Obituaries
Dorothy Jones
Dorothy Jones, age 93, of Bellevue, Michigan, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
Dorothy was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 14, 1929, to James Vasil and Essie (Judd) Vasil. She graduated from Bellevue High School, class of 1947. She worked as a bookkeeper for Felpausch in Bellevue for 34 years, retiring in 1997.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Ron (Sue) Olmstead, David (Robin) Olmstead, and Jim (Laurie) Olmstead; ten grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Essie Vasil; her husband, Ed Jones Sr.; her sister, JoAnn Hodges; and her daughter-in-law, Ann Olmstead.
A celebration of life will be held on April, 14, 2023 at 12:00 Noon at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 205 N. Elizabeth St., Bellevue, Michigan 49021 with visitation starting at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Kalamo, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to The AC Flower House or The Bellevue Fire Department.
Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, and leave messages for the family. For assistance with memorials please visit the funeral home.
Katherine Marie Hoyt
Katherine Marie Hoyt of Eaton Rapids was called Home on February 1, 2023, at the age of 64. Katherine was born in Lansing, MI, September 5, 1958, the daughter of Gerald and Beverly (Stockenauer) Pennell. She graduated from Everett High School in 1976. Katherine had numerous hobbies including rock collecting, canning, and going to garage sales. She enjoyed being outside doing all kinds of activities and taking care of her garden. The obvious joy in her life was spending time with her grandchildren.
Katherine is survived by her children, Josie (Heath) Mackey of Hanover, Donald (Jennifer) Hoyt III of Eaton Rapids, Jerry Hoyt of Eaton Rapids, Sandra Sturis of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Aaron and Chandler Mackey, Donald IV, Jacob, Allison, Maxton and Tobin Hoyt, Max Sturis; sisters, Vickie (Donald) Gross of Lansing, Karen (John) Crawford of Lansing; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Donald Hoyt II.
A Rosary and prayers will begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 11, 2023, at the Tompkins Township Hall, 9999 Tompkins Rd., Rives Junction, MI 49277. with a luncheon and fellowship following at 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Ella Mae Evert
Carl V. Reck Jewelry lost their biggest customer on January 26, 2023. Ella Mae Evert was born February 18, 1937, in Charlotte, MI to Frank and June (Glover) Aseltine. Ella was a Clerk for the State of Michigan Department of Social Services for 25 years, retiring in 1997, and the first ever clerk to receive the state Employee of the Year award. Ella married Paul Evert in December of 1961, and together they raised their family with lots of adventures including camping trips, hunting for Petoskey and Pudding Stones, and visiting nearly every state park in Michigan. With an extreme passion for beautiful things, Ella loved tending her flower gardens and provided her church with beautiful floral arrangements for 22 years. She also loved her jewelry and crocheting beautiful afghans to share with friends and family. With a big heart, she also enjoyed her pets that became her children after her children were grown, including her beloved dog, Bingo, and cat, Pepper.
Ella is survived by her children, Frank (Rae Jane) Cortright, and Nina Evert; little brother, Allen (Anne) Aseltine; and dear friends Carol (Scott) Pruden. She was predeceased by her husband, Paul Evert; her parents; sisters, Irene VanLiew and Anna Dickinson; and brothers, Elmer, Lynn, John, Cecil, and Donnie.
Friends are encouraged to support Ella’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held Wednesday, February 1, 1:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Tim Potter officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Pawsabilities Rescue or Elara Caring Hospice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Randy Gene Whitcomb
Randy Gene Whitcomb, age 67, of Bellevue, Michigan, passed away on Friday, January 20, 2023, with family by his side in the comfort of his home.
Randy was born in Owosso, Michigan on April 15, 1955, to George Sr. and Shirley (Springs) Whitcomb. He grew up in Bellevue and worked on the family farm from a young age. Randy was known to be a character during his teenage years; just ask one of his six siblings. In 1973 Randy graduated from Bellevue High School and in 1975 he married his loving wife Deborah Sue (Clift) and they shared 48 wonderful years together raising their three children in their Bellevue home.
Randy was employed by Rock Tenn Company in Battle Creek, Michigan for 38 years (1974-2012). He served 19 years as a volunteer firefighter with the Bellevue Community Fire Department and was a member of the Bellevue Conservation Club over the years.
Randy enjoyed snow plowing the neighborhood on his quad at 5 a.m., mowing lawns on his John Deere tractor, hunting, fishing, boating, playing cards and golfing with family and friends in his leisure time. He will be dearly missed by all.
Randy is survived by his loving wife, Deborah; his children, Garett (Char) Whitcomb and Amy (Phil) Rigelman; his grandchildren, Michael (Tawni) Makley, Torey (Sarah) Makley, Chandler (Lauren) Adams, Levi Rigelman and Andrew Rigelman; his five great grandchildren; his siblings, Gary (Evelyn) Whitcomb, Peggy (John) Masters, Ron Whitcomb, Dan (Jayne) Whitcomb; sister-in-law Brenda (Andy) Harrison; and many nieces and nephews.
Randy was preceded in death by his parents, George Sr. and Shirley Whitcomb; his son, Brian Clyde Whitcomb; his brother, George Jr. Whitcomb; his sister, Sue Whitcomb; his niece, Janet Whitcomb; his in-laws, Clyde and Letha Clift; his sister-in-law, Lisa Clift; and his great nephew, Ford Andrew Flower.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service to celebrate Randy’s life will be held in the spring.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Bellevue Fireman’s Fund (115 E. Jackson St., Bellevue, MI 49201).
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Daniels Funeral Home-Nashville conveniently located at 9200 E M-79 Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at danielsfuneralhome.net.
Fern L. Burkett-Starr
Fern L. Burkett-Starr, 90, of Charlotte, formerly of Bellevue, died January 30, 2023, in Lansing. She was born June 26, 1932, to Mark and Alta (Moore) Berry of Bellevue, Mich. She received her GED from Bellevue High School in 1972. Fern farmed most of her life raising feeder pigs. She also worked part-time at the dime store in Bellevue and the Gambles store in Charlotte. She volunteered at Hayes Green Beach Hospital for over 15 years.
Fern married Robert C. Burkett on September 3, 1949, and they were together for 52 years. She then married Gerald Starr on May 5, 2005, and they were together for 14 years.
Fern is survived by her children: Glen Burkett of Bellevue, Helen (Gary) Vedder of Charlotte, Kenneth (Debby) Burkett of Bellevue, David (Barbara) Burkett of Bellevue, Sally (David) Bivens of Bellevue, and Mary (Jeff) McKillop of Bellevue; her sister, Katherine Anderson of Battle Creek; her step-children: Dennis (Karen) Starr of Charlotte, Kathy (Jim) Pion of Olivet, Tim (Sherry) Starr of Charlotte, Mark (Cheryl) Starr of Charlotte, Karen Southward of Charlotte, Daniel (JoAnn) Starr of Adrian, Chris (Shelly) Starr of Charlotte, Mary (Doug) Campbell of Olivet, and Jimmy (Lisa) Starr of Eaton Rapids; 14 grandchildren, and 41 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by Robert C. Burkett; Gerald J. Starr; siblings: James Berry, Frank (Stub) Berry, Frances Root, Helen Manning, Carol Ann Newberry, Evelyn Parker Glassner, Mable VanOrman; daughter-in-law, Elberta Burkett; grandson, Kevin Burkett; granddaughter, Angela Burkett; great-grandsons, Evan Burkett and Liam Abbott; and step-son-in-law, Tony Southward.
Visitation was Friday, February 3, 2023, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Kempf Family Funeral Home, located at 723 US HWY 27 North, Marshall, MI 49068. Visitation will also take place from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2023, with the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Kalamo Township.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Bellevue Fireman’s Fund or the American Cancer Society.