Obituaries
Devon M. Wiley
Devon “Doc” Melvin Wiley, age 91, of Charlotte, Michigan passed away on November 25, 2021 at Eaton Community Palliative Care. He was born to Doctor Arthur and Lola (Owens) Wiley on August 10, 1930, in Brookfield, Missouri. Doc graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of ’48. He married Rachel Tharp on October 9, 1960, at the Lawrence Avenue Methodist Church in Charlotte. They recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary! Doc proudly served his country in the United States Army. He worked for 34 years servicing vending machines across the state. Doc loved to bowl and play golf in his leisure time and joined both a golfing and bowling league. He also was an avid HAM radio operator.
Doc is survived by his wife Rachel; and special friends, Scott and Peggy, and Deven and Nicole.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service was held at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home on Thursday, December 2, 2021 with Pastor John Bailey officiating. Those desiring may make contributions in Doc’s memory to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran Ave., Charlotte, MI 48813.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Julia E. Larson
Julia Elizabeth Larson passed away unexpectedly at her home in Olivet, Michigan on November 26, 2021. Julie was born July 10, 1960 in Davenport, Iowa to Lee and Lucretia (Fagan) Schneider. She graduated from Pleasant Valley, Iowa High School Class of 1978, attended Michigan Tech University and graduated with distinction from Colorado State University Pueblo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Metallurgical Engineering in 1983. She was fourth in her class. Julie moved to Marshall, Michigan working for Eaton Co. in the Engine Component Division and also met the love of her life, Ralph Larson and they were united in marriage on August 31, 1991. In 1999, Julie became the owner and operator of Ledges Printing and simultaneously developed her own design company called ENT Graphic Design. She ultimately focused exclusively on the design work and sold Ledges Printing. With her many years of experience in printing and design work Julie was a member of the Michigan Letterpress Guild. Julie enjoyed serving others and she did that in both Grand Ledge through the Chamber of Commerce and her faith community. She especially enjoyed promoting Victorian Days in Grand Ledge and was also a longtime faithful member of the Olivet Congregational Church where she was essential in developing the live stream capability which was especially important during the pandemic. Julie also served as a sound technician and was the Director of the Mission Board.
She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Ralph; her parents; brother, William Lee (Ann) Schneider; nieces, Kelly Schneider and Megan (Roger) Crew; great niece, Indie Crew along with uncles, Bill Schneider and Jim Schneider.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the Olivet Congregational Church, 125 College Street, Olivet, MI 49076 with The Reverend Garry Fisher officiating. Visitation will be Saturday at the church from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Julie’s name may be given to the Olivet Congregational Church. Arrangements by the Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home, Grand Ledge. Share your memories and condolences online at www.holihanatkin.com
Joseph Skidmore
Joseph “Keith” Skidmore, age 88, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, November 27, 2021. Keith was born May 28, 1933, in Clarion, Pennsylvania the son of Joseph and Cora Mae (Cyphert) Skidmore. He graduated from Clarion Limestone Consolidated School in 1951. Keith faithfully served his country in the United States Army. On February 15, 1955, Keith married Rita Mae Kossman at St. Nicholas Church in Crates, Pennsylvania.
Keith was an exceptionally hard worker his entire life. He retired after over 30 years of service from Owens Illinois in Charlotte. After his retirement he worked for 10 years as a delivery driver for Spartan Motors. He also loved doing snow removal for all his neighbors and friends. Keith was a talented woodworker and would often build frames for Rita’s beautiful paintings. Keith adored his family but was especially fond of all the little grandchildren. He was a devoted member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte.
Keith is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rita; children: Barbara Surma of Charlotte, Timothy (Dianna) Skidmore of Olivet, David Skidmore of Charlotte, Faith (John) Puffpaff of Waterford; 11 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; 3 great great-grandchildren; brother, Steve Skidmore of South Carolina; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Ronald, Charles, and Jerry; and granddaughter, Annika Puffpaff.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 6, 2021, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop celebrating. 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 Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home; and one hour prior to the Mass at church on Monday. The rosary will be prayed on Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Keith’s memory to St. Vincent de Paul or Eaton Community Palliative Care.
To view Keith’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Robert J. Clarke
Robert James Clarke of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Monday, November 29, 2021, at the age of 76. Bob was born on May 13, 1945, in Jackson, MI the son of James and Dorothy (Towns) Clarke. He was raised in Eaton Rapids where he graduated in 1963. He went on to attend Michigan State University where he studied engineering and agriculture. Bob eventually returned to Eaton Rapids where he worked with his father on the same family farm he runs today with his sons. He was very active in the community, serving as an Eaton County Commissioner and a founding member of Island City Academy and board member. One of Bob’s passions in life was music; he was a member of Steiner Chorale since the 1990s where he sang tenor, and the Third Person, a bluegrass gospel group that sang at numerous church functions. Bob also enjoyed woodworking and building guitars. He was a member of Ss. Cornelius and Cyprian Catholic Church and attended the First Congregational Church in Eaton Rapids. Bob was well known in his community and could make friends or strike up a conversation in any social setting.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Denise Clarke; siblings, Carl Clarke, and Carol Janousek; and daughter-in-law, Lillian Clarke.
Bob is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Clarke; children, Theresa (Christian Kelleher) Clarke, John Clarke, Geoffrey (Amy) Clarke, Leigh (Max) Sprauer, Joseph (Ruth E.) Clarke, Alex (Erin) Clarke; step-children, Thomas (Michelle) Hector, Andrew (Sarah) Hector, Rebecca (James) Kruth; grandchildren, Antranig Clarke, Elliott Clarke, Lauren Sprauer, Rachel Sprauer, Theodore Sprauer, Frederick Pringle, Lon Pringle, Blythe Clarke, Darius Clarke, Ashlea Hector, Brendon Hector, Katherine Hector, Joshua Hector, Jacob Hector, Violet Hector; father-in-law, Harold Simmons; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Janousek and Jim Lukey; sisters-in-law, Becky Clarke and Janis (Doug) Brining; and numerous extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday evening from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary service at 7:30 p.m. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of Bob. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
Garna J. Burgess
Garna Jean Burgess of Eaton Rapids, Michigan passed away on Friday, November 26, 2021 at the age of 91. Garna was born on October 11, 1930 in Eaton Rapids, the daughter of Alfred and Iva (Holbrook) Cusson. She was raised in Eaton Rapids where she graduated with the class of 1949. Garna was active at the Wesleyan Church in Eaton Rapids and worked part time as a florist and baking cakes for numerous birthdays and weddings. She loved art and enjoyed painting, drawing, and working with chalk. Garna spent several winters in Lakeland, Florida with her sister, Shirley.
She is preceded in death by her husband, David Burgess; sisters, Shirley Rogers and Coleen Cussin; and her parents.
Surviving are her children, Cindy (Mike) Harkenss, Mindy (Calvin) Dunn, Mark (Val) Burgess, Randy (Cheryl) Burgess, Nathan (Jacqui) Burgess; 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and numerous extended family.
A celebration of Garna’s life will be held in the summer of 2022. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Sparrow Foundation Hospice Services in memory of Garna. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.