Obituaries
Bruce Herrick
Bruce W. Herrick, age 77, our beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather (Pop) and great-grandfather (GG Bruce), died unexpectedly while vacationing in Barcelona, Spain on September 28, 2022.
Born October 28, 1944, in Hudson, New York to Frank and Marie Herrick (deceased), he graduated from Schuylerville Central High School in upstate New York in 1962 and went on to the University of Maryland on an academic scholarship to graduate in 1966 with a Fire Protection Engineering degree.
For over 30 years, most of Bruce’s professional career was in New York City before moving to Michigan from Pennsylvania. He was CEO and President of Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company in Lansing from 1997-2007, further serving on the Board of Directors until 2010. Prior to moving to Michigan, he was CEO and President of American Reliance Company in New York City as well as working for ISO.
Bruce embraced his move to Michigan and became active with many community organizations and charitable events, including, but not all, MSU Spartan Marching Band for Kids Concert, MSU’s Women Working Wonders and eight years of service on the Sparrow Hospital Foundation Board.
On July 19, 2008, he married Saundra (Sandy) Verlinde, sharing 14 years of marriage and together traveled the world following Bruce’s passion of photography, especially animals large and small. His travels took us to almost 75 countries and six continents to capture the perfect photo. From his favorite place on earth, Africa to photograph the “big five”, to jaguars in South America, orangutans in Borneo, polar bears in Canada, gorillas in Rwanda, kangaroos in Australia, to just the geese in our backyard, his love of nature and travel was insatiable. He also loved family, reading, hunting, fishing, golf, and although not his alma mater, anything MSU!
Bruce leaves behind his loving children: Kimberly from Queensbury, New York, Bruce Jr. (Claudia Mitchell) of Cumming, Georgia, Taylor of Queensbury, New York, Brian and John of Durham, North Carolina, Matthew of Los Angeles, California, Jacquelyn Arenas (Efren) of Austin, Texas, and Michael of Millsboro, Delaware; grandchildren: Sofia, Austen and Dylan of Austin, Texas; sister, Kathy McLoughlin (Bob) of Jericho, Vermont and two nephews.
From Sandy’s Michigan family he leaves behind his stepdaughter and stepson, Suzanne Howell-Neuhaus (Paul) and John Verlinde (Mary) from Dimondale; grandchildren: Breezy Prickett (Michael Keyes) of Owosso, Jaren Howell (Chelsea) of Webberville, Chase Howell (Lindsay Goodrich) of Novi, Shelby Johnson (Matt) of Mason, Jaci Howell (Ivan Camacho) of Jaco, Costa Rica, Milo Verlinde of Lansing, Harley and Jack Neuhaus of Dimondale; great grandchildren, Bryce and Milynn of Owosso and Camila of Costa Rica.
Persons wishing to make donations in Bruce’s name please consider the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA, World Wildlife Fund or your local humane society.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon at the Country Club of Lansing, 2200 Moores River Drive, Lansing. The family is being served by the Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Home, Holt Chapel.
Richard St. John
Richard “Dick” Edwin St. John, age 78, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, at his home on Monday, October 17, 2022. He was born July 10, 1944, in Edmore, Michigan, the son of Edwin and Cecelia (Bruner) St. John. Richard graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of 1962. He spent his collegiate years at Michigan Tech University where he discovered his love for the outdoors. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree two weeks before marrying his high school sweetheart. On June 28, 1969, Richard married Joy Lynn Vrogindewey at Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, spending 50 wonderful years together. Richard’s career as an engineer was extensive and he developed several life-long friendships – always looking forward to traveling to Canada with those friends to enjoy time fishing, camping and bonding. Richard was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved spending time together with those he loved most, especially family get-togethers and dinners. Although his work hours were long, he made it a priority to support his children and grandchildren in their multitude of events and activities. In his free time, he spent many enjoyable hours on home improvement projects, as well as time soaking up the great outdoors – bike riding, skiing, snowshoeing and camping. Both Richard and Joy enjoyed vacationing together in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and spending time together as a family at their lake house in Hastings.
Richard is survived by his children: Lisa (James) Hoyt of Hastings, Steven (Wendy) St. John of Zionsville, Indiana, Sara (Brad) Thornell of Charlotte, Daniel St. John of Portage, Brian (Lauren) St. John of Charlotte, Stephanie (Matthew) Koenigsknecht of Charlotte; 15 grandchildren; siblings: Judy (Dick) Saurer of Salt Lake City, Utah, Tom (Marlene) St. John of Park Hills, Missouri, Deb (Ken) Mohre of Rochester; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joy; and brother-in-law, Stephen Alflen.
In keeping with Richard’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private graveside service will be held.
Those desiring may make contributions in Richard’s memory to the American Cancer Society.
To view Richard’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.
Leila Whitinger
Leila Lee Whitinger, of Charlotte, Michigan, died on October 7, 2022. Leila was born on March 3, 1941, to Elwood Edward and Eunice May (Fladeboe) Whitinger in Charlotte. She was the fourth child of a talented family of six, with piano and percussion, tumbling and dance as her specialties. Leila graduated from CHS, then attended and graduated from Valley State College in North Dakota in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree. The college was near her mother’s family, so she was able to soak up her family heritage with aunts, uncles and cousins. As she was from a family of lifelong learners, she followed up by obtaining a Master of Arts Degree in 1976 from MSU. Leila had a fulfilling career as a teacher at Charlotte High School, Grayling High School, and DeWitt Middle School; was a field representative with the Minnesota Education Association; and a member of many different committees. Leila took her political views very seriously, being a member of the Michigan Democratic Committee in Detroit, Ingham County Democratic Committee, and Clinton County Democratic Committee, and her teaching expertise as well, with Professional Staff Association, National Curriculum Association, Minnesota History Society, and National Audubon Society. Leila enchanted students with her science classes and found a lesson to teach wherever she was. She formed many lifelong friendships with her teacher friends and had a large extended family.
Leila is survived by her sister, Wilma Campbell; brother, John (Sue) Whitinger; brother-in-law, Paul Congleton; nieces and nephews, Brian, Sue, Sara, Julie, Steve, Robert, Ed, Lori, Andy, Mary Jo, Jodie, Rob, Amy, Angel, Lisa and Nick, all of whom felt as though they were the favorite; and another long list of great-nephews and nieces; many cousins, and many very special friends.
She was predeceased by her parents; sisters, Lucille Tuckey, Marion Whitinger, and Linda Silvas; brothers-in-law, Norman Campbell and Matt Silvas; nephew, Daniel Tuckey.
Friends are encouraged to support Leila’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Wednesday, October 26, 2022, from 1:00–2:00 p.m. with a celebration of Leila’s life following at 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in 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 Leila’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 Minnesota Historical Society, the National Audubon Society or a charity of your choice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Harold Eugene Beers
Harold Eugene Beers passed away on October 6, 2022. Harold was born on May 1, 1946, to Maynard Ellis and Jessie Nora (Heath) Beers in Charlotte, Michigan. He grew up in the Olivet area and attended Olivet Public Schools. Harold had been employed for a long time as a truck driver and previously worked for D&J Excavating in Olivet, Interstate Highway, and for the last 10 years worked at M&M Equipment in Battle Creek.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Doris (Mattox) Beers on December 8, 2001; his parents, and a nephew, Lloyd Beers Jr. Surviving are two children, Robert (Vera) Beers of Bellevue; Jodi (Trevor) Madry of Battle Creek; two grandchildren, Zane Madry of Marshall and Brenna Madry of Battle Creek; two step grandchildren, Steven Huggett of Albion and Kimberly Huggett of Marshall; a brother, Lloyd Beers of Charlotte; close friend, Lorraine Palmer of Battle Creek; and numerous cousins, nieces and a nephew.
Harold enjoyed working, the outdoors, and spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed hunting mushrooms in the springtime and always seemed to have good luck in finding them. Harold could fix anything and was always doing favors helping friends and neighbors in need.
Per Harold’s wishes, he will be cremated, and his remains laid to rest with his wife at Leonidas Cemetery in Leonidas, Michigan.
A celebration of life was held Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at the Convis Township Hall in Marshall, Michigan.
Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care in Battle Creek. Personal messages or stories of Harold may be placed in the Memory Book at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Douglas Parr
Douglas E. Parr, age 70, of Bandera, Texas, and formerly of Bellevue, Michigan entered our Lord’s Kingdom on October 6, 2022, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born April 22, 1952, in Charlotte, Michigan to Richard E. and Dorothy E. (Pratt) Parr.
Doug graduated from Bellevue High School, class of 1970. He had many talents in areas such as small engine repair, heavy equipment operation, draft horse logging, woodworking, carpentry and farming. In 1978, Doug along with his former spouse, Joan E. Powers, purchased a farm in Bellevue where they raised their two sons. He also worked as a licensed residential builder during his nearly 30 years of farming. He was passionate about hunting, horseback riding, calf roping and volunteering his time coaching baseball, football and soccer in the Bellevue Community Schools.
Doug filled his retirement days in Texas enjoying a closer walk with his Savior Jesus Christ, volunteering for Meals on Wheels and spending time with friends playing guitar, singing and dancing to country music.
Doug is survived by two sons, Mitchell Douglas (Jenn) Parr of Dallas, Texas, and Scott David Parr of Buenos Aires, Argentina; sister, Connie (Gary) Neff; brothers, Michael (Sue) Parr and Jeffrey (Nancy) Parr; sister-in-law, Bonnie (Gordon) Parr and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gordon F. Parr; and nephew, Dustin J. Parr.
A Celebration of Doug’s Life will be held in Bandera, Texas.