Obituaries
David Verhelle
David “Vert” Verhelle of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on January 22, 2022, at the age of 76. Anyone who met David or Vert as many lovingly called him could not forget him. His unconventional personality either made you a bit uneasy or you instantly fell in love with his sense of humor.
If you wanted to find Vert, the first place to look would be his favorite bar stool at Abies Bar, where he worked for his long-time friend, Fred Wager. Vert was either drinking a Natural Light or jumping in the dumpster to squish the trash down. Vert was Fred’s right-hand man, once Vert became sick the tables turned and Fred became Vert’s right-hand man. What they had was a true-blue friendship.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Andree and Mildred Verhelle; sister, Myra “Lisa” Skidmore; and brother, Dennis Verhelle.
Surviving are his three brothers, Wayne, Ron, and Rolly Verhelle and many nieces and nephews.
For those who knew Vert please know he lived up to his nickname through his very last days. To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHome.com.
Tamera Anderson
Tamera “Tammy” Sue Anderson, age 53, of Olivet, passed away Saturday, January 8, 2022. She was born December 5, 1968, in Lansing, the daughter of James and Anna (Rasmussen) Anderson. She graduated from Bath High School with the class of 1988. Tammy was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She cherished her grandchildren and loved to care for them. In her spare-time she enjoyed camping and spending time up north. Tammy was an extremely selfless person and always put others before herself. She also loved her many pets but was especially fond of her cat, Sassy and her dove, Snowflake. Tammy had a tremendous work ethic and was a dedicated employee at Michigan State University.
Tammy is survived by her daughter, Christina Smith of Bellevue; grandchildren: Jordan Raatz-Smith, Jasmine Smith, Dezarae O’Rourke, and Sammy; father, James (Carol) Anderson of Curtis; siblings: Pamela Frei of Charlotte, Chad Anderson of Maple Rapids; nieces: Nichole Hoag, Cammuel Mackie, Tiffany Anderson, Brianna Anderson, Hannah Frei; step-siblings: Hiram and Dawn Miller, Elijah Miller, Joseph and Girls Miller, and Jim (Tammie) Valdez.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Anna Anderson, whom she cherished and missed very dearly every day.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022, at 11 A.M. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Grand Ledge.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Tammy’s memory, to the family. To view Tammy’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Ottilie Bloch
Ottilie Bloch, age 96, of Bellevue, MI went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at her home. She was surrounded by her children and son in law.
Ottilie was born in Kosjask, Ukraine on January 1, 1926, a daughter of the late Bertha (Hummermister) and Kristian Feifert.
Ottilie spent her childhood in Urkaine where she attended local schools prior to WWII. On December 9, 1945 she married Ewald Bloch in Istanbul, Germany. With the war ended, housing was very difficult to find so the entire family lived together, including Ottilie and Ewald. As many had done during this time period Ottilie’s entire family had filed immigration paperwork to come to the United States. On April 1, 1953 their dream became reality and the family left German for America. The ocean journey was extremely difficult, with Ottilie tending her two sons and being sea sick the entire time. Upon their arrival in New York Harbor, the family boarded a train and made their way to Battle Creek MI where they spent six weeks with their host family from Lakeview Baptist Church. In 1953 Ottilie and Ewald purchased their farm in Bellevue, MI where they raised their family together. They had celebrated over 48 years of marriage when Ewald passed away in 1994.
Ottilie loved being on the farm and overseeing the needs of her family. She gladly helped with farm chores or milking cows whenever needed. In her spare time she enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower gardens, and would spend hours meticulously making sure they were weed free, sometimes pulling weeds by moonlight.
Ottilie is survived by her daughter, Ingrid (Ralph) Sampson, her sons Edmund (Vickie) Bloch, Hermann, (Marti) Bloch, 5 grandsons, Martin, Karl, Kristian and 2 great grandsons Dieter, Rykert.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ewald Bloch, her son Willi Bloch, and several siblings that have passed away in the U.S.
Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, January 15th at Nashville Baptist Church in Nashville, MI with Pastor Lester DeGroot and Deano Lamphere officiating.
The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the funeral service beginning at 10 AM at the Nashville Baptist Church in Nashville, MI
There will be a time of fellowship and funeral luncheon immediately following the funeral service in the fellowship hall at Nashville Baptist Church
Interment will take place following the funeral luncheon at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue, MI
Memorial contributions can be made to the Nashville Baptist Church 304 S. Philip Street Nashville, MI 49073, Gideons (for Bibles in memory of), and American Cancer Society.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net
Claudia Smith
Claudia Lucille Smith, a wife and mother who put her family first, passed away on January 5, 2022. Claudia, 90, was born on November 21, 1931, in Bellevue, Michigan to John and Jennie (Nettleton) Morrison.
Claudia built her homemaking skills as a young lady helping to raise her siblings while her parents worked. After she was married, she happily stayed home to raise her children, as well as babysitting for other families. As a good wife, mother, and homemaker she enjoyed time spent in the kitchen or teaching lessons on sewing and other life skills to her children. Some of her children’s favorite memories include time spent together after dinner playing cards or gathered around the TV. Quick with a fly rod, she loved fishing on Narrow Lake with her husband, J.E. both in the boat during the summer and ice fishing in the winter. Rowing the boat correctly was a skill J.E. and Claudia taught their children so they could troll across the lake. A spotless housekeeper, which she learned as a child, Claudia enjoyed keeping the home perfect. She loved gardening, raising Tulips, Gladiolas, Iris’ and Moon Flowers.
Claudia is survived by her daughter, Shirley VanVleet; son, Floyd (Patricia) Smith; grandchildren, Rebecca Reid, Marjorie (Chris) Bashaw, Jeremy (Jennifer) VanVleet, Caitlyn Smith and Lance Smith; great-grandchildren, Samantha (Deven) Hoag, Jake Smith, Richard Harris Jr., Thomas Reid; great-great-grandchildren, Carter Smith, Hunter Hoag, McKenzie Hoag, Scarlett Harris, Violett Harris; brother, Roger (Patricia) Morrison; and brothers-in-law, Harry Smith and Chet Miller. She was predeceased by her husband, J.E. Smith; daughter, Marjanna “Jan” Smith; and her great–grandson, Jayden Smith.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Claudia’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family received visitors at Pray Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. A memorial service followed with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating, interment in Benton Township Cemetery. 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 Claudia’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Gary Wear
Gary Wear, age 79 of Vermontville, MI, passed away Sunday, January 9th, at his home.
Gary was born in Sycamore, IL on September 26, 1942, a son of the late Norma (Behlar) and Mervin Wear.
He was raised in Genoa Ill, graduating from Genoa Kingston High School in 1960. As a young man, Gary helped on the family farm, where he developed a passion for raising poultry and at one time was the youngest poultry judge in the state of Illinois.
Shortly after completing high school, Gary joined the United States Marine Corps where he served as the Admiral’s body guard, was commissioned on a submarine, and was involved in two separate helicopter crashes. His time in the Marine Corps afforded Gary the unique opportunity to travel the world and experience many new diverse cultures. While serving in the Marine Corps, Gary also attended the Naval Academy where he was involved in football, lacrosse, crew, and track. Gary served faithfully for 4 years and was honorably discharge in April 1966.
Gary had a passion for learning and after leaving the Marine Corps, he returned home, where he continued his education earning a Bachelors of Science from Judson University. It was his thirst for knowledge, that helped enable Gary to take on just about any adventure. Before he embarked on a new journey, he would spend time reading, and educating himself on details surrounding the places he would be going and events that would be unfolding.
Gary’s working career lead him to Dayton Ohio, where he was employed as the Director of Employee Assistance with the Mead Corporation. When the family relocated to Michigan, Gary worked as a Quality Control Manager for Flex Fab in Hastings, MI while he was completing his Masters Degree in Psychology at Western Michigan University. After completing his formal education, Gary accepted a position with the State of Michigan as the Director of Substance Abuse Programs, a position he held until retiring in 1995.
Gary loved traveling and engaging in different cultures whenever possible. Through the years, Gary has visited many different countries including Mexico, Belize, and China to name a few. He has been scuba diving in the Red Sea, and enjoyed a game of “catch” on the Great Wall of China with his daughter, Heidi. Each trip was not only an adventure but held valuable life lessons about different cultures, foods, and traditions which Gary passed on to his children.
He was an avid outdoorsman and has hunted big game all over the United States. He was especially fond of hunting the Western United States, and has harvested several large animals including elk, buffalo, wild boar, antelope, bear, and whitetail deer. Gary enjoyed family reunions at his brother Jim’s ranch in Wyoming, a trip that always included a hike to Medicine Bow Peak.
Gary understood the importance of “giving back”, and for many years served as the Northeast Regional Chairman for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Post Commander for the American Legion Post 45 in Hastings, Michigan.
Gary is survived by his daughters, Jennifer (Karl) Neumaier, Heidi (Mike) Mater, two sisters, Susan (Sym-che) Farma Hai, Nancy (Roy) Halverson, and grandchildren Joshua, Kristapher, David Neumier, Ali, Ridge, Cannon Mater, and honorary granddaughter Hailey Kikendall.
He was preceded in death by his brother and best friend James “Jim” Wear.
Funeral Service will be held at 1 PM on Friday, January 14th at Grace Church in Nashville, MI with Pastor Don Roscoe officiating.
The family will receive visitors prior to the funeral service on Friday January 14th from 11 AM – 1 PM at Grace Church in Nashville, MI.
Immediately following the funeral, Gary’s military service will be recognized with full military honors being rendered by the United States Marine Corps and the American Legion Post 45 from Hastings, with final interment at Fort Custer National Cemetery on a later date.
Funeral services have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net