and Dinger – no more pain, Angel. We love you with all our hearts.”
Services were held Nov. 22 at the Calvary Lutheran Church, Carson City, with Rev. Kenneth Williamson officiating. Interment was held at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Lansing. Arrangements were by the Peters & Murray Funeral Home, Grand Ledge.
Contributions may be made through Calvary Lutheran Church and in turn will be dispersed to children charities, which will include the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.
