Obituaries
Barbara L. Baldwin
Barbara Lillian Gorodenski Orman Baldwin of Charlotte, a lady who may have been small in stature but had a feisty spirit, died October 6, 2021, at the age of 88. Barbara was born February 11, 1933, in McKean, PA to Nickola and Valeria (Cucera) Gorodenski. While growing up, her family enjoyed music and she and her sister Eva would sing harmony to entertain themselves and their family. A graduate of Vermontville High School in 1951, she went on to work as a private secretary and worked for over 50 years, with 25 years at John Bean in Lansing, and then 25 years at Dart Container in Mason. With her giving nature, Barbara enjoyed volunteering at Hayes Green Beach Hospital in Charlotte as a “Gray Lady” for many years, and she was a volunteer chaplain at the VFW as well.
Barbara enjoyed trips to the casino, writing poetry, doing handy work, and collecting bird figurines. “In order to have a friend, you had to be a friend,” as Barbara often said, and she made sure her friends and family knew they were loved and appreciated. She never complained and worked very hard to support her family not just working during the day as a secretary, but also working nights as a waitress after her first husband, Vernon Orman, died in 1961. Barbara was also very particular, she liked things done a certain way and wasn’t shy about telling you to be sure things were done the way she knew as the right way.
Barbara is survived by her son, Michael (Maureen) Orman; granddaughters, Julie (Todd) Fox and Kayli (LeRoy) Hummel; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Emily Fox, Alexis and Kelsey Hummel, Nick (Sydney) Hummel, and Carley (Geoff) Cesaretti; five great-great-grandchildren; and brother, Joe (Elaine) Gorodenski. She was predeceased by her first husband, Vernon Lee “Mike” Orman in 1961, 2nd husband, Bruce Baldwin; and special friend of 31 years, Art Osterwald.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Barbara’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral Services were held on Monday, October 11, 2021, 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with the family receiving visitors from 12-2 p.m. prior to the service on Monday. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Capital Area Humane Society. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Donald R. Webb
Donald Rex Webb, age 88, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, October 11, 2021, at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital. He was born February 18, 1933, in Kalkaska, Michigan the son of Jesse and Mary Louise (Turner) Webb. Don was raised in McMillan in the Upper Peninsula and he was proud of his UP heritage. Don worked as a logger in several UP-lumber camps and drove truck from a very young age. Don graduated from Newberry High School and soon after graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army and honorably served his country during the Korean Conflict. On November 1, 1952, he married the love of his life, Joyce O. Anderson in Manistique. Don was a highly intelligent man with a determined and intentional spirit. He worked for over 30 years for Brown Brothers Construction as a purchaser of heavy equipment and superintendent. Don had his pilot’s license and traveled throughout the country purchasing many pieces of heavy equipment. He was also instrumental in the building of many roads and bridges across the state. Above all Don cherished his family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Don also enjoyed his trips to the casino with Joyce.
Don is survived by his children: Donald Webb of Northville, Sandy (Wayne) Simpson of Charlotte, Sheryl (Jeff) Towe of Charlotte, Cindy Albrecht of Dimondale, Daryl Webb of Potterville, Randy (Helen) Webb of Manistee; 14 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; and several great great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joyce on August 11, 2021; mother and father-in-law, Joseph and Helen Anderson; and sister, Viola (Earl) Shope.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 2 P.M. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Laura Cooper officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Those desiring may make contributions in Don’s honor to the family, and they will forward them onto Spectrum Butterworth Hospital and Palliative Care.
To view Don’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Denise D. Fennell
Denise D. Fennell (Cole), age 68, passed away peacefully at home in Vermontville on October 11, 2021. She was born in Vermontville to the late Vance A. Cole and Delores E. Cole (Wheaton) and was a 1971 graduate of Maple Valley High School. Denise worked for Owens Illinois Glass in Charlotte for 12 Years and General Motors Parts Plant in Lansing for 37 Years, where she recently retired in March 2021. Denise loved spending time gardening, hunting for special antiques with her husband Bill, baking up all kinds of treats including her famous Christmas coffee cake and snickerdoodles, spending time with friends, playing board games, and enjoying quality time with her family.
Denise is survived by her beloved husband of 28 years, William F. Fennell (Bill); and her siblings, including brother, Gerald Cole and wife, Paula (Hokanson); sister Linette Cole, sister, Nadine Rood (Cole) and husband Dan, sister, Corrine McMillon (Cole) and husband Rod. Denise cherished her time with her many nephews and nieces including niece Amy Zemke (Cole) and husband Jeff, nephew Ryan and wife Kelley, niece Dana Johnston (Cole) and husband Chris, niece Jessica Kietzman (Betts) husband Jeff, nephew Jeffrey Betts and wife Mary-Alice, nephew Austin Rood, nephew Douglas Rood and wife Janis (Tippie), niece Nicole Magdycz (McMillon) and husband Allen, and niece Keely McMillon, as well as several great nieces and nephews. Denise had a family of loving friends who will feel her loss terribly but none closer than her dear friend of 47 years Diane Clinton.
Denise’s funeral will be held on Monday, October 18, 2021, at 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, 401 W. Seminary St, Charlotte, MI 48813. Visiting hours will be held on Monday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral home. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The American Heart Association or the Maple Valley Memorial Scholarship Foundation. Friends and family are encouraged to support Denise’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Betty J. Boatman
Betty J. Boatman
Betty Jane (Whipple) Boatman of Eaton Rapids, comfortably passing October 13, 2021 at the age of 96. Betty was born September 6, 1925 in Detroit, Mich., the daughter of John William and Goldie Mae (Tropp) Whipple.
Betty grew up as an only child attending the Henry Ford High School & Jr. College in Dearborn, Mich. She was blessed when marrying Dale Boatman, son of an Eaton Rapids farmer, and blessed again having five children and three step-sons to love and care for.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, H. Dale Boatman; and step-son, Howard D. Boatman Jr. Survived by step-sons, Stephen Boatman (Dixie) of Mission, TX, and Robert (Debbie) Boatman of Binghamton, NY; daughter, Pamela Emery of Rogers, AR; sons, Ricky Boatman; Craig (Cindy) Boatman and daughters, Sherrilyn Olson and Joy Mulvaney from Eaton Rapids.
Betty was so blessed with family and loved each and every one of her children equally, 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She had a very involved life with all her children and their families. She was also a lifetime member of the First Congregational Church and a member of the Eaton Rapids Medical Center Auxiliary.
Mother we love you, and you will remain in our hearts and memories, and our children’s hearts and memories always.
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church of Eaton Rapids or the Eaton Community Palliative Care.
Kirby Grettenberger
Kirby, a six and a half-year-old American Lineback-Holstein cross steer trained to be part of an oxen team, was terminally injured on Friday, October 8, 2021. The injury occurred when a driver failed to stop at the stop sign, entered the intersection, was struck by a second vehicle, careened into the pasture and struck Kirby, fracturing his rear legs. Kirby was humanely euthanized and returned to the family farm in Eaton Rapids for burial. Kirby leaves behind his teammate Reid, his herd mate Zeiter, and his “Mom” Dr. Brenda Grettenberger and her family. Memorials in Kirby’s name can be made to Tiller’s International at tillersinternational.org or to Heifer International at heifer.org.