Obituaries
Shannon Denise Saurbek
Shannon Denise (Miller) Saurbek, age 57, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, September 1, 2024, in Lansing, Michigan. She was born in Lansing on April 17, 1967, to Jack and Sharon Miller. Shannon attended Charlotte Public Schools and graduated from High School with the class of ’86. She married Mark Saurbek on October 10, 1998, in Vermontville. Shannon worked for over 15 years at Serenity Acres as a nurse aid caring for the elderly.
Shannon loved her family and cared deeply for them. Time spent at camping every summer at Double R Ranch was always an enjoyable and much anticipated time of year. We as a family cherish our memories of going tubing, kayaking, and then ending the day sitting around a bonfire together. She maintained a beautiful flower garden every year and enjoyed feeding and watching the birds. We will miss her deeply, and although we know that life will go on, it won’t be the same without her.
Those surviving her are; her husband of 27 years, Mark; her children, Phillip (Danielle) Bowerman, Keith (Chrissy) Bowerman, Eric Saurbek, Heather (John) Wenzel; grandchildren, Hunter Bowerman, Madison Bowerman, Paisley Bowerman, Zach McGruther, Ella Saurbek, Ryan Saurbek, Blaze Capen, Tatum Capen, Oliver Wenzel; siblings, Randy Miller, Shane (Winnie) Miller, Darcy Powell; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Sharon Emery Powell; father, Jack Miller; stepfather, Robert Powell; and brother, Jeff Miller.
In keeping with Shannon’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be a celebration of life at a later date.
Those desiring may make contributions in Shannon’s memory to Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W. Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906.
To view Shannon’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.
Florence Ann Lee
Florence Ann Lee, 82, of Holt, a strong-willed women and devoted mother and grandmother, died Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Lansing. Florence was born February 11, 1942, in Detroit, the daughter of Gerald and Georgia (Selman) Monteith. She worked nearly 20 years at Peckham in Charlotte and sold Avon and Watkins on and off throughout the years. Florence was a collector of jewelry, especially watches, and loved sipping coffee while watching her gameshows and talk shows. She enjoyed birdwatching and was especially fond of cardinals and hummingbirds, and she loved her country music. She and her husband, Orval, often enjoyed cruising the countryside together, back before GPS when they would simply drive for hours to get a cup of coffee or visit friends and family. Florence loved getting together for picnics and holidays. She was a loving friend to many. Florence will be forever remembered as an outgoing people person who devoted her life to her family and friends. She remained “full of life” right to the very end.
Florence is survived by her daughters, Jodi (Rex) VanGuilder and Sue Ann Lee; grandchildren, Matt Mclean, James Lee, Megan Lee, and Bryson Lee; great-grandchildren, Madison Mclean and Docota Portvliet; great-great-granddaughters, Mariana and Elena Garrett; beloved niece, Deborah Montieth; sister-in-law, Joyce Bogart-Lee; several great-nieces and great-nephews; many friends; and grand-dogs and cat, Myah, Loner, and Po Kitty. She was predeceased by her son, Jay Lee in 2021; brother, Gerald Joseph Monteith II; niece, Mary Ann Montieth; former husband and forever friend, Orval Howard Lee in 2001; and her dog, Buster.
Friends are encouraged to support Florence’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the family in care of Jodi VanGuilder. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Jan Larry Morey
Jan Larry Morey, 83, of Charlotte, a man of the outdoors and deep love for his family, died peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, September 1, 2024. Jan was born January 17, 1941, in Lansing, the son of Harold Carl and Lois Louise (Richmond) Morey. He attended Lansing Sexton High School before briefly working in heating and cooling followed by over 10 years at GM. He married the love of his life, Nancy Carol Brasseur on February 19, 1966, and the two soon started their family. Jan’s passion for the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, led him to create his own company, Quality Spinners Manufacturing. He created his own lures and mass produced them, starting in the late 1980s until 2019. Many will remember Jan’s sense of humor. He was a friend to many, and a family man to the end. He loved camping and travelling, especially to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Jan is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy Morey; their children, Eric Morey and Susan (Aaron) Day; grandchildren, Tyler Chalender, Savanah Chalender, Liz (Michael) Haller, and Tyler Day; brother, Phil (Janice) Morey; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Jan’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Interment will take place in Chapel Hill Cemetery in Lansing. 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 Jan’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 Elara Caring Hospice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Cindy Lou French, a woman who from birth dealt with a lot of disadvantages but she found joy in the simple things, died on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Cindy, 63, of St. Johns, was born on October 10, 1960, in Charlotte, the daughter of Carl and Margaret (Lightner) French. She enjoyed Christmas each year especially testing her father with how to secure the tree so she did not shake the decorations off. Cindy also enjoyed spending time outside, enjoying a Pepsi, trips to the park, and getting ice cream with her mom. Above all her family is thankful for the care that the Bradford home in St. Johns gave to their sister over the last 40 years.
Cindy is survived by her siblings, Carla Frazier, Jackie French, and Steven French; two nieces; six nephews; aunt, Geneva Butler; and many extended family members. She was predeceased by her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Cindy’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Interment followed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville. 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 Cindy’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 Bradford House in St. Johns. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Judy Sharrell Barr
Judy Sharrell Barr, 83, of Olivet, MI, died peacefully on Friday, August 30, 2024 in Charlotte. Judy was born April 17, 1941 in Charlotte, the daughter of LeRoy and Donis (Bowser) Barnett. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1959 before starting her family. Judy worked 12 years as Clerk in the Eaton County Circuit Court before her retirement. Judy married Dale E. Barr on June 16, 1979 in Olivet, and the two moved north to Harrison, MI, in 1988, where Dale took the position as High School principal and Judy worked as a Teacher’s Aide. Throughout the years, Judy loved to crochet and to travel. She and Dale rarely missed their grandchildren’s school or sporting events. She was proud of her Native American Cherokee heritage. In 2007, Dale and Judy bought a place in Florida, and they enjoyed nearly 20 years of warm winters and making new and long-lasting friendships with their North Ft. Myers neighbors.
Judy is survived by her husband of 45 years, Dale Barr; their children, Trenton (Cheryl) Smith, Kermit Smith, Deborah Barr, and Dale (Debra) Barr, Jr.; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Dennis (Susan) Barnett; son-in-law, Jack Stults; daughter-in-law, Angel Whitman; nieces, nephews and extended family; sister-in-law, Sandy Barnett; close friends, Ron and Barb LeSeney, Chuck and Charlene Cilibraise, and Pat Foreman; many Florida friends; and her dog, Sophie. She was predeceased by her parents; brother, Gary Barnett; daughter, Kim Stults; and son, Bret Barr.
Friends are encouraged to support Judy’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral Services were at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Rev. Mike Fales officiating. Interment followed at Bosworth Cemetery in Olivet. 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 Judy’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 Barr/Vandyke Principal Leadership Award or Creative Living One Adult Foster Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.