Obituaries
Bob Franks
“Bob” Franks, age 78 of Vermontville, MI passed away on September 12, 2022, at his home in Vermontville, MI.
Bob was born in Charlotte, MI, on October 26, 1943, a son of Dorothy and Raymond Franks. Bob was raised on his family’s farm outside Vermontville and attended local schools, graduating in 1962 from one of the last classes from Nashville High School before the consolidation with Vermontville.
Shortly after completing his education, Bob began working at General Motors. He ended his career at Plant 5/Delta Engine Plant where he worked as an engine specialist. During his tenure with GM, Bob became well-known throughout the company for his ability to diagnose flaws within an engine and provide solutions to remedy the defects. It was not uncommon for him to travel all over the United States working with several other factories and personnel to improve the quality of the General Motors engine program.
Bob retired in 2001 after almost 39 years of dedicated service. On August 8, 1964, Bob was married to the love of his life, Barbara (Barnhill) Franks at the United Methodist Church in Charlotte. They lived in Charlotte for four years while Bob was building the family’s home on the east end of the original homestead in Vermontville. They moved the family into the house on December 1, 1968, raised their children there, and have spent their entire lives together in the home that Bob built for them. Bob’s family was always his first priority, and while they were young, he often volunteered to help coach their sporting teams, and he and Barb never missed one of the kids’ events.
The family’s passion for Maple Valley athletics led he and Barb to assist in the establishment of the Maple Valley Athletic Boosters, often having their children participate in fundraising efforts to ensure students at Maple Valley Schools could enjoy a positive athletic experience.
Bob was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and snowmobiling. While his family was young, they enjoyed spending the long summer months camping, and visiting local lakes to fish for bluegill. Their camping adventures began in a tent, but, in 1970 they upgraded to a pop-up camper and for the next 11 summers expanded their camping distance to include Rice Lake in Canada, and several other states. The fall was always a special time for Bob, as he enjoyed being in the woods hunting Whitetail Deer. Many times, he would forgo the hunting blind, opting for a simple overturned bucket at the base of a tree.
Over the years, this simple but effective technique yielded home several trophy bucks! Each year in December during muzzleloader season Bob, his son Dan, and their closest hunting friends made the trek to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, for “deer camp.” The remote nature of the terrain required the hunting posse to reside in a large army style tent; however, their tent was fully equipped with natural grass flooring, hot water, and a shower!
After retiring, Bob and Barb spent a significant amount of time travelling, visiting Mexico, Hawaii, and Florida. His children and grandchildren were the “apples of his eye,” and Bob cherished each moment with them. Bob is survived by his beloved wife Barb; his children: Rob (Tammy) Franks, Lisa (Ted Paddock) Mahan, Dan Franks; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren. Bob is also survived by in-laws: Lee (Arla) Barnhill, Russ (Jean) Nelson, Dorothy (Doug) Haehnel and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves special friends Heber Hanson, John Bitgood and Dennis Hulsebos. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Virgil Franks.
A Celebration of Life was held at 12 noon on Friday, September 16, 2022, followed by lunch and stories at the Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 E. M-79 Highway, Nashville, MI.
Bob will be interred privately at Hillside Cemetery in Kalamo, with Pastor Bryce Feighner officiating.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.daniels funeral home.net.
Edward Dehnert
Edward “Ed” Ernest Dehnert, 84 of Charlotte, a devoted family man, died at home with his family by his side on September 8, 2022. Ed was born in Flint, Michigan on June 1, 1938, the son of Ernest and Leah (DeYoung) Dehnert. Employed by General Motors for many years in many different positions, he retired in 1992 and started a trucking business. Many will remember Ed as an all-around happy guy, always finding the positives in life. Things that gave him great joy included cutting wood, fishing, hunting, traveling, camping, woodworking (especially making bird houses and lighthouses). He enjoyed woodworking so much that he was a 4-H instructor, teaching his own children and others about woodworking.
Ed is survived by his wife of 64 years, JoAnn; children: Jerry, Brian, and Craig (Rosalie) Dehnert; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; siblings, Lois (Don) Larson, and Darwin (Phylis) Dehnert); and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Dehnert and his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support the Dehnert family by attending services or sharing memories on Ed’s Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were Tuesday, September 13th, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor John Bailey officiating. 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 Ed’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 Compassus Hospice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Barbara Haines
Barbara Jo (Kerr) Haines, age 94, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family, on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, in Charlotte Michigan.
Barbara was born August 12, 1928, in Akron, Ohio, to George Earl Kerr and Elizabeth (Morrison) Kerr. She graduated from high school in Jackson, MI, and married Dwight “Pete” Haines in 1952, and they made their home in Charlotte, raising two sons. She lived the rest of her life in Charlotte.
Barb had an infectious laugh, and was delighted by her grandchildren, and even her “grand-dogs!” She enjoyed Christian devotions and keeping up with the news. She loved to tell the story about she and Pete meeting “Lady Bird” Johnson at the Johnson family ranch in Texas, while on one of their trips out west. Another fond memory was when they attended the Supremes final concert in Detroit. In addition, they enjoyed trips to visit family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Pete, in 2006, after 53 years of marriage; brother, Charles, in 1989. She is survived by her sons, James (Linda) Williams of Lansing, MI and Paul (Kathleen) Williams of Prescott, AZ; her two grandchildren, Andrew (Brittany) Williams of Peoria, AZ, and Kimberly Williams of Colorado Springs, CO; three great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Per Barbara’s wishes, no service will be held. Arrangements were handled by Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Donations may be made in Barb’s memory to the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, in Charlotte.
Richard Charles Sanders
Richard Charles Sanders of Eaton Rapids, passed away September 9, 2022, at the age of 93. He was born in Brookfield Township, MI on August 2, 1929, the son of Jay and Norene (Potter) Sanders. Richard was a United States Army Veteran. He worked for General Motors for 30 years, managed a trailer park in Arizona, and owned Sanders Auto Salvage for two years. He was a member of Jaycees, enjoyed fishing and playing trumpet in the Sanders Family band.
Richard is survived by his three children: Shey (Steve) Zenker, Pamela Tigner, Kevin (Deb) Sanders; nine grandchildren; many great grandchildren; brothers, Ralph (Linda) Sanders, Clair Sanders; sister, Esther (Dean) Shrontz; sister-in-law, Lauralee Sanders. He is preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; parents; brothers: Bruce and Lennis.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Interment took place at Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran Ave., Charlotte, MI 48813. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Janet Marian Higgins
Janet Marian Higgins of Eaton Rapids, passed away on Friday, September 2, 2022, at the age of 88. Born July 25, 1934, to Donald and Harriett (Robinson) Williams in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Janet worked for Eaton Stamping in several roles for many years including Personnel Director. She was an avid golfer and big MSU fan. Family was most important to Janet and she was the matriarch of the family always planning and organizing family gatherings. She was a beloved woman that will be dearly missed by all who remember her. Preceding her in death were her husband, Bruce Higgins and five siblings as well as her parents.
Surviving is her daughter, Janice Higgins; brothers: Charles (Phyllis) Williams, Keith (Carol) Williams; sister-in-law, Sharon Williams. She was especially close to several nieces and nephews and many treasured grandnieces and grandnephews.
A private family graveside service has already been held. If you wish to make a donation in her memory, please consider the American Diabetes Association or Fanciful Farms of Eaton Rapids. To share memories and condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.