Obituaries
William J. Pettit
William “Will” John Pettit, 51, of Bellevue, passed away on February 28, 2022, at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI.
He was born on October 18, 1970, to Darwin and Susan (Aves) Pettit in Tuscan, AZ. He was a graduate of Bellevue High School, Class of 1990. Will worked as a Truck Driver for R + L Carriers for the past 14 years. He married Andrea (Mann) on Oct. 29, 2015.
Will enjoyed everything outdoors. Among his favorites are gardening, hunting, fishing, campfires, and cookouts. He was also a faithful fan of MSU Football and the Detroit Redwings. Giving to anyone ahead of his own needs, Will was a generous friend to all and had the best sense of “dry” humor ever. He was very devoted husband and father, but a really great dad.
Will is survived by his loving wife, Andrea; son, Elijah Pettit; stepson, Ethan Almaraz; stepdaughter, Savannah (Alex Goras) Almaraz; step grandson, Greyson Goras; mother, Susan (Pat Outman) Pettit; sister, Renee (Jerry Slocum) Knight; grandfather, LaVerne Aves; and nephew, Jared Knight. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Crystal (Shiloh), Amara (Benji), and Lindsey; brother-in-law, Mike (Kat); mother-in-law, Sherry Dailey; aunts; uncles; cousins; nieces and nephews; as well as lifelong friend, George “Pug.”
He was preceded in death by his father, Darwin L Pettit, and grandmother, Mary Ellen Aves; grandparents, Blaine and Leona (Peake) Pettit; father-in-law, Shane Mann; several aunts and uncles.
Services have been entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, Marshall Chapel, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068. Pastor Don Francis officiating, assisted by Joe Farkas. A committal service followed in Riverside Cemetery, 201 West Street, Bellevue, MI 49021.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the family; funeral home staff will be available to assist. Please visit https://kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, or leave messages for the family.
Ruth Bus
Ruth Bus of Kalamazoo passed away February 28, 2022 surrounded by her family. Ruth was born in Hastings, MI on July 8, 1954 the daughter of Ernest and Dolores (Hollister) Herman. She was employed by State Farm Insurance as a Claims Processor. Ruth was a published poet. She enjoyed crocheting, crafting, Faith, sewing, painting, cooking and baking. Ruth was known for her potato salad, apple pie, and fudge. Ruth loved southern gospel music, hiking in her favorite season (fall), salmon fishing after being taught how by Tim, and going camping for a week at a time in Northern Lower Michigan. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Christopher Good. Ruth is survived by her husband Timothy, whom she married August 31, 2010 in Swedeberg, NE. Also surviving are her children and grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Angel and Kyle Christopher of Vermontville, MI.; Dean Beardslee of VA.; Nicole and Zac Soderberg of Olivet, MI.; Deah and Robert Ayles III of Eaton Rapids; Laura and Keith Edwards of Charlotte; step children: Diane Haddad of Eaton Rapids, Robert and Melissa Good of Eaton Rapids, and Christopher Bus of Kalamazoo; 31 grandchildren, siblings: Karen and Bart Dempsy and Stephan Herman, all of Vermontville, MI.; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Memorial services will be held in April – please contact family members for information. Memorials may be made to Centrica Care Navigators. Arrangements by Redmond Funeral Home, Kalamazoo. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net
Norman L. Stadel
Norman Lee Stadel, 76, a man of the outdoors and life-long “big kid,” died peacefully at home on Thursday, March 10, 2022. Norman was born March 21, 1945 in Charlotte, the son of Norman DeVere and Thelma Irene (Barlond) Stadel. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1963 and soon after married the love of his life, Mary French on June 18, 1966. The two happily raised their family on the Stadel family farm, the same house where Norman lived his entire life. Norman worked 16 years at Airway in Olivet before 25 years at Bosch Fuel Systems in Kentwood, where he retired in 2005. At home on the farm, Norman loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing and farming. He could often be found tinkering and fixing just about anything. Even in his last days he was adamant about cleaning the chimney out on his own. He was an independent man and stubborn, but he held a soft place in his heart for animals and, above all, his family.
Norman is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Stadel; their children, Donna Robinson, Norman (Vanessa Jeffers) Stadel, Jr., Debra (Daniel) Glasscock, and Michael (Spring) Stadel; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother-in-law, Floyd Walker; and his extended French family, Charlotte Donaldson, Georgia Farr, Ruth French, Wilma Ketchum, Chuck French, Sr., Marty French, Sr., Rick French, and Bill French, Jr.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Ruth Walker and Linda Clarke; brother-in-law, Dean Clarke; and his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Norman’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2022 at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Lester DeGroot officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., just prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will take place in Kalamo Hillside Cemetery. If desired, please plant a tree in memory of Norman. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Ryan Savage
Ryan R. Savage passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at the age of 31. Ryan was born August 21, 1990 in Lansing, Michigan to Ron and Kitti Savage.
Ryan grew up in Eaton Rapids where he attended Eaton Rapids Public Schools graduating with the Class of 2008. He attended LCC’s High Performance Engine Program. Ryan’s love for football started with his dad coaching him in the Eaton Rapids Youth Football League from Flag through the 8th grade. He continued playing until he graduated. His love of cars began before he could even walk, always having a “Hot Wheel” in his hand. Car shows became a regular hobby for he and his dad, along with his siblings, for decades. Anyone who knew Ryan, knew his love and passion for anything that had to do with cars. He continued the tradition of his dad, by coaching his son Gavin in the Leslie Youth Football Program. He and his fiancée, Sam, had just purchased their new home and were so excited to be planning a wedding, and couldn’t wait for the arrival of their son. Ryan was employed at EATON Aerospace in Jackson, MI, where his work family meant a great deal to him.
Ryan is survived by his son, Gavin; his parents; sister Elisha; brother Joshua; fiancée Samantha Bregg, her daughter, Karissa, and son, Ryan William, expected to arrive in June; Grandma Leona McLaughlin; many aunts, uncles and cousins, along with many, many friends and car buddies.
Ryan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Rick and Sally Savage, and Jim McLaughlin; and uncle, Rod McLaughlin.
Ryan’s life was honored on Tuesday, March 8 at the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids. A private interment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to a Trust Fund being set up for Ryan’s boys and checks may be made out and mailed directly to: Elisha Savage, 206 North Donegal, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Arrangements by Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids.
Sanford L. Wolf
Sanford (Sandy) Louis Wolf of Springport, passed away March 4, 2022, at the age of 67. Sandy was born in Eaton Rapids, September 22, 1954, the son of Edwin and Marilyn (Keesler) Wolf. He was a 1972 graduate of Springport High School, loved playing pool, and played on several leagues. Sandy retired in 2017 as a machinist after many years to care for his beloved wife, Debra. Classic cars were a passion of his. He owned a beautiful Cutlass convertible and proudly took it to many car shows over the years.
Sandy is survived by his brother, Steven (Diane) Wolf of Eaton Rapids; sister, Sheila Day of Olivet; several nieces and nephews, and his four fur babies. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Debra Wolf; brother, Samuel Wolf.
Funeral services were Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the VFW Adams-Rockey Post 6056 or the Humane Society of Michigan. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.