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Funeral Services:

Gerald “Jerry” Douglas Baker, 76, a proud veteran and hard worker, of Potterville, died April 10, 2018.  He was born February 20, 1942 in Charlotte to Don W. and Margaret (James) Miller. Jerry worked at Minor Walton Bean Company before enlisting in the Army and serving in Vietnam. He was known as a Buck Sergeant because he was older than others that enlisted. Jerry had a pet monkey during the war that was great at finding venomous snakes, and he was awarded two Bronze Stars during his time in Vietnam. He loved this country and was proud that he was able to serve his country.

Jerry was brave, generous, and the “Rock” of the family.  He enjoyed mowing, so much so that he volunteered to mow Lake Alliance. His love for mowing came from his work with The City of Lansing where he worked in the Parks and Recreation Department prior to his retirement. Jerry also enjoyed fishing (especially at Tippy Dam and Cedar Lake), going to the casino, road trips, yard sales, and looked forward to playing cards with his poker and cribbage family every day.

Jerry is survived by his five children, Bill (Patti) Hoffman, Reda (Ron) Hoffman, Steve (Teresa) Hoffman, Scott (Deb) Baker, Brad (Darlene) Baker; grandchildren, Jessica, Matt, Wesley, Nathan, Michael, Steven, Christopher, Josh, Cameron, Chelsea, Andrew, Savanah, Jessie, Tyler, and Leonard; 17 great-grandchildren; siblings, Ron (Iwana) Miller, Donna (Mark) Ransom, Cindy Miller, Cathy (Mark) Jacobs, Don (Carol) Miller and Jim Baker; his chocolate lab, Patty; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia; daughters, Angela Baker and Cindy Hoffman; and grandson, Ronald Hoffman.

Friends of Jerry are encouraged to show their support for his family at visitation on Sunday, April 15, 2018, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Monday, April 16, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home, with Rev. Koepke officiating.

If desired the family suggests memorial contributions be in Jerry’s honor to the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Friends and family are also encouraged to share memories of Jerry on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.

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Funeral Services:

Michael W. Stahl of Eaton Rapids passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at the age of 64. He was born May 2, 1953 to Fred and Alma (Woodward) Stahl in Eaton Rapids.  Mike was the current owner/ operator of Stahl & Sons Inc. in Eaton Rapids. For the past 15 years he was also a heating and cooling instructor for Lansing Community College.  Mike was very active in the Charlotte community, where he was a past member of the St. John’s Episcopal Church. He was also active in the Charlotte Boy Scouts for more than 40 years and currently the Scout Master of Troop 46.  Mike was known for putting on the Chicken BBQs at the Charlotte Frontier Days. He enjoyed gathering maple syrup and was the third generation of the Stahl family to do so. During Christmas time he and his wife, Alana would dress up as Santa and Mrs. Claus and visit the residents of the VFW National Home for Children. Mike was also very active in volunteering for the Eaton Rapids Area Historical Society, where he worked hard to maintain the grounds and facilities at the Miller Farm.  Mike was beloved by many and will be missed dearly by all who remember him.

Preceding him in death were his parents and grandson, Aiden McLendon.

Surviving are his wife, Alana Stahl; children, Robert (Lori) Stahl, Wendy Stahl, Amanda McLendon, Christopher Sand, Adam Sheets; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren with one on the way; brother, Mark (Debbie) Stahl; sister, Lynda (Vincent) Goeman as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Rapids Area Historical Society in Michael’s name.  To share memories and condolences, please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.

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Funeral Services:

Treva Elnore Drake, 97, of Charlotte, died peacefully on Friday, April 6, 2018 in Charlotte. Treva was born February 28, 1921, the firstborn of 13 children born to Charles and Laura Wood. She grew up in Clare County, Mich. before marrying Prentice Albert Drake in 1939 and starting their family. Treva worked more than 20 years as a cook at Central Michigan College (now CMU) and loved time spent with her family fishing. In later years, she enjoyed visiting her cottage on Chippewa Lake, where she would crochet special items for her grandchildren, and for charity, including Helping Hands and Ronald McDonald House. Above all, Treva loved her family.

Treva is survived by her daughter, JoAnn (Ed) Dehnert; son, Prentice “Bud” (Gail) Drake, Jr.; eight grandchildren; several step-grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren.
She is predeceased by her husband, Prentice Albert Drake, Sr.; daughter, Janet Carrick; and all 12 of her siblings.

Funeral services were held Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home, with Pastor John Bailey officiating. Private interment will take place in Sibley Cemetery, near Riverdale, Mich. Memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Palliative Care. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Treva on her Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com.

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Funeral Services:

Toni Renea Mann passed away in her home on April 10, 2018 after a courageous five-year battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Toni was born February 28, 1957 to Robert and Roseanna (Finch) Mann in Eaton Rapids. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1976. Toni Retired from GM after 21 years, member local #652 then #602 at the Lansing Delta Plant.

Toni lived her awesome 61 years enjoying many things; first and foremost, her family, and family gatherings. Her nieces and nephews and their children were treated like they were her own. She loved them very much. Toni loved roller skating at the old Adams Rink in Charlotte, playing poker at family parties, bon fires, hanging at the Old Alpine, and Zauners Bar, fishing, bowling and watching NASCAR and the Food Network. Toni was also a faithful “Young and the Restless” fan, and she loved her Spartans. Go Green! She loved flowers and was looking forward to mushrooming this spring. She had a love for all animals.

Left behind to miss her are her dogs Tucker, Max, and cats, Mr. Whiskers, Binx and George.

She is survived by her Brother, Rex (Shelly) Mann of Olivet, her faithful friend and partner in crime, Tracey Brown of Sunfield, and her lifelong friend, Kathy Smith of Charlotte. Her many nieces and nephews loved her dearly, Jason (Amanda) Mann of Wisconsin, Jen (Brent) Knoll of Olivet, Sarah (Earl) Mann of Charlotte, Justin Mann of Marshall, Ryan Mann of Arizona, and Cody Mann of Hastings; her great-nieces and nephews Liliana, Cameron, Ethan, Lorelei, Gracie, Jayden, Navaeh, Camden and Connor.

She was predeceased by both parents, Roseanna (1990) and Bob (2015); and her brother, Rodney Mann (2017).

The family wishes to thank the many people who called or stopped to visit Toni during these last weeks. We also give a special thanks to Tracey for caring for her and making it possible for Toni to be home where she wanted to be. She knew she was loved by all of us very much. We were so blessed to have her as part of our lives.

Those wishing can make donations to Sunfield Area Sponsors of Programs for Youth, Scholarship Fund (AKA, SPYs) or Hospice and Palliative Care Compassus of Lansing.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 16, 2018, at the Sunfield United Brethren Church, 8436 Grand Ledge Hwy. Sunfield, MI.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17, also at the Church, with Pastor Chuck Jensen officiating. Interment will be in the Sunfield Cemetery.

Please visit a special tribute page at RosierFuneralHome.com, set up in memory of Toni R. Mann, to light a candle, or leave a condolence. The family has entrusted the arrangements to the Independent Family Owned Funeral Home in Sunfield: Rosier Funeral Home.

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Funeral Services:

Robert Eugene Wood was born July 16, 1944 to James and Donna Wood of Charlotte. He passed away on April 5, 2018. He served 3 ½ years in the United States Marine Corp, and was a loyal employee of General Motors for 36 years. Robert enjoyed being an active Boy Scout leader with his three sons in troop #654. On March 14, 1969 he married the love of his life, Sandra Dickinson of Potterville. He will be remembered fondly by fellow Marines, Orioles, poker and cribbage players and his dialysis family.

Robert is survived by his wife, Sandra; their four children, Jason (Angie), Justin (Jennifer), Jameson Wood, and Amanda (Nick) Pocalujka; eight grandchildren, Brandy, Hilary, Abigail, Shelby (Coty), Kody, Hope, Ella and Camille; five great-grandchildren, Billy, Megyn, Brynlee, Ezra and Braelyn; six siblings, Norm (Jackie) Wood, Nancy Adams, Wilmont (Deborah) Wood, Sarah Nichols, Edgar Wood, and John (Nicky) Wood; and mother-in-law Lila Dickinson.

He was predeceased by parents, Jim and Donna Wood; father-in-law, Howard Dickinson; niece, Mary Nichols; and brothers-in-law, Chuck Adams and Harold Nichols.

A memorial service was held Monday, April 9, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home.

If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the “Mary Nichols Fund”-For the Good of Others. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Robert E. Wood on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.

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Funeral Services:

Sui Kabuki Shepherd, 84, of Charlotte, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2018, at her home. She was born August 15, 1933, in Kagashimi-Ken, Japan, the daughter of Toda and Hichiro (Watanabe) Kabuki. Sui married the love of her life, Thomas L. Shepherd on February, 20, 1954, in Japan. In October of 1957 the family moved to Michigan. Sui enjoyed playing Bingo, trips to the casino, and gardening. She adored her family and loved spending time together.

Sui is survived by her children, Linda (Mark) Royston, Robert (Debra) Shepherd, Larry Shepherd, Susan Shepherd; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Thomas in 2006.

A memorial service was held Thursday, April 12, 2018, at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment took place at Fort Custer National Cemetery.

Those desiring may make contributions in Sui’s memory to the American Cancer Society.

To view Sui’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.

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Funeral Services:

Wilmena “Billie” Ruth Carpenter of Charlotte passed away on Monday, April 2, 2018 at the age of 80.  Billie was born on August 9, 1937, the daughter of William and Eve (Brown) Lyons in Tacoma, Wash. She was raised, in part, by her grandmother, Edna Brown and attended Auburn Adventist Academy in Auburn, Wash., and attended Pacific Union College. She moved to Royal Oak, Mich. in 1960, then to Clawson, Mich. and eventually to West Branch in the late 1960s. While in West Branch she sold books, worked for a pallet company, drove a school bus and worked as a treasurer for the West Branch Seventh Day Adventist Church. Billie moved to Downers Grove, Ill. for a few years to serve as an infant formula representative before returning to Michigan. She has spent the last 13 years in Charlotte, where she is a member of the Charlotte Seventh Day Adventist Church. Billie loved to travel, she loved people, but most importantly she loved her family. In 2000 Billie set off on an amazing journey to walk Route 66 from Santa Monica, Calif. to Chicago, Ill. to raise funds and gain awareness for birth defects. She completed her journey in about five months traveling an average of 20 miles a day.

Billie is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Ray E. Gardner Jr.; second husband, Herbert Riemann; grandson, Zane Gardner; stepson, Mike Carpenter; stepfather, Raphael Nichols; and son-in-law, Jon Kallioinen.

Surviving are her husband of 13 years, Bruce Carpenter; children, Cindy (Dennis) Kempl, Dean Gardner, Todd (Lynette) Gardner, Julie (Mike) Matyasic; stepchildren, Nancy (Cory) Sheppler, Cathy Kallioinen, Cris Carpenter; grandchildren, Scott Gooch, April Simpson, Wyatt Gardner, Logan Gardner, Sierra Gardner, Savahanna Matyasic, Jeremy Mortenson, Mike Mortenson, Nathan Heinrich, Mandy (Duane) Evans, Mindy (Jonathan) Durner, Tristan Sheppler, Molly Sheppler; great grandchildren, Alexis Simpson, Hunter Simpson, Ashton Rutledge, Brayden Durner, Liam Evans and Gage Evans.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Charlotte Seventh Day Adventist Church.

To share memories or condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.

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Funeral Services:

Roberta “Berta” Cartwright, 74, formerly of Charlotte, died peacefully in her sleep on March 10, 2018 in Chevy Chase, Md., after a long illness. She had a sharp, dry sense of humor and will be sorely missed.

She is survived by her ex-husband, Lawrence “Larry” R. Cartwright of Washington, D.C. (formerly of Charlotte); her brother, Richard T. Jamsen; sister-in-law, Jane (Marinelli) Jamsen of Marquette; her daughter, Sarah Cartwright, son-in-law, Scott McDermott Cartwright; and granddaughter, Shan Shan L. Cartwright of Washington, D.C.; and nephew, Kris M Jamsen, his spouse, Michelle, and their daughter, Mae of Melbourne, Australia.

She is predeceased by her sister, Patricia A. Jamsen (in childhood); her father, Richard “Dick” Jamsen of Copper Harbor, Mich.; and her mother, Lillian A. (Johnson) (Jamsen) Richards of Copper Harbor, and Fort Myers Beach, Fla.

Roberta Lynn Jamsen was born Sept. 20, 1943 in Hancock, Mich., to parents, Richard “Dick” and Lillian A. (Johnson) Jamsen. She earned her B.A. in special education from Eastern Michigan University in 1965. “Miss Bert” moved to Bay City where she taught deaf and hard-of-hearing children and was active in community theater. She married Lawrence Robert Cartwright on March 16, 1974, in his hometown of Unionville, Mich. They moved to St Louis, Mo., where they had their only child, daughter Sarah Elisabeth Cartwright. They returned to Michigan in 1976 and lived in Charlotte until 2012. Berta and Larry legally separated in 2012, and Roberta moved to Montgomery County, Md., to be closer to her family.

Roberta’s career and volunteer work focused on early childhood development. She was particularly proud of her position as the home visitation liaison for the early childhood intervention program at Eaton Rapids Public Schools. Roberta’s role was to visit preschoolers and their families in their homes. She truly treasured each relationship and was proud of her colleagues’ teamwork. Roberta retired in 2010.

A memorial open house will be held on Sunday, August 5, 2018, from noon to 4 p.m., hosted by Janet and Dennis Hogan, 2221 Grass Lake Ave, Lake, MI.

Memorial contributions may be made to montgomeryhospice.org, your local hospice, or your local elementary school.

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Funeral Services:

Merlin F. Guilford, Sr., 93, of Charlotte, died April 1, 2018 in Portland. He was born February 7, 1925 in Mulliken, a son of Russell and Agnes (Holbrook) Guilford. Merlin was an Army veteran of World War II, a P.O.W. and a retired employee of Lindell Drop Forge.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Dorothy and Mary; and his son, Merlin F. Guilford, Jr.

Surviving are his daughters, Brenda Harper, Barbara (Paul) Holland and Janet (Tom) Wohlscheid; nine grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 15 great great-grandchildren; sisters, Faye Foltz, Sue (Bob) Walker and Linda (Pat) Patton; brother, Greg Guilford; several nieces and nephews.

Services were held Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Barker-Leik Funeral Home in Mulliken, with Pastor Ross McElroy officiating.  Interment followed at Meadowbrook Cemetery with military honors provided by the U.S. Army and the Portland V.F.W.  Pallbearers were Brian Holland, Paul Holland, Jr., Randy Raines, Brian Richards, Scott Webert and Trenton Webert.

Memorial donations may be made to Great Lakes Caring Hospice.

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Funeral Services:

Dale Miller, born December 13, 1948 to Charles, and Betty (Clark) Miller in Hay Springs, Neb., passed away at his home in Bellevue on March 10, 2018.

He grew up on the family farm in Hastings and attended Durfee (One room) School House. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1967. Dale married the love of his life, Cynthia Lou (Smith) on April 28, 1969. They were blessed with three children, Shane, Tammy and Merrie.

He was a Journeyman Sprinkler Fitter (Penn. State) for over 45 years. He was a hard worker and could just about fix anything, and get it done. Over the years he built his own house, was the Baltimore Township Supervisor (Hastings) during the 197’s. He was a State- Hastings High School Wrestler, played on many company ball teams, raised cattle, and hogs (with twin brother “Don”), assisted with coaching wrestling, trained/rode horses, gave roping lessons, and enjoyed the outdoors.

Dale’s passion was Team Roping, which he won many awards for over the years. Also, he was on the board, and belonged to the M.R.A (Michigan Ropers Association). He was an avid reader, and considered a lifelong learner. He particularly enjoyed playing cards “Mississippi Stud,” doing crossword puzzles, mushroom hunting, and camping/ horseback with wife Cindy, and friends for years.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert, Donald (twin), Ronald, and recently oldest brother Gerald Miller.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Cynthia of Bellevue; sister, Charlene (Daniel) Cheney; sisters-in-law, Christine, Linda, and Lorna Miller all of Hastings; sister-on-law, Diane, and Valery Miller; son, Shane (Joan) Miller all of Battle Creek; daughters, Tammy (Scott) Flower of Charlotte, and Merrie Miller of Bellevue; eight grandchildren, Brooke, Cash, Heath and Clay Flower. Sarah, Olivia, Brayden (Degris), and Luke Miller; many special nieces, nephews, and good friends.

In recent retirement, Dale liked making “Lucky’s” wine, canning, helping his brother Gerald on the family farm, growing flowers, and watching his grandchildren play sports, as well as horse events.

He will be remembered most for his quick wit, and his determined spirit. He voiced his great appreciation for being given a good life. Dale went home to be with his lord and savior with his loving family by his side on March 10, 2018.

There will be a “Celebration of Life” memorial service in his honor for family and friends on April 28, 2018 at his home in Bellevue at 4 p.m. You can find details for the celebration on Facebook @ Dale Miller Celebration of Life/Memorial

Memorial contributions can be made to the Michigan Ropers Association in Dale’s honor in memory of his love of Team Roping and particularly Novice/Youth classes. Donation information: M.R.A. Office, 12100 Fairbanks Rd., Linden, MI 48451 (Send note designating who donation is for), or contact 810-223-4045.