Obituaries
Earl Wood
Earl Irven Wood, age 86, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at Eaton Community Palliative Care. Earl was born on April 14, 1936, in Bellevue, Michigan, to Lewis and Ruth (Campbell) Wood. He graduated from Olivet High School with the class of ‘54. After graduation, Earl joined the military and proudly served his country in the United States Air Force, retiring after more than 20 years of faithful service. Earl married the love of his life, Rosemary McConnell, on June 8, 1984, at the Delta Mills United Methodist Church. They recently celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary. Earl enjoyed life and had many hobbies. He loved spending time in the great outdoors tending his beautiful garden. You would also find him relaxing as he spent time fishing. Earl loved to go bowling. He was a master at reupholstering furniture. Above all, Earl loved his family.
Those left behind are his wife, Rosemary; children, Cathy (George) Godwin of Alabama, Steven (Tammy) Wood of Charlotte, Mike (Cynthia) Wood of Ohio, Pat (Luann) Wood of Wyoming, MI; stepchildren, Doug (Rita) Merrill of Olivet, Joe (Sherry) Merrill of Bellevue; 16 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Earl Jr.
Those desiring may make contributions in Earl’s memory to the American Cancer Society.
Following Earl’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no memorial services are planned at this time.
To view Earl’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.
Martha Kuch
Martha A. Kuch, 82, of Hickory Corners, passed away June 14, 2022. Martha was born February 22, 1940 in Hudson, Michigan to John and Lorraine (Jugle) Walters. She grew up in the Otsego area and helped with the kindergarten music class and volunteered in the school library. This helped develop her love for music and education, which would shape the course of the rest of her life.
Martha graduated from Western Michigan University, majoring in music and early elementary education. She taught elementary school at Parchment, Harden County Schools and Charlotte Public Schools. She was also the director of the Kiddie Carousel Day Care Center and gave private music lessons of harp and hammered dulcimer. Martha performed music at numerous community events. She was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity for Women, the National President of Scottish Harp Society of America and was a presenter at harp workshops at various music festivals.
Martha volunteered at Ascension Borgess and was a hospice volunteer. She participated in church activities, sewing doll outfits and quilts for charity, went to quilt retreats and loved to knot. “Camp Grandma” loved spending the summers with her grandkids. Martha lived her life focused on faith, family and service.
Martha married John P. Kuch on August 4, 1961, who survives. She is also survived by their two sons, John (Belinda) Kuch and James (Deborah) Kuch; grandchildren, David Kuch, Justin and Jessica McGinty, Paul and Samantha Smith, Quinn and Alyson Kuch-D’Ascenzo, Lorraine Kuch and Celia Kuch; a great-granddaughter, Hanna Rose McGinty; two sisters, Virginia Baueurle and Mary Jo (Rob) Bruinooge; a brother, Larry (Cinda) Walter; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at Gull Lake United Methodist Church. Interment will be held at a later date at Prairie Home Cemetery in Richland. Memorial donations may be made to the Gull Lake United Methodist Church, Vibrant Life Senior Living or to Visiting Angels. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Arlys Lewellyn
Arlys Arlene Lewellyn, a loving and supportive wife, mother, and grandmother, died on Monday, June 27, 2022. Arlys, 80, of Charlotte, was born January 31, 1942, in Charlotte, MI, the daughter of Charles and F. Lucile (Randolph) Halsey. Following graduation from Olivet High School, Arlys would marry the love of her life, James Lewellyn, in 1961 and the couple would spend the next 61 years devoted to one another. Arlys worked as a Clerk Typist for the State of Michigan, and also as a Secretary for the Congregational Church in Charlotte. She enjoyed taking walks through the woods, and camping with her dear friend Mary. Arlys would face her struggles throughout her lifetime, in 1985 she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This diagnosis would impact her life but didn’t stop her. Arlys loved reading, writing, and most importantly spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Arlys is survived by her loving husband, James; children, Barry (Tammy) Lewellyn, Tamara Lewellyn, and Kirk (Cindy) Lewellyn; grandchildren, Austin (Whitney) Landry, Desireé Lewellyn, Ciarra (Blake) Firestone, Taylor Lewellyn, Chloe Lewellyn, and Hunter Lewellyn; great-grandchildren, Eli, Ellie, and Caden; sister, Mina Halsey; and special friend, Mary Adams. She was predeceased by her parents, F. Lucile and Charles Halsey, sisters, Charmane Bridges, and Shirley Rann.
Friends are encouraged to support Arlys’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 8, 2022, at 12 Noon at the First Congregational Church of Charlotte with Pastor Judy Betten officiating. Visitation will be held just prior to the Memorial from 11:00 a.m. until 12 Noon. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Healing and Health Care Foundation (Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services) or the First Congregational Church of Charlotte. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Bertha Bradley
Bertha “Jane” Bradley, 69, of Vermontville, passed away on June 24, 2022. Jane was born in Grand Ledge on April 22, 1953, to Ralph and Helen (Shephard) Brown. She was later adopted by William “Bill” Roush and Audrey (Budd) Roush Hydon. Jane married Dale Bradley on December 7, 1974. Previously she was employed by Peckham, Arby’s and DC Products. Her hobbies included crocheting afghans and pillows, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and doing crossword puzzles. She especially loved her pets, Snoopy, Cracker, Jett, and Fluffy. Jane was an avid collector, who collected dolls and Christmas villages. She was very proud of her ability to crotchet and everything that she was able to make for others.
Jane is survived by her husband, Dale Bradley; siblings, Lynn Goostrey, Bill Roush, and Tami (Dave) Beard; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Linda (Ray) Peterson, Sharon (John) Franks, Ivan (Beverly) Bradley, Connie (John) Bobcik, Glen (Judy) Bradley, and Roger (Lynda) Bradley; many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her adoptive parents and stepfather Floyd Hydon; brothers, Jerry Brown, Hazen Brown, Bob Roush, Larry Roush; sisters, Lucille Wonsey, Barb Nichols, and Alice Swarthout.
Friends are encouraged to support Jane’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services were Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. 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 Jane’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 American Cancer Society. Family and friends are encouraged to share remembrances and condolences online in Jane’s Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI.
Sharon Hice
Sharon Kaye (Marquardt) Hice was born June 23, 1946, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan and passed away June 28, 2022, at her home in Perry, Georgia. She was the daughter of Earl W. and Betty J. (Smart) Marquardt.
Sharon was a 1964 graduate of Olivet High School. Sharon and Kenneth Hice were married September 9, 1967, at the Olivet Congregational Church by the Reverend Daniel Boxwell and Pastor Don Mathis.
Sharon served the Eaton County Road Commission for 30 years retiring as the Director of Finance.
Sharon is survived by Ken, her husband of nearly 55 years, their two sons whom she was so proud of and loved dearly, and two cherished daughters-in-law, Chris and Shawnda Hice of Charlotte and Kirk and Darylyn Hice of Macon, Georgia. Her four grandchildren brought such great love, laughter, and joy to her life: Parker and Kennedy of Charlotte and Sydney and Suttan of Macon, Georgia.
In addition, Sharon is survived by two sisters and one brother and their families: Diane Porter of Lansing; Judy Sullivan of Charlotte; Terry (Deb) Marquardt of Anthem, Arizona.
How we appreciate our son Chris, Sharon’s sisters and brother and several of her nieces and nephews making the trip to Georgia to spend time with her the past few days.
Also surviving Sharon are dearest friends and traveling companions of nearly 50 years, Dennis and Cheryl Perry and their families of Georgia and Florida. Oh, how she loved and enjoyed her time with them.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Keeping with Sharon’s wishes, no services are planned. If desired, memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to either Heart of Georgia Hospice, 1120 Morningside Drive, Perry GA 31069 or Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 South Cochran Ave., Charlotte, MI 48813.