Obituaries
Roberta Helen Bunker
Roberta Helen Bunker passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at the age of 95, surrounded by her family and friends. Born November 20, 1927, one of thirteen children to Fred and Ruby Doxtador. Roberta “Bobbi” married Glenn Bunker on July 26, 1946. Together they had three sons; Daryl, Mike and Jeff who all preceded her in death. She and Glenn spent most of their summer weekends camping and fishing until his death in 1994. Following Glenn’s passing, Bobbi lived with her granddaughter, Melissa for several years until she started wintering with her son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Chris, in Florida. Most recently, Bobbi was living with her granddaughter, Karen (Chad) in Allendale. Also preceding her in death were her parents and 11 siblings.
Bobbi worked several jobs. She candled eggs, worked as a cashier at the IGA Grocery Store and in the school cafeteria in Eaton Rapids. Most of all she was housewife and mother to her family. Bobbi loved to garden, walk, play cards, bunco and bake. She was also a talented artist who knitted afghans, crocheted doilies, and did adult coloring books. She loved when her grandchildren and extended family came over for dinner, birthdays and holidays.
Surviving are her daughters-in-law, Diana Bunker, Ronda Bunker, Christine Bunker; grandchildren, Culley (Miho) Bunker, Nickolas J. Bunker, Tracy “TJ” Bunker, Karen (Chad) Hurley, Melissa Bunker; greatgrandchildren, Regan, Hayven, Maysen, Michael, Kami, Briston; brother, Merwin (Jean) Doxtader as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at Skinner Funeral Home Eaton Rapids. Family received friends for visitation one hour prior to the service. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Ottawa Community in Roberta’s name. To share memories and condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Keith Martin Gidner
Keith Martin Gidner, 97, of Charlotte, died peacefully on Sunday, July 9, 2023, in Eaton Rapids. Keith was born June 3, 1926, in Charlotte, the son of Leon and Lulu (Srickland) Gidner. He lost his mother at age 14, and shortly after went to work on the neighbor’s farm. This instilled in Keith a strong work ethic from an early age. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1945. Keith married the love of his life, Ellen Anne Hartley on October 28, 1951, in Holt, and the two started their own family farm. Farming would play a central role in their life together, and Keith will forever be remembered as a humble farmer with a kind heart. He was extremely sociable, and his sharp wit endeared him to all he came across. In his later years, he and Ellen spent winters in Donna, TX, and enjoyed travel, and snowmobiling. He especially loved time spent with his grandchildren, often taking special trips together with them.
Keith is survived by his three children; David Gidner of Holt, Cindy (Gary) Sabo of Coopersville, MI, and Brian Gidner of Mancelona, MI; seven grandchildren, Jessica Gidner, Lindsay Gidner, Julia (Tyler) Maraskine, Jill (Blake) Hudak, Josie Sabo, Cody (Stephanie) Gidner, and Connor Gidner; seven great-grandchildren, Kayne, Furious, Xzayvier, Isabel, Justus, Sadie, and Owen; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Ellen Gidner; and his siblings, Eleanora Jarrett and Robert Gidner.
Friends are encouraged to support Keith’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Thursday, July 13, 6-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. Funeral services were Friday, July 14, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home Charlotte with Pastor Jack Conklin officiating. 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 Keith’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Darryl Lee Hale
Darryl Lee Hale, age 76, of Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. He was born December 14, 1946, in Charlotte, son of Donald and Edith (Wonser) Hale. Darryl graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of 1965. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He owned and operated Hale Electric for many years. Darryl enjoyed his work and loved interacting with all of his many customers. Darryl loved his country and was a member of the VFW Post 2406 in Charlotte. He was a tremendous storyteller, and his grandchildren will always cherish his special bedtime stories. In his spare-time, he loved spending time outdoors, hunting on the Thompson farm, fishing, and just staying busy.
Darryl is survived by his wife, Sue Lyons; daughter, Robin (Matt) Murphy of Belmont; stepdaughter, Shantel (Jim) LoFiego of South Lyon; grandchildren, Lauren Murphy, Leah Murphy, Colton Armstrong, Gracen Armstrong, Bailey LoFiego, Katie LoFiego; sister-in-law, Karla Hale; nehpews, Dean (Cathy) Hale, Dan Hale; and numerous special friends that he considered family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Laurie; daughter, Holli Hale; brothers, Dennis Hale and Zip (David) Hale.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 15, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. officiated by Pastor John Bailey.
Contributions can be made in Darryl’s memory to the VFW Post 2406, 695 Lansing Road, Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Darryl’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit: www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Steven Sung Min Ballou
Steven Sung Min Ballou, age 37, of Grand Ledge, passed away in the loving care of his family on July 5, 2023, as a result of a ruptured brain aneurysm. He was born October 2, 1985, in Taejeon, South Korea. Steve is the son of Blair and Martha (Young) Ballou and brother of Nick Sung Ho Ballou. He is survived by his parents, brother and sister-in-law Nick and Carley Ballou, devoted friend and co-conspirator Libby Klaiss (Tony Delreal), Honorary Grandfather Neil Klaiss, Aunt Barbara Collins, Uncle Jim Young (Margaret), Uncle Bob Young (Sandra), Aunt Michelle Ballou, Uncle Blaise Ballou, and many favorite cousins. He was preceded in death by his Uncle Rick Collins, and Grandparents Peg and Rhea Young and Ruth and Sullivan Ballou.
People who were influential in Steve’s life included many professionals who supported his development and health when others didn’t, including Dr. Ron Jacubiak, Dr. John Schuster, Dr. Hugh Culton, Dr. Jill England, Dr. Lauren Brown, Dr. Linda Chermak, Dr. Dan Derksen, Erin Dunbar, Adreena Nersesian, Cindy Edgerton, Shelly Stratz, and Justin Caughey. Educators who were instrumental in his development of skills were Ruthie Kamminga, Kathy Burt, Jan Baum, Mary Dama, Janet Shannon, and Karen Bergeron. He will be missed by his friends, Ann Roiter, Danny Ferris, Lee Weirich, Dawn, Chuck, and Charlie Vanneste, Elizabeth, Joe, and Audrey Siler, the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club and staff at the Cracker Barrel, and the many people he met in the communities of Grand Ledge and Charlotte.
Steve made great strides in life when people met him on his level, encouraged his interactions, and appreciated his sense of humor. After he left school, he had the opportunity to experience the community at his own pace and met many people through his engagement in local activities. Highlights of his weeks included breakfast at the Cracker Barrel, working at the Charlotte Farmers Market, music therapy with Erin at the MSU Community Music School, Monday morning movies at the Sun Theater, haircuts by Val Adams, exploring the community, and interacting with anyone who was willing to chat.
Steve’s favorite activities were sleeping in, eating, beach vacations, “road trips” with the family, extended family events, adventures with Libby, Disney World, roller coasters, music, and outings with his cousins. He was a great traveler and enjoyed reading road signs and mile markers along the way. He loved all types of music, reading, rhyming and language, numbers, singing, and the MSU Spartan Marching Band. He enjoyed learning with computer programs and electronics, sharing random funny facts with friends and family.
Over the years, Steve had many wonderful support people who helped him navigate and explore the community, including Nick Gleason, John Christensen, Mikel Kellogg, Dawn and Chuck Vanneste, Jackelyn Iorio, Erin Bobola, and many MSU students.
Many thanks to the nurses and staff of the Sparrow Neuro ICU and Sparrow LTACH, Dr. Galyna Clouse and Kathleen Naber, RN, of Sparrow Palliative Care, and the staff of Elara Caring Hospice, who put every effort into Steve and our family’s care. Many thanks to the neighbors, friends, and relatives who supported us through Steve’s illness.
In honor of Steve, a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan, with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. and the Celebration at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, those desiring may consider contributions in Steve’s memory to the MSU Music Therapy Program at the Community Music School or the charity of their choice.
“To be nobody but yourself in a world that is doing its best, night and day, to make you everyone else – is to fight the hardest battle anyone can fight…” E.E.Cummings
To view Steve’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Carl Keith Miller
Carl Keith Miller, age 87, of Olivet, passed away Monday, July 10, 2023, at his home. He was born January 24, 1936, in Utica, Michigan, the son of George and Paula (Hafner) Miller. After high school he attended trade school for four years where he studied carpentry. On July 2, 1960, he married the love of his life, Joyce Webster. Together they proudly raised their family. Carl loved to work and was a skilled craftsman. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed just being together with his precious family.
Carl is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joyce; son, Keith (Cheryl) Miller of Grand Rapids; daughters, Lynn (Stephen) Etson of Bellevue, Debra (Gregory) Etson of Olivet; grandchildren, Erica Etson, Abigail Sefcik, Calvin Carl Etson; sister, Anna (Don) Ouelette of Essex, Ontario, Canada; and sister-in-law, Alice Miller.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, David Miller, Glenn Miller; and Godchild, Christine Fleming.
In keeping with Carl’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
To view Carl’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com. The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.