Obituaries
Lori Lou Spotts
Lori Lou Spotts, age 58, of Saginaw, MI, formerly of Charlotte and Lansing passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2023, at her home in Saginaw after a courageous battle with liver cancer.
She was born April 28, 1964, in Charlotte, MI the daughter of Steven L. and Linda (Bowes) Spotts.
Lori graduated from Olivet High School in 1983. She had previously worked at the Lansing State Journal.
Lori was preceeded in death by her grandparents, Clifford and Frances Spotts, and grandmother, Harriet (Bowes) Starkweather; uncle, Linden Spotts; and aunt, Rhonda Gembura.
Lori is survived by her companion, Billy Adams; father, Steven Spotts; mother, Linda (Bowes) Cottenham; stepmother, Nora Guerra Spotts; siblings: Kristine Hurley, Crystal (Chris) Kuzma, Stevie Jo Spotts, Shai Sproat, Daniel Cottenham, Darren Cottenham, Honey Cottenham, Jessie Cottenham and Jamie Cottenham; aunt and uncle, Paula and Louis DeFabio; and several nieces and nephews.
At this time no services are planned. The family is in care of Evans and Browne Funeral Home.
Patrick John Hickey
Patrick John Hickey, age 67, passed away unexpectedly in an accident at his home on January 14, 2023.
Pat was born November 11, 1955, to Louis and Donna (Smith) Hickey.
He attended Maple Valley Schools graduating in 1973. After graduation he was employed by Carefree Windows and was with the company 30 years until their closing. He was then employed by Spartan Motors for 10 years until his retirement.
In his younger years he enjoyed taking motorcycle trips with his friends and traveled to western states and also to Canada.
Pat grew up on the family farm on Valley Highway and purchased the farm upon his mom’s passing. He enjoyed being back on the farm and sharing it with his family.
Jill and Pat were married at St. Cyril Catholic Church on December 29, 2012. They enjoyed biking, camping, traveling, and time spent with their grandchildren, who were included on many of these outings.
Pat was a devoted family man. He lovingly cared for his parents in their final years. He will be greatly missed as a wonderful husband, stepfather, and adoring grandfather.
Pat was a lifetime member of St. Cyril Catholic Church in Nashville, serving faithfully in whatever role was needed. He was the current treasurer of the Maple Valley Alumni Association. He enjoyed his friends and classmates from the class of ‘73.
Surviving are his wife, Jill; stepdaughters, Kristen (Chris) Miller and Sarah (Troy Sloan) Shoemaker. He was adored “Papa Pat” to Palyn, Claire, Gracie, Jack, Emma and Michael.
He is also survived by his brother, Ed (Nora) Hickey; and their children, Lori Joostberns and family and Skeeter Ebersole and family; brother-in-law, Pat London; nieces, Stephanie (Brandon) Delinsky and family, and Kelsey (Steve Najar) London.
Also surviving Pat are his mother-in-law, Anne Lehman; father-in-law, William (Linda) Lehman; brothers-in-law, Billy Lehman and Scott McLachlan; aunt, Sharon Halliwell; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Karen London; and sister-in-law, Beth McLachlan.
Visitation was held at Daniels Funeral Home on Friday, January 20th with Rosary at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, January 21 at St. Cyril Catholic Church.
The Funeral Mass was held at St. Cyril Catholic Church on Saturday, January 21 at 10:30 a.m. with interment at Lakeview Cemetery to follow.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Cyril Catholic Church or the Maple Valley Scholarship Fund.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Daniels Funeral Home-Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 East M-79 Hwy, Nashville. For further details please visit our website at danielsfuneralhome.net.
Nelson Chris Haahr
Nelson Chris Haahr, a man who never let adversity change his great attitude about life, died January 19, 2023, at the age of 54. Nelson was born March 11, 1968, in Midland to Nancey Lee Franklin. Nelson enlisted in the Army after high school, and then at the age of 21 had a severe auto accident that left him paralyzed. Although life threw him many twists and turns, Nelson’s attitude about life was phenomenal, he was always good natured, funny, had a very artistic streak, and knack for always remembering names. In January of 1999 he married Sheryl Sevitts and during their honeymoon they went scuba diving. Nelson never let being confined to a wheelchair confine his attitude toward experiencing life to its fullest. This was one of the reasons that he made friends with everyone he met.
Nelson is survived by his wife, Sheryl Haahr; daughter, Sydney Hamilton; grandson, Kalub Hamilton; mother, Nancey Johnsen; stepfather, Roger Malfrom; best friend, Daniel Rathke; and his “adopted” family the Statts who cared for him after his accident.
Friends are encouraged to support Nelson’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A memorial service is being planned at a later date. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions in care of Sheryl Haahr to help with expenses. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Gretchen Lee Converse
Gretchen Lee Converse, age 92, of Charlotte, MI passed away on December 23, 2022, in Summerfield, Florida. Gretchen was born on August 9, 1930, in Eaton Rapids, MI the daughter of Arlington and Vera (VanWagner) Crawford. She was raised in Eaton Rapids where she graduated from high school class of 1948. Gretchen worked for Oldsmobile in Lansing for nine years, worked as a transport driver for Avis Rental Cars, as a real estate agent and volunteered at the Eaton Community Palliative Care Thrift Store for over 10 years. She was also a member of the New Hope Community Church in Charlotte for many years.
Gretchen is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Max Converse.
Surviving are her children, Mike Love, Craig (Tina) Love, Kristine Priesman; seven grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held in the Spring of 2023 at Oakwood Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Palliative Care in memory of Gretchen. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
John F. Davidson
John F. Davidson was born December 16, 1933, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan and passed away January 19, 2023. John was the eldest son of John G. “Jack” and Helen Davidson. His younger brothers, Linton (Arlene) Davidson and James (Janet) Davidson survive him.
John graduated from Eaton Rapids High School, where he played baseball and basketball throughout. He maintained a lifelong interest in sports and spent much of his adult life coaching. He enjoyed reading and had committed to memory several poems and quotations. John further cultivated his love of literature and learning while attending Albion College and Western Michigan University. Upon graduation, John began his career teaching Physical Education and Literature at Starr Commonwealth, where many colleagues became lifelong friends. For 32 years, John’s unwavering commitment, passion and dedication to teaching changed the lives of countless youths.
John picked up a love of golf as he neared retirement. He was a member of Duck Lake Country Club for 42 years, where he shared many laughs, stories, and rounds with his friends. He often participated in golf trips both domestically and abroad.
John’s true love and most important job was his family. He never missed an opportunity to teach life lessons and highlight what is truly important. He also always stressed that, “You can’t put a price tag on a good time.” His abundance of wisdom and knowledge will be missed, but most certainly will not be forgotten.
In addition to his parents; his wife and companion of 58 years, Patricia (Hodges) Davidson, preceded John in death. Surviving are his daughters; Janne Byrens and Meri (Lane) Stumpos; grandchildren, John (Miriam) Byrens, Graham (Andrea) Byrens, Elyse Byrens, Andrei Stumpos, and Sofiya Stumpos; and great-grandchildren, Loxley, Danny, Gideon, and Graedy Byrens.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Contributions in John’s memory can be made to Oaklawn Hospice, 13444 Preston Drive, Marshall, MI 49068, online at www.oaklawnhospital.org or by phone at 269-789-3939. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, 121 Pearl Street/P.O. Box 235, Springport, MI 49284. 517-857-4848.