Obituaries
Keith M. French
Keith Maynard French, age 93, of Narrow Lake, passed away Saturday, December 25, 2021. He was born June 13, 1928, in Bellevue, the son of Clare and Laura (Black) French. On June 27, 1948, he married Barbara Ione Parr at the First Congregational Church in Charlotte. A few years after Keith and Barbara were married, he was drafted into the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict. Keith was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed his yearly trips to Wyoming to hunt mule deer. He also loved spending time on Narrow Lake with family and friends.
Keith is survived by his wife of 73 years, Barbara; children: Patti (Bill Ruxton) French of Cincinnati, Ohio, Kirk (Tammy) French of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; grandchildren: Tiffany (Jeff) Pfeiffer of Cleveland, Ohio, Brian (Brittany) Hochradel of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, Tyler (Jenna) French of Mason, Ashley (Trent) Vance of Vicksburg, Mandy (Joey) Loveall of Monticello, Arkansas; and 4 great-grandchildren: Zack, Ethan, Natalie, and Hayes.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In keeping with Keith’s wishes, cremation has taken place.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Keith’s memory to the charity of their choosing.
To view Keith’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.
Alice R. Brehm
Alice Rose Brehm passed away peacefully December 22, 2021, at Bright Kavanagh House in Des Moines, IA. She was 80 years old. Funeral services were held 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 31, 2021, at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA.
Rose was born January 28, 1941, to Elmer and Lucille Malloy in Keokuk, Iowa. She graduated from Wilson High School in 1959. She met and married Lynnwood Brehm in 1961 and they enjoyed 60 happy years together. Rose lived in Charlotte, MI for 28 years before returning to Iowa. Rose was a fulltime homemaker and spent countless hours volunteering her time as a counselor and child advocate. Rose was a CASA volunteer and a visitation supervisor for the Friend of the Court. She was a jewelry lover and creator of beautiful designs. She loved her grandchildren and her dogs.
Left to mourn her loss is her husband, Lynnwood Brehm; her sons, Todd (Andrea) and Kevin (Charity) Brehm; daughter, Kaitlyn Brehm; six grandchildren, Alix, Dustin, Tyler, Danielle, Erik and Kaylee; four great-grandchildren, Jodi, Bowe, Dom, Addie, and one due January 3, 2022; and brother-in-law, Dennis Brehm.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Lucille Malloy and stepmother, Louise Malloy and daughter, Jodi Lynn Boily (Brehm).
Memorial contributions may be directed to Every Step Hospice and online condolences expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Tracy W. Miller
Tracy Wayne Miller of Grand Ledge, passed away December 22, 2021, at the age of 59. Tracy was born in Eaton Rapids, June 28, 1962, the son of Wayne Miller and Maxine (Franke) Wright. He was a 1980 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School. Tracy recently worked as a truck driver for E.T. MacKenzie Trucking, enjoyed boating, snowmobiling, attending estate sales, being outdoors, camping, and loved to tinker with mechanical things to try and fix them. He was a wonderful role model and will be missed by his family.
Tracy is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Dawn Miller; children, Joseph (Summer Boshaw) Miller of Lansing, Kayla (Jason Thompson) Perry of Vermontville, Kasey (Jeff) Acton of Goodrich, Kelsey (Brian Ellison) Perry of Traverse City; grandchildren, Brennon, Bryce and Rylee; mother, Maxine Wright of Dimondale ; sisters, Terri (Larry) Markwart, Debbie (Dan) Kares, Julie (Charlie) Hicks; step brothers and sisters, Pam Colestock, John (Colleen) Colestock, David (Lois) Colestock, Joseph Colestock; step-mother, Vickie Miller; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father.
Funeral services were held on Friday, December 31, 2021, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association. To leave online condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
James L. Colosky
James Lester Colosky of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at the age of 70. Jim was born on September 5, 1951, in Lansing, MI. He was raised in Eaton Rapids where he graduated class of 1971. Jim worked with his family farming while he grew up and continued that right out of High School, he eventually took a job with Oldsmobile retiring in the 1980’s. Jim worked for Schaffer’s and Hayhoe Asphalt as a truck driver. He loved racing cars and demolition derbies and spent many years at Spartan Speedway either racing or working in the pit crews. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed going on vacations and cruises. Some of his favorite spots were Houghton Lake and North Carolinas Outer Banks. He was a dedicated grandfather and never missed an opportunity to watch his grandchildren compete in their sporting events.
Jim is preceded in death by his grandson, Jaeden Colosky; his parents, brother, John Colosky; sister, Linda Clark and brother-in-law, James Devericks.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, April Colosky; son, James (Sarah Parker) Colosky; daughters, Kimberly (Steven) Carter, April Renee (Ed) Arnold; grandchildren, Stephanie, Savannah, Joseph, Daniel, Alexander, Isabella; brother, Joel (Tammy) Colosky; sisters, Jackie Devericks, Jill (Don) Forist and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family will receive friends starting at 10:00 a.m. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to Eaton County 4-H in memory of Jim. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuenralHomes.com
David M. Dennis
David Merton Dennis of Eaton Rapids, passed away December 20, 202,1 at the age of 86. David was born in Adrian, MI., May 26, 1935, the son of Cecil and Mabel (Perkins) Dennis. He grew up on Dennico Dairy Farm, pasteurizing and delivering products daily. David served with the National Guard Reserves for four years. He worked for Bridgeport Brass, the Michigan Health Department and the Department of Natural Resources in the Department of water quality and Assistant Deputy Director for 25 years before retiring in 1992. He loved helping to bring the first moose back to Michigan’s U.P. He was a private pilot, owning 3 airplanes of his own, flying out of Adrian, Houghton Lake and Charlotte. David was a ham radio operator as well. He would receive radio transmissions from missionaries and patch them through locally on the phone to family members and friends. David loved to camp, hunt, fish, ride motorcycles, anything adventurous. David was a jack-of-all-trades and would always fix things himself. He instilled a strong work ethic in his children, which they appreciated. The love David and his wife Nancy shared was inspirational to his entire family. They had been married 68 years. David and Nancy are devoted Christians as are their children.
David is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons, David (Ida) Dennis of Eaton Rapids, Dean (Jennifer) Dennis of Lansing, Dale (Deborah) Dennis of Williamston; grandchildren, Carolyn Darnton, Alan (Stephanie Day) Dennis, Amanda (Dan) Glaspie, Matthew Dennis, Michael Dennis, James Dennis; 6 great grandchildren; brother, Burton Dennis of Adrian. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Carlton and Robert Dennis.
Private memorial services were held on December 30th, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Please visit our website to place online condolences, www.millsfuneral.com.
Jerry L. Davids
Jerry Lee Davids, 57, from Charlotte, Michigan passed away on December 17, 2021. He was an Assembly/drywaller. His service will be at 11:00 am, Monday, December 27, 2021, at Pray Funeral Home.
Debra S. King
Debra Sue King, 63, of Onondaga passed away on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Private family services will be held. Arrangements handled by Pray Funeral Home.
Mary S. Scott
Mary Susan Scott, a caring and loving, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother “Scoot,” died Monday, December 20, 2021. Mary, 93, of Charlotte, was born November 15, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Lawrence and Ruby (Ferguson) Gunderson. She was always very proud of her Brooklyn roots. In 1947 she would marry the love of her life, Donald Scott a Navy man, and together they raised their family. Mary retired from Michigan State University where she worked as a secretary for 30 plus years, mostly for the psychology department. She was very active in her community, she was a member at the First Congregational Church in Charlotte, American Legion Post 42 Auxiliary, where she was past president, and she also helped her husband with the Adult Handicapped Program while he served as the Director of Special Education for Eaton County. Her hobbies included, reading, knitting, playing bingo, going to the local Big-Boy, and visiting family out on the East Coast. Above all Mary was most proud of her family and all of their accomplishment that she got to witness.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Mary (Paul) Krug; grandson, Michael (Shannon) Krug; great-granddaughter, Trilian; siblings, Lawrence (Eileen) Gunderson, Virginia Scheidt, and Jeanne Clayton; sisters-in-law, Patricia Greene, and Carol Gunderson; numerous nieces and nephews; and friend, Arlene Latham. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Donald; siblings, Charles Gunderson, Marjorie Layton, and James Gunderson.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Mary’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. A burial of Mary’s cremated remains will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to American Legion Post 42, or The First Congregational Church in Charlotte. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
David L. Smith
David L. Smith, of Duck Lake, died on Monday, November 22nd, 2021, at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall. Dave practiced law in Charlotte for 57 years and served on many charitable and municipal boards throughout the years. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and will often be remembered for sightings of his hot air balloon, “Rainbow Drifter,” over the skies of Charlotte and Duck Lake, with their usual crew of brother-in-law, David Powers and his wife Christyne. Dave enjoyed woodworking and boat building and he spent the past year building an 1860 Henry Rifle. He was known as a local Civil War Historian and he proudly shared the stories of his ancestors that fought at Gettysburg and Kennesaw Mountain.
Service to the community was important to Dave, but the loves of his life were family and his life at Duck Lake with Linda. He was a caring and selfless man who would make time for anyone. You always knew he listened, because weeks after an encounter, he would see you again and follow up on the previous conversation. He was a man of the highest integrity and character and his life will continue to be an inspiration for those who were fortunate enough to know him.
David Lowell Smith was born on August 28th, 1939 to Clifford Elwood Smith and Louise M. (Raidle) Smith in Charlotte, MI. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1957 and earned his BA from Alma College in 1961. He went on to earn an MBA from the University of Michigan in 1962 and his Juris Doctorate from Detroit College of Law in 1965. After passing the State Bar in 1965, he began practicing law with his uncle, Stanley Raidle. He settled his family on the George O. Smith family farm on Lawrence Avenue. He served as the Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney beginning in 1972 and in 1973, he was reunited with his high school sweetheart and his soulmate, Linda Sue Powers. Dave and Linda created their own version of “Yours, Mine and Ours” in December of 1974, when they married at the Charlotte Congregational Church.
Dave is survived by two daughters, Lisa (Joe) Feistritzer of Ada and Amy (Donald) Huff of Lansing; four step-children, David (Tracy) Reed of Glendale, Arizona; Chris (Elena) Reed of Charlotte; Doug (Jen) Reed of Charlotte; and Sarah (Rob) Williams of Charlotte; sixteen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren with the tenth on the way next year; and sisters Linda Deland of Chelsea and Chris (Rick) Kent of Brule Ridge.
Dave was preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 45 years, Linda Sue; his parents, Clifford and Louise Smith of Charlotte; and his beloved Golden Retrievers, Scout (2021) and Max (1994).
In keeping with Dave’s wishes, cremation has taken place and the family is planning a celebration of life to honor Dave in the Spring of 2022.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Dave’s honor to the Courthouse Square Association, P.O. Box 411, Charlotte, MI 48813, or Eaton Community Palliative Care, 275 S. Cochran Ave., Charlotte, MI 48813.
Vera McDonald
Vera McDonald was known for her powerful ministry of presence, Vera Browne McDonald, 86, was born near Muir, MI (Ionia County) in the late 1930s. Her heritage from both parents is from Indian and Pennsylvania Dutch. She had three older siblings. In her early years the family lived in a very humble home, with no electricity, a cooking stove also served as their only source of heat in the cold winter months. Vera recalled a large window in their house, and she would look out and see some hobo’s, nowadays referred to as homeless people, show up on their doorstep. Her mother would feed them, and they would sleep on the porch and move on the next day.
At the age of 10 the family moved to Portland, MI where her father operated a gas station as well as a store. Vera became his major assistant, pumping gas, working in the store, and helping to keep the bussiness records. When she was only 13, she met an older teenager named Harold McDonald who frequented the gas station to visit with her dad. Apparently, he noticed her because later they did some dating. Both Vera and Harold had to leave school after the 10th grade. She began working and Harold joined the Armed Services. They kept correspondence and married during a leave. She was only 17 at the time.
During her childhood, her grandmother made sure she got to the local community Church. Her grandmother also taught her a lot about life, made clothing for her and was a mainstay in her life.
Vera and Harold had moved to Kirkwood, MO. for Harold’s work. Harold Jr. (Butch) was a small child at this time and Steve was also born around this time. Harold was kidnapped one evening and was robbed and beaten. Their neighbors came to the rescue and took care of the boys while Vera nursed Harold. As a result of this they were determined to strengthen their faith by finding a church. The helpful, loving neighbors invited them to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and were later baptized into the church. So began their faith journey. Moving back to Michigan later and joining the Charlotte Congregation.
Both Vera and Harold continued to pursue their education completing many courses with certificates. Most interesting is they both received their high school diplomas in 1972 through attending the first Adult Education class offered in Charlotte. Harold was at the top of his class! Harold Jr. graduated from Charlotte High School the same year they received their diplomas.
Vera always had a job, including Michigan Bell Telephone, Hospital Clerical, 10 years as Dr. Riley’s assistant and an assistant for Dr. Byland’s office. Vera worked at Eaton Federal for 30 years. In addition to her regular job, she and Harold owned and operated apartments in Charlotte, eventually selling and buying and operating a motel in Leslie, MI for many years. After many years it was time to retire and move back to Charlotte. They built a lovely home in Eaton Green Subdivision off M50.
In retirement Vera never stopped working because her flowers and vegetables needed tending. She loved to crochet regularly making hats, mittens, blankets, scarves, baby clothes and even pillows giving these away or as donated items for fund raisers.
In addition to their two sons, they have 4 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. Wow!
Vera and Harold gave “ministry of presence”, as they were always at church services (unless illness prevented). They also hosted a Tuesday night prayer service at their home. Vera was known for keeping a list of all in need of prayer, be it church members, friends and acquaintances and gladly sharing with others.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Vera’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Monday December 27th from 6-8 pm. Funeral services are Tuesday, December 28th at 2 pm at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI. 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 Vera’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to Saints Church of Jesus Christ, 123 E. Stoddard St., Charlotte, MI 48813. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.