Obituaries
Marsha Foster
Marsha Jean Foster, age 68, of Charlotte passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. She was born September 28, 1954, in Charlotte the daughter of Gordon and Bessie (Steward) Collier. On May 21, 1971, she married Kenneth Wayne Foster in Charlotte. Marsha was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Family meant absolutely everything to Marsha. She enjoyed crafting, traveling, playing BINGO, and spending time together with her family.
She is survived by her daughter, Dawn Foster of Lansing; grandchildren: Adam (Mackenzie) Foster of Charlotte, Matt Berry of Lansing, Kevin Berry of Coldwater, Dustin (Amanda) Foster of Charlotte, Nicole Foster of Albion; nine great-grandchildren; siblings: Vern (Linda) Collier, Darlene (Jack) Collier, Duane (Jackie) Collier, Ed (Dixie) Collier, Clarence Collier, Darrell Collier; sister-in-law, Terry Collier; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Marsha was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ken; daughter, Amy Foster; sister, Doris Sherd; and brother, Gary Collier.
A celebration of Marsha’s life will be held on Sunday, November 13, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Gresham United Methodist Church.
Those desiring may make contributions in Marsha’s memory to the MITES “Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society” at www.mites.cc.
To view Marsha’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Mary Thomas
Mary Ann (Hudson) Thomas was born November 25, 1938, in Lansing, Michigan the daughter of Elmer and Iva (Norris) Hudson. She peacefully passed away at her home in Bellevue on Thursday, November 3, 2022, with her family by her side. Mary graduated from Holt High School with the Class of 1957. On June 8, 1957, just four days after her graduation from high school, she married James Royal Thomas. They were sealed on August 8, 1981, in the Salt Lake Temple. Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her family was very important to her and she cherished each and every one of them. She was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Mary is survived by her children: Karen (Richard) Shockley of Lansing, Linda (Martin) Allred of Troutville, VA, Robert Thomas of Bellevue, Debra Harmon, Rowland James; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and three sisters.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James; daughter, Sarah Thomas; and brother, Harold Hudson.
Funeral services were held on Monday, November 7, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Charlotte Branch with President Giacinto Lucci presiding. The family received friends one hour prior to the services at the church. A private burial will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Lansing.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mary’s memory to Siren/Eaton Shelter to be used to purchase bedding and children’s toys.
To view Mary’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Lynwood Benton
Lynwood George Benton (Pete), born September 20, 1935, died October 28, 2022. Pete passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends after a short illness. He was born in Vermontville, MI to Clyde and Dorothy Benton. He was a lifelong resident of Vermontville, MI, graduating from Vermontville High School in 1954 where he excelled as a three-sport athlete. He was a truckdriver for 42 years before retiring. Pete loved sports and was a diehard Spartan fan. Auction sales and restoring antiques was something he really enjoyed. Most of all, he loved spending time with family and friends and helping others, Pete never met a stranger.
He is preceded in death by son, Pete Benton; parents, Clyde and Doris Benton; sister, Vivian Adsit
Survivors are wife, Doris of 64 years; daughter, Lynne Goris; son, Mark Benton (Pamela); sister, Roxanne Mull; grandchildren: Stacie Selden (Mike), Eric Goris (Jennifer), Tori Benton (Mathew), Brooke and Payton Benton, Allison Fuller (Collin), Sydney Potts (Bill); great grandchildren: Molli Selden, Kinsley Sweet, Jaxon Sweet, Lainey Fuller and Colt Fuller.
Respecting Pete’s wishes, there will be no service. A small memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Richard Michael Sharpe
Richard Michael Sharpe of Eaton Rapids, passed away on October 22, 2022, at the age of 64. He was born in Eaton Rapids, Michigan on September 6, 1958, the son of Wilbur and Mary (Kenniston) Sharpe. Richard graduated from Springport High School, class of 1976. He was the high school varsity football kicker. He worked as a Union Carpenter for Moore-Trosper. He was a devoted father who always made time for his son, Travis, and his sporting events. Richard was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting. He belonged to the Michigan Bass Hustlers. Richard loved spending time with his grandkids and traveling up North to Edmore to visit his friend, Connie Wiborn (Mom).
Richard is survived by his son, Travis (Lea) Sharpe; grandkids, Alivia Sharpe, Madelyn Sharpe; siblings, Shirley (Mark) Newton, Nancy (Tom) DelPriore, Robert Sharpe; brother-in-law, Roger Knickerbocker; special friend, Gerald “Moose” Bender. He is preceded in death by his wife, Patty Sharpe; parents; sisters, Wanda Pond, Debbie Knickerbocker.
A Celebration of Life was held Thursday, November 3, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Donations may be made to Autism Speaks, 1060 State Road, Second Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website, millsfuneral.com.
Esther Dunham
Esther Mae Dunham, 94, of Vermontville, died Monday, October 24, 2022, in Grand Rapids. Esther lived a full life dedicated to the love and care of both her family and her community. Her “Jill of all Trades” nature ingrained her as an important part of many organizations and causes throughout the region. Esther was born on September 4, 1928, in Northville, MI, the daughter of George Washington and Mary Pauline (Osborne) Stanford. She graduated from Northville High School before marrying the love of her life, Frank Dunham. Upon Frank’s return from World War II, the two purchased a herd of dairy cows and moved to Vermontville, where they would raise their five children. As the children grew, Esther took on many careers throughout her life. After milking cows in the early morning, she would go into service as a nurse’s aide at the hospital, and years later put on the latest fashions and go to work at Knapp’s department store. Soon after, she earned her real estate license and started a new venture. Her longest career was as clerk at the 56 District Court in Eaton County, which lead her to retirement. All along the way, she was active in her children’s lives, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother and 4H Leader. She sung in the choir at Vermontville Congregational Church and served as Secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Grand Ledge. She was an avid reader, and loved bowling and golfing, which she did into her 80s. She used her talents around the house, maintaining a meticulous garden and sewing wedding dresses for her children’s weddings. She even served as Township Assessor for Vermontville Township and volunteered countless hours for the American Lung Association and Eaton County Agricultural Society. Esther was a lifelong learner, and her impression was felt far and wide. Her talents and love for all will be missed and cherished by her community and her family.
Esther is survived by her children, Frank “Skip” (Susan) Dunham, Deborah Granger, Michael Dunham, John (Rita) Dunham and Richard (Lesley) Dunham; 16 grandchildren, Frank (Brenda) Dunham II, Joseph Dunham, James Dunham, Christopher (Samantha) Dunham, Katie (Steve) Miller, Jeffrey (Jennifer) Granger, Karla Lilly (William Conroy), Lynda (Brandon) Baker, Michael Dunham, Tim (Yamilet) Dunham, Tony (Danielle) Dunham, Danielle Vallejo, Jonathan (Kristi) Dunham, Rebecca (Alex) Casto, Meghann (Charlie) Jarvis, and Richard Dunham; 22 great-grandchildren, Macey, Oliver, Caspar, Theodore and Stanford Dunham, Kevin and Brooke Miller, Kyle Lilly and Kayla Bruce, Eleanor Baker, Breauna Grover, Timmy, Ethan, Philip, Oliver, David, Michael, Elaine, Anthony TJ, and George Dunham, and Harper and Cora Jarvis; sister, Janice Hamer; brother, Tommy Stanford; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank Dunham; son-in-law, Ron Granger; and sisters, Juanita Vradenburg, Jean Sawin, and Helen Pollick.
Friends are encouraged to support Esther’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial Service will take place at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Visitation will be just prior to the service from 10-11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton County 4H Agricultural Society and the local chapter of the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, 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 Esther’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.