Obituaries
Judy Sharrell Barr
Judy Sharrell Barr, 83, of Olivet, MI, died peacefully on Friday, August 30, 2024 in Charlotte. Judy was born April 17, 1941 in Charlotte, the daughter of LeRoy and Donis (Bowser) Barnett. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1959 before starting her family. Judy worked 12 years as Clerk in the Eaton County Circuit Court before her retirement. Judy married Dale E. Barr on June 16, 1979 in Olivet, and the two moved north to Harrison, MI, in 1988, where Dale took the position as High School principal and Judy worked as a Teacher’s Aide. Throughout the years, Judy loved to crochet and to travel. She and Dale rarely missed their grandchildren’s school or sporting events. She was proud of her Native American Cherokee heritage. In 2007, Dale and Judy bought a place in Florida, and they enjoyed nearly 20 years of warm winters and making new and long-lasting friendships with their North Ft. Myers neighbors.
Judy is survived by her husband of 45 years, Dale Barr; their children, Trenton (Cheryl) Smith, Kermit Smith, Deborah Barr, and Dale (Debra) Barr, Jr.; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Dennis (Susan) Barnett; son-in-law, Jack Stults; daughter-in-law, Angel Whitman; nieces, nephews and extended family; sister-in-law, Sandy Barnett; close friends, Ron and Barb LeSeney, Chuck and Charlene Cilibraise, and Pat Foreman; many Florida friends; and her dog, Sophie. She was predeceased by her parents; brother, Gary Barnett; daughter, Kim Stults; and son, Bret Barr.
Friends are encouraged to support Judy’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral Services were at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Rev. Mike Fales officiating. Interment followed at Bosworth Cemetery in Olivet. 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 Judy’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 the Barr/Vandyke Principal Leadership Award or Creative Living One Adult Foster Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Darrell Lynn Dixon
Gerald Lynn Norris was born on December 22, 1946. He was then adopted by Kenneth and Phyllis (Pierce) Dixon on June 22, 1947, then named Darrell Lynn Dixon. Darrell passed on August 31, 2024, at the age of 77.
Darrell was a John Deere Two Cycle Club and Lansing Motorcycle Club member. He loved working on anything with a motor for family and friends. He was a quiet man but a humble friend. He was known to many as “Dummy”, and only known by that to some.
Darrell is survived by his wife Trini (Vogelheim) Dixon, son James Dixon, granddaughter Raegan, as well as many nieces, nephew, Godson, cousin, aunt and uncles.
Visitation was held on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Mills Funeral Home, Peters & Murray Chapel, Grand Ledge. Funeral services were held Friday at 11:00 a.m. with interment to follow at Meadowbrook Cemetery, Mulliken with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Family c/o Trini Dixon or Lansing Motorcycle Club, PO Box 15153 Lansing, MI 48901, in memory of Darrell “Dummy” Dixon.
Charles Owen Klaiss
Charles Owen “Charlie” Klaiss, our fearless leader, age 85, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. He was born March 7, 1939, in Charlotte the son of Donald Owen and Ila Leona (Shumaker) Klaiss. Charlie was a man of many talents and the life of the party. He was always ready with a joke to lighten up any situation. Charlie started his career working as an electrician with his father and later started his own stage lighting business traveling throughout the world setting up concert lighting. He worked as Loretta Lynn’s production manager for many years and loved working together with her phenomenal team. Charlie especially loved the USO tours overseas. In his younger years, Charlie, loved the cowboy lifestyle. He rode bulls, roped, owned and trained horses, and could crack a bull whip like no other. Charlie was an active member of the Charlotte Fire Department his entire life and an ardent supporter of the Christmas Kiddies program. Charlie enjoyed life to the fullest and will always be remembered as a loving and devoted father and grandfather.
Charlie is survived by his children, Lee Harvey of Inverness, Florida, Brian Sheldon of Winder, Georgia, Kelly Wadsworth of Charlotte; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and brother, Neil Klaiss.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joyce Elaine Klaiss; grandson, Adam Sheldon; and sister-in-law, Leila Klaiss.
A celebration of Charlie’s life was held on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 12 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday prior to the service.
Those desiring may make contributions in Charlie’s memory to the Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department, 111 E. Lawrence Ave., Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Charlie’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Christine Ann Sumner
Christine “Chris” Ann Sumner, a woman that everyone adored, died on Monday, August 26, 2024. Chris 62, formerly of Potterville, was born on October 11, 1961, in St. Johns, the daughter of Dean Orweller and Betty Jean (Darling) Mays. She proudly served in the Army National Guard. On September 17, 1983, she married Brian Sumner and together they began their family until his passing in 1998. Over the years since his passing Chris was so proud of the way she raised her children and the support that her family gave her. Chris worked as a Para-Professional for Potterville Schools for 19 years. She was adored by the children and many she treated like her own grandchildren. Following her retirement in 2016 she moved up to Higgins Lake. During retirement she began working for Dean Transportation where she worked to this day. Hobbies that Chris enjoyed were traveling, especially trips to Sault Ste. Marie, playing boards games and cards, doing jigsaw puzzles, and afterwards gluing them together to hang on the wall, and above all being with her family that she adored. Many will remember Chris for always cracking a joke, helping others, and never complaining.
Chris is survived by her children, Brian (Iris) Sumner II, Amandajean Sumner, and Chelsey (Josh) Evans; nine grandchildren, Arianna, Teighan, Easton, Braxton, Karla, Emmett, Mario, Ian, and Bernardo; and several that she has claimed as her own; siblings, Dean (Jane Peterson) Orweller, Stuart Kalbrofsky, Arlan Orweller, Kevin (Lori) Orweller, Troy Orweller, and Allison Teves; brother-in-law, Mike (Aurora) Sumner; sister-in-law, Jayne Anderson; many nieces and nephews; dear friends, Sharon, and Sharon. She was predeceased by her husband, Brian; parents; mother and father-in-law, Bernard and Shirley Sumner; and step-dad, Charles Mays.
Friends are encouraged to support Chris’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Laura Cooper officiating. Visitation will be held just prior to the service from noon until 2:00 p.m. 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 Chris’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 the National Kidney Foundation. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Helen Irene Bishop
Helen Irene Bishop of Eaton Rapids, passed away peacefully at home August 26, 2024, at the age of 84. Helen was born in Holt, MI, April 4, 1940, the daughter of Harry and Martha (Waite) Elliot. She was a 1958 graduate of Mason High School, was a former member of the Michigan Bicentennial Wagon Train, and bred and raised Arabian horses. Helen worked at Quality Dairy for eight years and Harry Cards Meat Market for 10 years. She enjoyed getting lost in her beautiful flower gardens and was a member of the Waverly Church of the Nazarene.
Helen is survived by her son, Robert (Denise) Bishop; grandchildren, Miranda, Matthew and Michelle; eight great grandchildren; brothers-in-law, George “Butch” Bishop and Jeff Bishop. She was preceded in death by her parents and Husband, Richard Bishop.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Friday August 30, 2024, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, 518 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place in Maple Grove Cemetery in Mason. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave, Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601. To leave condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.