Obituaries
Allan Hirt
Allan “Al” Arnold Hirt, 86, of Okemos, a civic-minded man, passed away on November 5, 2022. He was born on January 19, 1936, to Arnold and Lydia Hirt in Cleveland, Ohio. On June 4, 1960, Al married Shirley and they enjoyed 62 years of marriage. He graduated with a Business degree from Cleveland State University and began his career at Ford Motor Company in the Lansing District Sales office. In 1974, he bought Al Hirt Ford-Mercury in Charlotte. After closing the business in 1980, he became VP of Sales for a beverage distributorship in Battle Creek until 1985. Al joined a startup computer company in Okemos and later became a financial planner for Thrivent, a Lutheran insurance company. Next, he became district sales manager for a Cleveland company and concluded his employment history at Adtech Plastics in Charlotte in 2000. Al took two part-time retirement jobs: Eaton County Sheriff Department, 17 years; Wheat Jewelers, 21 years.
Al’s love of community, country, and God led him to belong to the Rotary, Gideons, American Legion, First Lutheran Church, St. Luke Lutheran Church, AARP Foundation Tax Aide, HGB Development Council and Executive Committee, and the University Club of MSU. He proudly served his country in the National Guard and with active Army duty (1958-1964), serving during the Berlin crisis in the Kennedy years.
Beloved hobbies included golf, travel (especially to California to visit his daughter and her family), and many cruises. He enjoyed skiing and snowmobiling with the kids, lots of motor home trips, and was a Spartan fan. His greatest source of enjoyment was raising two successful children and his marriage to Shirley. Al loved classic and luxury cars and this began early – at 16, he took an engine out of a 1940 Ford and rebuilt it, much to his father’s surprise.
Al is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughter, Denise (Fred) Macias; son, Douglas (Linda) Hirt; grandchildren, Alex (Danielle McGraw) Brown, Cole (Sabrina) Macias, Logan Hirt, Lindsey (Daniel) Kopechek; great-grandchild, Willow Brown; and brother, Geoffrey (Linda) Hirt. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Donald.
Friends are encouraged to support Al’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 5589 Van Atta Rd, Haslett, MI on Monday, November 14 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., and Tuesday, November 15 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Funeral services are Tuesday, November 15 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Trevor Sutton officiating. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Allan Hirt tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Luke Lutheran Church or Gideons International. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Joyce Gidner
Joyce Elaine Gidner, age 69, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 7, 2022, with her brother and sister by her side. Joyce was born December 16, 1952, in Charlotte the daughter of Robert and Gladys (Bailey) Gidner.
Joyce attended school in Charlotte and graduated with the Class of 1971. During her high school years, she worked at Moore’s Adult Foster Care. After high school she went to work for the Eaton Manor Nursing Home, which is now Sensations Memory Care Residence. When Eaton Manor closed Joyce continued caring for the elderly as a private care giver. She loved her work and enjoyed caring for others her entire life.
Joyce enjoyed spending time outdoors during all seasons. She was a true country girl. You could often find her in her flower beds and garden planting, weeding, and harvesting. Joyce also enjoyed preserving the many wonderful things she grew in her garden. She always looked forward to July when she would enter all kinds of goods in the open class at the Eaton County Fair. Throughout the years Joyce won many ribbons and prizes including State Champion and Exhibitor of the Year award. She also enjoyed decorating for the holidays both inside and outside her home and making goodies especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She always made enough for everybody.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Roy Gidner.
She is survived by her brother, Bruce Gidner of Charlotte; sister, Alice Gidner of Charlotte; cousin, Lyle Gidner of Frankfort, Indiana; uncle, Keith Gidner of Eaton Rapids formerly of Charlotte; niece, Michelle (Adrian) Kiss and their children: Michael Kiss, Miah Kiss, Leah Kiss, Kaylee Kiss, Malachi Kiss; nephew, Ryan (Leisa) Gidner and their sons: Shane Gidner, Skyler Kennedy; and numerous other cousins, friends, and neighbors.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 14, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Sean Esterline officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Joyce’s memory to the First Lutheran Church, 550 E. Shepherd St., Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Joyce’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
Jean Davy
Jean Marie Davy, 71, of Charlotte, a loving mother, grandmother, and sister, died peacefully on Friday, November 4, 2022. Jean was born September 22, 1951, in Detroit, the daughter of Robert and Charlotte (Beaulieu) Asam. Early in her life, she met the love of her life, James Davy, and followed him overseas to Germany during his service in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. In 1971, the couple got married in Basil, Switzerland before returning to Walled Lake, MI, to start their family. After they moved to Charlotte, MI, Jean went to work as a pharmacy tech for Arbor Drug, and eventually CVS. Family was the most important part of Jean’s life. She hosted all the family Holiday get-togethers, sleepovers with her beloved grandchildren, and daily phone conversations with her sisters. She enjoyed time together as a family outdoors, especially taking walks and bike rides, and indoors enjoyed reading. All who knew Jean will remember her kindness, her friendly easy nature, and her devotion and love for her family.
Jean is survived by her son, Jeff (Stephanie) Davy; daughter, Jessica Davy; grandchildren, Jack and Mya Davy; sisters, Janet Nichols, Jill Marks-Jennings, and Joann Caravagio; brother, Alan Asam; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, James in 2020, and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Jean’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 20, 2022, at Pray Funeral Home with Laura Cooper officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. 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 Jean’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 Hospice of Lansing. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Clarence Craver
Clarence “Larry” W. Craver passed away on November 6, 2022, at Flint-McLaren Hospital after an unexpected fall at his home. He fought a valiant fight, but Jesus did call him home and gave him the peace he needed. Larry was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and grew up in Clarksville, graduating from Lakewood in 1966 and was a long-time resident of Olivet, Michigan.
He retired from the Eaton County Sheriff’s Department in 2003 and then began to enjoy his last 19 years. He and wife Judi purchased a cabin in the woods of Luce County, north of Newberry near Lake Superior. Larry spent hours upon hours hunting for that perfect agate and sitting with Judi watching glorious sunsets together. He also enjoyed taking part in the re-enactments of the French and Indian war era, the 1700s, with his beloved muzzle loading buds and their newest game, trying to shoot bowling pins with their flintlock rifles. He spent hours making powder horns, leather bags and wooden boxes to go with his encampment and collecting items to create the perfect effect he wanted to accomplish. His lifelong dream was to have a Harley-Davidson and ride the wind, he had not one, but he succeeded in having two. Larry and Judi loved exploring the many junk and antique shops for that one special thing he could not live without. He loved his family and was so very proud of the accomplishments they all have made in growing up and spreading their wings.
His spirit will continue through the love of his life, Judi; having 42 blessed years of marriage together which began on February 9, 1980. He also leaves behind daughter, Tracie (Larry) Somerset; son, Chad Czerneski; grandchildren, Adam (Danielle) Lampe, Mercer Hardy, Joshua (Alexis) Lampe, Carleigh, Collin and Chad Czerneski Jr.; great-grandchildren, Jaxon and Anna Lampe, Mikah and Lukas Lampe; sisters, Doris (David) Middleton, Helen (Richard) Pluth; brother, Steve (Sherri) Craver; sister-in-law Nancy (Robert) Bach; brother-in-law, Thomas (Debi) Chapman; multiple nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence W. Craver Sr.; mother, Eileen (Hathaway) Craver Ellis; son Adam Craver; brothers, Paul and William Frost; sister, Barbara Harrington; nephew, Jeff Shellenbarger; and father- and mother-in-law, Bart and Connie Chapman.
Friends are encouraged to support Larry’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Join the family at the Eaton Area Senior Center in Charlotte for a Life Celebration at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday November 16th with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating followed by refreshments and a time to share your favorite stories about Larry.
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 Larry’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone).
In lieu of flowers Judith has requested donations be made to the charity of your choice.
The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Sherry Winters
Sherry Kay Winters, age 73, on October 31, 2022, of Olivet, Michigan passed away peacefully at home with her husband, Ed Winters by her side, Sherry was born in Albion, MI to Billy Gene Cook and Virginia Jean (Kellogg) Cook on March 15th, 1949. She battled cancer for four long years where Ed was her primary caregiver and was there for her every step of the way. Sherry was the best life partner for me and my best friend all the way till the end.
Sherry met Ed Winters in 1992 and on December 11, 1993, she married her life partner and best friend in Frankenmuth, MI. They enjoyed taking trips up there for many years to celebrate their anniversary.
Sherry graduated from Albion Senior High School. She became a clerk in the U.S Army and was Honorably Discharged for her years of service. After the service she became a dispatcher for the City of Marshall Police Department where she eventually retired and became the first dispatcher to retire with full benefits. After retirement she enjoyed gardening, helping her sister, Susie, at Jolly Green Junction in the summer, setting up on the weekends with her produce at various places in the fall and decorating the store for Christmas. She also enjoyed spending quality time with Ed and her family. She had many cats that she absolutely adored and treated them like they were her kids.
Sherry was the kind of person who would help anyone in need. She was known for making donations to organizations in the area, especially animal shelters. She loved to cook for the family holidays and create special memories along the way. Christmas was her favorite holiday; she would start shopping by January of every year and also carried a Christmas list in her purse at all times. Even though Christmas was her favorite holiday, she knew Halloween was Ed’s favorite holiday, so it led them to have a big memorable Halloween party every year for 26 years in their basement which Sherry cooked for and loved every minute of it. She also loved old cars especially her old Z- 28 Green Camaro and loved going to see old cars at car shows anytime possible especially Marshall’s Cruise to The Fountain. She was also a 2 Time Powder Puff Champion at Onondaga Dragway where she also held the record for fastest elapsed time against all genders as a woman. She also loved watching Nascar Cup Series races every Sunday.
Sherry is survived by her husband of 29 years Ed Winters, her sister Susie (Ken) Ott, nephew Tracy (Lois) Ott, niece, Lacey Michels, two great nieces Lauren and Allison, Mother-In-Law, Hazelruth Winters, Sister-In-Law, Tammy Knox; nephew, Jeremiah (Alex) Jewell; nieces, Kimberly Knox and Jessica (Mike) Smith; best friends Linda and Allison, her cats and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Billy and Virginia Cook and father-in-law William C. Winters.
In lieu of flowers Sherry asked for anyone who would like to please donate to your local animal organization or humane society.
As for Sherry’s final wishes, her cremation will take place and her family will celebrate her life in a private memorial at a later time.