Obituaries
Theresha Ann VauAuken
Theresha Ann VauAuken, 82 of Vermontville, a kind and loving individual, died June 19, 2024. Theresha was born in Kalamo Township, Michigan on June 8, 1942 to Maynard and Idella (Moon) Moorehouse. She grew up and lived her entire life in the Vermontville area. Teresha enjoyed spending time with family and was deeply fond of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An avid reader, she also enjoyed crossword puzzles, fishing, and camping. She was a kind soul and was loved by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her.
A hard-worker and go-getter, Teresha worked many different places throughout her lifetime. First and foremost, she was a wife and mother. She also worked at the Charlotte Medical Care Facility, Michigan Magnetics, Crown Camper, and Hoover/AE as a union steward until the factory closed. She then went on to work as a cashier at the Vermontville Grocery store, Purina Ralston in Battle Creek, and then at Peckham Inc. in Charlotte as a supervisor, where she worked for 15 years and retired at the age of 67.
Teresha is survived by her husband of 53 years, Thomas VanAuken; daughter and son-in-law, Dena and Paul Lahr; son and daughter-in-law, Lance (Beth) VanAuken; granddaughters, Denise (Nick) Crandell, Rebecca (John Lee) Lahr and Emily VanAuken; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Hailey, Tyler and Alice; sisters, Freda Collier, Kathy (Randy) Whitaker and Judy Barcroft; brothers, Alvin Morehouse and Norman (Beth) Morehouse; several nieces and nephews, and her four-legged daughter, Gabby. She was predeceased by her parents, Maynard and Idella Morehouse, first husband, Allen O. Serene; daughter, Della Serene; brothers, Robert and Raymond Morehouse; and sisters, Mary Hood, Ruth Morehouse, and Sally Morehouse.
Friends are encouraged to support Teresha’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A graveside service will be held on Monday, June 24, 11:00 a.m. at Hillside Cemetery, Kalamo Township, with Pastor Charles Jensen officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Flower House (senior living facility) in Nashville, MI. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Sue Ann Campbell
Sue Ann Campbell, passed peacefully at her home in Bellevue, MI, on June 15, 2024, and went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Sue was born on March 12, 1944, to the late, Gerald and Brittie (Mathewson) Greenawalt in Lima, Ohio. She is also preceded in death by her father and mother in-law, Earl and Jessie Campbell; sister, Gale Charlene Greenawalt; and daughter-in-law, Julie (Jung) Campbell. She is survived by her husband, Dave Campbell; daughter, Brenda (Mark) Link; sons, Scott (Karen) Campbell, and Joe (Julie, deceased) Campbell; brother, Steve (Donna) Greenawalt; and sister, Marilynn (Eugene) Waterbury. Sue was blessed with 15 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Sue was known for her love and faithfulness to the Lord, sure to share Jesus with those around her, in word and deed. She was also faithful in praying for her family and all others that she shared life with. Sue, lovingly known as Suzy to her husband, was a faithful wife and fiercely devoted to her family. Being a lover of nature Dave and Sue were members of the Hiawatha Sportsman Club, where they enjoyed many vacations together. She was a true outdoorswoman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with her Savior in His creation, always with her hat cocked to the side. Sue enjoyed her Bridge Club and playing other games including Cribbage and Backgammon. Sue had many talents and gifts, and she used them to impact others, such as sewing many children’s dresses for church ministry. You could often find her in the kitchen baking a delicious pie or her famous vegetable beef soup, usually with a grandchild at her side. The incredible impact Sue had on her family, friends and community will live on for generations. We will miss you dearly, but we do not grieve without hope.
A visitation was held at First Baptist Church, 122 S. Main Street, Bellevue, MI 49021, on Friday, June 21, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and June 22, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service begins at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Don Francis officiating. A graveside service will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue.
If desired please consider making a memorial contribution to First Baptist Church, Bellevue. Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services. Please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.
Loren L. Dingman
Dingman, Loren L., Nashville, Michigan, age 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 14, 2024. Loren was born in Nashville, Michigan on January 17, 1939, the son of the late Howard L. and Unah E. (Stewart) Dingman. He was a graduate of Nashville High School, class of 1957 and attended Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music. Loren was self-employed for most of his life and was the owner of several businesses, including The Teener, Nashville Flower Shop, South End Grocery in Nashville, Mr. Lucky’s Restaurant and Lounge in Battle Creek and Islands Inn Motel in Cedarville in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. His faith in the Lord was very important to him, and he served as associate pastor at Woodbrook Cathedral in Grand Rapids. Loren also worked for a time in the music industry as a sound technician in Nashville, Tennessee. On June 11, 1989, he married Margaret D. Smith, who survives. Loren is also survived by his children, Denise Hummel, Randy (Christine) Dingman, Chris Dingman (Phil Forrest) and Adam (Jordan) Dingman; stepchildren, Silas E. III (Candy) Chalfant and Susan (David) Laws; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Roger (Bonnie) Dingman; sister, Lois (Bill) Browne; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Neal (Annetta) Dingman and great-grandson, Levi Chalfant. A funeral service was held on Friday, June 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 2838 Capital Ave. SW, Battle Creek, MI 49015. Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Cemetery, Battle Creek. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Friends and family may share a memory or leave a condolence message at www.kempffuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 2838 Capital Ave. SW, Battle Creek, MI 49015.
Duane Robert Lewis
Duane Robert Lewis, age 76, of Eaton Rapids, formerly of Charlotte, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. He was born June 18, 1947, in Charlotte the son of Robert and Ruth (Murray) Lewis. Duane graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of 1965. He retired after many faithful years of service working at the DPW for the City of Charlotte. Duane loved spending time outdoors. Whether it was sitting around a campfire, riding his motorcycle, canoeing, or spending time with family at Bertha Lake, he cherished each and every moment.
Duane is survived by his wife, Myra; children, Robert Lewis of Harrison, Michelle (Jeff) Pierce of Charlotte, Rick (Angel) Tyler, Ken Tyler, Jeff (Denise) Tyler; grandchildren, Justin (Erica) Jeffery, Sheila Lewis, Ashley (Brandyn) Tyler, Andrew (Michelle) Tyler, Shelby Bigelow, Jaedyn Colburn; 7 great-grandchildren; siblings, Charlotte (Erwin) Walker, Roberta (John) Forell, Arletta Lahr, Diana (James) Wietzke; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Lou in 2011; and brother-in-law, Mike Lahr.
In keeping with Duane’s wishes cremation has taken place and no services will be held.
To view Duane’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Patty Lou Burleson
Patty Lou Burleson passed away at her home with family by her side on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the age of 87. Patty was born on May 24, 1937, to William and Beatrice (Overla) Hart in Mason, MI. She grew up a farmer’s daughter alongside her younger sister Karen and cousin Gary. It’s there that she developed a lifelong passion for horses. On a family hunting trip to Harrison, she met her future husband, Clyde Burleson. They married on July 24, 1954. They lived for a time in Eaton Rapids, before settling back in Mason at the home Clyde built for her just a few houses down from where she grew up. They had 4 children and often opened their home to family and friends. They threw many memorable parties where everyone gathered in the garage and the yard to talk, played a game of softball or volleyball, and enjoyed a pig roast. Patty enjoyed gardening, working out to her Richard Simmons tapes, the music of Elvis, painting, cooking, and baking. A renowned cake baker and decorator, she baked cakes for many including family events and milestones. Patty was a 4-H leader and the whole family could be found each summer at the Ingham County Fair. She was often a judge for the 4-H cake contests. Through the years, the fair continued to be a family event where she would buy wristbands for all the grandchildren. Her famous dishes include apple goodie, balloons, cinnamon rolls, cookies, homemade noodles, and she even made a brandy slush every Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve at Grandma’s was a large event, where the whole family came to her house to enjoy the holiday together. Each year, they prepared for the event by holding a candy making day at her house, creating many tasty treats including hard candy. Patty’s whole world was caring for her family. She babysat many of her grandchildren while they were young, spoiling them and providing a loving presence. Each holds special memories of their time at grandma’s house in their heart.
Patty is survived by her sister Karen (Bill) DeTemple; children, Susan (Steve) Pifer, Julie (Rick) Rice, and Tim (Lana) Burleson; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren (one on the way); one great-great-grandchild (two on the way); three nephews, cousins and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clyde; son, William Burleson; granddaughter, Shannon Rice and great-grandson, Daniel Huttenga.
Funeral Services took place at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at noon. She will be laid to rest in Rosehill Cemetery. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Rapids Senior Center in memory of Patty Lou Burleson. To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.millsfuneral.com.