Obituaries
Charles Arthur Kikendall
Charles Arthur Kikendall of Eaton Rapids, passed away June 19, 2024, at the age of 72. Chuck was born on January 13, 1952, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, the son of Francis and Ruth (Egan) Kikendall. He graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1970. After graduation he joined the United States Navy and proudly served his country until 1976. Chuck worked for Meridian Magnesium for over 20 years before his retirement in 2019. He worked at Ace Hardware in Eaton Rapids after he retired to fill some of his free time. Chuck was a family man and doted on his daughter, Brianna. He enjoyed reading, gardening, and tinkering around in his garage.
Chuck is survived by his daughter, Brianna (Chase) De Glopper of Allendale; siblings, Georgia (Robert) Stapleton of Eaton Rapids, Penny Parsons of Eaton Rapids, Lois (Dave) Colestock of Eaton Rapids. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kenneth Kikendall; brother-in-law, Thomas Parsons.
Funeral Services were held at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project in loving memory of Charles Arthur Kikendall. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Donna Kay McBride
Donna Kay (Davis)(Johnson) McBride, born June 25, 1938, passed peacefully at home with her daughter on May 20, 2024. She married James Martin McBride in 1969, and moved to Eaton Rapids, MI, where she and James became very active members of the community. Donna managed James’ successful campaign for Mayor in the mid ‘70’s. She also managed Claudia Brown’s successful campaign for City Council. She was the chair of the ER Redistricting Committee. Donna was a member of the ER Hospital Auxiliary and a member of the U&I Club. She hosted the ERHS Senior Tea for several years. Donna was instrumental in cataloging graves in the Eaton County cemeteries, and many other civic activities.
She leaves behind her daughter, Brenda (Johnson) Harvey of Millers Falls, MA; three granddaughters, Hannah Harvey of Morehead Beach, NC, Halle Harvey of West Springfield, MA, and Hattie (Kevan Bordner) Harvey of Northfield, MA; two great grandchildren, Calvan and Blair Bordner; sisters, Bess Wiggins of Midland, MI and Mona Miller of FL, as well as many nieces and nephews. Donna is predeceased by her husband of 53 years James; brothers John and Grant Davis; sisters Shirley Emmendorfer and Irene Howe.
Please join the family for a Celebration of Life to honor Donna and James (June 17, 1938 – October 11, 2022) on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the Charlotte VFW from 1-4 p.m. Interment will be private.
Elsie Marie Love
Elsie Marie Love, age 94, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, passed away on May 12, 2024, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Elsie was born in Ionia, Michigan on October 15, 1929, the daughter of Edward and Lena (Dunham) Shamp. Elsie attended school in Charlotte, Michigan, graduating with the Class of 1947.
Shortly after graduation, Elsie married Alton Willis. During this ten-year marriage, Elsie became the mother of two daughters, Sandra Willis and Wanda (Willis) Hughes. In 1976, Elsie married Lewis Love, Jr. to whom she was married until his death in 1999.
Elsie was employed as a Teller at the Charlotte Branch of Michigan National Bank for nearly ten years. She then joined Owens Illinois as a payroll clerk, later taking a position as plant manager’s secretary and retiring from that position.
Elsie was artistic. She loved needle crafting and quilting. She was a master cake decorator, highlighted by her providing a tiered wedding cake to serve over one hundred people at her daughter Wanda’s wedding. She was also a woodworker, carving and painting hummingbirds and, with the help of her husband Lewie, crafting and painting unique doll furniture for her granddaughter.
Elsie’s long-remembered legacy will be her unfailing dedication to her family. Elsie’s entire life was devoted to supporting her children and grandchildren, often sacrificing her own needs.
Elsie leaves behind her daughter Wanda (Ivan) Hughes of Stillwater, Oklahoma; grandson Ivan “Chip” (Lauren) Hughes, Jr. of Fulshear, Texas; granddaughter Christina (Andrew) Waller of Stillwater, Oklahoma; and great-great grandchildren Peyton, Wesley, Trey, Elizabeth, and Taylor. She was preceded in her death by her father and mother, her husband Lewis Love, Jr., and her siblings Edward, Donald, and Joyce (Weever) Shamp.
A private graveside service was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Eaton Rapids.
To view’s Elsie’s obituary online or 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.
Patricia Ann Royston
Patricia Ann Royston Dunning Parsons, age 90, of New Port Richey, FL, passed away on February 12, 2024, in New Port Richey, FL.
Patricia was born in Charlotte, MI on May 18, 1933 to Howard and Lilah (Houghton) Royston. She was a graduate of Charlotte High School and married John Dunning in 1953. She was employed at AE Charlotte, as a school bus driver for Charlotte Schools, worked for the post office as a mail carrier, and as a secretary for Farm Bureau Insurance in Charlotte. After John’s death in 1976, Patricia met and married Jerry Parsons of Lansing, MI in 1979. They made a wonderful life for themselves in New Port Richey, Florida, a place where family and friends were always welcome.
Pat loved riding her bike and visiting neighbors, winning at card games and bingo, completing jigsaw puzzles, and caring for her beautiful flowers and plants around her home. She was a loving and devoted sister, mother, and grandmother. All of her grandkids loved their “Grandma Pat” because she was young in spirit and heart. She never missed an opportunity to joke around, play games, and boogie down on the dance floor. She attended and was active in her church and was always available to lend a helping hand to her fellow neighbors in her park.
Patricia is survived by her sister, Virginia Carlisle and brother, Jerry (Audrey) Crane, her four children, Debra (Kip) Arnold, Denise (Lee) Gress, Dennis (Ellen) Dunning, Doyle (Dawn) Dunning, and two stepchildren, Roger (Retta) Parsons, and Kathy Parsons, 15 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Lilah Royston, husbands, John Dunning and Jerry Parsons, brothers, Charles, Eugene, and Gaylord Royston, sisters, Leona Howard, and Colleen Gingrich.
The family will have a Celebration of Life on July 6, 2024 at the VFW, Post 2406, 695 Lansing Road, Charlotte, 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Light lunch will be served following a brief Memorial Service.
Teresha Ann VauAuken
Teresha Ann VanAuken, 82 of Vermontville, a kind and loving individual, died June 19, 2024. Teresha was born in Kalamo Township, Michigan on June 8, 1942 to Maynard and Idella (Moon) Morehouse. 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; step-son and daughter-in-law, Lance (Beth) VanAuken; granddaughters, Denise (Nick) Crandell, Rebecca (John Lee) Lahr; step-granddaughter, Emily VanAuken; step-grandson, Matthew VanAuken; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Hailey, Tyler; and step-great-grandchildren, Alice, Landon, and Carmen; 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 was 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.