Obituaries
Ray William Smith
Ray William Smith, a beloved lifelong resident of Charlotte, passed away on December 10, 2022 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing due to complications from diabetes. Ray was born December 22, 1956 to Beverly Ann (Catron) Smith of Charlotte and Lester William Smith of Eagle, both of whom have preceded Ray in death.
Ray graduated from Charlotte High School Class of 1975 where he played varsity football and basketball. He mentored several kids in sports through the Charlotte Summer Recreation Program and at YMCA Camp Sloan in New York State. Ray enjoyed golfing with his many lifelong friends in area tournaments for many worthwhile causes and traveling Michigan and other states just to play different courses. Ray also enjoyed fishing with friends and family on inland lakes and Lake Michigan. Ray worked at the Charlotte Chair Factory, AE Hoover, Ace Hardware, and finally Meijer Warehouse in Lansing from which he retired. He was a former member of the Charlotte Optimist Club and a current member of the Charlotte Moose Lodge #2565 and was always actively involved in their fundraising efforts.
Ray is survived by his sister, Lynn Ann (Smith) Zimmerman; brother-in-law, Mark Zimmerman; nephews, Andrew (Sarah) Zimmerman of Omaha, Nebraska, and William (Candice) Zimmerman of Adrian, Michigan; niece, Melissa Zimmerman (Jonathan) Timm of Tecumseh, Michigan; four great-nephews and one great-niece.
A celebration of life is planned for the spring – his favorite time of year for fishing and golfing. The family wishes to thank their neighbors, friends and family for their help with Ray’s trials and tribulations with diabetes.
Carolyn Jean Clark
Carolyn Jean Clark of Eaton Rapids, was carried by the arms of angels and entered into Heaven, January 11, 2023, at the age of 63. Carolyn was born in Lansing, MI, May 16, 1959, the daughter of Carson and Phyllis (Langenfeld) Ackley. She was a 1977 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School. Carolyn worked at Sparrow Hospital as a Medical Assistant, attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church, was an amazing cook and baker and a very loving and caring homemaker. Carolyn was such a fun grandma who loved spoiling her grandchildren and made sure her children had some of their favorite homemade meals on special occasions. She will forever be remembered for her huge dimples, great smile, and the faith she carried in her heart which she shared with everyone.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, Steve Clark; daughters, Emily (Jeff) Kaylor, Amy Clark, Melissa (Justin Shroyer) Clark; grandchildren, Sloane and Harper Shroyer, Isaac Clark, Madison Dutcher and Mason Clark; siblings, Thomas (Vicki) Ackley, Timothy (Jackie) Ackley, Chris (Loren) Cowles, Cathy (Bud) Cowles, Janice (Jim) Boice, Joseph (Pam) Ackley, Robert (Annette) Ackley, William Ackley, Mary (Scott) Patrick; sister-in-law, Sue Ackley; numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, James and Richard Ackley; niece, Carol Lynn Cowles.
A Memorial Mass was held Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at St. Mary’s Church, 807 St. Mary’s Blvd, Charlotte, MI 48837, with a Rosary prayed at 10:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Charities or to the church. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
James “Jim” Pfister
James “Jim” Pfister, age 90, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully Friday, January 13, 2023. He was born on June 12, 1932, son of the late Herman and Regina Pfister.
Jim is survived by his wife of 21 years, Dorothy (Dibean); sister Andrea Wellman of Oregon, Ohio; daughter Karen (Charles) Osborne of Potterville, stepson Sean (Susan) Corbin of Byron Center; grandchildren Erika (Ralph) Reagan of Dewitt, Sara (Nic) Fowler of Eaton Rapids, Cecilia (Justice) Price of Grand Rapids and Sam (Taylor) Corbin of Grand Rapids; great grandchildren Audrey, Mason, Max and Nora Reagan, and Melanie, Keira, and Shane Fowler, along with many extended family members. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his dear wife Margaret (Connor), daughter Deborah Pfister, grandson Chad Osborne, sister Nancy Jakubiak, and countless other loved ones, including his beloved Black Labrador, Mindy.
As a child, Jim moved to Detroit from Ohio and had fond memories of taking the train downtown to work. After high school he attended Wayne State University for a solitary semester, deciding that college just wasn’t for him. Throughout his life, he enjoyed snowmobiling, horseback riding, boating, hunting, and fly-fishing. Jim was drafted into the United States Army from 1952 to 1954 and was stationed in Germany where he competed in downhill skiing for the Army. Following his service, Jim made a career in sales. He owned Sportland Inc., which was located in the Knapps Capital Avenue Department Store, later he managed the Lansing Mall Knapps. He was charismatic and friendly to everyone that he encountered. If you had a minute to spare, he would regale you with many a story or two. After retiring from sales, he went to work for John E. Green Company in Lansing as a truck driver and expeditor, delivering parts and equipment to jobsites. He was a loved member of every team he was a part of.
In 1963, Jim married Margaret (d. 1994) and became a devoted father to Deborah and Karen. After living in Lansing, they moved their family to the farm in Potterville. It was there, where he would reside for 50+ years. The farm was Jim’s pride and joy. It was a place filled with wonderful memories and moments that are cherished still to this day by the entire family. In 2001, Jim married Dorothy. Together they enjoyed traveling with their RV to destinations all around the US and on their anniversary every year they would road trip up north to the Silent Sport Lodge B&B. During Jim’s final years, Dorothy was a devoted partner and caretaker, her love of her husband apparent to all.
From early on in his life, Jim was an avid outdoorsman. As a collector of firearms, Jim was well-versed in shooting sports. He was a member of the Capital Area Sportsmen’s League in Lansing and if he wasn’t at home, you knew you could find him at the “club,” enjoying a round of sporting clays, or having a cup of coffee with his friends while telling many of his famed stories.
The family is in the care of Mills Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. There will be a private service.
There will also be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 2-5 p.m. to honor Jim. The celebration will be held at Tony M’s Restaurant at 3420 S. Creyts Rd., Lansing, Michigan 48917.
Jim was a special man and will be missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Capital Area Sportsmen’s League in Jim’s memory (www.micasl.org).
Keith Graham Harrison
Keith Graham Harrison, a resident of Holt, Michigan, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2023 in Holt, Michigan. He was born at Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac, Michigan on January 10, 1950. Keith was a 1968-graduate of Cassopolis (Michigan) High School. He held a 1972 Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology from Michigan State University and a 1974 Master of Arts degree in Ecology from Western Michigan University. He retired from the State of Michigan in February 2005 after serving for 25 years. In addition to his numerous state Civil Service environmental executive positions culminating as Director of the Office of Special Environmental Projects within the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, he also held two gubernatorial appointed positions by then Michigan Governor John Engler (Executive Director of the Michigan Environmental Science Board and Acting Director of the state’s Office of Great Lakes). In addition to state service, he also served as a Special Federal Employee, where he participated in several National Academy of Sciences and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board committees as an invited Ecology Expert. His professional research and work resulted in more than 100 publications addressing a wide range of environmental and natural history issues. Upon his retirement, Mr. Harrison’s public service career was acknowledged with tributes from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Michigan State Senate, then Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, the United States House of Representatives, and then President and First Lady of the United States, George and Laura Bush.
Keith belonged to several historical, patriotic, and civic organizations, including the 1865-created Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, in which he served as the National Commander-in-Chief from 2009 to 2011, the 1881-created Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), in which he served as the National Commander-in-Chief in 1994/1995, and Commanding Officer of the SUVCW’s Sons of Veterans Reserve in 1996/97. He also belonged to the Michigan Society of Mayflower Descendants; Society of Colonial Wars; Sons of the Revolution; Society of the War of 1812; Morgan’s Men Association Inc.; Military Order of the World Wars; and Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. He was a Mason (Lodge #252 of Okemos, Michigan and Civil War Research Lodge #1865 of Highland Springs, Virginia) and a Rotarian (Rotary Club of Eaton Rapids). He also was a member of the Michigan Civil War re-enactment organization, 7th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Company B, Inc., and the midwestern reenactment organization, Cumberland Guard.
Keith was a Civil War reenactor for 33 years and participated in over 550 reenactments and living histories throughout the United States. He traces his ancestry back to 47 Union Civil War soldiers, 42 of whom served in Michigan regiments and five from non-Michigan regiments. He also had two ancestors who served with the Confederacy. Following the end of the Civil War, several of his Union veteran ancestors joined local Michigan Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Keith served as the Board President of Michigan’s Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall and Museum (Eaton Rapids, Michigan) since its inception in 2013, Chair of the Michigan Civil War History Partners, and Treasurer of the Friends of Michigan History. He published four books, one on the Natural History of Cass County, Michigan in 1979), two family genealogies (Ancestry of Nathan Lewis Harrison in 1989 and Ancestry of Nathan Lewis Harrison – Revisited 19 years Later in 2008), and his most recent book (2020) on Cass County, Michigan in the Civil War and the Grand Army of the Republic.
Keith is predeceased by his father, John Barnard (1915 – 1986), mother, Maxine Pearl (Lewis) (1920 – 2005) [Lyon, Harrison] McCormick, stepfather, Frank McCormick (1911 – 1986), first wife, Linda Diane (Dodson) Harrison (1950 – 2008), and brother, Philip Barnard Harrison (1947 – 2019). He is survived by his wonderful wife, Jean Ann Harrison of Holt, Michigan, his son and daughter-in-law, Nathan Lewis and Sarah Harrison of Grand Blanc, Michigan, brother and sister-in-law, David Dale and Stacie Lyon of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, sister-in-law, Paula Harrison of Niles, Michigan, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout the United States and in England.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids chapel with burial and a graveside service taking place later that day at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Cassopolis, MI. The family received friends at the funeral home on Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the nonprofit Michigan’s G.A.R. Memorial Hall and Museum (224 South Main, Eaton Rapids, Michigan 48827) and/or the nonprofit Capital Area Human Society (7095 W. Grand River Ave, Lansing, Michigan 48906).
Barbara Haigh
Barbara Louse (Pratt) Haigh, AKA Grandma Haigh, 90, of Charlotte died on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. She was born June 17, 1932, in Lansing, Michigan, to Romine E. and Lucille M. (Martin) Pratt. Barbara graduated from Charlotte High School in the class of 1950. She married her sweetheart, Stanley Haigh, on August 26, 1950, at the West Benton Methodist Church. Becoming a farmer’s wife and raising five children wasn’t always easy, but she loved that job. Barbara retired from the Eaton County Medical Care Facility, serving as a nurse’s aide, housekeeper and finally laundry. Once she retired, she could be found helping students in the Potterville Elementary School with reading. Her title became “Grandma Haigh” to not only her grandchildren, but their friends and most everyone who knew her. After losing her husband of 56 years, she became “Grandma” again to her friends, and crew at Big Boy (her favorite restaurant). She was a Donald Duck fan, enjoyed playing BINGO at the senior center, watching soap operas, crocheting her “fancy work,” sewing, cooking and baking, and watching hummingbirds.
Barbara is survived by her five children, Marilyn (Clark) Hulliberger of Dimondale, Carolyn (Doug) Armstead of Grand Ledge, Evelyn (Don) Kunst of Fowler, Ron (Linda) Haigh of Bellevue and Jackie (Jerry) Mire of Potterville; grandchildren, Dan (Stacey), George (Bullet), Kenny (Kelly), Jossie, Dawn, Donna, Douglas Jr., Jennifer, Paul (Hiroko), Crystal (Dale), Laura, Jodi (Rusty), Jessica (Marshall), Jamie; 21 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren with one on the way; siblings, Virgil Pratt and Nancy Mellor; sisters and brothers-in-law, Elaine Pratt, Gerald Royston, Joan Pratt. She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Stanley; brothers, Jack, Ken, and Dale Pratt; sister, Joan Royston; son-in-law, Dan Bliesener Sr.; and great great-grandson, Adaein.
Friends are encouraged to support Barbara’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were January 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Randy Royston 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 Barbara’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 Salvation Army. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.