Obituaries
Timothy Summer
Timothy “Tim” Leon Summer, a Charlotte resident with a generous heart who was always willing to help, died Friday, November 4, 2022, in Marshall following a lengthy illness. Tim was born October 5, 1948, in Ionia, Michigan to Arthur and Julia (Rock) Summer. Starting in the fifth grade, Tim developed a love for music and learned to play the cornet and trumpet. He was inspired by his favorite trumpet artist, Herb Alpert. This was a talent he carried into his adult life. Tim was a 1966 graduate of Olivet High School.
On April 5, 1968, he married the love of his life, Joyce King. A great curiosity of mechanical things led him to a career in Heating Ventilating and Cooling (HVAC) that continued until his retirement in 2007 from T.H. Eifert Mechanical Contractors in Lansing. Over the years Tim earned a reputation of being able to fix anything. His abilities also came in handy serving his church, Calvary Baptist Church of Charlotte. Not only did he use his ability to fix, repair, and build at the church, but he also used his talent as a musician playing his cornet and trumpet in the church orchestra. Tim and his wife Joyce helped with the youth of the church becoming Awana youth group leaders. Tim loved leading his third and fourth grade boys’ group and working side by side with his wife to oversee the Awana Quizzing team, helping the team to learn the Bible and about their own faith. Tim especially loved helping the Awana youth build race cars for their annual competition. He even built his own versions of the little wooden cars to race alongside the youth members.
His family recalls many wonderful times spent with Tim. Among those times were fishing trips to local lakes, and family bowling at the local bowling alley. Above all else he was proud of his family and the ability to help others.
Tim is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joyce; their two daughters Kellie (Carl) Boykin, and Melissa (Justin Southern) Summer; their two sons Arthur (Jenn) Summer and Jeff (Jodette) Summer; four granddaughters; three grandsons; one great-granddaughter; two great-grandsons; his sister, Carol Dane; and brother, Jim (Cindy) Summer.
The family received guests during visitation at the Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte on Tuesday, November 8th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service was conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 9th at The Calvary Baptist Church in Charlotte with Pastor Tim Potter officiating. Interment will follow in Perry Cemetery. If desired memorial contributions may be made in Tim’s memory to Dementia Society of America or Calvary Baptist Church Charlotte.
Roy Weldon
Roy George Weldon, age 79, of Vermontville and Albion, MI passed away Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born May 5, 1943, in Albion the son of Keith and Lucille (Winchell) Weldon.
Roy attended school in Florida as well as Devereaux, MI. When he was a kid, he sold minnows to party boats coming by but later was employed through the years at Union Steel and also Lowe’s in Jackson as well as farming. He served our country honorably in the U.S. Navy. On July 16, 1966, he was united in marriage to Mary (Travis) and she survives.
Roy was very active in his church, Kalamo United Methodist Church, was a member of the American Legion, the Moose Lodge in Marshall and spent many years bowling on the Moose bowling league. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and building things, even helping to build the family’s cottage. He served as a Boy Scout Master as well, but his most important role was raising his family.
In addition to his loving wife of 56 years, Roy is also survived by his children: Rex (Sara) Weldon of MI, Scott (Terri) Weldon of IL, Holly (Donivon) Mathe of MI; grandchildren: Andy Mathe, Brittney Weldon, Jacob Weldon, Elizabeth Mathe, Mackenzie Mathe, Two step-grandchildren: Zane and Patrick Okanek; five great-grandchildren; siblings: Lucinda Warren, Gertie Masternak and Carrie Lusk.
Roy’s family received visitors on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home. Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Friday, October 28, 2022 with Pastor Jerry Bukowski officiating. Burial with Full Military Honors followed in Riverside Cemetery, Albion.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kalamo United Methodist Church, 1475 S. Ionia Rd., Vermontville, MI 49096.
To leave online messages of condolence, please visit J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home, Funeral & Cremation| Dignity Memorial
Allan Hirt
Allan “Al” Arnold Hirt, 86, of Okemos, a civic-minded man, passed away on November 5, 2022. He was born on January 19, 1936, to Arnold and Lydia Hirt in Cleveland, Ohio. On June 4, 1960, Al married Shirley and they enjoyed 62 years of marriage. He graduated with a Business degree from Cleveland State University and began his career at Ford Motor Company in the Lansing District Sales office. In 1974, he bought Al Hirt Ford-Mercury in Charlotte. After closing the business in 1980, he became VP of Sales for a beverage distributorship in Battle Creek until 1985. Al joined a startup computer company in Okemos and later became a financial planner for Thrivent, a Lutheran insurance company. Next, he became district sales manager for a Cleveland company and concluded his employment history at Adtech Plastics in Charlotte in 2000. Al took two part-time retirement jobs: Eaton County Sheriff Department, 17 years; Wheat Jewelers, 21 years.
Al’s love of community, country, and God led him to belong to the Rotary, Gideons, American Legion, First Lutheran Church, St. Luke Lutheran Church, AARP Foundation Tax Aide, HGB Development Council and Executive Committee, and the University Club of MSU. He proudly served his country in the National Guard and with active Army duty (1958-1964), serving during the Berlin crisis in the Kennedy years.
Beloved hobbies included golf, travel (especially to California to visit his daughter and her family), and many cruises. He enjoyed skiing and snowmobiling with the kids, lots of motor home trips, and was a Spartan fan. His greatest source of enjoyment was raising two successful children and his marriage to Shirley. Al loved classic and luxury cars and this began early – at 16, he took an engine out of a 1940 Ford and rebuilt it, much to his father’s surprise.
Al is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughter, Denise (Fred) Macias; son, Douglas (Linda) Hirt; grandchildren, Alex (Danielle McGraw) Brown, Cole (Sabrina) Macias, Logan Hirt, Lindsey (Daniel) Kopechek; great-grandchild, Willow Brown; and brother, Geoffrey (Linda) Hirt. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Donald.
Friends are encouraged to support Al’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 5589 Van Atta Rd, Haslett, MI on Monday, November 14 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., and Tuesday, November 15 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Funeral services are Tuesday, November 15 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Trevor Sutton officiating. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Allan Hirt tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Luke Lutheran Church or Gideons International. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Joyce Gidner
Joyce Elaine Gidner, age 69, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 7, 2022, with her brother and sister by her side. Joyce was born December 16, 1952, in Charlotte the daughter of Robert and Gladys (Bailey) Gidner.
Joyce attended school in Charlotte and graduated with the Class of 1971. During her high school years, she worked at Moore’s Adult Foster Care. After high school she went to work for the Eaton Manor Nursing Home, which is now Sensations Memory Care Residence. When Eaton Manor closed Joyce continued caring for the elderly as a private care giver. She loved her work and enjoyed caring for others her entire life.
Joyce enjoyed spending time outdoors during all seasons. She was a true country girl. You could often find her in her flower beds and garden planting, weeding, and harvesting. Joyce also enjoyed preserving the many wonderful things she grew in her garden. She always looked forward to July when she would enter all kinds of goods in the open class at the Eaton County Fair. Throughout the years Joyce won many ribbons and prizes including State Champion and Exhibitor of the Year award. She also enjoyed decorating for the holidays both inside and outside her home and making goodies especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She always made enough for everybody.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Roy Gidner.
She is survived by her brother, Bruce Gidner of Charlotte; sister, Alice Gidner of Charlotte; cousin, Lyle Gidner of Frankfort, Indiana; uncle, Keith Gidner of Eaton Rapids formerly of Charlotte; niece, Michelle (Adrian) Kiss and their children: Michael Kiss, Miah Kiss, Leah Kiss, Kaylee Kiss, Malachi Kiss; nephew, Ryan (Leisa) Gidner and their sons: Shane Gidner, Skyler Kennedy; and numerous other cousins, friends, and neighbors.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 14, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Sean Esterline officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Joyce’s memory to the First Lutheran Church, 550 E. Shepherd St., Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Joyce’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
Jean Davy
Jean Marie Davy, 71, of Charlotte, a loving mother, grandmother, and sister, died peacefully on Friday, November 4, 2022. Jean was born September 22, 1951, in Detroit, the daughter of Robert and Charlotte (Beaulieu) Asam. Early in her life, she met the love of her life, James Davy, and followed him overseas to Germany during his service in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. In 1971, the couple got married in Basil, Switzerland before returning to Walled Lake, MI, to start their family. After they moved to Charlotte, MI, Jean went to work as a pharmacy tech for Arbor Drug, and eventually CVS. Family was the most important part of Jean’s life. She hosted all the family Holiday get-togethers, sleepovers with her beloved grandchildren, and daily phone conversations with her sisters. She enjoyed time together as a family outdoors, especially taking walks and bike rides, and indoors enjoyed reading. All who knew Jean will remember her kindness, her friendly easy nature, and her devotion and love for her family.
Jean is survived by her son, Jeff (Stephanie) Davy; daughter, Jessica Davy; grandchildren, Jack and Mya Davy; sisters, Janet Nichols, Jill Marks-Jennings, and Joann Caravagio; brother, Alan Asam; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, James in 2020, 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. A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 20, 2022, at Pray Funeral Home with Laura Cooper officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. 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 Jean’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 Hospice of Lansing. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.