Obituaries
Joni Kruse
Joni (Adams) Kruse was born August 21, 1955, in Phoenix, Arizona, and passed on February 26, 2022 at Sparrow Health System in Lansing. She graduated from Saguaro High School. Joni raised three sons, Sean Hults, Kenneth Thompson and Kevin Thompson.
In Arizona, Joni drove a school bus, had a daycare business, and later started a career in retail management.
Two plus decades ago, Joni, along with her son Kevin Thompson, decided a life change was needed and moved to the farm country in Michigan, to reunite with Greg Kruse.
Joni spent the next 20 years as a Retail Manager at convenience stores and Dollar Tree. She also worked at Home Depot and Walmart. She said, “To really experience retail, one must work at Walmart for at least a year.” I am guessing those that have worked for Walmart must understand truly what she was saying.
As her husband, I watched Joni grow in the retail business, while learning to run a small farm with horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens and of course two dogs, her personal Old McDonald Farm. She became bonded with the farm, the animals, and Mother Nature. Each year, I watched her grow in the retail business and soon she was able to wisely help run the farm, with many ideas that even I, as an old farmer was impressed and proud of her understanding of farm life.
Joni loved her arts and crafts! She loved to fill her booth at the Route 66 Antique Shop in Nashville with items she would find at yard sales. One of her true favorites were the Amish auctions.
Many people have reached out to me, expressing how much Joni did for them. She not only grew to be very self-confident, but she always was helping her co-workers, friends, neighbors, and business owners to learn and grow with her.
Joni is survived by her husband, Greg Kruse, her son Kevin Thompson, and last and certainly not least, her new granddaughter, Shyanne Lee Marie Thompson, that was such a pleasure to Joni in her last several months.
Joni was preceded in death by her sons, Sean Hults and Kenneth Thompson, along with her parents, DW Adams and Cleo (Green) Adams.
Joni will be missed but her smile will not be forgotten. The family has requested for you to smile when you think of Joni, for that is what makes this world a brighter, better place!
A quote from one of many friends: “I know that in these last 20 years or so, Joni was a happy woman living life to its fullest.” Another quote, “I feel so privileged to have known Joni. She was everything you said and more!”
A celebration of life with wine, beer, pop and assorted snacks will be held from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 10th at The Vermontville Opera House, 237 S. Main Street, Vermontville, MI 49096. This celebration of life will be an opportunity for so many folks that had paths in life that connected or crossed the trail of Joni’s life to visit once again. Everyone is welcome!
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Daniels Funeral Home, Nashville, MI. For more information, please visit www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Kimberly Marie Boucher
Kimberly Marie Boucher, 64 of Charlotte Michigan passed away Sunday, July 3, 2022, at her home after a year-long battle with cancer.
Kim was born on October 21, 1957, in Lansing, Michigan to Dale and Nancy (Rosendall) Peters, and was a lifelong resident of Charlotte. She managed her father’s business office in Olivet for many years prior to his retirement.
Kim married her husband of 40 years, Daniel Edmond Boucher on October 16, 1981. They raised their family in Charlotte, son Quinn Michael (Nikki) Boucher now of Portland Oregon and daughter Elyse Danielle Boucher of Charlotte. She is also survived by her grandson Logan Michael Boucher of Charlotte. Kim is survived by father Dale Peters of Duck Lake, brother Mark Peters of Charlotte, and sister Theresa (Jay) Goering of Newaygo Michigan, and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Kim was preceded in death by her mother Nancy Peters.
In keeping with Kim’s wishes, there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, feel free to make a donation to your favorite charity.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Charles Hugh Cartwright
Charles Hugh Cartwright, age 93, died on Thursday, June 30, 2022, in Eaton Rapids. Chuck was born on November 24, 1928, to Ward and Lurene (Morrow) Cartwright in Piqua, Ohio. He married Betty Ann Hulsmeyer of Anna, Ohio, on May 1, 1949. In 1951, he joined the Air Force as a photographer and served four proud years, including one year in the Korean War, until he was honorably discharged in 1955. He earned several honors, including the Korean Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He then attended Elkhart University and became a medical lab technician. Chuck and Betty moved to Eaton Rapids in 1957 when Chuck began work at Eaton Rapids Community Hospital (now Eaton Rapids Medical Center). He became an administrator at the hospital a few years later, and in 1966, he became the first administrator of the Eaton County Medical Care Facility (now Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services). He worked there until he retired in 1990.
In his younger days, Chuck enjoyed riding his tandem bicycle with Betty around town, swimming in the family pool on summer evenings after work, taking car trips to visit relatives in Ohio, and doing chores outside around his home. In his golden years, he played golf at Bonnie View Golf Course as often as he could, spent winters in Alabama and Florida, and visited family around the country. Eaton Rapids held a special place in his life, where he served on the Zoning Board of Appeals, attended parades and holiday celebrations, and was always ready to help his neighbors. He was a staunch supporter of Eaton Rapids athletics, even after his children grew up and finished school. He enjoyed playing many spirited games of Euchre and Hasenpfeffer with friends; he and Frank Bonta faced off against their wives, Betty and Pat, each week for many years. Saturday nights always meant watching Lawrence Welk on TV, and every day was good for watching birds, especially cardinals. The greatest sources of pride in his life were his military service and his family. His collection of Air Force baseball caps was extensive and his favorite conversation starter, and he could recite his service number without a moment’s pause. Having grandchildren softened him in a way that nothing else could, and his granddaughters and grandson never failed to make him laugh and smile.
Chuck is survived by his wife Betty (Hulsmeyer) Cartwright, of Eaton Rapids; his daughter Lori (Eric) Maxey, of Grand Rapids; his son Bruce (Deb) Cartwright, of Littleton, Colorado; his son-in-law Andrew Curtin, of North Yarmouth, Maine; his daughter-in-law Peggy Cartwright, of Mason; his sister Sara Lou and his half-brother Carl (Linda); ten grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Cynthia Cartwright, his son Craig Cartwright, and his siblings Daniel, Martha, and Joseph.
A memorial service for Chuck will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids, 600 S. Main St., with visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., a celebration of life service beginning at 11 a.m., and a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids or the Eaton Rapids Senior Center.
Geraldine “Gerry” Smith
Geraldine “Gerry” (Morrow) Smith, age 92, of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away peacefully on July 3, 2022, at Hospice House of Lansing due to complications from Arterial Stenosis. Gerry was born on November 1, 1929, in Lansing, MI the daughter of Stanley and Edna (Bondurant) Morrow. She raised her family in Eaton Rapids while living on Narrow Lake and working in the loan department for Michigan National Bank. After retirement, Gerry moved to Manistee where she spent 28 wonderful years crafting, caring for her flower gardens, watching and feeding wild birds and enjoying her time with the love of her life, Louie. She also enjoyed her 28 years of wintering in Arizona.
Gerry is preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, Louie Smith; brother, Bob Morrow; four brothers-in-law and her parents.
Surviving are her children, which she referred to as her bright and shining stars, Jimmy (Jan) Smith, Reggie (Pam) Smith, Dusty Sue (Reg) Hamilton; grandchildren, Joshua (Tracey) Smith, Jacob (Rachel) Smith, Chuck (Shannon) Ranney, Randi (Scott) Bassett, Annie (Cheyne) Locke, Jason (Dianne) Hamilton, Tammy (Woody Smith) Hamilton; 25 great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren; sisters, Betty Smith, Thelma Leece, Carol (Stan) Bell, Linda (Ernie) Warner; sister-in-law, Lorraine Morrow and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 8, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family received friends starting at 10:00 a.m. on Friday. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Lansing Stoneleigh Residence or to a charity of your choice. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
Karson Klont
Karson Lynn Klont, 18 of Charlotte, a fun-loving, considerate, and wonderful young man, died unexpectedly June 26, 2022. Karson was born August 19, 2003, to Peter and Lauri (Converse) Klont in Lansing, Michigan, and grew up in Charlotte. A 2021 Charlotte High School graduate, Karson was always ambitious and driven in school, receiving many honors during his high school career, but never liked to be the center of attention. He was very proud of his first car, a 1995 Corvette. Karson was a talented woodworker, making mostly furniture. Any time outdoors was a good time for Karson; he enjoyed fishing whenever the opportunity arose, riding his motorcycle, as well as working outdoors for R & D Landscaping. Creativity and vision were also strengths of Karson’s; he was always eager to help and with his natural mechanical abilities was able to figure out how to fix almost anything, including motorcycle restoration.
Karson will be deeply missed by his friends and family. He is survived by his parents, Peter and Lauri (Converse) Klont; sister, Kelsey Klont; grandparents Ron and Harriet (Shaw) Converse; aunts and uncles, Bob and Michaelle Converse, Doug Converse, Jeff and Deb Klont, Sondra Klont, and numerous cousins. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Peter and Judith Klont; and uncle, Terry Klont.
Friends are encouraged to support Karson’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Thursday, July 7 from 1 to 3:00 p.m. in the Pray Funeral Home Gardens in Charlotte. Funeral services are on Thursday, July 7, 3:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home Gardens with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. The family invites guests to stay after his Celebration of Life for a luncheon. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Charlotte Relay For Life or plant a tree in his honor. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.