Obituaries
David Harris
David Allen Harris, 78, of Charlotte, longtime excavating contractor and hardworking friend of many, “Went Up” peacefully on Friday, November 11, 2022. Dave was born October 10, 1944, in Rogers City, MI, the son of Gerald Dale and Clara Rose (Idalski) Harris. Early in Dave’s life, the family settled in Charlotte, MI, where father and sons started Gerald D. Harris and Sons Excavating in 1961. Shortly after, Dave was drafted into service in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, serving faithfully until his honorable discharge in 1967. Upon his return from the service, Dave met Joan Kay Stults on a blind date in Charlotte. They fell in love and married on June 22, 1968. Dave’s life revolved around family activities – specifically “Work” and “Cabin.” He and his brothers soon formed Harris Brothers Excavating and worked hard long hours side by side with their sons as a family business. Veterans Day was always a special day, as it was the day Dave and his sons “went up” north to the cabin they built together with his brothers, sons and friends, in Onaway, MI, for deer hunting and family time in the great northern outdoors. It is indeed fitting, in Dave’s final hours, he pointed up to the ceiling, and insisted he was still “going up” on Veterans Day.
Community was always a top priority for Dave and his family. Harris Bros. donated thousands of hours and materials throughout the years, to the schools, St. Mary Church, and countless service projects in the Charlotte area. Dave and Joan were longtime faithful members of St. Mary Church. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 2406 of Charlotte, and the National Rifle Association. Dave could also be found at Char-Lanes bowling alley for league night. Above all, many will remember Dave for his friendship, his top-notch work ethic, and his love of family.
Dave is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan Harris; sons, Allen (Kelley) Harris and Peter (Laura) Harris; daughter, Tammy (Rocky) White; grandchildren, Kamryn and Peyton White; step-grandchildren, Adam, Zach, and Jacob Coburn and Robert, Tiffany, and Jennifer Graham; several step-great-grandchildren; siblings, Richard (Sally) Harris, Rita (Rodger) Jones, Clarence “Butch” (Lorraine) Harris, Kathleen (Herb) Schultz, and Mark (Lori) Harris; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Dave’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Funeral Mass was held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 18, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Interment will take place at Benton Twp. 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 Dave’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 the Sparrow Hospice Services or St. Mary Catholic Church. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Roger Allen Reed
Roger Allen Reed, a gregarious and outgoing man, died November 16, 2022. Roger, 90, was born on December 14, 1931, in Charlotte to George Washington and Elsie May (Mason) Reed. Roger was a loving husband, grandfather and a great dad. He instilled his love for the outdoors in his children through countless camping trips, canoe trips and family trips, Expo 67, Yellowstone National Park and Florida to name a few. Roger also sold popcorn for the band boosters and chauffeured his kids and their friends on many schools canoe and band trips. As a conversationalist, he felt as though he could strike up a conversation with anyone in town, and he did. Roger loved the game of golf and was a long-time member of the former Charlotte Country Club. He achieved five holes-in-one. Bowling was another of his favorite pastimes and he enjoyed the competition with Crandell Trucking Team in local leagues. Roger was an avid U of M fan and one of the favorite memories will be of a June of ’22 trip to Louisville for the college world series to see U of M play. If there were to be a perfect celebration of life setting for Roger, it would be a U of M vs. Ohio State tailgate party. Roger was employed at Aluminum Extrusions with Quality Control for 33 ½ years and was proud to be part of the Michigan National Guard 119th Field Artillery located in Charlotte.
Roger is survived by his children, Douglas Reed, Janice (Mike) Matsumoto, and Terry Reed; grandchildren, Alexis Reed, Samantha and Kimberely Matsumoto; five sisters, and three brothers. He was predeceased by his wife, Donna Jean (King) Reed; and his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Roger’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Tuesday, November 22, from 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. Funeral services are Wednesday, November 23, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Jeff Nelson officiating. Following the interment at Bosworth Cemetery, the family invites you to a luncheon at Maple Brook Golf Course in Charlotte. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Roger’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 the American Heart Association or Hospice of Lansing. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Alejandro “Alex” Villanueva
Alejandro “Alex” Villanueva, age 79 of, Vermontville, MI passed away peacefully with family by his side on November 13, 2022, at his home in Vermontville.
Alex was born in Ionia, county, on March 3, 1943, the son of the late Catalina and Jose Villanueva. He was raised in the Sunfield area and attended Vermontville and Sunfield schools, completing his education through adult education as the valedictorian of his class. He married Beverly “Sue” (Ray) Villanueva on February 23, 1963, in Saranac, and in 1964 Alex and Sue moved to Vermontville where they established their home and raised their family together.
Alex was an automobile enthusiast, and in 1962 he began working at General Motors. During his tenure with GM, Alex’s strong work ethic, and his ability to diagnose any problem led him to leadership roles throughout the company. General Motors would often call on his skills to get production lines and bodyshop up to full capacity and was sent to several GM plants to get employee morals in line. Alex retired as a senior supervisor in 2010 after almost 48 years with the company.
His passion for cars was not limited to his work, during his spare time Alex enjoyed restoring all types of vehicles, including full engine rebuilds, meticulous body repair, and paint. Beyond working with cars the greatest joy of Alex’s life was his children and grandchildren. He truly enjoyed watching them all grow into hardworking, caring people just like himself and never missed a sporting event or extracurricular activity. Alex took great pride in taking care of each and every one of his children, whether it was cooking delicious meals for them, giving his wise advice, or just simply giving his shoulder to cry on, all of us knew we could always depend on him for anything. He was also well known for his “practical jokes” that he often played on the grandkids.
Alex is survived by his beloved wife, Sue Villanueva; his children, Jon (Lisa) Villanueva, Julie Villanueva (White), Scott Villanueva, Debbie Villanueva; brothers, Jaime (Eliana) Gonzales, Artemio (Anita) Villanueva; sister, Maria Ainsworth; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. Alex was preceded in death by his son, Dion Ray Villanueva; mother and father, Catalina and Jose Villanueva; sisters, Enriqueta Martinez and Esther Madison; brothers, Carlos, Leuz, and Roberto Villanueva; grandson, Trayce White; great-grandson, Asher Turner; and great great-granddaughter Avari Draper.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 East M-79 Hwy., Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
James Harris
James O. Harris, age 89, of Olivet, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, November 13, 2022. He was born June 1, 1933, in Dotsonville, Tennessee the son of Carney and Edith (Smith) Harris. Jim graduated in 1951 from Olivet High School. On February 25, 1953, he married Janice R. Persons. Jim loved the outdoors and could often be found working outside doing anything and everything that needed to be done. He was a gifted mechanic and fabricator and could fix absolutely anything. Jim had a life-long passion for WWII aircraft and built many model airplanes while he enjoyed learning all he could about them. He faithfully served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Tina (Mark) Rudolph of Battle Creek; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Paula and Skip Kunkel; son-in-law, Scott (Amy) Ramage of Olivet; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janice; daughter, Becky; one brother, Frank Harris; and special friend and companion, Darlene Coats.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor James Gysel officiating. Burial will follow at Lee Center Cemetery. Those desiring may make contributions in Jim’s memory to Oaklawn Hospice, 13444 Preston Dr., Marshall, MI 49068. To view Jim’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Randy Pitcher
Randy Scott Pitcher, 52 of Charlotte, a man known for his great sense of humor, died on Monday, November 14, 2022. Randy was born on August 11, 1970 in Charlotte, MI, the son of Timothy and Sherry Pitcher. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1988.
Randy was an avid fisherman since his childhood and a devoted Detroit Lions fan. He enjoyed being on the water, boating, camping, working on vehicles, playing euchre and darts. Randy devoted countless hours volunteering at the American Legion Post 42.
Randy is remembered as someone who would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He loved sharing his mechanical knowledge and teaching these skills to his friends and family. Everyone knew when Randy walked into a room because his laughter would be loud and contagious. He was a fun, kind, and helpful person who will be missed dearly. Randy’s family is proud of his decision to be an organ donor.
Randy is survived by his mother, Sherry Copenhaver; brothers, Tim (Amber) Pitcher II and Troy (Tonya) Pitcher; sister, Shawn (Mike) Miller; children, Randy (Lily) Pitcher and Madaline Pitcher; his granddaughter, Penelope; grandparents, Bob (Karen) Wood; cousins; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; grandparents, Betty Pitcher, Duane Pitcher, and Audrey (Dale) Johnson. The family would like to send a special thank you to his niece Jaclynn (DeAndre) Louden for the love and support shown to her Uncle Randy in his last few years.
Friends and family are welcome to share memories of Randy on his tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. A private Celebration of Life will be held for Randy. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions payable to the Pray Funeral Home to assist the family with final expenses. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.