Obituaries
Thomas J. Ellison
Thomas J. Ellison, 71, of Vermontville passed on July 18, 2022. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Lonnie Wolfe
Lonnie James Wolfe, 82, of Charlotte, died Friday, July 15, 2022. Lonnie was born December 18, 1939, in Lansing, the son of Forrest and Fern (Hawk) Wolfe. On November 21, 1959, Lonnie married the love of his life, Grace Miller, and they would spend the next 62 years creating their legacy. He was a devout Christian and was a member of the Crossroads United Brethren Church in Charlotte. Lonnie worked for 35 plus years with Gra-Bell Truck Lines, logging over one million miles on the road, traveling through most states except for Hawaii and Alaska. Following his retirement, Lonnie could be found just about each morning at AL!VE doing his morning workout and grabbing coffee after with the Brew Crew. His hobbies included farming in his early years, woodworking, playing Liverpool Rummy with his family, tending to his rose bush, and helping those in need. Above all his proudest accomplishment in his life was his marriage to Grace and their family.
Lonnie is survived by his wife, Grace; children, Jodie Wolfe, Mark (Jan) Wolfe, Lee (Dee) Wolfe; grandchildren, Autumn Martin, Michael (Nicole Maldonado) Martin, Jonathan Wolfe, Heather (Wyatt) Burleson, Caleb (Mike Melichar) Wolfe; great-grandchildren, Sophie, Hannah, and Catalina Michelle; siblings, Betty Merriott, Janet (Pete) Sherman, Linda (Joe) Shihady; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Miller, and Becky (Joe) Hinton; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. He was predeceased by his parents, and his brothers, Dannie Wolfe and Dennis Wolfe.
Friends are encouraged to support Lonnie’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. 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 Lonnie’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 AL!VE, Charlotte Helping Hands or the Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Jacqueline Myrtle Hume
Jacqueline Myrtle Hume of Eaton Rapids, passed away peacefully, July 16, 2022, at the age of 94. Jackie was born in Detroit, MI, October 24, 1927, the daughter of Reginald and Irene (Robinson) Scott. She transported special needs children to school and was a school bus driver. Her hobbies included painting, crocheting, square dancing, traveling and making pies.
Jackie is survived by her sons, David (Julie) Hume and Robert Hume; daughter-in-law, Carol Hume; grandchildren, Matthew Hume, Steven (Kelly) Hume, Paul (Angela) Hume, Kristy (Kyle) Grinold and Cutter Hume; great grandchildren, Lena, Grant, Kiley, and Jonah; and a niece and nephew. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hume; son, Malcolm Hume; sister, Marilyn Kasper.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., July 30, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center, 201 Grand St, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Nona Upright
Nona Mae Upright, 91, who always had a smile on her face, of Charlotte died at home Saturday, July 16, 2022. Nona was born March 25, 1931, in Vermontville, the daughter of Blake and Doris (Rogers) Makley. She was raised on farms during her younger years, and she enjoyed helping her dad feed the animals and drove a team of horses while putting up hay. She graduated from Vermontville High School in 1948 as co-salutatorian. She met Fay Upright at a dance during high school, and they were married on April 24, 1949. Her family brought her much joy. She loved spending time with all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, loving them, learning from them, and sharing special times with them at Houghton Lake. Nona found time for reading, writing in her special book “The Book of Myself,” working in her yard and flower garden, painting with oil paints, sewing doll clothes for the Christmas Kiddie Program, embroidering, quilting for her great grandchildren, and loved baking bread and rolls. She was a life member of the Maple City Chapter #218 O.E.S. and a former Home Maker of the Year through the Eaton County Extension.
Nona is survived by her children, Debra Upright, James Upright and Brenda Newman; grandchildren, Heather Upright, Blake (Jennifer) Upright, Kelly Frazee, Lacie (Jake) Braman, Amy Forell; great grandchildren, Hannah Upright, Lauren Upright, Grace Upright, Marty Frazee, Audrey Frazee, Kylea Braman, Karley Braman, Khloe Braman, Stella Soloman, Noah Faubus, and Mya Faubus; sisters Judy Gordeneer, Jerrie (Dan) Drewyor and Joyce (Bob) Blake. She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Fay; daughter, Christine Upright; sister, Lois Myers; and brother -in-law, Dennis Gordeneer.
Friends are encouraged to support Nona’s family by attending her celebration of life or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Per Nona’s request, the family would like to invite close friends and family to join them for a gathering and luncheon in the Gardens at Pray Funeral Home, 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 12, 2022.
Earl Long IV
Earl Raymond Long IV, age 22, of Potterville, passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2022. He was born January 18, 2000, in Lansing. Earl attended Charlotte Public Schools where he made many lifelong friends. He worked doing home improvements and painting. Earl took great pride in what he did. He was very meticulous about his work and would often comment on the shabby workmanship he saw while he was out and about. Family and friends meant the most to Earl and he loved them all. Earl had a huge heart and was always concerned about others. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Earl will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Earl is survived by his parents, Dawn and Chad Stanley of Charlotte; siblings: Hunter Stanley of Charlotte, Micah (Rebekah) Long of Tennessee, Sarah (Adam) Oyler of Virginia; grandparents: Walter Lettimore, David and Arlene Stanley, Jean Lake; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by Earl Raymond Long III, grandparents, Earl R. and Andrea Long Jr.; grandmother, Vicky Lettimore; and grandfather, Lester Lake.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 25, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Gunnisonville Cemetery in DeWitt Township.
Those desiring may make contributions in Earl’s memory to Ele’s Place, 1445 W. Oakland Ave., Lansing, MI 48915 or www.elesplace.org.
To view Earl’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.