Obituaries
Marjorie Claire Gulliver
Marjorie Claire Gulliver of Independent Village of Grand Ledge and formerly of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on September 9, 2022, at the age of 91. Marjie was born on December 20, 1930, in Sault Sainte Marie, MI the daughter of Stuart and Melba (Filer) Ten Eyck. She graduated from Sault Sainte Marie High School class of 1948 and went on to receive her Registered Nursing Degree from Sparrow Hospital in 1953. Marjie worked in surgery for Sparrow Hospital and retired in 1986. She was a talented artist and loved to do arts and crafts and especially enjoyed wood craft painting. Marjorie was an avid MSU Spartan fan and particularly enjoyed the hockey program, traveling with the Spartans to championship games. She was a past member of the All Saints Episcopal Church in East Lansing where she was a member of the Altar Guild. Family was most important to Marjie and her devotion showed through her love and compassion for her husband, children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Richard Gulliver; daughter, Wendy (Richard) Allison; son, Gary (Theresa) Ten Eyck; grandchildren: Benjamin Jones, Sarah Ten Eyck, Lily Ten Eyck; great grandchildren: Mathias Stoecker, Marah Jones, Malek LaRose; brothers, Gary P. Ten Eyck, Michael (Betty) Ten Eyck; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Marjie is preceded in death by her parents, son Rick, and grandchildren, Rebecca LaRose and Daniel Jones.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Gulliver Ten Eyck Scholarship Fund at Lake Superior State University. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Duane Wollpert
Duane Wollpert, of Albuquerque, NM, formerly of Charlotte, MI, passed away on Friday, June 17, 2022. Duane was born September 11, 1936, in Grand Ledge, MI, but grew up in Charlotte where he worked on the family farm. He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Smith in May 1956. They had three children and had a nice family life until her untimely passing in 1971. He then married Charlotte Kelty and moved to Okemos, MI and several years later moved to Albuquerque, NM, and then to Redondo Beach, CA where he worked for TRW. Duane was an intelligent man who loved his family, the space program, astronomy, and was an electronics hobbyist. He kept his sense of humor to the end.
Duane was also preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte; parents, Merrill and Nellie Wollpert; brother and sister-in-law, Wallace and Ginny Wollpert of Mulliken, Mich.; granddaughter, Elizabeth Porras of Lancaster, Cali.; and grandson, Darian Kelty.
Duane is survived by his three children: Judy of Charlotte, Mich., Tami of Albuquerque, NM, and David of Albuquerque, NM; and three stepchildren: Diane (Chuck) of Loveland, Ohio, Eric of Sarasota, FL and Dana (Fred) of Lancaster, CA. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren: Sharri Wolfe, Amber Griffes, Nick Scott, Michael Scott, Jennifer Bissell, Denise Chaffee Hongslo, Jason Vogel, Sarah Brittin, Bright Kellogg, John Pakozdi, Ginny Savelli, Nathan Kelty, Erica Cristea, Diana Fowler, Nicole Rejniak, Hudson Porras, and Connor Porras. He is also survived by 34 great-grandchildren, and two great great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in Charlotte at a later date.
Peter Klont
Peter Lynn Klont, 60, a fun-loving husband, father, and friend to many, died Friday, September 2, 2022, in Lansing. Pete was born May 27, 1962, in Charlotte, the son of Peter Eugene and Judith Ilene (Bailey) Klont. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1981 before earning two associate degrees. He then went to work briefly at General Motors before settling into a career with Consumer’s Energy, where he worked over 30 years, mainly as a Head Storekeeper. In his early years, he was known to drag race, and developed a lifelong passion for motorcycles. On April 29, 2000, he married Lauri Ann Converse, and the two started their family. Together, they raised two children and enjoyed family time spent on the lake in Coldwater.
Pete is survived by his wife: Lauri Klont; daughter, Kelsey Klont; brother, Jeff (Deb) Klont; sister-in-law, Sondra Klont; aunt, Marion Jones; and several extended Klont and Converse family members. He was predeceased by his son, Karson Klont; brother, Terry Klont; uncle, Rodney Klont; and his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Pete’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A memorial gathering is being planned for a later date. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to any charity of choice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Robert "Mike" Reed
Robert Michael “Mike” Reed, Age 83, of Hastings, passed away on August 22, 2022, at Eaton Community Palliative Care in Charlotte, MI.
Mike was born in Battle Creek, MI on January 16, 1939, the son of Ruth and Robert Reed. Mike was raised in the Charlotte area and attended local schools graduating from Charlotte High School in 1957. Mike continued his education attending Alma College, later transferring to University of Detroit.
After finishing his education, Mike returned to Charlotte to help carry on the family business, Community Oil Company. Mike was an oil jobber for Mobil Oil, owning several gas stations and bulk plants around the Charlotte, Nashville, and Hastings area. In fact, he built the Marathon gas station/party store on the corner of M-43 and Woodlawn in Hastings. Mike left the family business to pursue a full-time career in computer programming. Mike was a self-taught computer “genius” who began writing “computer code” in the early 1970’s. His knowledge of developing specific computer programs for unique applications was years ahead of its time. He had a punch drive computer in the garage. Mike retired in 2002 after serving the State of Michigan, Department of Attorney General, as a Senior Systems Analyst.
Mike had a love of racing whether it be cars, sailboats, or ice boats. He broke the national record for drag racing with his Chevy Corvair. He was a long-standing member of the Chevair Racing Team. In 1996, Mike was inducted into the Michigan MotorSports Hall of Fame. Mike raced his sailboats all over the country winning many trophies and awards. “Reed for speed.”
On October 5, 2002, Mike married Marilyn (Mascho) Reed in Ionia, MI. The couple made their home together on Jordan Lake in Lake Odessa, MI. The couple truly enjoyed “lake life” and eventually relocated to Middle Lake in Hastings, MI. Mike loved being with friends and family, and especially enjoyed performing magic tricks, and stumping those observing with a well thought out “brain teaser.” During the summer months, Mike & Marilyn enjoyed attending car shows in their 1960 Chrysler 300F which he had purchased in 1979.
Mike is survived by his beloved wife Marilyn, his children David (Tracy) Reed, Christopher (Elena) Reed, Douglas (Jennifer) Reed, Sarah (Rob Williams) Reed, step-daughters Lindsay (David Schreiner) Mascho, Chelsey (Benjamin) Cook, 12 grandchildren, ten great grandchildren.
The family received visitors on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 from 2 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Daniels Funeral Home in Hastings.
A funeral Mass was held on Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 805 South Jefferson Street, Hastings, MI with Fr. Stephan Philip officiating. Mike will be lying in-state at the church 30 minutes before Mass.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Hastings, MI., conveniently located at 1401 North Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Michael Strouse
Michael “Mike” Ralph Strouse, 68, a man of many talents and a generous spirit, died Thursday, September 1, 2022, in Flint. Mike was born August 23, 1954, in Lansing, the son of Floyd Andersen and Grace Belle (Pyke) Strouse. He graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 1972 before attending Ferris State University. Mike first met Kay Carey at the age of ten, and the two forged a lifelong love and friendship. They married on August 26, 1972, and just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Mike and Kay owned and operated M & K Family Builders for 40 years. Mike’s talent for building extended well beyond the business, as he was always helping others with projects and teaching his skills. He loved time spent in the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing trips. Above all, Mike cherished his grandchildren, adored his daughters, and loved his wife.
Mike is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kay Strouse; daughters, Andrea Strouse and Kallie (Ethan Oslund) Strouse; chosen sons, Brandon (Amber) Moe and Zeb Olin; grandchildren, Liberty (Cole Reed) Hylen, Landree Kaminski, Graycin Moe, Caitlyn Smith, and Drew Smith; and his sister, Patty (Kelly) Lewis. He was predeceased by his parents; sisters, Virgia Murrin and Sharon Upright; and brother, David Strouse.
Friends are encouraged to support Mike’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A private family gathering will be held at a later date. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to any local foodbank. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.