Obituaries
Elizabeth Neveau
Elizabeth “Beth” Jo Neveau, affectionately known as” Beth-a-Roo,” 44, of Lansing, died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, February 6, 2022 in Charlotte. Beth was born June 11, 1977, in Lansing, the daughter of Aggie and Wayne Neveau. She was born with the limitations of Muscular Dystrophy, but lived every day to her full capacity. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1996, and took classes at Lansing Community College. In her early years, she volunteered at Eaton Intermediate School District. She lived in Alison House in an apartment she loved to decorate. Beth was a part of many loving families beyond her immediate family and large extended Goerge family. She enjoyed many close friendships with residents of Alison House and her special caregivers. In many ways, Beth lived vicariously through her caregivers and friends. Although her mobility was limited, she experienced the wonders of life through those who loved her and were included in her many activities. She loved to travel, cruise, gamble, play cards and Sorry, watch movies (especially those starring Patrick Swayze), shop and do Sudoku. She was a huge MSU Fan – GO GREEN! Beth possessed a talent for cross-stich and crochet. Her many beautiful works adorn her apartment, and the households of her closest friends and family. She was loved by her faith family at St. Mary’s in Charlotte, and participated as a Eucharistic Minister at Mass. Beth attended MDA summer camp for many years and reveled in the freedom, fun and dancing they always included. She also enjoyed time spent “on the farm,” and the Amish neighbors and peaceful lifestyle she enjoyed there.
Although verbal communication was difficult for Beth, she was capable of a full range of emotions through her eyes and facial expressions. She was a very “in-control” person, and those around her were immediately drawn into her. She loved to laugh and was never angry or sad about her condition. Beth was the ruler of her own world, and those who had the privilege of sharing it with her will always remember their bond with her and her outlook on life.
Beth is survived by her mother, Aggie Lewis; father, Wayne Neveau and stepmother, Marsha Neveau; sisters, Lorin (Ian) Stewart, JJ (Floyd) Brandt, Cara (Paul) David; brothers, Nick (Katie) Neveau and Tony Neveau; nieces and nephews, Madalyn and Kate Stewart, Bo, Koda and Culter Brandt, Peyton and Coleson David, and Jace and Stella Neveau. She was predeceased by her loving stepfather, John L. Lewis and her grandparents, Roy and Josepha Goerge, Joseph and Sarah Neveau, and Leslie and Eva Lewis. The family wishes to make a special thank-you to Beth’s nurses, Jackie, Laurie, Denise, Lisa, Laura, and especially Barb who continues to care for Beth in Heaven.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Beth’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation with a Rosary Service was on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at Pray Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass took on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, with visitation one hour prior at the church. 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 Beth’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Alison House, or St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Michele Elizabeth Mary Helen Sara Lea
Michele Elizabeth Mary Helen Sara Lea, 53, born September 26, 1968 in Charlotte, MI, died January 16, 2022 after a long battle with cancer. Michele moved to Tampa in 1992. She was a bartender by trade and creative in building almost anything. She was a die-hard fan of the Bucs, Tampa Bay Rays and The Lightning.
Michele is survived by her parents, Albert Lea of Charlotte and mother Carol Lea-Fix and stepfather John Fix of Zephyrhills, FL, and her siblings Kevin, Kelly and Dana, her children Riley, Rain and Michael, 3 grandchildren – Valencia, Zaedyn and Robert, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.
Michele can now rest in peace after her battle.
Colonel John Ghere
Colonel John Ray Ghere (Ret.) of Onondaga, passed away February 3, 2022, at the age of 87. John was born in Anthony, KS, October 3, 1934, the son of George and Fern (Hill) Ghere. In 1935, when John was 1, his parents moved to Michigan by horse and wagon during the Dust Bowl Era. John was an only child and grew up on his parent’s farm on Barnes Road just outside Eaton Rapids. He was a 1953 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School where he was in the band and played football. He was a graduate of Central Michigan University and ROTC. He was then commissioned an officer into the US Army. John married Barbara Nye on May 2, 1964 in Charlotte, Michigan.
Colonel Ghere had a distinguished military career with over 36 years of service. He attended Fixed Wing Flight School in Class 60-4 learning to fly the single engine L-19, an aircraft he loved the rest of his life. He was an instructor pilot in the L-19 for several years. He then flew the DMZ in Korea in the L-19 in the early 60s. He then received orders to attend Rotary Wing School to learn to fly helicopters including the new UH-1 Huey helicopters. John was then assigned to the 11 Air Assault in Ft Benning, Georgia from 1964 to 1965 where tactics for helicopters were being developed for Vietnam. In 1965 the unit formed as the 1st Cavalry Division for deployment to Vietnam. John was assigned to the 1/9th also known as the “Buffalo Soldiers’’. John was part of the advance party flying to Vietnam by C-130 while much of the unit and helicopters went by ship. In Vietnam John flew a UH-1B gunship which was the forerunner of the UH-1 Cobras. While flying reconnaissance John identified a potential landing area near the Chu Pong Mountain that would later be known as LZ Xray. John flew at LZ-Betty and then later at LZ-Xray in what would be known as the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley in November 1965. This battle is documented in the book and movie “We Were Soldiers Once…and Young”. John’s farm boy upbringing led to him doing some innovative modifications to his UH-1B. John was proud that he never lost a crew member or his aircraft. His closest call was having the heel shot off his boot while flying. John flew the same UH-1B for his entire tour despite being shot down 3 times and then having his helicopter repaired to fly another day. “His” helicopter was lost 3 weeks after he left the country with the entire crew.
John was a decorated pilot earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, 21 Air Medals and Master Army Aviator Wings. He had over 600 hours of combat time and 5,000 of total flying time. After Vietnam and active duty, he joined the Michigan Army National Guard as a pilot and later commanded Company A, 38th Aviation Battalion for 4 years. He was then assigned to the State Headquarters working on military support plans and operations where he also received a Meritorious Service Medal. He then later retired as a Colonel from the US Army Reserve in 1994. John is recognized in the US Army Aviation Flight Line Gallery, the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame, and the CMU ROTC Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Quiet Birdmen (QB) Lansing Hanger.
After active-duty John was a farmer for over 30 years, a passion he loved. After a few years of teaching at Eaton Rapids and Jackson High Schools he focused on farming more and growing his farm. John served a term as Onondaga Township Supervisor as an active member of the community. John was instrumental in starting up Onondaga VFW Post #6986 and served as post commander. John continued to fly privately and would rebuild and restore several L-19 aircraft. He enjoyed hosting his Vietnam co-pilot and crew chief on his farm for deer hunting and meeting at reunions.
John is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters, Jean (Randy) Maiville of Onondaga, Karen Ghere of Lansing; grandchildren, Katherine and Elizabeth Maiville, both of Onondaga, Christina Ghere of Onondaga. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services with military honors will be 11 a.m. Friday February 11, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Interment will follow in Onondaga Cemetery. Visitation took place on Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW National Home for Children, 3573 S. Waverly Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Annette L. Pettit
Annette Louise Pettit, age 72, of Lansing, MI passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at McLaren Hospital. She was born on October 22, 1949, in Eaton Rapids, MI to George L. and Elizabeth M. (Smith) Pettit. She graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1967. Annette had a zest for life and enjoyed shopping, gardening, crafting, golfing, going to sporting events to watch nieces and nephews, and spending time with friends and family. She never met an animal she didn’t love, and had several “best friend” dogs and cats in her life. She worked in retail for many years sharing her fashion sense with her customers. She also worked in the travel industry allowing her to travel extensively to other countries making new friends wherever she went, never being afraid to try new things. She was loved by many and will be missed by all who enjoyed her stories, energy, and enthusiasm.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and longtime companion, Gary Johnson.
Annette is survived by her sister, Mari Lin Pettit; brother, Michael G. (Judith) Pettit; sister, Susan M. (Michael) Arrington; nieces and nephews, Elliott (Carly) Pettit, Taylor (Ryan) Rademaker, Adrienne (Andrew) Beals, Alex Arrington; great nieces and nephews, Tucker Beals, Tatum Beals, Cooper Beals, Vera Pettit, George Pettit, Sutton Rademaker and many other special aunts, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to Fanciful Farms in memory of Annette. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Penny Johnson
Penny Lou Johnson of Eaton Rapids, passed away February 6, 2022, at the age of 71. Penny was born in Gladwin, MI, January 30, 1951, the daughter of Roy and Marian (Lange) Johnson. She graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1969 and was an employee at Eaton Rapids Public Schools for several years. Penny enjoyed working on puzzles, bowling in her younger years, and watching the Detroit Tigers. She loved meeting the girls for lunch every Wednesday, and loved being able to keep up with everyone through social media on her computer. The greatest joy in her life was spending time with her family, especially her grandkids.
Penny is survived by her children, Heather (Eric) Mergener of Eaton Rapids, Alex (Patricia) Carris of Port Orchard, WA; grandchildren, Kaila and Ashley Carr, Ciera, Kenny and Dakotah Carris, Brandon Siple, Daniel and Rachael Mergener; great grandchildren, Aveian, Eli, Alannah, Aubree, Blayke and Theo; siblings, Randi Colestock, Sue (Tom) Wilson. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Robert Johnson, James Johnson, Tom Johnson, and Cheryl Moss.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 14, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Visitation will take place on Sunday from 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Association. To leave online condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.