Obituaries
Hershel Copeland
On May 21, 2023, we lost a great man. Hershel Copeland was born on January 30, 1951, in Martin, KY to Walter and Avene (Mullins) Copeland.
Left behind to mourn him are his loving wife of 40 years, Connie; sons, Scott, Mike (Missy), Joe (Dawn), Jesse (Cathy), and Cody; grandchildren: Isabelle, Dylan, Tom, Mike, Lindsey Beaulieu, Tristian Roc, Shylo, Austin, Riley, Zoey and Ava; and great-granddaughter, Lakelynn Roc. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Danny (Sharon), Fred (April), Vivian, Vechel (Jim), Vicki; and sister-in-law, Sue. Hershel was preceded in death by his parents; son, Donnie; brother, Dwayne; and sister, Violet.
He left us far too soon, but we all feel incredibly grateful and blessed to have had him for as long as we did. He loved his wife, sons, and grandchildren with everything he had and then some, and we all knew it. We love you Daddy, Dad, Grandpa and Papa.
Mark Dwayne Dawson
Mark Dwayne Dawson of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on June 2, 2023. Graveside service was held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 9 at Forest Lawn Dimondale. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home.
Raejean Carol Babcock
Raejean Carol Babcock, age 65, of Potterville, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, June 2, 2023. She was born December 9, 1957, in Charlotte, the daughter of Harold and Shirley (Ross) Moon. Raejean graduated from Maple Valley High School with the class of 1976. Raejean was a devoted mother and grandmother. Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart. She was a wonderful gardener and enjoyed spending time working in her flower gardens. Raejean enjoyed cooking and baking and always looked forward to baking Christmas cookies with her grandchildren.
Raejean is survived by her daughter, Nicole (Matt) Sims; mother, Shirley Moon; grandchildren: Braxton Sims, Maci Martins, Trevor Babcock, Chloe (Tyler) Jackson; great grandchildren: Miller, Matthew, and Memphis Jackson; siblings: Linda Pfeiffer, Kim (Dan) Thornton, Colleen (Ted) Lampel, Vicki (Jimmy) Stigall, David (Karen) Moon; and ex-husband, Mike Babcock.
She was preceded in death by her father and son, Matt Babcock.
In keeping with Raejean’s wishes cremation has taken place and no services will be held.
Those desiring may make contributions in Raejean’s memory to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. To view Raejean’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.
Kenneth Gene Kowalk
Kenneth Gene Kowalk of Eaton Rapids, passed away May 30, 2023, at the age of 78. He was born in Lansing, MI, December 9, 1944. Ken retired from GM in 2004 after 37 years, and was a master of all trades, including building houses and restoring cars. He was a member of the Falcon Club of America and the Fairlane Club of America.
Ken is survived by his wife, Dorothea Kowalk; son, Kenneth Kowalk of Waldorf, MD; siblings, Gretchen (Roy) Kunkel of Eaton Rapids, Brian Miller of Eaton Rapids, James (Carol) Miller of Eaton Rapids, Deborah Miller of Charlotte, Kurt Miller of Springport, Barrie (Stan) Latoski of Eaton Rapids, Yolanda Anicola of AL; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jean Anicola and stepfather, Clare Miller.
Funeral services were held Tuesday June 6, 2023, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, 518 S. Main St. Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Burial of cremated remains with full Military Honors will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuvneral.com.
Richard Harrison Haddix
Richard Harrison Haddix was born on April 4, 1932, the fourth of nine children but the only son of Howard and Ethel Haddix in Grand Ledge, Michigan. He graduated from Lake Odessa in June 1950. As a young man he worked at the family-owned sawmill in Lake Odessa, where his passion for woodworking was ignited. During high school he met the love of his life, Gayle Root, and they were married on June 27, 1952. They went on to have three daughters, and again Richard was surrounded by all women. In August of 1952 he volunteered for the US Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Richard took pride in being a Veteran. After his service he went to trade school in Memphis, Tennessee and became a Licensed Lumber Inspector. In 1955 he worked for Budgess Lumber Company in Grand Rapids as a Lumber Buyer, covering the states of Michigan, Northern Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. He later became an Independent Contractor prior to full retirement. Retirement allowed him to have time to do the many things he loved like: model railroading, painting and drawing, woodworking, carving, traveling, hunting and fishing.
Richard was blessed to have the ability to take his family on many trips. He and Gayle spent several winters in Tucson, Arizona and traveled to many states with their friends. In 1962 Richard gave his heart to the Lord. In 1969 he became an ordained minister and led a small church in the basement of their home in Lake Odessa. In 1978, he and his family joined a church in Charlotte and later moved to Charlotte in 1982. Where he has resided since. Richard will be remembered for his love of dogs especially his best friend Shep, and “Being a Picker,” his great sense of humor, loved to be the center of attention, and always being the comic. He loved to share stories about his past experiences and travels and even wrote a book about his life for his family.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Gayle (Root) Haddix in March of 2006; parents, Howard and Ethel Haddix; sisters, Geraldine Eno, Virgilene Hiller, Adilene Eckman, Lorna Sherman, Sandra McCloud; brothers-in-law, Ross, Calvin, Roger, Don and Leonard. He is survived by his three daughters, Jeanie Bayly, Jeri (Bob) Leiby, Kim Dickinson; 13 grandchildren and many more great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and many friends. Richard’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers of Sensations Memory Care and of Elara Caring.
Friends are encouraged to support Richard’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Thursday, May 25, 2023 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were Friday, May 26, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Legion Post 42, Charlotte. 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 Richard’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.