Obituaries
Phyllis Marie Scott Burnett
Phyllis Marie (Johnson) Scott Burnett of Lansing, passed away December 26, 2022, at the age of 70. Phyllis was born in Springfield, OH, October 12, 1952, the daughter of Estill and Lora (Thacker) Johnson. She was a lifetime member of VFW Post 6132, member of the American Legion, Ladies Auxiliary and the 40 et 8 Voiture 946. Phyllis had many hobbies that included, knitting, dancing, karaoke, lotto, bingo, NASCAR, playing Monopoly, UNO and Right-Left-Center. She was the queen of shopping and loved to party but the most important thing to her was spending time with her family.
Phyllis is survived by her soulmate, Richard Connick of Lansing; children, JoAnna (Dennis) Rouse, Frederick Scott Jr., Sarah (Enrique) Benavides, all of Pt. Huron; grandchildren, Shadilea (Gabriel), Eric, Juan, Andrew (Amanda), Austin, Justice, Drix and Miguel; nine great grandchildren; sisters, Ellen (Phil) Beam, Judy (Clinton) Slone; brother, Zak (Diana) Johnson. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Loretta (Ken) Miller, Lora Slone, Jack Johnson, Estill Johnson Jr., JoAnna Johnson and Cleovis Johnson.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Interment followed in Munger Cemetery. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the VFW Post 6132, 3104 W. St. Joseph Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Loretta DeWalt
Loretta Jean DeWalt, “Jean” to her many friends, died December 15, 2022. Jean, 87, of Charlotte, was born on April 9, 1935, in Marion, Indiana to Charles H. and Vera I. (Rhoades) Ballard. Jean loved to laugh and did so often. She had a warm and friendly smile; was generous and caring; accepting of anyone; and had a fun sense of humor. She filled her days to the brim with friends, reading, sewing, word searches, cooking, and time with family. One of her favorite places to travel to was to her daughter’s home in North Carolina. She was a wonderful hostess and opened her home up often. Her deck with the wonderful views of nature allowed her to watch her hummingbirds and to care for and enjoy her flowers. In addition to being a wonderful mom and grandma, she was employed with Eaton County Courthouse Circuit Court for 25 years. Prior to that, she was the secretary at Lawrence Avenue Methodist Church where she also enjoyed singing in the choir. Jean volunteered often for various groups. She enjoyed the Job’s Daughters with both of her daughters and granddaughters; Charlotte HS Band, Jaycee’s Auxillary; LAUMC-Sunday School and Vacation Bible School; and for our elections as a poll-worker. Her cherished daughters brought her more family to love and she was a centerpiece in each of their lives.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Ronda (Brian) Decker; grandchildren, Michael (Brandi) Pruden, Alexis (Patrick) Cooper, Tiffany (Brian) Matson, Andy (Holly) Pruden, Sydney (Jennifer) Larrimore-Decker, Shelby (Maria) Winkler-Decker; 12 great-grandchildren; 2 siblings, Barbara Buxton, Patricia Ballard; and son-in-law, Timothy Pruden. She was predeceased by her husband, Ivan DeWalt; daughter, Kathy Pruden; her parents; and her brother-in-law, John Buxton.
Friends are encouraged to support Jean’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held Monday, December 19 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Rev. Karen Wheat 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 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 Charlotte Christmas Kiddies, The American Heart Association, or Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Eugene Emery
Eugene Roy Emery of Vermontville, a man that loved entertaining with his silly dad jokes, died unexpectedly December 17, 2022. Eugene, 67, was born April 20, 1955, in Charlotte to Thomas and Geraldine (Grundstrom) Emery. A graduate of Charlotte High School, Eugene also attended some college courses and worked different jobs at Carefree Windows, Spartan Motors, and he owned and operated Emery’s Adult Foster care with his wife, Linda. In his spare-time he enjoyed tinkering with slot cars, CB radios, playing on his computer, and singing Karaoke. Volunteering much of his time to making his community better, Eugene was always giving back and showing others how much he cared, whether it was through his Lions Club membership in Vermontville, working at Eaton Community Palliative Care, or activities at his church, Chester Gospel Church. A devoted family man, he loved his children and grandchildren with all his heart. After his wife passed in 2004, he worked extra hard to make sure his family knew how much he cared and how much they were loved.
Eugene is survived by his children, Lorraine (Steven Larrabee) Emery, Janette (Ryan) Maki, and Matthew (Zania) Emery, grandchildren, Alexandra Emery, Joshua and Katherine Maki, and Dalton and Weston Emery; significant other, Kay Boston-Wyszynski; siblings, Thomas Emery, Carmen Harris, Kathi Dominguez; in-laws, Scott Marshall, Laurie Marshall, and Nancy Emery; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; brother, Jim Emery; sister, Charlene Vaughn; his parents; and father-in-law and karaoke partner, Richard Marshall; sister-in-law, Barbara Emery.
Friends are encouraged to support Eugene’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Thursday, December 22, 2022 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were Friday, December 23, 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Dennis Weeks 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 Eugene’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 Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Charlotte Swartz
Charlotte A. Swartz, 95, of Bellevue, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on April 5, 1927, to Scott and Henrietta (Ely) Love in Battle Creek, Michigan. She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1945. On September 10, 1945, she married Melvin “Bill” Swartz in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Charlotte worked at American Door Company in Bellevue for 10 years assembling doors. She worked at the American Legion Clubhouse in Battle Creek in the kitchen and lastly as a Bus Driver with the Bellevue School District for 38 years, retiring in December of 2003.
Charlotte loved nothing more than her family, especially her grandchildren, attending any of their school and sporting events were some of her favorite times. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting baby blankets, which she gave to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Charlotte’s family will miss the countless hours of playing the game Chicken Foot. She was always willing to travel throughout the United States when asked by her family. She was an excellent cook and baker; her raw apple cake was a favorite. Charlotte was the eleventh of twelve children.
Charlotte is survived by her loving children, William (Joyce) Dennis Swartz of Bellevue, Michigan, Marjorie A. Coy of Bellevue, Michigan, Patricia (Mary Goheen) Dowding of Battle Creek, Michigan and James Treat of Bellevue, Michigan; her thirteen grandchildren, Shannon (Tony) Bass, Chad (Jami) Treat, Jeff (Natalie) Treat, Angela Dickerson, Michelle (Doug) Pennington, DeEtte (Josh) Miller, Christi Dowding, Carey (Chris Roe) Johnston, Eddie (Tonya Mott) Coy, Hannah (Khym Wilson) Coy, Ann (John) Swanson and Chris (Emily Guerrant) Pillars; her ten great grandchildren, MaKenna (Kyle Colwell) Pillars, Noah and Morgan Johnston, Gavin, Kayden and Karley Bass, Jordyn and Carter Treat; Kiera Dickerson, Gabrielle Higgins, Madelyn Treat, Willow Pennington, Peyton English, Landyn Miller, Jayce Williams, her great great granddaughter, Lorelei Colwell and her sister, Phyllis (Donald) Jones of Beaumont, California.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Melvin “Bill”, her daughter, Pam Treat, her siblings, Owen Love, Eleanor Stampfler, Herbert Love, Eloise Dahns, Wilbur Love, Willard Love, Margaret Halsey, Marie Garity, Ned Love and Jack Love.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, 11:00 am at Kempf Family Funeral Marshall Chapel, Marshall, Michigan. Burial took place at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue, Michigan.
Memorials may be directed to Good Samaritans in Bellevue.
Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.
Reda Hoffman
Reda Jean Hoffman had a bubbly personality and could always be found with a smile on her face. Reda, 61 of Marshall, Michigan died December 19, 2022, after a valiant fight with cancer. She was born in Battle Creek on May 13, 1961, to Roy and Patricia (Jones) Hoffman, and graduated from Potterville High School in 1979. Reda was outgoing and outspoken, with a love for life and an even greater love for her family. A very tidy person, Reda enjoyed cleaning and took great pride in keeping her house neat and orderly and always decorated for every holiday. Her family says she was also a great cook, with their favorite being her world-famous mac & cheese. Other things Reda enjoyed were shopping, trips to Las Vegas, her dogs, and watching Judge Judy. She loved her family dearly and every opportunity she had to spend time with them and spoil them with her cooking.
Reda is survived by her significant other, Ron Phillips; children, Wesley Hoffman, Nathan (Renae Duffy) Hoffman, and Alissa (Brandon) Shaw; grandchildren, Jayden Duffy, Elliot Shaw, Emmit Shaw, Ray Ray Shaw, and Caiden Shaw; siblings, Bill (Patty) Hoffman, Chris (Teresa) Hoffman, Scott (Debra) Baker, and Brad (Darlene) Baker; and dear friend, Kathy Blowers. She was predeceased by infant son, Ted Ohmer; her parents; stepfather, Gerald Baker; and sisters, Angela Baker and Cindy Hoffman.
Friends are encouraged to support Reda’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Monday, January 2, 2023, 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services are Tuesday, January 3, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home Pastor Kathy Dobie officiating. If desired, memorial contributions are suggested to the family (c/o Nate Hoffman). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.