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Raymond Harold Black


Raymond Harold Black, age 78, of Charlotte, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. He was born February 9, 1945, in Rolla, Missouri, the son of Raymond and Zola (Bartlett) Black. When Ray was young the family moved to Charlotte. He graduated from Charlotte High School with the Class of 1963. He was looking forward to celebrating his 60th class reunion this year. On May 25, 1968, Ray married Joy Ilene Woodhams at First Baptist Church in Charlotte. Their wedding was the first held in the new sanctuary. Ray loved his Savior and served him with his whole heart and soul. He served in the church for 55 years, taught Sunday school, served as deacon, elder, and worked with the children’s ministry, all at First Baptist Church. He had a special place in his heart for all children and loved to show Christ’s love to them. He was a truly humble servant of the Lord and will be missed by his family and countless friends.

Ray is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joy; children: Ilene Beth (Jeffrey) Croll of Farmland, IN and Benjamin Ray (Tara) Black of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren: Kelsey (Nick) Urista of Allen Park, MI; Spencer Croll of Muncie, IN; Teegan Croll of Muncie, IN; Lolly Croll of Farmland, IN; Rhiannon Black of St. Paul, MN; James Harns of Charlotte; Jasmine Harns of Charlotte; great-grandchildren: Armani Urista and Ellawynn Urista; and sister, Grace (Dave) Smith.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 12 p.m. at First Baptist Church with Pastor Pete Kroll officiating. The family received friends at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Those desiring may make contributions in Ray’s memory to First Baptist Church Children’s Ministry, 1110 S. Cochran Ave., Charlotte, MI 48813.

To view Ray’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.

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James Taylor Holberg


James Taylor Holberg of Eaton Rapids, MI peacefully passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, at the age of 65. Born on September 11, 1957, in Lansing, MI, the son of Robert and Abbie (Taylor) Holberg.

Jim was raised in Lansing, MI and graduated from Lansing Eastern in the class of 1975. He immediately began his career at the Lansing State Journal. Later, in 1985, he ventured into commercial lighting and started Brite Lite Maintenance which he managed until 2020. Starting at a young age, one of Jim’s great joys in life was classic cars. He poured countless hours into the pursuit of locating, repairing, and restoring old vehicles, all of which eventually found new homes and owners that cherished them as much as he did. During the last few years, he felt called by God to spend his time rebuilding a church on the South Side of Chicago and made frequent trips to lend a charitable hand.

He is preceded in death by his parents and son, Michael Holberg. Jim is survived by his two sons, Joseph (Jessica) Holberg of Oak Park, IL and Rob Holberg of Holt. He also leaves behind his grandson, John R. Holberg; three brothers, Rex Holberg, Robert (Donna) Holberg, and John Holberg; two sisters, Joann Menke and Dr. Diana (Rob) Gordick and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Friday, July 28 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. at his brother Robert’s house. All are welcome to attend. For the address, please reach out to Joseph Holberg or Robert Holberg. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the church Jim was working on to the end: New Christian Love via Reverend James H Weston at 6228 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60637. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.

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Jonathan James Hill


Jonathan James Hill, age 72, of Gowen, passed away Sunday, July 16, 2023 with his family at his side under the care of Promedica Hospice. He was born February 25, 1951, in Lansing, the son of Richard B. and Doris L. (Hershiser) Hill. He was an electrical / building inspector as well as owner of F & J Construction. He loved the great outdoors hunting and fishing. While he currently attended Calvary Baptist Church of Greenville he was previously an Elder at First Baptist Church of Eaton Rapids.

Jonathan is survived by his wife, Frances; sons, Matthew (Debra) Hill of Greenville and Joshua (Julia) Hill of Eaton Rapids; 15 grandchildren: Haven Grace Hill, Ella Jo Hill, Caleb Michael Hill, Mikayla Ann Hill, Rebekah Jane Hill, Huntur Jaye Hill, Nicole Hosannah Brownell, Meghan (Eric) Anderson, Chance Christian Brownell, Isabelle (Tyler) Woods, Hannah Grace Brownell, Cassandra Hope Brownell, Levi Paul Brownell, Sophia Joy Brownell and Hannah (Trevor) Woollard; one great grandson, Karter Wayne Woods; brother, Thomas (Diane) Hill; sister-in-law, Joy Hill; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Doris Hill; and siblings, David and Robert Hill.
A memorial was held July 29, 2023, at Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville with visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions can be made in Jonathan’s name to Camp Barakel, 1798 Shear Lake Road, Fairview, MI 48621.

Arrangements are by the Marshall Funeral Home, Greenville, with complete obituary online at www.marshallfuneralhomeinc.com where you can leave a message of condolence for the family.

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Daniel Robert Hamel


Daniel Robert Hamel of Eaton Rapids, MI. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather unexpectedly departed from this world into the loving embrace of his heavenly Father on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at the age of 65. He was born on November 19, 1957, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to his beloved parents, Robert and Barbara (Hemans) Hamel.

Dan graduated from West Allegheny High School in the class of 1975 and continued his education at West Virginia University, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Soil Science. He dedicated the past ten years of his career as a Senior Environmental Quality Analyst for the Michigan Department of Environmental, Great Lakes, and Energy.

A devout Christian, Dan was deeply rooted in the life of the First Congregational Church of Eaton Rapids. He also found joy in swimming at the YMCA, embracing nature through hunting and fishing, and most importantly spending time with his five grandchildren.

Dan leaves behind a loving legacy, survived by his parents; his devoted wife of 43 years, Marla (McCollum) Hamel; his children, Matthew (Ann) Hamel and Maureen (Joshua) Croft; and his grandchildren: Molly, Aubree, and Isaac Hamel, Florence, and Desmond Croft who affectionately called him Pap Pap. He is also mourned by his brother, Matthew C. Hamel; sister, Julie (Al) Colcombe; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Crystal Hamel.

Friends and family were invited to gather at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids chapel, to pay their respects on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 and on Thursday, July 27, 2023. A memorial service was held on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Eaton Rapids, MI.

For those who wish to honor Dan’s memory, memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church. To share memories or leave online condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.

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Mary Ann Arnold


Mary Ann Arnold – a proud mother and grandmother – mother of Eddy Arnold (Renee) and Amy King (Nelson) and Grandmother of Savannah and Joseph Owen and Isabella Arnold, Alivia and Jonathan King. Mary passed away on July 14, 2023, while surrounded by her family and her Eaton County Health Rehab Services family after a courageous eight-year battle with dementia and other health issues. Mary was 79 and was looking forward to her 80th birthday in October.

Mary Ann Hufnagel was born October 14, 1943, in Fowler, Michigan to the late Nick and Rose (Simon) Hufnagel. She was one of nine kids, five brothers and three sisters: Celeste (Fran) Heckman, Esther (John) Eiseler, Frank (Kay) Hufnagel, Clem (Marie) Hufnagel, Chuck (Marlene) Hufnagel, Tom (Nancy) Hufnagel, Helen (Ken) Hungerford and Jim (Carrie) Hufnagel. After she completed the 8th Grade, she went to work on the family farm. Through a mutual friend she met Wesley Lawrence Arnold. They were married on December 3, 1977, in Fowler, Michigan. Wesley and Mary welcomed their first child, a son, Eddy, in 1979 and welcomed a daughter, Amy Marie in 1981.

Mary worked at St. Lawrence Hospital for six years until her retirement in 1977. She took up her role as a housewife and also helped support her husband as he worked on the Arnold Brothers Farms. She helped out by taking prepared meals to the guys in the fields. Her children usually accompanied her to the fields and they always had a ride in the tractor once around the field with their dad before going home. Mary and Wesley had 33 years together until Wesley passed away in September 2010.

Mary will always be remembered by always making everyone laugh or smile. She had a wonderful personality and a kind and loving spirit. She always had a sucker in her mouth, she loved her candy and sweets, especially cherry pie and ice cream and of course her Diet Coke. Before Dementia started in 2016, Mary was always an avid bowler, she was on leagues in Charlotte, Lansing and Portland. She also hosted numerous hog roasts and snowmobile parties in the shack back in the woods on the farm that Wesley and his brother Lynn helped build. She also loved playing Bingo on Wednesday nights and bus trips to the casino with her sisters and friends. She was a big sports fan and was often found cheering on her favorite teams, she was a MSU, Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers fan.

After Dementia changed the course of her life, her new hobby became coloring and giving her finished pictures to friends, family and caregivers. She always did a beautiful job. Mary had a very loving and caring caretakers.

First it was her daughter Amy in the earlier part of Dementia, then she was moved to ECHRS. COVID and lock down was hard on everyone, however, her daughter Amy visited her mom’s window with the Grandkids. She always enjoyed talking by the window during those visits. Mary was loved by all and will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Mary is survived by her son, Eddy Lynn (Renee) Arnold, and daughter Amy Marie (Nelson) King; grandchildren; Savannah, Joseph, Isabella, Alivia and Jonathan; sisters, Esther and Helen; brothers, Frank, Jim; sisters-in-law Marie and Carrie Hufnagel; brother-in-law, Earl Arnold; many nieces and nephews, including Greg (Darcy) Sivyer and Justin (Autumn) Sivyer. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Nick and Rose Hufnagel; in-laws Marney & Ethlyn Arnold; husband, Wesley Arnold; brothers-in-law, Fran Heckman, John Eiseler, Ken Hungerford, Delbert and Lynn Arnold; two brothers Tom and Clem Hufnagel; sister, Celeste; sisters-in-law, Kay and Nancy Hufnagel and Janis Arnold, Debbie Arnold Sivyer and Jennaline Arnold.

Friends are encouraged to support Mary’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family received guests for visitation on Tuesday, July 18 at Pray Funeral Home. A funeral mass was celebrated Wednesday, July 19 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Ledge. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services in Charlotte. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.

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