Obituaries
Monika Sivyer
Monika Elisabeth Secker Sivyer, age 78, of Vermontville, died peacefully on Saturday, February 5, 2022, in Lansing. Monika was born August 5, 1943, in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, the daughter of Richard and Helene (Hees) Secker. She finished two years of college before falling in love with a young American soldier stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. Dewain Sivyer and Monika Secker were married on October 6, 1962, in Frei-Laubersheim, Germany, and settled in Michigan in 1964. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage, including many adventures traveling and raising their four children. Monika and Dewain loved fishing in Nicholson Bay, Lake Windermere, Ontario, Canada. She loved gardening, knitting and scrap booking. She was an accomplished bowler, bowling in Portland, Charlotte and Lansing. She will be forever known as a devoted mom and grandmother. She loved her kids and grandchildren more than anything.
Monika is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Dewain. She is survived by her children, Susan (Edward) Daood, James (Linda) Sivyer, Richard (Martha) Sivyer, Cynthia (Brad) Huff; her grandchildren Alexander, Cody, Anne, Brianna, Amber, Hannah, and Jacob and her beloved great grandchildren; Jocelyn, Ava, Brayden, Chloe, Lacey, and Ellie. The family wishes to thank Monika’s friends in the Amish Community who befriended her, especially Lavon and Darrel Chupp, who she loved as her own grandchildren.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Monika’s family sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you donate to your favorite charity who may need it most. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Thomas Salik
Thomas “Tom” Bernard Salik, a family man, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. Tom, 87, of Charlotte, was born September 14, 1934, in Hastings, MI, the son of Benjamin and Bertha (Kondratic) Salik. He graduated from Hastings High School and later enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving his Country. On August 4, 1979, Tom married the love of his life, Donna Mae Hall, and together they raised their blended family. Tom retired from BOC Automotive where he worked for 30 years. His hobbies included bowling, golfing, snowmobiling, hunting, camping, watching U of M Sports and most importantly family get-togethers. Tom was very active at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, he volunteered for many events and also with the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. Tom also volunteered his time at The Center formerly the Senior Center. Above all, Tom, over his lifetime was proud of his marriage to Donna and the many memories they created.
Tom is survived by his wife of 42 years, Donna; children, Kevin Salik, Wendy (Mark) Anderson, Ed (Linda) Hall, Mary (Patrick) Schneider, Rebecca (Edward) Magoon; daughter-in-law, Helen Hall; 16 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and many extended family members. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara Flower; grandson, Tyler Flower; son, Thomas Hall; granddaughter, Kristina Hall-Grams; parents; and 15 siblings.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Tom’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Saturday, February 12, 2022, from 10-11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte. The funeral will be held following at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. If desired the family suggests memorial contributions to The St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry or The Center. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Marilyn D. MacKenzie
Marilyn Dee MacKenzie, 83, an easy-going and yet very stubborn woman, died peacefully with her family by her side on February 3, 2022, at her home in Vermontville, MI. Born in Central Lake, MI on October 24, 1938, to Zemira and Esther (Harter) Zimmerman, Marilyn graduated from Hastings High School in 1956, and later that year married her sweetheart, Donald MacKenzie on Halloween. They lived in Hastings, and later moved to Vermontville where they raised their three children with lots of love and lessons on the importance of family and hard work.
Marilyn was very sharp and enjoyed working at Michigan National Bank as a teller, and became Branch Manager at Independent Bank. She was also treasurer at their church in Hastings and later the South Cochran Church of God in Charlotte. Some of the things she was very good at and enjoyed over the years, include crocheting, bowling, gardening and canning the fruits of her labor, making amazing homemade pickles, hunting deer and bear, fishing, and family camping trips. Family meant the world to Marilyn, and she especially enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren playing games and just spending time together.
Marilyn is survived by her husband of 65 years, Donald; son, Steven MacKenzie; daughter, Valerie (Thomas) Palmer; grandchildren, Nicole (Richard) Rivera, Curtis Palmer, Darcy MacKenzie (Jason Nesky), Erin (Joe) Elliston, Derek MacKenzie, and Dena (Christoph) Holzmann; 8 great-grandchildren, Audrey, Ethan, Morgan, Cameron, Avery, Cayden, Dylan, and Joanna; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Brian; sister, Margaret; and her parents.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Marilyn’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to the South Cochran Church of God. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
William Bullard
William Wallace “Wally” Bullard, 82, of Charlotte, a man of kindness and humility, passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, February 3, 2022. Wally was born February 23, 1939, in Wayne, MI, the son of Arthur Martin and Eula (Burger) Bullard. He grew up in Canton, MI, and graduated from Plymouth High School in 1957. Wally briefly attended Eastern Michigan University before he was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed in Korea. Upon his return from the service, he attended Wayne State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Sociology. On November 4, 1966, Wally married the love of his life, Kathryn Elizabeth Campbell, and the two started their family. Wally served as a probation officer for Wayne and Oakland Counties.
Following retirement, he and Kathy moved to Las Vegas, where Wally competed in the World Series of Poker. While in Nevada, Wally even served as a delegate to the 2008 State Democratic Presidential Caucus. They returned to Michigan and settled in Charlotte, to be near their son, Wally, and their grandchildren. Wally continued his love of poker, as well as golf, playing in multiple leagues at Centennial Acres until his health restrained him. He loved the music of Hank Williams and Jimmy Rogers and was extremely well-read and knowledgeable of history. All who met and knew Wally loved him, and he lived a life devoted to his family.
Wally is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kathy; son, Wally (Melanie Anderson) Bullard; and grandsons, Stanley Bullard and Adrian Stadler. He was predeceased by his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Wally’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Private interment will take place at Center Eaton Cemetery followed by an online memorial event that is being planned. Details are forthcoming. In lieu of memorial donations, friends are encouraged to go out to lunch in memory of Wally. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
David A. Filkins
Our beloved David Allan Filkins, 75, of Charlotte, had a massive heart attack and died peacefully, slipping from our hands into the arms of his Heavenly Father on February 2, 2022. David was exceptionally kind, disciplined, and loving. He enjoyed motorcycling, backpacking, snowshoeing, snow blowing, and walking. He had a great appreciation for music and he always had time for a pun. David and his family lived in several communities in upstate New York, New Jersey, Colorado and most recently the last 19 years in Charlotte, Michigan. His friendships transcended state lines. David was a man of faith, prayer, and Scripture.
David was born in Auburn, New York, the son of Donald Allan Filkins and Jean Hamill Filkins. He lived in Elbridge, New York most of his school years, played trombone in the band, worked for local farmers and in construction building homes. David enjoyed fixing things. He attended Auburn Community College before joining the United States Air Force. He repaired airborne navigation equipment and enjoyed playing in the Drum and Bugle Corps. Another assignment was with the 57th Air Rescue and Recovery during Apollo missions. He was responsible for initiating a work co-op program between the University of Dayton School of Engineering and Wright Patterson Air Force Base.
David was the best man at his brother, Doug’s wedding to Kathy, and her housemate, Brynda, sang during their ceremony. One year later, David married Brynda Van Skike and finished his BSEE at Syracuse University. David worked in several capacities over the years: engineer, sales, computers, artificial intelligence, project management and teacher. In Charlotte, he was a reading and math tutor to hundreds of students. That allowed David and Brynda to work side by side which was a delight to both of them. He often reminded her that “We are a team” and they were.
David and Brynda spent 50 years together and had three daughters: Vanessa, Melissa and Allison. He loved watching them grow into outstanding young women. He will be remembered as a devoted follower of Christ, a gentleman, a hard worker, a helper, a sacrificial giver, a loving father and a beloved husband.
David is survived by his family whom he loved: his wife, Brynda, of Charlotte; his daughters and sons-in-law, Melissa and Gad Krumholz of Lago Vista, Texas, and Allison and Mark Hagen of Manchaca, Texas; his brothers, Douglas (Kathryn) Filkins of Westchester, Illinois and Timothy (Rhonda) Filkins of Elbridge, New York; brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Vanessa Filkins of Austin, Texas. He will be greatly missed.
Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, February 18, 2022, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given, if desired, to the Navigators, P.O. Box 6000, Colorado Springs, CO 80934 (a Christian ministry) or a charity of one’s choice. David was a gift from God.
To view David’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.