Obituaries
Jeanne Cleta Wyckoff
Jeanne Cleta Wyckoff, age: 82 of Lansing passed away on July 7, 2023. Service will be held Monday, July 17, 2023 at 12 Noon at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Daniel Ray Greer
Daniel Ray Greer, age 72, from Charlotte passed away on July 9, 2023. Private services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Ruth Elaine Buffenbarger
Ruth Elaine Buffenbarger, famous for her chocolate chip cookies, passed away on July 5, 2023 in Traverse City, MI. She was born August 23, 1923 in Charlotte, MI to Percy and Grace (Linsley) Young. She led an active life as a child playing with her sister and friends, then fell in love as a young lady with Robert Buffenbarger, then waited 3½ years for his return from World War II. Their wedding was shortly after his safe return on June 26, 1945. Elaine worked for Michigan Bell Telephone company, Dr. Sevener, Dr. Demuth, and lastly for Dr. William Wright where she retired in 1986.
Elaine enjoyed dancing, reading, and doing word puzzles. With expertise in home management, she thrived on entertaining friends and family. To be at Elaine’s table was a pleasure as she was a wonderful cook. Hours, if possible, were then spent around the same table playing games. Time with family was important to Elaine and time outdoors camping and going on picnics were some of her favorite activities. Her apartment in Kalkaska, Michigan was a dear space for Elaine where she socialized with many friends. Pondering the highlights of her life as a child jumping rope with her sister, playing jacks with her best friend Doris, ice skating, bike riding, and going to Pine Lake. She was very devoted in her faith, after Elaine moved to Kalkaska she became a member of the Peoples Church. Above all her biggest passion in life was being married to her husband and the family it gave her.
Elaine is survived by her children, Robert (Pam) Buffenbarger, and Debra (Dion) Balliet; grandchildren, Jason (Jill) Balliet, Jeremy (Jana) Balliet, Josh (Janie) Balliet, and Todd (Stephanie) Buffenbarger; great-grandchildren, Eric, Leo, Mia, Josie, Ellie, Ethan, Paige, Matthew, and Chelsie. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Robert; siblings, Ailleen (Lawrence) Patterson, and Fred (Margaret) Young; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Elaine’s family sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Monday, July 10, 2023, at Pray Funeral Home. Funeral services were Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Josh Guy 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 Elaine’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 Peoples Church in Kalkaska. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Mary Elizabeth Hunter
Mary Elizabeth Hunter, age 82, of Charlotte, died July 10, 2023. Mary was born December 28, 1940 in Lansing, Michigan, to Harold and Mary (Dane) Hunter. The family lived in Millett and owned the local grocery store. Mary was her dad’s right-hand, trusty helper growing up and she treasured those memories. After graduating high school, Mary attended MSU and received her Bachelor’s Degree in early elementary. She taught in the Olivet School District before stopping to once again help in the family market. Mary eventually took on the duties of caregiver as her parents’ health declined. When time allowed, Mary enjoyed riding horses and looked forward to vacationing on Drummond Island.
Fiercely independent, determined, humble, and kind, Mary could be seen ‘out and about’ on her bike from dawn to dusk in all seasons and all types of weather. She was well-known by countless community members as she collected bottles and cans to keep Charlotte ‘picked up.’ This activity gave her purpose, and it kept her in her happy place – the outdoors.
Mary enjoyed over two years as a resident of Sensations Memory Care, where she was free to walk as much as she liked and received exceptional care from the loving staff.
Mary is survived by her sister, Dorothea Sandin; her grand-nephew, John A. Sandin IV; and her dear friends, John and Carol Rossio. Mary was predeceased by her parents; her brother-in-law, John A. Sandin II; and her nephew, John A. Sandin III.
Graveside services will be held Friday, July 28, at 10:00 a.m. at Delta Center Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Luke Eugene West
Mr. Luke Eugene West, age 71, passed away on July 1, 2023, at his home in Bellevue, MI.
Luke was born in Battle Creek, MI on April 6, 1952, the son of the late Roy and Marietta West.
He was raised in the Bellevue area, and attended local schools, completing his education at Springfield High School. Luke was united in marriage to Nancy Meinke and together they had three sons, Jim, Luke Jr. and John.
Luke began his working career at Fire Apparatus in Battle Creek, Mi where he painted trucks. In 1976 he joined the Grand Trunk Western Railroad where he worked as a carman. During his tenure at the railroad, Luke was responsible for repairing and maintaining box cars and was a part of the local derailment team. Luke retired after 37 years of faithful service.
On February 23, 1980, Luke married Patti (Sayles) and together they had three sons, Joseph, Dale and Jacob. Luke and Patti made their home and raised their family together in the Bellevue area.
During his spare time, Luke enjoyed spending time with his boys working on vintage automobiles and drag racing at the local tracks including Martin and Stanton Speedways. Luke was a family man in every sense of the term and took great pride in caring for and spending time with his boys. He was an avid softball player and used his knowledge of the sport to help coach the boys’ teams as they grew. During the summer months, Luke enjoyed spending an afternoon fishing the local lakes and working in the garden with his wife Patti.
Luke is survived by his beloved wife, Patti; his children, Jim (Heather) West, Luke (Rachel) West Jr., John (Andie) Ferree, Joseph (Ashley) West, Dale (Sarah Randall) West and Jacob (Casey) West; his siblings, Roy West, Sammy (Scott) Dorsey and Deana (Ron) Garrett; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A funeral service was held on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Daniels Funeral Home-Nashville. Interment took place immediately following the funeral service at Needmore Cemetery in Chester Township.
Memorial contributions can be made to the family of Luke West via a GoFundMe account at this link: https://gofund.me/54ee351d.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.