Obituaries
Ruth Ann Todd
Ruth Ann Todd, a woman that impacted so many lives, died on Saturday, January 20, 2024. Ruth, 79, of Charlotte, was born on February 7, 1944, in Lansing, the daughter of Robert and Helen (Frith) Todd. Even with her impairments her parents made sure that she lived a normal life. Ruth traveled with her parents around the country. She was also very knowledgeable when it came to trivia; she loved watching Jeopardy, game shows, word searches and crossword puzzles. Ruth had the ability to make strong connections with anyone she crossed paths with. She always made sure to tell you that she loved you. Ruth was very strong in spirit, she enjoyed attending church at the Charlotte Church of Christ, and most recently cherished times when Chaplains would visit her. Above all her biggest passion was her family.
Ruth is survived by her brother, Richard (Louise) Todd; nephews, Rick (Cindy) Todd, Rodney (Robyn) Todd, and Mark (Alisha) Todd; niece, Teresa (Roderick) Reidsma; six great-nephews and nieces; and countless lifelong friends. She was predeceased by her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Ruth’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 12 Noon, with a funeral service to follow at 12:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor John Bailey 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 Ruth’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 Crosswalk Teen Center. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
James Ross Kinnaird
James Ross Kinnaird passed away on January 11, 2024 at home in Eaton Rapids, MI following a long battle with cancer and heart disease. Jim was born on December 5, 1951, in Danville, KY to Mildred Martin McCain Kinnaird and Barrington West Kinnaird. He grew up in Waynesboro, VA. As a teenager, he attended Darlington School in Rome, GA where his grandfather, James Ross McCain, served as the founding headmaster from 1905 to 1915. Jim, who bore his grandfather’s name, strove always to honor his grandfather – a man who loved education, the Lord, and service.
Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Emory and Henry College and his master’s degree in labor relations from Michigan State University. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1976 where he served as a paymaster and in the supply corps. Following separation from the Navy, he continued to work in the Naval Reserves, retiring after 20 years with the rank of Commander.
Jim was employed as a Personnel Analyst for the City of Lansing in the Human Resources Department. Living on the Grand River at the time, and his office being situated near the river, Jim took pleasure in occasionally paddling a canoe to work where he would casually enter the workplace with a dripping paddle over his shoulder.
Jim loved water and being near it. His “happy place” was his family’s cottage in Virginia where he enjoyed swimming and boating. Three of the homes he owned during his lifetime had water frontage, and in his many travels, he always sought out bodies of water where he could take a boat trip.
Jim enjoyed both domestic and foreign travel. He visited 27 different countries and was excited about each one. A planned trip to Greece and Crete was canceled due to his final illness, but he undoubtedly made a quick detour there before heading to his Heavenly destination. He trekked the Camino de Santiago – the oldest pilgrimage route across Europe to Santiago de Compostela in Spain – three times.
Jim served others quietly and unobtrusively. He participated in building the first two Habitat for Humanity homes in the Lansing area. He was a 5-gallon blood donor to the American Red Cross and volunteered with them as a responder for national emergencies. He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 701 and served on their color guard recognizing and honoring military veterans who had passed on.
Jim joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while in the US Navy. He was taught the gospel by shipmates on the USS Eisenhower where the roar of launching and returning aircraft on the flight deck often interrupted Sunday services. He had a deep faith in his Savior Jesus Christ and served faithfully in different Church responsibilities. He married his sweetheart Lisa for time and eternity in the Washington, DC Temple of the Church and they enjoyed 41 years of married life on Earth together.
Jim will be dearly missed by his wife, Elisabeth (Lisa) Gottlieb-Kinnaird; his siblings, Barrington (Barry) West Kinnaird, Jr. (Jude), Mary Scott Kinnaird Miller (Bob) and Elizabeth (Bett) Isabel Kinnaird Verbeek (Tony); nephews and nieces; special cousin, Marvine Howe; and special friend, Eric Moore.
A memorial service is planned for later in the year. Jim will be buried in Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI. If you wish to honor Jim, please consider a donation to the Volunteers of America or the American Pilgrims on the Camino.
The family is being served by Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, MI.
Kelley Lee Place
Kelley Lee Place, 54, of Bellevue, passed away on January 10, 2024, at his home in Bellevue.
He was born on November 22, 1969, to Robert and Janice (Masters) Place in Battle Creek, MI. Kelley worked as a machinist for Air-Way Manufacturing, he really enjoyed working there. On September 20, 1996 he married Mary Wiggins in Battle Creek. Kelley loved spending time with his family and liked to tease his daughters-in-law. He would add lyrics and make up lyrics to songs he would listen to. Kelley cared about his friends no matter what, he will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.
Kelley is survived by his loving wife, Mary; children, Jake (Danek) Hannah of Bellevue, Jeremy (Sara) Place of Bellevue; sisters, Kim (Mike) Music, Karla (Greg) Canfield, Karen (Matt) Thorne, brothers, Kyle (Sandy) Place, Kent (Sherri) Place all of Bellevue; sisters-in-law, Lorri Place of Bellevue; brothers-in-law, David (Brook) Wiggins, Katie (Lynn) Burke, Jennifer (Matt) Selwa; mother-in-law, Eva (David) Dintamin; and father-in-law, David Wiggins; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Janice Lee Place and brother, Kalen Place.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. Cremation has taken place.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in memory of Kelley may do so to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Shriners Hospital for children.
Arrangements are by Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 2838 Capital Avenue SW, Battle Creek 49015. For further information contact Kempf’s of Bellevue at 269-763-9511.
To view the obituary and sign the online guestbook or leave the family condolences please visit: https://www.kempffuneralhome.com.
Ken Lacy
Ken Lacy enjoyed 94 years on this earth and he is much loved by his family and friends. He passed away into the loving arms of his Savior on Saturday, January 13, 2024.
He was born September 6, 1929, the son of Curtis and Ruth Lacy and grew up in Roessleville, NY, with his sister Carolyn. He had a serious intestinal illness at age four and was a semi-invalid for three and half years but fully recovered. He helped his father build a house and develop his father’s real estate project on Lacy Lane before he headed off to Cornell University to earn a degree in agriculture. He was an Ag Agent for the New York State Agricultural Extension Service in Otsego County, NY for three years, where he met Betty, fell in love, married her, and adopted Debra. He then went to McCormick Seminary in Chicago and earned a Bachelor’s of Divinity degree in Theology. He pastored First Presbyterian Church of Brighton, IL for ten years, and was an Associate Pastor of Apostle Presbyterian Church of West Allis, WI for seven years.
In both churches he implemented dynamic programs that explained the Bible in visual and memorable ways – The Bethel Series for adults, and his own creations: an after-school program for school-aged kids he called Youth Club, and a teen program that used Young Life concepts called The Alley Door.
In 1976, he was baptized in the Holy Spirit, and then pastored several small nondenominational churches in Wisconsin and Michigan. His ministry had a focus on healing and deliverance. In retirement, he wrote about his spiritual journey in a self-published book called Walk With Me and he wrote two Bible study courses for children, Old Testament Overview and New Testament Overview, and gave them away for free.
He was community-minded: during the 60’s civil rights movement he walked with Martin Luther King, Jr. In the early 70’s he led teen groups to help do restoration projects in Milwaukee’s inner city and welcomed Vietnamese immigrants. In the late 70’s and 80’s he created a close-knit community of Christians that lived near to each other, as well as welcoming several people to live with his family for long periods of time.
His family fondly remembers him for his engaging stories and sense of humor. He took his family on epic vacations on a shoestring budget, and though they didn’t love reading every historic marker he could find nor the leaky tents used for camping, those vacations made for fond memories of rafting and body surfing rivers, riding waves on so many beaches, rail trail biking, hiking mountains, and visiting family in upstate New York. When his children were adults, he and Betty orchestrated weeklong family reunions either at the beach or in the mountains that were vital to keeping everyone in touch. Ken always believed God would supply all his needs and that worked out to be true. He was never wealthy but never was in need and he lived a rich life.
Ken was an avid jogger, then walker, all his adult life, and loved history and adventurous excursions, including hiking up Colorado mountains. His daily walk with the Lord was his greatest passion and focus.
He and his beloved late wife, Betty, raised four children, Debra Chicorelli (Bill Sellinger), Robert Lacy, Miriam (John) Woods, and Marsha (Domingo) Gallardo and he has ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Lacy, and granddaughter, Heidi Ruth Woods.
Funeral services were held on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 12 p.m. at Mt. Hope Church, 202 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917 with Pastor Joe Mead officiating. A private burial will take place at the Benton Township Cemetery.
To view Ken’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.
Michael Duane Harris
Michael Duane Harris, 79, of Charlotte, a loving father, grandfather, and brother, died peacefully on Monday, January 15, 2024. Michael was born May 2, 1944 in Charlotte, the son of Donald “Bucky” and Betty (Isbell) Harris. He graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1962 before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force and proudly serving two years during the Vietnam War. Upon his return, he went to work as a lineman for Michigan Bell Telephone Company (later ATT). Throughout his career, he worked in several capacities, including cable splicer and construction supervisor, until his retirement. Michael married the love of his life, Mary Clarice Stephens on February 21, 1970, and the two enjoyed 49 years of marriage. Michael was a proud member of the American Legion and the 40 and 8 Club. He especially loved time spent at the family cottage on Higgins Lake, where he enjoyed fishing, gardening, woodworking, and time spent with his grandchildren. His family was everything to Michael, and he devoted his entire life to working hard to support them. He and Mary were members of Peace Lutheran Church in Charlotte.
Michael is survived by his son, Michael (Lauria) Harris of Trenton, MI; daughter, Mary (Trevar Hogan) Harris of Marshall, MI; granddaughters, Alice Harris and Brooke Hogan; sister, Nancy Cherry; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary, in 2019; and his sisters, Katheryn Davidson and Donna Oliver-Johnson.
Friends are encouraged to support Michael’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation will be from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 22, 2024 at Pray Funeral Home with Laura Cooper officiating. Interment will take place in Deepdale Memorial Gardens in Lansing. 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 Michael’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 Peace Lutheran Church in Charlotte. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.