Obituaries
Violet McCrimmon
Violet Emma McCrimmon, age 93, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 22, 2022. She was born August 3, 1928, in Humble, Michigan the daughter of Homer and Valiria (Wagner) Crandell. Violet was a fiercely devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She worked hard her entire life to ensure that her family always had what they needed. When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed camping with family, fishing, crocheting, and reading. Violet was a fabulous homemaker and ensured that her household operated like a well-oiled machine.
Violet is survived by her children, Duane (Kathy) Thompson of Charlotte, Karen (Keith) Tropp of Potterville, Ranee (Chuck Carey) Wickwire of Charlotte, Carla (Don) Neighbert of Olivet; seven grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; siblings, Frank (Ruth) Crandell of Charlotte, Raymond (Connie) Crandell of Arizona, Doris White of Arizona; and countless nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Floyd; daughter, Susan Knight; grandson, Jason Broskey; siblings, Billy Crandell, Darrell Crandell, Jerry Crandell, and Jeanette Howard.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at 1 P.M. at Maple Hill Cemetery with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating.
Those desiring may make contributions in Violet’s memory to Eaton Community Palliative Care.
To view Violet’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
William Cool
William Kenneth “Ken” Cool, 81, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on June 21, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Ken was born on September 19, 1940, in Lansing, Michigan to William and Beulah Cool. Growing up in Webberville, Michigan, Ken first attended a one-room country school, then Webberville High School. He graduated from Michigan State University and went on to earn a master’s degree from Western Michigan University. Proudly serving his country, Ken was in the U.S. Army, 2nd Infantry Division, with part of his time including a tour with the 304th Signal Battalion in Seoul, South Korea. In civilian life, Ken enjoyed a long career in accounting and public administration, spending the last years of his employment working for the State of Michigan’s Department of Education. Ken had numerous hobbies and interests, including international travel, cutting wood from the family acreage, financial planning and investments, and staying physically active. After his retirement, Ken continued working as a volunteer, sharing his talents preparing taxes and helping where needed at Charlotte’s Senior Center as well as assisting with the democratic process, in which he deeply believed, by serving as a poll worker for local, state, and federal elections.
Perhaps Ken’s greatest interest, however, was spending time with his beloved family. On January 2, 1965, in Michigan State University’s Alumni Chapel, Ken married Sarah Garfield. When asked to share about the beginning of their relationship, he wrote recently that he was simply “enchanted” with Sarah. Theirs was a marriage, a friendship, and a true partnership that lasted fifty-seven years. Ken is survived by Sarah. Others who survive Ken, and who will remember him for his honesty, gentleness, patriotism, humility, generosity, tolerance, intelligence, and quick sense of humor, are his three children; Susan (Mike) Hall of Ludington, Mike (Anne) Cool of Cadillac, and Jennifer (Todd) Davlin of Portland; numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his grandchildren: Tom Hall, Julia Hall, Jeffrey Davlin, Jill Cool, Sarah Davlin, Ellie Cool, and Marian Davlin, who survive him with memories of time spent around the water at his Duck Lake family home and on vacations together, shared stories and jokes around campfires and at family gatherings, and a smart, witty, loving, tech-savvy, involved Grampy who was deeply interested in each of their lives and who knew and accepted each of them lovingly and unconditionally. Ken was preceded in death by his mother and father as well as by his brother, Robert A. Cool.
The family invited friends to join them in a time of visitation at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, Michigan, on Friday, June 24, from 2-4:00 p.m. and from 6-8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday, June 25 at 11:00 a.m., with a period of visitation beginning just prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Eaton Area Senior Center. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Ken on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com/obituaries/William-Cool/ The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Lawrence Robert Cartwright
Lawrence “Larry” Cartwright, 78, of Washington, DC (formerly of Charlotte) passed away on April 13, 2022, in Bethesda, Maryland of COPD and congestive heart failure.
All are welcome to join a memorial gathering at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Unionville Village Park, Pickle St., Unionville, Mich. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Camp Nebagamon Charities (cncharities.org).
Larry was predeceased by his grandparents Harry and Mildred (Morford) Cartwright, Frances “Frank” and Florence (Comment) Lenhard; his parents, Bob and Marie (Lenhard) Cartwright; and his ex-wife, Roberta (Jamsen) Cartwright.
He is survived by daughter, Sarah Cartwright; son-in-law Scott (McDermott) Cartwright; granddaughter, Shan Shan L. Cartwright of Washington, DC; and five younger sisters: Kathie (Lynn) Abke of Bad Axe, Colleen (Dave) Schoenfeldt of Macomb, Holly (Dan) Geurts of Gladstone, Bonnie (Rick) Ziesemer of Bay City, and Tracy (Paul) Kemp of Sebewaing, and many beloved niblings and cousins.
Lawrence Robert Cartwright was born on December 14, 1943, in Saginaw to parents Robert Morford Cartwright and Helen Marie (Lenhard) Cartwright. Larry grew up in Unionville and graduated in 1961 at the top of his class. He attended Michigan Technological University and transferred to Michigan State University where he graduated with a B.S. in mathematics and secondary education.
Larry worked as a counselor and administrator at Camp Nebagamon in Lake Nebagamon, Wisc. from 1962-1978. It was truly where he was happiest. As a counselor, he lived in the rough for weeks at a time. He later worked as assistant director.
Larry taught high school mathematics from 1968-1974 in Bay City, Mich., where he met Roberta Lynn Jamsen at the Bay City Players community theatre group. Larry and Berta were married March 16, 1974, in Unionville. They moved to St. Louis, Missouri for two years, during which their daughter, Sarah, was born.
He taught high school physics, photography, and mathematics in Charlotte, Mich. from 1976-2001. “Mr. C” was well-known for promoting lab science with colorful demonstrations. He was especially proud that several of his students went on to attend the US Navy’s highly selective NNPTC nuclear power program.
Larry and Roberta separated in 2012. They each moved separately to Washington, DC, to be closer to their daughter and her family. Ever the educator, Larry organized weekly cultural programs and trivia nights for his apartment community. He was an avid technologist and also self-published several novels.
He will be remembered for his kindness, acceptance, astronomy lessons, and truly stunning gardening skills. A memorial service is planned for 1:00 p.m., July 23, 2022, at Unionville Village Park, Unionville, Mich.
Funeral Arrangements by: family
Janet Garner
Janet Gail Garner, 86, passed away on June 9, 2022. A Charlotte resident, she worked as a Glassworker at OI. Arrangements by Pray Funeral home.
Helen Marie Brzycki
With sadness and love, the family of Helen Marie Brzycki, 89, of Olivet, Michigan, announces her passing on Monday, June 13, 2022. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family. Helen was born on June 15, 1932, to Joseph and Mary (Solar) Maresh in Marshall, Michigan. On June 25, 1949, she married Zygmunt Brzycki at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshall, Michigan. Helen was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Bellevue, Michigan and the PNA Club in Battle Creek, Michigan. She loved to polka dance, travel, bake, garden, birdwatch, overfeed her cat, and play board games and card games. Helen will be missed for her distinctive cooking, especially of traditional Polish and Slovak dishes. When her grandchildren were growing up, she enjoyed spending time teaching them about their heritage through cooking and attending Polish dances. She was a loving cheerful person who was happiest spending time with her family. Helen is survived by her children: Michael Brzycki of Nashville, Richard (Linda) Brzycki of Charlotte, Susan (Alan) Patterson of Bellevue, Patricia (Brian) Bridson of Laingsburg, and Diane Schmidt of Okemos; her grandchildren: Kristen (Tim) of Nashville, Jeremy of Vermontville, Jeffrey of Hastings, Angela (Joe) of Charlotte, Adam of Olivet, Joseph of Vermontville, Jacob of Bellevue, Emily of Kentwood, Leah (Ben) of Haslett, Marlena of Lyons, and Sheila (Matthew) of Fowlerville; her great-grandchildren: Jessica, Donald, Alex, Kaitlyn, Cameron, Caleb, Katie, Fiona, Charlie, Stevie, Andie, Cheylynn, and Lilyann; and her great-great-grandchildren: Jalyn and Robbie. She was preceded in death by her husband Zygmunt, her parents Joseph and Mary Maresh, and her siblings: Margaret Eipper, Josephine Perry, Frank Maresh, Julia Gavenda, Mary Ann Maresh, and Tony Maresh. Friends are invited to say a final goodbye on Monday, June 20, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church in Bellevue, Michigan with the Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. Fr. Dwight Ezop will officiate. Burial will take place in the West Carmel Cemetery, Carmel Township, Michigan. Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 205 N. Elizabeth St. Bellevue, Michigan 49021. Please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.