Robert Harris Kidder
57, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Saturday, June 18, 2005. Mr. Kidder was born June 11, 1948, Lansing, Michigan the son of the late Clifford Laurel Kidder Sr. and the late Hettie Isma (Jones) Kidder. He was a material handler for G.M. before his retirement. He enjoyed working on cars, hunting, and loved people. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Carole (Wolcott), step-sons Jeff (Heather) Moore of San Diego, Ca; John (Roxann) Moore of Charlotte; step-daughter Beth Moore; 6 step-grandchildren, Shelby, John Michael, Heather, Erin, Caitlin, and Cydeny; sisters, Beverly (Leonard) Gregory of Lansing; Corky (Mike) Whittum of Charlotte; brother, Clifford (Peggy) Kidder Jr. of Ohio. Funeral services will be 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Rich Mitterling officiating. Visitation will be 3 - 5 and 7 - 9 p.m. Monday at Pray Funeral Home.
Bonnie L. Halbeisen
50, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Saturday, June 18, 2005. Mrs. Halbeisen was born June 3, 1955, in Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of Moten and Ruth (Carpenter) Fielder. She was employed at Sparrow Hospital as a Health Unit Coordinator for 20 years and in more recent years a substitute para-professional for Charlotte Public Schools. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and enjoyed crochet & embroidery. She is survived by her husband of 19 years, Dennis Halbeisen and her son Douglas Halbeisen. Also surviving are siblings Meredith(Robert) Kaiser of Duncanville, Texas; Gerald (Julie) Fielder of Potterville; Daniel Fielder of Largo FL; Rebecca Cain of Potterville; Mother-in-law Catherine Halbeisen; In-laws Stephen (Valli) Halbeisen, Katy (Doug) Shumaker, Ian Halbeisen and Mary Ann Halbeisen all of Charlotte; and Alan (Linda) Halbeisen of Ada and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Bethany Renee in 1999 and her niece Heather Fielder. Funeral services will be 11:00AM, Wednesday, June 22 at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Mark Booth officiating. Interment will be at West Carmel Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be Tuesday 2-4 & 7-9 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. If desired memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society and Eaton Community Hospice.
Daisy May Vielhaber
4, of Charlotte went to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 18, 2005. Daisy was born May 25, 2001 in Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of Matthew Vielhaber and Sharon Magyar. Daisy's favorite things to do were singing, dancing and playing with her brother and sisters, her kitties, and the family dog, Duke. She is survived by her father Matthew of Lansing her mother and step father Sharon and Jeffrey Magyar, a brother Devin Vielhaber, sisters Alyssa Vielhaber, Jessica and Dannillie Magyar all of Charlotte, grandparents Harold & Mary Vielhaber of Harrison, Elizabeth Van Wormer of Lansing, Don & Nancy Magyar of Kalkaska, Peggy Rabineau of Holt, and great grandmother Elizabeth Roberts. She was preceded in death by her grandfather Charles Hatcher. Funeral services will be Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan, with Pastor Bob Homan officiating. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, at 1:00 p.m. preceding the service.
Richard George Thomason, Jr.
46, of Vermontville, Michigan, passed away June 21, 2005. at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Mr. Thomason was born November 24, 1958, in Charlotte, Michigan. He was raised in the Kalamo area and attended Bellevue school system. He was an avid outdoor enthusiast with a special fondness for hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed tinkering with automobiles and playing with his grandchildren. He was raised by his loving parents Montie and Percilla Morris of Kalamo. Richard is survived by his parents; daughters Chalo (Roberto) Jimenez of Battle Creek; Kyra Jean and son Joshua Richard. Also surviving are his grandchildren Isabel, Dawn and Roberto Jimenez; brothers Robert Thomason of Olivet; Ray Thomason of Hastings; Montie Morris, Jr. and Jerret Morris of Nashville; sisters Frieda Rounds of Charlotte; Jean Morris of Fort Wayne, IN; Tonia Tellas of Ionia; and grandmother Dorothy Morris of Stayton, OR. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 24, 2005 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, with Rev. Rich Mitterling officiating. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Kalamo Township. Visitation will be 7 - 9 p.m. Thursday, at Pray Funeral Home.
Gladys Ruth Booth
93, of Charlotte, MI, died Friday, June 24, 2005. Mrs. Booth was born December 18, 1911, in Arenac, MI, the daughter of William Washington Edmonds and Zoa Glover. She is fondly remembered by generations as the 'candy lady' at G.C. Murphy's Dimestore in Charlotte, where she worked as a clerk until her retirement in 1975. She also previously worked at Wilcox Gay in Charlotte and During World War II, at the Eaton Corporation in Battle Creek. She was a Red Cross volunteer at Hayes Green Beech hospital and a member of Rebekah Lodge #68 for 75 years as well as a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Her hobbies included crocheting, knitting, and collecting rocks from around the country to border her flower gardens. She belonged to the Calvary Baptist Church in Charlotte. She is survived by her daughter, Lucille Hogle of Charlotte; grandchildren, T.K. (Dan) Banks of Climax, MI, Tammy (Kirk) French of Charlotte, MI, Chuck (Shelley) Hogle of Sharps Chapel, TN; great-grandchildren, Melissa (Joe) Kane of Chicago, IL, Andrew Banks of Climax, MI, Tyler French, Ashley French, Amanda French, all of Charlotte, MI, Austin Hogle of North Carolina, Megan and Cameron Hogle, both of Tennessee; and brother, Clare Edmonds of Alabama. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Booth, son-in-law Norman Hogle, and six brothers. Funeral services will be 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, with Rev. Brad McClure officiating. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice.
Dorothy Alberta (Jerome) Lewellyn
88, of Perry, formerly of Charlotte, passed Saturday, June 25, 2005. Mrs. Lewellyn was born October 18, 1916 in Lansing, Michigan the daughter of Gustav and Theresa (Bergen) Jerome. Dorothy loved her animals, flower gardening, sewing, traveling, music, but most of all her family. She was a Life Member of the O. E. S. Chapter 128 of Charlotte; a Guardian for Jobs Daughter and formerly a member of the Charlotte First Congregational Church. She retired as a bookkeeper and worked for Wilcox Gay, J.W. Knapp and Clawson Floors. She is survived by two sons, Richard (Marlene) Lewellyn of Vermontville, James (Arlys) Lewellyn of Charlotte; daughter, Nancy (Terry) Moore of Kendallville, Indiana; step-daughter, Barbara (George) Radee of Charlotte; eleven grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; and brother, Frederick Jerome of Missouri. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband George Maynard Lewellyn in 1990. At the time of his death they had been married for 54 years. She was also preceded in death by two sisters and four brothers. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Rev. Phil Hobson officiating. Interment will be at Bosworth Cemetery in Olivet, MI. Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. Tuesday at Pray Funeral Home.
Duane M. Dietrick
74, of Nashville, Michigan, died Tuesday, June 28, 2005. Mr. Dietrick was born August 28, 1930, in Charlotte, Michigan the son of Melvin and Ethel (Fisher) Dietrick. Duane served in U.S. Air Force and had worked as a Fuel Station Attendant. He enjoyed fishing, golf, tinkering with automobiles and traveling. He is survived by his wife Nora L. (Atherton) Dietrick; daughters Sue (Jack) Raymond of Hastings and Diana Dietrick of Nashville; 5 grandchildren; and brothers Raymond Dietrick of Leesburg, Florida; Elwyn Dietrick of Woodland, Michigan; and sisters Ruth Ann Fosnight of Dimondale, Michigan; Marlene Helman of North Carolina. Graveside service will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 2, 2005 at West Carmel Cemetery in Charlotte.
John 'Jake' Maksymowski
67, of Charlotte, MI, died Wednesday, June 29, 2005. Mr. Maksymowski was born December 19, 1937 in Grand Rapids, MI, the son of Victor and Verna (Kozlowski) Maksymowski. Jake worked for Meijers for 46 years, beginning as a grocery bagger and retiring as a warehouse receiving clerk. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, and fishing, and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Charlotte. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carol (Jaglowski) Maksymowski; children, Nancy (Sam) Phillips of Dimondale, MI, Diane (Kip) Malott of Lansing, MI, John (LeighAnn) Maksymowski of Eaton Rapids, MI, Sharon (Doug) Becker of Mulliken, MI, and Lisa Michels of Charlotte, MI; 7 grandchildren; sisters Delores Golec and Sally (Tom) Hekker, both of Grand Rapids; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2005 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Charlotte, with Father Max Frego officiating. Interment will be at Millerburg Cemetery in Carmel Township. Visitation will be Friday, July 1, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association or St. Mary Catholic Church.
Charles P. Bowerman
51, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Thursday, September 1, 2005. Mr. Bowerman was born December 26, 1953, in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Weldon and Margaret (Draper) Bowerman. Charles was a Charlotte Postal Carrier, Past Commander of the American Legion Post #42 of Charlotte, was a current member of Vermontville American Legion Post #222 and 40&8 Voiture #946 in Lansing. Charles enjoyed playing cards and was a member of the N.R.A. and the Eaton County Buck Club. He is survived by his wife Carrie; son Michael Phillip of Charlotte; daughter Carrie Belle (Steve) Crigier of Newberry; parents Weldon and Margaret Bowerman and Stacey Lynne Bowerman of Potterville; mother-in-law Frances Vandlen of Charlotte; sister Pamala Bannick of Jenison; brother William D. Bowerman; half brothers Vernon R. Bowerman and Jerry Bowerman; half sisters Debra Sanders and Lucille Hargrave; brother-in-laws Merwin (Pam) and Dan (Sandy) Vandlen; sister-in-law Bonnie (Gary) White; God son Dale Allen White; 12 nieces and nephews and 2 great nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday September 6, 2005 at First Baptist Church, Charlotte with Reverend Robin Crouch officiating. Interment will be at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Lansing, MI. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Sunday and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Auxiliary Girls State.
Richard D. Sweet
54, of Vermontville, MI, died September 3, 2005. Mr. Sweet was born February 3, 1951, in Lansing, MI, the son of Joyce and Carl Sweet. He is survived by his wife, Joyce (Gleason), his daughter, Regina (Jr) Visgar of Nashville, MI; his sons, Richard Sweet of Freeport, MI; Harley (Erin) Sweet of Nashville, MI; Albert (Amy) Sweet of Olivet, MI; Dan (Melissa) Hammond of Nashville, MI; 14 grandchildren; sisters, Kathy (Don) Dulyea of White Cloud, MI and Sherry (Dick) Shaneck of Hastings, MI.
Madalene Marie Clemens
84, of Charlotte, MI, died September 4, 2005. Mrs. Clemens was born September 25, 1920, in Charlotte, MI, the daughter of Clara and Ben Williams. She is survived by her two daughters, Jayne (Robert) Watkins of Okemos, MI, and Sherry Russell of Cincinnati, OH, four grandchildren, one great grandchild, and one sister, Marian Williams of Charlotte, MI. She is preceded in death by her husband, Dale Clemens in 1993. Mrs. Clemens was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, who will be missed greatly. She was a member of Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church and Deborah Circle. After attending business college, she worked for Michigan National Bank for over 30 years, retiring as the Vice President of Personnel. She was a Past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star from 1965-1966. She was a volunteer for Hayes-Green-Beach Hospital, Member of the HGB Auxiliary, and the Golden Key Club. She was also an Honorary Member of the Charlotte Country Club. Mrs. Clemens was also a former Campfire Girl Leader and enjoyed many other activities such as bowling, golf, bridge, knitting, and reading. Most of all, she loved being with her family. Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 7, 2005, at 11:00a.m. at Pray Funeral Home. Interment will be at Gresham Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church or to Hayes-Green-Beach Hospital.
Harold L. Kemper
35, of Charlotte, MI, died September 4, 2005. Mr. Kemper was born June 18, 1970, in Los Gatos, CA, the son of Harold and Loretta Kemper. He is survived by his sons David William of Kinross, MI and Ryan Leroy Kemper of Charlotte, MI, daughters, Annastasia Victoria Kemper of Charlotte and Bethany Ann Blanche of Florida; Rebecca Ann Kemper of Charlotte; mother Loretta Lombard of Alma; brother Wayne (Serena) Kemper of Alma; sister Cecelia Weis of Alma; half sisters Rebecca Walcher of Calfornia and Holly Pretzel of Charlotte; half brothers Jeffery Kemper of Charlotte, Albert Kemper and Randy Kemper; 4 nieces, 1 nephew and former wife Heather Kemper. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 9, 2005.
D. Bruce Stratton
70, of Dimondale, died Sunday, September 4, 2005 at his home. Mr. Stratton was born September 21, 1934, in Lansing, MI, the son of Robert and Christine (Dewar) Stratton. He owned Stratton Sports Cars and was formerly active in auto racing through the Sports Car Club of America. He was a real estate broker and built condominium projects in the Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Harbor Springs areas, as the Chairman of Continental Acquisitions in the 1970's. He was also a board member of the National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and a Docent at the Michigan History Museum. Bruce spent his spare time flying and exploring the islands of Lake Michigan. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Charlyn (Levernier); daughters Christine (James) Rowe of Nome, AK, Lauren Noble of Midland, NC, Kellyn (John) Sliwinski of Anchorage, AK; sons Matthew (Lisa) Stratton of Dimondale, Stephen (Mary Ann) Strattonof Livonia, Andrew (Jenne) Strattonof Acworth, GA, and Nathan (Nora) Strattonof Sausalito, CA; also 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter and son-in-law Cheri and Jimi Youngblood. Memorial services will be on Saturday September 10, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Dimondale, 162 N. Bridge St. Dimondale. Interment will be in the Ohioville Cemetery, Burt Lake, MI. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Burt Lake Christian Church, Burt Lake, MI 49717.
