Obituaries
Jeremy J. Droscha
Jeremy James Droscha, born April 27, 1978, went to be with his Lord and Savior, March 5, 2022, passing from the result of injuries sustained in a massive explosion and ensuing house fire. He was a devoted husband and father, and a true hero that rescued his four-year-old daughter from the burning house. His children are his pride, joy and legacy.
Jeremy was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, John and Betty Bergeon; and paternal grandparents, Robert and Phyllis Droscha. Survived by wife, Jessica (Pletz) Droscha; son, Mason Droscha; daughters, Hannah and Aubrey Droscha; mother and father, Denise (Bergeon) and James Droscha; sister, Katie Droscha; and brother-in-law, Andrew Rodgers; many aunts, uncles, cousins, special friends and neighbors.
Jeremy was born in Eaton Rapids, and was raised on the family dairy farm. Attending Charlotte Schools from kindergarten through high school, he graduated with the class of 1996. Jeremy was active in 4H, FFA, and automotive classes, receiving state level awards in drafting and automotive competitions through his high school years.
After receiving a mechanical scholarship from University of Northwestern Ohio, in Lima, Ohio, he completed an associate degree in automotive and diesel technology. Returning to Michigan Jeremy then attended Olivet College, graduating in 2006 with a dual bachelor’s degree in science and history. During his college years he worked at a large farm in Lima, Ohio. Other jobs included being a semi-truck driver for Ryder, five years as a production supervisor for General Motors in Lansing, and for the past seven years Jeremy was a full-time licensed relator with ReMax of Lansing. Jeremy’s career passion was being a full-time farmer, growing hay, beans and corn, and working with his family.
Calvary Baptist Church was the family’s second home. Driving the church van picking up anyone that needed a ride to the Savior was part of the Wednesday night family schedule. He also served as a church Deacon for three years. His special gift was maintaining the church and grounds. Jeremy loved the Lord and was an integral part of his church family.
Serving the community as an Eaton County Fair Board member was also important to him. Working as a team with his fair and farmer friends helping make a safe place for kids to develop life skills, have fun and grow through agriculture, the FFA, and 4H. His favorite part of the fair was the tractor pulling, he worked with the team as one of the tractor pull superintendents for the last twelve years. Jeremy also served 10 years at Eaton and Ingham County as a volunteer sheriff deputy.
The love of his life was his wife, Jessica. Jeremy and Jessica were married for 14 years, together raising three beautiful children Mason, Hannah, and Aubrey. The family worked hard together, and the family played hard together. Rarely, did you see Jeremy without one or all three kids in tow. He enjoyed farming, cutting wood, picking rocks, restoring their 150-year-old farmhouse, growing a huge family garden, and greenhouse. Often, the entire family, grandma and grandpa included, loved to make trips to farm and tractor shows.
Jeremy had an adventurer’s spirit. He mapped unexplored caves in Kentucky, climbed and repelled many mountain sides, and he owned and flew a hot air balloon for the past 12 years. The bonds of the ballooning community run deep. He and Jessica were successful in teaching their kids to race quads, with Hannah and Mason both winning first place trophies at the state level. He also loved pulling his kids on the tube behind his boat at the family lake house.
Jeremy’s life philosophy was, “Do not go where the path may lead . . . Go instead where there is no path and leave the trail behind.”
Friends are encouraged to support Jeremy’s family by sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at Charlotte Assembly of God with interment following at Center Eaton Cemetery. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Calvary Baptist Church or Droscha Family Fund, https://bit.ly/Droscha.
Rosario Debler
Rosario “Rosy” Debler, a woman who devoted her life to the Lord, died Sunday, February 20, 2022. Rosy, 58, of Charlotte was born December 7, 1963, in Charlotte, MI, the daughter of Eustaquio “Rod” and Bertha (Bosquez) Rodriguez. Rosy was very artistic; this was a god given talent of hers. She did take some art classes but most of her abilities she was born with. Rosy could be found at craft shows around the area selling her work. She was known for her piñatas. In the later years Rosy developed Macular Degeneration causing her to be legally blind. This however didn’t stop Rosy from continuing to do her artwork. In her early years Rosy enjoyed dancing with Valli Halbeisen Dance Studio and performing in Traditional Mexican Dances around the area. Early in life Rosy was a devoted member of the St. Mary Catholic Church and in her later years she was a member of New Hope Community Church in Charlotte. Above all her biggest joy in life was her family, especially her nieces and nephews.
Rosy is survived by her beloved cat, Clara Jane; siblings, Joe Rodriguez, Ricardo (Darlene) Rodriguez, Linda Fox, Delia McGregor, Alicia Rodriguez-Wilcox; nieces and nephews, Gabriel Fox, Veronica (Mark) Neal, Stephanie (Josh) Dorey, Martin (Kendra) Rodriguez, Brianna (Cody) Wolgamott, William Rodriguez, Kegan McGregor, Mike (Laura) Lovell; great-nieces and nephews, Kendall Dorey, Ashton Dorey, Carson Wolgamott, Jayden Lovell, Aubrianna Lovell; special friends, Esther McKeever, and Becky Brooks. She was predeceased by her parents; significant other, Ken Debler; brother-in-law, Steve Fox; sister-in-law, Patricia Rodriguez.
Friends are encouraged to support Rosy’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial Service was held on Friday, March 4, 2022, at Pray Funeral Home with Laura Cooper officiating. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Rosy’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
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.