Obituaries
Charles Lewis Filbert
Charles Lewis “Chuck” Filbert, of Charlotte, MI, a man with a great sense of humor who could laugh at most anything, died Thursday, October 27, 2022, at the age of 86. He was born July 17, 1936, in Forman, North Dakota, the son of John and Edna Filbert. Chuck’s family moved to Michigan when he was only nine months old. In 1955, Chuck graduated from Charlotte High School. He served his country in the U.S. Army and was proud to be a veteran. On July 13, 1958, he married the love of his life, Glenda Stadel.
For many years, Chuck was a dairy farmer and contractor. He built and remodeled houses in the Charlotte area for many years. Chuck was a person who could fix most anything. If anything broke, his mantra was, “I’ll take care of it,” and he did. He and Glenda always did things together, they were inseparable. They enjoyed many things together, including riding motorcycles through the countryside, making trips as far as Sandusky and Traverse City. Glenda fondly remembers their fishing trips in the Canadian wilderness with friends. Chuck and Glenda were snowbirds to Florida and due to health problems had recently been living full-time in Zephyrhills.
Chuck is survived by his wife of 64 years, Glenda; brother-in-law, Dick Stadel; sister, Donna Tellas; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by their three sons, Tim, Mark and Chris; his parents, John and Edna; and two sisters, Dorothy and Evelyn.
Memorial services for Chuck will be conducted at the Center Eaton Community Center, 2173 Narrow Lake Rd., Charlotte, Michigan, on Thursday, May 18, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation just prior from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Friends are encouraged to support Chuck’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. His family is being served by Pray Funeral Home of Charlotte.
Jeanette Jean Boyer
Jeannette Jean (Morales) Boyer was born on January 19, 1946 in Charlotte, Michigan to Luterio and Bessie (Harmon) Morales. She grew up in Charlotte, where she met her husband, Joe. In 1973, they moved their family to Sunfield, Michigan. Over the years, Jean worked at Fisher Body, welcomed daycare children into her home and decorated cakes, both for work and at home. The most important thing in Jean’s life was her family. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jean was a fan of 50s-60s and country music. She enjoyed her Shirley Temple movies and at Christmas time, she would settle in for a Hallmark movie at night. She also spent countless hours in the kitchen over the years, cooking and baking in restaurants as well as for her family.
Jean is survived by her children: Jorum Boyer Jr., Phillip (Debora) Boyer, Jeannette (Dean (deceased)) Spitzley, Kenneth Boyer, Charles (Ann) Boyer, Jessica (Justin) Garvie, and loving daughter-in-law, Chris (Luterio (deceased)) Boyer. She is also survived by her 19 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, five brothers and one sister, as well as a large extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe; son, Luterio; granddaughter, Elizabeth; son-in-law, Dean; and brothers, Rodney and Phillip.
Jean was very loved and will be missed very much.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 Noon on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Sunfield United Brethren Church, with a luncheon to follow at 12 Noon.
For those wishing, contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation (kidney.org).
Please visit a web page designed especially for Jeannette, to light a candle or leave a condolence at www.RosierFuneralHome.com. The family is being served by the Independent Family-Owned Funeral Home in Sunfield: Rosier Burial & Cremation Services.
Stanley Carl Palmer
Stanley Carl Palmer, age 94, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan passed away on April 20, 2023, with Yvonne, his loving wife of 60 years, by his side. Stan was born on August 22, 1928, in Los Angeles, California. He was one of nine children, born to Charles and Armenta (Kennedy) Palmer. He married the love of his life, Yvonne (Moore) Palmer in 1963 and together they lived in Pasadena, Texas where Stan served 27 years in the Merchant Marines. In the early 1970’s, Stan and Yvonne lived in Onondaga, Charlotte, Higgins Lake, and settled in Eaton Rapids, where they lived for over 20 years. Stan worked at Owens-Illinois for 26 years, where he retired in 1991. Stan loved deep sea fishing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, visiting family in California, trips to the casino, and accompanying Yvonne on her bowling tournaments.
Stan is preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings. He is survivied by his wife, Yvonne; daughter, Deborah Palmer; son, Stanley (Roma) Palmer; granddaughter, Martina Palmer; brother, Clifford (Sara) Palmer; and special friends, Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Plug) Whitaker, Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne Mayball, Mr. and Mrs. Jan Skrip and Lowell Hogle.
Per Stan’s wishes, no service will be held. He is in the care of Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. You may visit his tribute page to leave memories and condolences.
Mary Irene Ash
Mary Irene Ash, 90, of Charlotte, MI a kind-hearted farm wife, died peacefully April 20, 2023. Born November 19, 1932, in Charlotte to Nelson and Arlene (Newth) Simpson, Mary was the first in her family to graduate from high school. After high school (graduating on Friday and starting work on Monday) she worked for Bell Telephone. Growing up on a farm, she loved to drive the tractor and after seven years she left the telephone company to help run the farm. Mary met her future husband on a blind date, and they courted for three years before they were married in 1954. A proud wife and mother, Mary enjoyed her family and taught them to be kind to others, just as her parents had taught her. Her faith was the center of all things she did in life, always showing others her love for her Lord and Savior.
Mary is survived by her husband of 69 years, Roger; daughters, Anne (Norm) Harris, Anita (Gene) Swayer; grandchildren, Kevin Smith and Rachel Smith. She was predeceased by her sister, Kay Leonard and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Mary’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Tuesday, April 25 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 26, at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Josh Landers of Hillside Community Church Crown Point Indiana officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Louis DeFabio, Jr.
Louis DeFabio, Jr., age 97, of Riverview, Michigan and formerly of Southgate and Olivet, Michigan, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2023.
Louis was born July 6, 1925, to Luigi and Autilia DeFabio. Louis served with the U.S. Marine Corp and is a WWII Veteran. He retired from PennWalt Chemical Plant after 25 years of service. Louis was a jack of all trades. He could fix anything and tackled many carpentry jobs along with having a big green thumb when it came to growing a garden. His specialty was growing tomatoes, sending many bushels of produce home with family and friends after weekend visits.
Louie was the beloved husband of 59 years to the late Patricia DeFabio. He was the loving father of Penny (Michael) Gibbons of Riverview, Louis (Paula) DeFabio III of Charlotte, Shirley (Larry) Frederick of Ellenton, FL, and John DeFabio of Belleville. He was the dearest grandfather of Patricia (Adam) Rollason, Kristen Kurzeja and Becky (Cory) DeFabio-Hewitt, and sweet great-grandfather of Matthew Kurzeja, Alexia Kurzeja, Kaiden Elsey, Kenley Hewitt, and Brittanie Hewitt. Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, and seven siblings.
Cremation has taken place. A family memorial gathering will be held later this summer. The family is under the care of Molnar Funeral Home – Brownstown Chapel, Brownstown, Michigan.