Obituaries
Helen Marie Brzycki
With sadness and love, the family of Helen Marie Brzycki, 89, of Olivet, Michigan, announces her passing on Monday, June 13, 2022. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family. Helen was born on June 15, 1932, to Joseph and Mary (Solar) Maresh in Marshall, Michigan. On June 25, 1949, she married Zygmunt Brzycki at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshall, Michigan. Helen was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Bellevue, Michigan and the PNA Club in Battle Creek, Michigan. She loved to polka dance, travel, bake, garden, birdwatch, overfeed her cat, and play board games and card games. Helen will be missed for her distinctive cooking, especially of traditional Polish and Slovak dishes. When her grandchildren were growing up, she enjoyed spending time teaching them about their heritage through cooking and attending Polish dances. She was a loving cheerful person who was happiest spending time with her family. Helen is survived by her children: Michael Brzycki of Nashville, Richard (Linda) Brzycki of Charlotte, Susan (Alan) Patterson of Bellevue, Patricia (Brian) Bridson of Laingsburg, and Diane Schmidt of Okemos; her grandchildren: Kristen (Tim) of Nashville, Jeremy of Vermontville, Jeffrey of Hastings, Angela (Joe) of Charlotte, Adam of Olivet, Joseph of Vermontville, Jacob of Bellevue, Emily of Kentwood, Leah (Ben) of Haslett, Marlena of Lyons, and Sheila (Matthew) of Fowlerville; her great-grandchildren: Jessica, Donald, Alex, Kaitlyn, Cameron, Caleb, Katie, Fiona, Charlie, Stevie, Andie, Cheylynn, and Lilyann; and her great-great-grandchildren: Jalyn and Robbie. She was preceded in death by her husband Zygmunt, her parents Joseph and Mary Maresh, and her siblings: Margaret Eipper, Josephine Perry, Frank Maresh, Julia Gavenda, Mary Ann Maresh, and Tony Maresh. Friends are invited to say a final goodbye on Monday, June 20, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church in Bellevue, Michigan with the Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. Fr. Dwight Ezop will officiate. Burial will take place in the West Carmel Cemetery, Carmel Township, Michigan. Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 205 N. Elizabeth St. Bellevue, Michigan 49021. Please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.
Sheila Brown
Sheila K. Brown, age 79, of Olivet, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 10, 2022, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born September 1, 1942, in Mason, Michigan the daughter of Earl and Hope (Knoxson) Hoag. Sheila graduated from Olivet High School in 1961. On May 18, 1978, she married Harold Dean Brown at the First Congregational Church in Charlotte. Sheila was a marvelous seamstress and loved to sew. She created many lovely dresses for her granddaughters and quilts for each and every one of the grandchildren. She also enjoyed spending time in her flower gardens. Sheila loved all flowers but daisies were her absolute favorite. Sheila treasured the trips she and Dean made out west. They loved the western United States and enjoyed hunting for American Indian Pictographs. She was also an avid collector of turquois jewelry.
Sheila is survived by her husband of 44 years, Dean; children, Teri (James) Trudeau of Olivet, Shirley (Peter) DeMaras of Marathon, Florida, Dawn (Joe) Copeland of Charlotte, Gary (Jeff) Brown of St. Clair Shores, Amy (Scott) Ramage of Olivet; nine grandhchildren; 14 great grandchildren; siblings: Earl (Kathy) Hoag of Olivet, Dale (Sue) Hoag of North Carolina, and Lynn Barrows of Florida.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and special Aunt and Uncle, Ron and Rooney Pierce.
In keeping with Sheila’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held.
Those desiring may make contributions in Sheila’s memory to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research.
To view Sheila’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Michael Morris
Michael Robert Morris, 68, of Battle Creek, passed away on June 8, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on December 11, 1953, to Robert Morris and Georgetta Waldren Morris Samann, in Lansing, MI. He was a graduate of Charlotte High school, class of 1972. Michael worked for Spartan Motors for 28 years. On March 12, 1976, he married Annette (Rugg) Morris. Michael and Annette lived in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Michael loved hunting, fishing, and spending time on his pontoon boat. He devoted a lot of his time to his grandchildren. They were his world. He was jokester and was a jack of all trades. He was a well-known man and will be greatly missed by all that he encountered.
Michael is survived by his loving partner of 48 years, Annette Morris; daughter, Rebecca (Bobby) Thompson of Charlotte, MI; daughter-in-law, Brandy Morris; sister, Brenda Morris; brother, Andy Samann; grandchildren, Noah, Kaylie, Brenden, Kye, Christopher, Melinda, Mattie, Anthony, Seth, and many adopted children; great-grandchildren Aurora, Maiah, Maximus, Mathias; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two sets of parents, and his son, Robert Lee Morris.
Funeral services were held on Monday, June 13, 2022, at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Marshall, Michigan, with Chuck Jenson, officiating.
Memorials are suggested to the family. Online condolences can be given at www.kempffuneralhome.com
IvaJean Wilmore
IvaJean Wilmore, age 95, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, into the loving arms of her Savior. She was born October 7, 1926, in Olivet, the daughter of Parley and R. May (Powers) Maurer. On May 1, 1946, she married Loren Jay Wilmore. Loren and IvaJean worked together on their Lor-Jean Farm where they were well known for their registered Holsteins. After the dispersal of their herd, they continued crop farming. IvaJean was an accomplished seamstress, cook, and had many activities that she participated in. She was a member of the Gresham United Methodist Church and spent many years serving on the Pastor-Parish Committee. IvaJean spent countless hours as an active participant at MSU Extension, MMPA, and DHIA just to name a few.
IvaJean is survived by her daughters, Charlene (Tim) Finegan of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, Lorraine (Dave) Green of Charlotte; grandchildren, Heather Finegan Cosimano, Eric (Jessica) Green, Jennifer Green Fox, Ryan Finegan; great-grandchildren, Abigail (Connor) Green Sturr, Tyler Fox, Nicholas Cosimano, Leo Cosimano, Sophia Green, Sabina Green; brother-in-law, Fred Holcomb; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Loren; brothers, Harold and Howard Maurer.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 20, 2022, at 11 A.M. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Kathy Smith officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. and 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Monday. Burial will take place at the Gresham Cemetery.
Those desiring, may make contributions in IvaJean’s memory to the Gresham United Methodist Church or The Lighthouse Guild (who assists people with macular degeneration and the visually impaired) 250 W. 64th St., New York, NY 10023.
To view IvaJean’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
Donna Royston
Donna Jean Royston, age 73, of Olivet, Michigan passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Donna was born to Donald and Ila (Lightner) Royston on October 2, 1948, in Charlotte, Michigan. She spent her growing-up years in Charlotte and graduated with the class of ’67 from Charlotte High School.
Donna found employment in public service. She worked many jobs over the years serving the public from McDonald’s to K-Mart and numerous other places. Donna was known for her baking! She loved making baked goods from scratch and would give her baked goods away to friends and family for them to enjoy. And enjoy them they did! Donna spent almost 30 years living in Bradenton, Florida. In her spare time, you could find her either at the Red Barn Flea Market or at the beach. Donna loved the ocean and spent much time at the beach searching for seashells, watching the sunset, or else just hanging out enjoying the sun and the sand. Most of all, Donna loved her family. Each one was special to her. Our mother, grandma, sister, and aunt will be deeply missed.
Donna is survived by her children; daughter, Wendy (Kevin) Converse of Athens, MI, and her son, Todd Thompson of Albion, MI; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Converse, Aaron Converse, and Willow Thompson; brothers, Lyle (Rose) Royston, Ricky (Robin) Royston; nieces and nephews, Pam Stone, Andrew Royston, Sam Royston, Alecia Royston, and Erica Martin.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Ila Royston; and her nieces, Shannon Royston and Sally Bowles.
Those desiring may make contributions in Donna’s memory either to The Capital Area Humane Society online at www.cahs-lansing.org or to her family to help with final expenses.
Following Donna’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial luncheon will be held at a later date.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.