Obituaries
David Slocum
David Earl Slocum, 72, of Dowling, formerly of Charlotte, Michigan, died February 3, 2022. David was born February 22, 1949, in Lansing, Michigan, to Kenneth R. and Esther Mae (Hunt) Slocum.
David is survived by his wife, Caroline Elaine (Felder) Slocum; son, David (Shannon) Slocum II; daughter, Victoria (Dan) Alt; daughter-in-law, Rachel Slocum; ten grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Tyann (Bob) Drake; brother, Jerry Slocum; and many special nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents; son, Robert Slocum; and his brothers, Robert Burman and Kevin Slocum.
A Memorial Service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at 2 p.m., at Pray Funeral Home Gardens. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Leland Williamson
Leland Howard Williamson, age 88, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan in Lansing. He was born at the family farm in rural Vermontville on July 12, 1933, the son of Merrell and Erma (VanDeventer) Williamson. Lee graduated from Charlotte High School in 1951. He then went on to honorably serve his country in the United States Army. Lee worked his entire career as a rural letter carrier with the United States Post Office, retiring after 30 years of service. After his retirement he enjoyed spending time at his home on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina. Lee’s other passions were golfing and fishing. He loved golfing and especially enjoyed spending time on the links with his brother, Neil. Lee was also a huge MSU fan and enjoyed watching their games whenever possible.
Lee is survived by his children, Randy (Carey) Williamson of Dorr, Cindy (Michael Wright) Boehmer of Eaton Rapids, Steve (Stephanie Hahn) Williamson of Port Orchard, Washington, Tim (Sue) Peterson of Lansing, Brian (Karen Liebeck) Williamson of Jackson, Brad Williamson of Florida; 13 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren; and brother, Neil (Sandra) Williamson of Charlotte.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Yvonne; grandson, Travis Peterson; daughter-in-law, Ann Williamson; and brother, Gayland Williamson.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. Burial took place at Perry Cemetery in Brookfield Township.
Those desiring may make contributions in Lee’s memory to City on a Hill Community Church, 206 N. Main St., Olivet, MI 49076.
To view Lee’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
David Dickinson
David Allen Dickinson, 84, of Greenville, South Carolina passed away on June 9, 2022.
David is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ann; his three children, Beth (Brent) Honshell, Dave (Ellen) Dickinson, and Steve (Cindy) Dickinson; his nine grandchildren and their spouses; and nine great-grandchildren.
David was seriously and actively involved in the churches he and his family attended throughout his life. His passion for his faith and his love for the body of Christ was evident in all that he did. He led youth groups, was active in music ministry, was often a deacon and taught adult Sunday School for 65 years.
David (Mr. D) retired from Charlotte Publich Schools (Charlotte, Michigan) in 1997 after 38 years of teaching English. He loved teaching, his coworkers and his students, many of whom describe him as a teacher who was always kind and who saw more in them than their academic achievements.
David’s love for his family, church and his students was based in his deep faith in God. He lived his life serving others with his time, talents and money. He leaves a legacy of kindness, integrity and generosity.
A memorial service for David will be held at Hampton Park Baptist Church, Greenville, South Carolina on July 16, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
Mary Stadel
Mary Ethel Stadel, 74, of Bellevue, died unexpectedly on Thursday, June 30, 2022, just three months after her husband Norman. Mary was born October 1, 1947, in Charlotte, MI, the daughter of William and Ida (Hall) French Sr. She was known for being a mother to her younger siblings, and her many cousins. Mary attended Olivet High School and graduated in 1966. Soon after graduating from high school, she married the love of her life, Norman Stadel and together they began their family living on the family farm. Mary worked for Michigan Magnetics and Carefree, but she primarily worked as a homemaker. Every spring Mary could be found preparing her garden for the summer. She would then be busy canning her harvest from the year. Other hobbies that Mary enjoyed were reading, doing puzzles, Dominos with her sister, Charlotte, knitting, and crocheting. She made many kids clothes for her children and friends.
Mary is survived by her children, Donna Robinson, Norman (Vanessa Jeffers) Stadel, Jr., Debra (Daniel) Glasscock, and Michael (Spring) Stadel; ten grandchildren; one great-grandchild; siblings, Charlotte Donaldson, Georgia Farr, Ruth French, Wilma Ketchum, Chuck French, Marty French, Sr., Rick French, and Bill French, Jr.; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Norman; brother-in-law, Tom Donaldson; her parents, and parents-in-law.
Friends are encouraged to support Mary’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were Friday, July 8, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Visitation was held just prior from 12 noon until 2:00 p.m. If desired, please plant a tree or hang a bird feeder in memory of Mary. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Joni Kruse
Joni (Adams) Kruse was born August 21, 1955, in Phoenix, Arizona, and passed on February 26, 2022 at Sparrow Health System in Lansing. She graduated from Saguaro High School. Joni raised three sons, Sean Hults, Kenneth Thompson and Kevin Thompson.
In Arizona, Joni drove a school bus, had a daycare business, and later started a career in retail management.
Two plus decades ago, Joni, along with her son Kevin Thompson, decided a life change was needed and moved to the farm country in Michigan, to reunite with Greg Kruse.
Joni spent the next 20 years as a Retail Manager at convenience stores and Dollar Tree. She also worked at Home Depot and Walmart. She said, “To really experience retail, one must work at Walmart for at least a year.” I am guessing those that have worked for Walmart must understand truly what she was saying.
As her husband, I watched Joni grow in the retail business, while learning to run a small farm with horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens and of course two dogs, her personal Old McDonald Farm. She became bonded with the farm, the animals, and Mother Nature. Each year, I watched her grow in the retail business and soon she was able to wisely help run the farm, with many ideas that even I, as an old farmer was impressed and proud of her understanding of farm life.
Joni loved her arts and crafts! She loved to fill her booth at the Route 66 Antique Shop in Nashville with items she would find at yard sales. One of her true favorites were the Amish auctions.
Many people have reached out to me, expressing how much Joni did for them. She not only grew to be very self-confident, but she always was helping her co-workers, friends, neighbors, and business owners to learn and grow with her.
Joni is survived by her husband, Greg Kruse, her son Kevin Thompson, and last and certainly not least, her new granddaughter, Shyanne Lee Marie Thompson, that was such a pleasure to Joni in her last several months.
Joni was preceded in death by her sons, Sean Hults and Kenneth Thompson, along with her parents, DW Adams and Cleo (Green) Adams.
Joni will be missed but her smile will not be forgotten. The family has requested for you to smile when you think of Joni, for that is what makes this world a brighter, better place!
A quote from one of many friends: “I know that in these last 20 years or so, Joni was a happy woman living life to its fullest.” Another quote, “I feel so privileged to have known Joni. She was everything you said and more!”
A celebration of life with wine, beer, pop and assorted snacks will be held from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 10th at The Vermontville Opera House, 237 S. Main Street, Vermontville, MI 49096. This celebration of life will be an opportunity for so many folks that had paths in life that connected or crossed the trail of Joni’s life to visit once again. Everyone is welcome!
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Daniels Funeral Home, Nashville, MI. For more information, please visit www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
