Obituaries
Henry Raymond Emenhiser
Henry “Hank” Raymond Emenhiser, 64, of Charlotte, a hard-working family man, died unexpectedly on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at home on the family farm. Hank was born September 23, 1960 in Hammond, IN, the son of Carl Edward and Clara Velma (Armstrong) Emenhiser. Growing up on the family farm on Mills Highway in Charlotte instilled a lifelong love for raising cattle and the outdoors. In fact, Hank took over the farm and purchased all 96 acres from his parents. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1978, where he was active in FFA and 4H. After high school, he worked several years operating an excavator for Gale Briggs in Charlotte before going on to get his certification as an over-the-road truck driver. After driving independently for many years, he went to work driving truck for Meijer Warehouse in the early 2000s. Hank enjoyed fishing, camping, and was a member of a bow hunting club. He was also very active in helping his friends, family, and farming community. He would do anything for them, including making sure his best friend, Tony Martinez, could ride his bicycle for Make-A-Wish. Another example of Hank’s character was that even after a long night of driving truck, he would always stop to clear his daughter’s car of snow before stepping in the house.
Hank married the love of his life, Cynthia Ruth Davis on September 23, 1995 on the family farm, with the cattle lowing in the background. Together they raised their daughter, Sarah, and enjoyed nearly 27 years of marriage until Cindy’s passing in 2022. Along with Cindy, Hank is predeceased by his parents; brother, James (Marjie) Emenhiser; and brother-in-law, David Barnard. He is survived by his daughter, Sarah (Kerenza) Emenhiser; brother, Bill (Julee) Emenhiser; sister, Carla Barnard; and his nieces, nephews and extended family.
Friends are encouraged to support Hank’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Randy Royston officiating. Visitation will take place two hours prior to the service, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. 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 Hank’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 the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Amy Jo Williamson
Amy Jo Williamson, 50, of Battle Creek, passed away on May 13, 2025, unexpectedly at her home in Battle Creek, MI. She was born on August 15, 1974, to Max and Dena Ann (Duncan) Troutner in Charlotte, MI. On February 16, 2021, Amy married Brett D. Williamson in Odessa, Florida.
Amy graduated from Bellevue High School in 1992 and continued to go onto Olivet College to earn her degree in accounting. In her youth she was known for her love of dance, baton, and the many sports she was involved with. She always had a fondness and love of the water and sunshine. She enjoyed going kayaking, hiking and playing with her dogs. She also enjoyed watching movies, sunsets, and doing pranks on people. Amy would go for walks with Brett and the dogs around the lake they lived by. She loved to go fishing. She also loved to do her makeup and hair and looking her best if out in public. More importantly she always made sure everyone had what they needed, and loved every family gathering she could attend, she was always helping people in need. Amy will be forever loved and remembered by many special nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Amy is survived by her loving husband, Brett; son, Kobe Brennan Scears; father, Max Troutner; brother, Chad (Amie) Troutner.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Dena Ann Troutner and son, Kyler Braxton Scears.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Amy on May 31, 2025, at 5063 Griffin Hwy., Olivet. from 4-7 p.m.
Amy will be laid to rest with her son Kyler at Bellevue Riverside Cemetery.
Timothy Herbert Bates
Timothy Herbert Bates, age 47, of Mt. Pleasant passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Carson City. Tim was born on December 22, 1977, in Lansing to parents, Larry and Cory (Rogers) Bates. He grew up in Potterville, attending Potterville High School. Tim went on to become a jack-of-all-trades and the family go-to person for any building project. He was talented in many ways and willing to help anyone who needed it. On July 23, 2022, he took Shannon Valentine for his bride. They found great joy in caring for their fur baby, Remington. Remington was not just a pet but a cherished member of the family and Tim’s loyal service animal. Many memories of Tim will be about days spent hunting, walking the land, camping, kayaking, tubing, or fishing. He lived a big life, taking many adventures, from Caribbean cruises to parachute diving. His absence will be felt by many who loved and knew him. Tim will be missed dearly by his wife Shannon; children Trenton, Sedric, Paige, and Jordan; fur-baby Remington; granddaughter Paisley; grandmother Dorothy Bates; siblings Victoria, Ricky (Skylar); nieces Hunter, Ezzy, and Ella; nephews, Jeremiah and Logan; mother-in-law Sue Wardell; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Preceding Tim in death are his parents Larry and Cory, grandparents Jerry Bates and Ed and Marjorie Rogers. A celebration of Tim’s life will be held at a future date.
Charles Arthur Grettenberger
Charles “Chuck” Arthur Grettenberger of Eaton Rapids, passed away May 21, 2025, at the age of 78. Chuck was born in Lansing, MI, on June 8, 1946, the son of Herman and Alice (Miller Cole) Grettenberger. He was a 1964 graduate of Okemos High School and attended MSU graduating with an Associates Degree in Agriculture. Chuck worked for Lindell Drop Forge in Lansing for 25 years and on his farm alongside his wife, Linda for 58 years. He did not have much spare time to enjoy life while raising four kids, farming, and a full time job, but he and his wife did sneak out once in a while to go square dancing and attended the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Linda Grettenberger; daughter, Brenda Grettenberger DVM; sons, Karl (Mary) Grettenberger, Kevin (Juli) Grettenberger, Herman (Samantha) Grettenberger; grandchildren, Ian, Emma Grace, Alissa, Sarah, Skye, Merrick, Brittnae and Jessica; great grandchildren, Kaeson, Rosalynne and Noah. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Dale Grettenberger; sisters, Valda (Leo) Davidowicz, Doris (William) Kremer, Evelyn (Gerald) Horstman.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Visitation will take place at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel on Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Glendale Cemetery in Okemos. Memorial contributions may be made to FFA program in Eaton Rapids, 800 State St., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 2111 University Park Dr., Okemos, MI 48864. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Mary Alice Rodriguez
Mary Alice Rodriguez, 91, of Grand Ledge and formerly Vermontville and Gun Lake, Michigan, died peacefully with her family by her side on May 10, 2025. Mary was born in Vermontville and spent most of her early life there, enjoying small town life and the simple things. John and Mary moved to Gun Lake and spent 34 years together there. She turned her small-town life toward three important things: family, cooking, and gardening. As a mother of four boys, she had to be very organized, keeping life at home and the books running very smoothly for Johnny’s Food Mart in Vermontville. She was a self-less, humble woman enjoying lots of outdoor activities like horseback riding, snowmobiling, and laying in the sun at Gun Lake reading her books. A fabulous cook, Mary enjoyed canning from her garden, so she always had homemade foods, and baking including glazed donuts, strawberry rhubarb pie, peanut butter fudge, homemade bread, and a red velvet cake that kept everyone coming back for more.
With her organization skills, Mary was a wonderful bookkeeper. She kept the books for the family store, Johnny’s Food Mart in Vermontville, as well as J&R Party Mart, International Lock and Seal, and also worked for H&R Block in Charlotte during her working career. She demonstrated her love through the quilts she made for her family and special friends, baked goods, and gardening.
Mary is survived by her husband of 72 years, John Rodriguez; children, Fred (Lela) Rodriguez, Randy (Lori) Rodriguez, Doug (Christi Escher) Rodriguez; and Greg (Dionna) Rodriguez; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, Fred and Ava May (Tubbs) Kroger; and sister, Marilyn Halas.
Friends are encouraged to support Mary’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Monday, May 19, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. Memorial services are Tuesday, May 20, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Dan Beyer officiating. 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 Mary’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions Gun Lake Community Church. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.