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Shirley Ann Kyre, age 85, a feisty little lady of Grand Ledge, formerly of Charlotte, died Sunday, April 19, 2020 in Lansing. Shirley was born May 25, 1934 in Grafton, W. Va., the adopted daughter of Bordman Walton and Anna M. (Detrick) DeWitt. She graduated from Fairmont High School before marrying George Ray Kyre, and the two started their family. They moved to Maryland and eventually Charlotte, where Shirley worked for many years at Wildern’s Drug Store and at Weymouth Elementary School, where she was both feared and loved by students and teachers alike. She and George enjoyed spending time up north in Harrison and traveling.

George would do anything for Shirley, including buying her a Ford Mustang, which he continually kept clean while she drove it around town in style, even though she had to scoot her seat all the way up and pull herself up over the wheel to be able to see! On most Fridays, you could catch her at either a CHS football game or a CHS basketball game, where George and his buddy Gordon would be working on statistics for the local paper and she would be tossing back a box of popcorn. She and George were huge WVU fans, and they would drive back to West Virginia from Michigan for most home Mountaineers football games. In the fall, she would have football on all day long, both college and NFL. Her favorite teams were WV, MSU, the Steelers and the Lions. When George died in 2002, a part of Shirley faded as well, but she never lost her spunk, she was still Shirley.

Shirley liked to play tough, but she was one of the most caring and loving women one could have ever met. The last couple years of her life she made a lot of new friendships and was involved in community activities such as bingo and exercise classes, which she would brag that she could do more than the 60-, 70-year-olds in her building. Although many will miss her, the many “Shirley Stories” will live on in her memory.

Shirley is survived by her son Russ; grandchildren, Cassi (Frank) Hobyak, Jamie Kyre, Jon-Eric Kyre, Carly Kyre, Donny Kyre, and Logan Kyre; great-grandchildren, Jaydin, Kalin, Mitchell, Jameson, and Spencer; daughter-in-law, Jackie Kyre; and her grand-dog, Ace. She was predeceased by her husband, George; and two sons, Jon Kyre and Mike Kyre.

Visitation took place on April 22, 2020 and was followed by interment at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte, where she was laid to rest alongside George.

If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Tri-County Meals on Wheels.  Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Shirley on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.

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Shirley Jean Carpenter, age 93, of Whitehall, formerly of Charlotte and Lansing, passed away peacefully Friday, April 17, 2020 in Norton Shores. She was born November 10, 1926 in Holt, the daughter of Roy and Dora (Johnson) Feier. Shirley graduated from Holt High School in 1944. On May 9, 1947 she married Edward W. Carpenter in Lansing. Family was of the utmost importance to Shirley. She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In recent times, Shirley could often be found reminiscing while paging through her many photo albums. She enjoyed reading, watching Detroit Tigers baseball, trips to the casino, bingo and playing cards.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Lois (Rudi) Semen of Lansing; son, Kevin (Cindy) Carpenter of Columbia, Tenn.; daughter-in-law, Sue (Green) Carpenter of Whitehall; grandchildren; Shawn Semen, Mark Semen, Katrina (Michael) Kutzleb, Jamie (Tom) King, Crissie Carpenter; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward W.; son, Leland Carpenter; grandson, LCpl. Andrew P. Carpenter; sister, Arlene Sheldon of Lansing; and brother, Wendell Feier of Holt.

A private graveside service was to be held at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Due to the current mandate limiting public gatherings, a celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at a later date. Those desiring may make contributions in Shirley’s honor to Harbor Hospice, 1050 W. Western Ave. Suite 400, Muskegon MI 49441 or St. James Lutheran Church, 8945 Stebbins St., Montague MI 49437.

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Donna J. Allen, age 78, of Eaton Rapids passed away unexpectedly on April 18, 2020. Donna enjoyed bowling and was on bowling leagues in the area for many years. Her and Wesley went camping with the family and enjoyed the time with the grandchildren very much. She will be remembered for those daily messages on Messenger and those messages will be missed dearly by all who received them.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband Wesley Allen in 2005; her parents Edward and Rose O’Neil, Kimberly Allen and great grand-daughter Athena. Surviving are her children, Kevin (Lori) Crawley, Renee (Ted) Shiels; grandchildren, Caitlyn and Brigette Crawley, Jeff and Michaela Wilson, Billy Ramey, Amber (Ryan) Landis, Hazen and Zayden Shiels. Donna is also survived by many extended family members dear to our hearts. Graveside services were scheduled to be held at Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids on Friday, April 24, 2020 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to Child Abuse of Michigan in memory of Donna and Athena or a COVID-19 charity of one’s choice. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Visit the website at millsfuneral.com to place online condolences.

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Funeral Services:

Judith Kay Gruber, age 77, of Silver Springs, Fla., passed away April 17, 2020. She was born August 25, 1942, in Eaton Rapids, to the late Max Converse and Florabel-Bowers Converse. She was a homemaker, devoted wife, mother and “Meme.”

She was preceded in death by her brothers Phil Converse (Janet), Bill Converse; sister, Leah Blatt-Schofield; and brother-in-law, Howard “Red” Blatt, Jr.

She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Phillip Gruber; sons, Steven Gruber (Teresa), Mark Gruber, Scott Gruber (Lisa); daughter, Karen Dowdy (Jeff); 12 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; brothers, Max Converse (Cathy), Mike Converse (Pat); sisters-in-law, Jewell Converse, Mary Parks (Richard); and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of Countryside Funeral Home in Anthony, Fla.

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Funeral Services:

Lenore Theresa Wieber, age 84, of Charlotte, formerly of Portland, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Saturday, April 18, 2020. She was born June 28, 1935 in Mt. Pleasant, the daughter of Joseph and Regina (Mazylewski) Potocny. Lenore graduated from Ionia High School in 1953. On November 21, 1953 she married Frank Wieber Jr. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Portland. Together Lenore and Frank raised their family in Portland. Lenore was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She doted over her entire family and brought a smile to them all. Her grandchildren enjoyed an uncommonly close bond with her. If they were part of any type of event, grandma was there. She loved reading in her spare-time. After Frank passed away, Lenore enjoyed traveling with her twin sister Leona and John Rupp. They made many precious memories together through the years. P.J. Hoffmaster State Park was her sanctuary on the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan. Lenore had a keen eye for details. She was meticulous about her appearance, and holiday gatherings were always flawlessly arranged.

Lenore is survived by her children: Julia (Ronald) Bruner of Holt, Laura (Ronald) Goostrey of Charlotte, Lydia (Jim) Kopydlowski of Goodrich, David (Michelle) Wieber of San Jose, Calif.; grandchildren: Robyn (Rob) Mc’Brien, Jeff (Katina) Bruner, Nathan (Amanda) Kopydlowski, Megan (Kyle) Creyts, Tyler (LeAnna) Kopydlowski, Thomas Goostrey, Hannah Kopydlowski, Justin Wieber, Trevor Wieber, Derek Wieber; great-grandchildren; Jackson Mc’Brien, Makyna Mc’Brien, Raymond Bruner, Shayleigh Bruner; and sister, Carol Savage. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Frank Wieber Jr. in 1985; and three brothers and four sisters.

A private Mass of Christian Burial took place on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop celebrating. The Mass was livestreamed on the parish’s Facebook page. Interment took place at Portland Cemetery.

Those desiring may make contributions in Lenore’s memory to Smile Train, 633 3rd Ave. 9th Floor, New York NY 10017 or my.smiletrain.org. To view Lenore’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com. The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte. 

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Byron Lee Aeder, age 62, of Charlotte died on April 18, 2020. He worked as a mechanic at Sawyer’s Pontiac.

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Jerrold Lynn Gilding, age 68, of Charlotte died April 16, 2020. He was a line worker at General Motors. Services will be held at a later date.

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Funeral Services:

Judith Ann Peters, age 81, of Charlotte passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born December 17, 1938 in Charlotte, the daughter of Val and Alice (Fhaner) Becktel. Judy graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of 1957. On October 12, 1957, she married Ronald Peters. Together they raised their family on the farm in Walton Township. Judy spent countless hours helping her husband milking cows and working in the fields. Judy was an avid gardener who loved spending time tending to her many beautiful flowers. She cherished each and every moment she was able to spend with her family. She also loved when her many friends and neighbors would stop by for a visit. 

Judy is survived by her children: Jeffrey Peters of Milan, Tenn., Diana (Pat) Ruthruff of Charlotte; grandchildren: Jessica Ruthruff, Michelle (Albert) Nagel; great-grandchildren: Andrew Seedorff and Sylas Nagel.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ronald; sister Janice Neal; and great-granddaughter, Jasmine Seedorff. 

A graveside service will take place at Bosworth Cemetery when the current restrictions on public gatherings are lifted. Those desiring, may make contributions in Judy’s honor to the American Cancer Society. To view Judy’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com. The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.

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Funeral Services:

Joan K. Franks, age 59, of Bellevue died on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family following a short illness.

Joan was born on August 17, 1960 in Charlotte to James and Laura (Everette) Shaw. She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1978. On December 16, 1988 she married Charles E. Franks in Olivet. Joan had been working as a steward for Firekeepers Casino and Hotel in Battle Creek for the past seven years until her illness in January of this year. She also cared for the elderly, and she was a custodian at Bellevue and Charlotte schools for several years. Joan was a former member of the Marshall Women of the Moose. She enjoyed collecting tea pots, going to garage sales and watching children. Joan loved the outdoors, going camping on the Manistee River, hunting for mushrooms and reading. She also enjoyed cooking and playing scratch-off lottery tickets.

She is survived by her husband Charles of Bellevue; children, Bobbie Jo (Leon Kemp) Hanke of Bellevue, James (Danielle) Hanke of Bellevue, and Travis (Lisa) Franks of Potterville; grandchildren, Jordyn Franks, Kyle Franks, Ashley Bujarski, Alexis Hanke, Hunter Hanke, Madison Hanke, Dominic Moore, and Krista Moore; great-grandchild Blakely Roosa; siblings, Jannette Shaw-Groom of Bellevue, Katherine (Leo) Cider of Rolla, Missouri, and Terry Shaw of Bellevue; sister-in-law Angela Shaw-Duke of Bellevue and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother Joe Shaw; a nephew Trenton Shaw; and a brother-in-law Martin Groom.

Due to COVID-19, there will be a memorial service held at a later date. Interment of her cremated remains will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue. Family requests memorial contributions to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall #100, Kalamazoo MI 49007. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at kempffuneralhome.com. Mrs. Franks and her family are being cared for by the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services.

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Funeral Services:

Lane Alan Bishop, age 55, of Olivet passed away Monday, April 13, 2020, at Oak Lawn Hospital in Marshall. He was born October 25, 1964, in Battle Creek, the son of Alan and Rachel (Strong) Bishop. Lane graduated from Olivet High School with the class of 1983. After graduating, he worked at GM, then as a mason tender for many years. He later moved to Tennessee where he studied to be an electrician. Lane was a jokester and prankster, who enjoyed making others laugh. He had a big heart and was always concerned for others. Lane enjoyed trips to the casino, rock concerts, spending time outdoors and all animals. 

Lane is survived by his mother, Rachel Bishop; children: Dustin Bishop, Amber Bishop; grandchildren: Blaine, Keagan, Odin; siblings: Sharon and Jack Irons, Ann and Bill Lundy, Harry and Tracy Reynolds, Mike and Linda Reynolds, Todd Bishop (Carri), Sheila McLean; aunts and uncles: Ron and Diane Bishop, Ted and Judy Bishop, John and Donna Bishop, Bill and Bev Strong, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; grandparents; father and step mother, Alan and Joan Bishop; and sister Mary Reynolds.

In keeping with Lanes wishes, cremation has taken place, and no services are planned at this time. 

Those desiring, may make contributions in Lane’s honor to the Calhoun County Humane Society, 2500 Watkins Rd., Battle Creek MI 49015.

To view Lane’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com. The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.