Obituaries
Alejandro “Alex” Villanueva
Alejandro “Alex” Villanueva, age 79 of, Vermontville, MI passed away peacefully with family by his side on November 13, 2022, at his home in Vermontville.
Alex was born in Ionia, county, on March 3, 1943, the son of the late Catalina and Jose Villanueva. He was raised in the Sunfield area and attended Vermontville and Sunfield schools, completing his education through adult education as the valedictorian of his class. He married Beverly “Sue” (Ray) Villanueva on February 23, 1963, in Saranac, and in 1964 Alex and Sue moved to Vermontville where they established their home and raised their family together.
Alex was an automobile enthusiast, and in 1962 he began working at General Motors. During his tenure with GM, Alex’s strong work ethic, and his ability to diagnose any problem led him to leadership roles throughout the company. General Motors would often call on his skills to get production lines and bodyshop up to full capacity and was sent to several GM plants to get employee morals in line. Alex retired as a senior supervisor in 2010 after almost 48 years with the company.
His passion for cars was not limited to his work, during his spare time Alex enjoyed restoring all types of vehicles, including full engine rebuilds, meticulous body repair, and paint. Beyond working with cars the greatest joy of Alex’s life was his children and grandchildren. He truly enjoyed watching them all grow into hardworking, caring people just like himself and never missed a sporting event or extracurricular activity. Alex took great pride in taking care of each and every one of his children, whether it was cooking delicious meals for them, giving his wise advice, or just simply giving his shoulder to cry on, all of us knew we could always depend on him for anything. He was also well known for his “practical jokes” that he often played on the grandkids.
Alex is survived by his beloved wife, Sue Villanueva; his children, Jon (Lisa) Villanueva, Julie Villanueva (White), Scott Villanueva, Debbie Villanueva; brothers, Jaime (Eliana) Gonzales, Artemio (Anita) Villanueva; sister, Maria Ainsworth; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. Alex was preceded in death by his son, Dion Ray Villanueva; mother and father, Catalina and Jose Villanueva; sisters, Enriqueta Martinez and Esther Madison; brothers, Carlos, Leuz, and Roberto Villanueva; grandson, Trayce White; great-grandson, Asher Turner; and great great-granddaughter Avari Draper.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 East M-79 Hwy., Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
James Harris
James O. Harris, age 89, of Olivet, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, November 13, 2022. He was born June 1, 1933, in Dotsonville, Tennessee the son of Carney and Edith (Smith) Harris. Jim graduated in 1951 from Olivet High School. On February 25, 1953, he married Janice R. Persons. Jim loved the outdoors and could often be found working outside doing anything and everything that needed to be done. He was a gifted mechanic and fabricator and could fix absolutely anything. Jim had a life-long passion for WWII aircraft and built many model airplanes while he enjoyed learning all he could about them. He faithfully served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Tina (Mark) Rudolph of Battle Creek; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Paula and Skip Kunkel; son-in-law, Scott (Amy) Ramage of Olivet; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janice; daughter, Becky; one brother, Frank Harris; and special friend and companion, Darlene Coats.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor James Gysel officiating. Burial will follow at Lee Center Cemetery. Those desiring may make contributions in Jim’s memory to Oaklawn Hospice, 13444 Preston Dr., Marshall, MI 49068. To view Jim’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Randy Pitcher
Randy Scott Pitcher, 52 of Charlotte, a man known for his great sense of humor, died on Monday, November 14, 2022. Randy was born on August 11, 1970 in Charlotte, MI, the son of Timothy and Sherry Pitcher. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1988.
Randy was an avid fisherman since his childhood and a devoted Detroit Lions fan. He enjoyed being on the water, boating, camping, working on vehicles, playing euchre and darts. Randy devoted countless hours volunteering at the American Legion Post 42.
Randy is remembered as someone who would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He loved sharing his mechanical knowledge and teaching these skills to his friends and family. Everyone knew when Randy walked into a room because his laughter would be loud and contagious. He was a fun, kind, and helpful person who will be missed dearly. Randy’s family is proud of his decision to be an organ donor.
Randy is survived by his mother, Sherry Copenhaver; brothers, Tim (Amber) Pitcher II and Troy (Tonya) Pitcher; sister, Shawn (Mike) Miller; children, Randy (Lily) Pitcher and Madaline Pitcher; his granddaughter, Penelope; grandparents, Bob (Karen) Wood; cousins; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; grandparents, Betty Pitcher, Duane Pitcher, and Audrey (Dale) Johnson. The family would like to send a special thank you to his niece Jaclynn (DeAndre) Louden for the love and support shown to her Uncle Randy in his last few years.
Friends and family are welcome to share memories of Randy on his tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. A private Celebration of Life will be held for Randy. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions payable to the Pray Funeral Home to assist the family with final expenses. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Justina Caughey
Justina K. Caughey, age 66, of Charlotte passed away Thursday, November 10, 2022. She was born March 10, 1956, in Lansing the daughter of Billie and Nona (Parr) Osborne. Justina graduated from Charlotte High School in 1974. She was a devoted wife and mother and will be dearly missed by all those that loved her.
In keeping with Justina’s wishes cremation has taken place and no services will be held.
Those desiring may make contributions in her memory to American Lyme Disease Foundation, 157 Church St., 19th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.
To view Justina’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.
Patrick James LaJoice
Patrick James LaJoice, 83, of Jacksonville, FL, formerly of Eaton Rapids, died peacefully on October 25, 2022, at his home in Florida. Patrick was born April 5, 1939, in St. Ignace, MI, the son of George Francis and Margaret Charlotte (Gallagher) LaJoice. Many will remember Patrick as an easy-going man with a good sense of humor, always willing to joke with his close friends and family. Patrick proudly served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Furse before his honorable discharge in 1963. Soon after, he worked aboard the famous Edmund Fitzgerald ship on the Great Lakes. Patrick worked at General Motors in Lansing, retiring after 30 years with an impeccable work record.
Patrick married the love of his life, Rose-Ann Marie Rapson on November 9, 1964, in Brimley, MI, and the two enjoyed 54 years of marriage until her death in 2018. Patrick was a loving husband, father and friend. He and Rose-Ann enjoyed traveling, including a memorable family trip to the Vatican in Italy. Patrick grew up in the Catholic Church and was active in the Knights of Columbus in the 1980s. Some of his favorite trips were out West, to Wyoming, Colorado, and Arizona. He loved time in the outdoors, especially fishing in Michigan and Tennessee. He was a man of many talents, including growing vegetables and berries in his garden, and working with tools, most recently building birdhouses. He was a proud member of the Chippewa Indians of Northern Michigan https://www.saulttribe.com/ through his paternal grandmother’s full Chippewa heritage. Patrick enjoyed living most of his life in Michigan, but also loved becoming a Floridian, living with his son and daughter-in-law his last two years.
Patrick is survived by his sons, John K. (Debra) LaJoice of Jacksonville, Florida, Ray P. LaJoice, and Michael G. LaJoice, both of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Eric LaJoice, David LaJoice, Chad LaJoice and Kaylee Connor; great-grandson, Remington Connor; brothers, Robert (Nancy) LaJoice of Jackson, Wisconsin and Anthony (Debbie) LaJoice of Linden, Michigan; and sister, Linda Niemi of Danville, California. He was predeceased by his parents; his infant son, James LaJoice; sister, Myrna King; and brother-in-law, Edward Niemi.
Friends are encouraged to support Patrick’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial Service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 11, 2022, at Pray Funeral Home with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Interment will follow at Munger Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. 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 Patrick’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 Community Hospice and Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32257 (866-253-6681). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.