Obituaries
Joy Peake
Mrs. Joy (Harrington) Peake, age 85, of Nashville, MI, passed away Wednesday, November 3rd, at Metro Health Hospital, in Wyoming, MI.
Joy was born in Battle Creek, MI on October 27, 1936, the daughter of the late Lura (Flint) and Joseph Harrington. Joy was raised in the Banfield area where she attended local schools, before transferring to Delton Kellogg in the 4th grade. She completed her education graduating from Delton Kellogg High School as the Valedictorian of the class of 1954.
It was during those early school years, that Joy met the love of her life; Ralph Peake. The couple became high school sweethearts and were married on May 30, 1955, at the Cedar Creek Bible Church. The wedding however, had to be postponed because the Pastor had been double booked for the original date! This never phased Joy, she simply made new invitations and resent them to each guest with the new date. Joy & Ralph have celebrated over 67 wonderful years together.
Shortly after the couple was married, Joy began working as a Case Worker at the Social Security Administration in Battle Creek, MI. She served faithfully for over 30 years before retiring in 1990.
After retiring, Ralph & Joy enjoyed traveling to several destinations in the United States. Their winters were spent enjoying the warmth and sunshine of Dade City, Florida. Joy was a talented seamstress and enjoyed making beautiful quilts which she gave to each of her grandchildren. Her friends were a special source of joy for her, and she thoroughly enjoyed handwriting letters to them detailing and sharing the special events that were happening in her life.
Joy is survived by her beloved Husband Ralph, daughter, Jill, (David) Eddy, two sons Mark Peake, Larry, (Christine) Peake, 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister Eugenia Parker.
The family received visitors two hours prior to the funeral service from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Monday, November 8th at The Vermontville Bible Church in Vermontville, MI.
Funeral service began at 12 Noon with Pastor Joe Benedict officiating. There will be time of fellowship and luncheon immediately following the funeral service in the fellowship hall at The Vermontville Bible Church. Graveside service and interment will take place privately at the Banfield Cemetery in Banfield, MI. Memorial contributions can be made to the Vermontville Bible Church or Putnam Library in Nashville, MI. Funeral services have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. For complete details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net
Kimberly Thompson
Kimberly Thompson of Charlotte passes away on November 14, 2021, at age 50. She worked as a clerical worker. Funeral at Northpointe Community Church in Dewitt Mich. on Monday, November 22, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
Julie A. Parish
Julie Ann Parish, 49 of Vermontville, died one day before her 50th birthday on November 8, 2021, due to an unfortunate accident. Born in Lansing, MI on November 9, 1971, to Jerry and Joyce (Wells) Bristol, she grew up and graduated from Olivet High School.
Julie had a way of winning people over very quickly, with her beautiful Christian attitude, she believed in the power of prayer and saving souls by bringing others to the Lord. Julie was very faithful to the church. She spent her time and money on what was most important to her: helping people and bringing them together and spreading joy to others. A big hug was in store for everyone Julie knew, even people she just met. A bit stubborn once she made up her mind, Julie used this to her advantage to get things done.
Family was everything to Julie. She was very proud of her grandkids and truly enjoyed time spent with them and the adventures they had, doing anything and everything for them. Her family was so excited to share that she arranged for an enormous 200-foot slip and slide on their last 4th of July together, just one example of her fun side and making things extra-special for her family. For the last 13 years Julie worked for Shyft. She had an exemplary work ethic, was proud of a job well done and a very valued member of their team.
Julie is survived by her grandmother, Marianna Wells; husband, John Dale Parish; parents, Jerry and Joyce Bristol; children, Tosha Parish, Sarah Berryhill, Nicole Parish and John Henry Parish; grandchildren, Lamont, Sydnee, Samyah, Louise and Henry; sister, Jenny Stewart (Kenneth Stewart Jr); niece, Keighly Alley (Danny Alley); nephews, Jimmie Stewart (Shaylee Stewart) and Jacob Stewart (Taylor Stewart); great-nephew, Stetson; father-in-law, Jack Quantrell; and best friends, Becky Bruce, Stasi Glasscock, Vee Grimwood, Sherree Carpenter and Kris Locke. She was predeceased by her grandfather, Kenneth Wells; and mother-in-law, Judy Quantrell.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Julie’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Friday, November 19, 2-4:00 PM and 6-8:00 PM at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Memorial Services will be Saturday, November 20, 12:00 noon at the Charlotte Assembly of God with Pastor Randy Royston officiating. 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 Julie’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to New Hope Community, where Julie was very involved as an active member and a trustee. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
James M. Lerch
James Marion Lerch, an avid bowler and patriotic man, died November 15, 2021, at the age of 64. He was born August 22, 1957, in Charlotte to James and Jean (Denherder) Lerch. Traveling the country on his Harley, James enjoyed lots of road trips but his favorite place to visit was always Las Vegas. Many people will remember James from bowling, as he bowled on leagues for over 20 years, and from Reidy’s Pizza where he was a bartender. Some of James favorite things including watching the Detroit Tigers play baseball, listening to country music, and enjoying a cocktail with friends. He also worked as an estimator for lumber yards including Wolohan Lumber and Barry County Lumber, giving builder’s estimates for the supplies they needed to complete their projects.
James is survived by siblings, Patricia (Milt) Freeman, Beverly Daniels (Robert Swan), Michael (Valerie) Lerch; and many nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; and his loving feline friend of 22 years, Annie the cat.
Friends and family are encouraged to support James family by attending services or sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Sunday, November 21, 4-6:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services are Monday, November 22, 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. 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 James’ tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to any veteran service organization. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Mary O. Bergman
Mary Olive Bergman, age 93 from Charlotte formly of Lansing passed away on November 16, 2021. Mary was employed by the Lansing School District. Arrangements are being made by Pray Funeral Home, Inc.