Obituaries
John Thomas Thayer
John Thomas “Jack” Thayer, age 76, of Olivet passed away on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, in Marshall. He was born September 14, 1946, in Buffalo, New York the son of Richard and Gertrude (Butler) Thayer. After high school Jack proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Jack worked at Fisher Body in Lansing, Henderson Glass, and later owned and operated Residential Window Service in Olivet. He enjoyed spending time camping, NASCAR, and drag racing.
Jack is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Troy Thayer, Connie Tobias; step-son, Ben (Carol) Nelson; sisters, Ruth “Dolly” (Dan) Finney, Nancy L. Gardenhouse; several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home for a time of reminiscing and sharing memories.
Those desiring may make contributions in Jack’s memory to Oaklawn Hospice 13444 Preston Drive, Marshall, MI 49068.
To view Jack’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Mary Eileen Holt
Mary was a resident of Charlotte, MI where she peacefully passed away surrounded by loved ones on August 20, 2023, at the of 85. She was born on September 8, 1937, in Kewanee, IL to Smith and Lillian Monroe. This is where Mary led her life’s journey working as a school custodian for Southwestern School District in Brighton IL where she dedicated 20 years of her life. After she retired, she and her husband, Raymond Holt moved to Charlotte, Michigan and remained there for the past 23 years.
Mary also found joy in many different hobbies such as crocheting, free drawing, sewing, and solving word puzzles. She also had a fondness for traveling, she really loved the scenery of the landscapes of northern Michigan and southern Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her loving parents; her husband, Raymond Holt; her son, Bruce Holt; daughter-in in-law, Stacey Holt; and her brother, Paul Monroe.
She is survived by her children, Jerry and Lorie Merideth, Vicky Binnings, Kenneth Holt, Sherry Holt, Scott Holt, Evelyn (Nicky) and Jerry Case. She also has 13 grandchildren, 25 great -grandchildren and 11 great, great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Lorena Hall and all of her children.
In honoring Mary’s wishes there will be no formal services held. For those who would like to pay their respects, memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice House of Lansing Michigan in Mary’s memory. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneral Homes.com.
Jeffrey Alan Shumaker
Jeffrey “Jeff” Alan Shumaker, a man known for enjoying the simple things in life, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, August 18, 2023, surrounded by his family. Jeff, 62, of Charlotte, was born on October 10, 1960, in Charlotte, the son of Orland and Ethel (Canter) Shumaker. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1978. On September 13, 1985, he married his high school sweetheart Daneen Atwell. Jeff worked at Spartan Motors in Charlotte where he was a Production Supervisor. Many referred to him as the Best Boss at Spartan. He retired from Spartan in 2022 after 33 years and began working for Air Lift. Jeff worked for Air Lift until he was diagnosed with cancer and was unable to work any longer. Many will remember Jeff for his funny personality and his ability to make you laugh. His biggest pride and joy in life was his family and in recent years his three beautiful grandchildren.
Jeff was an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for chasing Michigan whitetails in the fall and turkeys in the spring. You could often find him cleaning up around his yard and tending to his yearly vegetable garden. Jeff and his son Travis were proud members of the Rankins Big Buck and Turkey Contest each year. On a bear hunting trip several years ago, Jeff was given the nickname Two Shot Shumaker, which has stuck with him over the years. Jeff also enjoyed numerous hunting trips out west. On May 28 Jeff was able to hunt one final time. With the assistance from Travis, he was able to tag one final turkey. There was also the yearly fishing trip to Platte Bay when the salmon were running. Jeff was also an avid golfer, playing in different leagues over the years.
Jeff is survived by his wife of almost 38 years, Daneen; children, Tara (Chuck) Collier, and Travis (Lexie) Shumaker; grandchildren, Olivia Collier, Adalynn and Tucker Shumaker; siblings, Bernard (Ana Maria) Stambaugh, Linda Russell, and Doug (Katy) Shumaker; mother-in-law, Janice (Barry Baba) Atwell-Finn; sister-in-law, Shelley (Chuck) Hogle; brothers-in-law, BA (Chris) Atwell, and Phil (Sonja) Atwell; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; and step father-in-law, Thomas Finn, Jr.
Friends are encouraged to support Jeff’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. There will be no services for Jeff at this time. His family would like to thank everyone that came to support Jeff and his family at the Living Celebration of Life that they had for Jeff earlier this summer. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Terry Lee Wing
Terry Lee Wing, age 80, of Charlotte, peacefully passed away at home on August 21, 2023, after a long, courageous fight with cancer. He was born in Laingsburg, Michigan, on November 18, 1942, to Clair and Theresa (Cline) Wing. Terry was part of the Class of ’61 at Laingsburg High School. After high school, he worked as an orderly at Ingham Medical Center in Lansing for a short time. Then in 1963, Terry enlisted in the United States Army where he proudly served his country for three years in the fight for freedom during the Vietnam War.
Terry was a quiet man and found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He loved country line dancing, fishing, and playing euchre. Terry could often be found in the evening mastering a crossword puzzle that was in the daily newspaper. He was a very loving family man who will always be remembered for his compassion to others and his calm, unflappable demeanor. Cancer may have taken his earthly life, but his love and care for his family will forever be cherished and missed.
Those surviving him are his loving wife of 27 years, Pat; his two children, Teri (Jordy) Bryce of Texas, and Michael (Tamie) Wing of Texas; three children Terry and Pat raised together: Jessica Pooley of Eaton Rapids, Joshua (Katie) McDonald of Grandville, Jolayna (Greg Duff) McDonald of Eaton Rapids; his brother, Roger (Theresa) Wing of Tennessee; 14 grandchildren; soon-to-be four great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Those preceding him in death are his parents, and eight brothers and sisters.
The family received friends during a time of visitation at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home on Thursday, August 24, 2023. A funeral service was held on Friday, August 25, 2023, at the First Baptist Church, 1110 S. Cochran Ave., Charlotte, MI at 12:00 p.m. with a visitation held one hour prior to the service. Pastor Pete Kroll officiated. Interment took place at Munger Cemetery where military honors were rendered.
Those desiring may make contributions in Terry’s memory to either the Ingham County Animal Shelter, 600 Buhl Street, Mason, MI 48854, or University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Research, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, CCGC 6-303, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
To view Terry’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Joanne May
Joanne May, 83, of Marshall, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at the home of her son, Russ.
She was born on November 17, 1939, to Floyd and Margaret (Barber) Rounds in Vermontville, Michigan.
Joanne’s marriage was to Robert Rugg which ended in divorce. Her second marriage was to Ronald May, sadly he passed away on November 7, 2022. She worked as a long time Hair Stylist in the Bellevue area, and she was a school bus driver for Bellevue as well.
Joanne was a very active lady and enjoyed being on the go whether it was going out to dinner at the Essenhaus in Middlebury, Indiana or Red Lobster in Battle Creek or visiting casinos. She enjoyed karaoke, word search puzzles and traveling. Joanne so looked forward to the Monday craft class with her sisters and afterwards all of them going to lunch. She made her own cakes, dishcloths, and Christmas ornaments which she would give to the family. Joanne always enjoyed a cup of coffee with friends and family as she wanted to visit and ask how you were doing. She will be missed for her kind and gracious ways and by her family that she cherished.
Joanne is survived by her loving children, Ginger (Terry) Berkimer of Battle Creek, Michigan, Alan (Mary) Rugg of Battle Creek, Michigan and Russ (Tonya) Rugg of Bellevue, Michigan; her stepchildren, Don Paul (Kelly) Scheidel of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kevin May of Menominee, Wisconsin and Dale (Chrissy) May of Menominee, Wisconsin; her sisters, Elsie Wolever of Vermontville, Michigan and Ardean (Archie) Gonser of Vermontville, Michigan.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Robert Rugg, her second husband, Ronald May and her daughter, Debbie Thomason.
Visitation was held Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 205 N. Elizabeth St., Bellevue, Michigan 49021. Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at the First Baptist Church – Bellevue with Pastor Don Francis officiating. Burial of her cremated remains will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105) or to Oaklawn Hospice (13444 Preston Dr., Marshall, MI 49068).
Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.