Obituaries
Mary Kathleen Heath
Mary Kathleen Heath, age 89, of Eagle (formerly of Charlotte), passed away Friday, March 17, 2023, due to complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born October 8, 1936, in Charlotte the daughter of James and Mary (Salter) Polhamus. On February 14, 1954, Mary married James Heath. Mary was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved working in her flower gardens, bowling, and traveling with her family.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Nina Heath of Charlotte; grandson, Anthony (Jill) Coppola of West Seneca, New York; brothers: John (Ruth) Polhamus, Jay (Marcia) Homan Jr.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim; sisters: Arlene Frith, Betty Polhamus, Esther Clark, Theresa Homan; brothers: Robert Polhamus, Eugene Polhamus, James Polhamus, and Thomas Homan.
A memorial service will be held sometime this summer at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Those desiring may make contributions in Mary’s honor to the Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906.
To view Mary’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Wanona E. Hathcox
Wanona E. Hathcox, age 94, passed away in Phoenix, Arizona on February 18, 2023.
Wanona was born January 15, 1929, to the late Myrl and Effie (Shumaker) Dillon in Charlotte, Michigan, graduating from Olivet High School in 1947. After graduating she went to visit her aunt and uncle in Mathews, Missouri, where she was introduced to William Hathcox, soon to become the love of her life, and the man she married, September 11, 1949 at the Congregational Church in Olivet.
Wanona loved bowling, golfing, and traveling; but her greatest joy was her love for her family. Knowing that she was going to be a great-grandmother again, we believe that she stayed with us long enough so that she could get to see and hold this bundle of joy (and she did just that) – her namesake, Charlotte Wanona Hathcox.
Wanona is survived by her sister, Marlene (Eddie) Brummette, and brother, James (Judy) Dillon. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, William E. Hathcox; her parents, Myrl and Effie (Shumaker) Dillon; brothers, Otto (Morna) and Duane Dillon; her uncles, aunts, niece, and cousins.
Wanona and William had two sons: Daniel (deceased December 2021) and Michael (Leann Meier); grandchildren: Kyle (Malone) Hathcox, Daniele (Robert) Meeker, Katie Coster; great-grandchildren, Charlotte Wanona Hathcox and Thunder Coster. She also had extended family of Leann, of whom she thought so much; Justin (Bonnie) Meier, boys Seth, Tanner, Ripplinger, daughter Jessica (Adam) and children, Jackson, Wesley, Elise and Stuart.
A funeral was held at the Chapel of the Chimes in Glendale, Arizona. Graveside service was held at the National Cemetery in Glendale where she was laid to rest with her husband, William.
Robin A. Stair
Robin A. (Cooper) Stair, 62 of Charlotte passed away unexpectedly in her sleep on March 20, 2023. This beautiful, crazy Robin was born in Charlotte on October 6, 1960, to Robert and Beverly Cooper. She was an accomplished oboe player in the high school band and graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of 1978. On November 24, 1984, Robin married Scott Stair and together they raised five children. Robin would travel from her home in Williamsburg to Charlotte to plan and raise funds for her Relay For Life team. She was very organized and loved making cross stitched quilts for new babies. Employed in a diverse number of jobs over the years Robin currently worked in the Eaton County Civil Division. She held multiple jobs but none as special as mom. Having five children, there was always a houseful of so many of the Stair children’s friends who also called her Momma Robin. She endured a lot of loss and adversity throughout the years, but Robin championed life with a beautiful smile, fun, love and laughter.
She is leaving to grieve, daughter, Jacque (Ian) van der Linde of Hertford, England; sons, Jason, Jeremy, Justin (Jamie), and Jacob (Katie) Stair of Charlotte. This Gigi will be sorely missed by her grandchildren, Bram, Phin, Emma, Owen, Ryleigh and Gaige; her sister, Laura Cooper; in-laws, Clarence and Connie Battice; life-long friends, Liz Riebow (Mike Schaefer) of Traverse City and Iva (Mitch) Hopkins of Nashville; several nieces and nephews; and a host of special friends. Robin was preceded in death by her husband, Scott; her parents; and brother, Tim Cooper.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Robin, and friends are encouraged to support her family by attending or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Friday, March 24, 2023, 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. Robin’s Celebration of Life is Saturday, March 25, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home. The service 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 Robin’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 “Gigi’s Piglets College Fund” for her grandchildren (checks payable to Jason Stair) or to Eaton Community Palliative Care.
“Keep flyin’ Robin”
Kelly Noreen Garivay
Kelly Noreen Garivay passed away due to cancer on March 15, 2023, in Lansing, Michigan. Born May 3, 1983, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to William Roy Draper and Donna Rae Draper.
Kelly played hockey from the time she was able to walk and was awarded MVP in her Junior A Girls Canadian Hockey Team. She would also play on several “boys only” teams. There were several times she was put in the penalty box for being too aggressive against the male players. She graduated High School from Calgary, Alberta. Kelly lived in London, Ontario for several years with her father and worked for his flooring company, “King of Floors.” She later moved to Lansing, Michigan where she attended Lansing Community College, receiving an associate degree in Emergency Medical Services and a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Kelly married Rogelio Garivay in San Antonio on April 9, 2010, and they had one son, Rogelio Garivay Jr., born on her birthday, May 3, 2012. Kelly returned to Lansing, Michigan in 2018 where she worked for her family’s flooring business, Floressence Surfaces Flooring Outlet. She also opened “Blazin’ Honey Queen” in Charlotte, Mich., which was an artisanal business specializing in CBD candles and honey.
Kelly is survived by her former husband, Rogelio Garivay; son, Rogelio Garivay Jr.; father, William Draper; mother, Donna Draper; stepmother, Tamara Shriner; brothers, Robert Draper and Neil Draper; step-sister, Nicole Shriner; and step-grandfather, Stanley Wenck.
Kelly will be remembered for her passion and creativity. She was a nurturing and protective mother, holding an immeasurable bond with her son, Rogelio. Kelly was very compassionate and cared about the people in her community, hosting several fundraisers for local children’s charities. Her strength and fighting spirit were an inspiration to her friends and family.
Kelly’s family would like to extend their gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at McLaren Hospital that supported them during the past two years.
A celebration of life will be held for Kelly in the Summer of 2023. The time and place will be determined at a later date.
Patricia Langmaack
Patricia Langmaack, a selfless person, always full of love, died peacefully at the age of 88. Pat was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1934, in Charlotte to Leonard and Isabelle (LaBare) Johnson, and passed on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2023. After graduating from Olivet High school in 1952, Pat worked for Drs. Chapman and Britton in their Optometry office and then at Quentin Bosworth’s Veterinary practice for many years. Her love of agriculture led her to employment at the Michigan Livestock Exchange in Battle Creek, Michigan, from where she eventually retired. A 4-H volunteer for many years, Pat taught countless young people the skills of sewing and cooking, many of whom became “adopted” grandchildren.
Pat married Hans Langmaack in 1953 and the couple purchased their farm just three years later where they went on to raise their family and make countless memories. Ever devoted to her family, Pat was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who was often found caring for grandchildren and baking treats for all who visited. Hans and Pat enjoyed time with friends and family and spent many fun evenings visiting with friends at Thursday night “farmer’s suppers.”
Patricia is survived by her children, Peggy (Michael) Papoi, Robert (Debbie) Langmaack, Karl (Kendra) Langmaack and Chris (Kristina) Langmaack; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Hans in 2020; daughter, Amy Hettinger; her siblings, Peggy (Caroll) Moon, Richard (Marilyn) Johnson, Casey (Billie) Johnson, Leonard Johnson Jr.; and special friend, Micki Fay.
Friends are encouraged to support Patricia’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Wednesday, March 22 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were Thursday, March 23, at Gresham United Methodist Church in Charlotte with Pastor Kathy Smith officiating. 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 Patricia’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 Gresham United Methodist Church. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.