Obituaries
Shirley Kay Love
Shirley Kay Love, age 86, passed away Monday, February 20, 2023.
She was born in Lansing, MI on June 3, 1936, to Max and Leila (Wolfe) Gooch. She was the second youngest of five children. Her love of fishing started when she was a kid. The lake has always been her favorite place to be. She attended Eaton Rapids schools. Kay and John Martis were married in 1955 and had four children, Shari (Craig) Engle, Sandi Martis, Scott (Cathleen Johnson) Martis, and Shannon Martis. Kay and her second husband, Bill Love, were married for 25 years. They spent their time taking care of their lake house, fishing, hosting family get-togethers, and doting on their cat, Schnookums. Kay was a bus driver for Delton schools, a florist at Horrocks, and worked for the Mason and Charlotte Shopping Guide. She embodied her last name, Love. Everyone who met her loved her and felt loved by her. She was as sweet as they come, but she also wasn’t afraid to give a quick-witted quip when necessary. Her humor was sharp, clever, and endearing, and she had a natural, undeniable radiance and sparkle. She was always up for a card game, especially Skip Bo, Euchre, or poker. Stakes made it even more fun. Purple was her theme color, and she loved fashion. No outfit was complete without her hair being perfectly styled. And it was always perfect, even right after a cruise in her convertible. She was an expert thrift shopper and excitedly showed off the great deals that she found. She loved staying active by taking trips with her best friend Jo, fishing, golfing, bowling, and gardening. Flowers were a big part of her life, from designing bouquets as a florist to growing and tending to her own plants. She had a special love for her great grandchildren, Audrey and Braylon, and they have a special love for her. She taught them how to do watercolor paintings of flowers and cheered them on at their sports games. Kay will be greatly missed, but we know that she’s doing fine surrounded by her parents and siblings and flirting with cute cowboys in Heaven.
Kay is survived by her children, Shari (Craig) Engle of Ceresco, Sandi Martis of Benzonia, Scott (Cathleen Johnson) Martis of Charlotte, and Shannon Martis of Harrison; grandchildren, Dartanion (Sandra) Thomas of Petoskey, Jena Martis of Lansing, Richard Whitbeck of Charlotte, Jodi Martis of Lansing; step grandchildren, Avery Engle of Ceresco and Jackson and Cydne Johnson of Charlotte; great grandchildren, Audrey and Braylon of Charlotte and Treaden Gallert of Petoskey; sister, Mickey Schnepp of Lansing. She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Joyce Elston; brother, Larry Gooch; and sister, Sheila Gilpin.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Monday. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Connie Lou Hayes
Connie Lou Hayes, a loving and reliable wife, mother, grandmother, and daughter, died on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. Connie, 70, of Lansing was born July 18, 1952, in Charlotte, MI the daughter of Robert and Mary Lou (Smuts) Hull. After graduating from Potterville High School in 1970, Connie began her career as a Medical Biller. She worked for many doctor offices over her 38-year career. On February 28, 2001, Connie married Edward “Ed” Hayes Jr. Her biggest passion in life was her children and grandchildren and watching them succeed. Connie might have been small in stature, but she was very strong, she was an expert sharp shooter with a pistol that enjoyed trips to the gun range. She also enjoyed working in her flower gardens, making greeting cards with her top-notch penmanship, scrapbooking, reading, watching soap operas, trips to the casino, and playing scratch off tickets. She was an avid sports fan, and die-hard Michigan State fan. Connie and Ed were season ticket holders for the Michigan State Woman’s Basketball team. When March Madness came around everyone knew already who was winning the bracket challenge, that’s right, Connie. Above all Connie will be remembered for her willingness to help anyone in need, and her ability to make friends with anyone.
Connie is survived by her husband, Ed; children, Douglas (Carol) Fish, Nikki Fish, Jon (Melissa) Hayes, Michael Hayes, and Edward Hayes; three grandchildren, Seth Fish, Kaylee Fish, and Makayla Hayes; mother, Mary Lou Hull; sister, Joan (LeRoy) Struble; and her beloved Golden Retriever, Ruby. She was predeceased by her father, Robert Hull; infant twin sisters, Joan and Jean Hull; grandparents, Vaughn and Kathleen Smuts; nephew, Christian Struble; and her grand-pup, Ashbe.
Friends are encouraged to support Connie’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation and celebration of Life were held Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Pray Funeral Home. 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 Connie’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 Sparrow Herbert-Herman Cancer Center. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Rosalinda Chavez Peña
Rosalinda Chavez Peña, 88, of Potterville, passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Rosalinda was born in Corpus Christi, TX on October 29, 1934 to Jesus and Guadalupe (Gracia) Chavez. Mrs. Peña was a lady that loved being with family, singing, music, and dancing, In 1953 she married the love of her life Eliseo Peña and had three children born in Texas. They then moved to Michigan where job opportunity was booming and had two more children. Rosalinda was a busy mom; cleaning homes in Charlotte, and an active member of American Legion Post #42, at one time serving as the Auxiliary President, facilitating events for the Legion, all while she was raising her children. Rosalinda and her husband, Eliseo along with their five children, created many fond memories with trips between Michigan and Texas, visiting family in both states and visits to Mexico to teach the family about their history, culture, and heritage.
In 1980 they moved back to Texas with their youngest two children to care for their parents, Mrs. Peña started teaching Pre-K and Kindergarten at Our Lady of Perpetual Health Elementary School, and was active with St. Josephs choir and an active part of a socialite group called the Golden Girls who put on activities for the community. Her life changed when she became a member of the only woman Mariachi trio called “Las Madrugadoras” with Mary Stancil and Mary Wells. Rosalinda was able to do her life dream – sing for a living. One particularly fond memory for her children was a trip to Chicago. “Las Madrugadoras” participated in the Heritage Festival and they were able to see their mom sing on stage in front of hundreds of people. But most of all she loved her family very much and her family loved her very much.
Rosalinda is preceded in death by her husband, Eliseo; her mother and father; brothers, Aldolfo Chavez, Ruben Chavez, Jesse Chavez, Alonzo Chavez; sisters, Lucille Jalifi, Gloria Gutierrez; and great-grandson, Quenten Gonzalez.
She is survived by her children, Rosa (Marten) Saunders of Charlotte, Eliseo (Janet) Peña of Charlotte, Robert (Susan) Peña of Lake City, Mark (Lisa) Peña of San Antonio TX, and Andrea M Peña, of Potterville; 22 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Jose (Mary) Chavez and Ramiro Chavez, both of Corpus Christi, Texas.
Friends are encouraged to support the Peña family by attending services or sharing memories on Rosalinda’s Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Saturday, February 25, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. with her Life Celebration at 11:00 a.m. at Celebration Church in Charlotte. Rosalinda will be laid to rest with her husband in Corpus Christi, Texas on March 11th. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the family to help with the funeral expenses. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Jon Charles Granger
Jon Charles Granger, age 57, passed away on February 16, 2023. He was from Charlotte and worked as master mechanic. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Kathleen Sue Ross
Kathleen Sue Ross, age 78, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan died February 18, 2023. She worked as a cost estimator for Metal Building Specialties. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.