Obituaries
Virginia Tobias
Virginia Tobias, age 90 of, Nashville, MI. went to be with her Lord on August 7, 2024.
Virginia was born in Battle Creek, MI, on June 27, 1934, a daughter of the late Irene and Harry Potter.
She was raised in the Bellevue area and attended local schools graduating from Bellevue High School in 1953.
After finishing her education Virginia was married to Mr. Stanley Parr, and the couple had 4 children. In 1959 Virginia & Stanley purchased their farm in Bellevue where they raised livestock and crop farmed. For 32 years she worked tirelessly making their house a home. She was a true Matriarch. Their marriage ended in 1981.
In 1982, Virginia embarked on a new career path as a legal secretary for the Department of Corrections in Ionia. She worked faithfully for over 10 years before retiring in 1992.
In 1983, Virginia was married to Mr. Richard Tobias, and the couple made their home together in Nashville for 41 years. Ginny loved her flower gardens, birds, and everything nature. Her cinnamon rolls were well known in Nashville, especially with everyone at Hometown lumber, where she would take them over just because. She was a lifelong member of the Bellevue Baptist Church and loved her church family very much.
Virginia is survived by her four children, daughters Debby (Ken) Burkett, Kathy Newton, Cindy (Brad) Halsey, her son David (Lori) Parr, her much loved sister Carolyn Case, along with her stepchildren Aaron, Dan and Ben (BJ) Tobias. She has 12 Grandchildren, Lisa, Kenny Mark, Diana, Adam, Lucas, Storm, Emily, Mindy, Callee, Forrest, Kady and Kim, and 31 great grandchildren. Her cherished pets, Polly and Scooter who were always by her side. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Tobias, her brother Harry Potter, and her husband Stanley Parr who passed away in 2016.
Funeral service was held on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at The First Baptist Church, in Bellevue MI, located at 122 S. Main Street, Bellevue MI 49021. The family received visitors on Thursday, August 15, 2024 from at The First Baptist Church in Bellevue, MI.
Interment will take place privately.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 E. M-79 Highway, Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Richard Stanley Amsdill
Richard Stanley Amsdill, age 68, of Onondaga, Michigan, passed away in the comfort of his home on August 13, 2024. Rick was born on September 14, 1955, the son of Earl and Vivian Amsdill who have preceded him in death. He graduated from Leslie High School and married his high school sweetheart, Shery Townsend. Rick was a hard worker who had successful careers as a certified mechanic and then as a drywall finisher. In his free time, Rick enjoyed watching Michigan football, being outside in his garden, and listening to AC/DC.
Along with his parents, Rick is preceded in death by his sister, Mary Amsdill; brothers, Raymond Amsdill and Tony Amsdill; nephew, Ricky Dowding; and niece, Tammie Garland. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Shery Amsdill; daughters, Rikki Amsdill (Harold Gillett) and Sally (Jesse) Brown; and grandchildren: Brooke (Quincy) Wallace, Gabriel Beam, Alex Beam, Cody Garland, Lillian Brown and Buster Brown. Rick is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Riley and Auden; siblings: Marilynn (Gerald) McKinney, Bill (Pam) Amsdill, Susan Garland, Margaret Dowding, Marie Kidder, and Mark Amsdill; and sisters-in-law, Debora Rounds and Diane Slusser.
A celebration of Rick’s life was held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Springport Bible Church located at 240 Mechanic Street in Springport. Pastor Matt Rohde began with a few words followed by a time for sharing love, laughter, and memories during a luncheon. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, 121 Pearl St./PO Box 235, Springport, MI 49284. 517-857-4848.
Debora Irene Bisel
Debora Irene Bisel, age 73, of Charlotte, passed away Friday, August 9, 2024, at U of M Health Sparrow in Lansing. She was born August 7, 1951, in Charlotte, the daughter of Melvin and Donna (Barrett) Bisel. Deb graduated from Charlotte High School. In her free time she enjoyed crafting, baking, being on the water fishing, and gardening. Her favorite past time was spending time with her precious grandkids.
Deb is survived by her children, Debora (Robert) Dankenbring, Allen (Heidi) Emerson; six grandchildren; mother, Donna Face; sister, Stephanie Williams; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Melvin; son Chad Emmons; stepfather, Oscar Face; and brother, Jeffrey Bisel.
In keeping with Deb’s wishes cremation has taken place and no services are being planned at this time.
To view Deb’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.
Judith LuVerne Good
Judith LuVerne (Swick) Good, age 96, of Charlotte, passed away Thursday, August 8, 2024, at Island City Assisted Living in Eaton Rapids. She was born May 12, 1928, to Wyler Kear and Bernus Edyth (Mollenkopf) Swick at home on the family farm near Convoy, Ohio. She graduated from Tully-Convoy High School in 1946 being Valedictorian of the class and then attended Bowling Green State University. In 1949, she married Fred Calvin Good and they moved to LaGrange, Georgia. Later that year they moved to Chestertown, MD where they lived on Chino Hereford Ranch. In 1950, they moved to Cheboygan, Michigan where they lived and worked on the Golden River Hereford Ranch. In 1955 the family now with two boys moved to VanWert, Ohio to Art Anna Angus Farm where a daughter was added to the family. In 1958, they moved to Charlotte, Michigan where they owned and operated the Good Angus Farm for 55 years. Another son was born shortly after moving to Charlotte.
Judy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, and volunteer. Some of her happiest times were spent in the kitchen cooking for family and friends, sewing clothes for her family and herself, or working in her vegetable garden. She especially loved listening to classical music, playing the piano, making soup to share with others, spending time with family and friends, trips to Branson, Missouri, Shipshewana, Indiana, and was a fan of MSU Spartan and Detroit Tiger games.
As partner, with husband, Fred, in operating Good Angus Farm, she and the children would have to step in and take over when Fred was gone to sales or shows. She also helped with hay making, doing the farm book work, helping to manage the Dawson-Good and Good Associate Club Calf Sales for 20 years. She always was an integral part of the operation and enjoyed the cattle very much. Judy was also a pretty good judge of cattle herself!
Judy was a woman of deep Christian faith and prayer learning, growing, and sharing when she could. She was devoted long time member of the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church. She sang in the choir for over 50 years, was an active member of the Deborah Circle serving as President and Secretary, helping with bazaars and church meals, co-librarian for nearly 40 years, served on many committees and initiated forming the membership committee in recent years. She was a Stephen’s Minister and took the Emmaus Walk.
Judy joined the Eaton County Extension Homemakers in 1965 and received the Silver Salute Award in 1987, delivered meals on wheels for over 24 years, occasionally provided meals for hospice, was an auxiliary member of the Gideon’s International, where she served in many offices. She was a lifetime member of the Michigan Angus Auxiliary and the Eaton Area Senior Center. For many years Fred and Judy enjoyed square dancing together.
Judy is survived by her husband of 75 years, Fred; children, Dennis (Leah) Good of Charlotte, David Good of Phoenix, AZ, Mary Beth Good of Berrien Springs, Kevin (Kammie) Good of Parker, Colorado; grandchildren, Elissa (Chris) Mullinix, Heather (Trent) Clemen, Devin (Sabrina) Good, Sam (Shaina) Good, Nathan (Koban) Good, Chelsea (Chad Tenpenny) Good, Derek Good, Kelton (Cheyenne) Good; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Jean (Norman) Covert of Tiffin, Ohio; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Jane (Don) Good, Norma Ann Adam (Charles Boroff).
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church with Pastor John Messner officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 16, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. Burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Judy’s memory to The Gideon’s International www.gideons.org.
To view Judy’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Brian Keith Caruthers
Brian Keith Caruthers triumphantly entered the Kingdom of Heaven August 1, 2024.
Cancer sucks.
Brian, 55, was born and raised in Charlotte. He had an active and happy childhood, the oldest of four boys. He attended Charlotte Public Schools and graduated from Ridge Vocational Technical School in Polk City, Florida in 1987. He spent his senior year living with his grandparents, Phyllis and James Caruthers in Florida, and shared fond memories of spending time with his half-sister, Aimee, during that time. After returning to Charlotte, Brian began his employment with Spartan Motors and dedicated 33 years of service building fire truck components in a variety of positions, most recently as an electrician. Over the years he developed close friendships with several of his coworkers.
Brian met his wife, Pam, on “Sweetest Day” in October 1996 and they married on May 31, 1997 (he immediately became the favorite Uncle of Stephanie, Amanda and Nathanael). Two years later their son, Joseph, was born. They attended Charlotte Assembly of God for many years. Brian felt strongly that ministering to men was important and he valued the connections he made with others through Ushering and Men’s Ministry at church.
He was a life-long learner, and encouraged and challenged those close to him to do the same. Reading “Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge changed his life. Brian was an authentic person who often said, “What God says about you in Scripture is the only opinion about you that matters.”
An avid reader and writer, Brian enjoyed Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and John Eldredge. He also enjoyed Marvel and DC comics, time outdoors, fishing, and going to the shooting range. Above all, Brian loved being a Husband, Dad, Uncle, and Brother.
Brian enjoyed making people laugh, and he was always ready for a good debate. Topics of interest could be anything from Doctor Who to Marvel and DC Comics, podcasting, reading audio books, what “good 80’s music” meant to him (especially Huey Lewis and the News), shooting guns, writing his book, and bacon – it makes everything better. He was most passionate about his relationship with Jesus Christ. He became a Christian as a young adult and daily strived to grow closer to the Lord and live an authentic life. He desperately wanted everyone to know this: Jesus loves you, he died for you, and he has a plan for your life!
Brian was thoughtful, kind and generous, with a dry and often quirky sense of humor. He loved a good dad joke and catching people off guard. He loved animals, and had many pets over the years, with a special place in his heart for his dog, Woof (who was more like a roommate than a pet), and his good buddy, Max.
Brian is survived by his wife, Pamela; son, Joseph; brother, Chris and Stacey Caruthers; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerritt and Kerry Raterink, Dorene and Mike Culp, Leslie and Greg Lidstone; Aunt Penny Saylor, Aunt Jody Laubhan; special nephews and nieces, Nathanael and Jenna, Stephanie and Javon, Amanda and Steve, and Tyler; dear friends, Mike and Sandi Rodgers, and Chad and Flor Ehresman; step-brothers, Jason Worden and Jesse Worden and their families; and many extended family members. He was preceded in death by his mother, Sharon (Saylor) Worden; father, James Caruthers, Jr.; uncle, Gary Saylor; and father and mother-in-law, Rodney and Phyllis Raterink; as well as his grandparents, Charles and Phyllis Caruthers, Jack Saylor, and Lenora Anson.
Friends are encouraged to support Brian’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A memorial service was held Wednesday, August 7 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Mike Rodgers officiating.
The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Brian’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, memorial contributions are suggested to Right to Life of Michigan, or to the family so they may purchase and plant a tree in his honor. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.