Obituaries
Melva Muncey Cantin
Melva Muncey Cantin, age 74, born October 31, 1949, in Charlotte, Mi, who always had a hug and smile, rose peacefully into the arms of Jesus died on July 26,2024 of heart failure.
Melva was a devoted wife, mother and precious grandmother. She was married to Nelson J Cantin for 55 years. She graduated from Holt High School in 1968. She then attended beautician school and continued to cut friends and family hair for 40 years. Melva was a bright light and shared her love for life with all her friends, family and special dog Tessa. She was very talented and belonged to craft, quilt and bunko clubs. She was a Girl Scout and Brownie leader. She was a devoted member of St Mary’s Catholic Church from 1976-2007 where she was a member of a prayer and rosary group.
Charlotte Michigan was her hometown for 31 years. Melva worked at Weymouth as a teacher’s assistant. She also was a florist for Felpaush Grocery Store. Her talent extended to wedding flowers.
Her passion was bringing people together through church events, tea parties, crafts and neighborhood holiday parties.
She adored her grandchildren (Dylan, Callie, Andre and Lana). She always sent homemade cards and made cakes for the holidays. She loved watching them grow up and never missed a birthday. They were her pride and joy in life.
She was a baking queen for all the friends and neighbors. Melva made the best breads, cakes, cookies and tarts. Her sweet smile and treats warmed up many homes.
She moved to Athens, GA in 2007 and quickly fell in love with the South. She loved all her neighbors. She belonged to St. Joseph Catholic Church from 2007-2024. She attended Knights of Columbus events with Nelson (husband) many times. She also attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School for her grandchildren’s church, sporting and school events.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin Muncey and Bonnie Azeltine.
Survived by her husband, Nelson J Cantin of 55 years. Two daughters, Stacie Cantin (Celebration, FL) and Mandy (Jansen) Dellinger (Bogart, GA). Four grandchildren, Dylan Dellinger, Callie Dellinger, Andre Belokonev and Lana Belokonev. Sister, Candace Muncey (Salinas, CA) Stepsisters, Vanda VanValkenburg and Renee Stevenson (Lansing, MI); sister-in-Law, Louise (Jack) Thomas; brother in laws, Steve Cantin and Joe (Mary) Cantin. Many nieces and nephews.
A Rosary Service was held Friday, August 9, 2024 at 12 p.m. at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, 958 Epps Bridge Pkwy., Athens, Ga 30606, followed by a Mass Service at 1 p.m. After the Mass, there will be a Celebration of Life at Club Estates, Statham GA.
Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com
Leona Charlene Canfield
Leona Charlene Canfield, age 76, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 1, 2024. She was born December 3, 1947, in Battle Creek the daughter of Robert and Reva (Swick) Pierce. Leona was raised on the family farm near Nashville, Michigan. Her growing up years were very precious to her and she cherished the many memories that were made. On the farm Leona had many responsibilities that helped her to become a hardworking woman. Leona always had a great love for horses that began in her childhood. It all started with riding the family milk cow to the barn when it was time to begin chores. This passion for riding grew and once she began riding her horse she never stopped. As life progressed and her family began to grow, Leona took great pride in her three boys. She loved spending time together and their family camping trips contained many precious memories. Leona earned her associate’s degree in accounting while working full time and raising three rambunctious boys. She was also an avid rock collector. There was never a rock to big to load up in the car and take home. She also enjoyed riding her motorcycle whenever possible.
Leona is survived by her sons, John (Diane) Boughton of Yelm, Washington, Scott (Amanda) Canfield of Eaton Rapids; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Robert (Vickey) Pierce, Roy (Sheila) Pierce, Sharon (Irving) Smith, Patricia “Trish” Ellis; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William “Russ” Widhalm; and son, Troy Canfield.
A celebration of Leona’s life was held on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at the family home located at 11136 Griffith Road, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827.
Those desiring may make contributions in Leona’s memory to Hospice of Lansing, 3186 Pine Tree Road, Suite 1, Lansing, MI 48911.
To view Leona’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.
Lee Anne Cross-Gutierrez
Lee Anne Cross-Gutierrez, a woman that devoted her life to the Lord, died surrounded by her family on Friday, August 2, 2024. Lee 69, was born on February 24, 1955, in Lansing, the daughter of Theo and Barbara (Ball) Cross. She was a graduate of Charlotte High School class of 1974. Later she studied Art at Lansing Community College. On her birthday in 1989 she married the love of her life Joseph Gutierrez, and together they spent the next 35 years creating lasting memories. Lee worked at Aluminum Extrusion, where she made several lifelong friendships that she kept in contact with today. After their closing she began working in child care. As a young girl she loved trips to her grandfather’s farm, where she would go on horseback rides and tractor rides. Most recently she loved being outside and enjoying nature, anything art, oil paintings, drawing, trips to museums, reading, summer picnics with her AE co-workers, and most importantly she loved being surrounded by her family. Lee was a devoted member of St Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, where she volunteered with the St. Vincent DePaul food pantry.
Lee is survived by her loving husband, Joseph; children, Autumn (Jonathan) Murphy and Michael Gutierrez; 3 grandchildren, Eliza, Emilia, and Ethan; siblings, Steve (Brenda) Cross, Theo Jayne Cross, and Bryan (Joni) Cross; nieces and nephews, Derek, Karla, Rachel, Brittany, Eric, Theo Jayne, Jeffrey, and Harvey; dear friends, Sally Haush and Danielle Linquist; childhood friends, Mary Shook and Ronda. She was predeceased by her parents, Theo and Barbara Cross; and several aunts and uncles.
Friends are encouraged to support Lee’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Sunday, August 11, 2024, from 5-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 12, 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. An interment will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI.
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 Lee’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 St. Mary Catholic Church of Charlotte. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Davine Yvonne Cochran
Davine Yvonne Cochran, happiest when busy cleaning, passed away peacefully in her home on August 4, 2024. Davine, 85, was born to David and Audrey (Lynxwiler) Kelley on June 6, 1939 in Sikeston, MO. On August 31, 1956, Davine married Roy Cochran and the two began a family and raising their four children together. Her family and friends were a central part of her life memories of which the family all cherish today. Always active, Davine enjoyed working and fixing things up the way she liked them to be. A writer, she could often be found penning music to a song or playing songs on her guitar. She was also an avid reader with the thoughtfulness of once her book collection got too large, she donated her books to the public library for others to enjoy. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. You could count on finding her with a vacuum, a dust rag, washing dishes, windows, or a paint brush in hand re-painting a room white to freshen it up. It is believed that Davine would paint anything and everything white. Somehow, she made us all comfortable at home even though it was always spotless. With Davine it was never hard to guess what she was thinking in her very straightforward and to the point communication style. Davine was very meticulous about her flower gardens. Above all her biggest enjoyment in life was her family.
Davine is survived by her children, Terry (Kevin) Besey, Sherry (Gary) Burditt, Thomas (Mitzi) Cochran, and Anthony “Andy” (Misti) Cochran; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren, with one on the way; siblings, Thomas (Betty) Kelley, Bonnie (Charles) Monan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Cochran; granddaughter, Esthony Cochran; sister, Paula Kelley; brother and sister-in-law, David (Jan) Kelley; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Davine’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. A Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home with Rev. Toby Teague officiating. If desired memorial contributions may be made to the Charlotte Community Library. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Marjorie Lorraine Fuller-Heisler
Marjorie Lorraine Fuller-Heisler, age 93, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Wednesday, August 7, 2024. She was born May 18, 1931, in Lee Township, Calhoun County, Michigan to Clifford and S. Maybell (Wythe) Fuller. Marge graduated from Walton Township Unit School in 1949. On October 8, 1950, she married Cecil Heisler Jr., at her family’s home between Olivet and Marshall. Together they raised five children, Cathy, Susan, Douglas, David, and Carol. Marge worked the majority of her career as a secretary at Fern Persons Elementary School. Throughout the years Marge and Cecil loved to travel. They visited numerous places across the United States and Canada. Although she enjoyed many things throughout her life her family was always what brought her the most joy.
Marge is survived by her children, Susan Fitchett, David (JoEllen) Heisler, Carol (Jeff) Swint; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, LeAnn and Charley Green; daughter-in-law, Judy Heisler; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Cecil; son, Douglas Heisler; daughter, Catherine Nichols; and brother, Gerald (Lenore) Fuller.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Bosworth Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Marge’s honor to Sparrow Hospice or Trenton Schrontz Playground.
To view Marge’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.