Obituaries
George W. Riddle
George Willis Riddle, 96, of Charlotte, died peacefully on Sunday, November 7, 2021, surrounded by his family. George was born August 7, 1925, in Charlotte, the son of Grover Cleveland and Mabel Louise (Summers) Riddle. George was drafted into the U.S. Army during his junior year of high school and shipped out in 1943 to serve in the 82nd Airborne in the European theater of WWII. Upon his return from the war in 1946, he went back to Charlotte High School and graduated in 1946. After school, he went to work part-time at the Post Office and Aluminum Extrusion. He later went to Carefree, rising to Plant Manager before his retirement in 1985. He and his wife, Wilma “Billy” Riddle, enjoyed travelling all over the world, marking each destination with a peg on the world map at home. Years later, he and his companion, Wanda, spent winters in Englewood, FL, where George loved sunbathing, a craving he enjoyed all the way into his last days. In his last years, he enjoyed ice cream on Fridays with his granddaughter, and time spent close to family.
George is survived by his daughter, Denise Riddle; son, Geoffrey (Diana) Riddle; daughter-in-law, Darlene Riddle; 4 grandchildren, Kara Riddle, Kaci Riddle, Nicole (Chad) Guilford, and Amanda (Bobby) Decker; 9 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and his long-time companion, Wanda Wells. He was predeceased by his wife, Wilma “Billy” (Amick) Riddle; son, George Willis Riddle, Jr.; and sisters, Eunice Wells and Jean Oberlin.
Friends and family are encouraged to support George’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial Service was held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 12, 2021, at Pray Funeral Home with Laura Cooper officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery, Charlotte. 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 George’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to Mid-Michigan Hospice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Rita M. Godin
Rita Marie Godin, 69, of Charlotte, a woman of devout Faith and enduring love for her family, died on Wednesday, November 10, 2021. Rita was born February 8, 1952, in Granite City, IL, the daughter of William Edward and Norma Gail (Reis) Breidenbach. She earned a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and started her master’s degree at the University of Northern Colorado, where she met the love of her life, Donald Edward Godin. The two married on June 16, 1973, in Colorado, and started their family. Throughout the early years of their family life, they moved to several different states, before settling in Charlotte, MI in 1987. Shortly after, in 1993, Rita started substitute teaching throughout the area. Education and learning remained a life-time passion for Rita. Her interest in the connection between music and brain health led her to attend many conferences on brain-based learning. She was always interested in understanding how the human mind learned, and in seeking how sound and natural healing works to expand brain power, especially in children. She was a devoted and busy mother of 7 and served at both the local and state levels of the Parent Advisory Committee, an organization dedicated to children with special needs. Rita loved to dance. She was a member of the County Cloggers and enjoyed square dancing in her youth, and always pestering Don to get on the dance floor. She was also an avid sewer, creating many special treasures for her family and friends. Rita loved the local Charlotte Library and could often be found there. She contributed much to her St. Mary Parish family, including co-founding the Youth Group, and singing in the choir. Many will remember her calming presence as a Lector at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, and all her service to others in the church and beyond.
Rita is survived by her husband of 48 years, Donald Godin; their 7 children, Michelle (Karl) Hart, Paul (Stacie) Godin, David (Alison) Godin, Stephen Godin, Elisabeth (Andrew) Struve, Phillip Godin, and Jeannette (Robert) Holloway; 13 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Teresa (Don) Hanes and Catherine (Charles) Bachwirtz; brothers, Edward (Sylvia) Breidenbach and James (Carmen) Breidenbach; and her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her infant daughter, Monica.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Rita’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 29, 2021, at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 28, 2021, at Pray Funeral Home. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. 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 Rita’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to the Charlotte Library or Area 8 Special Olympics. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Doris C. Rogers
Doris Catherine Rogers of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Sunday, November 14, 2021, at the age of 101. Doris was born on September 26, 1920, in Warsaw, Indiana the daughter of Thad and Mary (Spurlock) Kipker. She was raised in Alger, Ohio before moving to Michigan at the age of 12. Doris married Cleo Rogers in 1936 and together they raised 4 children on their farm outside of Eaton Rapids. Along with farming full time Doris also enjoyed volunteering her time in the kitchen at the Eaton Rapids Senior Center, the Eagles in Charlotte, and the Springport VFW Post. She loved spending time with her family, some of her happiest times were family trips to the Upper Peninsula and the years when her family was together on the farm. Doris was an avid Detroit Tigers fan, and enjoyed gardening, fishing, and canning.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Cleo; daughter, Carol Woodard; grandchildren, Charles “Chuck” Rogers, Jr., Richard Wyatt, Jr. and sister, Marge VanPatton.
Surviving is her daughter, Cheryl Smith; sons, Charles Rogers, Warren (Jan) Rogers; grandchildren, Mary (Pete Sieben) Wyatt, Annette Clark, David Rogers, Nina Eitniear, Sally Lundell, Kathline McIntyre, Jordan (Stephanie) Rogers, Katie (Steve) Davis, Isaac (Yen Tran) Wyatt, T.C. Eitniear; 22 great grandchildren, 7 great, great grandchildren and 2 great, great, great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids chapel with visitation starting at 12:00 p.m. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center in Eaton Rapids. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
Inez A. Walworth
Inez A. Walworth, May 20, 1919 – November 10,2021, Jackson. Born Inez A. Towns to Claude and Stella (Walker) Towns of Springport, she passed away in Jackson, November 10, 2021, age 102 years.
Inez was a 1938 graduate of Springport High School. She married Lyle Walworth of Eaton Rapids on August 25, 1945.
Inez was a retired sewing teacher from Jackson Junior College, a member of the Wally Byam Airstream Club, the Belles & Beaux Square Dancing Club, and the First United Methodist Church. Known for her outstanding cooking, baking, and sewing, her Jackson County Fair entries earned her many awards through the years. Mr. & Mrs. Walworth spent 31 winters in Florida during their retirement years.
Surviving is her one daughter Judy (Thomas) Naylor of Ann Arbor, one granddaughter Jennifer (Andrew) Ballema of Winnetka, IL two great-grandchildren Charlie and Ellerie Ballema of Winnetka, IL, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Inez was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Lyle, and nine siblings – Durward, Cecil, Charles, Harold, and Milo Towns, Nina Stockfish, Mabel Down, Alice Culver, and Doris Ballard.
According to her wishes Mrs. Walworth has been cremated. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Jackson Friendly Home, 435 W. North Street, Jackson, MI, 49202. Please express your condolences to the family at www.watson-funeral-chapels.com.
David C. Owen
David Charles Owen of Lansing, formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away November 15, 2021, at the age of 73. David was born in Eaton Rapids, MI., January 21, 1948, the son of Harold and Marion (Hine) Owen. He proudly served and was honorably discharged from the US Navy. David was very talented when it came to making quilts, sewing, and making bears. He was also famous for his apple pies, loved to camp and spend time with family and friends.
David is survived by his wife of 45 years, Billie Owen; children, Kandace (Larry) Cuddington of Cadillac, Valerie (Tim) Pancost of Charlotte, Todd Steele of Lansing; grandchildren, Jonathan Wright, Cameron Oberlin, Morgan (Michael) Oberlin, Mackenzie (Dominique) Pancost, Tabitha (Dereck) Pancost, Olivia Pancost, Colton, Cortney, Gabe, Savanna and Brittany; great grandchildren, Brynndal, Braxton, Nevaeh and baby Madeline who is due in December and his fur baby, Max; sister, Sharon Williams of AZ; brother, Tom Owen of Eaton Rapids; sister-in-law’s Carol Owen of OH, Edith Hamilton of TX; brother-in-law, Bob Clough of Eaton Rapids. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill Owen; sister, Shari Clough.
Funeral services will be 12 p.m. Friday November 19, 2021, at Mt. Hope Church, 202 S. Creyts Rd. Lansing, MI 48917. Visitation will take place on Thursday at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids from 6-8 p.m. and at the church Friday one hour prior to the service. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Mt. Hope Mission Support for Pastor Scott and Ruth Thompson or Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd. Kanab, Utah 87441. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.