Obituaries
Charlotte Swartz
Charlotte A. Swartz, 95, of Bellevue, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on April 5, 1927, to Scott and Henrietta (Ely) Love in Battle Creek, Michigan. She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1945. On September 10, 1945, she married Melvin “Bill” Swartz in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Charlotte worked at American Door Company in Bellevue for 10 years assembling doors. She worked at the American Legion Clubhouse in Battle Creek in the kitchen and lastly as a Bus Driver with the Bellevue School District for 38 years, retiring in December of 2003.
Charlotte loved nothing more than her family, especially her grandchildren, attending any of their school and sporting events were some of her favorite times. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting baby blankets, which she gave to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Charlotte’s family will miss the countless hours of playing the game Chicken Foot. She was always willing to travel throughout the United States when asked by her family. She was an excellent cook and baker; her raw apple cake was a favorite. Charlotte was the eleventh of twelve children.
Charlotte is survived by her loving children, William (Joyce) Dennis Swartz of Bellevue, Michigan, Marjorie A. Coy of Bellevue, Michigan, Patricia (Mary Goheen) Dowding of Battle Creek, Michigan and James Treat of Bellevue, Michigan; her thirteen grandchildren, Shannon (Tony) Bass, Chad (Jami) Treat, Jeff (Natalie) Treat, Angela Dickerson, Michelle (Doug) Pennington, DeEtte (Josh) Miller, Christi Dowding, Carey (Chris Roe) Johnston, Eddie (Tonya Mott) Coy, Hannah (Khym Wilson) Coy, Ann (John) Swanson and Chris (Emily Guerrant) Pillars; her ten great grandchildren, MaKenna (Kyle Colwell) Pillars, Noah and Morgan Johnston, Gavin, Kayden and Karley Bass, Jordyn and Carter Treat; Kiera Dickerson, Gabrielle Higgins, Madelyn Treat, Willow Pennington, Peyton English, Landyn Miller, Jayce Williams, her great great granddaughter, Lorelei Colwell and her sister, Phyllis (Donald) Jones of Beaumont, California.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Melvin “Bill”, her daughter, Pam Treat, her siblings, Owen Love, Eleanor Stampfler, Herbert Love, Eloise Dahns, Wilbur Love, Willard Love, Margaret Halsey, Marie Garity, Ned Love and Jack Love.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, 11:00 am at Kempf Family Funeral Marshall Chapel, Marshall, Michigan. Burial took place at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue, Michigan.
Memorials may be directed to Good Samaritans in Bellevue.
Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.
Reda Hoffman
Reda Jean Hoffman had a bubbly personality and could always be found with a smile on her face. Reda, 61 of Marshall, Michigan died December 19, 2022, after a valiant fight with cancer. She was born in Battle Creek on May 13, 1961, to Roy and Patricia (Jones) Hoffman, and graduated from Potterville High School in 1979. Reda was outgoing and outspoken, with a love for life and an even greater love for her family. A very tidy person, Reda enjoyed cleaning and took great pride in keeping her house neat and orderly and always decorated for every holiday. Her family says she was also a great cook, with their favorite being her world-famous mac & cheese. Other things Reda enjoyed were shopping, trips to Las Vegas, her dogs, and watching Judge Judy. She loved her family dearly and every opportunity she had to spend time with them and spoil them with her cooking.
Reda is survived by her significant other, Ron Phillips; children, Wesley Hoffman, Nathan (Renae Duffy) Hoffman, and Alissa (Brandon) Shaw; grandchildren, Jayden Duffy, Elliot Shaw, Emmit Shaw, Ray Ray Shaw, and Caiden Shaw; siblings, Bill (Patty) Hoffman, Chris (Teresa) Hoffman, Scott (Debra) Baker, and Brad (Darlene) Baker; and dear friend, Kathy Blowers. She was predeceased by infant son, Ted Ohmer; her parents; stepfather, Gerald Baker; and sisters, Angela Baker and Cindy Hoffman.
Friends are encouraged to support Reda’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Monday, January 2, 2023, 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services are Tuesday, January 3, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home Pastor Kathy Dobie officiating. If desired, memorial contributions are suggested to the family (c/o Nate Hoffman). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Mary Kidder
On December 18, 2022, Mary Ellen (Hall) Kidder passed away peacefully at age 86. As a mother and housewife, she raised three children with Don, her husband of 63 years on their family farm. She loved cooking, craft work and being with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Donald; daughter, Jodi; son, James; and four grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, John.
Services have been entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 205 N. Elizabeth Street, Bellevue, MI 49021 where visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. A private graveside service will take place, Rev. Cary Grant officiating.
The family respectfully requests no flowers. If desired, please feel free to contribute in Mary’s memory, to the charity of your choice. And you may visit http://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to send the family condolences.
Pamela Blakney
Pamela Ann Blakney, an easy-going lovable person, died on Monday, December 19, 2022. Pamela, 66, of Vermontville was born September 5, 1956, in Brookfield, PA, the daughter of William and Athena (Sedaris) Jones. On February 14, 1975, at the age of 18 Pamela married the love of her life, Donald Blakney, and created lasting memories together. She devoted her working career to the Eaton County Courthouse, where she held many positions over the years, most prominently as a deputy clerk in the County Clerk office. When Pamela wasn’t working, she enjoyed trips to the casino, shopping adventures, crocheting, working in her flower gardens, and most importantly spending time with her grandchildren.
Pamela is survived by her husband of 47 years, Donald Sr.; daughter, Carrie Blakney; grandchildren, Dylan, Kayla, Jayden, Brennan, and Soliana; siblings, Nick (Fran) Jones, Jeff Jones, Greg (Sally) Jones, Chris (Lynn) Jones, and Marty (Amy) Jones; and brother-in-law, Tom Emery. She was predeceased by her parents; son, Donnie Blakney; and sister, Barbara Emery.
Friends are encouraged to support Pamela’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is planning a Celebration of Life for Pamela for a later date. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Willa Mae White
Willa Mae White, age 93 of Olivet, passed away peacefully into the presence of her Savior on Saturday, December 17, 2022. She was born July 27, 1929, in Battle Creek. Willa was a devoted wife and mother. She loved her family and enjoyed spending many special times together. She also had a love for animals and counted her many dogs as if they too were members of the family. Willa enjoyed staying connected with her many special friends and family members on the phone. She was also quite fond of her animal programs on the TV and listening to Big Band music. Willa always looked forward to her weekly trips to Mary’s Hair Care in Olivet to get her hair done but more importantly find out all the latest scoop around town. In her younger years she served as a volunteer at Lila Hospital in Battle Creek.
Willa is survived by her son, Donald (Nikki Ayers) White of Olivet; cousin, Anna Harris of Battle Creek; second cousin, Jim Harris of Battle Creek; and grandsons: Curtis and Logan Ayers.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Donald in 2012.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023, at 1 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Bosworth Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Willa’s memory to the Eaton County Humane Society, 129 N. Main St., Olivet, MI 49076.
To view Willa’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com