Obituaries
Flora B. Alwood
On December 17, 2022, Alzheimer’s disease claimed another life. Flora (Flo) B. Alwood (Snow) will be remembered for her kindness and compassion.
She had a fierce love of her family whether we were being lovable or not. She was known for her generosity of time, baked goods and celebrating holidays, especially Christmas. There was always an extra place at her table. Thousands of cookies were baked over the years and handed out to help brighten a day.
Flora was the middle child in a family of eight children and grew up without indoor plumbing or having new clothes. This likely fueled her love of shopping and gift giving. She often dealt with life’s challenges with a sense of humor, and she loved to laugh – whether it was at another frozen birthday cake, the antics of a pet or grandchild or someone acting like a fool – she saw a lot of humor in the world. She loved children and animals and was happiest being of service to others.
Flo is survived by her husband of 67 years, Richard (Dick); daughter, Cindie (Sarah Schreiber); sons, Marty (Tina) and Russ (Tracey); grandsons, Patric and Nathaniel; one sister, Joyce Favero; a brother, Sam Snow; and many friends.
Flora and Dick were devoted members of the Delton Moose Lodge and spent hours cooking, hosting events and providing much needed services to the children and families of the Delton community. Flo will be remembered most for her unwavering support of her family, her willingness to jump in and help wherever and whenever it was needed and being a good friend.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 2 p.m. at the Delton Moose Lodge.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Hastings, conveniently located at 1401 North Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Chad Wayne Lewis, Sr.
Chad Wayne Lewis, Sr., 79, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2022.
Chad was born on November 14, 1943, to Lawrence and Norma Helen Lewis in Harlan County, Kentucky. On January 19, 1962, he and Judy Kay Cornett, along with their parents, crossed Black Mountain from Harlan to Sneedville, Tennessee and were married by Reverend Amos Presley, an uncle of the late Elvis Presley. They moved to Michigan the next day in hopes of building a new life away from the coal mines. He and Judy had their first child, Helen Gail, in 1964 followed by Chad Jr. in 1967, and Mary Evelyn in 1973. Chad began his career at Corning Glass Works in Albion and, subsequently, Owen-Illinois Glass in the maintenance department. As evidence of his work ethic, Chad attended Lansing Community College where he earned his electrician license, all while working full-time in maintenance, being an involved father and husband, and building their new house in Springport in 1976. He retired as an industrial journeyman electrician after more than 40 years with O-I in Charlotte.
Chad spent most of his time in retirement with his best friend, Judy. After 31 years of marriage, they separated but remained great friends and companions. They often took day trips together, gardened, enjoyed Chinese food, and never passed by a Goodwill store without stopping. Chad particularly enjoyed holidays and family gatherings, where he would always comment on the great food and how it made him happy to have his family all together. In his words, “Judy is the best cook in this world” and “it sure is nice to have all the family together, wouldn’t ya say, Jude?”
He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Kenneth and Henry. He is survived by two brothers, Larry Lewis and Jerry (Denise) Lewis; his ex-wife, Judy; daughter, Helen (Mick) Collier; son, Chad (Sue) Lewis, Jr.; daughter, Mary (Don) Cesco; seven grandchildren: Dave (Kendra) Leib, Chris (Jessica) Bouvier, Courtney (Kirk Underwood) Lewis, Jana (Calvin) Powell, John (Ashley) Lewis, Josh Cesco, and eleven great-grandchildren.
In accordance with Chad’s wishes, a private memorial service for the family will take place at a later date.
Allen James Lawton
Allen James Lawton, 69, of Leslie, Michigan passed at McLaren Hospital, due to coronary artery disease, on December 3, 2022. Allen was born in Albion, Michigan on June 26, 1953 to Cecil and Dorothy Lawton. Allen grew up in Springport, Michigan and graduated from Springport High School. In 1985 he married the love of his life, Debbie. He worked and later retired from Barns Aerospace in Lansing. Following his retirement he spent his time fishing, and reading books. His favorite pastime of all was riding around the countryside with Debbie. Anyone that knew Allen, knew that he was fiercely stubborn, and that stubborn spirit will be missed greatly.
Allen is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Guy Lawton and Tammy Lawton. Allen is survived by his wife of 37 years, Debbie Lawton; son, Jayme Lawton of New York; stepsons, Tony Haley of Mason, Michigan, Jim Haley (Jennifer) of Leslie, Michigan; grandchildren, Michael (Courtney) Dunn-Haley of Sparta, Michigan, Ethan Haley of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, and Emma Haley of Eaton Rapids, Michigan; honorary grandchildren, Tanner and Trenten; and great-grandchild, Sierra Dunn-Haley.
There are no services planned at this time.
Jerry Allen Austin
Jerry Allen Austin, age 77, died peacefully at home on December 2, 2022, and is now with his Lord Jesus Christ. Jerry was born to Donald Virgil Austin and Marjorie Belle Herrick on April 3, 1945.
He is predeceased by his parents; brothers, Larry and Gaylord; son, Mike JA Austin; and granddaughter, Harper Jean. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Robin, whom he married on July 27, 1991. He is also survived by his children: Dodie (Brian) Putney, Kelly (Scott) Moseng, Jason Austin, Donald Austin, Mikayla (Taylor) Chase; daughter-in-law, Shelly Austin; 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Jerry dropped out of school in the eighth grade. He enlisted in the US Army in 1962 and was honorably discharged in 1968 with the rank of staff sergeant. He served in the Guards for many years afterwards. He had many jobs throughout his life but really liked driving semi-trucks with over 50 years of driving under his belt. He started his own company in 1997. He often liked to say he was a paid professional tourist.
There will be a Celebration of Life service for Jerry at 11:00 a.m. on December 17, 2022. It will be held at Celebration Church at 4012 Marshall Road, Charlotte, MI 48813. A dinner will follow. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pawsibilities in Olivet, MI or a charity of your choice.
Kali R. Clark
Kali R. Clark, age 30, of Charlotte, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on December 4, 2022. She was born on June 30, 1992, in Jackson, Michigan, daughter of Anthony Clark and Dawn Harwood. Kali graduated from Western High School in Parma; Class of 2010. After graduation she continued her education and received an associate degree in accounting from Baker College.
Kali began working in the office at Farm Bureau. She earned her CDL to begin a new career at Charlotte Public Schools in the Transportation department. Her children always remained her focus. Kali was an incredible mom, devoting her life to her children.
Kali was proud of her homestead, which she called Wits’ End Homestead. She loved animals and was teaching her children how to care for their menagerie of animals including pigs, goats, ducks, and chickens. As a child Kali participated in 4H which is where she developed her value of raising animals.
Kali loved to be outdoors. She enjoyed camping, swimming, and hunting. She liked the thrill of hunting and was ecstatic when she got her first deer last year. Kali was the life of the party and always had a great time. Her outgoing and vibrant personality made everyone want to be her friend. Kali was goofy and loved joking around. She was a joyful, smart, and dedicated mother, daughter, sister, aunt, granddaughter, and friend.
Kali is survived by her children, Camdon, Beau, Jaxon, and Hayden; her parents, Anthony (Jody) Clark and Dawn (Rex Rainey) Clark; her grandparents, Melvin Clark and Dianne Harwood; her siblings, Siera (Alex) Whitney and Brent (Ashley) Clark; and her boyfriend Kyle Kiplinger. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandmother Sandra Clark and her grandfather Larry Harwood.