Audrey L. Shafer
79 of Charlotte, died Monday, February 7, 2005 at the Eaton Community Hospice House. Mrs. Shafer was born March 26, 1925 in French Creek, West Virginia, the daughter of Roy and Ruby Pearl (Murphy) Butcher. She was married in 1942 to Carl L. Shafer who preceded her in death in 1997. She loved golfing, and enjoyed dancing and was an avid reader. She is survived by children Pamela K. (Bob) Buffenbarger of Charlotte, Sandra L. (Norm) Ballas of New Mexico, Gerald L. Shafer of Colorado, 5 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, sister Maggie Whitt of Florida and brother Wilbur Cook of Florida. She was preceded in death by her sister Francis Cole, brothers Kenneth & Robert Cook and Marion Butcher. Family and friends are invited to a Family Affirmation Service at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 10, 2005 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with R. Raymond Rossell officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice House.
Vivian Vierk
83, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Thursday, February 10, 2005. Mrs. Vierk was born November 1, 1921, in Freeport, Michigan the daughter of Forrest and Luvada (Karcher) Buehler. Vivian worked at the Cadillac Hospital, Hayes Green Beach Hospital in Charlotte then at the Montgomery Wards in Hastings and Charlotte before retiring in 1984. She enjoyed gardening, mushrooming, fishing, baking and cooking for family and any get together with family. She was active all her life. She is survived by her husband of 60 years Martin Vierk of Charlotte, son, David M. Vierk of Charlotte, daughter Joan (Joel) Brenke of Nashville, 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, brothers Milton and Keith (Nyla) Buehler, sisters Velma (Robert) Humphrey and Betty Usborne all of Freeport and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 14, 2005 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Rev. Karen Wheat officiating. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Kalamo Township, Michigan. Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Sunday, February 13, 2005 at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society or Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital.
Alpha Noble
age 83 of Jackson, passed away Sunday, February 13th in Charlotte, Michigan of a long illness. She was the daughter of the late William Squire Allen and Nancy Stamper Allen, the widow of the late John Brown Noble. She is survived by two daughters, Carol and Ray Hampton of Charlotte, Michigan, Diane and Ronnie Baker of Hamilton, Ohio, one son Kenneth Ray Noble of Jackson, one sister Lizzie B. Watts of Jackson, two grandchildren, Ronnie Wayne Baker and Tabitha Noel Baker of Hamilton, Ohio, two great-grandchildren, Abigail and Ashley Baker of Hamilton, Ohio. She was preceded in death by one son, Wayne Lee Noble, one daughter, Connie Sue Noble, seven brothers, Franch, Willie, Claude, Sid, Grover, Arthur, Fulton Allen, two sisters, Ella Gibbs and Clara Allen and a host of nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held Friday, February 18th at 1:00 p.m. at the Noble Family Cemetery at Quicksand with Rev. Kenneth Noble officiating.
Donna Palucki
76, of Potterville, Michigan formerly of Owosso, died Sunday, February 13, 2005. Donna was born January 11, 1929, in Grand Ledge, Michigan, the daughter of William and Wilma (Deuel) Sayles. She was a waitress and restaurant owner in Shiawassee County for many years and also worked at ASC in Lansing until she retired in 1991. She loved to dance and party with her kids, loved her grandkids, playing darts and all kinds of music. She is survived by her daughters, Celinda 'Cindy' (Tom) Potter of Grand Ledge, Sherry Spears of Charlotte, Tina Marie Palucki of Potterville, sons, Terry (Vanessa) Eaton of Perry, Danny (Cindy) Eaton of Gaines, Frank Spears of Potterville, 9 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, brother Kendall (Pat) Sayles of Vermontville and half-sister Maude Sheffer and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 18, 2005, at Pray Funeral Home with Rev. Rich Mitterling officiating. Interment will be in Needmore Cemetery in Charlotte, Michigan. Visitation will be Wednesday and Thursday 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. She was preceded in death by sister Virginia (Sayles) Simek, brothers Graydon and Virgil Sayles. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice House.
Leon Raymond Barnett
Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Leon Raymond Barnett, 83, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Tuesday, February 15, 2005. Mr. Barnett was born June 3, 1921, in Illmo, Missouri, the son of Lee B. and Tressa (McLane) Barnett. Leon served in Italy with the US Army Air Corp during WWII as a radar specialist. He returned from the war and worked as an Inspector for Wilcox Gay. He was a TV Technician working for various companies and retired from Barker Fowler Electric in Lansing. He was a member of the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church and VFW Post 701 of Lansing. He enjoyed reading, gardening, working with his hands and putting together models. He was past president of the Charlotte Band Boosters. After his retirement he enjoyed doing things for his family including looking after his granddaughter Rebecca and his other grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Portia A. (Craven) Barnett, son Jeffrey L. (Diana) Barnett of Simi Valley, CA, daughters; Joy (Jack E.) Cummings of Charlotte, Robin (Bernell) Morgan of Eaton Rapids, 10 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Leroy, Charles, and Benjamin Barnett. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 19, 2005 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Rev. Karen Wheat officiating. Interment will be at Brickyard Cemetery in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Visitation will be 7 - 9 p.m. Thursday and 3 - 5 and 7 - 9 p.m. Friday at Pray Funeral Home.
Gerald E. Gladstone
57, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Wednesday, February 16, 2005. Mr. Gladstone was born June 2, 1947, in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Lyle and Clara (Hulett) Gladstone. Gerald served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He retired from General Motors in October of 1998 after 30 years as a Fork Lift Operator. He was a member of the American Legion Post #42 in Charlotte and F.O.E. Eagles Aerie #3552 of Charlotte. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, bowling, cribbage, euchre and woodworking. He is survived by his wife of 21 years Carol (Perron), daughter Jennifer (David) Crippen of Eagle, son Wayne (Rena) Bond of Olivet, daughters; Regina Compo and friend Marie Grzych of Whiting, Indiana, Christina Valero and friend Jon Evert of Charlotte, Deanna Vess and friend Rod Vandeusen of Elsie, and Corina Holder and friend Jack Kramer of Nashville, 16 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, sister Joyce Rennnaker of Battle Creek, brother Larry Gladstone of Alden, mother Clara of Alden, mother-in-law Roslyn Perron of Lake City and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Gladstone was predeceased by his father Lyle, and father in law Joseph Perron. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 21, 2005 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Charles Jenson officiating. Interment will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens of Lansing. Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post #42 or the American Cancer Society.
Hester Tuckey
Hester Tuckey, 84, of Charlotte, died Thursday, February 17, 2005 at the St. Lawrence Dimondale Center. Mrs. Tuckey was born March 21, 1920, in Lansing, the daughter of Bert and Irene Lucy (Wight) Farrier. She was a loving mother and wonderful homemaker and enjoyed watching and tracking Sand Hill Cranes with her husband Duane of 64 years. They often went antiquing as well as taking rides through the country side. She was an avid sewer and was exceptional at needlepoint, lace making and quilting. Hester was presented blue ribbons by Princess Grace of Monaco for a quilt and needlepoint coats of arms that she made for a Monaco American and International Guild competition in 1974. Hester and Duane were longtime members of the Eaton County Antique Study Group and she was also a member of the Capital Area Lace Makers. She had a great love of music and played the piano by ear. She was blessed by a very strong belief in God and that God exists in everything. She loved her family and was always giving of her time and sharing her talents. She will be dearly missed. She is survived by sons David Duane Tuckey and Jamie Alen Tuckey both of Vermontville, grandchildren Curtis Duane Tuckey of Chicago, Christopher David Tuckey and David Alan Tuckey both of Lansing, Jamie Alen Tuckey II of Hawaii, Jim (Sherry) Haviland of Mt. Morris, great-granddaughters Britiany Tuckey of DeWitt and Heather Haviland of Haslett, sisters Carla (Edward) Dunning, Marcia (Leroy) Miller, and Sharon (Raymond) Ruthruff all of Charlotte, nieces; Collette (John) Frank, Nanette (Jerry) Podany, Diana Bosworth and nephews; Terry Miller, Robin Miller and Brandon (Amy) Ruthruff, 18 grand nephews and grand nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James Duane Tuckey, January 29, 2005, sister, Nancy Jane Rose in 1991, brother-in-law Harold Rose in 1990 and nephew Paul Jean Dunning in 2001. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 22, 2005, at 11:00 am at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Reverend Phil Hobson officiating. Visitation will be Monday, February 21 from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Girard Township, Michigan. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice House.
Gordon Joseph Hokonson
58, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Wednesday, February 23, 2005. Mr. Hokonson was born January 15, 1947, the son of Burl Henry Hokonson and Verlee Marie (Davidson). He served in the US Army from 1966 to 1968 stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from MSU with honors. He was an accountant for the State of Michigan for 14 years, and also worked for Care-Free Philips Windows for about 8 years. He enjoyed model airplanes and cars, loved reading science fiction and was a sports fanatic. He is survived by daughter Brandy and son Michael, grandson Bailey Scott Hokonson/Boatman, mother Verlee Gamble, sister Valerie (Ron) Maggard, all of Charlotte and sister Darlene Cobern of Marshall. He was preceded in death by his father Burl in 1982. Funeral mass will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 28, 2005 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte with Rev. Fr. Denis R. Spitzley officiating. Interment will be in Bosworth Cemetery in Olivet, Michigan. Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Sunday at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Sallie Schmidt
75, of Charlotte, Michigan, died February 27, 2005. Mrs. Schmidt was born February 5, 1930, in Charlotte, Michigan, the daughter of Lindall and Jack Hale. Sallie was a graduate of Charlotte High School in 1947. In 1949 she married Gordon Sparks, and they have four children. In 1978 Sallie married Harry N. Schmidt. Sallie was a Supervisor in the Banking Control division of the State of Michigan, Treasury Department until her retirement in 1987. She is survived by her husband Harry Schmidt, her children, Steven (Maureen) Sparks of Nebraska, Shannon (Kevin) Cooksley of Nebraska, Gregory (Cindy) Sparks of Charlotte, Michigan, Kelly Sparks of Texas and Harry E. Schmidt, Charlotte, Michigan; two sisters, Sue (Jerry) Goodrich and Jacquelyn (Jack) Skirvin; 9 grandchildren, Carmen Sparks Hobson, Steven Schad Sparks, Audra Sparks Parsons, Mari Sparks Calton, Leah Cooksley Peterson, Katrina Cooksley Gotschall; Casey Cooksley, Kelsey Sparks, Arron Sparks; five great grandchildren, Johnna Parsons, Isabelle Calton, Cameron Calton, Reid Parsons and Zeb Hobson, step-mother Wava Hale and step-brother Lonn-e Hill. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Charles Rodney Hale in 1952. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 3, 2005, at 2:00 PM at Pray Funeral Home with Rev. Phil Hobson officiating. Interment will be in the Hastings Township Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at the Pray Funeral Home 7-9 PM Tuesday, and 2-4 and 7-9 PM Wednesday. Memorial contributions can be made to Eaton Community Hospice.
Roger William Cook
60, of Charlotte, Michigan, died February 27, 2005. Roger was born June 3, 1944, in Hastings, Michigan, the youngest son of the late John W. and Doris (McBain) Cook. He received Horticultural and Turf Management degrees from University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He was passionate about golf. At the age of 10, he built a 9-hole course on the family farm using soup cans for 'cups' and baby food jars for tee markers. Roger played the game enthusiastically until health issues limited his play. He was 'Keeper of the Greens' for 5 years at Riverbend G.C. in Hastings, 3 years at the former Butternut Brook in Charlotte and for 34 years at Charlotte Country Club. He was never a boss but always a leader to the men he worked with and held in high esteem. Known for his integrity, dry sense of humor and willingness to 'go the extra mile', Roger will be missed. He is survived by Carol, his loving wife of 34 years; sisters Marie Barnes of Delton, and Pat (Paul) Lancaster of Hastings; brother Richard (Marjorie) Cook of N. Ft. Myers; sisters-in-laws Chris (Ted) Fitzgerald, Colleen (Kent) Anderson, and Corine (Michael) O'Heran. He was preceded in death by his brother, John, in 1996. Memorial mass will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 12, 2005, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Charlotte, MI, with Rev. Fr. Denis Spitzley officiating. Memorials to the Charlotte High School Golf Team.
Leo Eugene Malcuit
79 of Vermontville, died Monday, February 28, 2005 at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility. Mr. Malcuit was born December 1, 1925 in Eaton County, the son of Charles and Bertha (Ward) Malcuit. He had been a local farmer, loved making maple syrup, was a former Chester Township Supervisor and loved nature, hunting, fishing, poker, and gardening, and was an avid Spartan fan. He enjoyed traveling, especially to Arizona in winter. He was a member of the Vermontville VFW, a charter member of the Maple Syrup Association and a Parade Marshall for the Maple Syrup Festival in 2001. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary (King) Malcuit, sons Mark (Tracey) Malcuit of Mulliken and Joel Malcuit of Vermontville, grandchildren Marcie (Logan) Southfield, Travis, Lucas and Dylan Malcuit, sister Justine (Raymond) Snyder of Charlotte and brother Bruce (Mikalya) Malcuit. Preceded in death by brother Ward Malcuit. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 4, 2005 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Tim Olsen officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. both Wednesday and Thursday. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Mary Swift
84, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Friday, April 01, 2005. Mary was born March 1, 1921, in Eaton County, Michigan, the daughter of Burley and Hazel (Olds) Swift. She was formerly employed at Eaton Manor Nursing Home as a laundry attendant before her retirement. She is survived by two sisters Leora Phelps of Lansing and Verl Swift of Charlotte, and brother Victor Swift of Marshall.
