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Funeral Services:

Alfred Jardot, Jr. of Eaton Rapids, known affectionately as “Goat,” died May 1, 2018 at the age of 84. He was born April 9, 1934 in Lansing to Alfred Morris and Thelma L. (Dornan) Jardot.  He served in the Air Force from 1957-1962, and then worked at Fisher Body for 45 years. He was a hard worker, working a full-time job and tending to the family farm and animals. He loved to tinker, play cards (games like Hand and Foot and Rummy), and enjoyed working on small engines. He also loved fishing, farming, and bird watching. Alfred was proud of his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments and enjoyed spending time with family.

Alfred is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Catherine Rose (Hillis) Jardot; children, Patty (Doug) Lifford, Mitch (Debbie) Jardot, Monty Parish, and Lori Parish; son-in-law, Rick Price; grandchildren, Sarah Price, Danielle Parish, Kim Price, Rebecca Lifford, Emily Lifford, Jessica Smith, Marvin Steward, Mia Jardot, and Tyler Jardot; seven great-grandchildren; and brother, Donald Jardot.

Alfred was predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Thelma Jardot; step-daughter, Jane (Parish) Price; grandchildren, Brian LaValley and Rae-Lynn; sisters, Maxine Kline and Barbara Higdon; brothers, Alfred Morris Jardot Jr., Bernard Jardot, and Paul Jardot.

Friends are encouraged to support Alfred’s family at visitation and service. Memorial services are Saturday, May 5, 3 p.m. at Charlotte Assembly of God, with Pastor Shane Bryant officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to service at the church.

If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton County Small Animal Association for Rabbit Cages.

Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Alfred on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.

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Funeral Services:

Herbert Levi Stacey of Marshall, formerly of Charlotte, passed away on January 26, 2018 at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall. Herbert was born August 17, 1923 in Charlotte, the son of Elmer and Luella (Shaffer) Stacey and lived most of his life in the Charlotte area.

He was a 1942 graduate of Charlotte High School and had served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a member of the Charlotte American Legion Post #42 for more than 70 years. He sang for many years with their traveling group that performed throughout Michigan at veterans’ functions. He attended the First Congregational Church of Charlotte and the Marshall First Baptist Church after moving to Marshall.

He had been employed in the maintenance department at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility in Charlotte from where he retired in 1986. He previously had been employed at the Wilcox-Gay Corp., Aluminum Extrusions, the Charlotte Recreation (Bowling) and the Char-Lanes of Charlotte. Herb traveled to Rome, Georgia in 1950 to help the Dixie Corporation build a new plant and then returned to Charlotte.

He enjoyed bowling, golfing, deer and goose hunting. Herb spent a lot of time as a teenager in the Upper Peninsula hunting and fishing with his uncles.

Herb was very talented and had a great imagination. He carved and constructed Christmas ornaments, lawn decorations as well as costumes and puppets which he used when he performed at holiday functions.

Gladys and Herb enjoyed 25 years at their cottage at Duck Lake (Stacey-Ives Goof Off Haven) before they retired and then 30 years of friendships at their home in Sarasota, Fla. (Venetian Park Estates) in the winters. He will be missed by all his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gladys G. (Field) Stacey; brother-in-law, Carl (Patty) Field; nieces, Jan Miller, Joyce (Charlie) Porter and Schara (Ike) Swan; nephew, Timothy Field and several grand nieces and nephews, Ginger (Larry) Holland, Gina (Graydon) Bell, Chris (Ann) Porter, Lesa (Bob) Smith, Steven Botimer, HaileyYoung and Landon Young; cousins, Richard (Joan) Spitzer and Gordon (Martha) Woodman; and special friends, Steven (Diane) Sowle and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, LaDonna Ives, her husband Bill Ives; father-in-law, Geroge W. Field; mother-in-law, Jeannette Field; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Field.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at noon on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastors Philip Hobson and David Good officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial service. A funeral luncheon at the First Congregational Church of Charlotte will immediately follow the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home of Charlotte. To view Herb’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.

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Funeral Services:

Dewain J. Sivyer, 76, of Vermontville, a man who loved outdoor activities and was known for his stubbornness, died May 2, 2018. Dewain was born August 1, 1941 in Lansing to James and Jeanette (VanPolen) Sivyer.  He graduated from Grand Ledge High School and enlisted in the Army. While serving in Germany, he met his future wife, Monika Secker, and they were married October 6, 1962 in Frei-Laubersheim, Germany. They have been happily married for 55 years, and have enjoyed many adventures together traveling and fishing, as well as raising their four children. Dewain loved to fish in Canada, hunt on his property for deer and turkey, he had several vegetable gardens and canned the fruit of their labor, and he also loved fabricating in his barn (a skill he learned from his grandfather).

Dewain was very proud of his children and grandchildren, and they will miss him dearly. Dewain is survived by his wife, Monika Sivyer; children Susan (Edward) Daaod, James (Linda) Sivyer, Richard (Martha) Sivyer, and Cynthia (Brad) Huff; grandchildren, Alex, Cody, Anna, Hannah, Brianna, Amber, Jacob; great-grandchildren, Joyeln, Ava, and Braden; siblings, Jeanette (Don), Helen, Donna (Gary), and Arlene.  Dewain was predeceased by his parents.

Friends are encouraged to support Dewain’s family by visiting his tribute page and sharing memories of him at PrayFuneral.com.

If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Stoneleigh Residence in Lansing, where Dewain spent his final days being cared for by a wonderful staff. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.

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Funeral Services:

Douglas Clare Kelsey, a happy, honest friend of many, died peacefully on Sunday, April 22, 2018 in Kalamazoo.  Doug, 68, of Vermontville, was born November 21, 1949 in Lansing, the son of Dr. Lewis Donald and Hildred Louise (Figg) Kelsey. He graduated from Maple Valley High School in 1967 before earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Olivet College, and a master’s degree in public administration from Western Michigan University. He also graduated from the Institute of Organizational Management through Notre Dame University.

Doug held many esteemed positions throughout his career. He started with the Michigan Auto Parts Association in membership benefits before moving to the Michigan Floral Association. He worked three years as the Director of Education and Certification for the Professional Insurance Agents of Michigan, followed by serving as Director of Member Programs for the National Hearing Society and administered the National Board of Certification for hearing instruments and specialists. He served as CEO and President of the Michigan Home Health Association for two years before eight years as Executive Director of the Association of Builders and Contractors of Central Michigan. He formed his own firm, Kelsey Consulting and Management Group until 2008, when he went to part time project consultant for the Dispute Resolution for Education Resources. He held distinctions as Past President of Michigan Chapter of Meeting Professionals International and as a certified Association Executive.

Doug loved Vermontville. He served as Master of Ceremonies for the Syrup Festival for 35 years and was named the festival’s Grand Marshal for 2018. Throughout his many years of public service, he always remained fiercely dedicated to his hometown. He spent much of his time with friends. He enjoyed time on the golf course – as long as no score was kept – and enjoyed the occasional good scotch or bourbon. Doug will be remembered for his quick wit and approachable nature. He made a difference in many lives and maintained his friendships throughout his life.

Friends are encouraged to support Doug’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services were held Friday, April 27, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Vermontville, with Rev. Pool officiating.

If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Maple Valley Scholarship Fund.

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

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Funeral Services:

Catherine E. Pion, 92, of Dimondale, died April 21, 2018. She was born January 7, 1926 in Big Rapids, a daughter of George and Alice (Amedon) Stratz. She worked with her sister, Mary Stratz, at Mary’s Truck Stop and also at JMK’s Flea Market. Kaye enjoyed Bingo and traveling road trips to the casino.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Maynard, and daughter, Anne.

Surviving are her children, James (Kathy) Pion of Olivet, Linda Mason of Potterville, Debra (Jeff) Saylor of Mesick, Diane (Brad) Hart of Onondaga, Tom (Wendy) Pion of Eaton Rapids, Carol Pion of Charlotte and Daniel (Tamara) Pion of Dimondale; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Francis Stratz of Livonia and Bernard Stratz of Walled Lake; one sister, Rose Kogler of Byron Center; several nieces and nephews.

Services were held Wednesday at St. Mary Catholic Church, Charlotte, with Fr. Dwight Ezop, celebrant. Interment was in Dimondale Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sparrow Foundation/Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, P. O. Box 30480, Lansing, MI 48909-9986.

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Funeral Services:

Kenneth Allen Patrick, 59, of Nashville, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at home with his family by his side. He was born March 30, 1959, in Charlotte, the son of Kenneth Ray and Carol Ann (Eaton) Patrick. Ken was one of the most giving people one could ever have the privilege of knowing. He always saw to it that others were taken care of before himself. Ken had a deep love for music. He loved playing his guitar and wrote many original songs throughout the years. He was extremely easy going and had a tremendous sense of humor.

Ken is survived by his sons, Jesse James-Ray (Heather) Patrick of Nashville, Sean Matthew (Dusty) Patrick of Lansing; grandsons, Drako and Draven Patrick; brother, Curtis Lloyd (Missy) Patrick; and sister, Earlean Jo King.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Per Ken’s wishes, there will be no services and cremation has taken place.

Those desiring may make contributions in Ken’s memory to his family.

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

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Funeral Services:

Raymond Russell Carter of Olivet passed away on Friday, April 20, 2018 at the age of 76. He was born September 27, 1941 to Charles and Irma (Allison) Carter in Lansing. Ray honorably served his country in the United States Navy. He went on to work as a pipefitter for Oldsmobile, from where he retired in 1994. During that time Ray was a member of the UAW Local 652. He enjoyed spending time on his farm where he would chop and burn fire wood and raise cattle. Before his illness Ray also enjoyed playing cards at the Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center in Eaton Rapids.

Preceding him in death were his first wife, Linda Ball; sisters, Doris Hook, Sue Ann Carter and his parents.

Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Glenda Carter; daughter, Catherine Bassar; son, Charles Carter; granddaughter, Sarah (James) Lawrence; great-granddaughters, Lilith Lawrence, Ellarie Lawrence; brothers-in-law, Francis Hook, Art Yargar, Mike (Darlene) Swan; sisters-in-law, Palmoneada Jones, Cindy Hall, Susan Sinclair as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at the Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center in Eaton Rapids.

To share memories and condolences, please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.

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Funeral Services:

Gerald (Jerry) Kent passed away April 18, 2018 after a short and courageous battle with cancer. He was born to Walter and Mildred (Dilley) Kent on September 5, 1931 in Grand Ledge.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Anne (Smith) Kent; his daughters, Kristine (Jeff) Hynes, and Teresa (Tom) Gloden; brother, Wayne (Nancy) Kent; sister-in-law, Mary (Smith) Wadsten; grandchildren, Kiel and Brett Gloden, Stephanie (Corey) Thelen, Rebecca (Spencer) Duits, Jennifer (Kojo) Enu, and Kelly Hynes; great-grandchildren, Teamana and Ra’ihau Eugenio; Kara Thelen; Jak Duits; Chase, Ryder and Carter Gloden.

He was predeceased by his son, John Kent in 2010.

Jerry attended the Figg Elementary School in Sunfield, Woodland High School in Woodland, and graduated from Nashville High School in 1949.

Jerry joined his dad, Walter, a Standard Oil Agent, in 1950 and took over the Agent route in 1965.  In 1976, Jerry and Anne became independent business owners of Kent Oil and Propane and retired from the business in 1996.

Jerry served on the Nashville Fire Department for 32 years, assisted the Nashville Police Department on weekends, served on the Nashville Village Council, and drove school bus for the Nashville school system.  He also served as a sergeant in the Michigan National Guard from 1949 to 1956.

Jerry prided himself in serving his customers for 47 years, and enjoyed boating, deer hunting with his family (especially his brother Wayne), spending time with his family at the Kent Cabin at Higgins Lake in the 50s and 60s, spending time at the family cottage at Mitchell Lake from 1986 until it was sold in 2016, playing cards with friends, camping, going to the casino, golfing and mowing lawn on his John Deere.

Jerry was well respected and will be remembered as a hard-working and kind gentleman.

A funeral service was held on Monday, April 23, 2018 at St. Cyril Catholic Church in Nashville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maple Valley Memorial Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 715, Nashville, MI 49073 or St. Cyril Catholic Church, Nashville, MI.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville.  For further details, please visit danielsfuneralhome.net.

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Funeral Services:

Robert Gordon Jones, 82, formerly of Bellevue and Battle Creek, died Thursday, April 19, 2018 at his home near Ewing, Mo. He was born August 1, 1935 in Quincy, Ill. to the late Henry Edward Jones and Marjorie (Brown) Jones. The family moved to Battle Creek when he was younger.

He attended Urbandale School and graduated from Battle Creek Central in 1953. In 1954 he married Nancy Harrison at the Ceresco Baptist Church. They lived in Missouri for a period of time, where their oldest daughter was born. Upon returning to Battle Creek, he worked in the pressman’s trade in Battle Creek print shops and in the pressroom at the Battle Creek Enquirer.

There other three children were born while they were living in the Bedford area. In 1965 they moved to a farm near Bellevue. In 1968 he continued being a journeyman pressman and became publisher of the Bellevue Gazette. He was also a volunteer firefighter for the Bellevue Community Fire Department.

He continued his love of farming while carrying on his trade of pressman. He raised crops, made sorghum and always found time to fish, hunt, and make his trip to the Upper Peninsula for bear hunting (a tradition that started in the 1950s with his father and he carried on to share with his son).

After relocating to Missouri, he continued work as a pressman and retired from J.K. Creative in Quincy, Ill. It was time to farm some more, raise cattle and hunt and fish.

He is survived by his wife, Emily; his daughters, Debra Jo McDaniel of Crystal Beach, Fla., and Donna Postma of Aiken, S.C.; his son, Alan Lee (Lisa) Jones of Newton, Kan. Also surviving is his grandson, Tony Smitherman of Morristown, Tenn.; two granddaughters, Kyra Postma of Aiken, and Leigh M. Jones of Newton. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Nancy (Nan) Jones of Bellevue; his sister, Betty Lou (Roger) Bishop of Ewing; three stepsons and their families; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his daughter, Denise Ann (Jones) Ratliff.

Services were held at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, Mo. on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, with burial to follow at Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery near Benbow. The cemetery adjoins the centennial farm, from his maternal family, which he has resided on the past several years.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Bellevue Fire Department.

The family is being served by Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel.