Obituaries
Elliott M. Risner
Elliott Marcum (Mark) Risner of Eaton Rapids, passed away February 27, 2022, at the age of 79. Mark was born in Gypsy, Kentucky July 3, 1942, the son of Elliott and Gertrude (Whitaker) Risner. He graduated from Eaton Rapids High School, class of 1961, where he excelled at basketball and football. Mark married Janice J. Covey in 1964 and were married for 49 years. In 1967, he began working alongside his father for Risner Excavating. Mark enjoyed his classic cars, which he took to numerous cars shows around the state, winning several trophies for best of show. He truly enjoyed his grandchildren, gardening, and his work. Mark was an avid MSU fan enjoying both football and basketball. He will be remembered for his generosity to the community and his contagious laugh.
Mark is survived by his son, Mark (Tamara) Risner of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Michael (Shay) Risner of Onondaga, Lacey Risner of Dimondale, Tricia (Wayne) Steel of Eaton Rapids; four great grandchildren; sisters, Jewelene Anderson, Mae Locke. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janice; siblings, Chalmer Risner, Irene Wittman, Elsie Love, Joyce Byron, Esther Risner, Alden Risner and Lorena Jecks.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids with interment following in Rosehill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Craig Cartwright Foundation. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Garold J. Thuma
Thuma, Garold J. Age 74, of Sierra Vista, Arizona, lost his battle with Alzheimer’s disease surrounded by the love of his family on Friday, February 18, 2022.
He was preceded in death by his parents Lynn Victor and Mary Helen and his brother Douglas. He is survived by his wife Debbie; his children Shane Thuma, Jacqueline Thuma, Tony (Emily) Nenortas, and Sheri (Eric) Vinyard; his grandchildren Tessa, Tylie, Andrew, Lexie, Zackary and Ely; his siblings Terry (Sharlene) Thuma, Jay (Patricia) Thuma and Karen Thuma.
Interment will take place at Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1300 Buffalo Soldier Trail, Sierra Vista, Arizona. Precession will start at the parking lot, on March 4th at 1:30PM. Family and friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, it is preferred to donate to ALZ.org.
God saw you getting tired when a cure was not to be.
So, He wrapped his arms around you, and whispered “come to me”
You didn’t deserve what you went through, so he gave you needed rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best.
Sue A. Worden
Sue Ann Worden, 58, of Charlotte, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, died suddenly on Sunday, February 20, 2022. Sue was born August 25, 1963, in West Branch, MI, the daughter of Raymond Frederick and Jeanne Cleta (Thayer) Wyckoff. She grew up in Potterville, where she graduated High School in 1981. Shortly after school, she went to work as a bank teller. Sue met the love of her life on a blind date. Ron Worden, Jr., was just home from service in the Army and living in Lowell. After their first date, they went to a White Snake Concert, and were married a few years later on April 8, 1989. Sue opened her own daycare operation at their home, along with happily raising and loving their three children. Sue and Ron enjoyed time spent hunting for antiques, and all opportunities to enjoy their grandchildren. Above all, Sue’s life revolved around her family. She would do anything, anytime, for her children and grandchildren.
Sue is survived by her husband of 32 years, Ron Worden, Jr.; their daughters, Chelsea Worden and Heather Scott; son, Jared (Jami) Worden; 7 grandchildren, Ravyn Scott, Marley Scott, Ray J. Hubbel, Jace Worden, Emmalynn Worden, Owen Worden, Olivia Worden, and a new baby on the way; her mother, Jeanne Wyckoff; mother-in-law, Elaine Worden; and her brothers, Ken Wyckoff, Jim Wyckoff, and Tim Wyckoff. She was predeceased by her father, Ray Wyckoff.
Friends are encouraged to support Sue’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was held on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at Pray Funeral Home. The service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2022, at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Benton Township Cemetery. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at www.nationalmssociety.org. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Sheila Burgie
Sheila Joan Burgie, 73 of Charlotte, a strong-willed and classy lady, died February 19, 2022. Sheila Joan Adleman was born on November 14, 1948, in Reed City, MI to Floyd and Joan (Wyman) Adleman, she graduated from Sexton High School where she participated in synchronized swimming and received Sexton’s highest award for business studies. She worked for General Motors executives, for representatives at the State Capitol, A&E, then as a legal secretary for Willard Mikesell, and finally at Eaton County Youth Facility.
Sheila lived life to the fullest, enjoying lots of activities, travel, and time spent with family. Playing on adult league softball, she enjoyed her position as pitcher, and her family enjoyed traveling to her games. Travel was one of her favorite things, including trips to Florida, Charlevoix in upper Michigan, and to lots of snow skiing locations in the west. She started ski trips when her kids were young and continued this even after she learned she had cancer, always keeping a positive attitude and enjoying experiencing the world around her. Sheila also enjoyed her flower gardens and yard, shopping trips, watching college and pro football, and pool parties.
Sheila had a great smile that will be missed by her family, including her sons, Brian Sutton (Heidi Hiner), Jared (Jenny) Sutton, and Jason (Angelina) Sutton; granddaughters, Skyler (Cameron Langmaack) Sutton and Emma Sutton; sister, Sharon (Mike) Doherty; brothers, Duke (Sandy) Adleman and Darrin (Jeannie) Adleman; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Jim Burgie; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Sheila’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Sheila’s funeral services were Thursday, February 24, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with PASTOR Charles Jenson 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 Sheila’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Dorothy I. Hughes
It is with broken hearts and so many treasured memories we said goodbye to our precious Mother, Dorothy Irene Hughes. On Thursday, February 17, 2022, she joined the angels that she felt were always watching over her.
On July 28, 1925, she was born in Dansville, Michigan to John Thomas and Florence May Bell. When our father, Jack, passed in 2003, they had been married 53 years. After marrying Dad and four children later, she tackled the challenges of raising us with love, strength, and determination to set us on a good path. We thank you for being our Mom.
As one of eight children her family moved many times as she was growing up. She was very shy in school and would just start to make friends and they would move. When living in Flint she attended the Episcopal Church. Various jobs included: telephone operator, working at GM; started as a janitor working midnight shift and worked her way up to making guns during the war, and comptroller for Gulf Oil Refinery.
Mom knew how to laugh at herself. She loved telling jokes; the John Wayne toilet paper was the best. Although she suffered, she would always say “so many others were worse off than me”. She loved sewing, knitting, crocheting, working in the lawn, crossword puzzles, playing cards, writing poetry, and also attending the “Guinea Hen Club” with her friends. She even made a picnic table from scratch.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Tommy (Ursula) Bell, May (Victor) Hill, Johnny (Margaret) Bell, Harry (Marjorie) Bell, Gladys (Lyle) Studer, Robert, who passed away from pneumonia at 11 months, and sister-in-law, Betty Bell.
She is survived by her brother, Bill Bell; brother-in-law, Ron Wilson; four children: Doug (Beckie) Hughes, Jean (Dave) Richey, Mary (Phil) Beasley, Ellen (Dave) Lambright; 10 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and friends. She loved hearing all their stories and adventures. Uncle Bill and Mom loved to share favorite jokes on the phone. She was always so generous to her family and all her favorite charities.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Steve Ezop officiating. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Dorothy’s memory to Compassus Hospice, 801 S. Waverly Rd Suite 200, Lansing, MI 48917, Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran, Charlotte, MI 48813, and Heart and Hands Food Pantry, 9220 Kinneville Road, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827.
To view Dorothy’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com