Obituaries
David Joseph Boham
David Joseph Boham of Eaton Rapids, passed away unexpectedly, June 18, 2022, at the age of 61. David was born in Ann Arbor, MI, November 11, 1960, the son of Donald and Audrey (Schnebelt) Boham. He was an exceptional man who radiated love. David was an incredible and supportive partner, father, papa, and brother. He was a dad, friend, and confidant to everyone who needed it. A brother to so many, and a truly special man in every aspect of his life. Some of his favorite things include motorcycles (KBMC), golfing, camping and antiquing with his partner, Lori, yes antiquing. Dave also enjoyed spending time with his family and playing pool with his friends. He was beyond proud of all his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments over the years. The family’s lives are forever changed, but they feel that they are all better people for knowing, loving, and being loved by him.
David is survived by his daughters, Jennifer (Christopher) Scouten of Jackson, Christina (Shawn) Smith of Longmont, CO, and their mother, Karen Salyer of Jackson; partner, Lori Thomas of Eaton Rapids; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial services were held Thursday, June 23, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Mary Beatrice Steele
Mary Beatrice “Squeek” Steele of Eaton Rapids passed peacefully with her family by her bedside at the age of 98 on June 16, 2022. She was born in Lansing, Michigan on May 23, 1924, one of 10 children born to Malcolm and Aletha (Medcoff) Bollman and is the last of her siblings. Squeek at one time worked for Horner Woolen Mills, the Heifetz Pickle Company, and owned and operated a convalescent home for several years out of her home on Plains Road.
Preceding her in death was her daughter, Versavene; husband, William J.; two sons, Allen (Linda) and Gordon; and son-in-law, Conner Strader.
Surviving are her three children: Vickie Strader, Cyril (Julie) Steele, Bill (Betty) Steele; 17 grandchildren, many great grandchildren and a great-great grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews; life-long friend and neighbor, Margret Bradford; brother-in-law, David Adams of Charlotte, Michigan and sister-in-law, Marion Slusser of Stanton, Michigan.
Always the mother figure, she wrapped her wings around anyone that entered her home, like Chuck (Penny) Cooper who became just one more son to take care of.
A funeral service was held on Tuesday, June 21 at the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Family have suggested that memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Lansing, which enabled her to stay in the home of daughter, Vickie and the family is very grateful.
Dorothy “Jean” Bramble
Dorothy “Jean” Bramble, a very humble and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, died surrounded by her family on Sunday, June 19, 2022. Dorothy, 90, was born June 16, 1932, the daughter of Carson and Dorothy (Halbeisen) Briggs. She was a graduate of Charlotte high school class of 1950. On February 3, 1951, she married John “Michael” Bramble. Motherhood was Jean’s calling, she and Mike had 10 wonderful children, and even though she had that many children that didn’t stop Jean from working a fulltime job. She was a long-time employee at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. Jean was a very strong woman; anything she decided to do, she did. She was a self-taught woodworker, seamstress, and furniture builder. Working in her gardens was her favorite, making things grow and beautifying her landscape, she loved getting her hands dirty. Later in life she did enjoy traveling with her adult children. Her biggest passion in life was her family.
Jean is survived by her children, Kristi Bramble, Karen (Bill VanLuyn) Benardino, Margaret Hinton, Mary McCormick, Kevin Bramble, Matthew Bramble, Theresa (Steve) Blank, Kyle (Nit Choulramountry) Bramble, and Jamie (Bryan) Cushman; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family members. She was predeceased by her husband, John Michael Bramble; son, Joel Bramble; sister, Shirley Briggs; brother, Jon Briggs; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Jean’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were Thursday, June 23, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Care Team (Hospice), 756 W. Fulton Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49504. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Keith Moon
Keith Allen Moon, 64, of Olivet, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at home.
He was born on September 19, 1957, in Lapeer, Michigan and was adopted a year later and raised with his sister by Caroll and Margaret “Peggy” (Johnson) Moon in Olivet, Michigan. On May 18, 1990, he married Donna MacNamee in Olivet, Michigan.
Keith started working with Crandell Brother’s Trucking in Charlotte, Michigan on April 24, 2014. He loved working at Crandell’s as a truck driver and they loved him as well. He was a longtime member of the Teamsters Union.
Keith loved to joke around with people and wanted to make them laugh. He enjoyed tractor and truck pulling, mowing his yard and a good meal, of which he talked about frequently. Keith had his own drag car and raced as a hobby. Keith was a very proud member of the Olivet community. More than anything he loved being surrounded by his family.
In May of 2019 he found his biological family and enjoyed spending time with them at the racetrack watching his nephew race. He was most happy during the last years of his life getting to know them.
Keith is survived by his loving wife; Donna, his daughters; Tracy (Will) Harmeyer of Willmington, North Carolina and Hayley (Sean Farmer) Moon of Marshall, Michigan; his stepsons, Richard (Megan) Waara of Lake Orion, Michigan, Nick Waara of Vermontville, Michigan. He is also survived by five grandchildren and nine brothers and sisters.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of Keith’s life will take place at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to the family.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 205 N. Elizabeth St., Bellevue, Michigan 49021. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the on line guest book or to leave the family condolences.
Donald Wertz
Donald D. Wertz, age 76, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 17, 2022, at Eaton Community Palliative Care with his family by his side. He was born March 23, 1946, in Battle Creek the son of Duane and Martha (Welch) Wertz. On June 25, 1966, he married Linda K. Bartlett. Donny along with his brothers, owned and operated Wertz & Company in Charlotte, which was started by their father in 1946. They sold John Deere Equipment, Polaris Snowmobiles, and Hydrodyne Boats. He was also the proud owner of Donny’s Office in Charlotte for several years. Donny loved old cars, vintage aircraft, and snowmobiles. In 1999, his 1959 Dodge took “Best Restored” at the Goodguys Motor City Nationals and was pictured in the August edition of the Goodguys Gazette Magazine. This was only one of several awards he obtained over the years. He was able to attend the Oshkosh Air Show and fly an AT6 Texan which was used to train pilots from WWII until the 1970’s. Donny was a volunteer with the Charlotte Fire Department for many years and a member of the Charlotte Rotary Club and Eagles Aerie 3552. He also served as chairman for the Frontier Days Rodeo.
Donny is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Linda; sons, Jeffrey (Shannon) Wertz of Charlotte, Todd (Beth) Wertz of Charlotte; grandchildren, Riley, Cameron, Dominic, Gabriel, and Sophia Wertz; siblings, Darry (Dee) Wertz of Charlotte, Angie (Fred) Earl of Cadillac; numerous nieces, nephews, and countless friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Dennis (Carla) Wertz and Marcia (Tom) Dewey.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Monday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.
Those desiring may make contributions in Donny’s memory to Eaton Community Palliative Care or the Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department.
To view Donny’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com