Obituaries

Search Obituaries:

Submit an Obituary >

Ralph Edwin Griffus


Ralph Edwin Griffus, age 71, of Charlotte, passed away on March 4, 2023, after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. In losing this earthly fight, he gained his Heavenly home. Ralph was born December 5, 1951, in Chesaning, Michigan, to Asa and Louise (Dingler) Griffus. He spent his growing up years in the same area and graduated from Chesaning High School with the class of ’70. On September 5, 1981, Ralph married Myra Brunt at the First Assembly of God Church in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Ralph worked at General Motors and retired after 30 years of faithful service. He kept busy in many different ways during his retirement years. He really enjoyed his stints of work for the Lansing Lugnuts and working at the MSU stadium. He was a huge MSU fan! One of Ralph’s hobbies was puzzles. He collected hundreds of large and difficult jigsaw puzzles and was known to stick with the puzzle he started until it was completely put together, even surprising his close friends with how quickly he accomplished the task. Ralph spent several years on the Board of Directors at the Charlotte Assembly of God Church. He was a faithful Christian who would do anything for anybody. Ralph was a family man and loved each and every one. The grandchildren knew they were special in their “Papa’s” eyes and that he loved them dearly.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Myra; children, Doug (Danielle) Griffus of Copemish, April (Alan) Landon of Charlotte, Ana Macomb of Arizona, Chris Griffus of Charlotte; grandchildren, Alyciana, Alexis, Bentley, Oakleigh, Deidric, Daden, Dixon, Demerle, and Callie; siblings, Marvin Griffus, Duane Griffus, Paulette (Larry) Zubek; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Melvin.
A celebration of Ralph’s life will take place on Friday, March 24, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. with Pastor Josh Goodman officiating at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, 206 W. Lawrence Ave., Charlotte, MI. The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. immediately prior to the service.
Those desiring to make a charitable contribution in Ralph’s honor may do so by donating to the charity of your choice.
To view Ralph’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.

Read more

Betty Lee Barth


Betty Lee Barth, 91 years of age, was called to heaven on the evening of Friday, March 3, 2023 after several years of battling cancer and always supported by her loving family.
Born on December 21, 1931, in Dundee, MI, she was the eldest of two daughters of Clarence and Ester Kraftchick. Betty and her mother were very gifted in playing piano and spent many hours playing and singing together. She also enjoyed singing in the choir. She graduated from Dundee High School in 1949, and the following fall she went on to Cosmetology School in Ann Arbor, MI where she earned her degree. She met her loving husband, Arthur Jr. Barth, who she later married on March 3, 1951. Betty enjoyed raising the animals and helping Art with the farm work; in addition to operating a beauty shop at their home. She was also a very successful and avid deer hunter. She later opened her own beauty shop, Betty Lee’s Hairstyles in Michigan Center, Mich., where she most appreciated the opportunity to meet new people and interact in their daily lives. Betty and Art enjoyed traveling the country in their RV, with a special fondness for northern Michigan. Her favorite pastimes were feeding and watching her hummingbirds, gardening, landscaping, working in her flower beds and making homemade German pretzels.
Waiting in heaven for Betty are her parents, Clarence and Ester Kraftchick: husband, Arthur Jr. Barth; and son, Doug Barth.
Living in loving memory of Betty are her sister, Ellen Kraftchick of Manchester, MI; two sons, Dale Barth (Tara) of Eaton Rapids, MI, and Jerry Barth (Jackie) of Onsted, MI; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Services celebrating the life of Betty Lee Barth were held Friday, March 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. following visitation from 10–11 a.m., at Eineder Funeral Homes – Brooklyn Chapel. Interment was held Friday, March 10, 2023, at Norvell Cemetery, Norvell Township following the service. Charles Krugar and Anjil Tyler will be officiated.
The family would like to extend their extreme gratitude and thanks to Residential Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.
Memorial contributions in tribute to Betty’s life may be made to Residential Hospice.

Read more

John A. Evanson


John A. Evanson, age 63, of Brownton, Minnesota, formerly of Mason, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at his home. Memorial Service was held Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson, Minnesota with Pastor Allen Gislason officiating. Interment will follow at a later date in Oak Grove Cemetery in Brownton.
John Allen Evanson was the devoted father of Anna and Nic, the center and loves of his life. He was a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher and coach. Two of his sixth graders were rewarded in Washington DC for their creative history projects and his wrestling team celebrated their success by shaving John’s head!
John was compassionate, sweet, and fun-loving, with a hearty laugh and a zest for living. He loved his family and friends and was a passionate advocate for others, often expressed in his political beliefs. John was forced to retire early and relocate to live with his mother in Minnesota. His medical condition required dialysis treatments three times a week and he was blessed with excellent care at the Fresenius Medical Center in Hutchinson. Thanks to all their wonderful staff!
Relocation also meant that John would reconnect with many of his college rugby teammates and friends from his years at Mankato State University (now known as University of Minnesota, Mankato). Their friendship sustained and supported him through his medical challenges. Thanks to each and every one of you!
Olive and Robert feel blessed to have had the past six years with John. The brothers would spend the day together, often searching for unique ethnic restauranteurs where they could laugh and talk together. John was a loving son, a challenging cribbage player, a creative woodworker and stain glass artist, an adventurous cook, as well as Olive’s computer guru and encyclopedic resource of information (historical, scientific, and trivial!). John, you will be missed! May you rest in peace.
John is survived by his daughter, Anna; son, Nic (Emma); three grandchildren, Sara, Everett, and Alice; mother, Olive Evanson; brother, Robert (Sheila); three nieces and nephews, James, Tara, and Ross; and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
John is preceded in death by his father, Everett Evanson; and grandparents.
Our thanks to the Brownton Rescue Squad for their excellent care, to the Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel, and to the wonderful persons who have sent their condolence.
Online obituaries and guest book available at www.hantge.com.

Read more

Boyd M. Crannell


Boyd M. Crannell, age 83, formerly of Charlotte, Michigan passed away March 2, 2023. Visitation is Sunday, March 12 from 3-6 p.m. at Henry’s Funeral Home, Battle Creek, Mich. Military honors at Ft. Custer in Augusta, Mich. on Monday, March 13 at 1:30 p.m. Further details may be found online at www.henryfuneralhome.org.

Read more

James (Bud) Martin Haley


A good man died this week.
James (Bud) Martin Haley of Eaton Rapids, passed away peacefully at the age of 101, March 8, 2023. Bud was born in Detroit, MI, January 10, 1922, the son of John and Emily (Stewart) Haley. He was an Army Veteran during WWII, earning three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. Bud was a hunter, a laborer, a merchant, a soldier, a skilled tradesman, a card player, a square dancer, a shoe repair man and a million other things. Most of all, he was a family man, a good neighbor, and a real friend to those who knew him well. The family would like to thank the staff at Island City Assisted Living for the love and care that they showed to Bud for the past ten and a half years.
Bud is survived by his son, Jerry (Kristine) Haley of Charlotte; daughter-in-law, Nancy Haley of Springport; grandchildren, Kevin (Kelly) Haley, Karen (Brian) Lantz, Fonda Byer, James Haley, Tony Haley, James Terry and Stephen Terry; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; brothers, John Haley Jr., Michael Haley; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Haley; son, Richard Haley; brothers, Bill Haley and Louis Haley; sisters, Doris Gordon, Eleanor Spotts, JoAnne Justvig and Josephine Roberts.
Funeral services with military honors will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel with interment following in Rosehill Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday, one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW National Home for Children. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.

Read more

ADVERTISEMENT:

READERS: SINCE MANY ADS ARE FROM OUTSIDE THE LOCAL AREA, PLEASE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BUYING BEFORE SENDING MONEY.

ADVERTISEMENT:

READERS: SINCE MANY ADS ARE FROM OUTSIDE THE LOCAL AREA, PLEASE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BUYING BEFORE SENDING MONEY.

Pin It on Pinterest