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Funeral Services:

Dixie Lou Battin, 74, of Charlotte, a fun-loving grandma extraordinaire, died peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, August 25, 2024, in Lansing. Dixie was born May 28, 1950, in Lansing, the daughter of Ronald and Barbara (Cotton) Best. She graduated from Mason High School in 1968 before going to work for the City of Lansing, retiring as Chief Assistant City Clerk after 27 years. She then worked a few years at Pray Funeral Home before going back to municipal service as clerk at the City of Grand Ledge.

Many will remember Dixie for her deceptively innocent demeanor, concealing her fun-loving “devilish side.” She was fun to be with, especially on the golf course. Dixie was proud to have made a hole-in-one at Iron Horse, a feat that was commemorated in the newspaper. By far the greatest joy of Dixie’s life was her grandchildren. She adored them, and they simply worshiped her – forming what was lovingly called the “grandma cult.”

Dixie is survived by her daughters, Laura Craven and Lisa Pangburn; five grandchildren: Allison, Taylor and Jeremy Pangburn, William and Jordyn Craven; mother, Barbara Best; siblings, Darrell (MaryAnn) Best, Joanne Lose, Teresa McClean, Jeff (Cindy) Best, and Tim Best; and several nieces, nephews and extended family. She was predeceased by her father, Ronald Best and her husband, Howard Battin.

Friends are encouraged to support Dixie’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Thursday, August 29, 6-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were held Friday, August 30, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Dixie’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Head for the Cure. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.

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Funeral Services:

Steven Robert Dane, 34 of Battle Creek, died unexpectedly August 25, 2024. Steven was born January 9, 1990, in Lansing to Robert and Carol (Summer) Dane, and was a 2008 graduate of Charlotte High School. A strong-willed guy, Steven also loved to joke around. He was very close with his family, enjoying many family activities together. He also loved animals, music, gaming, travel (especially to historic sites and museums), and collecting knives. Steven was a dedicated worker at GM on the assembly line.
Steven is survived by his mother, Carol Dane; sister, Jessica (Eric) Hollister; and nephews, Carson and Adam Hollister. He was predeceased by his father, Robert Dane; brother, Greg Dane; and grandparents, Pat and Carroll Dane, and Arthur and Julia Summer.

Friends are encouraged to support Steven’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Wednesday, September 4, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon with funeral services immediately following at 12 noon at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Pawsibilities Rescue. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.

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Funeral Services:

Don Eaton passed away on August 13, 2024. The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 3, at the Covered Bridge Farm County Park, 56705 Covered Bridge Road, Three Rivers, MI 49093. Funeral services celebrating the life of Don Eaton will also be at the Covered Bridge Farm County Park Wednesday, September 4 at 4 p.m. with a Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Memorial Ritual at the conclusion of the service. A reception will follow funeral services at the Sturgis Elks Lodge #1381 on September 4, 66200 Grey Lake Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091.

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Funeral Services:

On August 19, 2024, with his loving wife at his side, Larry L. Sevitts “The kid from Morenci,” lost a long battle with cancer. Larry had a long and full life, he was born August 6, 1937, in Morenci to Leroy and Anne (Meyers) Sevitts. After serving in the Navy, Larry attended Adrian College where he met his lifelong love, Susan. They had three children together. Earning his master’s degree in education, Larry went on to become a school principal. His career in education went from Flint to Albion, and finally Charlotte where he eventually opened the Sport Center to enjoy his true passion, golf, and he retired from this business in 1999. Most golfers are lucky to get one hole-in-one in a lifetime, Larry had five!

Larry is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years, Susan; children, Michael Sevitts, Lynn Hicks, and Sheryl Haahr; grandchildren, Sydney Hamilton, Saydie (Bryan) Hogeland, Karlie Hicks (Chase Metts), and Adrian Sevitts; great-grandchildren, Kalub Hamilton, Piper Hogeland, and Henry “Hank” Hogeland; sisters, Marcia Reardon and Sandy Miller; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers, LeRoy, Johnny, Kenneth, and Rick Sevitts; and sisters, Joanne Beard, and Sharon Strong.

Friends are encouraged to support Larry’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Wednesday, August 28, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home Gardens in Charlotte. Family Affirmation Services will follow at 1:00 p.m. on August 28 in the Pray Funeral Home Gardens with Judge Paul Berger and Owen Whitkopf officiating. The service will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Larry’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to either the Charlotte High School Hall of Fame, or St Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.

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Funeral Services:

Halle Ann Vaive, a passionate, matter-of-fact woman, who always expressed her love for loved ones, died on Friday, August 16, 2024. Halle, 72, was born on August 5, 1952, in Lansing, the daughter of Earl and Evelyn (Williams) Vaive. After graduation she continued her education earning her associate’s in arts degree and later on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Halle worked at Bronson Hospital as the IT Manager for Help Desk Services. Halle was a master sewer and arts and crafts enthusiast. She enjoyed cross stitch, making homemade cards and jewelry. She was a very hands-on mother who loved family summer trips on Lake Michigan, and traveling for Jason’s BMX racing, who she was most proud of. She also loved her cats, her Coke, and being on the beach.

Halle is survived by her son, Jason (Shelly) Bates; grandchildren, Grace (Austin), Kathryn (Brendin), Justin, and Zachery; and siblings, Guy (Vickie) Vaive, Steve (Mary) Vaive, and Gary (Kathy) Vaive; and best friend Kay Mundt. She was predeceased by her parents, and brother, Christopher.

Friends are encouraged to support Halle’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Celebration of Life take place at a later date. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.

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Funeral Services:

June F. Johncock, age 90, was called home to Jesus on August 16, 2024, from her home in Olivet, Michigan. She was born to Fred and Laura (Blausey) Kunkel, September 11, 1933, in Shelbyville, Michigan. The family moved to a larger farm in Eaton Rapids in 1943 to raise onions. After graduating, she married Robert Johncock on December 31, 1952, after the New Year’s Eve church service at First Lutheran Church, in Charlotte, Michigan.

June and Robert raised their children on a farm, in Olivet. June became a secretary for the Olivet Community School Superintendent. She attended KCC and Western Michigan University to become a teacher. June taught 21 years at Bellevue Elementary School. After retiring, she helped homeschool her grandchildren.

June was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church. Faith was very important to June, and she was involved in Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and was also a Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed attending Bible studies and reading her devotionals. June also loved to travel with her family, and they visited all over the United States, including Alaska, Maine, Texas, and Florida. She had also traveled to Germany and Jerusalem.

June is survived by her children Susan (David) Moody of Olivet, Michigan and Steven (Diane) Johncock of Frostproof, Florida and Bellevue, Michigan; grandchildren Elizabeth Moody, Jonathan Moody, Nathan Moody, Joseph Moody, and Nehemiah Moody; great-grandchildren Isabelle Moody, Tobias Moody, and Juniper Moody.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert; siblings Alfred Wittman, Lao Kunkel, Eleanor Vasques, Louisa Nail, Mae Getter, Dale Kunkel, and Ronald Kunkel; and her parents.

June is at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services where visitation took place on Friday, August 23, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will take place at Zion Lutheran Church on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Anthony Voltattorni officiating. June will be laid to rest at Rose Hill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids, Michigan

For memorial donation, please consider Zion Lutheran Church.

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Funeral Services:

Rev. Arthur Robert Salisbury, a loyal husband and father lived his life as his testimony to Christ. He passed peacefully at home in Idaho on Thursday, August 15, 2024. Arthur moved to Idaho to be near his children and grandchildren after his loving wife, Norma Salisbury passed in August of 2021. He wasborn in Lapeer, Michigan on February 27, 1932, to Hilda and Elmer Salisbury. He grew up and attended school in the rural area of Lapeer, that is where he met his future bride Norma, and they married on August 11, 1951.

Arthur was always helping the people around him and abroad, including many trips to different countries and mission fields. He was involved in the community, as a minister, on the School Board, Eaton County Sheriff Chaplin, as well as instrumental in the creation and operation of the first Eaton County Drug Counseling Center.

He loved construction work, during his time as pastor of the Charlotte Church of the Nazarene, with the help of the men in the congregation, the sanctuary was completely remodeled, and the basement was dug out by hand with a chapel and classrooms added. He also loved masonry work, building many split stone, marble, and sandstone fireplaces over the years.

Arthur is survived by his children, son, Arvid (Katie) Salisbury, and daughter, Arla (Lee) Barnhill; five grandchildren, Jenica Lawrence, Astin Salisbury, Brock Salisbury, Cody Barnhill, and MaLeesha Wilmoth; and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Elaine Salisbury and his parents.

Friends are encouraged to support Arthur’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Friday, August 23, 2024, from 7– 9:00 p.m., at Pray Funeral Home. Funeral services are Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 1 p.m. at New Faith Church of the Nazarene in Charlotte with Pastor Tom Surdenik officiating. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Arthur’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Horizon Home Care Hospice of Meridian, Idaho. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.

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Funeral Services:

Edna Marie (Snider) Schumacher, an avid reader and very knowledgeable, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister, died on Friday, August 16, 2024, in Hale, MI. Edna, 85, of Charlotte was born on January 17, 1939, in Salem, West Virginia, the daughter of Arnold and Mabel (Swiger) Snider. Being one of 13 children, her older brother challenged her that if she did well in school, he would help her with college. Edna excelled in school and was the Reader High School Salutatorian which earned her a scholarship to Marshall University. She later earned her master’s from Western Michigan University. On September 26, 1962, she married William “Lee” Schumacher, and together they started a family and created many lasting memories.

Edna was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte. She was the school librarian for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School from 1993-2003 after being a high school librarian for the public schools for 35 years. Most of her career was spent at Olivet High School, where she also taught English; the students nicknamed her “Mrs. Kotter.” Edna and Lee spent their summers on Long Lake in Hale, MI at the family cabin. Once she retired, they moved to the family cabin on Long Lake. Other hobbies that she enjoyed included thrifting, garage sales, watching history shows, Johnny Carson Late Night TV, traveling around the US, bird watching, cooking, and most importantly having visitors and spending time with her family.

Edna is survived by her husband, Lee; children John Schumacher, Tama (Fred Wieting IV) Boucher, and Shyla Tailor; grandchildren, Jessica (Greg) Adamczyk, Julie (Jason) Baker, Rhiana Tailor and India Tailor; great-grandchildren, Cole, Emma, Jameson, Carson; siblings, Mary Snider, Trixie J. Robinson, and Shirley Thorne; and several extended family members. She was predeceased by her parents, and several siblings.

Friends are encouraged to support Edna’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were Friday, August 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Visitation was held just prior to the service at the church from 10-11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Edna’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Charlotte Community Library. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.

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Funeral Services:

Robert Ronald West, age: 75, from Charlotte, Michigan passed away on August 15, 2024. A service was held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Inc.

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Funeral Services:

Rozena “Rose” Kathleen Tennant, a proud mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, died just shy of her 80th birthday on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Rose, 79, of Eaton Rapids, was born on July 29, 1944, in Stockbridge the daughter of Harry and Helen (Lutz) Hoffman. In 1971 Rose married Ernest David Tennant and together they created many lasting memories until his passing in 2022. Others knew Rose for her hospitality, she loved cooking and baking and giving her treats to others around the neighborhood. Rose turned back to her German Heritage every Christmas and made the best German Christmas cookies. She kept a very neat and tidy home extending to her flowerbeds, as there were never weeds to be found. Family meant the world to Rose. As a family there were the trips around the country, camping trips, supporting her boys with scouts, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rose is survived by her son, Troy Tennant; stepson, Kyle (LeAnn) Tennant; grandchildren, Alexis (Russell) Pliley, Ryan (Maisie) Tennant, Stephan Tennant, and Connor Tennant; five great-grandchildren; brother, Clifford (Christine) Hoffman; and dear friend, Sally Boehlke. She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Ernest; son, Tim Tennant; sister, Mary Kill; and her parents.

Friends are encouraged to support Rozena’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Saturday, July 20, 2024, 10-11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with a funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Todd McLane officiating. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Rose’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smartphone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Oaklawn Hospice or the Faith Assembly of God. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.