Obituaries
Laura C. Berry
A memorial service for Laura C. Berry will be held at the Country Chapel Methodist Church in Dowling, Michigan on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Following the memorial service, there will be procession to the Dowling Cemetery for a brief graveside service. A luncheon will be provided at the Church after the graveside service.
Contributions can be made in Laura’s memory to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 267 South Cochran, Charlotte, 48813.
Marilyn Monroe-Hart
Marilyn Monroe-Hart, 81, of Charlotte, a woman of keen intellect, creativity and spirit, died unexpectedly at her home on Sunday, January 23, 2022. Marilyn was born June 8, 1940, in Lansing, the daughter of James Henry and Florence Irene (Kirkwood) Mahan.
Marilyn is survived by family and many close and loving friends.
Marilyn’s memorial service will take place on April 16, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte. An interment service will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to GFWC Chorus, GFWC Helping Hands, and the Charlotte Community Library. Friends and family are also encouraged to share memories of Marilyn on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com.
Vivian Ulrich
Vivian June Ulrich, a Bible toting, pie making woman who shared her faith with everyone, passed away on April 3, 2022. Vivian was born on July 3, 1935, to Robert Lee and Constance Elaine (Hoar) Backus in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Vivian was a trusted friend and was treasured for being a brutally honest, yet a fair and loyal friend who always listened.
Vivian is remembered for an unending list of skills and abilities. She knit afghans while watching true crime shows on TV. Vivian drove for Okemos School until 1972, earning a ‘Bus Rodeo Trophy.’ Later she and her husband ran a farm where Vivian maintained equipment, and tended chickens and goats. Later she had a short stint at General Motors followed by a position as a housekeeper, cleaning up to three homes a day. There was little Vivian didn’t tackle and succeed at in her life. Food was a specialized talent for which her family and friends were glad to share in. It was not at all uncommon to find multiple delicious pies being baked in her kitchen… apple and pecan pies were family favorites. Her priorities in life were faith, family and food.
As an avid reader she read her entire Bible every year. Learning of the love of Jesus, Vivian was saved at the age of 50 and became a Chaplain in Eaton County Jail’s Forgotten Man Ministry. Vivian was especially proud of the family legacy of her grandfather, Daniel Backus, being the lighthouse keeper on South Manitou Island, Michigan and her grandmother, Almeda Backus, taught school on the island.
Vivian is survived by her daughter, Paula (Daryl) Steele; son, Robert (Dorian) Reed; nine grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; sisters, Viola Cook, Victoria Pereida and Valerie Howell. She was predeceased by her parents; daughter, Reina Mazzoni; son, Randy Reed; sisters, Vida Hale, Velda Pacquet; and grandson, Troy Mazzoni.
Visitation and memorial services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Sebewa, 13010 S. Goddard Road, Lake Odessa on Friday, April 8, 10-11 a.m. for visitation and 11:00 a.m. memorial service with Pastor Greg Mattson officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton County Health and Rehab Services (ECHRS). Family and friends are encouraged to share remembrances and condolences online in Vivian’s tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI.
Richard Hall
Richard Lyne Hall, a devoted and loving, husband, father, and grandfather, died on Thursday, March 31, 2022. Richard, 78, of Charlotte, was born October 5, 1943, in Harvey, Illinois, the son of John and Mary Whalen. He tragically lost his father during WWII and at the age of 9 he lost his mother. Richard was later adopted by George and Lucille Hall. He spent a majority of his youth moving to different military bases around the world. Following graduating from high school Richard obtained an associate degree and became a Funeral Director. While in California Richard met Jean Kilgore and in 1968 the couple got married. They would later move to Michigan to start their family. Richard decided that he wanted a career with a more flexible work schedule and decided to become a Nurse. He became a Neonatal ICU Nurse and took great pride in knowing that he could make a difference in families’ lives. Richard retired from nursing in 2005. Family was the biggest joy in Richard’s life, he could be found on the sidelines coaching his sons’ baseball and football teams. Later in life you could find Richard in the bleachers cheering on his grandchildren. He was their biggest fan and never missed a game. Richard also enjoyed camping trips around the state with Jean and loved trips where the grandkids were able to join them.
Richard is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jean; sons, Richard (Annette) Hall Jr., Tim (Danielle) Hall; grandchildren, Morgan, Ethan, Emma, and Landon. He was predeceased by his biological parents; adopted mother; and brother, Terry McElroy.
Friends are encouraged to support Richard’s family by sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Howard McCune
Howard Evart McCune, a simple man who was loved by many people, died Saturday, April 2, 2022. Howard 98, of Charlotte, was born July 18, 1923, in Dewitt, MI, the son of Clarence and Mina (Bovee) McCune. He worked in Construction and then later as an Electrician before his retirement in 1982. Howard was a man who liked working with his hands, he loved doing carpentry work, and building; he built his home with the help of his sons. Howard over his lifetime experienced the heartbreak of burying two wives, his first wife, Anne, second wife, Dorothy; he was currently married to Loraine. Howard and Loraine had a passion for square dancing at the Maple Leaf Grange Hall. He also enjoyed traveling with his second wife Dorothy, the couple traveled around the country. Above all his proudest accomplishment over his lifetime was his family.
Howard is survived by his wife, Loraine; children, Kenneth (Patricia) McCune, Gail (Terry) Weber; stepchildren, Loren (Mary) Lehman, Walt (Michelle) Lehman; nine grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Anne McCune; second wife, Dorothy McCune; son, Gary McCune; daughter-in-law, Ann McCune; grandson, Kenneth McCune Jr.; and his 10 siblings.
Friends are encouraged to support Howard’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Sunday, April 10, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service to follow, beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.