Obituaries
Joan Lee Hyatt
Joan Lee Hyatt, 92, of Charlotte, formerly of Eaton Rapids and East Tawas, died peacefully on Saturday, April 19, 2025 in Lansing. Joan was born April 14, 1933 in Jackson, MI, the daughter of Donald and Mildred (Ruehle) Davison. Soon after graduated high school she married the love of her life, Maurice J. Hyatt on June 10, 1950 in Concord, MI. Maurice and Joan enjoyed 52 years together raising three children at home on the farm. Maurice was a calf roper on the rodeo circuit, and they would often host his fellow rodeo cowboys at their indoor arena. When they finished, Joan always had a hearty meal ready for the group. She loved to host and cook food for her family and friends. In fact, the Hyatt homestead was often a gathering place for fellowship and good food.
Although she loved being on the farm, Joan worked in several careers throughout her lifetime. In her early years, she and her sister would help their dad make road signs in his welding shop. She also worked in a factory in Jackson. She was a nurse’s aide in Eaton Rapids at the hospital and worked several years as a secretary for the Michigan State Employees Association.
Joan was most at peace in the outdoors, especially fishing on the Tawas Lake in East Tawas, where they lived for many years. She and her husband went bear hunting in the Upper Peninsula a few times, and loved travelling, especially in mountains out West. Joan also loved playing the piano. She was a woman of deep Faith, and was a devout member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses for over 70 years.
Joan is survived by her son, Steven (Diana) Hyatt of East Tawas, MI; daughters, Linda (Dave) Siple of Eaton Rapids and Tamara (William) Otis of Charlotte; 10 grandchildren, Ben (Melissa) Hyatt, Jeff (Katie) Whitaker, Stacey (Gary) Meyer, Becky (Frank) Psurny, David (Susan) Siple, Jarred (Katina) Siple, Stephen Otis, Christa (Lee) Hude, Justin (Tina) Otis, and Jamie (Ray) Goheen; 19 great-grandchildren; brother, Jim (Jan) Squires; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Maurice; sister, Jackie Williams-Kasten; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Joan’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located at 40 N. Chester Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Charlotte. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
James Duane Baum
James Duane Baum, 89, of Charlotte, a generous-hearted man of God, died peacefully on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Jim was born October 29, 1935 in Springport, the son of Daniel and Goldie (Gettys) Baum. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1954 before going to work as a millwright at General Motors. On November 25, 1955, Jim married the love of his life, Delores Fox, and the two happily raised their three sons at home on the farm. Jim loved agricultural life. After a full day’s work at GM, he would come home to a full set of chores and an evening working the farm. Jim could fix anything. On the job as a millwright, he was a talented welder, and at home on the farm he kept everything working properly. He also served his country as a member of the Michigan National Guard. He was a gifted healer, using his homeopathic wizardry to help many people with their ills. Jim was known to help anyone and everyone however they needed it. He was a longtime Elder at the Charlotte Church of Christ, where he shared God’s grace and mercy with everyone he met.
Jim is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Delores; their sons, Gary (Julie) Baum, Dennis, and Steven Baum; grandchildren, Dustin (Kila) Baum, Katie (Michael Middaugh II) Baum, Kelly (Zack) Hartsuff, Danielle (Shaun) Thompson, Michael (Sara) Baum; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and extended family. He was predeceased by his brothers, Francis Laverne Baum and Jack Baum; and his sister, Betty Jane Danku.
Friends are encouraged to support Jim’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at Pray Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025, with visitation 12-1:00 p.m., at the Charlotte Church of Christ with Rev. John Bailey 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 Jim’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 Charlotte Church of Christ, Siren Eaton Shelter, or the Eaton Clothing and Furniture Center. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
George DeVries
George DeVries, age 87, of Charlotte, Michigan, met his heavenly Father on Friday, April 25, 2025. Family was by his side during his last hours while in comfort care at the hospital due to complications related to congestive heart failure.
George DeVries was born at home on August 31, 1937, to Klaas and Fintje (Hoogenveen) DeVries in Ureterp (Friesland) Netherlands.
He was the youngest of 10 children. George’s family was closely involved in the Dutch resistance during World War II.
As a teen, George dreamed to immigrate to America like a third of his older siblings had done already. At age 19, in February 1957, he embarked on a 10-day journey across the Atlantic on the Zuiderkruis emigrant ship. He traveled alone and legend has it he had only $30 in his pocket. He ported in Hoboken, New Jersey.
George first worked as a milk hand on dairy farms in New Jersey and also for three years in Southern California.
Then he served in the United States Army (1961-1964). After six weeks of basic training, he returned to Europe and served his time with the Army in Stuttgart, Germany. In time, George learned conversational English and became a citizen of the USA in 1965, of which he was very proud.
He married Gert (Valkema) DeVries, the love of his life, on August 18, 1965, in Sussex, New Jersey.
They both were from the providence of Friesland and could speak Frisian, Dutch, and English to each other. They were married for fifty-nine years.
George was a second-generation butcher and owned DeVries Meats in Newton, New Jersey. George and Gert then moved with their four children to Charlotte, Michigan, in 1982. George operated Card’s Food Locker in Eaton Rapids from 1982 -1989.
George was very handy, and he transformed their pole barn into a seasonal deer processing business. From 1991–2011 George and Gert operated George’s Game Processing. George was known for making savory venison jerky and a variety of smoked sausages.
During those years on the off seasons, George and Gert spent many winters in Navarre Beach, Florida, where he enjoyed fishing. They also did mission work including a few summers at Camp Fahola in Grass Lake, MI, and a trip to Hawaii and Florida with the Assemblies of God RV Volunteers. They also went on two short-term mission trips to the Dominican Republic and Belize. George also went with a church group on a bold mission trip to Moscow, Russia, in 1992.
George was known for his dry sense of humor, storytelling, work ethic, loyalty to family, and unshakable faith in Jesus. He had a heart for the prison ministry and Gideon ministry.
George is survived by his wife Gert DeVries; his 4 children: Heidi (Buck) Hagy of Bath, MI, Kevin DeVries of Grand Rapids, MI, Walter (Kerrie) DeVries of Millville, PA, Felicia (Aaron) Almanza of Oak Forest, IL; his 11 grandchildren, Nate (Ciana) Hagy, Miah (Ben) Cook, Zach Hagy, Luke Hagy, Jack DeVries, Emma DeVries, Levi (Sarah) DeVries, Sam DeVries, Anne DeVries, and Amelia and Abigail Almanza; his 2 great grandsons, Grayson and Beckham Cook; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and multiple nephews and nieces in the Netherlands, Canada, and the USA. His nine siblings and parents preceded him in death.
George’s family would like to acknowledge the compassionate comfort care George received during his last days at U of M Sparrow Eaton in Charlotte. We are forever grateful to the care team.
A celebration of life will be held at Lakeside Chapel 5800 Park Lake Road, Bath, Michigan 48808, on Saturday, May 24 at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will follow at the Hagy Homestead in Bath.
Cremation has taken place per George’s wishes.
If you have a story or memory of George you would like to have read at the celebration, please send to hagyherd@gmail.com.
Those desiring may make contributions in George’s memory to:
Lakeside Chapel https://lakesidechapelofbath.org/home,
Grace Explorations (Kevin DeVries) https://www.graceexplorations.com
Lansing Christian Schools https://www.lansingchristianschool.org
To view George’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.
David Jack Woodbeck
David Jack Woodbeck, age 78, of Charlotte, was born on October 6, 1946, and passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, who will remember him not only for his quiet and loving demeanor, but also for the significant contributions he made to their lives and to the community.
Dave enjoyed a robust career, having retired from General Motors after more than 30 years of dedicated service. His time at General Motors was not just a job for him; it was a place where he honed his skills and nurtured a passion that would later inspire him to help his son, Bryan, build a drag racing car. This family project highlighted Dave’s love for organized drag racing, an interest that brought him joy and provided cherished memories with his family.
Education was also an important part of Dave’s life. He graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of ‘64, a milestone that set the foundation for his future endeavors.
In his leisure time, Dave found immense enjoyment in spending time with his family. He cherished the moments they shared at the home they built on Big Lake in Osceola County, where laughter and love echoed in the air. His interests extended beyond the family, as he was also a former vice president of the Eaton County Amateur Radio Club.
Dave leaves behind a loving family who will carry on his legacy: his devoted wife, Peggy; his son, Bryan and Susan Woodbeck; his grandchildren, Matthew and Holly Woodbeck, and Courtney and Jon Parcher; as well as four great-grandchildren who brought him boundless joy. He is also survived by his brother, Alan Woodbeck, and sisters Barbara and Dan Martin, and Judy and Chris Tuller.
He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Gayle and Helen Woodbeck, and his daughter, Candace Woodbeck, as well as his granddaughter, Laura Woodbeck.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Dave’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. To view Dave’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
Jacqueline Edna Polhamus
Jacqueline Edna (Husted) Polhamus, 75, passed away April 21, 2025. She was born May 7, 1949 in Eaton Rapids, MI to Edgar and Judith (Rockerfellow) Husted.
While attending Charlotte schools, Jackie met the love of her life, Robert E. Polhamus, Jr. They married on December 23, 1967. They enjoyed 52 adventurous years together.
Jackie and Bob spent most of their lives in the military. She enjoyed the opportunities this provided to visit Europe. She cherished the folk medals they earned from the folk walks they participated in.
When they retired, they returned to Michigan. Through the years she was honored to be involved with the DAV Auxiliary of Michigan. Jackie especially enjoyed their trips to the DAV conventions in the Upper Peninsula.
Jackie had a deep compassion for the elderly and spent her working life as a CNA. She wanted to make the last years of people easier and happier.
Throughout the year Jackie took pride in her gardens. She loved to work in them, preserve the produce, to share the produce and the flowers.
Among her favorite things to do were gardening, riding the family horses, knitting, crocheting, and sewing. In quiet moments you might find her reading historical novels of the first peoples of the Americas. Or, with a bowl of popcorn watching her horror movies.
Jackie had a deep love of family. Her family was always on her mind. She is survived by her son, Gerry (Sandi); grandchildren, Angel Polhamus, Angela Burgoff, and Bruce, Blake, Kody and Evan Polhamus; four great grandchildren; her sisters, Beverly (Malvern) Kelly and Marie Husted; and her extended Rockerfellow, Husted, and Polhamus families. She was predeceased by her husband, Bob; daughter, Tanya; infant son, Robbie; and her parents.
There will be a celebration of life for Jackie on May 10, 2025 from 2-4 p.m. at 200 N. Bostwick St., Charlotte, MI. Come share your memories.