Obituaries
Jane Fox
Jane Ellen Fox, a woman who had heart of gold, died on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. Jane, 87, of Charlotte, was born July 9, 1935, the daughter of George and Kathryn (Gallagher) Newman. From a young age growing up with seven siblings, Jane learned the importance of family. This carried throughout her life. On January 28, 1961, Jane married the love of her life, James Albert Fox. She worked for Eaton County doing clerical work with the District Court, where she retired in 1995 after 25 years. Jane also enjoyed trips to the casino, playing Bingo, and most importantly spending time with her family. Throughout her life Jane was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte.
Jane is survived by her children, Kathy (Rex) Fox, Bob (Debbie) Fox, and Joe (Carol) Fox; 13 grandchildren, Jimmy, Ashley, Brooke, Spike, Sarah, Matthew, Kelly, Bobby, Molly, Ben, Tiffany, Colleen, and Joey; nine great-grandchildren, Keegan, Colton, Talon, Trevor, Evelynn, Dakkota, Ryan, Audrey, Levi James, and Jaxton; siblings, Margaret Premo, Barb Dunneback, Diane Newman, John Newman, Mary Dewitt, and Jeff Newman. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Albert Fox; son, James Jeffery Fox; daughter-in-law, Lisa Fox; brothers, Mike Newman, and Joe Newman; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Jane’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Per her wishes cremation has occurred and no services for Jane will be held. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the St. Vincent de Paul Store in Lansing, MI at 1020 S. Washington Ave. Lansing, MI. 48910. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Eva Palmer
Eva J. Palmer, age 87, entered peacefully into the arms of her Lord, July 24, 2022, at her home. She was born March 13, 1935 in Beaverton, Michigan to Rev. George & Grace (Tolles) Huber. On January 12, 1957 Eva married Philip Palmer in Mt. Haley Church of God. Eva was a faithful to the Lord as well as a wife, mother, and grandmother.
Mom served many churches over the years as a Pastor’s wife in Colon, MI, Charlotte, MI., Ocala, FL, Cape Coral FL., and Burlington, MI. Mom taught Sunday School, played piano, and then the organ for many years in the church. Mom also served before her marriage with her parents who were pastors in several churches.
Mom worked as a lab tech at the Midland Hospital, clerk at State Farm Insurance in Marshall, MI, billing clerk at Community Hospital in Battle Creek, MI, and receptionist/administrative secretary at Eaton County Care Facility.
She is survived by a daughter Rebecca (Rev. Douglas) Douglas of La Fayette, GA; a son Thomas (Valerie) Palmer of Charlotte, MI; grandchildren: Nicole (Richard) Rivera, Curtis Palmer of Charlotte, MI, Gretchen (Ballard) Wood of Columbia City, IN, Charin (Mike) Hanlon of Wilmington, NC, Nathan (Jessica) Douglas of Ona, WV and Thomas Douglas of Ft. Wayne, IN; great-grandchildren: Audrey, Ethan, and Morgan Rivera, Chasity (Dallas) Puckett, Micah (Becca) Wood, Kaylee and Grace Hanlon, and Luke and Joey Douglas; and four great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Grace Huber; brothers, Gerald, Orville, Rex and Ron Huber; sisters, Merlene Wixom, Alice Krotzer; and her husband of 64 years, Philip B. Palmer.
A memorial service for Rev. Philip B. and Eva J. Palmer will be held August 27, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the South Cochran Church of God, 2470 S. Cochran Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813. If you have a story to share, please e-mail to douglas303@earthlink.net by August 24, 2022. Stories received will be shared at the memorial service.
Donations may be made in their honor to a charity of your choice.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Luterio A. Boyer
Luterio A. Boyer, 60, of Lake Odessa passed at his home on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, after fighting with cancer for several years. Lou was born in Charlotte, Michigan to Jorum and Jeannette Boyer on July 11, 1962. He proudly served the US Army for 12 years. In 1989 he married Christine Knapp and together they raised two children in the Lake Odessa area. Lou was a diesel mechanic until his health forced him to take an early retirement. He deeply loved his family and spending time outdoors, fishing, playing with his dog Duke and tinkering with his cars in his home shop.
Lou will be missed by his wife, Christine; children, Natalie and Elias; mother, Jeannette; siblings, Jorum Jr., Phillip (Debora), Jeannette (Fred) Spitzley, Kenneth, Charles (Ann), Jessica (Justin) Garvie; in-laws Edith (Dieter) Fischer, Klaus (Karin) Knapp; along with many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are his father, Jorum; brother-in-law, Karl-Heinz Knapp; and special niece, Elizabeth Boyer.
According to his wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Donations in Lou’s name would be appreciated to the Veteran’s Affairs.
Merrill “Cookie” Amy Williams
Merrill “Cookie” Amy Williams, a loving and supportive wife, mother and grandmother, died Saturday, August 6, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Cookie, 73, of Bellevue, was born April 13, 1949, in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Melvin and Mildred (Raterink) Barton. She obtained an associate degree from The Lansing Business College. Cookie then began working for the U.S. Geological Survey. On May 6, 1972, Cookie married David Williams. Once they started a family she stayed at home with the children. She later started working for Signature Fundraising and later retired from Peckham Industries in 2012. Through all of her work Cookie was an exceptional shorthand writer. Cookie enjoyed bowling in her younger years, sewing, reading, shopping, watching the birds especially hummingbirds, and most importantly Christmas. She made sure that the holidays were always a special time of the year. Each year she would buy a new Hallmark ornament for family members to add to their collection. Cookie herself started collecting ornaments and encouraged David to do the same. She was also an immaculate gift wrapper. Above all her biggest passion was her family.
Cookie is survived by her husband, David; children, Scott (Ronda Gaedert) Williams, Deanna (Joe) Miller; grandchildren, Madisen Williams, Jersey Gaedert, Simon Miller, and Nathanael Miller; brothers, Mike (Vickie) Barton, and Marc (Tracy) Barton; and dear friend, Gwen DePeel. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Cookie’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Monday, August 15, 2022, from 10-11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.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 Cookie’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 National Kidney Foundation. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Francis Chamberlain
Francis Chamberlain, a kind, gentle man, died in the company of his family on August 3, 2022. He was known as Frank, but also answered to Francie. Frank, 84, was born on April 4, 1938, in Portland, MI, the son of George and Odelia (Huhn) Chamberlain. Following high school graduation from St. Patrick in Portland, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. On March 11, 1967, Frank married Janice Jenkins, the couple would spend the next 55 years in a loving relationship and creating lasting memories. He worked as a meat cutter until his retirement in 1992. Frank was a very smart man, he loved books and reading and staying up to date with current events and politics. He also liked planes and trains, Frank enjoyed reading about their history and watching them. With his knowledge he was very good at trivia and everyone wanted him as a partner. Traveling was also important to Frank, he made numerous trips to the UP where he was member of the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory. These trips were also used for rock collecting adventures.
Frank is survived by his wife, Janice; siblings, Patricia (James) Glossi, Thomas Chamberlain, Donald (Kathleen) Chamberlain, Michael (Rita) Chamberlain; brother-in-law, William Jenkins; and numerous extended family members and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Evelyn Sias; sisters-in-law, Dianne Chamberlain, Nancy (John) Spurgeon, and Cheryl Jenkins.
Friends are encouraged to support Franks’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A graveside service is to be held at a later date. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the VFW National Home for Children, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory c/o Michigan Audubon, or the City Rescue Mission of Lansing. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.