Obituaries
Curtis A. Hall
Curtis Arthur Hall, age 83, of Grand Ledge formerly of Charlotte, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, October 23, 2021. He was born October 21, 1938, in Charlotte, the son of Delbert and Helen (VanOrnum) Hall. Curt graduated from Charlotte High School with the Class of 1957. Soon after graduation he enlisted in the Army National Guard where he honorably served his country. He worked for a short period of time as an officer in the Charlotte Police Department. On March 21, 1981, Curt married Elaine (Cooley) Gammage at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church. Curt worked the majority of his career at General Motors where he served as a Senior Project Manager. Throughout his life he had a passion for cars and was especially fond of his 1934 Auburn. He painstakingly restored the Auburn one piece at a time until the project was completed. Curt had a servant’s heart and was always concerned about the needs of others. He served as President of the Kiwanis Club and in many different capacities at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church. He was also a Cub Scout Leader and took a group of young men to the Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico in brand new GM station wagons that were donated by Curt’s employer. He enjoyed spending time and entertaining at the family cottage that he built at Silver Lake. Family was the most important thing to Curt and he cherished each and every one of them.
Curt is survived by his wife of 40 years, Elaine; children: Michael (Jodi Anderson) Hall of Champaign, IL, Marcia Dunn of Murphysboro, IL, Debora Auge of Paxton, IL, Michelle (Dave) Peters of Grayling, Mark (Dawn Monk) Gammage of Charlotte, Karen MacWilliams of Mears, MI, Matt Gammage of Lake Odessa, Kay (Albert) Austin of Belmont, NC, Peggy Gammage of Charlotte; 8 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren: siblings: Lois (Jim) Rodgers, Laura (Wade) Alderman, Russell (Nikki) Hall, and Lisa (Jerry) Kenney.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Kurt Gammage; and granddaughter, Sarah Kowalski.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 1 P.M. at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church with Pastors Gary Wales and Jack Conklin officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. and 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. The family asks that those attending the funeral service or the visitation to please wear a face covering.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Curt’s memory to the Kiwanis Club or the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church.
To view Curt’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
Janet W. Reed
Janet Wyne Reed, a warm, helpful, and caring friend to many, died October 21, 2021. Janet, 69, was born October 18, 1952, in Charlotte, Michigan to Kenneth and Margaret (Whaley) Wyne. She loved her time spent at their Head Lake cabin and was able to spend her last weekend there to soak up the sunshine on their deck. She enjoyed reading ghost stories and was an excellent seamstress with ability to sew some of her own clothing and embellish some with her cross stitching. She and John met as youngsters while her mom was a Cub Scout Den leader that he belonged to. Janet was employed by the State of Michigan in the Treasury Department until she moved to Health and Human Services.
Janet is survived by her loving husband, John; her dog, Annie; and many friends who will miss her.
Janet was predeceased by her brothers, Donald and Norman Wyne; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Janet’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services are Saturday, October 30, 2021, 11:00 AM at Pray Funeral Home inside in Charlotte with Laura Cooper officiating. Visitation was held October 29 from 6:00-8:00 PM. The funeral 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 Janet’s tribute, then click on Photos & videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Just prior to the beginning of the service, a link will appear on this page to watch the webcast. Friends and extended family members may send flower arrangements to the service to sit in your chair as a show of your support for the family. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Wounded Warrior Project. Family and friends are encouraged to share remembrances and condolences online in Janet’s Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com.
Hubert D. Dennis
Hubert Dale Dennis, 96, of Vermontville, died peacefully on Saturday, October 16, 2021, in Charlotte. Hubert was born April 15, 1925, in Detroit, the son of Glen Dale and Artie May (Schull) Dennis. He graduated high school in 1943 from Nashville, MI before enlisting in the U.S. Army and proudly serving in Central Europe during WWII. Upon his return, he married the love of his life, Marguerite Swift on September 1, 1945, at her parents’ home in Nashville. Hubert went to work as a pipe fitter for General Motors, retiring after 33 years of service. Throughout the years, Hubert dedicated a great deal of time to farming. He enjoyed woodworking and time spent in the garden. He and Gladys devoted much of their time to Vermontville Bible Church.
Hubert is survived by his children, Judy (Jack) DeGroot of Nashville, Kendale (Lynda) Dennis of Traverse City, Bill (Pat) Dennis of Vermontville, Janet Ellis of Hickory Corners and Mike (Diane) Dennis of Charlevoix; 17 grandchildren; 61 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite Dennis; grandson, Michael Dennis; great-grandson, Brian Michael Wells; brother, Gaylord Dennis; and sister, Betty Courtney; and son-in-law, Bob Ellis.
Funeral services are Saturday, November 6, 2021, 11:00 AM at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Kendale Dennis officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services, from 10 to 11:00 AM on November 6. Interment in Kalamo Hillside Cemetery. Friends and family are encouraged to support Hubert’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. If desired the family suggests memorial contributions to Grace Hospice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Judy A. Curtis
Judy Ann Curtis, 70, of Marshall died on Friday, October 22, 2021, at her home.
Judy was born on March 29, 1951, in Grand Ledge to John and Violet (Miller)Curtis. She graduated from Olivet High School in 1969.
Judy worked as Fire Claims Adjuster for State Farm Insurance in Marshall for several years. After her time at State Farm, she was co-owner of Lincoln Inn Antiques in Burlington, buying and selling different antiques and jewelry. Judy had a passion for gardening and outdoors, and she worked at Family Tree Garden Center until it closed. She enjoyed crafting jewelry, working in her garden, and doing floral design. Judy loved her cats and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her siblings, Jean (Robert) Winnie and Clare Curtis; 4 nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and nephews; and an Aunt Mary Miller. She was preceded in death by her parents; two nephews, Warren Curtis and Lyle Curtis; and a sister-in-law Mary Curtis.
A memorial was held on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at the Kempf Family funeral and Cremation Services in Marshall. Memorial contributions in Judy’s memory are requested to Eaton Community Palliative Care. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall MI 49068. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at https://www.kempffuneralhome.com
David J. Bayly
David J. Bayly
David Jeffrey Bayly, Sr., died unexpectedly on October 22, 2021, in North Carolina. David was born July 10, 1963, in Troy, NY, the son of Barry J. and Catherine Mildred (Brennan) Bayly. He grew up in a large Irish family, his father being one of 14. In fact, David’s grandfather was consulted about cross-country family trips for the making of the film Cheaper by the Dozen. David spent many of his early years living in Florida, where he graduated high school in St. Petersburg, attended the University of Florida Gainsville, and eventually owned his own auto-detailing business. In 1991, David moved to Michigan, where he worked at Spartan Motors in Charlotte for 24 years, retiring in 2016. On the side, he and Jean owned and operated Bayly’s Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Charlotte for 9 years.
David loved golf. He was a founding member of the Bayly Cup in 1992, a tournament played every year on several golf courses in North Carolina. This year marks its 30th anniversary trip. He also founded the Jeff Ripley Memorial Golf Tournament. Throughout the years, David enjoyed time spent with his family, and a lifetime of cheering on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. GO BUCS!
David is survived by his wife, Jean Ann Bayly; son, David Bayly, Jr.; daughter, Nike Bayly; stepchildren, Eric (Stacey) Reed, Christopher Reed, Teresa Reed, and Lacie (Justin) Emery; 14 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; siblings, Barry (Denise) Bayly, Chris (Kerrie) Bayly, Matthew (Patricia) Bayly; Kaylyn (Liz Collins) Bayly, and James (Julie) Bayly; several nieces and nephews; and former wife, Kristina Fetterman. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Tim Bayly; and sister, Melanie Thompson.
Friends and family are encouraged to support David’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 29, 2021, at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., an hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Marjorie A. Pratt
Marjorie A. Pratt, 93, of Hesperia, MI was born January 2, 1928, in Leila Hospital, Battle Creek, MI
to Roscoe and Mary Ann (Runyon) Urich. On the morning of October 25, 2021, my beloved Mother, Grandmother of two, Great Grandmother of five, and Great, Great Grandmother of three passed peacefully into the arms of her beloved Savior Jesus Christ and was met by the love of her life my father, Jim Pratt who proceeded her in death on March 28, 2009. He told her before he passed, he would come back for her, and we know he was waiting. Marjorie met Jim at a dance at the White Rabbit Dance Hall outside of Bellevue one night and all it took was one dance and they were inseparable for the next 62 years. Marge and Jim had many, many friends as they knew most of the people from their generation in the village of Bellevue, Michigan. They had three children together but lost their first daughter Diane Kaye in 1950 when she was only three years old having her tonsils out. My mother never fully recovered from that loss, but she was a strong woman. They had another daughter, (me) Linda Joan born in Sept of 1949 and in 1970 Marjorie discovered much to her surprise, that another child was on the way. But, alas, it was not to be, she gave birth prematurely to a son, Michael James, but he passed away after only one week. Marge talked frequently in these last years of looking forward to seeing her children in Heaven again and I know she is holding them now.
Marjorie was blessed with two grandsons, Jeffrey Michael Schroder (Kymberly) and Robert James Schroder (Patti); she had five Great Grandchildren, Samantha Marie Schroder (Brandon Williams), Matthew James Schroder (Athena), Alexandra (Schroder) Mead (Dylan), Hannah Schroder, and Staci Lea Barker; and three Great-Great Grandsons, Bentley Woolfe, August “Goose” Breland, and Brenton (Schroder) Mead.
Marjorie went to work in 1950 for the Eaton Value Division in Battle Creek and retired after 30 years in 1980. She was the first woman Supervisor who worked there and championed the rights of Women Workers for 30 years. After retirement she and Jim traveled extensively to Alaska, Hawaii, California, Florida, Iowa, Canada, and spent winters in McAllen and Donna Texas for 22 years enjoying dancing, sightseeing, the company of many dear friends and relatives until Spring of 2008.
Marjorie was an avid collector of Indian Artifacts and recently confirmed that she was descended from American Cherokee Indians on her mother’s side. She shared a birthday with her Great, Great, Great Grandfather George Fruits who was the last survivor of the Revolutionary War and who has a memorial to him in the Indianapolis region. He lived to be 114 years, 7 months, and 4 days as she very frequently told all acquaintances she met. Also, he was a personal associate of Daniel Boone.
Marge loved gardening, she grew and bred her own roses, enjoyed canning and preserving many kinds of fruits and vegetables every year, and taught us all how to do the same. She was a talented seamstress, sewing most of her own and her daughter’s clothes for years; taught photography to the 4-H club members in Marshall during the 1960’s. Marge was a talented artist, painting many items and collectables in their home at the lake where they relocated permanently from Marshall in 1994 where they had lived for 39 years since 1955. They built their lake home together with her brother-in-law Dick Stauffer, she was proud of the fact that she stained every board that went up inside the home herself.
Marjorie was also a very wise investor in the stock market. She was able to give financial assistance to all her family over the years in many ways including homes, cars, education, and helped her first grandson establish his own law practice along with his wife. She loved visiting us in our second home in Columbus, Ohio when I remarried and moved there. She loved shopping and attending our United Methodist Church and listening to us sing in the choir. Marjorie was a Woman of Many Talents but most of all she dearly loved her family, and we will all miss her greatly.
She is survived by her youngest sister Patty (Urich) Medich from Battle Creek, Michigan and was proceeded in death by two other sisters Eleanor Urich and Margaret (Urich) Stauffer of Monticello, Kentucky.
Services have been entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 205 N. Elizabeth Street, Bellevue, MI 49021. A visitation was held Friday, October 29, 2021, from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the graveside service at 1:30 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery, 201 N. Main Street, Bellevue, MI 49021.
Thelma DeGroot
Thelma O’Dessie DeGroot, 94, of Bellevue died on Monday, October 25, 2021, at her daughter’s home following a long life lived.
Dessie was born on November 9, 1926, in Laurelville, Ohio to Tinsel and Ruth (Truex) McDonald. She graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1946. On May 18, 1946, she married Nelson DeGroot in Battle Creek. He preceded her in death on November 24, 2011.
Dessie was a homemaker stayed home to raise her family. Before her children were born, she worked as office manager of the Dudley Insurance Company in Battle Creek. She was a member of the Bellevue United Methodist Church, Farm Bureau, Michigan Women for Highway Safety, and a 4-H in Eaton County for many years. Dessie was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling with her husband Nelson and seeing every state but, Delaware because Nelson would not pay the $.50 toll to cross the bridge. They also enjoyed traveling to Europe. She and Nelson were founding members of the Whirl-a-way’s Square-Dancing Club. Dessie also enjoyed spending the winters in Texas for over 40 years.
She is survived by her children, LuAnn Damon, Ronald (Susan) DeGroot and Roy (Marsha) DeGroot; grandchildren, Amanda DeGroot-Bonneville, Benjamin DeGroot, Lance (Tanya) DeGroot, Dustin (Jessica) Damon, and Lesley (James) Loren; several much oved great-grandchildren; a brother Harold (Geneva) McDonald. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; Son-in-Law Duane Damon; brother Urban McDonald; and Cousin Jane Nickerson.
Visitation took place from 10-11am on Friday, October 29, 2021, at the Bellevue United Methodist Church, 122 West Capitol Avenue Bellevue MI 49021 with a funeral service taking place at 11am. Interment will follow at Bellevue Riverside Cemetery. Memorial contributions are requested to the Bellevue Library. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall MI 49068. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at https://www.kempffuneralhome.com
Troy J. Canfield
Troy James Canfield, age 51, of Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 21, 2021. He was born August 29, 1970, the son of George Canfield and Leona Charlene Canfield. Troy grew up in Charlotte and had a passion for football. He loved rock and roll music and could often be found listening to his favorite tunes. Troy also loved his numerous Jeeps throughout the years. Family was important to Troy, and he always had a special place in his heart for children.
Troy is survived by his parents: George (Jaime) Canfield, Leona Charlene Canfield; son, Daimean (Brooke) Canfield; siblings: John (Diane) Boughton, Scott (Amanda) Canfield, Michelle Mobbs; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his stepfather, William R. Widhalm and uncle, Malcolm Risner.
In keeping with Troy’s wishes cremation has taken place and a memorial service is being planned for a later date.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Troy’s memory to the food bank or homeless shelter of their choice.
To view Troy’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 of Charlotte.
Goshen-Wilbur Allen
Goshen-Wilbur “Bill” J. Allen, 95, passed away, Sunday, October 24, at Greencroft Healthcare.
He was born May 13, 1926, in Mishawaka. He is survived by his grandson, Nicholas Eaves of Lansing, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucille (Carpenter) and Joseph Garrett; his wife, Dorothy; and stepchildren, Kenneth Eaves and Sharon Wynne. Bill graduated from Greene Township High School in 1944 and enlisted immediately in the US Navy, serving for two years. He worked as an industrial engineer in Skokie, Illinois for 20 years and then as a realtor for ReMax in Illinois and Michigan. Cremation will take place at Yoder-Culp Crematory and burial will follow in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Online condolences may be shared at www.yoderculpfuneralhome.com.
Lorena Jecks
Lorena Jecks of Eaton Rapids passed away October 25, 2021, at the age of 87. Lorena was born in Salyersville, KY, June 12, 1934, the daughter of Elliott and Gertrude (Whitaker) Risner. She and her husband, Edward, built a successful construction business in Eaton Rapids. Lorena enjoyed taking care of her family, cooking for holiday gatherings, attending church, spoiling her dog, Simba and watching the Detroit Pistons.
Lorena is survived by her children, Steven Jecks of Eaton Rapids, James Jecks of Eaton Rapids, Daniel Jecks of Brighton, Sandra (Edgar) Martinez of Ft. Wayne, Joseph (Laura) Jecks of Shelby Twp; 10 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; brother, E. Mark Risner; sisters, Jewelene Anderson and Mae Locke. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughters, Linda Strang and Carolyn Suckow; siblings, Irene Whittman, Alden Risner, Chalmer Risner, Elsie Love, Joyce Byron and Esther Risner.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 29, 2021, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel with visitation taking place from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Her final resting place will be in Rosehill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice of charity. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.