Obituaries
Maude Drumm
Maude Elaine Drumm, 99, of Charlotte, Michigan passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, surrounded by family. Maude was born April 9, 1923, in West Branch, Michigan, the daughter of Aloysius and Lila Mier (Wilcox). After graduating from West Branch High School and the onset of WWII, Maude moved to Detroit and worked in a factory facility producing various products to help to support the war efforts, our own “Maude the Riveter” as she called herself.
Following the war’s end, she moved back to West Branch working as a telephone operator. Her younger sister, Jean, introduced her to Leo Drumm of Bear Lake, a Michigan State Police trooper stationed at the West Branch Police Post. They met, fell in love and they married in 1948. They had two children in West Branch, then Leo was transferred and they moved to Romeo, Michigan. In 1966 Leo was transferred to Houghton Lake where they resided for 16 years. During that time Maude worked as full-time mother as well as part-time cashier at the Spartan Grocery store and at the Treasure Chest Gift Shop. In 1972 Leo retired from the Michigan State Police Houghton Lake Post.
After retiring they spent almost every winter in Florida in the Fort Meyers area. They moved several more times in Michigan including Manistee, Bellaire, and lastly in Onekama. Leo passed away in 2010 after 62 years of marriage. Maude then settled in Charlotte near her family. Maude was an excellent cook and baker and delighted in cooking for family and friends. After Leo’s retirement they owned and operated the Gas Light Restaurant in Higgins Lake for several summers, until they both realized it was more work than they anticipated. She loved dancing and could keep up with the best of them in her younger days. Maude enjoyed sewing, needlework, knitting, and excelled at weaving pine needles into baskets and other items, a skill she learned in Florida. She won several awards for her work and some were featured in Spiegel’s catalogs and they were also sold in her nephews antique store in Charlevoix, where her baskets always sold out faster than she could make them. In later years after Leo passed away, she spent the winters with her sister Jean Hejduk in Kingman, Arizona, and also visited her son in California on a regular basis. Maude led an active busy life and was always on the go, she was kindhearted, soft spoken, easy going, and was liked by all who met her. She will be greatly missed.
Maude is survived by her sons, David (Cindy) Drumm, of Charlotte and Dale (Monique) Drumm of Los Gatos, California; five grandchildren, Davis (Amber) Drumm, Dustin Drumm, Brianna (Jase) Zappel, Kenton Drumm, and Tristan Drumm; 4 great-grandchildren, Gavin, Blake, and Kaden Drumm and Wilder Zappel; sister, Mary Jean Hejduk; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Leo Drumm; four brothers, Robert, Carl, Earl, and Beryle Mier; and sister, Ailene Hanson.
Friends are encouraged to support Maude’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial Mass was held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, MI with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. The service 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 Maude’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 St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte or Elara Caring Hospice. The family will have a “Celebration of Life” for Maude this summer in West Branch, the details will be announced later. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Roger Jeffers
Roger Arnold Jeffers, age 86, of Charlotte, passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. He was born October 31, 1936, in Lansing, the son of Arnold and Elydia (Sorenson) Jeffers. He married Virginia L. Dyer at the Presbyterian Church in Holt on April 12, 1958. Roger was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He adored his family and loved spending time together with them. Roger loved to fish anytime he had the opportunity. He owned and operated Jolly Roger Fishing Charter on Lake Michigan. He also enjoyed playing golf and spending time outdoors. Roger retired from the Lansing Board of Water and Light after 32 years of service. He was also an active member of the IBEW. Roger faithfully served his country in the United States Army until his honorable discharge.
Roger is survived by his wife of 64 years, Virginia; children: Annette (Rob) Webber of Jackson, Alan Jeffers of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren: Brianna Miller, Brandy Miller, Shelby (Jordan) Jackson, Ashley Jeffers, Samantha Jeffers; six great-grandchildren; and numerous friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Brett; sister, Doreene Cooper; and brother, Arthur Jeffers.
In keeping with Roger’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services are being planned at this time.
To view Roger’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.
James Jenks
James Dexter Jenks of Hastings passed away peacefully on November 26, 2022. Jim was born December 29, 1948 in Clare, Michigan to the late Clyde E. and Urvena N. (Bell) Jenks Sr. He graduated from Waverly High School Class of 1966 and attended Lansing Community College. Jim worked for Woodman Plumbing for a number of years and his career as a plumber spanned four decades. James was a member of the NRA, Michigan United Conservation Club and the Barry County Conservation Club. Jim was proud of the fact that he was recognized as one of the Governor’s 20 Top Michigan rifle and pistol marksmen while serving in the Michigan Army National Guard.
He is survived by his brother, John (Bonnie) Jenks along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by sisters, Jane Smith and Nancy Spague and brother, Jerome Jenks.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 3, 2022, 2:00 p.m. at the Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home, Grand Ledge with Pastor Deano Lamphere of the Nashville Baptist Church, officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will take place at the Hosmer Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan. Memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be given to the Mackinaw Center, 140 W. Main Street, Midland, Michigan 48640 (https://www.mackinac.org/donate?source=MCPP/header). Share your memories and condolences online at www.holihanatkin.com.
Teresa Arlen
Teresa Arlen, age 61, formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away on November 7, 2022, in Wilmington, NC. Born in Galion, OH, Teresa grew up in a close-knit family that was full of creative and crafty people. She was always on the go and would overcome any obstacle in her way. Teresa enjoyed visiting with friends, sewing, baking, fishing, going to the beach and spending time with her kids and grandkids. Her grandkids meant the world to her and she never wasted an opportunity to show off pictures of them.
She is preceded in death by her husband, David “Dave” Arlen; son, Bryan Arlen; grandson, Sullivan Arlen; her parents, Harold and Carolyn Clever; sisters, Kimberly (Bo) Poland and Kelly Clever; and father-in-law, Jack Arlen.
She is survived by her daughter, Jenny (Josh) Tice; son, Daniel Arlen; grandkids: Hannah Tice, Jameson Arlen, Aaron Tice, August Arlen, Jasper Arlen, Coraline Arlen, and Remington Payne; brother, Timothy (Laura) Clever; sister, Jody (Jeff) Stigall; mother-in-law, Carole Arlen; brothers-in-law, Steve (Vikki) Arlen and Doug Arlen; many loved nieces and nephews; her dearest friends, Patricia Lawton and Robin Boyd, and her devoted friend Rick Ward.
She will be missed by many and loved always by all.
Celebration of Life to be held April 15, 2023 from 1-5 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 300 S. Main Street, Eaton Rapids, MI.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan.
Joshua Joe Hiither
Joshua Joe Hiither of Eaton Rapids, passed away November 15, 2022, at the age of 44. He was born in Lansing, MI on September 29, 1978, the son of Christine Risner and Rustie Hiither. Josh graduated from Eaton Rapids High School. He completed welding and HVAC courses at Lansing Community College. Josh was a talented mechanic and could fix just about anything. He enjoyed building, repairing remote control cars, watching documentaries and science fiction movies. Josh shared a special relationship with his grandpa, Alden. He taught Josh many things and spent a lot of time in the barn working on cars.
Josh is survived by his mother, Christine (Greg Allen) Risner of Eaton Rapids; sister, Ty (Jodi) Justice of California; nephew, Ryan Justice-Williams; grandma, Beverly Risner of Eaton Rapids. He is preceded in death by his father, Rustie; grandparents, Alden Risner, Joseph and Denise Hiither, Wilson and Marilyn Rochester.
A celebration of life took place November 20, 2022, at the Onondaga Township Hall, 4756 Baldwin St, Onondaga, MI. 49264. Memorial contributions may be made to Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, millsfuneral.com.