Obituaries
Sondra Jane Hughes
Sondra Jane Hughes, 85, of Charlotte, died Sunday, January 23, 2022, in Charlotte. Sondra was born June 21, 1936, in Lansing, the daughter of Burr O. and Mary C. (Swathwood) Pierce. Following her high school graduation, Sondra earned her license as a practical nurse and served 4 years at Hayes Green Beach Hospital and 12 years at Eaton Manor. Sondra married the love of her life, Gerald R. Hughes, on September 15, 1956, following his return from his service in the U.S. Airforce. Together they celebrated 59 years of happy marriage until his death in 2016.
Sondra’s love of nursing led her to bring humor and joy to each of her patients. Faith and kindness filled Sondra’s life and many church members were the recipients of her prayers, hugs and caring ways. A great lover of animals, she had many pets, especially cats. She enjoyed reading and crocheting and shared her talents with her family. Sondra’s greatest moments in life revolved around family gatherings. Her family will miss her around the table, but know that she has found Glory and is again together with the love of her life, Jerry.
Sondra is survived by her daughter, Laurie (Walt) Lupu; son, Mark (Valerie) Hughes; daughter-in-law, Cindy Hughes; 7 grandchildren, Christopher Chapman, James Chapman, Courtney (Brandon) Robison, Greg (Jennifer) Hughes, Brandon (Amanda) Pitts, Andrew Pitts, and Ashley (Rece) Cox; 9 great-grandchildren, Harrison Chapman, Louis Chapman, Thomas Chapman, Lane Robison, Carolina Robison, Amelia Robison, Alexis Pitts, Bryce Cox, and Braxton Cox; sister, Cheryl Deadman; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Gerald R. Hughes; son, Gary Hughes; brother, Albert Pierce; and sister, Catherine Lekki. The family would like to express a special thank-you to Sondra’s close friends and neighbors, John and Carol Rossio, Carol Cook, and Lorrene Cody.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Sondra’s family by sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 28, 2022, at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Chuck Jenson officiating. Visitation was held on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Pray Funeral Home. 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 Sondra’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to Eaton Community Palliative Care or First Baptist Church of Charlotte. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Elie V. Manta
Elie V. Manta, age 87, of Bellevue, MI went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Saturday, January 22, 2022. He was born in Detroit, MI in May of 1934, the third child of Romanian immigrants, Eli and Bucura Manta. He graduated from Pershing High School in 1952 and gained employment with the Grand Trunk Railroad. He was proudly drafted into the U.S. Army where he continued his education as a repairman of Steam Locomotives. After two years he was honorably discharged and continued his career with the railroad, eventually becoming a Locomotive engineer. He held several positions in management and as a union official.
After meeting at a USO in Virginia Beach, VA, Elie married Frieda Joan Dow, a nursing student from Morrilton, AR, making their home in Warren, MI in 1956. They relocated to Bellevue, MI in 1971 where “Lee” continued with the GTW Railroad. Elie became an important part of the Bellevue community with membership in the United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge, Village Council, Rescue Squad and Whirl-Away Square Dance Club. Other interest included fishing, camping, spending time with family and friends, travel and eventually a winter home in South Texas. Elie’s retirement began in 1993.
After 49 years of marriage, beloved wife Joan graduated to heaven in 2005. In 2006 he married Louise (Link) Starkweather. They continued life in Bellevue, wintering in McAllen, TX.
Left to cherish Elie’s memory are his wife, Louise; sister, Mary (John) Tatimor of Palm Springs, CA; sisters-in-law, Elieen Dow of Fullerton, CA, and Neal DuPre’ of Peachtree City, GA; children, Victoria (Patrick) McEwan of Charlotte, Stephen (Val) Manta of Battle Creek, Virginia (Brenton) Nesseth of Battle Creek, and Donald (Ruth) Manta of Sanborn NY. Louise’ children, Debbie (Grey) Wilcox, Diane Bailey, Dena (Randy) Shumaker, Luanne Lakies. Many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Elie was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Cornelia Salistean of Cleveland, OH.
Services have been entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 205 N. Elizabeth Street, Bellevue, MI 49021. A memorial gathering will be held January 29, 2022, at First Baptist Church, 122 N. Main Street, Bellevue, MI 49021 at 2:00 P.M. with the memorial service beginning at 3:00 P.M. Pastor Don Manta officiating.
In honor of Elie’s life, in lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to; Bellevue Good Samaritan Fund, 119 N Main St., Bellevue, MI 49021. You may visit https://kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, or leave messages for the family.
Terence Clinton Merrick
Terence “Terry” Clinton Merrick, the oldest Disney Kid around, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan died January 25, 2022. Terry, 76, was born June 18, 1945 in Charlotte to Jesse James and Lenora June (Friar) Merrick. Terry was the family touch stone, THE guy, very smart, with a wonderful and rich sense of humor. He graduated from Battle Creek Central in 1963, was a First-Class Petty Officer and Fire Control Technician in the US Navy, and loved piloting his own aircraft. He was an award winning golfer, a fisherman, a bowler with a couple of 300 games; enjoyed boating, camping, MSU and Lions football, Euchre and Poker, playing piano. He enjoyed it all. He made numerous videos and loved editing. Terry graduated from Cooley Law School in 1981, and became a Private Attorney. He retired as a Judge with the State of Michigan. Terry married Charlene Kae (Hineline) in 1999 and were married for fourteen years. He absolutely loved going to Disney and traveled there more than 40 times with his family.
Terry is survived by his children, James Todd Merrick, Jeffery Dean (Terri) Merrick, Jesse Allan (Skye) Merrick; grandchildren, Shelby, Brody, Avery, Elle, and Theodore; great-grandchildren, Cooper and Jackson; sister, Linda (Herbert) Brizendine; nephews, Matthew (Lisa) Brizendine, Nicholas (Kelly) Brizendine; and many special friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Charlene; parents; and brother, Tim Merrick.
Friends are encouraged to support Terry’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral Services are Tuesday, February 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Rev. Richie Thomas officiating. Visitation will be held just prior to the service from 10-11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI. The family is also planning a Summer Celebration of Life for Terry. 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 Terry’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 Dexter Lake Church in Battle Creek. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Doris Pauline Gordon
Doris (Dorie) Pauline Gordon, age 86, passed away at her home in Weidman, MI on May 24, 2021.
Doris was born on January 17, 1935 to Myron Henry and Doris Olivia (Brandt) Shaw during an ice storm as Dorie would add. She graduated Eaton Rapids High School in 1953. She was an avid artist. She was an dedicated fisher woman who had the chance to fish the Tasman Sea at Chain of Lagoons, Tasmania. The blue gills in Michigan never stood a chance.
She is predeceased by her parents, husband Oliver Barclay Gordon, brother Loyd Shaw, brother in law Ron Bowser, and nephew Danny Bowser. May they all know peace.
Dorie is survived by her sister, Virginia (Ginny) Bowser, her four children: Brian Carter, Brent Carter, Sheri Merritt, and Mitchell Carter. She is further survived by six grand children and six great-grand children.
Calvin D. Richards
Calvin Duey Richards of Eaton Rapids, passed away January 19, 2022, at the age of 94. Cal was born in Lansing, MI, May 28, 1927, the son of Calvin and Leona (Munson) Richards. He enlisted in the Air Force in August of 1945 and was honorably discharged in November of 1946, and he was a proud veteran. Cal moved to Eaton Rapids in 1949 where he lived until shortly before his death. He worked for Eaton Stamping for 37 years before retiring in 1985. After retirement, he and his wife, Mildred, wintered in Florida where he made many great friends.
Cal was a former member of the Elks Club and the Moose Lodge, both in Lansing. He enjoyed woodworking and bowling, but really loved playing golf. He was a tireless worker and got great joy from helping others. He had many good friends and was a good friend to many.
Cal is survived by his son, Bill (Marilyn) Richards of DeWitt; daughters, Kathy (Tim Miank) Richards, and Barb Alexander of Lansing; step-son, Jim (Jan) Squires of Florida; step-daughters, Joan Hyatt of Charlotte, and Jackie Williams Kasten of Eaton Rapids; 13 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mildred; his parents; sister, Roberta Mead; brother, Ralph Richards.
His kids would like to thank Jim, Jan, and Dondi Squires for their continued support of Cal, especially after the death of his wife; the best neighbors anyone could hope for, Kim and Carol Freer; loving companion, Dorothy Phillips, who brought him much happiness over the past couple years of his life; and the staff of Fairview AFC for their tender care these past several months. Your kindness is appreciated more than you’ll ever know.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center in Eaton Rapids where he spent many happy hours. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsmuneral.com.