Obituaries
Charles Owen Klaiss
Charles Owen “Charlie” Klaiss, our fearless leader, age 85, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. He was born March 7, 1939, in Charlotte the son of Donald Owen and Ila Leona (Shumaker) Klaiss. Charlie was a man of many talents and the life of the party. He was always ready with a joke to lighten up any situation. Charlie started his career working as an electrician with his father and later started his own stage lighting business traveling throughout the world setting up concert lighting. He worked as Loretta Lynn’s production manager for many years and loved working together with her phenomenal team. Charlie especially loved the USO tours overseas. In his younger years, Charlie, loved the cowboy lifestyle. He rode bulls, roped, owned and trained horses, and could crack a bull whip like no other. Charlie was an active member of the Charlotte Fire Department his entire life and an ardent supporter of the Christmas Kiddies program. Charlie enjoyed life to the fullest and will always be remembered as a loving and devoted father and grandfather.
Charlie is survived by his children, Lee Harvey of Inverness, Florida, Brian Sheldon of Winder, Georgia, Kelly Wadsworth of Charlotte; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and brother, Neil Klaiss.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joyce Elaine Klaiss; grandson, Adam Sheldon; and sister-in-law, Leila Klaiss.
A celebration of Charlie’s life was held on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 12 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday prior to the service.
Those desiring may make contributions in Charlie’s memory to the Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department, 111 E. Lawrence Ave., Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Charlie’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Christine Ann Sumner
Christine “Chris” Ann Sumner, a woman that everyone adored, died on Monday, August 26, 2024. Chris 62, formerly of Potterville, was born on October 11, 1961, in St. Johns, the daughter of Dean Orweller and Betty Jean (Darling) Mays. She proudly served in the Army National Guard. On September 17, 1983, she married Brian Sumner and together they began their family until his passing in 1998. Over the years since his passing Chris was so proud of the way she raised her children and the support that her family gave her. Chris worked as a Para-Professional for Potterville Schools for 19 years. She was adored by the children and many she treated like her own grandchildren. Following her retirement in 2016 she moved up to Higgins Lake. During retirement she began working for Dean Transportation where she worked to this day. Hobbies that Chris enjoyed were traveling, especially trips to Sault Ste. Marie, playing boards games and cards, doing jigsaw puzzles, and afterwards gluing them together to hang on the wall, and above all being with her family that she adored. Many will remember Chris for always cracking a joke, helping others, and never complaining.
Chris is survived by her children, Brian (Iris) Sumner II, Amandajean Sumner, and Chelsey (Josh) Evans; nine grandchildren, Arianna, Teighan, Easton, Braxton, Karla, Emmett, Mario, Ian, and Bernardo; and several that she has claimed as her own; siblings, Dean (Jane Peterson) Orweller, Stuart Kalbrofsky, Arlan Orweller, Kevin (Lori) Orweller, Troy Orweller, and Allison Teves; brother-in-law, Mike (Aurora) Sumner; sister-in-law, Jayne Anderson; many nieces and nephews; dear friends, Sharon, and Sharon. She was predeceased by her husband, Brian; parents; mother and father-in-law, Bernard and Shirley Sumner; and step-dad, Charles Mays.
Friends are encouraged to support Chris’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Laura Cooper officiating. Visitation will be held just prior to the service from noon until 2:00 p.m. 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 Chris’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 National Kidney Foundation. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Helen Irene Bishop
Helen Irene Bishop of Eaton Rapids, passed away peacefully at home August 26, 2024, at the age of 84. Helen was born in Holt, MI, April 4, 1940, the daughter of Harry and Martha (Waite) Elliot. She was a 1958 graduate of Mason High School, was a former member of the Michigan Bicentennial Wagon Train, and bred and raised Arabian horses. Helen worked at Quality Dairy for eight years and Harry Cards Meat Market for 10 years. She enjoyed getting lost in her beautiful flower gardens and was a member of the Waverly Church of the Nazarene.
Helen is survived by her son, Robert (Denise) Bishop; grandchildren, Miranda, Matthew and Michelle; eight great grandchildren; brothers-in-law, George “Butch” Bishop and Jeff Bishop. She was preceded in death by her parents and Husband, Richard Bishop.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Friday August 30, 2024, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, 518 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place in Maple Grove Cemetery in Mason. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave, Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601. To leave condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Vincent Jordache Davis
Vincent Jordache Davis, 22 months old, passed away Monday, August 12, 2024. He was the son of Pierson Jordache Davis and Karloina Marie Davis of Eaton Rapids.
Vincent was a joyful little boy who touched the lives of everyone around him, and was the beloved little brother of Jack Virgil Davis, four years old.
He will be missed greatly by his parents and his uncles, Sterling Davis and Paris Davis, both of Eaton Rapids. He will also be very much missed by his grandma, Terri Davis of Eaton Rapids; grandparents, Don and Angela Baranski of Bellevue; and his great-grandma, Joanne Barr of Fraser.
The family would like to thank Skinner Funeral Home of Eaton Rapids for the care given during this time.
A private memorial service will be held by his family at a later date.
Harry F. Stanton
Harry F. Stanton, age 90, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Sunday, August 25, 2024. Harry was born in rural Bellevue on July 13, 1934, the son of Asa and Alfaretta (Dingman) Stanton. Harry graduated from Charlotte High School with the Class of 1953. On June 26, 1954, he married Dorene Adeline Carey at the First Congregational Church in Charlotte. Harry worked as the manager at Eaton Farm Bureau for over 30 years. In his spare-time he enjoyed working in his garden, canning his special salsa and other produce, playing golf, and spending time with family. Harry was an active golfer and member of the Charlotte Country Club for over 40 years. He had three hole-in-ones over the years. Harry and Dorene enjoyed spending their winters in Florida but were always sure to be home to spend Christmas with their precious family.
Harry is survived by his daughter, Diane (Steven) Sowle of Charlotte; son, Chris (Cindy) Stanton of Charlotte; seven grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 68 years, Dorene; nine siblings, Dorothy, Ruthe, Claire, Katherine, Josephine, W.J. “Bill”, James, Clara, and Ernest.
In keeping with Harry’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Harry’s memory to the charity of your choosing.
To view Harry’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.