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James E. Atherton
James Edward Atherton, 82, of Charlotte, formerly of Gaines, died Friday, July 12, 2002 at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility in Charlotte.
Mr. Atherton was born in Argentine in Nov. 16, 1919, the son of Samuel and Frances (Agnew) Atherton. He married Virginia Forshee in Gaines on May 25, 1940, and lived in the Charlotte area since 1968. Mr. Atherton was a member of Gaines United Methodist Church, a former board member and a Member of the Men’s Club, and sang in the church choir. He was a member of Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte, a former member of the International Rotary, and a former school board trustee. Mr. Atherton was the owner of A&B Realty in Charlotte.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia; daughters, Linda Atherton (Michelle Gellings) of Swartz Creek, Janet (John) Mischler of Sarasota, Fla., and Mary (Robert) Fiala of Charlotte; sons, James Atherton of Charlotte, Fla. and Dennis Atherton of Houghton Lake; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; sister, Louisa Roszman of Durand; and a niece and nephew.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Samuel.
Funeral services were held July 16 at Gaines United Methodist Church, Gaines, with Rev. Harlan Sorensen officiating. Interment was at Oakwood Cemetery in Gaines.
Memorial donations may be made to the Gaines United Methodist Church. Arrangements were by Streeter Funeral Home in Byron.
Forrest Babcock
Forrest Babcock, Sr., 92, of Nashville, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2002 at Tendercare in Hastings.
Mr. Babcock was born March 2, 1910 in Elk Rapids, the son of Horace and Sarah (Buckner) Babcock. He spent his early childhood years in the Traverse City area, attending local schools until the family moved to the Nashvillle area in 1926. He continued his schooling in Nashville and as a teenager, worked part-time at the old Star Theatre. Mr. Babcock was well-known businessman in the Nashville community, where he spent over 50 years as a businessman owner on Nashville’s Main Street. His career began more than half a century ago when he owned and operated the Standard service station at the intersection of North Main and Reed. When most would be considering retirement, Mr. Babcock remained employed and in 1992, at the age of 82, he was awarded Cappon’s “Employee of the Year” for his prompt, dependable and reliable service at Cappon’s Quick Mart on Main Street. He was a man of achievement whose life’s work contributed to the Nashville community. For 70 years Mr. Babcock lived in Nashville and during that time he gave 38 years of service to the Nashville Fire Department – 12 of those as the chief. He served four two-year terms on the Nashville Village Council, being a member of the Police, Public Works and Parks committees. He was also the founding member of the Meals on Wheels program in Nashville. Mr. Babcock was an inspiration to many, working for over 70 years in and for the citizens of Nashville.
He is survived by sons, Forrest “Tink” (Carolyn) Jr. of Lansing and Jim (Sharon) of Grand Rapids; sons from a previous marriage, Rev. Robert of Montana and Richard of Potterville; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and dear friend, Edna Edwards.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet Kenyon; grandson, Kevin Babcock; and brothers, Ferrell, Ivan and Vercil.
Services were held March 19 at Maple Valley Chapel in Nashville, with honors provided by the Nashville Fire Department. Interment was at Lakeview Cemetery in Nashville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Nashville Fire Department.
Jack I. Baggerly
Jack Irving Baggerly, 63, of Pennfield Township, died Dec. 1, 2002 at Battle Creek Health System.
Mr. Baggerly was born May 2, 1939 to Lloyd and Opal May (Green) Baggerly in Battle Creek. He worked as a head crane operator for Grand Trunk Railroad for 33 years, and married Beverly Tuttle on Dec. 17, 1994; she survives. Mr. Baggerly was a member of the Moose Lodge in Marshall, Battle Creek Sportman’s Club, and the Bird Gram Association. He was an outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, trapping and raising birds.
Surviving are his wife, Beverly; son, Mike (Theresa) Baggerly of Battle Creek; daughter, Sally Baggerly of Battle Creek; step-daughters, Jeanne (Gordon) Rude and Barb (Robert) Burbank, both of Battle Creek; step-sons, Dale (Laura) Willbur of Portage, Jeff (Kim) Willbur of Louisville, Ky., and Doug (Linda) Willbur of Olivet; 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and sister, Audrey Kader of Bellevue.
He was preceded in death by brother, Jerry Baggerly and sister, Doris Brott.
Funeral services were held Dec. 4 at Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel, Bellevue, with Pastor Joe Graber of Dexter Lake Church of God officiating. Interment was at Hicks Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS – Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Louis Bagi
Louise “Louie” Bagi, 88, of Marshall, died Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002 in the care of his family at his home.
Mr. Bagi was born Oct. 14, 1913 in Granite City, Ill., the son of John and Vilma (Gulyas) Bagi. He worked in the Granite City bakery prior to joining the U.S. Army during World War II. He was stationed at Ft. Custer in Augusta, where he served as a camp baker. While there, he met the girl who was to become his wife, Beatrice Cole. The couple married Oct. 2, 1943 at Kellogg Field in Battle Creek. Mr. Bagi lived in the Marshall area since his discharge from the Army. After his marriage, he worked as a baker for the former Galloway Bakery until buying the present “Louie’s Bakery” in downtown Marshall from the Williams family in November 1952. He and his family operated the bakery since then, and are well-known for “Louie’s Nut Rolls” and many other bakery favorites. Mr. Bagi worked from early in the morning each day with his family, preparing favored baked goods for the community until a week before his death. He was a member of West Eckford Missionary Church, and enjoyed his work, gardening and Tiger baseball. He was a Marshall High School Redskin fan and enjoyed football and baseball games for many years, especially when his sons played. His family was of most importance to him.
He is survived by his wife, Beatrice; four sons, Kenneth (Jackie), David (Carol), Donald and John (Beth Morris), all of Marshall; two daughters, Delores Schoenborn and Lorraine (John) LaForge, both of Marshall; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Bagi of Battle Creek; 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; sister, Irene Mangi; three brothers, Julius, Albert and Ernest, all of Granite City, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a son, Charles; grandson, Justin LaForge; brothers, John, Joseph, Charles and William; and a sister, Velma Shambro.
Funeral services were held Sept. 3 at Kempf Funeral Home, with Rev. David Nichols officiating. Interment was at Lyon Lake Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice; assistance with memorials is available at Kempf Funeral Home.
William C. Bailey
William C. Bailey, 81, of Vermontville, died Tuesday morning, Dec. 10, 2002 at a Charlotte nursing home following a long illness.
Mr. Bailey was born March 14, 1921 in Marion, a son of Benjamin and Maggie (Switzer) Bailey. During the 1930s he was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was also an Army veteran of World War II, a former Boy Scout leader, and retired from International Brotherhood of Electrical Worker in 1983.
Surviving are his wife, Janice; six children, Donietta Ramoro of Texas, Benjamin Bailey and William Bailey Jr., both of Muskegon, Edward Bailey, Thomas Bailey of California, and Daniel Bailey of Vermontville; nine grandchildren, two sisters, three brothers, and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services with military honors were held Dec. 13 at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, with Rev. James Sherman officiating.
Arrangements were by Barker-Leik Funeral Home of Mulliken.
Bertha A. Baird
Bertha A. Baird, 82, of Charlotte, died Sunday, July 28, 2002 at the Mich. Masonic Home in Alma.
Mrs. Baird was born March 22, 1920 in Ravenna, the daughter of Joseph and Teresa Prus, and had been a Charlotte resident since 1946. She was a 1939 graduate of Muskegon Heights High School, a member of the First Congregational Church UCC and its Mary Martha Circle, a member and past president of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs – Charlotte, a member and past president of the Charlotte American Legion Auxiliary, a member of the Charlotte Sunshine Club and the Pythian Sisters. She served many years as a Red Cross volunteer at Hayes Green Beach Hospital, was a leader in both the Brownies and Girl Scouts, was an avid Michigan State Spartans sports fan and enjoyed playing bridge with her friends.
She is survived by five children, Marcia (John Evangelisti) Baird of Denver, Colo., Christy Baird of Lansing, Alan (Cathy Snyder-Baird) Baird of Lansing, John (Suzanne) Baird of Evergreen, Colo., and Mark (Carolyn) Baird of Oakland, Calif.; six grandchildren, John Shannon (Lisa) Splawn, Justin, Morgan and Lauren Baird, Leah Baird and Gavin Baird; two great-grandchildren, Cassidy Marie and Lily Shannon Splawn; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa Marie Baird; great-granddaughter, Jessica Noel Splawn; and former husband, Ralph Baird.
Funeral services were held July 31 at Burkhead-Green Funeral Chapel in Charlotte, with Rev. Patricia Stirling officiating. Interment was at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.
Memorial contributions may be made to Michigan Masonic Home in Alma.
Margaret L. Baker
Margaret Lucile Baker, 89, of Charlotte, died Sunday, March 24, 2002 at her residence.
Mrs. Baker was born Jan. 27, 1913 in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Irvin Powers and Emma (Gehman) Powers. She was a member of Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church and was affiliated with the church choir and Ruth Circle. She had been a music teacher as well as an organist at Pray Funeral Home for many years. She had also been a music volunteer at Eaton County Medical Care Facility and a member of the Just-A-Mere Club.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Leo; two sons, L. Daryl (Mary Jean) of Charlotte and D. Doyle (Jackie) of Traverse City; three daughters, Marcelyn (Sherman) Kelley of Springport, Darlene (Robert) Raymer of Charlotte and Rosemary Kathleen (David) DeWaters of Texas; 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; and sister, Christine Rowley of Jonesville.
Funeral services were held March 27 at Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, Charlotte, with Rev. George Fleming officiating. Interment was at Gresham Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Eaton Community Hospice or Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church; envelopes are available at the funeral home. Further information is available at the funeral home. Arrangements were by Pray Funeral Home of Charlotte.
Richard Baker
Richard Dean Baker, 66, of Nashville, Tenn., died Sept. 20, 2002.
Mr. Baker was a former resident of Charlotte form 1980 to 1985 and was an employee of the state of Michigan.
He is survived by his wife, Eunice Carol Baker of Nashville, Tenn.; daughter, Andrea Dawn Baker of Nashville, Tenn.; foster son, Rick McGrandy of Bay City; three grandchildren and one great-grandson; sister, Shirley Troub; and a brother, Michael David Baker.
Funeral services were held Sept. 23 at Trevecca Community Church of the Nazarene. Arrangements were by Woodbine Funeral Home, Inc., Hickory Chapel, in Nashville, Tennessee.
