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Karl J. Gibbs, Sr.
Karl J. Gibbs Sr., age 75, of Lake (formerly Eaton Rapids) passed away suddenly on June 16, 2005. Karl was born the son of Karl D. and Pauline N. (Shapely) Gibbs on August 8, 1929 in Bellevue. He had retired from Grand Trunk Railroad and moved to lake in 1990. Karl had served his country during the Korean War in the Army. He was a Life Member of the American Legion Post #15 in Eaton Rapids, and enjoyed Fishing and Hunting.
Survivors include his wife Virginia, whom he married on September 4, 1989 in Eaton Rapids; his son Karl (Bernice) Gibbs, Jr. of Eaton Rapids; daughters Susan Gibbs of Lake, Neva (Joe) Lewis of TX, and Lucinda Dowding of Saginaw; step-sons Ralph Aleo and Robert (Pam) Aleo both of Eaton Rapids; Larry (Sue) Aleo of Bath, Michael (Karen) Aleo of TN, and Sam (Stacy) Aleo of WA; 5 grandchildren Karl Gibbs III, Charisma and Jericho Lewis, Charles Dowding and Crystal Emmons; 16 step grandchildren and 13 great step grandchildren.
In keeping with Karl’s wishes cremation has taken place with no services being planned at this time. Memorials may be made to the Garfield Twp. Fire Department, P.O. Box 390, Lake, MI 48632. Arrangements were handled by the Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home, Inc. of Clare.
Kenneth W. Gilding
Kenneth W. Gilding, 91, a retired building contractor, passed away after a long life March 11, 2005 in Cottonwood, Ariz.
Born in Hastings on Dec. 23, 1913, Ken grew up on a farm near Charlotte and was the first of eight children born to Verne and Vema (Farnham) Gilding.
Ken’s surviving brothers and sisters are John B. and Donald E. of Clarkdale, Ariz. and Kathryn L. and Geraldine J. of Michigan. He was preceded in death by brother Vern and sisters, Lanore E. and Roberta H., all of Michigan.
After graduating from Charlotte High School in 1931, Ken enlisted in the Michigan National Guard. In 1934 he joined the Civilian Conservation Crops. The CCC, also known as “Roosevelt’s Tree Army,” enlisted 100,000 young Michigan men to plant seedlings, fight forest fires, build roads, trails, towers and firebreaks in the national and state forests of Michigan. His contribution to the CCC effort helped revitalize the Michigan state park system and helped improve campgrounds in the national forests of Michigan.
In 1936 Ken joined the U.S. Navy. His first enlistment ended just prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Ken dutifully re-enlisted and served in the Navy’s 1st Construction Battalion (SeaBees) throughout the South Pacific during World War II.
After a lifetime of work in the construction industry in Michigan, Florida and Arizona, Ken retired in Cottonwood, Ariz. in 1986. He stayed active through his involvement with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7400 (past commander), doing volunteer work for the Verde Village Homeowners Association, and pursuing his lifelong hobby of gardening. Perseverance, loyalty, honor and truth were values he lived by and instilled in his three sons.
Ken is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jeanne (Swan); sons, Terrance R. (Jennie) of Charlotte, Gregory E. of Orlando, Fla., and John B. (Aimi) of Phoenix; four grandchildren, Shelene (David) Hahn, Marcy (Matthew) Billings, Deanna (Jason) Mallett and Teresa (Robert) Young; and 10 great grandchildren.
The Gilding family expressed appreciation for Dr. Juneau Stump for 30 years of quality medical care, the staff of Verde Valley Medical Center, members of the Verde Rural Fire Department, and the many family members, neighbors and friends who provided comfort and assistance to Ken during his final years.
Ken will be interred at sea, with full military honors, by the U.S. Navy out of San Diego, Calif.
Eloise I. Gillette
Eloise I. (Lettinga) Gillette, 79, of Port Charlotte, Fla., formerly of Charlotte, died July 31, 2005 at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Fla.
She was born July 17, 1926 in Grand Rapids, the oldest of three children of the late John and Phila Lettinga. She graduated from Creston High School in Grand Rapids in 1945. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree at Michigan State University in 1949. She shared her love of education with junior high/middle school students for 32 years at Linden and Charlotte Public Schools. While in Florida retirement, she continued to teach adult education.
She was a very active member of two churches, First Congregational Church of Charlotte, and Pilgrim United Church of Christ of Port Charlotte, Fla., in her adult life. She participated on various committees, including Christian Education and New Building Fund, and enjoyed singing in the choir. Eloise prized education and was a life member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Her fervent interests were playing and teaching cards, especially bridge, knitting amazing creations, worldwide travel, word searches, reading, letter writing/composition, and shopping for others.
She married Leslie W. Tobin on Aug. 27, 1949 and had three children in 18 years of marriage, then divorced and married Maynard F. (Pat) Gillette in 1969 (now deceased). She was also preceded in death by infant son David Tobin, sister Gerry Crooks, grandson John Ben Tobin, niece Pamela Crooks, and nephew Geoff Crooks.
She is survived by her brother, Howard (Joan) Lettinga of Sparta; brother-in-law, W. Dale Crooks of Whitehall; two sons, Daniel (Francy) Tobin of Hastings, and Fredrick (Sue) Tobin of DeWitt; six grandchildren, Jenny Tobin, Carolyn Tobin, James Tobin, Allison Tobin and Katy Tobin; and nieces and nephews, Eric Crooks, Howard (Dean) Lettinga, Cathy Huling and Angela Lettinga. Her family also includes Mike and Jeanette Gillette, Tom and Michelle Gillette, Tim and Mary Gillette, and Dan and Lois Gillette.
Cremation has taken place.
Memorial services were held Aug. 4 at South Port Square Town Hall in Port Charlotte, Fla.; and Aug. 13 at Middleville United Methodist Church in Middleville. A summer picnic celebrating her life followed in the fellowship hall.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution are asked to look at the educational needs of their closest school system and support it with their time and funds.
Gerald E. Gladstone
Gerald E. Gladstone, 57, of Charlotte, died Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005.
Mr. Gladstone was born June 2, 1947 in Lansing, the son of Lyle and Clara (Hulett) Gladstone. Gerald served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He retired from General Motors in October of 1998 after 30 years as a forklift operator. He was a member of 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, Ind., 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 and one great grandchild; sister, Joyce Rennaker 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 held at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, with Charles Jenson officiating. Interment will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens of Lansing. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Pray Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post 42 or the American Cancer Society.
Betty E. Gleason
Betty E. Gleason, 70, of Charlotte, passed away July 1, 2005.
She was born Sept. 12, 1934 in St. Johns, and was a lifelong resident of the Lansing and Charlotte area. Betty was a member of the Lansing Seventh-day Adventist Church. She retired in 1984 from Lansing Fisher-Body after 32 years of service. She was a member of UAW Local 602, Charlotte Country Club Women’s Golf League, and VFW 706 Ladies Auxiliary in Charlotte.
Surviving are her husband, Lynn Gleason; daughter, Denise Finizza of Lansing; son, Jeff (Anna) Toft of Lansing; step-daughter, Marge (Jock) McPhee of Lansing; step-son, Timothy (Marlene) Gleason of New York; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; three sisters, Hazel, Jean and Evelyn; four brothers, Al, Arnold, Daniel and Raymond; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held July 6 at Lansing Seventh-day Adventist Church, with Pastor Charles Davisson officiating. Interment was at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lansing Seventh-day Adventist Church. Arrangements were by Tiffany Funeral Home in Lansing.
John H. Goff
John Hugh Goff, 59, of Bellevue, died May 16, 2005 at home at Tri-Lakes Campground, Marshall.
He was born Aug. 31, 1945 to George and Betty (Brainard) Goff in Charlotte. He graduated from Grand Ledge High School and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in engineering from Ferris State University. John worked at Kellogg’s as a mechanical engineer for 23 years, retiring in 1998. He was a member of the Bellevue Lions Club and a former member of the Harper Creek Optimists. He was an avid golfer and a history buff, especially regarding World War II.
He married Carolyn Fox on March 13, 1965 in Eaton Rapids; she survives. Also surviving is: sons, Michael (Renee) Goff of Vienna, Virginia and Timothy (Mary Beth) Goff of Battle Creek; four grandchildren; brother, Thomas (Renee) Goff of Jackson; sisters, Peggy (Clare) Roth of Eagle, Sue Goff of Portland, and Kathleen (Michael) Shafer of Dudley, NC.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Services were held May 20 at First Congregational Church, Olivet, with Michael Fales of Olivet College officiating. Interment was at Olivet Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Grandchildren’s Education Fund. Arrangements were by Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel, Bellevue.
Sally A. Granger
Sally Anne Granger, 60, of Hawthorne, Nev., died Jan. 18, 2005 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Reno, Nev.
Sally was born June 15, 1944 in Hastings, the daughter of J.C. Fisher and Florence L. Lorenz, and had lived in Hawthorne for five years, coming from Charlotte. She retired in 1999 from Owens-Illinois. She volunteered at Hawthorne Care and Share.
She was preceded in death by her father and two brothers, Norval and Scott Fisher.
Surviving is her mother, Florence Lorenz of Hawthorne, Nev.; brother, Michael Fisher of Hawthorne, Nev.; sons, Jon, Marvin and Gene Granger, all of Charlotte; and grandchildren, Cassie, Amber and Brandon Granger.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements were by Gunter’s Funeral Home in Hawthorne, Nev.
