Barbara A. Lewis
58, of Olivet, Michigan, died Wednesday, March 06, 2002, at Battle Creek Health Systems after a brief illness. Barbara was born October 14, 1943 in Battle Creek, Michigan the daughter of Leon and Gladys (Lamoreaux) Mathias. She enjoyed reading and her grandchildren. She is survived by daughters Debbie (Anthony) Massimino of Bellevue, Michigan, Christine (Timothy) DePue of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, 7 grandchildren, brothers; Jake (Mary) Mathias of Bellevue, Jim (Mary) Mathias of Napolean, Ohio, Ed Davis of East Tawas, Michigan, Walter Davis of Canton, Ohio, sisters; Phyllis (Bill) Rhoades of Charlotte, Michigan and Mary Bursley of Ft. Myers, Florida. She was preceded in death by brother Lowell Mathias and sisters Margaret, Lucille, Leona and Rosetta. Family and friends are invited to a Family Affirmation Service 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 9, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan with R. Raymond Rossell officiating. Visitation will be Thursday 7 - 9 p.m. and Friday 2- 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.
Ronald Lynn Wright
54, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Thursday, March 7, 2002. Mr. Wright was March 10, 1947, Lansing, Michigan the son of Byron and Thelma (Ryerson) Wright. He is survived by a brother Byron (Janet) Wright of DeWitt, nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial service will be 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 9, 2002 with Rev. Deborah Johnson officiating.
Sally A. Graham
31, of Lansing, died Thursday, March 07, 2002 at her residence. Miss Graham was born September 28, 1970, in Hastings, Michigan, the daughter of Harold and Lynda (Carpenter) Hubka. She is survived by her mother Lynda Sales, uncles, aunts and cousins and fianc?e Ryan Gardner of Lansing. She was preceded in death by her daughter and grandparents. A memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Minister of Gospel, Jerry Carpenter officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service. If desired memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Mary Bertha "Shepherd West" Colby
64, of Battle Creek, formerly of Charlotte, died March 7, 2002. Mrs. Colby was born March 20, 1937, in Grand Ledge, Michigan, the daughter of Herbert and Mary Bertha (Simms) Sheppard and foster parents Alva G. and Ethel M. (Williams) West. She was a dietary worker at Eaton Manor Nursing Home. Graveside service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 15, 2002 at Gresham Cemetery with Elder Richard Garn officiating. She was preceded in death by her husband Scott Colby in 1980 and foster brother Bon M. West in 1998. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice.
Joan M. Loughan
71, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Friday, March 8, 2002. Joan was born August 25, 1930, the daughter of Walter E. and Keitha (Silver) Ball. She was an avid Dale Earnhardt and auto racing fan, enjoyed bingo and also enjoyed watching wild animals. She had been an inspector at Owens Illinois for 25 years. Surviving are sons Dan (Debra) Loughan of Charlotte, Michael Loughan of Mason, Michigan, daughters Cindy Logan and husband Lyle Thompson of Charlotte, Kathy Terrill of Charlotte, 10 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, sisters Barbara Cross of Pentwater, Marian (Chuck) Weaver of Charlotte. She was preceded in death by her son-in-law Allen, and longtime companion, Dennis Miller. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Tuesday, March 12, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. Visitation will be 7 - 9 pm Sunday and Monday. The family would appreciate memorial contributions be made to Hayes Green Beach Hospital for a dialysis unit.
Mildred Clements
91 of Lake Odessa, formerly of Charlotte, died March 8, 2002. Mrs. Clements was born May 29, 1910 in Olivet, Michigan, the daughter of Charles and Ida Mae (Griffin) Royston. She and her husband were lifelong residents and farmers in the community. She was a member of the Crossroads United Brethren Church and a volunteer at Eaton Manor from 1991 to 1996. She is survived by daughters Wilma (Doug) Crossan of Lakeland, Florida, Karen (Rick) Rickerd of Lake Odessa, sons Harold (Donna) Clements of Charlotte, Darrell (Marlyn) Clements of Charlotte, 19 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren, and sister Marie Albright of Lyons, Michigan. She was preceded in death by husband Paul in 1991, three brothers, two sisters, one great grandson and one great granddaughter. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Reverends Mark Beers and Harold Cherry officiating. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the funeral home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads United Brethren Church or Ionia Hospice.
Mary Fanson Droscha
passed peacefully from her earthly home into the arms of God on March 9, 2002. Mary was the second of five children born to Fred and Eva (Isham) Fanson on January 11, 1901, in Aurelius Township. She graduated from Mason High School in 1918, attended and graduated from Ingham County Normal in 1919, and earned her bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1960. She married Harley Droscha on December 24, 1920. They farmed in the Aurelius area for 43 years. Mary taught in several Mason area rural school districts and retired after 20 years of service while teaching second grade at North Aurelius Elementary, Mason. She and Harley moved to Charlotte in 1968 after their retirement. Mary and Harley were married for 63 years. She remained in their home after Harley's death in 1984 and lived on her own until December 2001. She enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening and corresponding with family and former students. Mary was a lifetime member of the Aurelius Baptist Church. Through the years she taught Sunday School, was Sunday School Superintendent, and active in the Baptist Women's organization. She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and a member of the Mary Murray Circle of First Baptist Church, Charlotte. She was devoted to her family and was an integral part of their lives. She will be greatly missed not only for who she was, but for her wisdom and steadfast faith. She was predeceased by Harley; her son, Carl, in 1995; her parents; 2 sisters, Beatrice Smith and Ida Baker; and one brother, William Fanson. She is survived by her son Robert and his wife, Phyllis, of Charlotte, and her daughter-in-law, Mary, of Davison; her 2 granddaughters, Dana (Lynn) Green and Lynda (Jerry) Calvert; her 6 grandsons, Jim (Denise), David (Susan), Brian (Tina), Keith (Denise), Mike (fianc?, Kim Stemen), and Steve (Val); her 13 great-grandchildren, David & Dustin Green, Sarah and Ty Michael Calvert, and Jeremy, Andrew, Katie, Kaelyn, Aaron, Beth, Whitney, Jacob, and Adam Droscha; a new great-grand baby due any day; her step-great-grandchildren to- be, Haley and Brook; her older sister, Blanche Jennings of Peru IN; her sister-in-law, Glenna Droscha of Mason; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous friends and former students. Our many thanks to Dr. Tom Sainz and his staff of Charlotte/Potterville, the staff of Hayes Green Beech Hospital, and Mary Holz, Lisa Flower, Peg Needham and Michelle Kiss, her homecare nurses and aides, and all others for their devoted care and kindness to Mary during the past few months. The funeral will be held at Aurelius Baptist Church, 4419 W. Barnes Rd., Mason, on Wednesday, March 13, at 2:00 PM, conducted by Rev. Stephen Aikin. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Eaton Rapids. Visitation will be from 2:00 - 4:00 PM and 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, on Tuesday, March 12, and from 11:00 AM until service time on Wednesday at the church. Contributions may be made to the Aurelius Baptist Church building fund or to the Hayes Green Beach Homecare Center. Grandma, the Lord has prepared your room and you are now home. All heaven is rejoicing! We loved you and were loved by you. Praise God. We look forward to our heavenly reunion.
Norma I. Cole
84, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Saturday, March 9, 2002. Mrs. Cole was born December 12, 1917, in Charlotte, Michigan, the daughter of Earl Paton and Inez (Newton) Paton. She was a former member of OES Chapter 218 of Charlotte, a member of the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, and the Bonnie Brook Association. She is survived by son, Jerry of Vermontville, daughters Jan (Brad) Jones of Potterville; Jeanne (Rody) Hillary of Grand Rapids; Linda (Bob) Tolles of Hastings, daughter-in-law Sharon Cole of Delton; 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Josie Cole of Grand Rapids and Maxine Cole of Oglesby, IL, and brother-in-law Ned Walters of Charlotte and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband Wayne C. Cole on March 9, 1994; son, Gary, daughter, Jane, grandson, Brent; 5 sisters and 2 brothers. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 13, 2002, at Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte with Reverend George Fleming officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2002, at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and/or Eaton County Siren Shelter. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Alta M. Christenson
84, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Saturday, March 9, 2002. Mrs. Christenson was born January 14, 1918, in Charlotte, Michigan, the daughter of Roy C. Bennett and Blanche M. (King) Bennett-McManus. She is survived by son, Galen (Dawn) of Vermontville, brother Richard McManus of Charlotte, and nephew James "Chuck" McManus of Cloverdale. She was preceded in death by husband Einard Christenson in January 1959. Funeral services will be 1pm Thursday, March 14, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, with Reverend Pat Sterling officiating. Interment will be in Gresham Cemetery in Chester Township. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, March 13, at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Capital Area Humane Society. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Dorothy O. Partridge
81 of Charlotte, died March 9, 2002. Mrs. Partridge was born February 24, 1921, the daughter of Herman and Erma (Mitchell) Gillihan. She enjoyed her family, grandchildren and Leslie Wells. She also enjoyed painting. She is survived by sons William (Bonnie) Partridge of Olivet, Ronald (Sharon) Partridge of Charlotte, special friend Leslie Wells, 11 grandchildren and spouses, 26 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, sister Mildred (Jerry) Fase of Lansing and numerous cousins. She was preceded in death by husband Seth in 1983. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Chuck Jenson officiating. Interment will be at Gresham Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Monday, 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Michigan Heart Association.
Elsie Mary Smith
73, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Thursday, March 14, 2002. Miss Smith was born December 4, 1928, in Benton Township, Michigan, the daughter of Joseph F. and Mary Anna (Vrbensky) Smith. Elsie graduated from Charlotte High School in 1946 and earned a degree from the Lansing Secretarial School. She was a bank teller for Union Federal Savings and Loan in Lansing before she retired in 1981. She was a former member of the Denise Business Sorority and member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She took an interest in all of her great nieces and nephews. She is survived by her mother Mary A. Smith, sisters; Frances Madry of Charlotte, Anne (Gerald) Kent of Nashville, Mary (Donald) Wadsten of Southfield, nieces and nephews; Mary (Glenn) Shook, Kristine (Jeff) Hynes, Teresa (Tom) Gloden, John (Denise) Kent, great nieces and nephews; Joseph & Glenn Shook, Stephanie & Kelly Hynes, Rebecca & Jennifer Kent and Kiel & Brett Gloden. She was preceded in death by her father Joseph Smith in 1957 and brother-in-law Louis Madry in 2000. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 18, 2002 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Denis R. Spitzley celebrating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte, Michigan. Visitation will be 7 - 9 pm Saturday and Sunday 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 pm. A Rosary will be prayed Sunday evening at 7:00 pm at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan.
Grace Ellen Castleberry
64, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Saturday, March 16, 2002. Mrs. Castleberry was born January 10, 1938, in Portland, Michigan the daughter of Ed and Neta (Alldaffer) Hillis. She helped take care of elderly and individuals at Butternut Apartments. She is survived by husband Calvin Castleberry of Charlotte, daughter Cathy (George) Godwin of Fishkill, New York, sons; Earl Wood Jr. of Lansing, Steven Wood of Charlotte, Michael Wood of Columbus, Ohio, Patrick Wood of Grand Rapids, 12 grandchildren, sisters; Catherine (Alfred) Jardot of Charlotte and Jeane McCabe of Florida. Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Rev. Rich Mitterling officiating. Interment will be in Center Eaton Cemetery in Charlotte, Michigan.
Harriet Anne Schmitz
83 of Lansing, formerly of Charlevoix, died Saturday, March 16, 2002. Mrs. Schmitz was born May 24, 1918 in Braeburn, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Andrew and Kate (Peters) Copin. She is survived by husband William Schmitz, daughters Ellen (Barry) Ewing of Grand Ledge, Linda (Rex) Bebee of Oak Harbor, Washington, son Eugene (Mona Raye) Towsley of Charlevoix, 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, step-son William Lee Schmitz of Grand Ledge, brothers Andrew Copin of Grand Rapids, John Copin of Florida and James Roach of Pennsylvania. Family and friends are invited to a Family Affirmation Service at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2002 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with R. Raymond Rossell officiating. Interment will be at Brookside Cemetery in Charlevoix. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
