Obituaries
Dawn Rose Stanley
Dawn Rose (Lettimore) Stanley, age 51, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Savior on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. She was born on September 11, 1973, in Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of Walter and Vicky Lynn (Morse) Lettimore. Dawn graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of 1992. In April of 2006, she married Chad Stanley in Eaton Rapids. Dawn loved her family and cherished spending time together with them. Her personality could be described as sweet, caring, kind, and sometimes bossy. Dawn looked forward to their yearly family camping trip where they enjoyed fishing and special time spent together. She faced life’s difficulties with a strong courageous spirit and always did her best to be bright and uplifting to those around her.
Dawn is survived by her husband, Chad; son Hunter Stanley; father, Walter Lettimore; sisters, Victoria Lettimore and Shannon Lettimore; and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Vicky Lettimore; and her son, Earl Long IV in 2022.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. Burial took place place at Gunnisonville Cemetery in DeWitt Township.
Those desiring may make contributions in Dawn’s memory to Ele’s Place, 1145 W. Oakland Ave., Lansing, MI 48915.
To view Dawn’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 Olmstead
Michael “Mike” Olmstead of Bellevue, age 74, passed on from this world on June 18, 2025. He was born to Rex Edward and Ardeth Olmstead on April 12, 1951. He grew up in Bellevue and graduated from Bellevue High School. Mike then entered a 36 year career at Post Cereal and while at Post, attended KCC, finishing an apprenticeship in machine repair and retired at the age of 55 as a mill-right. He served in the Reserves with an Honorable discharge in 1977.
Mike is survived by his wife, Nancy (Butler) Olmstead of nearly 53 years of marriage; sons, Kory (Jen) Olmstead of Sherwood, Kyle (Teresa May) Olmstead of Maine; grand-children, Kenyon and Kiara Olmstead of Portage, Ava Hammond and Ayden Olmstead of Sherwood, Josephine and Eleanor Olmstead of Maine; brothers, Randy (Becky) Olmstead of Battle Creek, Tim (Karen) of Florida; sister-in-law Susan Stibitz of East Lansing; along with numerous nieces and nephews and made long life-long friends here in Michigan and Florida.
Mike thoroughly enjoyed sports through his life. Playing softball into his 40’s, basketball, bowling and golfing into his retired years. He especially loved watching his grandson, Ayden, play baseball and basketball games. He was and always will be, his biggest fan. He loved nature, especially his very active backyard. He loved gardening and his love of dogs in which he has handed down to both of his sons. But most importantly, he has instilled the importance of family.
Mike was a snowbird for many years, making great friends all over the states and Canada. He was a member of BC Chapter Local 374, Retirees and the PNA Club. But his love of his family was his top priority. He loved his weekends hanging out with Kory’s family at the lake and he loved his yearly travels to Maine to see his son, Kyle’s family. Having sons, he never missed their sporting activities. He instilled in them as much knowledge as he could about cars and how to take care of them. He was always just a phone call away to answer any questions they had and how to help them fix anything.
Mike spent the last month of his life at home with the help of Centrica Care Navigators (Hospice) and family. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side. Our family will be forever grateful to all his nurses and health aides and the staff at Centrica for making it possible for our family to make many more memories and for the amazing care he received.
As per his request, cremation has taken place and if one wishes memorials may be made
to: Bellevue Fire Department, 115 E. Jackson St., Bellevue, MI 49021 or Centrica Care Navigators, 7100 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo, MI 49009.
Marian Elizabeth Zeis
Marian Elizabeth (Gelow) “Ducky” Zeis passed away on June 28, 2025, at the age of 88. Born December 9, 1936, to Harold and Marian Gelow. Marian lived in Durand, Charlotte, Lansing and at her family cottage in Greenville. She graduated from Sexton High School in 1954 and worked for the State of Michigan for 37 years.
Marian is survived by her daughters, Deborah Zeis (Judy Tegreeny) and Theresa Thomas; grandson, Levi G. Thomas; and special friend, Julia Freije. Preceding her in death were her parents, Harold and Marian Gelow; sister, Mary Johnson; granddaughters, Vanessa, Ginger, and Erika Hicks; and former husband, Robert D. Zeis.
Family was everything to Marian. She loved her daughters, saying they were “the best part of her life”, along with her grandchildren. She was always sharing stories about them to anyone who would listen.
In 1953, her parents purchased a cottage on Half Mile Lake in Gowen, MI. This was Marian’s “Happy Place”, where she was known as “Ducky” (her family nickname). After retiring, Ducky spent 23 summers at the lake, cherishing every moment, whether it was enjoying family and friends, riding around the lake on the pontoon or entertaining her grandchildren.
The funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw St., Lansing. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Ele’s Place. Online condolences may be left for her family at www.EstesLeadley.com.
Kolean England
Kolean England, 78, of Homer, passed away on June 12, 2025 at Centrica Rose Arbor Place in Kalamazoo, MI. She was born on November 23, 1946 to William “Bill” England Sr. and Emma Jean (Allen) England in Hanover, MI. She received an Associates of Applied Science specializing in tool and die from Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1986 and graduated from Olivet Michigan High School. She was a trailblazer for women in her trade. Kolean started out at Eaton Manufacturing for five years and served as a Sunday School teacher in her earlier years at Grace Freewill Baptist Church. She retired from the manufacturing industry and American Axel (previously Simpson Industries) after 35 years. She took great pride in her home landscaping, gardening, pets, and taking her grandkids on vacation trips as much as possible.
Kolean is survived by her sister, Pamela L. (Pat) Kibbler; daughter, Darla Jean Woodman; son, Alan John Woodman; grandchildren: Adrianna (Tray) Davis, Jeremiah (Erika) Hutchison, Benjamin Mathew Woodman, Acacia Bree Harris; and great-grandchildren: Tracy Jr., Raidyn, Sydney, Raphael, Ariella, Layla and Baby River. God Bless Everyone with being Saved and Baptized.
She was preceded in death by her parents Emma England, William “Bill” England Senior and their son William “Bill” England Junior; brothers, Delmar, Jacob, and Copas “John” England; sister, Jean Passmore; former husband, Jackie Allen Woodman; and son, Brian M. Woodman.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., with a service following at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy. 27 N., Marshall, MI 49068.
Burial will take place in the West Clarendon Cemetery, following the service. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Kolean’s name may do so to the Humane Society of West Michigan or John Hagee Ministries, 239 N. Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX 78232. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook, to share memories and pictures with the family.
James Claire Kingsley
James Claire Kingsley, 86, of Springport, Michigan, passed away at home on June 28, 2025. He was born on December 28, 1938, to Elma and Ralph Kingsley in New Harmony, Indiana. Jim grew up in Saranac, Michigan, graduating in 1956 as class president and was active in the FFA. He attended Michigan State University, earning a DVM in 1962. After graduation, he married Judy (Witt) and enlisted in the army, being stationed at Fort Detrick for two years. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain.
Returning to Michigan in 1964, he practiced veterinary medicine in Eaton Rapids for several years until purchasing a farm in Springport. He changed careers to become a teacher and taught at Leslie Schools. Jim enjoyed farming, camping, canoeing, woodworking, and supporting his children’s school, sports, and 4H activities. He attended Springport sporting events until his health no longer allowed.
Jim is survived by his spouse, Judy; his children: Jennifer (Doug) Rainey of Newaygo, Jeff (Gabby) Kingsley of Eaton Rapids, and Joanna Kingsley of Charlotte; and his grandchildren: Hannah Rainey, Selena Kingsley, and Sofi Kingsley.
A visitation will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025, from 4 – 7 p.m. at Vickers Springport Funeral Home located at 121 Pearl Street in Springport, Michigan. A private burial will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, P.O. Box 235, Springport, MI 49284. 517-857-4848.