Obituaries
Forest Oral Ripley
Forest Oral Ripley, 80, of Marshall, a man with a love for the open road, died peacefully surrounded by his beloved family on Friday, January 23, 2026. Forest was born on October 31, 1945, in Homer, the son of Oral and Dorthy (Conley) Ripley of Marshall, Michigan. He grew up in Lee Township in the farming community and remained a lifelong farmer. Forest graduated from Olivet High School in 1964 and went to work in various trades before settling into becoming a professional truck driver. He retired from Holland Motor Freight, where he earned his over a million-mile accident free jacket. He married the love of his life, Karen Sue Kunkel on November 23, 1968, and the two settled into family life in Lee Township.
Forest loved being with his family. Growing up his son and daughter enjoyed when they were able to go on a trip with dad. His great-grandchildren loved visiting for tractor rides and the candy treats that were also always involved. His dedication to farming came with a passion for Ford tractors and trucks. He was especially fond of his 1956 Victoria and candy apple red 1967 Fairlane. Forest loved the outdoors as well, especially hunting and fishing, and traveling the road to various flea markets and auction sales.
Forest is survived by his wife of 57 years, Karen Ripley; daughter, Tammey Wine; son, Tony Ripley; grandchildren, April “Nikki” (Gage) Mingus and David (Hannah) Wine; and great-grandchildren, Karlee Cotter, Izayah Mingus, Dominic Mingus, Lyla Wine and Mia Wine. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Tracy and Trixie Ripley.
Friends are encouraged to support Forest’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eaton Rapids with Pastor Mark Eckert officiating. Visitation and refreshments will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church just prior to the service. Visitation will also take place from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. Interment will follow in Lee Center Cemetery. 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 Fores’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 the Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eaton Rapids. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Joan Elaine Brownell
Joan Elaine (Francisco) Brownell, age 84, passed away on January 23, 2026, in Bellevue, Michigan. Joan was born on June 17, 1941, in Delton, Michigan, to parents Frank William and Ila May (Munger) Francisco. She married the love of her life, Jerome “Jerry” Brownell, on December 12, 1959, and the two of them had many wonderful years together before his passing in 2018.
Joan worked as a nurse for many years, going from working with babies all the way to helping people with end of life care. She was sweet and caring by nature and she spent her life serving others – both human and furry. She volunteered at Companion Cats, helping to tame spicy tempered cats, and she doted on her rescue donkeys and Belgian horses. She also enjoyed the cattle that was out on the farm. When she wasn’t outside with the animals, she was outside in her garden. Joan was known for her love of her roses, but she also tended to the crops they grew.
She and Jerry went camping often, though once they settled into their later years in life, they took to traveling more. They went out to Alaska and also made the trip with family to visit their son, Randy, in Georgia.
Joan was also very patient with children, teaching them how to sew and knit. She was a Campfire Scout Leader when her daughters were younger and was also involved with 4-H with her children. She positively adored her grandchildren and loved every moment she got to spend with them.
Joan was an avid reader, enjoying true crime and mystery novels. When she wasn’t immersed in a story, she was working on tracing back her family’s genealogy- she traced the Brownell side of the family back to 1271 and the Francisco side back to 1732! She was known for making the most divine tasting pies, but her peach pie was especially wonderful.
Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Ila and Frank Francisco, her husband, Jerome Brownell, and her siblings, Jim (Lilah) Francisco, Betty Francisco, and her brother-in-law, Don Mohn.
Joan is survived by her children, Frank (Karen) Brownell, Sheri (John) Britton, Randy (Marie) Brownell, Karen (Steve) Rutenber, her grandchildren, JT (Ashley) Britton, Chad (Carrie) Britton, Brad (Amanda) Brownell, Chelsey (Matt) Kirby, Ellen (Jake) Brownell, Scott (Ashley) Brownell, Melissa Ostrander, Mike Walters, Amanda (Cam) Robinson, many beloved great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, her sister, Dee Mohn, her brother, Jerry (Karen) Francisco, a close family friend, Joani See, and her devoted black lab, Pepper Brownell.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 13, 2026, at 1 pm at Washington Park in Bellevue, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made out to Oaklawn Hospice and to Companion Cats. The Kempf Family Funeral Home is honored to care for the Brownell family in their time of need.
Frederick W. Kracker
Fredrick W. Kracker, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully at age 85, on January 25, 2026. He was born on July 17, 1940, in Newberry, Michigan, to Walter and Caroline (Mahlo) Kracker. Fred was a graduate of Ferris State University. He found employment at Aluminum Extrusion and later at the Barry-Eaton Health Department. He enjoyed attending antique steam engine shows, car museums and playing euchre, volleyball, and various types of puzzles.
He is survived by his wife, Joan; daughter, Laura (Peter) Kracker; sons, Thomas (Jacque) Kracker and Michael (Lynn) Kracker; grandchildren, Trinity, Ava, Jayden, Viktorija, and Alexander; brothers, Ernest Kracker, William (Rebecca) Kracker; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter (Caroline) Kracker; sisters, Lillie Kracker, Jane Bradshaw, and Louise Kracker; sister-in-law, Diana Kracker; and brother-in-law, Melvin Bradshaw.
Friends are encouraged to support Fredrick’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. No services will be held at this time. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
William Dennis Swartz
William Dennis (Denny) Swartz, 78, of Bellevue, Michigan, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital surrounded by his family. Denny was born on August 23, 1947, to Melvin Roy (Bill) Swartz and Charlotte Ann Swartz (Love) in Battle Creek.
Denny was a giving, caring, and proud husband, father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-uncle, great grandfather and friend to many. He’d help anyone, anytime, anywhere with anything and everything he could. He loved when his kids, sons-in-law, or grandkids called him or stopped by just to chat or asked him to teach them how to do something, which he was amazing at. Growing up, Denny loved spending time on the farm with his uncles, playing sports, and being outside. As a teenager, he not only went to school, but worked many hours at the American Legion Club House where his mother and sister also worked.
He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1966. Shortly after graduation, Denny was drafted into the Vietnam War, where he served as a Sargent E5 filling an E6 Staff Sargent position in the United States Army. On August 2, 1969, he married the first love of his life, Kathleen (Kathy) Ruth Trott in North Ridgeville, Ohio. For the next 25 and half years, they made a home and had two daughters. While his daughters were growing up, he was often seen coaching one or both of them in softball or at a sporting event cheering on his hometown. He was employed at a full service Marathon gas station for a short time before being hired into Fisher Body (GM) in Lansing.
Denny was a Mason for over 50 years and a lifetime member. He began his time as a Mason at the Climax Lodge. He was proud to be a Mason and held many seats in several lodges over the years, including Past Master of the Kalamo Lodge. He also often attended Lodge in Dayton, Tennessee, when visiting friends.
Once he retired after 31 years from GM, he spent a lot of time fishing, visiting friends in Tennessee, and picked up a part-time job driving truck for Gould’s Trucking in Olivet for several years.
Denny was lucky enough to find the second love of his life, Joyce Bernheisel, and they were married on May 14, 2005. Joyce had two grown children that Denny embraced as his own. Together they shared four kids, four granddaughters, and two great granddaughters. In later years, he was the biggest fan in the crowd and a proud Papa as he watched at least one, if not two or three playing or performing at the same time. He and Joyce spent many years taking care of each of them before they reached school age. Papa and Grandma were often seen at softball, volleyball and soccer games, dance recitals and band concerts.
Denny was preceded in death by his father, mother, first wife, and sister. He is survived by his wife Joyce, daughters Shannon (Tony) Bass and Michelle (Doug) Pennington, both of Bellevue, step-daughter Anne (John) Swanson of Portland, Oregon, step-son Chris Pillars of Vicksburg, sisters Marjorie Coy of Bellevue, Pat Dowding (Mary) of Battle Creek, brother-in-law Jim Treat of Bellevue, grandchildren, MaKenna Pillars and Kyle Colwell, Kayden and Karley Bass and Willow Pennington, great-granddaughters, Loreli and Mallori Colwell and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
There will be a visitation on February 12, 4 to 7 p.m. at Rhe North End, 232 N. Main St., Bellevue.
A Military and Masonic grave side service will be held on April 24, 2026 ,at Fort Custer National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Masonic Home in Alma, 1200 Wright Ave. Alma, MI 48801.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook, and to share memories and pictures with the family.
James Michael Shaver
James Michael Shaver, a hardworking man who provided for his family, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026. James, 77, of Charlotte, was born on July 16, 1948, in Lansing, the son of John and Catherine (O’Dell) Shaver. Shortly after graduating from high school, James married Cindy Lou Priesman, they were married for 58 wonderful years until her passing on July 30, 2025. James worked as a pipefitter for General Motors, retiring after 30 plus years in 2001. He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed the thrill of the hunt and the zip of each cast fishing. His favorite memory was when he tagged his first buck and fishing on the Looking Glass River in his youth. James was active in the National Rifle Association, Pheasants Forever, Quality Deer Management, and the Chief Okemos Sportsman Club. James was a man who could fix anything, he also enjoyed watching sports, especially MSU.
James is survived by his children, Donna Lynn Zaluga and James Michael Shaver Jr.; grandchildren, Eric Batt, Joshua Zaluga, and Dalton Zaluga; seven great-grandchildren, Joey, Jackson, Emberlynn, Brooklynn, Nathaniel, Emmett, and Gracelynn; siblings, Patricia Darby, John E. (Charlotte) Shaver Jr., and Thomas (Martha) Shaver. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Cindy Lou Shaver; his parents; and brother-in-law, Dave Darby.
Friends are encouraged to support James’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services are Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Visitation will be held just prior to the service from 9 to 11 a.m. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Linda Marie Einarson
Linda Marie Einarson, aged 69, of Potterville, Michigan, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026, just two days shy of her 70th birthday. Born on January 25, 1956, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Linda was a cherished sister, aunt, and friend who touched many lives with her joyous spirit and kind heart.
Linda was the beloved daughter of Harold Metusalem Einarson and Doris (Blades) Einarson, both of whom predeceased her, as did her treasured son, Kyle Einarson.
She is survived by her sisters, Lisa Makarewicz and Lanya (Richard) Aldrich, who will fondly remember Linda’s infectious laugh and unwavering support. Linda’s nieces, Bethany (Robert) Pattermann, Breana (Mitchell) Hebert, and Crystal Makarewicz, and her nephew, Jason Makarewicz Morris, and great-nephew, Matthew Pattermann, grew up with an aunt who was always ready to celebrate their successes.
Linda’s career was marked by her dedication and hard work. She was a familiar face at the MSU student bookstore, where she made countless friends among both the staff and the student body. Linda also brought her team spirit and camaraderie to the Metro-bowl, where she was not only an employee but a part of a community that shared her passion for bowling.
Linda’s love for gaming connected her with friends online, sharing laughter and good-natured competition. Through her love of photography, Linda captured the beauty of the world around her.
There will be no services at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in loving memory of Linda to the American Cancer Society. The family has entrusted arrangements to the Mills Funeral Home, Peters & Murray Chapel, Grand Ledge.
Bruce D. Wood
Bruce D. Wood, age 74, passed away on January 22, 2026. He was born on October 9, 1951, to Lewis and Athol Wood.
Bruce graduated from Eaton Rapids High School, Class of 1969, and married the love of his life, his beautiful bride Marsha, in 1971. He spent many years working at General Motors before retiring in 2001. A proud leukemia survivor, Bruce showed incredible strength, resilience, and determination throughout his life.
Bruce was a loving husband, father, grandpa, and great-grandpa. He truly had a zest for life and loved big. Bruce was a leader — someone people naturally looked up to and admired. He was strong, kind, and dependable, always willing to help anyone who needed it. If Bruce gave you his word, you could count on it. He was a protector and provider, but most of all, he was ours. He was a friend and inspiration to all who knew him and will be missed more than words can say.
Bruce loved to joke and laugh, and he could always lighten the mood. He was a true jack of all trades, always tinkering, fixing, or building something. He enjoyed camping, spending time with family and friends at the property, volleyball, playing cards, and snowmobiling.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Athol Wood; his sister Sandy; and his brothers Burr and Leon.
He is survived by the love of his life, Marsha Wood; his daughter Tabatha (Schad); his son Adam; his grandchildren Ryan (Shi), Miranda (Xavier), Collin, Dylan, Devin, Destiny (Maverick), Jaydyn, and Trinity (Jack); and his great-grandchildren Izzy, Dawson, Ava Rae, and Ozzy.
Bruce is also survived by his sisters Becky (Bruce) Zgoda and Rene (Kevin) Kole; his brothers Dan (Connie) Wood, Robin (Mary) Wood, Loren (Amy) Wood, and Eric (Gwen) Wood; his brother-in-law Al Conklin; his sisters-in-law Linda and Mary Wood; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is being planned for Bruce in the spring.
Contributions in Bruce’s memory may be made to the family or to the Be The Match Foundation.
To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Phillip Leroy Clark
Phillip Leroy Clark Jr., 64, of Mulliken Michigan, passed away on January 6, 2026. He was born on July 13, 1961.
Phillip was known for being a great friend, his love for the outdoors, and good story telling. He was an amazing dad and grandpa to his two kids and six grandchildren.
He enjoyed playing pool, hunting, and being with friends and family. Summer was his favorite time to be outside in his yard or working on his house. He was always around to have a chat.
Phillip is survived by his children: Cady Allerding (John) and Phillip Clark III (Breann); his grandchildren; Deaglan, Hazel, Rylan, Wyett, Phillip IV, and Paisleigh. Parents Phillip Clark Sr. (Mae) and Carol Fockler (Dan). Siblings Carla Hiatt (Bill) and Jason Clark.
He will be deeply missed by all family and friends.
Celebration of life will be determined at a later date.
Royce Andrew Hoggard
Royce Andrew Hoggard, age 73 of Charlotte, Michigan, died peacefully at home on Thursday, January 15, 2026. He was born on December 6, 1952, in Oshawa, Ontario to Maurice and Ellouise (Johnston) Hoggard. He lived in the Port Perry and Oshawa area until moving to London, Ontario in 1972 to study manufacturing engineering and metallurgy at Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology. It was there that he met his wife Margaret (MacNeill) through mutual friends, at a Valentine’s Day dance, which she took as a sign their union was meant to be.
Somehow, a decision was made that they would marry (though it was never clear which one proposed). Their union was solidified in July 1975 to coincide with her graduation from Fanshawe. She supported him through his final year of college, and she often commented, “He’s been paying me back ever since.” Their greatest blessing was the birth of their son, Andrew Hoggard, in 1977. The young family soon settled in Strathroy, Ontario, where their family was greatly enhanced when Margaret’s teenage sister Heather joined them during her high school years.
Royce started his career in manufacturing engineering, transitioning to his calling of “quality guy” in 1980. Like many young men of his era, he was bedeviled by the double-digit interest rates, workplace instability, and runaway inflation of the times. With quiet determination and hard work, he not only advanced in his career but also managed to earn post-Masters status through part time studies. Between 1980 and 1992, he completed the joint Business and Administration program through the Canadian Institute of Management/University of Western Ontario, and earned numerous credentials, including every certification offered by the American Quality Society at the time up to Certified Quality Manager.
Between 1992 and 1994, Royce was part of a startup team that established an American branch of his Canadian company, serving as Director of Quality. Royce moved to the Eaton County region of Michigan in 1993 with his wife and son, where he immediately fell in love with the State. When his commitment to the project ended, he was offered an opportunity to work for an international accrediting body, SGS, as a lead auditor. This also necessitated continuous education, and his particular focus became manufacturing and environmental systems QS and ISO auditing. He traveled extensively, doing audits primarily in North America and Mexico, but also in South America, Europe, and Asia. During these years, in 2007, he also became an American citizen, which he considered one of his greatest blessings.
Royce lived by humble and deep Christian beliefs. Being a quality and environmental systems auditor was his vocation: upholding standards that would ensure products were safe for consumers using secure environmental practices fulfilled him spiritually as well as professionally. Although almost perfect, Royce’s love of his work contributed to his most serious fault: he was a workaholic. In fact, his wife said on their 50th anniversary that they had actually only been married for 20 years because of his frequent travel.
After his retirement in 2018, this fault turned into a serious addiction to model trains. Gradually, he let go of his other interests – aquariums, carpentry, learning to play the piano – as he became consumed by his new-found habit. However, this addiction also led him to meet many new friends when he joined local and national clubs and took part in train shows in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Before long, Terry Davis introduced him to Andy Keeney and his Nashville Road group. Soon, working (or was that playing?) on model train activities with Nashville Road brought him his greatest joy. During his final illness, this incredible group of men supported and encouraged him and gave him the strength and hope to keep fighting to the very end. Royce’s family is very grateful to them for all they did to help them during this difficult time and for their continued support of the family after his death.
The family feels truly blessed by many people for their prayers and support throughout Royce’s courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. At this time, they offer thanks to those people, who along with members of the Nashville Road, helped make it possible for him to die peacefully at home. These include Jamie Curtis, Reverend Susan Sparks, Royce’s cousin Marie Wilson and her friends, Sandra Field (aka “the Prayer Lioness”), the Sparrow Hospice at Home, and the kind people at Palmer, Bush, & Jensen – Holt Chapel.
Royce was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Ellouise Hoggard, and his uncles, Leonard Johnston and Wallace Johnston. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, his son Andrew Hoggard (Shannon Vanderhorst), and two grandsons and one granddaughter. Royce is also survived by his sister Marilynn, whose single act of cruelty towards him was to step on his fingers when he was learning how to crawl. His aunts Fern Johnston and Lynda Barney, and his cousins Marie (Ron), Ed (Carolyn), Lori (Sam), and Melanie (Paul) also survive him, as do his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Neil and Gillian (Dibb) MacNeill and Heather and Laurent MacNeill-Pennacchio, along with three nieces and two nephews.
With the help of the Nashville Road group (who may not know what they’re in for), an informal “celebration of life and model trains” will be held here in Michigan. A more formal funeral service, with Reverend Keith Sweeting officiating, will take place in Ontario, where Royce will be interred in a Hoggard family plot. The dates for both events are yet to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation© or to the charity of your choice.
Royce is in the care of Palmer, Bush, & Jensen – Holt Chapel. Cremation has taken place
G. Jewell Lindsay
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jewell Lindsay, age 85, of Bellevue, Michigan. She peacefully entered into the presence of our Lord and Savior, surrounded by her loving family, on December 22, 2025.
Jewell was born on September 2, 1940, in Spencer, Tennessee, to William “Ted” and Martha “Allene” (Curtis) Evans. Although her given name was Gladys, she was known by her middle name, Jewell, a name that perfectly reflected who she was: a true treasure to all who knew her.
She had a heart for serving others and a home that was always open. She was the heart of her family, the truest example of a mother, a grandmother, and a caregiver. Her kitchen was never closed, and no one ever left without food, comfort, or love. Over the years, Jewell opened her home to numerous foster children, whom she loved and cared for as her own. She was a kind and compassionate woman with an unwavering devotion to care for others, always welcoming anyone in need.
Jewell attended Ainger Bible Church, where her faith was evident not only in her words but in the way she lived her life each day. Her legacy of love, hospitality, and compassion will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.
She married her childhood sweetheart, Dale Lindsay, at the young age of 16, and they celebrated 68 years of marriage. Jewell and Dale raised seven children together. They were also blessed with 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, who brought immense joy to Jewell’s life.
Jewell enjoyed traveling to visit family, baking, cake decorating, sewing, card making, and various other crafts. She baked and decorated countless cakes for her loved ones, including wedding cakes and cakes for every occasion. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family, especially the little ones.
She worked for Enquirer and News for 29 years. She also worked for Baskin-Robbins and dedicated a summer to working on computers in the Main Library at Michigan State University.
Jewell is survived by her husband, Dale; her children, Pauline (Gary) Brittain, Jeff (Katrina), Calvin (Laurie), Joan, Michael, and Leanna (Josh Zaluga); her daughter-in-law Jenn; her brothers and sisters, Charlie (Dorothy) Evans, Janie Evans, and Buddy (Jackie) Evans; and her sisters-in-law, Neva Censke, Sarah Cole, and Verna (Chris) Meneguzzo.
Those who have gone before her include her parents; brothers Billy Evans and Jim Evans; numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; son Russ Lindsay; son-in-law Rich Lindsay; and great-granddaughter Nora Lindsay.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 14, at 11 a.m., at Ainger Bible Church, 5484 Ainger Road, Olivet, Michigan.
Those desiring may make contributions in Jewell’s honor to Ainger Bible Church, 5484 Ainger Road, Olivet, Michigan.
To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Jewell’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com.