Obituaries
Brenda Jo Farnham
Brenda Jo Farnham, a woman who always put her family first, passed away Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at her home. Brenda, 64, of Charlotte was born June 1, 1960 in Battle Creek to Larry Gene Farnham and Kazuko (Uno) Farnham. As an “Air Force Brat,” Brenda lived in many different places during her childhood. She graduated from Bellevue High School and pursued a career in accounting. During her time as an Accounting Clerk at Delta Dental, Brenda was nicknamed the “Delta Queen.” Following her retirement, Brenda returned to Delta Dental as a contractor until her great-grandson, Jett, was born.
One of Brenda’s greatest joys in life was being a fun grandma and spending time with her family. She cherished them all, especially her grandson Jacob, and great-grandson Jett. She was the caring matriarch of her family. She was always known as “The Lady In Charge” who loved giving instructions for any family gathering.
Brenda enjoyed gardening in her flower beds around her home and the vegetable patch outback. She also enjoyed fishing trips in summer on the water and winter on the ice. It wasn’t uncommon for her to out fish everybody else on any given day. Travel was always one of her favorite pastimes, whether it was sightseeing across the country, or riding ATV’s in northern Michigan. Her favorite destinations were anywhere with a sunny beach. Around the home Brenda enjoyed reading thriller novels, puzzles and cooking, especially salsa. Brenda always cooked for an Army. Sending home leftovers from any family gathering was so common that family and guests developed the habit of bringing their own to-go containers to the family dinners.
As a volunteer, Brenda became a strong advocate for Siren Shelter, gathering donations from throughout the staff and executives at Delta Dental which ranged from office equipment and supplies to office furniture and computers.
Brenda is survived by her husband, Steven Lake; daughter, Charity (Jason) Gravina; son, Andrew Lake; father, Larry Farnham; brother, Robert Farnham; grandson, Jacob (Millie) Gravina; and great-grandson, Jett Gravina. She was preceded in death by her mother, Kazuko Farnham.
Friends are encouraged to support Brenda’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Please join the family for visitation Sunday, September 15 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. Brenda’s funeral services are Monday, September 16, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home, with interment to follow in Ceresco Cemetery in Ceresco Michigan where she will be laid to rest next to her mother. 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 Brenda’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 Siren Shelter or Hospice of Lansing. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Retta J. McNeil
Retta J. McNeil, age 85, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born March 5, 1939, in Royal Oak, Michigan, the daughter of Jesse and Doris (Walker) Cundiff. She graduated from Dondero High School and went on to earn her master’s degree in education from Western Michigan University. She married Glenwood Dale McNeil in 1960. Retta had a special love for children her entire life and was an elementary school teacher and math consultant for Charlotte Public Schools for 31 years. She cherished her students and the relationships that were formed over the years. Retta and Glenwood raised and raced Standardbred horses for many years. She loved the horses, spending time with horse people, and the comradery of all those that worked together with them to make their racing a success.
Retta is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Glenwood; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Bruce Cundiff and Jesse Cundiff.
In keeping with Retta’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and no services will be held.
Those desiring may make contributions in Retta’s memory to the Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906.
To view Retta’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
David Everett Hamilton
David Everett Hamilton of Onondaga, passed away September 2, 2024, at the age of 67. Dave was born in Eaton Rapids, Michigan on May 22, 1957, the son of Everette and Joan (Winters) Hamilton. He was an Eaton Rapids High School graduate. Dave was a Mechanic, he worked for University Olds for over 20 years and then went to work for Mead Brothers Excavating. He was an avid outdoorsman. Dave enjoyed camping, backpacking, hunting, exploring his property and riding dirt bikes. He was very intrigued by astronomy, even sending his daughter Kerri daily updates. Dave was a member of the NRA and enjoyed HAM radios. Most of all he loved his grandkids, and spending as much time with them as possible.
David is survived by his wife, Diane Hamilton of Onondaga; daughter, Kerri Jean (Nathan) Kulas of Albion; grandkids, Carter, Makenna and Kane Kulas; siblings, Jane (Ron) Moss, Carol Pilmore; sister-in-law, Jean Hamilton. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jim Hamilton.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association in loving memory of David Everett Hamilton. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Thomas Lee Uridge
Thomas Lee Uridge of Dimondale and Florida, former VP Ingham Medical Center. Passed away unexpectedly August 29, 2024, at the age of 83. Tom was born on August 13, 1941, at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Laurence and Ida (Galley) Uridge. He grew up on Otilla Street, attending Elger Grade School K-2. Tom then moved to Kalamazoo around 1948 and attended Hillcrest School, grades 3-6. He got a Cushman Eagle Motorcycle, which he absolutely loved, and had a paper route delivering newspapers during 7th – 9th grade while attending South Junior High. Tom graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1959.
He went to work at A&P while attending Western Michigan University. In 1961, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served both active and reserves for six years, while also attending Western Michigan. Tom graduated in 1964 with a bachelor’s in science. He then married and had two children, Leeann and Brian. After marriage, Tom worked as a process server and sold life insurance until he started working for the State of Michigan as a youth counselor for three years. He then worked at Clark Equipment in Battle Creek in Personnel, eventually transferring to Jackson Clark Equipment in Personnel and as a Safety Officer.
In 1972, he took a job as Director of Personnel at Ingham Regional Medical Center, eventually becoming one of the Vice Presidents. While working full-time at Ingham Regional Medical Center he attended and graduated from Cooley Law School with his Juris Doctorate. That degree and expertise became paramount in his position. He was a walking union while there due to his open-door policy where you could say anything without fear of reprisal. He was compassionate, feisty, gregarious, caring, charismatic, funny, and quirky with a great sense of humor. You always knew Tom was around by his hearty infectious laugh. He was also a very pointed communicator which made him ideal for his job. There was a serious and playful side to him. You always knew which face he had on! Tom was well respected because of his personality and that open-door policy. There was never a formal union during his 25-year tenure, and he was very proud of the employee relations environment he developed. He was a strong proponent of confidentiality and employee privacy and created and maintained an environment free of harassment. Tom retired in 1994 but continued working additional years at the request of the CEO.
He is survived by his children, Leeann Uridge, Brian Uridge (Sandy), granddaughter, Alex Uridge; sister Nancy Jennings; sister-in-law, Marge Uridge; and the love of his life and partner in crime Nancy Rens-Uridge. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Laurence and Ida Uridge; brothers, Laurence “Bud” Uridge, Bruce Uridge, Robert “Bobby” James Uridge and an Infant brother; sister, Diane Bartoo, brothers-in-law, Jim Bartoo, and Howard Jennings; and sister-in-law, Susan Uridge.
A private memorial service will be held for family, and a celebration of life service at a later date. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army of Lansing, 525 N. Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing MI 48912 or City Rescue Mission of Lansing, 2216 S. Cedar St, Lansing MI 48910. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Doris Thornton
Doris (Young) Thornton, age 93, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 2, 2024, at home surrounded by those she loved. She was born October 6, 1930, at the family home in Sunfield, Michigan the daughter of Devilo and Letha (Guy) McDiarmid. Doris was a devoted Christian and member of the Assemblies of God her entire life. Her Bible reading was very important to her. She had read through the Bible seven times. In her spare-time she enjoyed playing cards, BINGO, horse racing, and watching the Detroit Tigers. Family was always the most important part of her life. She cherished each and every one of them in a special way.
Doris is survived by her children: Edward Young of Charlotte, Sandra (Bob) VanSplintern of Charlotte, Tommy Young of Charlotte, Ted Young of Charlotte, Larry Young of Charlotte; grandchildren: Sherrie (Shad) Golding, Jim Young, Chad (Tracey) VanSplintern, Aaron (Erin) VanSplintern, Stacey Young, Amy (Brian) Miller; numerous great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; sister, Linda (David) Sunken and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Carl Young; second husband, Walter Thornton; and 11 siblings.
The family received friends during a time of visitation and sharing on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. A private burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Doris’s memory to the charity of their choosing.
To view Doris’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.