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Funeral Services:

Kenneth L. Cleeves was called to Heaven on Saturday, January 19, 2024, at the age of 96. He was born on the 7th of September 1927 to Frederick D. and Mary V. (Perrin) Cleeves.

Kenneth was a man who was very devoted to God, the Church and his wife of over 65 years, Geraldine P. Cleeves, who so sadly preceded him in death in 2013.

They were High School sweethearts that were married at Eaton Rapids Baptist Church on Nov. 26, 1947. They became active members of that very Church and raised their family together in Eaton Rapids. In their retirement, Kenneth and Geraldine had moved to Mesa, Arizona to enjoy the warmer weather and there became members of Calvary Baptist Church. They lived the rest of their lives together in Mesa.

Kenneth was also preceded in death by his loving eldest son, Thomas A. Cleeves, and is survived by his other two children, Catherine M. (Lon) Cook and Kenneth J. Cleeves. He was also blessed to have four Grandchildren, Kevin M. Cleeves, Lisa A. (Andrew) Thornsberry, Laura E. Cleeves, Jeremy T. Cook, and seven great-grandchildren, Coya, Leia, Hannah, Thomas, Cassandra, Timothy and Sebastian.

Kenneth’s siblings are all but one deceased, Robert E., Frederick O., Jack D., and Dorothy L. (King). He is survived by his sister, Ruth Ann Thuma of Eaton Rapids, and many nieces and nephews.

Kenneth Cleeves was retired from his career as a Die Designer at General Motors, which he proudly did after his service in the United States Navy, where he served as a Seaman 1st Class on the USS Princeton Aircraft Carrier, during WW2.
Kenneth and Geraldine, lovingly known by friends and family as, ‘Ken and Gerry’ shared a strong love of God, through the Son, Jesus Christ. They often expressed this love through music. Ken played Guitar and Gerry the mandolin, at family gatherings and reunions, churches, State and County Fairs, rest homes, hospitals and rescue missions. They often sang about the love and grace of God or vibrantly played country western and folk music. Their singing brought great joy to others, and we will now carry the sound of their voices in our hearts as we remember them.

Kenneth’s Military Memorial Service was held on February 8, 2024 at his place of burial. He was buried with his loving wife Geraldine at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, at Cave Creek.

A regular Service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church: 3810 E. University Dr., Mesa Arizona 85205. The date and time will be announced at a later time. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.

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Funeral Services:

Hal Gordon Zenker of Eaton Rapids, passed away February 3, 2024, at the age of 67. He was born in Eaton Rapids, Michigan on November 9, 1956, the son of Basil and Ella (Tompkins) Zenker. Hal proudly served with the Army National Guard for 16 years on the Sharpshooter Team. He devoted 22 years to his son Justin, caring for him until his passing in 2022. Hal had many hobbies: hunting, fishing, cooking, photography, traveling, working in the garden and planting flowers. He had a 1969 Mercury Cougar that he enjoyed working on as well.

Hal is survived by his loving wife, Joyce; children, Brandon (Katie) Zenker of Illinois, Mike Norton of Hastings, Dustin (Heather) Schlichter of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Aidan Zenker, Tyler Norton, Preston Schlichter, Blake Schlichter; in-laws, Dale (Jain) Brecht, Paulette Vance, Kathy Brecht; siblings, Lyle (Debbie) Zenker, Greg Zenker, Beth Moser. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Justin Zenker; brothers; Wade Zenker, and William Carother.

Funeral Services were held at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids on Thursday, February 8 at 12:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior as well as the night before. Interment followed the funeral service in Clarence Township Cemetery. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.

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Funeral Services:

Robert Floyd Burns, 95, of Dowling, Michigan, passed away on January 24, 2024 at Corwell Pennock Hospital after a brief illness.

Bob was born on April 13, 1928 to Robert S. and Avis L. (Wolfersberger) Burns of Bellevue, Michigan. After graduating from Bellevue High in 1946, he served an 18-month enlistment in the US Army, stationed in Germany. Upon his return he attended Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo studying Commercial Art before marrying the love of his life, Patricia June Six, daughter of Donald C. and Betty K. (Siler) Six. Bob worked multiple jobs to support his family but was most proud of his 30 years at Post Cereals, where he retired as a shift production supervisor, and the nearly 28 years in the US Army Reserve, where he attained the rank of Sergeant Major (E9).

While Bob’s family life was of utmost importance to him, he integrated many of his personal interests into supporting his four boys’ youth activities utilizing his calligraphy skills for Cub/Boy Scout honors and badges, managing little-league softball teams, and coaching bowling teams.

During their “empty-nester” years, both Bob and Pat enjoyed motorcycling and touring around the U.S. and Canada in addition to attending several national BMW rallies around the nation. He was a long-time member of the American Motorcycling Association, BMW Motorcycle Club of Battle Creek (for which he designed logos and flyers) and was the “Resident Celebrity” for BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids Dealer where he received a 700,000-mileage badge from corporate BMW Motorrad USA. As an avid bowler, Bob participated in many local leagues (high game 299), regional tournaments and a pro-am tournament where he teamed up with Buzz Fazio, a top pro bowler of his era.

Preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; and son Phillip (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA), he is survived by his brother, Richard (Cleveland, TN); three sons: Robert (Judith Capper) Cocoa Beach, FL, David (Jerrie Smith) Glendale, AZ and Thomas (Natasha Euribe) of Deerfield Beach, FL; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
One of Bob’s favorite sayings was, “My wife raised five boys…our four children and me!”

A “Celebration of Life” service will be scheduled in the spring, officiated by Pastor Steve Olmstead at Pleasantview Family Church, 2601 Lacey Rd., Dowling, MI 49050, where Bob and his wife attended for many years.

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Funeral Services:

Charlotte Ann Wight, age 86, of Bellevue, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Monday, February 5, 2024. She was born August 5, 1937, the daughter of James and Charlotte (Carlson) Hegwood in Garden City, Michigan.

She married Burrell A. Wight on September 12, 1959. Soon after their marriage they moved to Bellevue. Charlotte enjoyed traveling, all sorts of crafts, quilting, and especially cherished time spent with her family. Her presence will be missed but her love and memory will live on.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Anne) Wight, Brenda (Joel) Young, Sharon (Craig) Curtis, Annette (Andrew) Jones; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Burrell, and two brothers, Jim and Bruce.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
To view Charlotte’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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Funeral Services:

Janet Irene Carpenter, 87 of Charlotte, a quiet woman best known for her fresh baked bread, passed away on February 3, 2024. Janet was born December 16, 1936 in Charlotte, Michigan, to Maurice and Theda (Loveland) Devenbaugh. Janet was the oldest of her siblings, and she is the last of the Carpenter family generation. She worked with her mother Theda as a nurse’s aide in the maternity ward at St. Lawrence Hospital.

Janet was best known for her bread baking. She loved to bake bread and had used the same recipe since 1955. Her favorite was cocoa and toast, so when she served her bread, it was often accompanied by cocoa. Christmas gifts from Janet often were her homemade bread. Along with her homemade bread, her grandkids fondly remember the many different kinds of fresh baked cookies in her “green Tupperware container.” That was the first place they always went when arriving at her home.

Janet also loved to go to flea markets, yard sales, and on fishing trips with her her husband and friends, the Roystons and the McCrimmons. Even after double knee surgery, she never slowed down.

Janet was always proud of the fact that she raised three “well-maintained boys.” She was proud of her grandchildren and always looked forward to them coming over to visit. While the grandkids visited, she loved to do crafting projects with them.

Janet is survived by her son, Darryl (Deb) Carpenter; grandchildren, Matt Carpenter, Samantha Carpenter, Heather Ramsay, Dustin Carpenter, Derek Carpenter, Tina Brumm, Karen Granger, April Carpenter, Staci Mason, Jessica Roberts, Auzzie Jo Miller, and Angela Wandell; great-grandchildren, Trent, Treshawn, Jenna, Ashley, Zane, Harley, Devin, Cami, Haidyn, Holdyn, Caycee, Haylee, Donavan, Tabitha, Ricki, Braydon, Kaydance, Bradley, Giovonna, Wayne, Kayli, Reid, Teagan, Lainy, Ava, Mark, Adele, Thane, and Laith; 10 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Norma Jean Sharp, June McIntire, Jolene McCullough, and Kolene Dubendorf; brothers, Jerry Devenbaugh and Joel Devenbaugh; and daughter-in-law, Marty Carpenter. She was preceded in death by her husband Bruce (Mick) Carpenter of 60 years in 2011, sons Brad and Steve Carpenter, brother Gary Devenbaugh, and her parents.

Friends are encouraged to support Janet’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Duane Royston officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Elara Hospice or Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.

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Funeral Services:

George W. Whitaker was born on February 19, 1938 in McGuffey, Ohio to Ollie and Clarinda (Williams) Whitaker. George was one of nine children in his family. George passed away on October 6, 2023 in Harlingen, Texas.
George attended elementary school in Springport, Michigan and then attended high school at Eaton Rapids High School in Eaton Rapids, Michigan.

George was married to Donis Ilene Iauch on June 27, 1959 at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte, Michigan. Their first child, Julie Irene Whitaker, was born in 1960; Tamara Ilene Whitaker was born in 1963; and Eric George Whitaker was born in 1968. All three children were born at Hayes-Green-Beach Hospital in Charlotte. George and Donis’ first house was partially built by George and Donis’ father, Harold Iauch, at 2152 S. Cochran, Charlotte. They happily lived in this house and brought up their family here. After Donis’ mother, Mildred Iauch, passed away in 1986, George and Donis bought and redecorated her house and loved living there until 1994. At that time, they became permanent residents at River Bend Resort in Brownsville, Texas so that they could be closer to their children and grandchildren in Houston, Texas.

George’s first job was at Lawrence Bakery in Lansing, Michigan. He then worked for a foundation contractor in Lansing. After that, George worked for Fisher Body in Lansing, Michigan until he was laid off. He was then hired at Lindell Drop Forge in Lansing where he worked for 30 years before retiring.

George was an accomplished woodworker and made many pieces of furniture and other items for his family and friends. He loved gardening and had big gardens when he lived in Michigan and always had nice lawns with pretty flowers at their homes.

Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, Charlotte in the summer of 2024, date to be determined.
George is survived by wife, Donis; children: Julie, Tammy, and Eric; grandchildren; and one great grandchild, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

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Funeral Services:

Marilyn Ann (Sumerix) Rutter, the rock of her family that kept everyone connected, died peacefully February 1, 2024 at her home in Olivet. Marilyn, 85, was born October 23, 1938 in Charlotte, MI to Henry and Ina (Baker) Sumerix. Marilyn married Charles Rutter in June of 1957, and together they had three children that grew up knowing the love of extended family because Marilyn always made family the heart of every adventure. For the last 20 years, Marilyn put together a Sumerix family newsletter to let everyone know what was happening within their large, extended family. Travel often included a stop at family members homes to say hi, and she loved to travel…visiting most of the 50 states in her lifetime. Her children and grandchildren will remember many trips with their family, including train trips West, and an annual family fishing trip to Canada.

Marilyn had a keen eye for detail, working as a secretary at Olivet Middle School, and had also been a proofreader for the Charlotte newspaper, The Republican Tribune, and she wrote a lot of poetry. With a big heart, Marilyn would often find ways to lend a helping hand in any way she could, and was always looking after friends and family. She loved to cook for large crowds, always cooking from scratch, and made a variety of wonderful pies for family gatherings. With an adventurous spirit, she even participated in a school donkey basketball game. Marilyn and Charles served as youth group leaders at the Brookfield Church for many years, and always put God’s love as the highest priority in life.

The greatest adventure of Marilyn’s life was family. She will be greatly missed by her children, Jacquelynn Kwiatkowski, Jeffrey (Katie Collier) Rutter, and James Rutter; grandchildren, Katelyn and Stephanie Kwiatkowski and Alex Schneider; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family members. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Rutter in 2019; her siblings, Lyle Sumerix, Joyce Morgan, Betty Ross, and Harry Sumerix; and her parents.

Friends are encouraged to support Marilyn’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Tuesday, February 6, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were Wednesday, February 7, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Rev. John Morse officiating. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Marilyn’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 Olivet Schools scholarship fund. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.

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Funeral Services:

Jeffrey Richard Powell, a resident of Charlotte, MI, peacefully departed on Thursday, January 25, 2024, following a courageous battle against cancer, surrounded by his devoted family. Born on May 25, 1976, in Lansing, MI, Jeff was the beloved son of Dale and Lois (Brown) Powell. Though he spent a brief period in Gulliver in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, he was primarily raised in Charlotte, MI and proudly graduated from Maple Valley High School class of 1994.

A true outdoors enthusiast, Jeff found joy in hunting and fishing, embracing the beauty of nature. He leaves behind a lasting legacy in the hearts of his survivors, including his mother, Lois Powell, sister, Terri Powell, and brother, Bill Powell. Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Dale.

In honoring Jeff’s life, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be directed to the American Cancer Society. In accordance with his wishes, no formal services will be held for Jeff. Those who wish to share memories or offer condolences are invited to visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.

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Funeral Services:

Roger Jeffrey Dibean, age 52, passed into heaven unexpectedly from a heart attack on December 2, 2023. He graduated from Grand Ledge High School, class of 1989. Roger attended Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Florida and graduated with an Associates Degree in business. He worked as a Banquet Manager at a Hilton Hotel in Gainesville, and later moved to Washington D.C. where he worked for Encore Global Events, an audiovisual company. Roger enjoyed taking his boat out on the Gulf of Mexico and fishing with friends. Roger was engaged to Pam Koops for two years.

He moved back to Hollywood, Florida and worked in the audiovisual department at St. Regis Hotel for several years, and two years ago moved to Colorado near Aspen, working at St. Regis Hotel in audiovisual services.

Richard is survived by his father, Richard J. (Jan) Dibean of Lake Placid, Florida; mother, Nancy (Badgley) Dibean of Charlotte; brother, Charles (Kristi) Dibean of Eagle, Michigan; sister, Sheri Patterson of Mason; nephews: Dustyn (Rachel) Patterson of Tucson, Arizona, Skyleir and son Jake of Tucson, Arizona, Emerson Dibean, Preston Dibean, and Wade Dibean of Eagle, Michigan; and niece, Sunshyne Patterson of Mason.

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Funeral Services:

Tim Alair Galvin passed into the next phase of his life at age 67 on January 28th 2024. His wife Lucy, his son Joshua and Joshua’s fiancé Jennifer as well as his beloved Vizsla Cayenne were at his side with the Doors playing. He will have many loved family members and friends to greet him as he moves on. His father and mother, Edsel (Ed) and Pauline (Polly) Galvin, aunts and uncles most especially his aunt Norma Klettke. He is survived by his wife Lucille (Lucy) Galvin, their son Joshua Galvin and grandson Vaughn Galvin. One brother Edsel Galvin Jr. and a niece, Jennifer (Galvin) Landris.

He graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 1975 and since then has kept in contact with some classmates, reconnected with others as well as made some new friends.

Tim was retired from GM, he started work at Fisher Body in Lansing and retired from the Lansing Delta Township (LDT) plant.
After retirement he and his wife travelled some and took their dream trip to Alaska as well as Airventure and camping.
Tim found a hobby he loved and made some great friends along the way. RC flying became his passion; he was a member of C.A.R.D.S. and C.A.M.S. RC clubs and acquired many planes.

In lieu of gifts the family asks that you contribute to American Cancer Society, Ele’s Place or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Honoring Tim’s wishes, a small gathering of immediate family will be held at a place and time to be determined. The family may hold an outdoor gathering at a later date to celebrate his life and joys.