Obituaries
Joanne Gardner
Joanne (Cook) Gardner of Charlotte, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on Wednesday, April 23, 2024. She was 91.
Joanne was born on August 24, 1932 in Traverse City, Michigan. She was the eldest daughter of Archie Fay Cook and Ruth Emma (Hubbell) Cook, and older sister of Mary Beth and Archie Fay Junior (Jim). Following in the footsteps of her parents, both dedicated educators, Joanne completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in speech and language pathology at Central Michigan University, and an additional Master’s degree in psychology at Western Michigan University. She taught in the Charlotte Public School system for 38 years and was a member of the Upsilon chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for Key Women Educators, ever devoted to supporting both students and fellow teachers.
In Charlotte, she met the love of her life, Joseph Munroe Gardner. They married on February 21, 1970, and have been inseparable ever since. Together with her husband, Joanne traveled the world, from every corner of her home state to Australia, China, and Mexico, to name a few. Joanne also spent much of her time giving back to her local community through her work with the Order of the Eastern Star of Michigan Brookfield #352 chapter; she was a loyal member for 73 years. Joanne was an avid crafter, delighting many with her quilts and home-made cards, and one of the best square-dancers this side of the Mississippi.
Joanne is survived by her husband, Joe Gardner; her sister, Mary Beth (Cook) Tereschuk; eight nieces and nephews; and many, many great-nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly. She now joins in Heaven, her mother and father; brothers, Jim and baby Robert; brothers-in-law, Luey Heisler, Hugh Boehmer, Dean Thuma, and Daniel Tereschuk; sister-in-law, Betty Thuma; and nephews, Ron Thuma and Danny Tereschuk.
To honor Joanne’s request, there will be no service. Please celebrate her life and lasting legacy privately or make a donation in her name to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Upsilon chapter or the Order of the Eastern Star Brookfield #352 chapter. Friends are encouraged to share memories of Joanne on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Claudia Klaiss
Claudia “Jean” Klaiss of Charlotte, a nurturing, caring woman and friend to many, died April 5, 2024, at the age of 83. Jean was born in Jackson, Michigan on January 22, 1941, to Berkley and Hilda (Rhinehart) Larzelere. Throughout her lifetime she worked many different places, including Dewey’s Party Store, Owens Illinois, bus driver for Charlotte Public Schools, G.C. Murphy Five and Dime, Klaiss TV, and Murray’s Flower Shop, but most recently was happily retired. A lifetime member of V.F.W. Post 2406 and American Legion Post 42 in Charlotte, Jean enjoyed volunteering and being a part of a community of friends. Jean loved her family dearly and had many great memories of growing up with her sisters, family reunions, barn building, playing cards, and so much more with family at the heart of it all. She was very proud of her miracle baby, Dawn, and enjoyed married life as Mrs. Donald Klaiss, with a special love between them; becoming a blended family, which gave her more family to love; and the camping trips enjoyed together.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Dawn (Brian) Gibbs; step-children by title but children through love, Donald (Martha) Klaiss Jr., Brian (Kristi) Klaiss, Alan (Trina) Klaiss, and Gary (Susan) Klaiss; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings, Jackie Robinson and Judy Jones; brothers and sisters-in-law, Sue (Chris) Scott, Sally (Rod) McMichael, Jan McQuay, Fred (Nadine) Klaiss; several nieces, nephews, and extended family members; and her longest and dearest friend since birth, Karen (Milo) Wright. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ken Wenzel and second husband, Donald “Duck” Klaiss; daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Pete Sperry; sisters, Linda Davis and Meredith Potter; brother, Berkley Larzelere; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim Klaiss, Darwyn Jones, Jim Davis, Jean Reed, Larry McQuay, and Ken Robinson.
Friends are encouraged to support Jean’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Sunday, April 7, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were Monday, April 8 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Greg Rinehart 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 Claudia’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 CFD Christmas Kiddies. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Terry Lee Chaney
Terry Lee Chaney, 77 of Prescott, AZ (formerly of Charlotte, MI) died April 8, 2024. Terry was born December 20, 1946, in Lansing, MI to Maynard and Alice (Flasher) Chaney. He joined the Air Force, serving from 1966-1970. Terry worked at Spartan Motors for 20 years until his retirement in 2009, and then in 2018 moved to Arizona. Many different outdoor activities were the things Terry enjoyed most in life, including hunting, fishing, camping, training dogs, and riding and showing horses he received numerous achievement awards in horse riding.
Terry is survived by his daughters, Michelle (Rob) Keckler and Heather (Travis) Piepkow; five grandchildren, Alana, Amanda, Mason, Brooke, and Joseph; two great-grandchildren, Anorah and Owen; sister, Robyn (Jerry) Daugherty; brothers, Larry (Faith) Chaney and Russ (Linda) Chaney. He was preceded in death by his first and second wives, Carol Conklin Chaney and Linda Henderson Chaney; and grandson, William Piepkow.
A graveside service was held at Perry Cemetery in Charlotte, Michigan on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Joy Lynn Clark
Joy Lynn Clark of Dimondale, passed away April 20, 2024, at the age of 70. Joy was born on November 3, 1953, in Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of Morris and Mary (Miles) Remington. She was honorably discharged from the National Guard in 1979. Joy worked many years for Sparrow TCI before retiring in 2018. She was first and foremost a full-time grandma. Her four grandchildren were her whole world. Joy would do anything with her grandkids, including playing Roblox on occasion. She will be remembered for being a very dedicated and wonderful mother. She was also an amazing artist. Over the years she had created some beautiful paintings and drawings. Joy had quite the green thumb, she enjoyed gardening as well as cooking.
She is survived by her daughters, Doreen (Mark Klemish) Zimmerman of Eaton Rapids, Paula (Robert Perry) Zimmerman of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Kaleb Chambers, Maxximus Perry, Xander Perry, Robert Perry Jr; brother, Steven Remington; sisters, Linda Hartman, Nancy (Ed) Deatsman. Joy was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Michael Remington.
Memorial Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Ele’s Place of Lansing in loving memory of Joy Lynn Clark. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Gladys Stacey
Gladys G. (Field) Stacey of Marshall, Michigan, formally of Charlotte, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at her residence. She was under the care of Oaklawn Hospice and her loving family.
Gladys was born February 15, 1924, in Nashville, Tennessee the oldest daughter of George W. Field, and Jeannette (Rice) Field, who proceeded her in death, as well as her sister, Carolyn L. Field, and her husband of 61 years, Herbert Levi Stacey.
Gladys is survived by her brother Carl W. Field; nephew, Timothy K. (Kathy) Field; nieces, Schara J. (Ike) Swan, Joyce (Charlie) Porter and Jan Miller.
Grand nieces and nephews; Steven Botimer, Hailey (Rocky) Young, Landon Young, Ginger (Larry) Holland, Chris (Ann) Porter, and Lesa (Bob) Smith, as well as many grand great-great nieces and nephews.
Gladys was a graduate of Charlotte High School, Class of 1942. Immediately after graduation she joined her uncle, Harold Field, at Morrison Field in West Palm Beach, Florida to assist in the recovery of military planes that crashed on the East Coast.
Her next adventure, led her to Phoenix, Arizona, where she was employed at a large department store in the accounting office. While in Arizona, she enjoyed bowling, the mountains, and horseback riding. In the early 1950’s her dad was in Phoenix attending an ABC bowling tournament. They had an extra seat in the car and he convinced her to return home with them.
Shortly after that, she began her banking career at the Eaton County Savings Bank, which led to the Michigan National Bank and then the Bank of America, where she retired from after 42 years of service.
On September 16, 1956, she married Herbert L. Stacey and they were blessed with 61 happy years together.
Gladys and Herb also enjoyed 25 years at their Duck Lake cottage (Stacey-Ives Goof Off Haven) before they retired, and then 30 years at their home in Sarasota, Florida (Venetian Park Estates) in the winters.
In June 2016, they moved into the Villa at Winston Court Senior Living Community in Marshall where they have resided since.
Gladys was a member of the First Congregational Church of Charlotte and attended there until moving to Marshall where she attended the Marshall First Baptist Church with her brother and his family.
She was active in many organizations. A life member of the Charlotte VFW Post 2403 Auxiliary, the American Legion Post 42 Auxiliary, the Order of the Eastern Star 351 Charlotte chapter, and the Charlotte Senior Center where she and Herb enjoyed playing bingo. She also was an avid bowler for many years.
Gladys and Herb had no children and were always very involved in the lives of their nieces and nephews (“the kids”), especially Gladys, who inherited her father’s love of phoning everyone.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Katie Wallen officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. A luncheon will be served following the service at the First Congregational Church in Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to one of the organizations listed above. To leave an online condolence for Gladys’s family, please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com .
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo funeral Home.