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Richard A. Fast
Richard Albin Fast, “The Oldest Soldier”, died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2001 at Hayes Green Beach Hospital in Charlotte. Mr. Fast, the son of Albin Fast and Helen (Brooks) Fast, was born Jan. 30, 1933 in Charlotte. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1951. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Homer Brooks, and father, Albin Fast, he apprenticed in the masonry trade, receiving his journeyman’s card in the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers. Mr. Fast was an accomplished and master stone and brick mason, a craftsman who took pride and perfection in his work. In May 2001, he was recognized for 50 years of service to his trade. He was founder and co-owner of Fast Masonry Systems – a masonry support supply company that sold the product he invented and patented in his early retirement years. Mr. Fast loved to travel and his adventures often led him to Florida, Texas and New Mexico. He was also a long-time member of Eagles Aerie #3552 of Charlotte. His family, friends, and puppy dogs were the heart of his life. He is survived by daughters, Sherri (Randy) Crandell, Micki Smith, Kim Fast and Tracy Symonds; grandchildren, Chad, Nicole, Jeromi, Jared, Tyler, Kate, Ryan and Emily; great-grandchildren, Natalie, Cole, Evan and Nolan; brothers, Dennis (Sandy) Fast and Doug (Missy) Fast; childhood partners in crime and lifetime friends, Darrell Hicks and Ken Sherman; loving cousin, Marilyn Smith, and several other cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services were held Nov. 6 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, with Rev. George Fleming officiating. Interment was at Maple Hill Cemetery, Charlotte. Memorial contributions may be made to the Charlotte Public Library or Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital, Charlotte. Arrangements were by Pray Funeral Home, Inc.
Frances H. Faurot
Frances Helen Faurot, 70, of Marshall, died Friday, Aug. 24, 2001 at Oaklawn Hospital.
Mrs. Faurot was born June 18, 1931 in Marshall, the daughter of William and Elinor (Thornton) Courtright. She was a lifelong resident of the Marshall and Olivet areas. She had been a cook for many years in the Olivet area, and owned and operated Fran’s Family Restaurant in Olivet until her retirement in 1991. On April 23, 1947 she married Max Leroy Faurot in Angola, Ind. That marriage ended in divorce. Mrs. Faurot enjoyed playing bingo, watching sporting events and game shows – especially Jeopardy – on television. She treasured the time she spent with her family and friends.
She is survived by daughters, Linda Purucker of Battle Creek, Deb (Joe) Mulvany of Montrose, Kim Lassen of St. Louis, and Kelly (Greg) Alberda of Marshall; sons, Robert of Olivet and Bryan (Patty) of Nashville; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sisters, Florence (Vic) Watson of Olivet and Doris (Dennis) Pombier of Springport; and a brother, Richard Courtright of Battle Creek.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, William and Raymond Courtright; and a grandchild.
Graveside funeral services were held Aug. 27 at Bosworth Cemetery, Olivet.
Arrangements were by the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home, Marshall.
Wayne M. Figg
Wayne M. Figg, 82, of Dimondale, died Oct. 14, 2001 after a long illness.
Mr. Figg was born Oct. 23, 1918, the son of Edgar and Pansy Figg, on their farm near Dimondale – a place he always loved. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1939 and was proud to be a Spartan. He was a sports fan, especially of football and hockey, and he and his wife Norma attended several bowl games. Mr. Figg met the former Norma Jean Phelps when both joined the Lansing Symphony Orchestra as violinists. They were married Oct. 23, 1946 and were the first couple to have met there and married. They were with the orchestra for 20 years. Mr. Figg loved working the farm and growing things. He also worked for Kroger, and like to say he had been in the food business from the growing to selling of it. He was an avid stamp collector and also enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. After his retirement from Kroger, he and Norma traveled throughout several states and European countries, where they were able to trace some family roots. A special trip was made to the Holy Land, guided by their minister, Rev. John Toth. Mr. Figg was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Dimondale, and had served as a deacon.
He is survived by his wife, Norma; two sons, Lynn (Dee) Figg of Sterling Heights and David (Jill) Figg of Lansing; one granddaughter, Jennifer Figg of Sterling Heights; sister-in-law, Evelyn Figg; and special cousin, Ella (Donald) Campbell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Basil Figg. Funeral services were Oct. 17 at the First Presbyterian Church of Dimondale, with Rev. John Toth officiating. Interment was at Dimondale Cemetery.
Edwin John Fillingham
Edwin John Fillingham, age 98 of Columbia, TN, died May 27, 2001 in Columbia. Edwin was born April 7, 1903 in Shante Bay, Ontario, Canada, the son of Joseph and Maggie (Crittenden) Fillingham. He was retired from the State of Michigan Purchasing Department where he worked as a Senior Buyer for 20 years. Edwin was a member of the Odd Fellows and the United Methodist Church.
Surviving are his wife of 35 years, Judith; 5 daughters, Leatha (James) Van Dyke of Annandale, VA, Brenda Birdsall of Mason, Kathy (Cliff) Dye of Eaton Rapids, Debra (Larry) Harrison of Eaton Rapids, Pamela Piper of Charlotte; 3 sons, Joseph (Mary Ellen) Fillingham of Olivet, Ronald (Eileen) Fillingham of Paris, AR, Claude William Fillingham III of Columbia, TN; 24 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2001, 1:00 p.m., at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids with Pastor Tom Evans of the Eaton Rapids First United Methodist Church officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday, one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to the Eaton Rapids Medical Center Foundation in memory of Edwin J. Fillingham.
Janith M. Fisher
Janith M. (Bartlett) Fisher, 75, of Olivet died Jan. 8, 2001 at the home of her son in Graford, Texas, following an extended illness. Mrs. Fisher was born in Charlotte, the daughter of Arthur and Emma (Johnson) Bartlett and was a lifelong Eaton County resident. She had been the owner of the former Bib’N’Tucker Restaurant in Olivet and had been a school bus driver for the Olivet School District. She was married to Ralph H. Fisher April 6, 1947.
She is survived by one daughter, Denise Thorman of Stockbridge; one son, Steve (Cherrie) of Graford, TX; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in by her husband, Ralph May 9, 1997. Services were Jan. 15 at the Burkhead-Green Funeral Chapel, Charlotte, with Rev. Douglas Hammond officiating. Interment was in the Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of North Texas or American Cancer Society.
Iva Vye Foote
Iva Vye Foote, age 94 of Eaton Rapids, died Saturday, June 30, 2001 and now is asleep with Jesus. Iva Vye Alverson (I.V.A.) was born the youngest of 3 children on August 12, 1906 in Rives Junction, the daughter of Floyd and Elizabeth Alverson. Iva was married to Eddie J. Foote of Eaton Rapids on December 29, 1926. She was a lifelong resident and vital part of this growing Eaton County community and a member of the First Baptist Church for over sixty years. Many will recall visiting “The Best Gas Station in Michigan by a Dam Site,” Foote & Custer Standard Service, for gas, candy and conversation. Iva was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie J. Foote, in 1960; her son, J.B. Foote, D.D.S. in 1977; her great grandchildren, Brandon J.D. Wyse in 1980 and Carly Gayle Foote in 1990.
Surviving are her son, Wayne E. (Margot) Foote of St. Ignace; daughter-in-law, Kathie Foote of Eaton Rapids; 8 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Iva entered into the presence of our Redeemer and Lord Jesus on June 30, 2001. She will be remembered most of her love and dedication to the lives and souls of her family and friends. Through encouragement and unconditional Christlike love, she taught humility and contentment. Her harvest is an eternal security, in Jesus our Savior. Proverbs 31:25-28 states “Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to some, she opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed…”
Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 3rd, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 9220 Kinneville Rd., Eaton Rapids. Visitation will be Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. until service time at the First Baptist Church. Burial will follow at the Rosehill Cemetery. For those desiring, memorial gifts may be made to either the Youth Haven Ranch, First Baptist Church or the Eaton Community Hospice in memory of Iva Vye Foote. Arrangements were made by the Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids.
Marjorie M. Force
Marjorie Mae Force, 82, of Ann Arbor, formerly of Charlotte, died Jan. 26, 2001.
Mrs. Force was born July 25, 1918 in Eaton County, the daughter of Wellman and Mabel (Rogers) Wilson. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and enjoyed traveling for many years. She married Carrol Force who preceded her in death in 1991.
She is survived by daughter Sue Force and her husband Jerry Emmitt of Ann Arbor.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Maxine Bradley in 1997.
Funeral services were held Jan. 30 at Pray Funeral Home, with Rev. George Fleming officiating. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery, Charlotte.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Arrangements by the Pray Funeral Home, Inc.
Ronney D. Fox Jr.
Ronney Dale Fox Jr., 37, of Charlotte, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001 at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing. Mr. Fox was born in Charlotte, the son of Ronnie Sr. and Carol (Peterson) Fox, and was a life-long Charlotte resident. He was a 1982 graduate of Charlotte High School and attended Lake Superior State College. He was an employee of the Woodland Townhouse Restaurant and was a member of Ducks Unlimited and the National Rifle Association. He had boxed in the Golden Gloves while in school. He is survived by four children, Ashley Fox, Ronney Fox III, Emily Fox and Robbey, all of Eaton Rapids; his parents, Ronney and Carol Fox of Charlotte; one sister, Tracey (John) Knaggs of Charlotte; one brother, Bradley (Jennifer) Fox of Jackson; grandmother, Lena Peterson of Charlotte; and numerous, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral services were held Dec. 17 at Burkhead-Green Funeral Chapel, Charlotte, with Pastor Richard Workman officiating. Interment was at Meadowbrook Cemetery, Mulliken. Memorial contributions may be made to his children for their education. Arrangements were by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Verna M. Frederick
Verna Mae (Woodbury) Frederick, 95, of Vermontville, died June 18, 2001 at Robinson’s Adult Foster Care, Charlotte.
Mrs. Frederick was born Oct. 27, 1905 in Eaton Township, the daughter of Archie and Lillian (Burrows) Wonser. She was raised in the Charlotte area and attended Santee School and Charlotte High School. She married Oswell Woodbury on Aug. 24, 1933. She and Oswell owned and operated a gas station/store in Rosebush, then moved to a farm in Vermontville after 1951. Mrs. Frederick was a member of the United Methodist Church at Gresham, the Vermontville Sunshine Club, Senior Clubs or Battle Creek, and attended Nashville Baptist Church. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, crafting, gardening and was involved in Eaton County 4-H.
She is survived by sons, Boyd (Barb) Woodbury of Potterville, Lester (Norma) Woodbury of Vermontville, and Wayne (Mary) Woodbury of Delta Junction, Alaska; daughter, Phyllis (Edgar) Smith of Charlotte; sister, Edith (Donald) Hale of Charlotte; sister-in-law, Virginia Wonser of Charlotte; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Archie and Lillian (Burrows) Wonser; husbands, Oswell “Ossie” Woodbury and Deo Frederick; brother, Pearl Wonser; sister-in-law, Luella Wonser; brother, Robert Wonser; sister, Mildred David Smith; brothers-in-law, Frank David and Harold Smith.
Services were held June 21 at Maple Valley Chapel, Nashville, with Pastor Lester DeGroot officiating. Interment was at Center Eaton Cemetery, Charlotte.
Memorial contributions may be made to Eaton County Hospice. Arrangements were by Maple Valley Chapel, Nashville.
Rodney M. Frei
Rodney Manning Frei, 29, of Eaton Rapids, died Saturday, Aug. 11, 2001 as a result of a motorcycle accident.
Mr. Frei was born Oct. 13, 1971 in Lansing, the son of Dennis and Nancy (Budziak) Frei. He worked in the Technical and Facilities Maintenance Department, College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. He was a loving and devoted father to his daughters, and a great and loyal friend to many. He was an avid motorcycle fan and raised money for the St. Vincent Home for Children through the Survivors Motorcycle Charity Run.
He was survived by daughters, Chelsie, Mackenzi and Hannah; his parents; sister, Courteney Frei; and grandfather, John Budziak. Funeral mass was held Aug. 13 at St. Mary Church, Charlotte, with Rev. Fr. Dennis Spitzley officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent Home for Children. Arrangements were by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
